Don't Peak!

It has been hard for me not to post all the sewing projects I have been working on lately, but, I don't want to spoil anybody's Christmas! Many projects are gifts. But here is a taste of what I have been up to:

A friend of mine needed a baby gift and she asked me to make a Taggie. This has super soft fleece on both sides and lots of tags for baby to play with!

Next is a small diaper/changing pad station. This is my own design that holds a small pack of wipes, and changing pad, and about 2-3 diapers (depending on the size). I made one before, here, and after using it for a while, I knew I could make one even smaller and more compact. This is great when you don't need to bring your whole diaper bag somewhere (say like going to a friends house for a couple of hours, a quick trip to the store). It has a hook and loop closure and is small enough to throw in a large purse.

This one was inspired by a PB Kids thing I saw in a catalog. It's a play dolly diaper bag, changing pad and a pack of "wipes". The little one has become quite the little "mommy" to her doll and is now trying to change diapers. I have made one dolly diaper and I have a feeling more will be needed.

I didn't use any kind of pattern for this one. Just freestyled it. All the edges are bound and the wipes are made from white felt I had lying around. I just did a zig zag stitch around them to give a more defined look. There are three in the pack.

There is a mock pocket on the inside. It was supposed to be a real pocket but in my infinite brilliance, I attached the panel upside down when I assembled the bag. DOH! I hate it when I do things like that. Anyway, since this is a play set, it is now a mock pocket.

So here are a few things I have been working on. More to come. I am enjoying making Christmas cookies! See Ya!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope all of you had a happy thanksgiving! We spent a couple of days with the family and enjoyed LOTS of turkey! Got some shopping done and have lots of leftovers! YUM!

I was so excited when we got home because my Christmas cards were delivered! As you might remember from my last post, I was in the process of taking some pictures and picking out a Christmas card. I couldn't wait to open them up! And here it is:

The pictures I took were in a little blue gingham dress I made from this tutorial. I'll post more photos soon. The lower left photo and the two black and white photos were from that day. The center photo was one I took from a recent wedding we went to. The one of me and the hubs was also from that same wedding. I'm SO happy with the outcome! Thanks Shutterfly! Now for the holiday decorating! The boxes are being unpacked tomorrow.

Hello CHRISTMAS SEASON!

As for my recent projects, well there are many but I can't post them yet because they are going to be gifts. I don't want to spoil any surprises! I have been sewing up a storm though. Enjoying it a lot. It's my "me time".

It's Holiday Time!

Now it's time for the next chapter in this quirky year! The holidays are coming and that means it's time to think about this years Christmas card. In the past, a simple Christmas card would do (pre-baby). Now, I have these grand ideas about doing a family portrait and sending them out but the time always gets away from me. The thing I AM certain of?? The little tadpole will be front and center! How I am going to do that you ask? Lot's of photos taken and ONE has to turn out decent, right!!?? Keep your fingers crossed!

Next is what is the card am I going to use? I may not know that yet but i know where I'm going to look! I love Shutterfly! I have used them in the past for making a calendar, and printing TONS of baby pictures to send to family. They have so many options! They have photo Christmas cards, regular Christmas cards, and generic holiday cards

Well, I'm off to take photos. Wish me luck!

For The Love Of Ribbon!

I went to the MOST amazing place yesterday! The Offrey Ribbon Outlet! I never knew a place like this existed. Boy was the trip worth it! It is located in Hagerstown, MD so it was a small road trip for us. Now it isn't a huge place but has a lot to look at. Rolls and rolls of ribbons! Satins, grosgrain, curling, holiday, and crafting ribbons! Plus bows, like the sticky bows for packages, satin roses, gift bags, tags, some trims and even had some fabrics!

We each walked in (my mom, sister, and my sister's mother-in-law were with me) and grabbed a carry basket. In no time we started filling our baskets! The next thing I knew, my basket was overflowing with ribbons! Huge rolls of grosgrain, a roll of white satin, smaller crafting grosgrain, satin roses, and a load of curling ribbon! Here is what I got:

Each of the large rolls have approximately 80 yards of grosgrain ribbon on them! And now for the grand total on this order.................$22.78!!

This will NOT be the last time I visit this place! There will be another road trip in my future. :)

Trick or Treat!

This is my favorite time of year! I love Halloween. Maybe a little too much for the age I am? Nah! And now that I'm a mom, it's has been taken to the next level. Recently it was time to figure out what the little tadpole (HA!) was going to dress up for Halloween. It didn't take me long to think of a crayon! Love it! I had left over pink felt from this project which would work perfectly. I picked up a little black felt and grabbed a zipper I had on hand and off I went. I took chest and length measurements and basically made it up as I went along. Here it is!

