Mad Men or James Bond, you choose

I made this tuxedo bib back in August for a friend's baby.  The little guys aunt got married and he needed to look his best for the occasion, not that he needed any help.  He's one cutie patootie!  It reminds me of a baby James Bond or Don Draper - in a good way. 

As much as I love children I'm not venturing into making children's items.  Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately depending on my mood) there is a proposed law that anything made for children has to undergo strick testing (fireproofing the material, etc) - this will be a huge financial burden to small entrepreneurs.  Don't get me wrong, I'm all for the safety of children but this seems like a LOT of unnecessary red tape that I'm not interested in jumping through.  However if the mood strikes you go ahead and Google CPSIA for more information.  If you are interested in these types of bibs I highly recommend Etsy.com.  Or you could make your own if you're feeling adventerous, they are really easy!

When I got married my nephew was 8 months old and he was so cute.  As I was creating my wedding album there was at one point more pictures of him than my husband.  Not that my husband isn't cute but his cheeks aren't so squishy and he didn't have rolls of baby fat all over him.  Don't you just love that?  Eventually I did reorangize it and my husband is the most pictured male in the album, by 1 picture.  :)

I wonder if this little guys aunt will have the same problem that I did with her pictures.  My guess is yes.

Happy Fall!

Hello Blog Friends!  And happy fall.  I cannot believe summer is over.

I was very lucky to travel a lot during this summer which is why I haven't posted in almost 3 months.  Yikes!  Mr Sangria and I traveld in June to Oxford, England, London & Paris (see previous posts).  Then in July we headed to the Eastern Shore of Maryland for a family wedding and afterwards I flew south to Virginia & Tennessee to visit family and friends and to resouthernize myself.  It had been over 2 years since I had been home and I had a blast.  I made a promise to myself that that trip would occur yearly.  And in August we spent a week in Maine eating way to much lobster!

In the little time that we had between trips I caught a cold, (I'm the only person I know who gets colds in the summer instead of the winter), painted our bedroom - I wish I had a before/after picture but sadly I don't.  One of my upcoming projects is a new headboard so perhaps you'll get an "after" shot once that's completed.  And I trained for my next full marathon that is happening in 3 short weeks.

With all the traveling a did manage to squeeze in a little craftiness here and there.  More nursing covers, napkins, and a baby tuxedo bib which is insanely cute, and other odds and ends that are slipping my mind right now. 

But summer over and fall is here.  Fall is my favorite season.  I think it's the Back to School feeling about getting structured again.  We do have a few fall trips planned as well.  Life is good, I'm not complaining.

Cheers!
Cinnamon Sangria

I see London, I see France...

Mr. Sangria and I are back from a lovely trip to Europe (Oxford, London, and Paris).  We had a blast - it was a belated anniversary present to ourselves.  This was my first time to Oxford and London.  The start of our journey took us to Oxford, England.  Mr. Sangria spent a year studying abroad at Oxford University so we went back to visit.  It brought back many fond memories for him.  We even got to stay in the professors's dorms at the school.  He showed me the lay of the land and of course his favorite pubs that are still going strong.  The buildings are amazing and to think that this school has been open for hundreds of years is hard to wrap my head around. 

Then we were off to London. We did all of the touristy things one does when visiting a city for the first time (my first time, not Mr. Sangria's.  He played tour guide). 

We saw Big Ben.

Parliment

Buckingham Palace - if we are being honest not nearly as beautiful as I thought it would be.  But still something fun to see.  Who knew the royals only occupy 13 rooms in this massive building?  I couldn't get to a spot where I could get a picture of the entire building but trust me, it's huge.

We also went to the British Library, the British Museum, did a Pub Tour in Chelsea, saw the Victoria & Albert Museum, had a very fun time on a bike tour of the city, and of course went shopping and had to visit Harrods.  Harrods was a blast, the food area is like none other.  However it was insanely crowded so we didn't stay long.  One of the joys of living in a big city is that I have access to all of the stuff that they sell so I didn't feel the need to go shopping for too long.

