Hi Ho Hi Ho…It’s Off To Sew I Go!

There are a lot of things that make me giddy about Disney. What makes me really giddy is when we get to go because I get to combine to of my favorite things. Sewing and my Disney Side! There is something so fun for me to design and sew custom clothing for my kids. My precious friend, Shannon sent me a big box of fabrics last year and in it was this Snow White fabric. I was instantly smitten. In fact that may have been my catalyst to start looking at planning our next visit! After making the dress, it still needed something and it was screaming to the poison apple! I love how it turned out!

Getting Avonlea to pose for things is a bit challenging but the next few weeks expect to see a lot more Disney inspired clothing!

Valentines Felt Envelope Chair Back Tutorial

I have loved the chair back valentines that I have admired from certain big box stores but knew that I could not only make it but I could make one exactly the way I wanted it to look. I made a test one yesterday that I shared o on my facebook page and tweaked it slightly today and I am thrilled with the results!

Here is what you you need:

3 pieces of 8×11 felt  (one cut into a triangle to be the flap)

sewing machine

embroidery machine (if desired)

Coordinating ribbon

felt of glitter canvas (next to felt at Hobby Lobby) for the heart

Here we go!

All done! I am so happy with how they turned out and if you want one but don’t want to make your own send me a message on my facebook page

I will be selling them for $15 plus $3 to ship!

Order soon so they can make it out in plenty of time!

Valentines Day Love Pockets

I know what you are thinking. It is barely 2014 and you are already thinking about Valentines Day? Well, I craft for a living so if you want me to make these for your little ones I need time to create them!

So, what is a love pocket? I am so glad you asked.

Love Pockets are meant to be hung on your child’s door or on their bed post and it is a place for you to send a little love to your little ones.

Ideas for your putting in your Love Pockets

• fun size candies
• words of affirmation
• Bible Verses
• special love notes
• reasons you love them

The options are endless. As a parent my goal is to make sure I am affirming my children often. But, lets me honest. There are days that doesn’t happen.

Something that my Dad did for me was to write me letters. He would slip them under my door to say he loved me, to tell me he was sorry, or to leave me an encouraging scripture. It wasn’t every day and sometimes it was only after we had one of those talks about my math grade or my bed not being made. But, I treasured those words of affirmation from my Dad.

I want to leave my kids a legacy of knowing they are loved. Always.

I made these for my kids for Valentines but I plan to have these make appearance all year long!

If you would like your own Love Pocket they are $10 each and $3 to ship.

I can personalize with a name on the back for an additional $3.

Orders will be through my facebook page

Please send me a message there. I am excited to start this tradition with all of you!

Help Me Set The Table Placemat Tutorial

Confession. The other day I had to ask my husband how to properly set the silverware on table when we were preparing to entertain. Truthfully, I think I am doing ok most days when dinner makes it to the table and I am usually more concerned with the fact that they eat all their food more so than how they set the table. But, I digress, knowing how to set the table properly is something that they should know how to do. My kids are more visual learners. I am gathering that information by the fact that when I say pick this up and put it away they can’t seem to grasp that concept. So if audible learners they are not then visual it must be. (yes, this is sarcasm)

I always seem to find strange kinds of fabric in the remnant bins and this vinyl was super cheap and I had no plans for it but since my fabric stash it made the perfect choice because it wipes clean easily.

I started with cutting my vinyl into a rectangle shape and had plans for this cool glitter canvas sheet from Hobby Lobby (it is next to the felt!) to make it my silverware.

I cut them out and then used a little spray adhesive to hold them down before sewing them into place.

I added a decorative stitch from my sewing machine and trimmed the place mat, knife and plate with my pinking shears.

Hopefully this will help my kids learn the right way to set the table…ok maybe it will help me remember too!

Chasing Smiles

 

It was bound to happen soon enough. My little one who posed for all pictures all the time now needs to be chased to get those sweet smiles on camera. By the time I get ready to snap the pictures she is shoes off, bow thrown and halfway down the hall. At 14 months she is a fast little thing. But, I would chase her down any time anywhere to get these sweet toothy smiles!

I actually sewed today for her! Beginning her Christmas wardrobe a little early! But, hey if our elf can arrive in November so can a Christmas lights dress. The fabric came from JoAnn’s and I love the fact that she is of the size still that I can make a whole dress with a yard of fabric with scraps to spare! I adore this peasant dress look on her! I paired it later on with leggings and the 3/4 sleeve makes it versatile. The pattern is from a favorite tutorial from Once Upon a Sewing Machine Ridiculously easy and super fast.

Go Fish

This week has been one of many downs. Lots of challenges to overcome this week. Health, finances, parenting…I feel like we have run into it all this week. But, we are alive. Relatively healthy and I am throwing out the yuck this week and praying we fish out better outcomes this coming week.

In the meantime, I stitched out a cute little magnetic fishing set. It provided some much needed entertainment for my little ones while I attempted to rest and get better.

The Last First

Little bits of party prep for Avonlea’s big day have been happening around the house for weeks. Today I worked on making her a birthday crown. While I watched the machine as it stitched I had this surreal moment in which I realized that although this crown may attend dress up and tea parties it will only attend one first birthday party. The last first birthday party I will ever throw.

I know that there is still many more years of child rearing to go but it is little moments like this that make me want to slow down and enjoy this time. I am thankful that we still have many more firsts and while there are lasts thrown into the mix I going to do my best to absorb them with joy and receive them as wonderful memories to hold onto forever.

Little Pumpkin

It is hot outside. I don’t love extreme heat and humidity but I do love Fall and pumpkins so while hibernating in the cool basement I was inspired by this gorgeous brown and orange damask fabric. So, while the big kids spend the night with grandparents, Avie and I are pretending it is fall. I adore all things pumpkin, but this little pumpkin has me smitten.

Sewing & Embroidery Round Up

Aside from being with my babies the last month and a half I have also kept busy with this little embroidery hobby of mine that is slowly growing into the business I have been dreaming about.

Once school is back in session I plan on really figuring out this business plan but for now being busy with personalizing for my own kiddos and friends has been the perfect summer creative outlet.

Spring Break

It has been a wild and crazy spring break. I hope that search combo doesn’t bring the crazies to this site. We hit the zoo and the children’s museum. We spent time with the both sets of grandparents and enjoyed just being together. Today was the last day and we are ready to get back to a routine.

I got a little bit of sewing done.

A little pillowcase style dress for Avonlea’s first trip to the zoo. Remember Alaina’s dress? https://alittlemoore.wordpress.com/2008/08/27/one-two-zoopity-zoo/

Man time flies.

Sam met is match in Bumblebee.

I enjoyed time with my babies.

err…I mean I enjoyed my week with my little dinosaurs.