The only thing I would change is I think I would have made it a little longer but I love how it turned out!

Quick Table Upgrade

So since I refinished some kitchen chairs, here, I am still loving them! Unfortunately getting/finding an updated table is on the back burner right now. So in the mean-time, we have mismatched kitchen furniture. Now I'm not totally bothered by this. It certainly isn't keeping me up at night! Ha! My table takes a beating everyday. But maybe I could make it just a tad prettier? Under a strict budget??

So there I was searching blogs (again) and stumbled upon this blog called The Big Dill. She has this awesome idea of a fitted tablecloth. Here is the tutorial. So it inspired me to do the same thing to my table. I have a perfect table for a fitted top. Here we go! Here is the before:

Again, not horrible! I don't hate it! I went on a search for a vinyl that would match the room and waited (and waited) for it to go on sale. With coupons I got what I needed (1 3/4 yards) for less then $8! Woo hoo! (enter happy dance!) So once I got the time, (hooray for nap time!) I got it done in one afternoon.

Here is the finished product:

The lighting wasn't great so I apologize for the bad pictures but I think you get the idea, right? You can see the scalloped egde better in the close up. It's a nice maroon color that goes great with my window treatments. Can I say love it!!

Travel Pillow

Why do travel pillows have to be so ugly! No thought what so ever goes into them. Wouldn't it be fun (and more cozy) to have a pillow that actually looks like you would WANT to put your head on it? I don't think I'm asking for much.

Now that my little one is a tad older and a great traveler, I wanted a pillow for her (and me!) to be able to use in the car when she is sleeping. It's actually more like a wedge than anything I guess. I still can't imaging how any child can sleep in a car seat!

Anyway, I wanted to make a colorful fun travel pillow! This is what I came up with. Heck, I wanna use it! :)

Sparkley!

Halloween has to be one of my most favorite holidays! I look forward to decorating, carving pumpkins, and making the house all spooky! Over the last season or 2 I've noticed "glitter" decorations. Now not being a "glittery" kinda girl, I didn't take a second glance. But recently I have seen a couple of things that aren't so bad. So I decided to try it out. So here it goes.....

one dollar store plastic skull

Some Mod Podge and silver glitter I had on hand and........

He will be added to the arsenal of spooky decoration though I may be kicking myself later for all the left over glitter I'll find around the house. We'll see if he makes it to next year!

Work In Progress...

So I am about the embark on by far my largest quilting project to date and I am psyched! Not intimidated at all. Really! It's a twin sized quilt for my daughter's bed. Now for those of you who know me, know that my little one is no where near sleeping in a bed yet. I'm starting early! That way I won't be under the gun to finish. At least that's my plan!

I have been drawn to quilts made with reproduction fabrics from the 1930's. They just look fun and crisp. These fabrics below are what I picked out to make the quilt with.

Along with plain white and a red (for the border) I am supplied and ready to go! I have started to cut the strips. I will keep you updated on my progress!

A Little Crabby

Every year my sister and brother-in-law throw a Crab Fest. I say that loosely as this was just the second (I hope of many) attempt at this shindig. Anyway, my BIL is a HUGE crab guy. Loves them. Like totally focused, don't talk to him while he's picking crab, guy. Needless to say, they are totally into it. It's a lot of fun! All the crab paraphernalia comes out! From the flags to the table covers to the salt & pepper shakers! So I thought this year it would be fun to make a little shirt for the little one to wear to her Auntie's party. So here we go:

1 dollar store youth shirt $1.00

1 iron on crab (clearance rack!) .50c

Total investment = $1.50

Since the shirt was a youth medium, it was a little big for my 2 year old. So I rolled the sleeves up a couple times and tacked them. Then I shirred about 5 rows to kinda make it fitted a little. I ironed on the crab and washed it!

As you can see by the photo, the shirt was quite fitting for the "tude" that was going on at that particular moment. I was happy with it even if she wasn't! :)

The Forever Search

So I guess that everybody has an item that they are on a constant search for the "perfect" one. Or at least I'd like to think so. That way I'm not completely nuts!

Weather it's just the right wallet, or pair of jeans, or the perfect pillow! There is something! For me it's the perfect purse. Something that fulfills all my needs. For me it's been a backpack. It keeps my hands free (to chase after the little one) and they usually are a nice size (big enough to throw the occasional diaper or sippy cup in). Over the past few years I haven't seen what I'm looking for. I guess they just aren't in "fashion" anymore. I'm not a fashionista! I'm practical!

So I had enough! I decided to make my own! Here it is!

I patterned it after a dollar store back pack I found. I added a zippered pouch on the front. There are a couple different pockets and such on the inside but can't show you those. The minute I finished it I put all my necessities (AKA crap!) in it and you DO NOT need to see that! I love it! I used a quilted reversible fabric that I had in my stash. I just had to pick up a couple zippers. The inside is white with black polka dots.