And then we were off to Paris.  Both Mr. Sangria and I have been to Paris before so this was a different trip.  We met up with Mr. Sangria's parents who were also visiting Paris.  We did almost nothing touristy which was different than our visit to London.  We mostly strolled and ate.  And boy did we eat.  I think I'm 50 pounds heavier coming back.  But it was worth every delicious morsel.

Notre Dame.  I think this was the only touristy thing we did as we went inside (the line moved fast and entry was free).

Did I mention we ate well?  Glorious cheese!

A picture of my home.  How did this end up in this batch of pictures?  Or perhaps it's the Rodin Museum.

We also went to the Yves Saint Laurent exhibition at the Petit Palais.  Beautiful work.  Unfortunately I coulnd't take pictures but they had hundreds of designs on display.  The workmanship was imbeccible.  We sat in parks, we visited with is parents and other friends, went to an antique flea market, shopped and we ate endless croissants, nutella crepes, and drank cafe au laits.  I'm a happy girl.  I hope you enjoyed my recap.  Where are you going this summer?

Cheers,

Cinnamon Sangria

Explanation of MIAness

Hello friends.  I have been busy busy busy around these parts.  I do have lots of sewing related items to share shortly.  I'm in the middle of finishing up a custom order of shoe covers as bridesmaids gifts along with some make-up bags.  A great gift if I do say so myself.  I will post pictures of these shortly so stay tuned.

Although this is a week late Mr. Sangria and I ran the San Diego Rock N Roll 1/2 marathon.  We had a blast!  This was his first race and he did so well.  If we are being honest he did better than me and he kept me going when all I really wanted to do was just walk.  And it was great seeing 3 of my friends in San Diego who live there.  Hello C, C, & Y!!!   C & Y even volunteered at the start line of the marathon so it was great seeing them at 6am for a pre-run greeting.  

I have decided that San Diego is cool, the people of San Diego are cool, and felt cool for being there. 

Look at our medals.  One of these days I will clean my house and show you our medal wall. 

Unfortunately it will be a little while before I get the chance to post again.  Mr. Sangria and I are headed on a little vacation shortly and I have to get the previously mentioned shoe bags and make up bags done beforehand.  Our trip will be oh so fun and I promise you'll be very jealous.  But I promise to take a ton of pictures and share when we get back.

Happy Anniversary!

"If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you."

Happy Anniversary to my best friend!  I love you!

xoxo

In the Kitchen

This past weekend was spent not sewing.  Hard to believe but it does happen.  Instead I was in the kitchen.  It's strawberry season out here in Southern California.  I'm assuming it's probably strawberry season all over the country as well.  Is it?  Every year during strawberry season you'll find me in the kitchen. On Saturday I made strawberry ice cream with my Kitchen Aid mixer ice cream attachment - best. thing. ever.  Of course I didn't think to take any pictures. :(  But it's ok since I think you know what ice cream looks like.  I also made strawberry shortcake and freezer strawberry jam.  Delish!   Tonight or tomorrow night I'm going to make strawberry muffins with what's left over.  I'm on strawberry overload.

Sunday I took a canning/preserving class with a girlfriend of mine.  We made red wine jelly, orange & onion marmalade (can't imagine what that tastes like but I'm looking forward to trying it), and apricot jam.  I didn't take pictures during the class as I don't think strangers like having their picture taken, I know I certainly don't.  So you'll have to settle for the finished product.  I think I'm going to have to invest in canning equipment and start canning/preserving everything in site this time of year.  I'll be known as the lady who cans.  In the south we call it "puttin up."  You put up tomatoes, put up beans, put up jams, etc.  I remember my grandmother had a whole wall of her basement filled of her canned goodness growing up.  It's a lot of work but so worth it.  The finished product is much better tasting and heathier than the canned super market products.  And don't you just crave tomatoes during the winter?  I know I do.

