Hat's Off

I stumbled upon this tutorial a couple weeks ago and thought it would be perfect for the girls for Christmas.  I already had one of these started for one of the boys and plans for another for the other. Both sets of hats were quick to put together and the kiddos will love them. The granny hat was really fast and I was able to put both together in about 4-hours. I can see doing these for last minute gifts in the fututre. I just have to make the cording for the boys' hats and then all will be ready to go into stockings Friday night.

Hug Pillow

Inspired by this pillow back in the spring, I saved the link and planned  to do  one for mum for Christmas. Having worked on it over the weekend and finishing it up this morning, this is what we have:

Symbols of Christmas

An aquaintance from church had seen this and asked if I might be able to put something together for her. After searching around I came up with this:

Just have to make a wreath ornament to complete the set.

A Bit of Rain

is pretty common here in the pacific northwest and what could be more perfect them this design by Jenny of Elefantz for Among the Gum Tree. Here is my rendition:

Little Artist Lazy Susan

I put this together for the kiddos about a month or so ago and the children love it.

Having been inspired by the ones that I had seen in the Pottery Barn catalogs and on the knock-offs around blog land I kept an eye out for the buckets, which were found at Jo-ann's for $1. They were originally an orange but a can of navy blue spray paint hides that fact. The lazy susan was a cast off from someone at church and a bit of sanding and a can of white spray paint had it looking great. Just need to finish filling it with art supplies.

Christmas Skirts

Spent a little time today at the sewing machine today and whipped together this skirt for Miss Sarah for Christmas using this tutorial found on the Moda Bakeshop.

 It was super simple and quick to make and I had it together in less then 2 hours. I ran out of steam however when I discovered that I was out of elastic. So I will have to run to the store for that. I really like the 12 Days of Christmas Fabric line and selected it for this project. I got 1/3 yard of 11 prints and have plenty left for Ivy's skirt, the appliques on the shirts and some other fun project yet to be decided upon. 

One Happy Family

I was inspired by this lady and her embroidered families many months ago and have made a few over the months but have not shared any so I thought I would share this one, a Christmas gift for a very dear friend. Using Rachel Berry's design as inspiration I sketched out my own characters and found a font that I liked, as my writing is not the best, and had fun with it.

Now, on to framing it.

Sapphire Afghan

A Christmas gift

*FRIENDS SWAP*

The postman came by the house yesterday with a bundle of treasures all the way from New Zea land. Kelly of Vintage Mum was my partner for the Friends swap and this is what she sent:

Kelly wrapped everything up so nicely...love the paper doilies 

Fabric, red pouch with ribbon in it, Inspiration book (children's sewing), handmade envelopes, needle case, bunting, and souvenirs

Her "friend" items from me are in the post and she should receive them within the week

JaKell's Baptism Dress

I've been working on two more baptism dresses. A friend from church wanted to not only have one for her daughter to wear after she was baptized but on for her to be baptized in as well. This is the one for after (Simplicity 3545)and is much fancier then the one she will wear while being baptized. This one was completed on the 18th  and I just have to hand stitch the lining in place on the bodice for the other.

Simplicity 2553

This car organizer is now on it's way to South Carolina, a birthday gift for a very special lady. It is view A from Simplicity's 2553

Vogue 7681

I have never used vogue patterns before but a very special young lady is getting baptized in a couple of weeks and so I wanted to make a dress that is just as special as she is. When I saw this pattern I just had to give it a try. For Kate, I decided to go with view C with a white organdy overlay on the skirt. With working outside the home now, it took me a bit longer to put it together then it would have in the past. I also don't think I have ever done a dress that required so much hand work but it was rewarding all the same. I wish I could be there in Montana to see her reaction when she receives it in the post on Monday or Tuesday. Misty, don't forget to send me a photo of her in it...and maybe one of Kate's reaction when she sees it. Thanks~
As usual, my photos are not the best but here is a look:

I did shift the flowers along the waist line around  a little after I took this photo. The center one was shifted to the left and another added in to the right to make it look a bit more even.

Sheer Inspiration

Needlecase

I have been enjoying the designs that Kareen of The Painted Quilt has been offering as part of her First Friday Freebie but have not attempted any until now. I just completed her #12 freebie, the Huswif Needlecase. I opted to do it in red rather then black and like how it turned out.

Lap Quilt

My sister purchased two of these kits a year or two ago and asked me not long ago if I'd put them together for her. Here is the first of the two:

Completed- Palest Aster

All Done:

The Pocket Purse

It's done! I could have completed it yesterday but I stuck my nose in a book and couldn't seem to get it out. The book is finished though and so is the purse. I think my niece will be thrilled and Shelley Detton did a fabulous job putting together the pattern. Here's a look:

At this point I had not finished tacking down the ribbon on the interior top edge but you get a pretty good idea of the final product, as well as a look at how gorgeous my black-eyed susans are.

