Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Aimee's Purse


This is really a belated birthday present rather than a Christmas present for my sister Aimee. Aimee has four kids and never asks for anything, so I really enjoyed doing this project for her. Hope she likes it!

Friday, December 19, 2008

One down


I have a handful of projects that I hope I can give as Christmas presents. This apron was the first one on the list. I made it from an old tablecloth of my grandma's and will give it to my mom. Some of my favorite things about this project is the off center "V" at the top and the light stains from Easter egg dye (we always go to my grandma's for Easter). I think it's a beautiful way to preserve something we otherwise would not use or see very often. I used a square tablecloth and and Indygo Junction pattern.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Thankful not to be Cooking Apron



That's right. I am not cooking one thing for Thanksgiving. I made a pecan pie earlier in the week and will make a pumpkin pie with J later, but tomorrow, nothing. Our dear friends in Tahlequah invited us out to their family's feast. I made this apron for Joan, who is hosting, with that same Indygo Junction pattern (or rather inspiration from the pattern, as I still haven't BOUGHT it) I used for Marlene's fall apron. It is reversible. One side is made from Moda charms (can't remember the name) and on the other side we made hand turkeys with the kids' hands. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Friday, November 14, 2008

It's About Time!!!

I found this pretty apron pattern at my fabric shop last week. It is the Lilly Apron from Busy Bee Quilt Designs. I used fabrics that I found from the 50% off room. It really took no time at all and I love it enough to post a picture of my backside to show you just how cute the back is. My 4 year old helped me take pictures of it today.


My partner Becky from the We the People Swap II sent me these wonderful fabric organizers. She sent her first and second "attempts", but honestly I love them both and couldn't tell you which was the first. The striped one has the cutest applique on the side. I've already put them to use and had to empty them out to take this picture. Becky also included a lovely, matching pin cushion (also in use) and this pattern for car organizers...which I really need to get made and in my car. Thank you, Becky!
For those of you who asked what pattern I used for the chair organizer that I made for my partner (see post below): McCall's Crafts #4274.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Holy Smokes

I am so behind on this blog. I do have some cool things to post like the way cute package I received from my latest swap...We The People II, and other projects I've been working on. I finished the Halloween costumes in the nick of time you can see photos of the kids in their digs on my family blog. I promise to get up some pictures soon.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

We the People Swap II


I finished my project for Tracey's We the People Swap just in the nick of time. I had planned on making an organizer to hold scissors that would sit on top of my partner's table...but when I ran across the pattern for this seat organizer, I changed my mind. I hope she likes it. Now I have to get cookin' on those Halloween costumes!

Monday, September 8, 2008

I Won, I Won, I Won!

I guess I can't say that I NEVER win anything any more. I won this in a giveaway over at Itching 2B Stitching. Oh Happy Day! Thanks, Tracey!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Oh Baby!



When it comes down to it, my favorite projects are always baby things. I think that's why I enjoyed these two projects so much. The green baby blanket is patterned off of Amy Karol's scalloped blanket in Bend the Rules Sewing. I made it a bit larger than the pattern and also quilted it differently. The fabric is Michael Miller. I really like this pattern and will definitely make it again. The other project was nursing stuff I made for a friend to give to her friend (follow that?). I had her pick out a yard of the fabric of her choice to make a nursing cover (rolled up in the photo), bib, and burpie. Cute, huh?

What a Cool Swap!

I have received some AWESOME aprons through swapping, but I have to admit that I am currently experiencing apron burn out. Leave it to Tracey over at Itching 2B Stitching to rescue me from apron monotony! She's hosting a craft tote/holder swap that I am so excited to take part in. We all are in need of cute storage! Go over there and sign up, deadline is Sep 5.

Monday, August 25, 2008

A Little Organization



I am not a scrapbook person. I love the papers, embellishments, and endless possibilities...but I'm just not good at putting that all together. That being said, I LOVE these awesome acrylic albums from D.Reeves Design House. This is the Pink Mini Style File. I was so excited to find Avery products (Dividers Avery 11102 and sheet protecters Avery 75201) that fit perfectly this weekend. I was able to organize all my magazine clippings and random things I've cut out for inspiration into five categories: Activities, Crafts, Seasonal, Recipes, Home & Self. Then I just filled each section with empty sheet protectors so that I can add more ideas. One day I'll peel off that brown paper and cut loose with creative genius...

