Blueberry Banana Nut Bread

So I am proud to share my very first recipe. I have been working on perfecting my banana bread for almost 3 years, & after a recent family blueberry picking trip, I decided to try & make my very own blueberry banana nut bread. I sent a loaf of this bread into my husband's work, & they all LOVED it! It is by far my favorite recipe, & it's my very own! Hope you enjoy!!

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 1/2 large bananas
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
dash of salt
2 cups flour
Small handful of crushed nuts
1/2 cup of blueberries

1. Preheat the oven to 350'. Grease & flour one 9x5" pan.
2. Cream butter & sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs, then bananas. Mix in baking soda, cinnamon, vanilla extract, & salt. Add flour & crushed nuts stirring until combined. Gently fold in 1/2 cup of blueberries.
3. Pour into pan & bake for about 1 hour & 45 minutes. Bread will be golden brown & toothpick will come out clean. Time may differ with your oven.

Slice & butter. Enjoy!!
Recipe by: Christina Giehl

Very 1st Ruffle Halter Top

Sooooo.... I purchased this absolutely wonderful Babylock Serger months ago, but had yet to do anything with it. I made a few pillow cases, but I wanted a challenge. I took a shirt out of my daughter's dresser, measured the width, then basically eyeballed the rest. My stitching is far from perfect, but this serger is the hardest thing I've ever had to learn. It's so intricate, and there is so much involved in creating just one stitch. It's for sure been a learning process for me. I lucked out with this halter & it fit my daughter nearly perfect, but I definately need a lot more practice before I add anything like this to my shop. It's the plan though. I am absolutely in love with the way the colors went together & I had my beautiful daughter show it off. I'm excited to practice some more!!

Sugar-Crusted Raspberry Muffins

Made some delicious raspberry muffins today with the freshly picked Alaskan raspberries we had picked from yesterday. I actually made two different batches, using two different recipes, & this one was by far the BEST!

Recipe found here: 

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/sugar-crusted-raspberry-muffins-10000001085085/index.html

Here are some pictures of my kids helping us pick the raspberries!

Frogs & Flowers

So I spent last night decorating cupcakes for Kresslynne & Tavis's birthday party. Amber bought the frogs & rings, & made the cupcakes. I used my Cricut Expression 2 to make the adorable flower cupcake toppers, & came up with the idea of putting the little frogs on lily pads.

 I just LOVE these cupcakes!!! I got to practice doing grass/water, & finally put my wonderful little cricut to good use!

Opening Honey Rose Stitches

The last few weeks, I've decided that I want to open my craft business again! I love crafting in the comfort of my own home, while the kids are sleeping & it's peaceful. The name is still subject to change but Honey Rose Stitches was the only thing I could come up with as of the moment. These are my gorgeous creations so far with more to come!

I'm really excited to be doing this again. I love the vintage feel of my creations. I'm hoping to find a photographer that I can make free things for in exchange for some nice photos! I mean the thought of little newborn babies wearing things that I've made is such a wonderful feeling. If I don't find success with my page online, then my plan is to get a booth at a craft bazaar this year. I'm just going to have fun with this!

My Sweet Little Owl

I purchased this adorable pattern from Beezy Mom's Creations & decided to make one with a teal & purples. I made this for my youngest daughter, but Jenaye really wanted to model it for me. She did a beautiful job modeling the hat I made! Also this was the new logo I designed for my photography business!

You can visit her etsy shop here: Beezy Mom's Creations to purchase this pattern!

Special Feature: My Husband's Cutting Board

I love my husband!! He is amazing & so wonderful, & as of lately has spoiled me with his woodworking talents! Recently he finished a beautiful new cutting board for me since my old one had split. I used it to cut apples for the kids, & today we used it to cut some veggies for our homemade chili. I am so in love with it!!!

Isn't it just amazing??! Lately we've been just woodworking & crafting our nights away. Hope my small group of followers enjoy taking a peek at our creations, & hope it inspires you to make your own.