I think a matching pouch/coin purse might be in my future! We'll see how motivated I get!

Bathing Beauty!

So the next thing I realize is that summer has just passed me by! We have been so busy this summer having fun! Not that I took time off from making stuff, I just haven't sat down to blog about it.

So there will be projects posted that I have made over the last few months. :)

Here is the first one. I found a great tutorial over at The Train To Crazy for a beach towel that folds into a backpack. What an awesome idea! I found a couple of cute beach towels and couldn't wait to get started! It really didn't take that long at all to make. So here it is:

Of course when I want to take a picture of my little one wearing it, she doesn't want anything to do with putting it on! Just my luck. But still uses it every time we are by the water!

So I was just tickled pink on how it turned out! I had a pretty big piece of towel left over too. So I put my creative brain to work and came up with a matching beach cover up! What a perfect companion to the back pack. I think so anyway :)

We have used both of these all summer long and have gotten so many compliments on them!

Tutu Drive 2010

So when I do have time, I search blogs on CraftGossip.com to see what other creativity is going. I fell upon this post at Samster Mommy about a tutu drive. There is a foundation called The Princess Alexa Foundation that donates handmade dress up clothes to seriously ill children. It's so important that these kids get to be kids while dealing with these serious issues. It really hit home now that I'm a mom. Immediately I decided to make something for this foundation! It's the LEAST I can do.

So the little one and me went off to the fabric store and picked up some pink tulle and some packets of yellow roses. It took little time to make. It actually took longer to sew the roses on than it did to make the skirt itself!

I enjoyed it so much that we went back and I got some yellow tulle to make another one!

I know that there will be a couple of little girls who will love these skirts! It felt awesome to send these off to Samster Mommy!

Updated Kitchen Chairs

Gosh! It has been way too long since I last posted something. Life seems to be getting in the way! We are back from a very long trip to visit family and friends and slowly getting back into our routine.

I've been working on this particular project for a while and finally finished them today! For those who don't know me, I love to refinish furniture! I guess that's the Norwegian in me! Our kitchen table and chairs have been used for close to 10 years! My hubby bought the set from Ikea on our 2nd date! For a cheapy set, it has really has served us well over the years. Recently, though, one of the chairs broke and I couldn't fix it. Bummer. :( So what is a girl to do! I decided to start looking for chairs to refinish. I didn't want anything new. I figured a garage sale or a thrift store might do the job. I looked here and there and didn't come up with anything. Then a friend called to say she knew of somebody getting rid of some chairs and they are exactly what I was describing to her (Thanks Mary!). Best part.........they were free! So here is the before picture:

A nice dusty blue color! I couldn't wait to strip these down! I wanted black chairs that were worn a little.

So off I go:

It took me longer to finish than I anticipated just because I could only work on them at nap time or weekends when the hubby could keep an eye on the little one. Slowly they were transformed and revitalized into this:

Here is a close up of the "Shabby Chicing" that was done to each chair:

I'm really happy about how they turned out! Next I'll be looking for a table to refinish to go with these chairs!

Onsie Dress

Surprise, surprise yet another dress for my little one. I just can't help it! There is just something about having a daughter and wanting to make TONS of dresses for her.

I found yet another awesome tutorial at Prudent Baby for a 10 Minute Onsie Dress. And it really did take 10 minutes!

Since it's just a onsie, she likes to wear it. So much so that I'm already trying to get a few stains out. Will probably put an applique on the front to hide the ones I can't get off!

More of these WILL be made! :)

Shirt To Dress

I went shopping at one of my favs not too long ago and was fishing through the clearance rack. I found a plus size shirt that had smocking at the bottom and when I turned it upside down, I thought it would make a really cute dress. And for less than $5 why not give it a try?

Like Miss Drama here?? LOL!

I even added a ruffle at the bottom to make it even more girly! I liked it so much I went back and bought the same shirt in blue to make another one!

Summer Dress

So I actually made this a while back but it took a while for me to get a picture of it. It's amazing what a popsicle in little hands can accomplish!

Thanks to Lier over at Ikat Bag I was inspired to try to make her Yolk Dress. It was pretty easy to make which was a surprise since I've never made anything like this without a pattern. I think it turned out pretty good! And the important thing is the little one likes to wear it!

Tank dress

So I found this cute tank top when I was shopping.......

and I knew I could do something to it. It is a size XS. How about adding some fabric to add a skirt? Works for me! So I added some pink fabric to the bottom and....

So cute I think!

Spring is coming!