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

More Aprons...




I promised a picture of Addie in her cute new apron. She loves the kitten buttons! Any time she sees that I'm wearing my apron she runs over to the pantry, points at hers, and says: "Addie's!!!" It is a size 3--should fit her for a long time. I made a new apron for myself...this isn't a great picture of the entire thing, but you can see the neckline and the fabric (and my funny frowny face!).

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

A Very Little Apron

J is at his Granny's today so I took advantage of the day and made this! After making all those adult aprons...this thing seems so tiny! I thought it was time for Addie to have her own apron since she loves wearing mine so much. I used a Michael Miller check fabric. The white fabric that I used to make the bias tape has stars on it which added a bit of personality to an otherwise boring trim. I'll put a picture of her wearing it--she's sleeping now. Ahhhhhhh!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Halloween In July Swap--Marlene, don't look!!!

This has by far been my favorite apron swap yet. Maybe it's working on cool colored fall fabrics in this 100 degree heat, or receiving THE cutest apron ever from a sweet & obviously talented lady in Arkansas...whatever the reason(s) I had a blast participating. So, without further ado...pictures:

This is the apron I received. Isn't it so charming? The kids love it and have wrinkled it thoroughly from putting "Halloween things" in the pockets. I tried to put it away but they won't hear of it...so it hangs on the back of a chair receiving lots of adoring looks. Oh yes, and I love it too! Marlene also sent some cute scarecrow napkins, recipes, and cross necklaces for the kids. Addie wears hers until naptime and then wakes up pointing at her necklace saying, "Addie's!"


This is the apron I made for Marlene. I went through a couple of patterns...but nothing really clicked until I found a terrific bundle of precut 5 inch Moda fall fabric:Pumpkins Gone Wild. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it, only the shop was out of the pattern I was looking for (Indygo Junction Kitchen Charm), and wouldn't get it in for a couple of weeks, so I made up a pattern using the picture. I'm shipping it off to Hot Springs on Monday.

Monday, July 21, 2008

A Wee Redheaded


If you read this blog, you know that I have made several Wee Wonderfuls dolls. Here is the latest Wee Wonderful. I made the first one for my niece for her birthday this weekend. I had so much fun putting her together that I made one for Ad the next evening. I especially love the Ronald McDonald red hair on Ad's baby.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Better Late Than Never


I started my kitchen curtains when my son was 6 months old...four years later I finally finish them! I am happy with how they turned out. Definitely worth the wait!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Bibs & Burpies for Beccy's Wee One




I finally got my act together and finished these bibs and burp rags for my friend Beccy who recently had a baby girl. I am really happy with how they turned out. I found these on Val's blog and ran over to Chickpea to download the pattern today. I made 3 of them with matching burpies in no time at all. I hope she likes them!

Friday, June 27, 2008

Back at it

After a brief hiatus from sewing I finally made this jumper for Ms. A. I found the pear fabric at my favorite quilting shop a while back. As soon as I laid eyes on it, I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it. The striped fabric came in one of my scrap swap packages.
I discovered that even though I have a nice organized room upstairs for sewing, I prefer to cart everything downstairs so that I can be in the middle of things. I had been using a chair to stack all my supplies but found this great bag yesterday. It is meant to hold a sewing machine on the bottom, but mine is too big. It is just the perfect size to hold all of my current fabrics and patterns. In the top bag I put all my notions and tools. I wheel it up next to my sewing machine and have everything I need at my fingertips. When I'm finished, I just put everything back in the bag and wheel it into a corner. I love it!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Hadley Liked It!

Hadley, my partner from the FAS, received her apron and posted about it here. Her blog cracks me up. Go over there and see how talented she is!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Thank You Sabrina & Joanna!



I received both of my scrap swap packages this weekend. Each package was such a treat to open. Sabrina's(bottom photo) arrived first and included lovely color coordinated fabrics all folded in neat little bundles. Joanna's (top photo) included two gorgeous Vera napkins, ME needle case (so cute!) and some great prints. What a fun swap! Thanks to both of my partners who were more than generous with their great "scraps." I can't wait to put them to some creative use.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Another Lovely Swap

This swapping thing amazes me. I received another lovely apron on Friday from Justine. The amount of work that goes into these projects and then shipped off to a stranger...well, it's just too cool. Check out a few pictures here.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

She Liked It!