Last night I made banana bread.  Fact.  I hate bananas.  Despise them.  Both the texture and the taste.  But every single week at the supermarket I buy them because I know they are good for me.  I think they are so easy and portable, I can just stick one in my bag and have it as a snack.  And I never do it.  Just can't bring myself to eat them.  I do however love banana bread.  It must be all the sugar and bready goodness.

So to tie this all together into something that I've sewn here are some aprons from my stash.  Truthfully this first one is from a pre-made pattern from Joann's Fabrics.  It was a fun, easy, and quick project. 

This one I made myself.  This cherry fabric never seems to go away huh?  I'm not a big cherry fan either which I know may seem surprising because you see this same fabric in every other post. 

This last one either my Grandmother or Great-Grandmother made by hand.  It's my absolute favorite.  I have no idea how old it is.  50-60 years maybe?  Possibly even older.  I love to think about her in her kitchen making food for her family.  I can tell there is a lot of love in this apron. 

Perfect hand embroidery

The stitching is just as clean on the back as it is on the front.  That is skill.

Did you see that pool in the background of these shots?  That's where I will be this weekend, with a cocktail in hand.  Welcome summer!

Interested in the banana bread recipe?  I know we all have one but I came across this one about 10 years ago and is easily my favorite.  And it's oh so easy to make.

3 ripe bananas

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 cup melted butter (no salt)

1 tsp baking soda

dash salt

Preheat oven to 325.  Mash bananas with a fork.  Stir in remaining ingredients in the order given.  Pour into buttered loaf pan.  Bake 1 hour (or until cake tester/knife comes out clean). 

In my opinion nuts are not allowed in banana bread but if you want you could add 3/4 cup chopped nuts.  Eww. 

This recipe freezes well and truthfully the best way to serve it is cold with cream cheese slathered on top (or even a cream cheese sandwich).

And lastly, because this post couldn't get any longer right?  I love Scrabble so I decided to post the topics in the future with Scrabble letters.  Because there is only 1 J I took the liberty of using my blank for the 2nd jelly in this topic.  So there.

Cheers,

Cinnamon Sangria

Latest Projects

I am a member of the American Sewing Guild. I love it. We meet once a month and just sew and gab. Sewing can be a little lonely so it's nice to get out and mingle with others, see what they're sewing and get inspired, and meet new friends. I'm fairly new with this organization but sew far sew good. :)  The meeting is only 1 1/2 hours long so it's great for quick projects.  We also sew for charity.  The current project are drawstring bags that will be filled with toiletries and other items for our soldiers in Iraq.  I hear that the soilders take the bags and fill them with candy and trinkets and give them to the Iraqi children.  I imagine that these children who are living in war zones don't get treats too often.  What a wonderful thing!  Thank you to our soldiers!  These took me no time at all - 20 minutes each maybe.  I'll be making many more of these.  If you are a sewer please consider making these.  Contact me and I will give you the instructions and sizing specifications.  It's a great project no matter what your sewing skill is.   Disclosure - this is not my pattern and it belongs to the American Sewing Guild.

At our meeting this past week we made napkins.  It was a perfect project because napkins have been on my to-do list for almost forever.  They are so easy to make but other projects always seem to take priority.  I love to cook and have guests over at least once or twice a week.  I loathe paper napkins, cloth napkins are much more elegant and also eco friendly which we all love.  The napkins I currently have are beige and a bit stained so it was time for new napkins.  I love this fabric - it reminds me of summer which makes me happy.  I think these would make great gifts and have decided to go on a napkin making frenzy.  I'm planning on making linen napkins next with embroidered cherries.  Cute huh?  Of course I will post pictures.  And yes I know I have a few photographer friends who are reading this (waving hi to A, C, & M!) please don't judge my photography skills.  I know they are terrible, I'm working on it, just be patient.  I have a whole new level of respect for you.

Perfectly mitered corners.  Very professional and a fraction of what they would cost at department stores. 

I love them. What do you think?
Who wants to come over for dinner?

Cheers,
Cinnamon Sangria