I'm SO excited that we finally have been having some warmer days! The bulbs outside are starting to pop (pictures to follow) and the snow is pretty much gone. It was time to take down the heart wreath and put up something that says SPRING! Since Easter is on it's way I thought I'd put together a wreath filled with eggs. You've seen those wreaths at the craft stores right? Spanish moss, eggs glued on. Couldn't see spending that amount on a wreath that wasn't exactly how I would like it. I need some COLOR! I could make that!

So here it is! My sister over at Blond Moments in the Burbs and I were talking that we wanted to make these. I got an 18" grapevine wreath, green spanish moss, and a couple of packages of those plastic eggs. I hot glued the eggs closed, glued them on the wreath and then filled in with the moss. The ribbon was a last minute addition. It just looked like it needed it. It's MY wreath and I can do what I want with it!! LOL My sister made a slightly smaller version with grey moss and pastel decorative eggs. It turned out great! Here is her version.

Now all I have to do is get rid of the snowman flag that is flying next to the egg wreath and I'll be good to go!

Diaper Bag Mini

When I first became a mom, I loved toting around my diaper bag! I carried everything I might need. I really enjoy it!

Then there are those times when you are just going to a friends house for a few hours or your little one it hanging out with a friend while you go to an appointment. Do I really need to lug the entire diaper bag?? Not really. Just need to bring the "just incase there's a poopie diaper" supplies. That is exactly what I needed.

A friend of mine had this little pouch that held a couple of diapers and one of those "travel" size baby wipes. I HAD to figure out how to make one! This is my first go at it. I will try again because my flap didn't turn out exactly how I wanted but not bad over all. It has come in handy on a multitude of occasions. Mine just big enough for a couple diapers, a travel container of baby wipes and a changing pad. I love this fabric too!

Play Shirt

My new favorite fabric purchase is the remnant. These are smaller (1 yard or less) cuts of fabric that are usually cheap (cheap!!!) and cheap is good lately. Being on a severe budget, I need a savvy way to continue my need to create without breaking the bank and remnants are my way to go! I found this great lavender colored fabric with flowers embroidered on it. It wasn't in my stash for long when a project came along that I knew this was perfect for.

So I got this book for Christmas this year that I am loving! It is my new favorite book. I want to make everything in it! It's called One Yard Wonders. I couldn't wait to start one of the projects in this book! It had to be this little play shirt.

It's a tad too big for my little one but it will be prefect once the snow melts and the weather gets warm. I can't wait to see her running around in this cute little shirt!

Just In Time For Valentine's Day- Part Two

So I have read a few blogs about doing this rosette thing. On pillows, wreaths, and ornaments. Then I read this awesome blog and I HAD to try it. Here's the link. Again, not having anything to decorate for valentine's day, I thought let's try this with a heart shaped wreath. It took me a while to finish but it's done and up on the door (but you wouldn't know it right now because of the 26 inches of snow on the ground). I really love the way it turned out. Hopefully it will last a few seasons! What do you think?

Just In Time For Valentine's Day- Part One

I find myself looking for new projects to do during the winter. I don't have that much time to sew since I'm usually chasing around my 18 month old! I don't have really any Valentine's Day decorations so I was keeping my eye out to make something. When I was new to reading blogs (which wasn't really that long ago), I remember reading an idea about making a pillow out of a towel. What an interesting idea! I was shopping at one of my favorite stores and found a set of 2 towels (for real cheap!) and just knew I could make something with them. Added some jumbo ric-rac as the trim and wal-la! Not bad for a quick project if I do say so myself! LOL Now I'm looking all over for towels! I recently for one at my local dollar store. Let's see what I come up with out of that one! Hehehe!

Last minute post for the day of my snowman (or snow cowboy)! He turned out great but he only lasted a few hours. :( He was handsome while he lasted!

Snow Day!

I'm sorry but there is nothing better than waking up in the morning to a fresh snowfall. I love it! Everything is white, clean and quiet! So peaceful. I feel like a kid again wanting to bundle up and play in the snow. A snowman may be in our future today! I hope the snow is good snowman-making snow!

Getting Started.....

So as a part of the yearly traditions in making resolutions, my resolution this year is to start this blog and document the things I make. Hopefully I will remember to post!

So here we go! I wanted to get a bean bag chair for my daughter but I couldn't find one in a color I liked so I searched for a way to make one myself. I found this awesome blog at www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/Blog/bean_bag_chair.pdf! I found some great fabrics and taa-daa!

It's more of a climbing toy right now but I know when she gets a little older, it will be a popular tv watching accessory! It was pretty easy to make too. I never made anything like this but was well worth it! I did make this a few months ago but this was my first real project so that's why I wanted to post it first. Hope you like it!

Welcome

This is a work in progress right know so bare with me!