So take a moment to head over to Shelley's and have a look at her designs...they are far better then mine and she has the pattern to boot.

The Pocket Purse in Marabella

I am still so excited to have been selected by Shelley Detton to be a pattern tester for her "Pocket Purse" design. I have been on pins and needles to start it all week but had a commitment from an aquaintance to do some sewing and thus could not start on it until yesterday. So when I wasn't getting things in order for the cub scout pack meeting we were doing last night I was getting a start on this cute purse. I had had the opportunity to go earlier in the week to select fabrics and chose Marabella by Amy Hamberlin of Katie Cupcake. I choose this fabric group for two reasons, the first being that I intend to kill to birds with one stone, so to speak, in doing this pattern test. Not only will I test the pattern but I will give the resulting purse to my niece for her 14th birthday this next Sunday. She loves purple and green so I thought this the perfect choice for her.

The second reason I chose this group of fabrics is again related to the colors. I purchased some purple and white ties for my boys for Easter this next year from Children's Place at the End of last Easter Season and had plans to do something in purple for the girls. Then a couple weeks ago this pattern popped up on the Moda Bake Shop and I knew right away that this is what I wanted to do. So I purchased what I hope is enough for not only the purse but for the skirts and appliqued tops for the girls as well.

I managed to construct the outside of the purse in between prepping for pack meeting and am loving how it is turning out. With any luck I will get the chance to finish it tomorrow and share my findings with Kelley. She has done a fabulous job and I can't wait to make a few more, perhaps as Christmas gifts.

Palest Aster

The beginnings of a gift that is from the September 1991 issue of Decorative Crochet.

Thrilled

to be selected, that is to be one of Shelley Detton's pattern testers for her "The Pocket Purse" design. My heart is racing with excitement. So the plan for tomorrow, go shopping and find some amazing fabric to construct this beauty...wish me luck.

Butterflies

Miss Sarah was invited to a birthday party for a friend this week and so a gift was in order. Not wanting to have to run to town for something I decided to look at my meager stash to see what I might have on hand to make. Recalling that I had some pink and purple butterfly fabric I went through my patterns and came up with this pattern from Simplicity. Making a couple changes to view B and adding a bit of inspiration (apron) from Angel of Ta Da, Creations I put together this little outfit for the birthday girl. Sarah was thrilled with it and enjoyed the chance to model it before taking it to the party (is that bad etiquette for gift giving?).

Pinwheels 2

Another version that I found inspiration from online somewhere. It has joined the previous pilllow at my friend's home. She was so gracious in watching Annie while we were away on vacation and so I wanted to do a little something to show my appreciation.

Birds on a Wire

Inspired by this pillow, I had to make one of my own. The painting on fabric was a new technique for me and I think I may have to have another go at it.

Another Pinwheel Pillow

I really enjoy making this pillow design. This one I made for a friend as a "thank you" for taking care of our Annie while we were away on vacation last month. I don't recall just were I found the original design idea but came across it online when I was participating in a pillow swap recently.

Pretty in Pink

An acquaintance from church asked if I'd do a slipcover for a chair in her daughter's room. This daughter's room is all about pink and uses several of the Nicey Jane fabrics throughout. Mom was quite pleased with the end result and I, although not a fan of pink, like it as well. Perhaps my girls' might find a similar one in their room some day.

Project Pillow Swap

My partner for the Pillow Swap should be receiving her pillow sometime this week and so I thought I'd take time to share what I did for her. I was inspired by this pillow and wanted to try doing one. The flowers were what intrigued me the most and the actual process was neat. I learned alot as I did them and look forward to trying out what I learned on a few more similar pillows for my girls' beds.

Onesis Dress

So quick and easy. Cute too.

Back From An Adventure

It's been awhile hasn't it. My family and I went off for a little Southern California Adventure with a little side trip to my cousins wedding. We had loads of fun but are glad to be back home again. Remember that little sneak peak from the previous post? This would be what that was all about:

A pillow in my aunt's favorite color scheme: blue and white. Just a little thank you gift for letting us stay at their place on our way to and from our little holiday.

Prior to leaving for our trip it was a wurl wind of activity around here getting things completed that needed to be done prior to our departure along with all the packing that comes with taking a trip. Among the things on the list of things to do was a bit of sewing. A blessing gown for a freind, flower girl dresses for my girls (they were part of the wedding party), and the wedding gift. I was not totally happy with how the table topper for the bride and groom turned out but the bride seemed quite happy with it so that is good. The focus fabric just did not work out as well for this design as I thought it would.