Valentine Hoodie

What do you get a 1 year old for Valentine's Day? I had no idea either. I found a $4 white hoodie at Target and let my imagination take it from there. When I got home I got out my ribbon box to see what I could put together. This is what I came up with. A thick pink and white ribbon around the hood. A thinner ribbon with smaller polka dots and a white button to hold the ribbon together and to the jacket.

I hope you enjoyed time with someone special today!

Christmas Stockings

Now the mantle is complete! My mom came down this weekend and inspired me to finish them. She helped me figure out how to sew the top of the stockings... just like you would a sleeve. I bought the supplies on Black Friday at JoAnn. The felt was $1.50/ yard. I had most of the ribbon.

The top of the green ones have an embossed red felt. I found the cutest RicRac on Black Friday... it's much larger than normal. Kolin seems to think the stockings are giant, but I think they are just right... more for him to fill up! ;)

These two are my favorites because of the toes. The ornaments on the red one were fun to make. I found my inspiration from a pampered chef flyer and a site on etsy. If you ever have a creative block - go to etsy and you will have more ideas than you ever imagine.

Merry Christmas!!

A Taggie you're it!

I tried my first attempt at a Taggie (Small Blanket for a baby with ribbons along the edges). After a long day at Church decorating for Christmas I was in a crafting mood. When I got home I learned that our niece Grace wasn't feeling well... perfect time to make her a taggie. I started going through the remnant pieces of fabric and ribbon. I decided on the ribbon and material and lined it up in order with 4 pieces for each side. I think the blanket is 20'' x 14''... but I never measure anything... I turned the fabric inside out like you would sew a pillow. Then added the ribbon inside every few inches. You can see this step above This is a picture to illustrate the ribbon being inserted before sewing that side shut. I sewed almost all 4 sides, but left 2 ribbons out as I turned it the right way. Then I turned the last edge in and added the last 2 ribbons with a small straight stitch. Grace loved it! The bright pink fleece and pink and white polka dot were just what the doctor ordered :)

Homemade Burpies

I'm always looking for a quick homemade project. This past January I went a little crazy and made over a dozen burpies for our new niece. I took store-bought cloth diapers and added fabrics and ribbon to customize them. Grace had one to match each outfit. It was also a good thing because she was a... "happy spitter" as her mum mum says - she threw up constantly!

Now that more of our friends are expecting or recently had kids I thought I'd better start my supply again. This was the first time I've had my sewing machine out in the new house. As I browsed through the ribbon and fabric I had on hand I noticed a package of white handkerchiefs. Oh... the ideas... how about smaller versions of my custom burpies. I remember thinking the regular size ones were practically a blanket when Grace was a newborn. Here's what I did:

Steps:

• Iron and fold the hankies in 3
• Sew the sides together so they don't come apart - 2 quick seams on each side
• Select the ribbon/ fabric and sew it on both sides or just one. Make sure to sew along all the sides.

I've tried this with iron on hemming tape, but if you wash and dry them more than a few times it comes off in the dryer... Maybe I should iron it on first so it's in place, then sew it... OH I'm good!!! That's what I battle most in sewing these... they don't stay in place.

My grandma has an embroidery machine... if she was closer I would have her add initials or other embelishments.

I also found this idea for a fabric basket I want to try: http://perpetualplum.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/building-a-basket-using-vintage-fabrics-and-grommets/

Good luck making some for the new additions in your life!

Some new deals and presents from Mom!

Here's the bathroom accessorized. Mom brought me the letters spelling "RELAX". The picture above the toilet was $5 at OTP. The new teal towels are also from OTP - wash cloths $1.29, hand towels $3.99, white bath towels $4.99. I used the silver tin bowl from the thrift store and filled it with extra towels. The picture frame above the towel rack was $.50 at the thrift store. I spray painted it white and used the gray ribbon from the pillow I made in the guest bedroom. I tied a bow and hung it on the wall with just a nail. I would love to do this with old door knobs, but I have to find them first.

Mom gave me this octagon mirror. The frame was oak, but I spray painted it white and just have it leaning against the wall. I should hang it, but just didn't have time. Mom also brought me the crystal lamp. It's very different, but I'm going to spray paint the bottom silver since I'm not a gold fan. It gives off the prettiest light. I got the oval frame for $2 at OTP - that's how Kolin refers to Old Time Pottery.

Here are the pictures hung.

This is a picture of another set of letters mom brought me "DREAM". I have it on the ledge in the front window.

Laundry Room

The before picture of the laundry...

Oh I’ve always dreamed of having a large laundry room… now I have one. Let me tell you the project is just in the beginning stages. I’d love to do much more with it, but it’s a work in progress – like everything else.

I was able to get 2 different colors of blue paint and mixed them together for this custom color – FREE paint! I still need to paint out the window white and decide on some curtains. I’m thinking white curtains with blue accents (Ribbons, buttons, fabric paint… ) We hung the rack last week so I can finally hang clothes in the Laundry room… now I need more hangers! I want to paint something on the wall – I think I’ll need to do it in white or maybe a darker blue?

I’m debating on some of the sayings:

• It will all come out in the wash
• Laundry Room – Drop your drawers
• Laundry Room – Sorting it out one load at a time
• Soak, Wash, Rinse, Dry, Fluff, Iron, Fold (All over the walls in different places in different fonts?)

I’d love a new white cabinet and farm house sink with shelves and cabinets above a new set of front load washer/ dryer set. A girl can dream, can’t she??

This was my quick project this Sunday afternoon. I had to make a couple new curtains for Kolin's classroom so I picked up some extra $2/ yard white seersucker fabric and ribbon for my Laundry room curtain. The best part was I never got my sewing machine out... I'm loving iron on tape!