Harlow's First Birthday- Embroidered Shirts & Fun Shorts

Almost three years ago, I used money and gift cards I got for Christmas to buy an embroidery machine.  It took me two and a half years to finally plug it in and learn how to use it!  Ridiculous, I know.

Now that I know how to use it, I embroider everything in sight! (I have a Brother HE1 Embroidery Machine.)

The cake design I used for the onesie Harlow wore on her actual birthday and on the onesie she wore to her party is from Planet Applique (click HERE to get 20% off).  The number 1 on her birthday onesie was traced, cut, and sewn on with my sewing machine.  The font on her birthday and party onesies were fonts stored in my embroidery machine.

Her shorts were inspired by this link I found on Pinterest.  The fabric is from Hobby Lobby, and my mom altered a bloomers pattern to make the shorts.

Harlow's actual birthday fell on a Wednesday, and her party was on Saturday so all of our family could celebrate with us.

On Wednesday Colin and I took Harlow to a pumpkin patch.  I embroidered the pumpkin design on a piece of fabric, cut the fabric into a circle, then stitched it on the onesie with my sewing machine.  I wanted to be able to use a seam ripper to remove the pumpkin design circle and use it on shirts in the future (hence why I didn't embroider it directly on the onesie).

The pumpkin design was a free appliqué from Lynnie Pinnie.  I used a font file that I had to monogram the H.

If you embroider, PLEASE leave me a comment with your favorite embroidery websites and software!  I'm still so new to this; I could use all the help I can get!

Here are a couple other embroidery sites I like:

Daily Embroidery

Embroidery Designs

Etsy

Here's a bonus embroidery project…

I had a shirt with an owl on the front and turned it into a pillow.  I cut the owl design off the shirt, embroidered Harlow's name on it, sewed it into a pillow, and stuffed it with fiberfill.  This was literally the second thing I ever embroidered.  I told you I want to embroider everything!

Harlow's First Birthday-- Homemade Tent

I contemplated for months on what to give Harlow for her first birthday.  I wanted it to be special, be age appropriate for now but also grow with her and be lasting.

Harlow loves books and loves for us to read to her.  I kept having the thought to make her a tent where we can play for now and where she can go to read when she gets older.  There's something special about having your own space where you can hide away and pretend.

The tent was a hit!  Colin made the frame, and I sewed the fabric.  It folds up out of the way if you need to store it, but we're keeping it out in the house, because it's too fun to hide!  The link to the tutorial is down below.

Get the tutorial HERE :)

Harlow's First Birthday-- Strawberry Cake & Strawberry Icing

Strawberry cake is my favorite, and I knew I wanted to make it for Harlow's party.  Who can go wrong with naturally pink cake?

I found a cake recipe and tested it out as my birthday cake back in July.  It passed the test!  The icing recipe that accompanied the cake recipe was too runny, though.  It was yummy and perfect for a sheet cake, but wasn't thick enough for a layer cake.

I found an icing recipe in a cookbook I had and made a batch to test it out.  The icing can last up to 3 months in the fridge, so I made it early so I had time to find another recipe if I didn't like it.  Well, it was delicious!  And thick!

I made Harlow's cake two days before her birthday and put it in the fridge.  That same day I added mashed strawberries to the icing and kept it stored in the fridge.

Both recipes are pretty easy and are SO TASTY!

It was a hit at the party.  But don't take my word for it…just ask Harlow!

The cake recipe will make one cake.  I doubled it to add cupcakes and Harlow's small smash cake.  I doubled the icing recipe and had a small amount left over.

*Easy Strawberry Cake recipe from Call Me PMc

*Bakery Frosting recipe from The Taste of Home Cookbook

• 2 cups shortening (I used organic vegetable shortening)
• 1/2 cup powdered nondairy creamer
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 package (32 ounces) confectioners' sugar
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup water (or less if you're adding strawberries and their juice-- I added a little less than one small carton of smashed strawberries)
• Food coloring, optional (I didn't use any)

1) In a large mixing bowl, beat the shortening, creamer and extract until smooth.  Gradually beat in the confectioners' sugar.  Add enough water until frosting reaches desired consistency.  Tint with food coloring if desired.

2) Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.  Bring to room temperature before spreading.

Yield: 8 cups

Sunflower Butter

Sunflower kernels + food processor = Sunflower butter!

No, it doesn't taste like peanut butter.  I don't think I would use it as an even swap for peanut butter, but I'm pretty devoted to peanut butter.  We're in a committed relationship.  I like the sunflower butter for a fun change, and it's a good alternative if you have a peanut allergy.

Sunflower butter has some health benefits: fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamin E, vitamin B1 and B5, potassium, iron, and magnesium.

It's easy to make, so give it a try!

S'more Bars (Travel Friendly!)

                     

Fall is here!  It's time for bonfires and s'mores!  There's only one problem…most of the state of Arkansas is currently under a burn ban due to the dry weather.  That won't keep me from making s'mores!  You can make them in your kitchen!  Here's a fun twist on s'mores that you can throw in some tupperware and take with you wherever you go!

Grab some graham crackers, marshmallows, chocolate, and whatever fun twist you want to add (like Reese's chocolate peanut butter spread!).

Put a marshmallow on a cracker and stick it on a baking sheet.  Throw them in the oven at 350 degrees until they get a little toasty on top.  You could also broil them, but you better stand there and watch them!

While the marshmallows are toasting on the cracker, grab more crackers and spread some peanut butter or Nutella or Reese's spread.

Grab the baking sheet out of the oven and top off the crackers!

Take the assembled s'mores and set them on wax paper, then dip them in melted chocolate.

Add some sprinkles to the chocolate!  Then stick the s'mores in the fridge or freezer for a couple minutes for the chocolate to set.

Then EAT!

These travel like a dream and make great little treats for friends!  You can even dip a few marshmallows in chocolate to mix in with the s'mores!  Take that, burn ban!

ENJOY :)