Homemade Gifts

I made a couple things for a birthday party a while back. Another Doll Quilt with a pillow and a Car Cozy. I think I really like making Doll quilts. They are small (though this one is too big as well- still working out what size it should be) and I can use up fabric I have and I think they're cute. I love to piece quilt but you only need so many blankets when you live in south Texas!

The Car Cozy is a portable car mat with pockets to hold a few cars. I need to make one for Rylee. Nap time isn't long enough to do everything I'd like to. Plus the antibiotic I've been on is kicking my butt!!

Bow Holder

Since Michael was away on business this past week I decided to get a little business done myself. I saw a tutorial online and got to work.

First item on the agenda: go to Good Will and get the cheapest frame bigger than an 8x10:
mission accomplished.

Prime. Paint. Glaze. Staple. Hang. Attach Bows.
and . . . . Done.

already in use:
Turns out I didn't actually finish by the time Michael got home and he assited in a few of those steps :)

Since we've been sporting pony and pig-tails lately its nice to have the accessories on hand {and in her bathroom}. I'm lovin' it!

Feels like Christmas!

not because of the weather, not because of the decor, and not even because I'm planning who will receive what, but because of what I received in the mail today.
(is it strange that I am posting again about what I receive in the mail? has my life really come to this?? If so, I don't care cuz this is amazing!)

So, remember how way back in August I joined a fabric swap? Where you buy two yards of fabric (from Spoonflower) cut it up into 5" squares and mail them along with a prepaid envelope to the gal in charge who would then serperate all the fabric and mail them back to where you end up with 112 different pieces. Remember I Spy books? Its like that, but with FABRIC!!

Well, after 3 months I received my fabric today!!! I'm giddy! (I told you it's like Christmas!) Here's the haul:

For the most part I am pleased. 1. It is a great way to get alot of different pieces for less money ie, if I was to do this on my own, most fabric stores have a 1/8 yard minimum, which is only 4.5 inches wide, and I would be left with the rest of the 38" strip not knowing what to do with it so, even though the fabrics were a little pricy, I still came out paying way less overall. 2. I get fabrics that I would never choose for myself, and love. (at least for this project) 3. I look at fabric with a completely different perspective

The downsides:

Others chose most of the fabrics (I only chose two) While there were rules, some weren't followed that great. I have a couple of the same print w different colors and several with the same "thing" ie owls, birds, sewing machines, clouds. while cute in their own way, not sure I really want them all in the same project together. And I have ALOT with white background. which is sorta blah.

Anyway, if you can't tell, I'm really excited about this project. And my brain is a whirlwind of ideas right now. . . . . what specifically should these fabrics become? I'm currently deciding between separating by color as seen here (which I probably don't have enough variety to pull off):

Or, this dissapearing 9 patch pattern like here:There's lots of other fabulous ideas here. I just don't quite know what to do. Any suggestions? Anybody done this before? I'm not sure how quickly I'll get to constructing (other actual Christmas related projects will take priority) but I can hardly wait!

Maybe this little cutie will learn to sew sooner than we thought

She couldn't wait to get her hands on the fabric either! Momma's sewing rule #1 don't eat the fabric.

finished!

Let me start by saying how EXCITED I am for this project- about three years ago I found a fabric I fell in love with (namely the green and red paisly dead center in the 1st pic: Moda's Roman Holiday Collection) purchased it with the idea I'd make Christmas stockings for, at the time, Michael and myself. The fabric store I purchased it from didn't have all the fabrics I liked but I made it work. Saving the excess and scraps for later use. A year later I work in a fabric store across the country and find said fabric line. I buy more fabric so I'll have enough to supply stockings for however many children we end up with (which on a side note was higher before I'd experienced pregnancy) and a tree skirt.

When I found out I was pregnant, oddly enough, THIS is the project I was *most* excited to make. Remember how I didn't want to find out the gender of said baby? This was exactly what I wanted to be made whether it was a boy or girl (aside from the name on the front). Hence more time to let ideas churn.

Rantings over, on with the photos:

fully lined and everything

ours. which really are twice the size of hers. M used to stand for Michael, now it'll be Mom and I'll be swapping out the T for a D :)

I was going to wait until I quilted the back of the tree skirt before posting it, but since its been in this state for about 18months, and I'm on the subject, I thought I'd post it now anyway.

Isn't it pretty?? I love it. Can you tell I love the piecing and not so much the quilting? Maybe I'll finish it this year. . . . . but to be honest it wouldn't work for our current tree situation right now anyway. The Mr and I have very different opinions on the matter - he he he.

Since we're on the subject, let me be the first (hopefully) to wish you a Merry Christmas!! :)

Craftiness

So, I've checked a FEW things off my bookmarked list of "to-do" crafts. Thanks to the Dollar Tree selling onesies to practice on I didn't feel bad if the projects were botched.

Project 1: tutu onesie
I plan on making the actual tutu shorter, but this is what it looks like for now - and I'm contemplating adding "fake" jewelry in the form of paint. (have you seen those? problem is, I'd have to free hand, and I'm not sure I'm ready for that)
Project 2 and 3: Feelin' Spooky. My first attempt at freezer paper stenciling. It really is as easy as everybody says. AND babylegs, lots of babylegs. Do you LOVE the skull and crossbones!? I do.

Project 4: Toddler Backpacks

Yep, it'll fit!Project 5: hair flower. The one pictured was purchased in Utah because I fell in love, and wanted an example in my hands to dissect while I figured out how to make hundreds. I'm still perfecting the process but I'm super excited about it!

Project 6: Still in the making but let me tell you it might be my favorite :) Can't stand the suspense? I'll give you a hint . . . . . . I have 87 days to finish. But I'm so excited I'll be done before its needed, I'm sure.

Credits: here here and here although, I did make a few of my own adjustments.