Monday, September 9, 2013

Lily's Quilt

My niece is turning 14 this month and requested that I make her a quilt with bright oranges.  So I did.  Introducing Lily's Quilt.


Tuesday, September 3, 2013

A new passion... Scrapbooking

I fell in love with scrapbooking years ago before they had all the fancy packages at Michael's and other stores.  Before the stickers, cut outs, stamps, dies, etc.  Back in the day - mid to late 90s, I would use paper, magazines, ticket stubs, souvenirs, postcards, and articles.  Now, I'm completely overwhelmed by all that's available and my old school scrapbooking just isn't going to make the cut.  So, I headed out to Michael's and began with a fresh slate album.  I passed on the premade kits and settled on some stickers, letters, and packet of cards that have quotes about babies (see 3 months below).  I wanted to do something authentic and well, me.  Packages and kits just seem so commercial.  The theme of the first album (the one below) is Ella's first six months.  What an undertaking.  I printed all of the photos we had taken of her at Walmart (9 cents each) and began the arduous task of sorting them by date.  How old was Ella here?  and here?  Finally, I got them identified so that I could begin developing a theme which I decided would be month by month so I could see her grow all over again.  It was such a blessing to do the scrapbook.  I love it.  There's nothing like flipping through an album.  I look at it much more than I do going through photos on my computer or phone.  The album just begs to be read so I read it.  I laugh.  I tear up.  I touch her sweet sleepy face.  And I can't wait to share it with her.

Monday, September 2, 2013

Sew Easy Pajama Pants

I learned how to sew pajama pants!  I was skeptical when I signed up for the class at my local quilt store, Valli & Kim.  I kept having flashbacks from my home economics class in high school in which I attempted pants with a elastic waistband.  Super small waist, extra wide hips.  Not so this time.  The instructor used the Sew Easy Pajama Pants pattern by Taylor Made Designs. I highly recommend this pattern and the class too if you're close to Dripping Springs.  I love my PJs!

Mommy and Me Pillowcase Top and Dress

Love love love!!  I purchased the pattern from whimsycouture on ETSY.  The instructions were  pretty easy to follow especially considering that I have really basic sewing skills.  The dress for Ella is still a little too big but I can't wait until we have our Mommy and Me photo op!

T-shirt dresses

I recently purchased "Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses" which features over 25 patterns for dresses using "t-shirts" instead of sewing a bodice.  I love the book - lots of inspiration in there that I would never think of on my own.  I made one for daughter using a plain t-shirt and fabric that I had on hand.  It was so easy and turned out REALLY cute.  Now, she has to grow into it.  I can't wait to make more.  Oh please, let my girl be a girly girl - at least for a couple of years.

Bibs and more bibs

Lots of babies are being born around here so I've been busy making bibs.  I decided to go for a bigger bib that would be in use longer than the smallish newborn bibs that I made for my daughter.  I also decided to use snaps - with the snap tool.  I love the results.  The snaps really jazz up the bib giving it more of an upscale boutique feel but getting them on was quite a problem.  I think it took me longer to figure it out then to actually make the bib!  I also went through a lot of snaps which was frustrating because they are expensive.  Nonetheless, I love them!  Just need a better solution...

Teething or Nursing Necklace



I love this necklace!  I have received so many compliments on it and it is so simple to make especially if use this pattern from "BEFFIE48" on ETSY.  Her patterns are super easy to follow.  In fact, the first quilt I ever made was using her Rag Quilt pattern.  I've made two necklaces - one for myself (and Ella) and one as a baby gift for a friend.  I used hello kitty fabric so that both the baby could enjoy playing with it when being held by her mom or big sister and big sister would enjoy it too because, well, it's hello kitty.