Jill, one of my scrap swap partners received the package I mailed her and said many sweet things about it here on her blog.

Phew!

Three more packages went out today and now are on their respective journeys to California, Illinois, and England. I'm finished! I stopped at JoAnn's on my way home to get a few supplies for the projects that are on my to do list this week. This is what ended up in the package to my flirty apron swap partner. I laughed every time I looked at the Uncle Sam oven mitt. Hope my partner is amused by him, too.

Friday, June 6, 2008

A Flirty Apron and Future Projects

I finished up the apron for my FAS partner last night. I used the Kaleidescope pattern from the A is for Apron book again. I really like how it turned out and hope my partner likes it too. I really like the pocket as the pin tucks make it very roomy. So now that my apron is finished, I can get started on some personal projects that have been patiently waiting. I found some really cute dishtowels to make aprons from the Bend the Rules Sewing book. I'm going to make Ad an outfit with this pear fabric that I found on clearance at my favorite fabric store. Diane over at D. Reeves Design House sent me this fabulous style file recently. I'm going to use it to file magazine clippings and such. I've already started to fill it up, and once inspiration hits, I'll get to work on the outside. And I'll finally get those snaps put on Jack's pirate shirt...

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

More Packages Mailed!




Phew! I sent out my Scrap Swap packages today as well as the Apron Angels apron. I am almost finished with my Flirty Apron Swap apron and then I'm going to take a little swap break. I have some other projects I'd like to finish for the kids and the house. I do love this swap thing, though. Remember the bag I made my partner for the Bend the Rules Sewing Swap? She posted about it on her blog. Tonight I'm taking a break from sewing. Going downstairs and starting my new book!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

More Apron Stuff...

Do you love aprons, but don't have the time or the desire to make them yourself? Then head over to My Mom Would Be Proud and buy yourself an adorable apron! Her shop features half, full, and children's aprons in the cutest fabrics. I especially love this cowboy apron.

Saturday, May 31, 2008

Apron Angels

I sent off my Sassy apron this morning (phew!) and finished this apron that I made for Lucy's Apron Angels. I used a vintage McCalls pattern that I bought on Ebay a few years ago. The balls around the pockets didn't turn out quiet as I envisioned, but sure make it fun to bop around the house in (I gave it a test spin). I also made my own bias tape for the pocket--which was a first. I'll mail this Monday and then get started on my apron for the Flirty Apron Swap. I also nearly finished Jack's pirate shirt, just need to pick up some snaps. I have a few other summer outfits I want to sew up for Addie. Better get busy!

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

SAS Swap Count Down

I am really moving slow. I like to finish my swap projects and get them out ASAP...but this Sassy apron has been hanging out at my house for about two weeks now. I'm not sure what the hold up has been in getting it out, but I finished the required tea towel last night and now I'm just needing to jot down a favorite beverage--non alcoholic. Hmm. I'm going to send this puppy out tomorrow after I go shopping for a few extras to pack in the box. Anyway, here's the towel inspired by the fabric I used in the apron:

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Another Apron


I made another apron from the A is for Apron book that I'm so in love with right now. This pattern is called Kaleidescope and came together for me like a breeze. I had some frustration making the Summertime Blues apron, but this project was so simple and fun. I really enjoyed creating the 30 pintucks in the waistband and think they really add a little sophistication. I made this for a friend who had a rough week...and hope it cheers her up a bit.

Thursday, May 22, 2008

A Craft Apron


How did I ever live without this handy (and stylish) apron? My BFF made this for me and hand delivered it this past weekend. This little helper is chalk full of details, including pockets that slant to the sides to prevent pens and tools from stabbing when sitting down. On top of it all...it's super sassy and fun to wear! Thanks Tracey!

I finished my SAS apron!

Well, almost. I still need to sit down with my little bitty scissors and trim all the threads. I also still need to think of a beverage recipe and find/make the tea towel that will complete the package. I hope my partner likes it. The theme for the swap was Summer. Here are a few pictures: (PS: this pattern is from A is For Apron)