Christmas Gifts - Skirts

Two more (actually three more, but the third was too big) for some cute little nieces for Christmas. I used the leftover fabric from Audrey's quilt to have exactly enough for three skirts. I got nervous on these ones that they were going to be too short, so I added a little slip underneath to give an extra inch or two to the length. Too bad the one pictured first got pooped in already! Too much fun on Christmas to go in the potty, I guess!

In the end, I don't think I needed to added the extra length, but now they will last longer!

Free Patterns!

One of my greatest crafting buddies and old roommate Deanna found this...

Free Patterns at Homespun Threads

Here are a few of what I "purchased":

So go find yourself some new patterns!

Audrey's Blanket

I think I'm the luckiest girl on earth living next to a Joann's that's moving to a bigger location. Practically the whole store is an additional 33% off right now. But awhile ago the clearance fabric was an additional 50% off plus I used a 10% off my entire purchase coupon and took the last of the bolt to get even more off and ended up with TONS of fabric for under $20.

Some of which I used to make this blanket for one of Bex's greatest friends.

These are the easiest little blankets to make. I used fleece on the underside and decided to make my own binding since I couldn't find the color I really wanted, but I really struggle with corners...oh well.

To hold it all together and keep from shifting I sewed on some fabric flowers at each corner.

And done, it took me less than two nap sessions, sweet!

Bexley's Birthday Gifts

Bexley has been in serious need of a cart/highchair cover for when we're out and about. Her absolute favorite place is the grocery store so she can wave and talk to everyone. But when she's not waving or talking she's touching and licking the cart. I sanitize the cart, but I just can't handle it anymore!


I used this pattern, but only followed about half the instructions. I didn't use fusible fleece, sorry, she doesn't need padding. I also did do the buckle or velcro, I just didn't think it was necessary. So without all that to do, it was a piece of cake, once I read through all the mumbo jumbo!

She has also completely grown out of her baby towels. We were given a towel like this for her baby shower and I love it so much that I thought I'd make her another one for her special day. Loved this lady's tutorial!

Bexley's Birthday Party

First, the star of the night in a t-shirt I ordered from etsy and a re-vamped tutu.

The birthday banner.

Cupcakes and toppers using this adorable paper flower tutorial.

The whole table of goodies.

Most of which came from one of my greatest goodwill days yet, all for under $20. We never have fun dishes to entertain with, so when I found most of these mostly for no more than $1-2, I jumped on 'em! If you live around here, this is the link to the monthly calendar so you get the best price for all your thrifty crafting!

My version of the easiest cake stands shown here and here.

Last minute project for drinks, since I forgot to plan anything else for people to drink.

And some fun tissue paper pom-poms I might have to re-use for her 1-year-old pictures if she ever starts feeling better.

Just Got Home!

My mom and I had way too much fun while I was home for two weeks. First, she hated these beads so my friend from high school, Megan, came over to make some bracelets for our girls.

And, do you remember this adorable skirt?

We each made one. My mom made her's out of linen and I like the way it turned out much better than my thicker cotton fabric.

Her's:

And mine:

Relief Society Activity - Homemade Gifts

Our ward held a night of homemade gift ideas where a few people came up with some fun, cheap ideas, then displayed them and provided handouts for everyone to go home and make whatever they wanted. I was so sad I had to miss the actual night, I wanted to see everyone else's ideas!

First project, a place mat into a purse. Idea from Sew4Home. The only thing I did differently was buttonholes in place of grommets (too cheap for grommets), then added a fabric flower at the end of the handles to hold in place.

I ended up having to make the actual place mat first because I couldn't find one I really liked.

I'm pretty positive I live within walking distance of the greatest thrift store in ohio. They have a monthly calender of deals, including half off day. I found this frame a few weeks ago...

And turned it in to this for my cousin's wedding gift.

Then I decided I wanted one for myself, I spent a little more on this frame.

But it was worth it. I even had enough fabric from a project I may never finish so it will all match!

And last, I converted these cupboards...

Into a version of this and this from an idea I saw at swiss days last year.

So much fun and so easy and cheap. I'm pretty much ready for Christmas now!

Christmas Cards!!!

Kiki's Christmas cards are in the works...they are too AWESOME, so go here to order yours!

P.S. If you use a picture from a shoot I've done, you can get 20% off your order of Christmas cards from Kiki's shoppe! Yipee!

What to Try Next

That is, after the craziness of the next few weeks!
This skirt is from a line used by peekaboo photos that I've been dying to try to re-create...we'll see what we can come up with!

One Week Only!

Does everyone in the world know one of my bffs, KIKI?! She's giving this print (also in red and brown) for free for the next week...so go and get it, here.

The Last of It

Decided to add a few more last minute projects to send off last week. Another purse...

Another carseat canopy...(bsu colors as requested)

Little boys' ties...
(Note - not sure I'll ever have the motivation to do these again. When I say I love sewing, I love sewing with a machine, not slip stitching, it's my very least favorite. Though I did enjoy learning a new slip stitch that she recommends for the back of the tie. These were just too time-consuming for me for such a "little" project, but a good "something to do while I watch my shows" project.)

And some baby legs...

(Could these be easier? Everyone has always told me they're so easy, but I've just never gotten around to trying them until last week, holy crapola, easiest project on earth:

Buy long socks.

Cut bottom of socks off (save to use for flowers on later project).

Fold unfinished edge under.

Sew hem.

DONE!

And the final pile. Now if only it will arrive just in the nick of time. I sent it on Friday, she told me it would take 7 business days...do you think it will make it by this coming Friday afternoon?!

Halloween Costumes

Made Bex a quick zoo "costume" at the beginning of the month. Another appliqued onesie and these baby legs came from Target's dollar spot. Her bow was inspired by this lady who sent one similar with a matching dress when Bexley was a newborn. (Just some five point block flowers cut out of felt and vinyl, bottomed with netting and topped with a little rosette.)

Bexley's trick-or-treating costume. I've wanted to do this costume for my little girl since I was 16 when another cute family in our ward dressed their baby up this way. A little Anne Geddes Hydrangea with matching tutu (converted in to a dress).
The hat is just a beanie covered with hydrangea petals plucked from a bush from Joann's and hot glued all over the place. Here's another version/tutorial.

And a last minute tiny matching treat bag that she carried around on her foot all night while daddy carried her.

For the family Halloween party we dressed as gangsters all because I ran across the cutest little girls' doo rag tutorial that I could not find again for the life of me, so I just cut out a square of fabric, sewed the edges with a zig zag stitch, cuz I was too lazy to fold the edges over twice and sew. Then I folded it in half diagonally and tied it in the back. Much easier, but here's another tutorial and pattern if you're interested. We wrapped the remaining fabric around her arm and added some vinyl letters to the wrong side of a t-shirt.

Mommy's...

Bex and Daddy had matching faux leather wrist bands.

FYI - do not try to hot glue vinyl on vinyl, it will all fall off by the end of the night. Stop being so gosh darn LAZY and sew it on!

When We Own Our Own Again...

Well, our dream house went on the market again over the weekend. The one we made an offer on and was accepted, but found out no bank in their right mind will give us a loan while Landon's a private contractor, until he can prove his income after his first tax returns.

Oh well. It still got me thinking about all the fun stuff I want to do in our next house...

This texture molding:

And this: