[love] bakers mountain

Bakers Mountain Park is located in southwest Catawba County.  It's an awesome 189 acre mature chestnut oak forest with about 6 miles of hiking trails.  This was our first visit but definitely not our last.  We didn't make it to the top which is the highest elevation in Catawba County at 1780 feet, but we had a wonderful time.  The kids loved it until of course it was "hold-me" time for the twins. 

[give] prize for hannah

My little niece recently had her third birthday.  She loves blankets and books - this works, right?

It's my first quilting experience and I think it turned out pretty well.  It's super soft and folds into it's own little bag which came equipped with some nice bedtime books.

[celebrate] mini nonster mash

Some ideas for our annual pre-trick or treating party.

photos courtesy of tiny prints, better homes and gardens, hostess blog, oriental trading company and party perfect

[play] crabbie buddies

With no regard for spelling, especially when referencing crabs, on with the post.  Henry turned a whole year old recently and to keep with the theme that Miss Amy laid out, crabs were in order.  So this is what I came up with! 

Happy Birthday Henry and I hope you get lots of play time out of your little crab buddie and their sand castle.



If you are interested in little crabs of your very own, check out my Etsy Shop, playpending at http://www.etsy.com/shop/cphensley .

[play] time for breakfast

Okay, so it's felt but it's so cute!  The egg may be my favorite. 

Jack decided lunch was necessary as well.  Bologna, he loves it.

[love] kindergarten here we come

Jack loves it.  LOVES it. 

[make] enter orange

I'm thinking it's officially fall.  Labor Day has come and gone, football has started (woo hoo) and the temperatures are down in the 50's at night.  So, it's time for orange.  Lot's of it.  Pumpkins are orange.

These are so super easy to make and unfortunately I can't remember the source of this inspiration, so my apologies.  All you need is fabric(s) of your choice, some felt, and some plastic grocery bags.  I used some coordinating fat quarters that I picked up.  Cut a circle(s), about twice the size you want your pumpkin.  For the ones above I cut out concentric circles about 1" to 2" larger than my beginning pumpkin which was about 8" in diameter.  Sew a running stitch around the edge of the circle and begin to pull tight just like you are making a really large yo-yo.  Before you gather the stitch completely, stuff your pumpkin with plastic grocery bags until it's as full as you like.  Have a good bit on hand, it takes more than you think.  Close the stitch and tie off as tightly as you can.  Cut some leaves out of felt and a long rectangle of felt to roll for the stem.  I used to hot glue to attach the leaves and then stem, but you can certainly sew them on if you prefer.  I cut some small slits at the bottom of the stem to "fan" out and cover my gathers.   

Now you are ready to add a little orange to your life.  Just remind your kids, if they are like mine, they are not balls to be thrown about.  But if they do throw them, these little beauties will take it.

pretty in

... pink, blue, brown, teal, orange?  Here is more detail as promised on PlayPending Bows. Each bow is handmade and may vary slightly.  Sizes range from small bows which are approximately 1" long to large bows which are approximately 3" long.    

Top: Striped and Brown Medium Bow ($3);

Bottom Left: Cream and Brown Medium Bow ($3);

Bottom Right: Lime Small Bows ($2)

Top: Striped and Teal Medium Bow ($3);

Bottom: Small Teal Bows ($2)

Top Left: Navy and White Medium Bow ($3);

Top Right: Navy Medium  Bow ($3);

Bottom: Striped Medium Bow ($3)

Top: Cream and Burgundy Medium Bow ($3);

Bottom: Navy and Burgundy Medium Bow ($3)

Top Left: Red and White Medium Bow ($3);

Top Right: Red and White Medium Bow ($3);

Bottom: Red and White Medium Bow ($3)

Large Orange and Navy Bow ($4)

Top Left: Large Orange and Striped Bow ($4);

Top Right: Medium Striped Bow ($3);

Bottom Left: Large Orange and Striped Bow ($4);

Bottom Right: Medium Striped Bow ($3)

Top: Yellow and White Medium Bow ($3);

Bottom: Yellow Medium Bow ($3)

Top: Light Blue and White Medium Bow ($3);

Bottom Left: Blue and White Small Bow ($2);

Bottom Right: White and Blue Medium Bow ($3).

Top: Pink and White Small Bow ($2);

Bottom: White and Pink Medium Bow ($3)

All bows are handmade with high quality grosgrain ribbon heat sealed on all edges with a focus on durability and versatility.  For more information or to make a purchase, please email me at playpending@gmail.com. 

Thanks for looking!

bows

[love] beautiful

A Sturdy Solution ...

image: martha stewart

[love] camping

It's Blowing Rock and the chance of it raining is always possible.  So we packed up and headed out to the Julian Price Park's Campground with the family.  That sounds so easy, "we packed up and headed out".  It wasn't that easy, in fact it was hard.  But we made it and after a lunch and catching up at The Woodlands, we found the sweetest little spot ever! 

It was a perfect fit for the tent and "kitchen" easy up.  It was fairly level and no neighbors!  It also had these cool little trails back behind it through the rhododendrons that the kids loved.  It wasn't even that far from the bathhouse. 

