My New Sundress

So here is the story, I started this dress last October. I had gotten the entire thing put together, lining and all, but never put the zipper in or finished them hem. Well I got busy with school and had a few medical problems that sprang up so the unfinished dress got put in a box never to be seen again till last week. SO yesterday I pulled it out and finally finished it.

I am really happy with how it turned out. I lined the whole thing because the flower fabric was pretty see-through all on its own. I used Simplicity pattern 3745. I think if I were to use this pattern again I would lengthen the straps just a bit, but other than that I love the way the dress fits. So here are the pictures.

Here is the finished product, and below is a close-up of the bodice.

Updates

So, it is now time for an update. My mom and I have official figured out our plans for when I go down to Florida. We are leaving Texas on the 10th of August and hoping to arrive in Orlando by the 12th (it shouldn't be too hard to do, we allotted time for stops at night). We then are going to attend the Melaleuca Convention from the 13th to the 15th.

Then my dad, sister, my boyfriend, and possibly my brother will either drive or fly down and be there by the evening of the 15th. We will then commence our "vacation" by doing stuff like going to Universal and Sea World (save the Disney visits till we have free tickets). Then on check-in day they are going to drop me off and help me get settled etc.

I have a feeling I will have the greatest number of people with me at check-in, but that doesn't bother me one bit. I am very much a homebody, so having them there to drop me off will make me feel a lot better.

Now that this is figured out it is time for more waiting, only 82 more days.

Spiked Cheesecake Bars

Today I tried out a recipe from my new cook book; the Spiked Cheesecake Bars.

Recipe:
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour, divided
3/4 quick oats
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 package (8ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 granulated sugar
1/4 cup and flavor liqueur, such as coffee, orange or hazelnut (I used coffee)
2 teaspoons milk
1 egg
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350. Line bottom and sides of 8-inch square baking pan with foil, leaving 2 inch overhang.
2. For crust, beat brown sugar and butter in bowl of electric mixer at medium-high speed until creamy. Combine 3/4 cup flour, oats and baking soda in small bowl; gradually beat into sugar mixture in bottom of prepared pan to form crust. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Set aside on wire rack.
3. For filling, combine cream cheese, granulated sugar, liqueur and milk in mixer bowl. Beat at medium-high speed until smooth. Add egg and remaining 1 teaspoon of flour; beat until well blended. Spoon filling over hot crust. Bake 38 to 43 minutes or until set. Cool completely on wire rack.
4. Melt chocolate chips and drizzle over cooled cheesecake. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight for best flavor and texture.

As you can see from the top picture, the chocolate exploded in a couple areas. I think for a first attempt they turned out OK, but in the words of my boyfriend, "I mean they're not great". The next time I make them I think I am going to modify the crust to where it is more like a regular gram cracker crust on a original cheesecake. Other than that the cheesecake portion has really good flavor.

Work Problem

I figured out the other day that the job I have for the summer probably wont work with my school schedule. So now I have to task of figuring out what I am going to do for a job over the summer. I have a shop on etsy.com but I haven't posted anything because I really don't have any crafts to post yet. I have some vintage patterns that I am going to post once I use them, and some jewelry I have made that I just haven't taken the time to post yet.

I am going to talk with my supervisor tomorrow and see if I can figure something out because that would make everything easier. I really need to make some money so that when I go to Disney I will have some extra cash before getting my first paycheck from being down there.

New Cookbook

This past week I was able to go home for a few days and I got a new cookbook when I went shopping with my mom. I am very excited about it! I can't wait to try some of the creations that are inside :) especially the Spiked Cheesecake Bars, English Muffins, Caramel Walnut Banana Torte, Black Bottom Cupcakes, Old-Fashioned Pound Cake, and the Banana Chocolate-Chunk Cupcakes. Luckily I don't have much to do for the next few weeks, so I have plenty of time for baking!

Hopefully I can master a few of these recipes so when I go to Florida I will be able to make my roommates lots of goodies.

Finished!

I am officially finished for the semester. I took my last final this afternoon, it was terrible, but I don't care because I am done and I ended up with an A in my English class.

Now I can relax, somewhat, and do arts and crafts in my free time when I am not working. I just went to Hobby Lobby today and got some new projects to work on and also some supplies for one I am currently working on.

I have 99 days till I arrive in Disney and I absolutely cannot wait. But before I go to Florida I am going to Canada for a week with my parents and my sister to meet here boyfriend. It will be interesting to say the least. I'm also going to South Carolina at the end of July with my boyfriend and his family for a week. We are going to the beach, so I am excited about that.

Hopefully this summer will be relaxing and not too hectic. We will see.

Have a magical day!

Finished Product

I just finished this project the other day, and today I went to the store and got a really awesome frame for it. I love how the red frame and the pillow in the cross-stitch match. What really made me like this project is that the cat looks like the cat my boyfriend has, and the dog looks like my dog. Enjoy!