Rainbow Cake

I saw this cake on Martha Stewart and decided to try it for a dessert party we were invited to over the weekend.  I adapted the recipe a bit, using pastel colors instead of true rainbow hues and substituting my mom's buttercream icing for Martha's meringue buttercream.  The cake was quite cheerful and utterly delicious!

Dresden Plate Quilt

My 2009 winter project was making a Dresden plate quilt.  I'd never quilted before, but after discovering 1920's fabric in my grandmother's attic I was inspired to learn.  I took a free quilting class at our local church and taught myself the rest.

I set up my grandmother's wooden quilting frame in our dining room, which meant moving out all the furniture.  I was 3 months pregnant when I started and 7 months pregnant when I finished.  Needless to say, I was motivated to complete the project as quickly as possible because leaning over the loom became more challenging each day.

Here are a few pics of the progression

Dining Room Decor

I'm inspired by all things vintage. And I love vintage-inspired prints, like those of British designer Cath Kidston. My 2010 winter project was decorating our dining room head-to-toe in CK. I also fell in love with her melamine line for kids. The polka dots are a fun way to dress the table and the perfect compliment to many of her floral patterns. http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/