Learning from a Pattern

I am teaching myself to sew, using a pattern now. I was working on making a little "smock" (for lack of a better term) for my little bit. I was working with a couple of patterns provided free online, but they where not sized like I needed them to be. In order to save the material I had, I was using fleece. Let me just say that crafting with fleece is AWSOME. You can cut it and not have to worry about finishing. Also, I got the fleece by buying a blanket from Walmart for $4.

My mother came over one day while little bit was running around with a fleece invention on. She told me to just go get a pattern. FINE. Never having used one before, I jumped right in. Well, I had to resew the seams a couple of times as I adjusted the size and length. In the end, I got what I wanted. I even sewed buttonholes. (Picture to come later.)

To top this off, I have been decorating for Christmas. We have the tree set up in the big living room, but our fire place is in the den. This makes decorating, easily, a whole house affair. Well, not this year. My 1 1/2 year old is Miss Distructo!! She keeps taking the decorations off the tree. Pulling on anything that hangs. Overall, making this year a "minimalist" decoration year. I love to put the cards we receive on the wall and made a couple of paper trees to decorate. (Picture to come...and if wanted, pattern as well.)

Here is the patten I made. I place the paper on the back side of my scrapbooking paper that is folded in half. The pattern should be 11 inches tall. I cut out three trees. I am not sure if you can tell from the picture, but two trees only have one side glued while the last tree is glued to the other two. I also shrunk the pattern so that it was only 5 inches tall, cut out four trees and glued all of them together so that it stands on a table top.

Finally, I purchased a desk from craigslist for $15. I cannot keep taking up our dining room table to sew. The desk is in a bad way. I need to sand and paint. I hope to get started this Saturday. I really would love to get it into our room before the end of the year.

Like always, I have some picture to upload of things I have done and a list of "to do" as long as ever. Updates on these to come as I find the time to upload the pics. Uploaded pictures on 12/22/09.

Too Cute Not to Try

I am steadily working on my sewing. I finished converting a 3-6 month dress into a cute skirt for my 18 month old. I made it up as I went, so it by no way looks "professional." Considering her shirts are long enough to cover the top, it looks really cute. I may have to post a picture.

Last year I made my son one of those fleece blankets that require no sewing, but a lot of knots. I have the fleece to make my daughter one as well. This will be the project for next weekend; especially since the fleece has been in my house for a year now.

I have found that fleece is wonderful. You can cut it and do not really have to finish the edges. It will not fray. With that in mind, I came accross this blog: Mad Quilter. She states that the pattern she is providing is for 6 month olds. Well, my 18 month old is pettite. She had a doctor's appointment last week and is now up to the shocking weight of 20 lbs 5 oz. With that said, I make the smock out of a red fleece blanket I purchased at Wal Mart on sale for $4.00. It looks so cute. I have to take a picture...like always... I am considering making a second one as a christmas present for a friend. Now to find out how to adjust a pattern to a larger size. Got to love the internet!! :)

TO DO LIST

I posted my TO DO LIST in October. Let me just update it:

1. Finish the flower mobile for my little girl's room.
2. Transform 4 onsies into t-shirts. (I hate the snaps on the bottom.)
3. Transform a couple of dresses into skirts.
4. Make pair of baby jeans from some of mine that ripped.
5. Finish 4 sets of baby leggings.
6. Do wall art for my baby girl's room.
7. Finish some hair bows. I have more I am making, but did get the ones I wanted done.
8. Edit and upload pictures to Walgreens to print. Also never ending, but got caught up.
9. Scan high school and jr high pictures.
10. Get the wireless router to work. (HATE working on this problem.)
 
YAY!!!! Not bad at all. I should post a list of "projects" I would like to try. That one might actually be really interesting. Maybe another day.
 
As for now, I will enjoy my almost completed list.

Serious Sewing

Yesterday I finished a sewing project I started a few weeks ago. I found a great pattern for a purse at this blog: Artsy-crafty babe.

What is true of all people who have been sewing for a while...and know what they are doing...they make everything seem easy. Such is the case with this bag. I thought, sure I can do that. Well, I can, but it does not look as good as hers.

I am very proud of myself for starting and finishing a project I found challenging. I did not give up or decide to do something else. (I did leave off doing the "darts" on the bag...but maybe next time.) When I look at my finished project, I can see all the flaws. But then again, I guess that's what makes it truly mine. One more thing, it actually has pockets on the inside; on both sides. I did foget to add those before I put the lining together, but then again, what fun would it have been if I had done it the easy way. (I thought of something after I posted this: Maybe if I had picked a different fabric, not stripes, this would have easier. I spent so much time making sure the stripes matched up and where centered.)

BOWS BOWS BOWS

Today has been a really good day. Watched some really great football. Spent some great time with the family. And got to sit and make some bows.

I am so glad I have a little girl to dress up. I think there is nothing sweeter than seeing her cute grin with a bow in her hair. I still have a bunch of bows to finish, but was able to make quite a few.

