embroidery attempt

Yesterday I quickly wanted to see what one of my drawings would even look like if I embroidered it on a shirt. I didn't have the right colors of floss, but you get the idea. It's just a simple backstitch, but not too bad. Two of my favorite things are drawing and embroidery, so I am trying to merge both. Let's see if I do something with this.

the 1 hour bag in 2 tries and about 4 hours

Okay, I really need to brush up on the metric system. I got this lovely tutorial from Jodie at Ric Rac and thought, I just bought a magnetic snap and some large buttons to cover....perfect! Not so perfect when you think there are 2 cms to an inch and you make the pattern wrong to begin with. Then, you have two kids with the stomach flu and a baby who is getting 4 molars at a time, plus a 3 year old who is just plain crazy. I sound like I am petitioning for sympathy. I am not, but I did want to mention that those things did play into my lack of brain power and the time it took to make it. The first bag I made was rather short and fat. It will work for something... I just need to figure out what. Not a total loss, but quite the learning experience. I managed to make it to the store last night and bought another magnetic snap, some more buttons, and gave it one last try. Success the second time around and I love it. Great tutorial and so cute. It gave me confidence that I do have the ability to follow directions even if mistakes (big ones) were made along the way.

more barrettes

There are not enough days in the week to wear all the barrettes Mallory has, but she has lost some of her cuter ones, so I need to make sure that we are well stocked. It's more like stock piling. Plus, I'm addicted.

embroidery

For the past few years I have been lovin the embroidery. I finally made a couple of my own patterns this Christmas for a little project and posted them on my family blog. I just found some really cute ones at Posy Gets Cozy that she was kind enough to offer for free along with a tutorial. Last night as I was tooling around I found these at Sublime Stitching and had to order me some. I am in the process of making some of my own that I think will be cute on baby onesies, blankets, burp cloths, or just as wall hangings. I have this whole alphabet thing going and I am excited to give it a go. Hopefully, I will get a couple of the letters done soon. A-D perhaps? Having a hard time finding things to go with X and Q, but what can you do, change the alphabet?

the art of the apron

I have been trying to perfect the apron I am making for the Sassy Apron Swap. It's cute and reversable, but just needs a little something. I think I need to add jumbo ric rac to the bottom, embroider the pocket, or something. I am still thinking on that and need to get it out by March 1st. In the mean time, I attempted another apron as a birthday gift for my friend. I took a pattern I found on the internet and adjusted it and added a ruffle. I love the colors and just hope the fit is right. The last apron was one my sister in law, Shannon, and I made pretty quickly yesterday. She had one more day in town and wanted to whip one up. I love the pink and brown. Still I like this adapted pattern, but would love it to have a flounce on the bottom instead of the ruffle or band of fabric. The nicest thing about it is that it is reversable and that is the one adjustment that I made that I am most proud of. Any suggestions?

beautiful banners

I have been working on banners for the kids' rooms. So far I just have one for Trevor's room that I started 4 years ago. I see them everywhere and think, I have got to get on the rest of them. I just found these darling ones at Sis Boom that are so much quicker and cuter. I need many for Mallory's room or I just need to have access to another little girl's room. Any takers?

Happy Valentines Day

ruffled skirt and twirly skirt

I have come across some really cute patterns for little girl skirts as of late. I can't attempt them quite yet seeing as my girl is just 12 months, but I am saving up the ideas to try later on. In the mean time, I thought they were worth sharing. The Ruffled Skirt and tutorial is from Grand Revival Design (beautiful fabrics by the way)and the Twirly Skirt is from House On Hill Road. Both are worth checking out.

barrettes in action

I thought these barrettes looked better in the hair rather than photographed on my kitchen table. I found some cute buttons on sale at JoAnn's and have cranked out some more. Really, can a girl have too many? Since Mallory does a barrette sweep to her hair about once every hour and just disposes them anywhere and everywhere, then no, there are never too many to be had.

covered button magnets

I got this idea from a friend, but I have been going a bit crazy with it lately. My friend also used the covered buttons for pony tail holders too. I thought if I used two of the small 3/4 inch ones and had matching pig tails in Mallory's hair it would be so cute. But, that means I have to wait until she has enough hair for pig tails. I think that's well worth the wait. In the mean time I am just going to have to make them for friends whose little girls can wear them now.

vintage valentines

I am in love with vintage images and especially those old Valentines. I have found a couple of sites where they can be found either for purchase of for free and thought I would share. There are some for sending electronically or printing up yourself here. This digital scrapbook site, K & B Friends, has some too - check out the ones by Janna Billman. I found some for purchase here - at The Vintage Workshop and these were mentioned on another blog. This book at the top is from Amazon and has way cute Valentines in it too.

all wrapped up

At least the baby will be wrapped up. I finished the baby blanket for my friend Katherine's baby. I really wanted to use the hot pink flannel in the center for the long strips on the side, but was just a bit shy. I hope she likes it. I always have fun making these, epecially when you pull them out of the dryer and see the transformation. Tah Dah!