Happy Summer Break :) Lazy mornings in jammies, sweet, green, grass between our toes, swaying in the tire swing, and hot afternoons at the pool...I am looking forward so many things this summer. This is officially our "first" summer break as mommy and little one, and I can already begin to feel myself relaxing. I decided to set some summertime goals for myself, and today thought of my first.....
Summertime Goal #1: Learn how to bake homemade bread
I'll let you know how it goes and will happily take any pointers or delicious recipes...I can't guarantee mine will turn out delicious, but I'm going to try my darnedest :)
Here is a little peek at what Sierra
and I made and delivered to her teacher today on this last day of Kindergarten.
We made her a some fresh Cowboy Cookies, a handmade card, and picked her out a sweet Honeydew candle. The colors were inspired by Miss Dawn McVey's Raspberry Suite Color Challenge. The cute apple and sentiment stamps are from the Teacher's Apple stamp set from Papertrey Ink. I also used the Polka Dot Basics stamp set, Vintage Cream cardstock, 2008 Bitty Dot Basics paper, Raspberry Fizz, Ripe Avocado, and Dark Chocolate ink, Spring Moss Grosgrain, Raspberry Fizz satin ribbon, a large glassine bag, and Vintage Buttons, in Hibiscus Burst and Vintage Cream. The glittery paper is from K&Co. Cut N Paste, the glittered heart from Melissa Frances, and the blossoms from Making Memories.
And...as mentioned previously....another birthday card for you. I used a vintage image from Crafty Secrets Creative Scraps Girlfriend collection. Oh yes....I love these images :)
Oh yes...how could I forget to share these darling dresses I'm drooling over for my little Bean from The Shabby Apple :) How can I choose just one ?
Perhaps I love this one the best....
This one has most definitely stolen my heart....
Gonna be a toughie....need to practice some self-control, eh? Perhaps I just thought of my next goal.
Summertime Goal #2: Make Sierra some sweet Summery dresses :)
Melis
What a beautiful present for the teacher. I love the quote inside, it's so true. The birthdaycard is a beauty as well and those dresses are so cute.
Posted by: JokeBK | May 29, 2009 at 12:23 AM
Hi there! It's been way too long since I've been to visit you, but again, I was amazed by your awesome talent! GREAT stuff girlie! HUGS!
Posted by: DeeDee | May 29, 2009 at 03:24 AM
Making bread is not difficult! The main thing to understand is not to kill the yeast until you bake the bread. Yeast is killed by heat, not cold. So many people make the water that they dissolve the yeast in too hot. If it is a little cooler that "ideal", it will just rise a little more slowly. You can freeze raw bread dough, and it will rise after it is back to room temperature.
The best bread book that I know is The Tassajara Bread book by Edward espe Brown. I have an old, well weathered copy. It is now in print again, but I have only seen the bits shown on amazon. Although this is not a "technical, professional book", but it de-mystifies bread baking!
Hope this helps!
Posted by: Lee Cockrum | May 29, 2009 at 03:46 AM
Love your gift and your cards, absolutely beautiful! We have one of the same goals, I would love to learn how to make my own bread, especially sourdough and a hearty multigrain that doesn't fall apart!
Posted by: Annette | May 29, 2009 at 04:04 AM
I love the Jardin Dress. I think if you have a little girl to wear the dress, then you have to go for it. I checked, it doesn't come in my size. :)
Posted by: eRika | May 29, 2009 at 05:43 AM
Hi Melissa your cards and teacher's goodies are just beautiful, what to say about this gorgeous Birthday card as well ...I love everything. For the dress make all of them they are too cute
Posted by: muriel | May 29, 2009 at 07:41 AM
What a beautiful set, Melissa! I love the colors and all that glitter. I bet the teacher just loved it, too!
Posted by: Niki Estes | May 29, 2009 at 07:52 AM
Very beautiful work as usual. Good luck on the bread, that is on my I'm going to do that someday list too. My mom is a pro at it and I'm sure I would make her proud! You are so lucky to be done school. I am in Alberta Cananda and my kids are in school until the end of June. I visit your site everyday and very much enjoy reading your posts as well as your incredible creations. Have a good day with the Lord.