Of course, I have not loaded the pictures yet....but hey, that's something to look forward to. (UPDATE 11/9/09: Pictures uploaded - some of what I got done.)

Sewing and more stuff done

I have finished the baby leggings. I have finished the flower mobile. I have finished the wall art for my daughter's room. While I have finished these, I still have more to do.

Also, I can't help but start a new project while the rest are not done. I have purchased the material to make a purse. Depending on how it turns out and how difficult it is, I am hoping to make some for Christmas.

I was at the dollar store the other day. They had these really cute thermal shirts, but only 2T and 3T. Knowing that they might run small, I purchased one of each. I got the idea from a blog...which I can't find now, but will update later. Turns out the 2T fits.

I cut one up to make ruffles...since they are all the rage. I kept changing my mind on adding them as a shirt front or around the collar. Well, the collar won. I also added a ruffle flower on the lower side of the shirt.

DONE - Flower Mobile

I finished the flower mobile!!!!!!

It took longer than a couple of naps and I ended up needing to cut more flowers then I thought, but it is finished.

The cost was minimal:

$4.00 for the plant stand at Big Lots. (which is the top)

$2.00 for sticky squares at the dollar store (in stead of using glue)

$0.00 for the white paper

$0.00 for the dental floss (I used the samples my dentist gave me)

I am so happy with the result.

I purchased felt at the dollar store, who knows, I may make another one.

To DO LIST

I can't help feeling a little overwhelemed today. I have so many things I really want to get finished, and can't seem to find the time. Here is my list:

1. Finish the flower mobile for my little girl's room.
2. Transform 4 onsies into t-shirts. (I hate the snaps on the bottom.)
3. Transform a couple of dresses into skirts.
4. Make pair of baby jeans from some of mine that ripped.
5. Finish 4 sets of baby leggings.
6. Do wall art for my baby girl's room.
7. Finish some hair bows.
8. Edit and upload pictures to Walgreens to print.
9. Scan high school and jr high pictures.
10. Get the wireless router to work. (HATE working on this problem.)

NOTICE how most of this is stuff to "finish?" I get started, get interrupted, and don't get back to it.

I am curious to see how long it will take me to get this list done. The only time I can really work on this stuff is nap time...so probably a year or so. hahahaha

Quick Flower Clip

I wanted to put a clip in my little girls hair to cover her rubber band. The problem is, I don't have any hair bows finished. (I have a bunch started. Like an embarassing amount of them started but not finished.)

So I made her a flower hair clip. I have seen them all over and they always look so cute. I am not kidding, this took me a few minutes to make.

I had all of the supplies already. Flower, brad, clip - no glue needed.

I took apart the flower and insterted the brad through the hole.

I then put the back side of the brad through the open clip.

Flatten the brad legs and slide the flower back. That was it!!!!

Inspiration

I know, I know...two blogs in one day, what is wrong with you? But this has nothing to do with the mug cake, but I did want to share my work in progress.

I saw this the other day and knew I had to have it.


(From PB Teen)

Problem is, it's $69. All I could think was "they're felt flowers...really that's how much you want me to pay?" So I am in the process of making one which has so far cost me $4.00 for a plant stand at big lots.

This is what I am dedicating nap time today and tomorrow. I hope to be finished by the end of the week. Hope to have some pictures to show soon.

Yummy - have to try

SO I have this recipe I found on a blog (here it is) ...I have not tried it yet...only because I am scared I will make one of these a day and be in major trouble. But there is no harm in sharing a good thing.

5 MINUTE CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE:
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoon chocolate chips (optional)
a small splash of vanilla extract
1 large coffee mug

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the mil and oil and mix well. Add chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, mix again.

Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at high. The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed. Allow to cool a little and tip out onto plate if desired. The mug is hot when removing from microwave so be careful.

More Sewing

Recently, my husband cleaned out his side of the closet. Most of what he took out where scrubs that did not fit right. Now I have them in my stash of material for crafts.

With all the baby leggings and the towel dresses I have made my daughter, my son was feeling a little left out. He told me the other day that "nobody makes things for me." Well, his guilt trip worked. I asked him if he wanted a pair of pants like daddy's work pants.

My first attempt was not bad, but not great either. The pant legs where a little slim and the length was a bit short. He ran around in them, really happy, but I had to make a second pair.

The second pair came out really good. I was proud of myself. I had to take the side pockets off since they where in the way of where I was cutting. I decided to just leave them as they where, and add them to the sides of the pants. They actually work a little like knee pads and pockets.

Here is a picture.

I can't wait to try something else new.

Sewing Crafts

I can't believe I have been gone for so long.

Colder weather is heading our way, which reminded me that I really have very little cold weather outfits for my 1 year old. The problem is that she is 16 months and still wearing 12 month old clothes. Pants are a mess...even her 12 month old fit her long.

