Shorts Outfit

Made these shorts like a year ago..just now posting.  I have a few things to share if I can get on the ball.  I had the bird shirt made to match b/c my hoop isn't big enough.  With any luck I'll be moving up hoop size so I can actually do cool stuff like this.  The fabric is AWESOME.  I have like 3 more yards b/c I want to make so many things for her with it.  Gray with yellow flowers and black stems, very asian.

Paper-pieced Quilting

A few months ago, I tried paper piecing for the first time. It was fun...kinda.

Just not the sort of quilting that I am used to, you know, with rules and seams that have to match up and all.



It was a good introduction though and I learned a lot. Mostly I learned that I'm not very good at it, but it didn't defeat me. Oh no it didn't.



Instead, I just added a skulls and crossbones patterned piece of fleece as the backing and can't wait to lay this baby down to play on it.



I'll definitely try it again, maybe another go 'round with a Mariner's Compass pattern. But the next few attempts at piecing I think I'll resort to my make-it-work-and-use-what-you've-got style.

Productive Nesting

While the past 38 weeks have felt very long at times, there have some spurts of productivity in this house.

First, I finally finished Svea's Christmas 2009 blanket:

What a Supergirl. Sweet Stacy gave Svea a notepad with that Super S on it about a year and a half ago, then we picked out a bunch of scrap pink and purple fleece from our stash from Kristin and Reggie, matched it with a soft flannel back (Svea is ALL ABOUT soft textures. I mean, won't even wear some acrylic blends) and we've got us a blanket!

Then there was the time I pulled all the toys out of their rooms for Inventory Day.



That felt good.

I also got my first pillow commission from the Lite Box Exhibit last Fall and made two pillows:









This baby is going to love the hum of the sewing machine...

Halloween Fish

We decided it would be fun to have our kids dress up this year. My son as a fly-fisherman (like his mommy and daddy) and our daughter (5 mos.) like a fish. I bought O's costume, but decided to make little H's. The fabric cost about $6, so you can't beat that! As soon as I finished the bottoms to the costume, my sewing machine quit on me (a 35 year old relic). I was just going to give up, but the night before Halloween the craft gods smiled on me and I was reminded that I have a glue gun! So, I fashioned the top from some fabric scraps and a onesie! It wasn't what I originally planned, but it turned out so cute and everyone loved the costume! Even little H, I think!?

Mobiles

I made these recently for my newest little one. I had some scrap paper and some old beads and just started playing with shapes and ideas and this is what it resulted in! The pics aren't very good, but you get the idea. I just give them a little spin with my hand and they keep moving for a while... long enough to give her something to entertain her while she drifts off. She loves them!

Apples

How much do I love this apple fabric? This outfit is supposed to have bloomers but due to our impending trip I just made shorts. It has a piped collar and piping at the sleeves. I dig the little pleat in the front. The blue fabric actually has a little white checkerboard in it which is a nice detail. I have a couple others to show...just need to take pictures. I keep forgetting.

Here are some things for L's birthday I've been working on. Brit, thanks for all the help with the Tepee!!! the sticks are a 'toy' I saw in a magazine where you can make every letter in the alphabet with them. I was so excited about this idea, then as I was sawing and sanding, I had this epiphany of my sweet, stick loving, 100% boy that will in .009 seconds turn them all into guns. I think I'll work with him for a bit with these before I give them to him completely. The notebook is just a personalized ABC book with loved ones and favorites. And then the other pick is a project (inspired by cousin Liam!) L and I have been working on- using his hands and feet to create and then the globes are to hold all his nature treasures he picks up on hikes and walks. The note to go with this one- Mommy was waaaaaaaaaaaaay more excited then L when it all came together. So much anticipation thinking he was going to LOVE seeing his artwork and put things in the globes. . . yeah, he could have cared less! But hopefully as we gather things he'll get into it :) If you can't tell, the far right painting of L's is fish swimming.