Choo-Choo

One of the boys received this cute block train for a gift.

Most days it can be found like this!

I thought I would sew up a bag to store it in, instead of toss it in with all of our other toys.  Well, the bag turned out fine. {tutorial here} But I should have checked the measurements.  It's too small for all of the pieces to fit!  So I guess that something else that needs a home will be getting a drawstring bag. 

It was fun to do a quick project.  My last 31/2 weeks have been feed baby, change diaper, repeat!

The instructions are very easy to follow and the bag went together easily and quickly!

Keeping Warm

L has been working on this comfort for quite some time.  My aunt so generously offered to help her with this project.  After many afternoons of measuring, cutting, and sewing, it's finished!  It now keeps her warm at night and finds it's way to the couch frequently {perfect to snuggle under while she buries her nose in a book!}

Maternity Skirts

I'm at the point in this pregnancy where pretty much everything in my closet is not fitting me. 

I used a combination of two tutorials:  one  (caution:  a bit of pg belly exposure!) and two to make a couple of skirts.

This was a VERY quick and easy way to make a skirt.  The knit at the top is actually a little longer than it shows in the picture.  That way it can be worn pulled up or folded down.  This pattern is totally customizable:  gathers?  a-line? long? short?  knit?  cotton?  Endless possibilities.

I'm thinking that this pattern may be useful for a couple of "after baby" skirts too.  Hopefully I won't need quite as big of piece of knit :)

Christmas time due date seems quite a ways away until you realize that it's only 87 short days away...  have you started your shopping yet?

And that reminds me of a little quote I read earlier today that summed up my feelings that I have a lot of evenings when the children are tucked in bed, and I breathe a sigh of relief ~

The days with little children sometimes seem so long, but the years are so short. 

Out With The Old...

...and in with the new!

Thanks to my daughter for wanting a "fun project" to do, I got something accomplished that I've wanted/needed to do for awhile.  We have spent the last couple of weeks doing nothing but school and canning, so after a morning of cobweb and dirt hunting {they weren't hard to find!}, I helped her with a new clothespin bag.  She's turning into quite the little seamstress!

Handmade Christmas Goodies

Baby doll diapers - pattern here

~Small monogrammed bag for blocks~

Name practice sheets - {Found idea here} Download font here.  Print, cut, sew, score with unthreaded sewing machine

Packages wrapped with headbands - Flower tutorial here

Gathered bag - tutorial here

High Chair Remodel

Our high chair was in serious need of a remodel.  It has been well used...

 ...obviously!

 I had decided awhile ago that it needed redone..(months ago when it hit me we would be having a baby who would eventually need a high chair!)  I'm not too fast with executing some of my ideas.  It ended up being harder than I thought.  I'll never admit to using my hot glue gun in some places rather than my sewing machine.  wait. did I just say that on a public blog? :)

And the sweetest part?  My dear 8 month old son who gets to use it!

Going Green

Well, I finally did it. After numerous times of running out of paper napkins at the most inconvenient time, I made some cloth napkins. I picked up a Ralph Lauren sheet at Goodwill awhile ago and had never used it for anything. A few squares and lots of roll hemmed edges later, my napkin basket is full and ready for the next meal. My grocery list will now have one less item on it, and we'll be throwing a few less things in the landfill. And the side benefit of spending a few dollars less is motivating...now that we use cash for groceries, every dollar makes a difference!

A {Finished!} Purse

I've had the fabric for this purse laying beside my sewing machine for quite some time. (thanks Laura!) I finally decided it was time to get some odds and ends things finished up around here. {sewing a button back on pants took about 3 minutes. Oh why did I wait so long?}

Countdown till baby time is on...and the list in my head is growing...I knew that if I didn't finish it now, it may be months or even years {yikes}!

I can't wait to use it and I'm thankful that it came all cut out and ready to go!

My "Little House" Girl

L has been begging to make a sunbonnet for awhile. I finally decided to "be a neat mom" and help her with it today. She has been reading the Little House on the Prairie books, so anything resembling Laura and Mary is high on her priority list right now.

and yes...it was hot today. But she insisted that Laura and Mary probably wore long sleeves, even in the summer.

She received this for her birthday...the directions told how to sew the whole sunbonnet by hand. We went with the sewing machine! Thankfully.

Christmas Eve Craft

L's enthusiasm for sewing is rubbing off on me...

I picked up this book at the library. Written by Anna Maria Horner. It comes with 10 patterns. We didn't have plans on Christmas Eve, so I decided to sew instead of finish up my Christmas preparations! (I think I should have finished my food first..by the time I got around to doing it, I was tired and sloppy and ruined a recipe of fruit dip. Fruit dip, you say? Yes. Something as easy as fruit dip. You'd think I could cook after being married 11 yrs.)

The 'taxi tote' that I made. I didn't use Anna Maria Horner fabric. I just used some Alexander Henry fabric that I found on the clearance rack at JoAnns. It was extrememly easy to make..and I am pleased with the results.

Button detail

I thought since I didn't have time to make Christmas clothes..I'd just have a 'Christmas purse'!

Crafty Daughter

L received a sewing machine for Christmas from Grandpa and Grandma. She was so anxious to sew...she kept asking, "When can we have sewing school, instead of normal school?" So, we spent the afternoon sewing today. With a little assistance, she actually made something!

The finished product. This was fun because all of the fabrics, except one, are scraps from things that I have made for her.

I really like it...I've already claimed it to go under the candle on the dining room table. (I'm not sure what to call 'it'. It's not a doily...so therefore I just say 'it' and I'm covered! Maybe I need to say "home linen" or something sophisticated like that!)

Editing Clothes!

I got this dress on clearance at Target. I like Target - getting things off the clearance rack is even better!

It was pretty short...L is small across the shoulders...so most things start out short if they fit her on the shoulders. So I just went to JoAnn's and picked out a coordinating fabric to add to the bottom. I used a twin needle to do the top stitching. I really like the effect it gives..I think I'll do it again on hems and such.

After

L didn't really want to pose for a picture. It was like pulling teeth to get this one! I think I'll let her wear it for awhile with a shirt under it (because we're desperate for winter clothes!) and then put it away for spring.

The boys need long sleeve shirts also...I don't think I'll get away with just adding fabric to the bottom of their too-short ones! Guess I need to go shopping. As if I need an excuse to shop!

Knee patches.

I thought people were crazy when they said their boys wore holes in the knees of jeans. WELL. Now I have a 4 yr. old and he only has one decent pair of jeans WITHOUT holes. And no, his holey jeans are not the "stylish" kind. And I don't like holey jeans...even if they are the "stylish" kind. So here is my attempt to subtly noticeably patch them.

I'm not sure if I really like them....but they'll be OK for everyday. IF I can get him to wear them. Who knows when the day will come when homemade, or in this case home-altered, will no longer be cool. I don't know how long the other knee will hold out anyway.....but maybe these will last for a few more washings!

Any tips on making jeans last?

Attempting Applique

Every once in a while I get a creative bug..

Before

Before

After

I got the suggestion for the bird from a friend - she thought it would be a fun way to 'dress up' a plain black shirt to go with this skirt.

I've had the other blouse for L for awhile and wasn't sure what I would applique on it. She picked a giraffe. I'm not sure if I'll add a button eye or not? What do you think?

Obviously I need practice on the the small curvy parts, but it was fun and they are definitely unique pieces of clothing!