New Ideas

I get distracted easily.  It's always been a problem for me.  I'm not very good at trying new foods, but new mediums and techniques - I'M IN!  So, the recent obsession has been using terry cloth.  Not just yardage you find at the fabric store, but using beach towels and cutting them up.  It's been great fun!  I hope the recipients of these gifts have enjoyed them, but they were all new projects for me to try out.  The first one is adapted from a cute pattern (remember the baby kimono?), but I went out on a limb for the next one.  I have a friend who can make anything without a pattern, and I decided to try my hand at it.  I used one of Audrey's dresses and traced it and made adjustments and tried to make it cute.  I was very pleased with the end result and my first attempt at no pattern.  There are more to come.  I've got to get sewing.

Baby Scarlett

I don't usually go in for a lot of digtal manipulation.  However, when it's necessary for the image, I'm all for it. 

This is really just me playing around with these images.  I had the opportunity to take pictures of a beautiful little girl and these are some of my favorites that came of it.  I can't decide which I like better - pink or purple.

The Easter Dress

The Easter Dress was always a big deal as I remember it. I got to look through the pattern books at the fabric store and pick something for my Mom to make. I'm sure some years I made it harder than others. Since I still have the final say-so, I got to pick the pattern, but I asked for input on the fabric. Of course, having the wonderful taste/expensive taste that her mother has, Audrey picked fabric that was about $12 dollars a yard. I would have steered her in another direction if I didn't have a 50% off coupon burning a hole in my pocket. So, I agreed and we made our purchase. I tried to involve more input on the rest of the details, too, but in the end I just went with what I wanted. I'm sure I won't get to much longer. I purchased the pattern back in October at the Quilt Festival and I've been waiting to use it. The dress is the same with the added details of the flower (removable for washing). I love how it turned out, though I don't do her hair like this when we go out. I realized just how big that flower is and how small her head looks with it, so it gets tucked into a low pony tail now. Happy Easter!

Beachy Birthday Party

Birthday parties are always so fun to plan and do all the details for, at least in my opinion. What better way to have a beachy themed birthday than to start with these happy hula folding invites? I can't take credit for them as a whole. This is just how mine turned out. I knew what I wanted to do, but didn't think I could afford them already made so I took some inspiration from the Internet and Martha Stewart Living April 2010 edition.

Step 1: Print out template here and cut it out.
Step 2: Trace on whatever paper you would like. This will be the outside of your envelope.
Step 3: Using a light table or window, trace 1/4" inside the outside edge of envelope template. This will be
the template for the patterned paper inside.
Step 4: Fold all the envelopes and inside papers according to template directions.
Step 5: Cut 12" string. Embroidery thread works well and comes in lots of colors.
Step 6: Assemble. Line up the folds of an inside paper and an outer paper in a folded position. Do not try to glue flat because the paper will not fold when the glue dries. Glue center and 3 flaps down. Insert string between the inner and outer paper on the overlapping flap and glue.
Step 7: Punch two decorative brads through from the outside of the envelope. One on the overlapping flap and one on the opposite flap. Wrap thread between these brads to secure the envelope shut.

Mine had one additional step which were the details for an invitation. I used just a square that would fit in the center and glued it down as well. I think they turned out great and had compliments. I'm going to have to find another reason to use these again.

Side Tracked

While house-sitting I had to change my spare time focus.

No sewing machine.

Much less house work to keep up on.

But I had my laptop... so I went digital.

I was originally creating a family scrapbook on shutterfly.com and not finding what I was looking for in the digital world. I started looking into free papers and was surprised how much was out there, it just wasn't my style. So, I invented my own - digital scrapbook paper that is. Well, my intended use is for the covers of my series of family scrapbooks, but if you want to use them, feel free. I did the same paper in a variety of colors.

I'm willing to share!

Free digital scrapbook paper

For this paper, other colors or swatches-

Comment here or email me and I'll attach it to an email for your personal use.

Enjoy!

Gifts For Babies

I haven't been posting lately, but I've been doing projects. I've been documenting as I go on camera and am just now getting around to posting here.

This was a set of blocks for twin boys due soon.

These are the tiniest sets of blocks I've ever made.

Only because I made two.

Two separate sets that coordinate.

Perfect for two boys who will spend their lives sharing everything.

These sets have the ususal textures I use:

*flannel
*cotton print (visual)

*terry cloth (absorbant)

*minkee (super soft)

*and the added bonus of crinkle sound.

I've added another interior layer of plastic cut to size.

It is a bit difficult to sew, so be warned.

If it works, though it's an adorable addition.

**Thanks Kerry for the great idea!

More baby stuff:

Another friend is having a baby and it's just too fun to make little girl stuff.

I had a hard time stopping.

I wasn't going to make clothes, but I heard what everyone else was doing and it just sounded like too much fun.

I decided to join in.*The kimono is cotton with a cotton lining. I had a pattern, but decided to double my steps by linging it and then complicate things by making my own bias tape. (Ironically I forgot to cut it on the bias. Oops! It still worked.) I had a pattern because that's the only way I know how to make clothes. But I'm very happy with the results. I almost couldn't give it away. Hopefully it will find a wonderful home being used 1)in the hospital for easy changes, added warmth and no belly button restriction 2) at home as a light robe or 3) a cover up for sunny days at the pool.

It said newborn size on the pattern. Hope it fits! (Summer versions may be coming to my etsy shop. I have to try a few out first.)

*Why stop at one thing when you have so much extra fabric? I couldn't. I had to make matching shoes. These are done in the same fabrics as the kimono with a fleece lining. I had a pattern for that too, but when I made the newborn size, my almost 3 year old was able to put them on. (See why I'm worried about the size of the kimono?) So, I worked some magic and created my own pattern in a much smaller size. I just hope they fit, too!

*A baby toy takes up more fabric. Something for a littl older than newborn. And in the same fabric, so you can remember the tiny little kimono in the hospital and how small she used to be. In case you are wondering, it is a lady bug. (Soon to be seen in my etsy shop!) Grosgrain tags for the legs and minkee for the tummy. This model is the first with a bell inside for a little added interest.

*Finally, the largest set of blocks I've ever made! You can see why. Again, the same fabrics from the kimono, with another coordinate, tags to chew on, crinkle side (Thanks again Kerry!), terry cloth and Minkee. A very absorbant toy for drooling and teething mouths. Washable, though I'd not suggest the dryer because of the crinkle addition. I haven't tested that out yet.

So, that was a good two weeks worth of work. On to more projects. :)

Digital Collages: Baby A*

One of my favorite things to do when you can't choose just one picture - choose several and make a collage. It can be rather simple with PSE8, especially with the templates they provide. I didn't use a template on these. They were custom for a friend of mine. It's just so fun to play with photos!