Happy New Year!

Baby booties

Crochet has first become a hobby. Now I enjoy making things not only for my children but for others as well. Over the winter I made a few baby and toddler booties. Here are the last two pairs of booties I made. I hope you like them as much as I do.

Baby Booties

Back to blogging

I am back. With being a full time mom and full time teacher, there was not much time left for anything else in my life. I am sorry for not blogging, but no worries  I am back now!
My husband was away on a business trip over the past few nights and I had a lot of time to think about my life and priorities. And I am now going to dedicate more of my time to my family and home and friends.
First things first: FAMILY.
My youngest is turning 5 this upcoming Friday. Her party is on Sunday at Build a Bear. This is a great idea but those that know me know that I am still doing the goody bags and follow up pizza and cake are back at my house. I am actually looking forward to that.
I am also going to try to make a party for her at the School. Need Ideas for goody bags there!!! Open for suggestions.

Thanks,
Masha.

Happy Birthday, Hank!

Today is my son'd (boxer dog) 1st Birthday. I actually was there to help his mom deliver him and his 11 brother's and sisters. Happy Birthdayto all!

Birthday Update

It has been about a month since the Birthday Party. I am attaching some pictures of the way the table looked. I hope you like it.

Birthday Preparations

Preparations are still on its way, however I have to be finished by tonight. I am dedicating tomorrow night to putting together the sleepover for 10 year old girls before the actual party.






I think the theme for the sleepover will be “Slumber Party”. I already have the plates and other decorations, I think I am set with the goody bags as well. I do however still need a few more fun, sleepover party activities. As always, I am opened for suggestions.

Winter Wonderland

Mornings like this you really appreciate the real winter and seasons that we have in Philadelphia. It will stay beautiful for a little bit before it gets nasty and starts melting into the mess that makes me hate the winter. But for now we can just look and appreciate

Fancy Nancy 10th Birthday Party

My 1st born is turning 10 this Sunday! I can not believe it! This is going to be a sleep over for three of her girlfriends on Saturday to Sunday and on Sunday at 3pm we are all driving to Sweet & Sassy for a Fancy Nancy themed Fashion Show Birthday Party.
I decided that I would get all the paper goods and put together center pieces and goody bags.
I think I am almost done.

Etsy shop

I finally did it!!!!! I created an etsy account. http://www.etsy.com/shop/mashutadesigns
Please come see my shop. I am so proud of finally finishing up enough outfits to have a shop.
Please share what you think.

Blueberry / strawberry pie

What you need :
2 ready pie crusts
6 cups of fresh blueberries and strawberries
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup all-purpose flour (for thickening)
1/2 cup white granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tbsp butter (unsalted), cut into small pieces

Start baking:
1. Bake the bottom crust on 450°F for 10 min.
2. Gently mix the blueberries, sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Transfer them to the chilled bottom crust of the pie pan, dot with butter pieces.
3. Cover with the second pie crust. Bake on 425°F until edges are golden brown.
4. Cover the edges with foil. Reduce heat to 350°F and bake for 25 minutes more or until juices are bubbling and have thickened.
5. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Let cool completely before serving.

Boy cardigan

I finally finished the cardigan for my friend’s son. I do hope she likes it and it fits well.
Here is the picture

Red lace cardigan finished

Finally I finished the cardigan. It took a long time but it is finally done!!! Now I decided to make a skirt to match it. Here is a picture of the top. The skirt is in process of being created.

Twilight books

I have finally finished my Twilight books!!! I have to say that I loved the first book the most. However the New Moon movie was better the n the Twilight. It was becoming an obsession as I was reading the books I guess now I have to come back to reality.
I wonder how other people feel about the story.

Some Pictures from New Years

Holidays a over

The holidays are over and the kids are back to school. Now its clean up time. I really do not want to get rid of the tree yet. When is really the best time to take the tree down? Its still festive in the house with the tree, lights and the rest of the decorations. Maybe next weekend.
I am working on a new cardigan for my youngest one. Will post it as soon as it is finished. Does anyone know of any pretty designs for winter sweaters?

New Years Eve Dinner

New Years Eve is only a day away and I still do not know what I will be cooking. Help! Suggestions?

The tree is up!

In my family we celebrate Hanukkah and New Years. Russians put up a tree for New Years and as a child that was what I looked for. Staying up on New Years eve and waiting for Santa to visit with gifts. Sometimes the gifts waited for me under the tree on the first day of the New Year. I wanted to carry some of my Russian traditions on to my children. For years we put up the tree, but every year I suffered with allergies. I was going to skip this year, but the guilt took the best of me. I want my daughter’s to enjoy their childhood to the fullest. So here comes the tree.
We had a great time decorating it with the girls. Now they are more excited about the New Years Celebration.

Vintage Victorian Style

I have always been a pretty modern girl. With the arrival of my girls I got into a more girly and yet still modern style. Everything from clothing to home interior. I could not understand people that have antique anything. I had appreciation for the item, but not much of any other feelings. As years went on, and I got more into crafts and decorating, I started noticing that I am completely in love with a Vintage Victorian Style. The colors, the detail in the design and yet it is still light and makes you happy when you see it. Opposed to much of the antiques that are dark and put a little heaviness on the mood.
With that being said, I am on a mission to find a perfect tea kettle. I see it in my mind, but have not found it live yet.

Day after Christmas sales

The malls are crazy today. There are 50%-75% Sales everywhere. As I walked through the stores this morning, I realized that people are returning. The lines for returns are longer then for purchases. Does that mean that people are not happy with their gifts?
Anyway, I wanted to let everyone know that “Bath and Body Works” is having 50% to 75% off sales today. http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/home/index.jsp