homemade pumpkin ricotta ravioli

pasta is a passion of mine! so anytime i can get my talented husband to make it for me is a good and happy day.
yesterday he made a pumpkin ricotta filling wrapped in an herb pasta dough. (i apologize i don't have a recipe to share. he doesn't follow one, he just invents as he goes. but if anyone wants it he i could probably get him to remember) now if anyone is turning their nose up at the idea of pumpkin and ricotta (and a few other yummy savory ingredients), let me just say that all of my kids LOVED it! it was AHH -mazing!


i helped with the forming and cutting of these precious little purses of goodness...



he made a sage butter sauce, and shredded fresh parmesan on top. worth every single luscious calorie!

how about some origami for the holidays?

my latest obsession? origami! i have tried my hand at several different folds with a measure of success.

the peace/long life crane:
(which looks fabulously festive on my eiffel tower, no?)

my visiting teaching sister will be receiving one of these on a pretty ribbon.

the penguin.
(one tough little fellow, i tell you)

a small box.
(a lid can be made too, but i think this little beauty will house some beads)

a bookmark.
(the backside is a full square so it is pretty secure on the page)

i love learning a new craft!! fun and creatively stimulating.

lifehouse

when stephan and i met there was a song which seemed to perfectly capture our blooming relationship: hanging by a moment by lifehouse. one of our first dates was to a matchbox 20 concert. the opening act was a little known band, lifehouse. and so began my total adoration of their music. their lyrics are beautiful, and they have to ability to continually produce music that inspires. if you haven't listened to their song everything, you must. they aren't a self-professed christian band, but after listening to that song you can't deny that it is at least a little bit about Jesus Christ. to me, it is.
my friend erin invited me to their concert at a small venue. even better than that, was that we were invited to attend a private acoustic concert prior to the show. when i say private, i mean there were only like 15 of us! after that private show we had the opportunity to meet them. they are so genuine. completely down to earth, regular guys.
here i am with the band....beaming:

thank you erin for a unforgettable night with my favorite group!!

newest handmade diaper bag

let me first apologize for these pictures. they are pretty crummy.
but here is a diaper bag i was commissioned to make for my friend. i have playing with the dimensions and such, and this one is my favorite to date.


i designed the pockets with baby stuff in mind; diapers, bottles, lotion, etc. the outside pocket is for the essentials; lipgloss (for mommy), keys, cell phone, ipod. i have found these are the items i am often reaching for with one hand while holding baby, or driving. so they need to be super easy to reach and grab.



and i had to add a bit of pretty to the outside as well. i did so in the form of my handmade flowers, done in beige silk, with a dab of adornment in the centers. lovely. even though she had a boy my philosophy on diaper bags is this: it is YOUR accessory. you have to carry it, and it should match your personality. have fun with it. you will be attached to this accessory wherever you go!

corners of my home

some time ago, on some blog which may or may not still be in existence, i stumbled upon a segment titled "corners of my home". i really wish i could remember the name of the blog so i could give proper credit, because i love the idea! so much, that i want to implement it here.
yet another way to document life, as my home changes as much as we do...especially with the seasons.

give thanks banner

with each new season my home must have a celebratory banner!

i started out with pumpkin chipboard.
covered with autumn themed paper.
printed out the letters for give thanks.
cut out with my circle cutter.
inked the edges.
tied together with brown lace.
voila!


a nice reminder for thanksgiving, but really for the whole year through.

eye-pleasing halloween printable

i came across this adorable printable, that, of course, i printed up straight away!!


if you want one from your home (natalie, you know you do - wink!) head on over to craftily ever after. she has some great things going on over there!

upcycled food jars into halloween cuteness

i love these spooky "lab" labels. i usually save all glass jars. the ones below are two kinds of applesauce and salsa.

simply:

rinse well.
peel off old labels.
paint lids with chalkboard paint (or paint of choice).
print off lab labels of choice (i googled said labels).
adhere with modge podge.
fill with labeled items. (if anyone needs werewolf fur i have a saint bernard who moonlights as a werewolf. he is always shedding.)



voila! nearly free Halloween decor......



i scored this AHmazing chair this weekend. although it looks like an antique, it's not. it's actually from a high-end design store. i bought it from a friend of a friend. it makes my heart swell and do little back-flips whenever i walk into our living room. eeee!!

things i'm loving right now

right now i'm all about:

fresh baked chocolate chip cookies

halloween decor

handmade halloween decor

mathilda the mummy
(i refuse to be the ONLY female in this house!)

mulled cider jar candle from wal-mart
(and at just $5.00 it smells even better)

organizing every corner of my house...
then appreciating the colorful results

family home evenings on monday nights
the boys look forward to them, which makes my heart smile

my church calling as young women's secretary -
and working on my personal progress

this quote,
which strengthens me when i'm feeling vulnerable

cracking open a nice cold beverage

it's all about the simple pleasures in life!

family wall re-do & new jewelry creations...

i've been wanting to re-do our family photo wall for awhile. mainly to add ashton to it, but also to update our photos too, and go with a different look. this was inspired by pottery barn. i merged a few different grouping that i adored, and though it isn't totally finished, i love it!! i think my favorite part is the that the family proclaimation to the world is grouped with our pictures!

photo credit: all mine except picture of me taken by stephan

i moved my beloved cherry sign (done by the fabulous jandi) to the front hallway. it makes sense there.

and now to the jewelry....
i really love this first piece. i think it's a good juxtaposition of wood, crystals and color. it makes me happy when i look at it.


this piece is my new favorite. it's just so ME! pearly, bling in the form of rhinestones, chain, a few charms, and to soften it all up a creamy satin ribbon running through the chaos. the picture doesn't really do justice...it's better on.


this piece was sundance inspired. leather holding together pearls and glass bead strung on silk cording. beautiful and rugged at the same time.



this one if quite different from anything i've made. it's longer than i usually wear (maybe that's why i have yet to wear it). the jury is still out on this one. maybe it will end up being a christmas present. :)

inexcusably absent...but busily crafting nonetheless...

ok, so being a consistent blogger is NOT my strong point. i do sometimes lie in bed at night and mentally beat myself up over it (seriously...about a lot of things. guilt sucks). but despite the lack of communication i have been quite busy and bursting at the seams with inspiration!!

while my mom, sister, and her boyfriend mike were in town, mike and the boys built a half-pipe. it's crazy big, and totally sweet!






i've also been very domestic. i made a nice big batch of raspberry jam (with the help of jandi...thank you!!)



it turned out deeeliciously!!


i've been cranking out lots of jewelry (post on that to follow), and i made a happy birthday banner. something i have been wanting to do for quite some time. it will be a part of a new tradition i am starting in our home. the morning of your birthday, the birthday fairy will leave you one of your presents, some donuts, and this, the happiest of banners to greet you! fun, no.


again, more posts to come on other crafting/domestic endeavors. dear blog, my humble apologies for the neglect.