Posted by: Haley | May 29, 2009 at 08:27 AM
Beautiful teacher gift set! I love your use of glassine bags. I've always just had cellophane bags, but I like the element of surprise with the glassine look. :) Need to get me some of those. Also love the dresses. My favorite is the last one. Lastly, let us know if you figure out the bread thing. I've been wanting to try it too, but just feel a little intimidated by the whole idea! Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Rachel S | May 29, 2009 at 09:20 AM
These are beautiful!!! Great job!!!
Posted by: Melissa D. | May 29, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Today was my daughter's last day of Kindergarten...I am so NOT looking forward to a full day of school next year when she's in 1st grade. I'm sure her teacher (your daughter's) loved the gift...it's lovely!
Posted by: Katie | May 29, 2009 at 12:36 PM
I can only imagine how much your daughter's teacher must have loved having her in class. She sounds adorable...but who would not love to have little hand made GORGEOUS gifts coming in from you? OH MY GOODNESSES! So special. Thanks so much for sharing!
Posted by: Kari D | May 29, 2009 at 03:18 PM
Awww how sweet. I bet Sierra's teacher loved her gift! Hope you have a sweet delightful summer!
Posted by: Mel Nunn | May 29, 2009 at 03:36 PM
I always wanted to bake my own bread but never tried until I discovered the book "Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day". See www.artisanbreadinfive.com for more info. You don't have to knead the dough and the process couldn't be easier. I have made many different types of bread using this method and they have all been great.
Posted by: Anne G | May 29, 2009 at 04:29 PM
Oh,Melissa! What a darling gift you put together for the teacher. And the dresses are to die for! I have three boys so no dresses for me...but I can hope for a granddaughter one day, right? Have a wonderful weekend!
Posted by: Lisa | May 29, 2009 at 07:20 PM
I just am amazed by all your talents!
Posted by: Fink | May 29, 2009 at 08:48 PM
What a sweet little teacher's gift! I love those little dresses too, they are so adorable :)
Posted by: Mary | May 30, 2009 at 08:04 AM
What a lovely teacher gift, Melissa. So sweet. Being that you are miss crafty, you can definitely make Sierra some pretty little dresses--even cuter than the ones you show--just wave your magic Melissa wand and they will be amazing, I'm sure!
I have a delicious bread recipe that I will send you. It is so so so good. It's a cracked wheat bread and I promise, I dream about eating that bread. Yum. Pretty easy too, you just have to be patient in waiting for it to rise a couple of times. Oh... and the kneading will give you killer abs!! ;-)
Love,
Linda
Posted by: Linda Albrecht | May 30, 2009 at 08:39 AM
I visit often but thought I'd comment this time. I love your site! You are so talented and your style reflects a lot of my style. Keep up the great posts and eye candy for us paper-lovers! God bless
Posted by: Angela C | May 30, 2009 at 09:28 AM
bread baking - yum! its not hard. as Lee said don't kill the yeast in water thats too hot. I find the kneading by hand to be fun, but if you have a kitchenaid stand mixer with a dough hook that will do the kneading for you. another thing you might find is that it takes longer that the time suggested in the recipe for the dough to rise but thats OK, just be patient and it will get there
Posted by: Laura | May 30, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Melissa-
My daughter has posted some excellent bread recipes (and how-to) on her blog: www.laurenhairston.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lori | May 30, 2009 at 12:21 PM
I always enjoy stopping by your blog, seeing your beautiful creations and hearing what your daughter has been up to. I have a daughter the same age, also with a big mop of hair and loves to hang with her daddy too. She also loves to craft and I've posted her latest on my blog. http://jenniferhansenscrapgallery.blogspot.com/2009/05/bottle-of-primas-and-box-of-glue-dots.html
Posted by: Jennifer Hansen | May 30, 2009 at 06:52 PM
I see the need for self~control ;) I would have to do the same. :D Any teacher would be blessed to have you as a student's mama.
Posted by: tina | May 30, 2009 at 08:17 PM
So very lovely!
Many Blessings,
M.
Posted by: Melissa | May 31, 2009 at 12:31 PM