What I've Been Up To

I feel like it has been forever since I have listed a new item in my etsy shop! And, that is because I have been working on a huge custom order for one of my parties. I am working steadily on the bags (especially trying to get some done while my husband is in Haiti for the week) and thought I would share some of my creations with you!

Sweet Pink Mini-Tote! A first in two fabrics!

Divine Lime! Love the new fabrics!

Most popular fabrics! A new twist on the black and yellow birdie fabric.

I have a couple other bags that are almost done and will post them soon! In the next few weeks, I would like to try something new with my blog - a tutorial! I like to make matching key chains to go with my bags and since they are super easy, thought I would share!!! So, be on the look out for my key chain tutorial coming soon!

Wouldn't you just love a matching key chain for your Sew Cute! bag?

Big News

Hello! I've been neglecting my blog and twitter accounts lately because we've been busy at work! I thought I would take some time to write and then catch myself up on the blogs I follow! I miss everyone. =)

The first bit of news is baby related! Doug and I went for the ultrasound this morning - 21 weeks and counting! Our baby BOY is healthy, strong (95% for size), and very modest - he wouldn't let us know "who" he was until the very end, keeping his legs crossed the entire ultrasound!!! It was wonderful to see my baby's form - truly a blessing and miracle from God.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
Seeing my child inside of my womb makes me wonder how people can not believe in a mighty, sovereign, loving God.

I should have some pictures coming soon; my husband is scanning them. I'm wondering what the next stage in my pregnancy will bring - we've started our registry, so we'll have to finish that. We have signed up for our hypnobirthing class (not as crazy as it sounds, believe me!) and I'm slowly (yes, I am very happy about this) gaining weight. So far, 10 pounds. =) Grandpa Gray has painted the nursery, now we just need to fill it with baby stuff! Whew...it should be fun!

Another big set of news....my dear friend Amanda is getting married this weekend!!!! Doug and I are happy to be part of her big day...I'm helping coordinate the ceremony and reception and my husband has the pleasure of officiating the ceremony. We are so excited for our friends...marriage is a wonderful blessing. Congrats Mandy and Tim!!! It will be a beautiful wedding weekend.

On the bag front.....I had my third Sew Cute! At Home party a few weekends ago and came home with another HUGE order. The success of my little business is mind-boggling and a little stressful - with a full time job and pregnancy hormones to manage. I've been sewing away on my new orders and will get some pictures up soon. I've decided to take June off to get ready for my baby BOY (quilt, crib skirt, nursing cover, bobby cover....you get the picture!!!), but will then reevaluate for the rest of the summer depending on my energy levels! At the very least, I will stock up my etsy shop, Lucy's Art Emporium, work on my business plan, and get ready for some fall craft fairs.

A special shout-out to my wonderful husband, Doug - he has been amazing during my pregnancy (and all five years of marriage!!!) - going out for late night cookie runs in the rain, ordering out when he knows I will be too tired to cook, and adapting to my ever present crying. I love you, honey!!!

Whew! That was quite a lot to update. =) Talk soon!

Monday Meal: Lighten Up!

Well, the weekend is over and work has begun. Well, not in my department - no work, yet...but I am still here and not home in my cozy sewing room listening to Erin Dooley and making bags...I digress.

I found a recipe that I used a few months ago and thought I would share it. I love Macaroni and Cheese! Any kind, any time, don't touch it! My husband knows after five years of marriage that he does not touch my mac and cheese unless I give him the go! I have a wonderful homemade recipe that I found in a Martha Stewart Food Magazine (yum), but is totally artery clogging and guilt inducing. This recipe - Lighten Up - Three Cheese Macaroni is from Food Network and as the title implies, is much lighter. I would not say this is "healthy", but if you love mac and cheese and have a conscience about your heart and waistline...it's a good one to try.

A few notes about the recipe...it uses evaporated milk instead of whole milk. I heard on the radio last week that to lighten up mac and cheese you can use evaporated milk - same taste and texture, less calories. The recipe also calls for muenster cheese and much less cheddar than usual. I read it wrong when I made mine and put in less muenster and more cheddar (oops)...but give it a try. I have heard that using a sharper more tasty cheese (and less of it) works just as well as Emeril's 4 cups (no kidding) of cheddar/monteray jack. For the veggie lovers out there, this recipe also includes cauliflower. The theory is to puree the cauliflower to thicken up the sauce and add some nutrients. I (again) didn't follow the directions and put the cauliflower in small pieces. I would recommend pureeing!!!

FYI - I have also heard that using cottage cheese or ricotta cheese in these baked pasta dishes cuts down unwanted calories. I use cottage cheese in my lasagna and the hubby loves it!!!

So, basically, my notes tell you to FOLLOW THE RECIPE!!!!

Doug liked it - couldn't tell the difference between this and my super-fattening Martha recipe. I thought it was good - minus the cauliflower - as a lowfat alternative, but nothing trumps my Martha!!!!

So, if you have a craving for some comfort carbs, check out this recipe from Food Network. Let me know what you think!!!!