We got camp set up, a fire started and hot dogs were perfect for supper.  No rain.  We were good to go and even the girls cooperated and went to bed wonderfully in the tent.  The next morning wasn't as promising.  Breakfast was crazy good, but isn't it always when you are outside?  The fire got warmed back up and we decided to wait for the sun to come out.  The sun didn't come out.  The boys went fishing, the girls and I played at the campsite, but the sun never came out.  Then the rain started.  The kids were great, but we knew that it wouldn't be long before the limited amount of dry area wouldn't entertain them any longer.  So we called it.  We packed it all up, in the rain and headed back home. 

In the end, the right decision was made, but it was sad nonetheless.  Price Campground is just one of those places that you always want to stay one more night.  Maybe we can squeeze another trip in before it just gets too cold.

tomatoes

It's August in the South.  If you aren't eating homegrown tomatoes, why eat them at all?  These little beauties are growing in the kids play yard.

This wonderful assortment is from the Hickory Farmers Market which I'm totally addicted to and can't stand the idea of not having access to all those wonderful veggies come fall.

Now to figure out if I'm ever going to get more complicated than putting a slice of tomato between two slices of white bread with some Duke's mayonnaise.

Crabby ...

One year old and already crabby?  No way, he's the happiest little boy you've ever seen so a red, white a blue birthday will be perfect.  A few ideas via Etsy.  

first row: crab plush; c is for crab; crabby leash (for the pup)

second row: sailboat painting; clay crabs; candy wrapper; letterpress invite

third row: crab applique; cloth set; cupcake liners

fourth row: punch outs; matchboxes; bracelet (for mommy)

[love] a crafty turned healthy adventure

Big Crafty....  ohhh myyyyyy ....  and in Asheville?  I couldn't resist.  The crafts were almost as amazing as the people who made them and I LOVED meeting the artisans that I've watched (okay, maybe stalked is a better word) on Etsy for so long.  I even recognized some the artists from the Charlotte Etsy Fair I visited last summer.  It was so awesome that it needs it's very own post so onto the kiddos.

The ONE problem with the Big Crafty, 1000 degrees at noon with three VERY sweaty kids right around nap time.  The answer, The Health Adventure, a very cool (both figuratively and literally) "family health and science attraction" located on Pack's Square in Asheville.  The same location as Big Crafty!  Being an avid visitor to the Catawba Science Center in Hickory, how could we just walk past without at least checking it out. 

It's awesome and the staff is so super nice. Even on a day when you couldn't walk outside their doors thanks to all the craftmania.  We let the girls out of the stroller and just let Jack loose.  Kate and Maddie loved the play area.

They had an amazing time in just the first room and after a few minutes of ultra cool ac, I was back off to browse the crafts while Dad watched the kids.

We met back upstairs in the "Wizard of Oz" exhibit.  Jack worked on Tornado Alley while the girls visited some munchkins for tea.

So, if you are ever in Asheville and need a wonderful and educational break, this is the place.  I was just a bit jealous at not getting to explore The Health Adventure the whole time, but I know we will be going back!

[celebrate] burlap and the beach

Here are a couple final photos of the Rehearsal Dinner for Brandon and Wendy. 

Not bad for a much older church fellowship hall.

Images: Josh Jessmer

[love] the lake

Papaw got an RV.  Mamaw doesn't care to ride in it.  Mamaw likes to park it and leave it.  Papaw doesn't like not having a car.  The answer, Lake Lookout and a little campground with no more than 15 other campers, mostly fifth wheels and our new summer vacation spot via the grandparents.  I think they had the idea they were going to "escape" us kids for a bit and yet I think the opposite has happened and they would have it no other way. 

images: playpending

[celebrate] tonight is the night

So between a lovely vacation in Asheville and getting ready for the rehearsal dinner, blogging has suffered.  Back to it with a little glimpse of Brandon and Wendy's Rehearsal Dinner.  The Big Day is tomorrow, so I hope they are having a wonderful time tonight and get to enjoy their friends and families as much as the barbecue. 

brandon and wendy ...

Brandon and Wendy are a beautiful couple who are finally getting married NEXT WEEK!  I've been working on some ideas for their rehearsal dinner.  Since it's Brandon's show we decided on burlap and the beach.  We begin assembly tomorrow and hopefully our ideas will turn out as pretty as the ones below.

images: Style Me Pretty, Pottery Barn and Coastal Living

[read] sunny inspiration

I was sucked into craft books again.  Add a weakness for books to a love of crafts and I'm so done.  All but one are solid, and the one that's not was free, so there you go.  Sew Sunny Homestyle by Tone Finnager is one of the prettiest books I've read or even seen in a long time.  Although the style is something that I could never pull off, I've found one project that may have me busy for a while.

So hopefully I will have some crafty posts to add in very soon and at the same time get a head start on Christmas for all the girlies in my life!

happy fourth of july

you can always count on martha ...

image: Martha Stewart

kampfest 4 - planning ...

a few years back we started meeting some very good friends of ours "in the middle" at koa's.  the first kampfest was in mt. pleasant, sc and we fell in love with the kabins.  now we all have kids and we're stepping up to the lodge but still rockin' it koa-style.  this year, swannanoa.  so it's time to start planning - oh not where we are going to stay or what we are going to do.  no, what's our theme and what are we going to cook!

more to follow but i'll give you a hint ...

image: Better Homes and Gardens