For a Sister

I found a really cute black military jacket at Old Navy
and decided it would be a perfect canvas to make a little something
for my sister.
After all she did turn the big 2-5,
which according to Jessica Simpson is
"like, almost mid-twenties".

I digress.

I heard some buzz that she is loving octopi these days,
so....



An octopus she got!

I don't think my pictures do the little guy justice,
I actually impressed myself.

And the best part?

My sister loved it too!

I have big plans for my next project...
more to come soon!

For a Dad... Again.

Another golf head cover thingamabob!




And it doubles as a hat for small children!
BONUS!



Happy Birthday Pops!

Happy Father's Day!

A few months ago my dear sweet Dad saw this magazine at the book store,
picked up the phone and called his eldest daughter (me) and asked her if she'd like it.

I did!

Upon delivery there were a few hints dropped about a certain character in the magazine and how cool it would be to have one that could be used as a golf club cover.

Since I only aim to please, I created this little guy for my dear ol' Dad in honor of Father's Day.


I think I may have made the bottom a little too small, but I'm still loving him!

I am pleased to say I cranked this guy out in 2 evenings. One to cut out all the pieces,
and the next night I sewed him together. It was the first time I felt pretty comfortable using the sewing machine.

Now, once again, I've got the itch to make more!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

My little sis is moving to Portland this week,
and since she is heading
to one of the most environmentally friendly
states in the union,
I figured she needed a cute reusable tote
to do her part.

So Saturday afternoon,
I hauled out the old sewing machine and got to sewing.
I found my mom's manual last weekend
when they were cleaning out their garage,
so I was able to re-thread the machine,
and put my applique talents to use!

Thanks to some felt, a fabric scrap, a canvas tote, and my "artistic" skills -

Voila!

Now, I need to try my hand at my apron.
I think I may be ready!

Special Deliveries!

These arrived today!

so I may make this


and this is on the way...


I can't wait!

I Did It!

The two best Aunts in the world came bearing fabric, a pattern & love.


They patiently guided me through the use of my new machine*
and a bag was born!

(*Sadly, Oma's machine was a no-go. This led to a covert sting operation,
rescuing my mom's machine from its hiding place deep in the bowels of her cabinets.)


I did it, I conquered my fear of the sewing machine! Now, I can't wait to do more!

More adventures here!

3 Dolls

I finally finished the dolls I wanted to make for the girls. I went in a totally different direction then I had first intended. I screwed up the pattern on the faces on the last two, so that is all I see when I look at them. Except when I line them up like this....

It kinda bums me out because I do really like that each doll is holding the animal that we call the girls by.

There's Hailey Cat...


Sascha Bear ...


and Rory Bird ...


Now if only all the faces looked like this one... (sigh!)


But I'll try to focus on the positive:
I made the pattern myself!
I sewed everything by hand!
They are already much loved!

Sweets for a Sweetie

One more down!

This was so easy to do! I found the canvas tote at WalMart for $2.50. Made the cupcake pattern and letters with my good friend Felt. Then I took some hot pink bugle beads and sewed them on as sprinkles. My other great friend, Felt Glue, helped me put them all together and TA DA!

A cute bag for my pre-teen niece!

Personally, I think it is stinkin cute. I would rock this tote. Fill it with my library books and walk on over to the Annex to pick up some more. Hopefully she'll be able to put it to good use! 

One Down, Two to Go

I am trying to make as many presents as I can this holiday season. It's making it hard to keep up with this blog! :)

Today I finished a little dinosaur for my nephew.

The girls LOVED him. I had to hide him from Rory so he will still be cute and cuddly as he makes his way across the country.

Up next, I'm working on a bag for my niece. Pictures to come!

As Promised

My project can finally make it to the blog!

I was making my sister an Advent Calendar as a surprise!

Chelsea: "Where did you find this pattern?"

Me: "I made it myself."

Chelsea: "Well, you bought these letters, right?"

Me: "Nope, I made them myself."

Chelsea: "OMG! You are the coolest, most beautiful, 

amazing sister in all the land!!"