Anyways, I have decided that she can wear shorts and skirts for as long as possible with baby leggings. I just love making them and have found some really cute over the knee socks during the summer, on clearance, at Target. That is what I have been doing with my free time.

Also, I came across this great idea in this great blog. She turned a set of Halloween kitchen towels into a little dress for her daughter. I LOVED the idea and did the same. She used the kitchen towel is the size it was. Because my little one is so short, I had to cut a couple of inches of the top before I sewed the casing for the ribbon. Still the project was really quick. Especially since I am a novice sewer.

I only have pictures of the orange one...I will have to take some of the purple.

Arts and Crafts

There are a few blogs I check on a regular basis. Most of these are craft/sewing blogs.

The other day I read a really cute blog, Ucreate. They had a guest blogger who came up with a really cute Petals bag. Here is the tutorial.

I love it. So much that the other day I went by the dollar store. I found everything I needed. Instead of a back pack (which I still plan to do) I found a small bag which fits a couple of diapers and wipes.

I was surprised by how quickly I finished it. I even had both my kids home, running around and yelling "mommy" every few minutes.

I have a list of crafts I really want to make, so I will be sure to post when I finish then...one at a time.

Here are the supplies I purchased at the dollar store. Of couse, I had a glue gun already.





This was the final result. I am sure my husband will not hold this for me, but it's ok.

Favorite Product

I have a new favorite product I thought I would share. I have a real issue with putting up pictures because I HATE to put small holes in the wall. Anyone who has painted knows what a pain it is to fill, sand and then paint over them. Of course, I can't live with plain walls.

I have found the perfect solution.

Command makes multiple picture hanging products. Most have little hooks you hang the pictures on. Those work great too, but these are my favorite. They are like mini, super strong, plastic velcro strips.

I have used these to hang posters in Preston's room. To hang small picture frames. To hang a clip board. Even to hang a dry erase/ magnetic bulletin board. Anything you want on your walls, these will hold.

Now I hang things up and don't think twice about it.

Arts and Crafts part 2

I am really trying to be a "crafty" person. I have all these ideas running around in my head and I really need an outlet. Also, I need to put some energy into something other than my kids. I need something for me. So periodically, you will see a post that says "arts and crafts." This is when I show off my hard work.

The same day I bought the desk caddy at Goodwill, I also picked up this display case. It was very dirty and the color was "smoker yellow." For those who do not know, that is the color things turn when they live with a smoker. It was only $5 so I picked it up. Not at all too sure why.

So here are some before pictures:







It took me about a week to get working on it. I cleaned it up. Painted it white. Then found some really cute paper to Mod Podge. I also changed the little handle on it. With the limited time I had to work on it, it took me a couple of weeks. I think it turned out really cute.

Here are the after:

I do, like always, have a couple of other things I am working on and will post those as soon as I finish. With two kids and a husband, this could be a while.

Arts and Crafts

I have always been the kind of person that is doing crafts. At one point I was really into making jewelry. Having my son put a stop to that.

I have since taken up, well, I'm not sure what to call it. I like paper crafts and have discovered the joy of mod podge.

At the Goodwill store I came across a desk caddy I really liked, but it was ugly. So I ran to Walmart to purchase some spray paint, hoping to redo it. When I started, I failed to notice that the regulator was missing from the nozel. So my paint job has bubbles. I could redo it, but who has that kind of time. Maybe later.

Lesson Learned: check your spray paint before you use it.

After and Before: sorry for the order

Wish List

I have been looking at getting a new camera. My Olympus Stylus is fine for close up pics, but does not do to good when people are a little farther away. I was really disappointed on our recent Disney vacation. More than a couple of pictures came out very blury. So much for the picture of the kids with Mickey and Minnie or our son with Buzz and Woody.

Of course my mom reminded me that I will problaby spend a thousand dollars on what I want. GREAT since I am not working. GREAT since it's not really a need but a want. GREAT since I will feel really selfish if I buy it.

So for now it is on my "Wish List." Maybe the birthday faerie will have compasion on my when my birthday rolls arounds in July. Or Santa in December. Even though I really don't want to wait until December.

Maybe I will cross my fingers for good measure.

First Day

Today is my first bolg. I am sure they will get longer, but for today, just a summary.

It is amazing how busy a household with a 3 year old and a 1 year old can get. I cannot keep my floors clean, the toys are all over the place, and the laundary is nonstop. HELP. I can't really hire someone because as soon as they would leave, the house would be a mess again. My mom tells me this is life with little kids, it will get better some day. (Like when they move out!)

The part that is hardest to belive is that I want another, and sooner rather than later. My husband could just pass out at the thought. I now it's chaos, I know it's a mess, but God knows I love every minute of it.

Soon I hope to add some of my favorite pass times, crafts and such. I apologize ahead of time if I tend to rant, my family is used to it.

Thanks for reading!!!!