My Favorite Zucchini Bread Recipe

This summer I discovered the joy of Zucchini when my neighbor brought some surplus over from her garden. I had never had it before, and wasn't quit sure what to do with it at first. I looked online and found several recipes, one of which was Zucchini bread. Zucchini Bread? I thought it sounded very unappetizing but gave it a try anyhow. Oh yum! What a delight I have been denying myself all these years! I found this recipe on All Recipes and tweaked it a bit using the combined advice of other posters and through general trial and error.

This afternoon I was craving something warm and freshly baked so I pulled out some frozen  grated zucchini to make a few loaves. I hadn't frozen it before - so I am happy to report that it worked perfectly in the bread! Now my whole house smells delicious and my tummy is very happy!

i {heart} Ottobre

The newest Ottobre arrived in my mailbox this afternoon!! I love Ottobre, it is the one subscription I have that I will never, ever, let slide. The patterns inside are very unique and rich with details like top stitching, pockets and different closures - they make you want to challenge yourself and try a new technique. And the pictures alone provide a ton of eye candy to keep you inspired. I find the customer service impressive as well, they have responded immediately to my inquiries and quickly replaced a missing issue for me.
Also in my mailbox today was a Hancock's of Paducah catalog. This hefty fabric catalog is full of the newest lines and traditional basics. So now I think I'll go to make myself a cup of hot chocolate (chocolate and raspberry cheese cake flavored, yum!), curl up on the couch, and read my mail!

Sweetest Pioneer Dress & Bonnet

 I spent some quality time in my studio earlier this week and got some sewing accomplished! Hooray! This is a "pioneer" dress for my niece, Kat. This project was different for me in the fact that I usually start with a fabric, and it whispers to me what it wants to be. This time I knew what I had to make - but didn't have the fabric on hand, only knowing she wanted "purple". Man! I had the hardest time finding just the right fabrics for it, I scouted local quilt shops and the standard chain stores but nothing was what I had envisioned. I ended up getting these two prints online at Connecting Threads, and I am really pleased with the out come! I had never bought fabric from them before, but it is lovely and a steal at about $6 a yard.
 I'd like to say I made this dress for my niece just because I am a fabulous aunt, but I have to admit it was a trade with my sister in-law for a cuttlebug - she got a new die cutter and I justified it for her by swapping out her old one. :o) I kinda feel like I got the better end of the deal though, since the pattern was simple to put together, and I look like a fantastic Auntie!
 Well, off to get this boxed up and shipped out!

Unwinding with Digi-Scrapping

Today was one of those busy days... between chores, errands, 1 husband TDY and 2 kids constantly under foot I don't think I spent one moment at rest, or even alone for that matter. I had hoped to get some big time sewing done this afternoon...welllll, the good news is I got all my cleaning done, so I have all day tomorrow to spend playing in my studio! I have a pioneer dress in the works for my niece that I really need to finish, hopefully I'll get it done tomorrow and can post some pics. It's coming out pretty sweet!
 I had planned to hit the rack much earlier tonight, but after I had the kids in bed the house was so quite I couldn't resist the urge to make something. It's amazing how just releasing a little creativity can replenish the soul, especially at the end of a day like this one. Since I wanted something quick and not messy (did I mention that I just cleaned?) I sat down and did a simple digi-layout. So, the layout above is what I came up with, thought it turned out pretty cute. (Most of these elements came from this months Scrap Girls club.)
Well, I've had my play time I'm exhausted!

Organize That Sewing Space! featured on YCQT

While browsing online I discovered my eBook is listed under the "Most Popular Products" on the you can quilt this  homepage. They like me, they really like me!

The book is titled "Organize That Sewing Space!" - and being January, I figure some people must be making a resolution to clean up their sewing rooms.  I guess even I could use some tweaking in my studio. We moved to Utah 7 months ago and this is the largest space I've ever had to myself! I've managed to accumulate some pieces to fill it up (ohhh, how I love the DI - but that's for another post...) because you know I couldn't just leave all that open space empty! Of course there are still some things on my wish list, I am a pretty simple girl and a bit of a minimalist, except when it comes to my studio. I figure I'll eventually get it just right, but I'm going to take my time and just allow it to evolve a bit.

Oh wow, my first post!

Hello out there! I am Leslie - mother to one boy and one girl, wife to one Airman, and constantly searching for that perfect balance between being everything to someone and something to everyone - and not losing myself in the shuffle!

This Blog is my record of projects, thoughts and photographs as I search for domestic bliss through creating, organizing and simplifying.

Welcome to my my little corner of blogdom, I hope you come back and visit me soon!