Ok, I definitely made that last part up, all by myself.

Absent

I have been absent for quite awhile now! What a month this has been. I have a big project in the works that I will reveal at the end of the month.

I know you are at the edge of your seat!

Until then, Happy Thanksgiving!

Score!

I took a trip to my favorite thrift store yesterday and the place was exploding with Christmas items. I cruised through to the craft section, where I found a lady in no hurry to let anyone else near the bin. I was itching with anticipation, hoping to find something exciting like last time. I watched as she snatched magazine after magazine of cute Christmas craft ideas. My girls were in no mood to wait for this lady to finish, so a little dejected I moseyed over to the book aisle and hit the Christmas Jackpot!

I found books from Betty Crocker, Martha Stewart, and this gem from Better Homes and Gardens circa 1974.


This book is awesome! It is filled with pictures and projects, even patterns. And for $1 - what a steal!

Here is just a small sampling of some of its coolness...

(I apologize for the wonkiness of this last picture, my camera was not cooperating.)

What I LOVE about these decorations is they all use non traditional colors. Bright pinks, blues, yellows! Plus, I am digging the Dutch vibe most of them have. I just want to braid my hair, throw some clogs on, and get to creating!

I will share more as we get more into the season, it still feels too early, but I couldn't resist sharing.

That lady would be kicking herself if she saw my goodies. Ha!

Get out and VOTE!

Exercise one of the greatest freedoms we have...

Let your voice be heard!

And then go get a free Starbucks coffee

or a free scoop at Ben & Jerry's!

The choice is YOURS!

Projects!

Today I ran over to Michael's Sister to pick up some accoutrement for my latest project and was disappointed to see candy canes decorating the parking lot. Now I'm eagerly awaiting the holiday season, but it still feels a little too early. BUT, it is not too early to get hopping on Christmas projects, at least that is what I'm telling myself. 

So, my BFF's are bringing their legacies over and we are going to churn out some cute Christmas decor. I'm thinking the mitten and Christmas tree garland is a must! I need to get some patterns made pronto.

I've also already decided on a few Christmas gifts, but unfortunately my family reads this blog so I won't be able to show them off until after Christmas - but at least I'll have fodder for the blog! Since my girls don't read the blog I am able to divulge that I will be making dolls that (hopefully) will look like them. I'm really excited, I'm hoping that each will reflect their different personalities. 

Sew much to do! 

Do you have anything you'll be working on before December arrives?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

To you and you and you!

Sew Darn Cool

Welcome to the first ever "Sew Darn Cool" link!

"Sew Darn Cool" will be links to 

exciting, interesting and/or amazing things

that I find on my journeys around the 

world wide web.

Today's link will take you to a free pattern!

Make a cute lil bird for your mantle,

or make one all black as a ominous Halloween crow,

or make one to carry around on your finger as you sing

A Spoon Full of Sugar 

while you clean your house

by snapping your fingers!

The possibilities are endless 

and the choice is yours!

Click here or here or here!

Tweet tweet, my friends, tweet tweet!

And if you venture to make one,

leave me a comment and let me know how it went!

Copy Cat

I am growing wary of being a copy cat. I love the little things I have made, but I long to come up with a new fresh idea of my own. I see so many things that I like, everywhere I go, and it feels good to know that I can duplicate them. But there is this part of me that slightly cringes at the thought of copying someone else's cute idea, yet again.

That being said, and disregarded,

I saw these at Target today in the bargain bin for a whopping 50 cents. Had to buy them both. Pages and pages of cute little monsters, that I can copy. MEOW!

and don't even get me started on The Land of Nod catalog that showed up last week. These will be mine once I get past Thanksgiving. MEOW!!

Old habits die hard, I guess. I think I just need to try a little harder and attempt to manifest my own ideas. After I finish these, of course.

Concee

Here is "Concee", Daddy's green monster. :)

One for Daddy

I have been commissioned by one Sascha Ryan to create a "green monster" for Daddy. After a quick google search, she chose this one...
I only have one sheet of green felt, so I'm going to have adjust the shape a bit. Off I go!