5 days, 5 projects

Matt was out of town all of last week. So, since I have a huge list of craft projects I want to do, I made a pledge to myself. I have 5 nights to crank out 5 projects. I'm proud to say I accomplished my goal!

Monday: A scalloped edge blanket from Bend the Rules Sewing from Amy Karol (who's has a great blog). A shout out to my sister-in-law for the great fabric used in this blanket.

Tuesday: The cat from my Japanese Animal Mascot book.

Wednesday: A tote from the Amy Butler Sew-it Kit. A shout out to my mother-in-law for the AB fabric.

Thursday: I bought these regular flour sack dish towels then dyed (using RIT) and embroidered them. Here's the cupcake one. Who doesn't love a cupcake. Dedicated to my college roomies where a cupcake solved all bad things! : )

Friday: A bunny made from washcloths. It goes over your hand. It's for Sydney's bathtime and got the idea from Martha Stewart's Living Magazine a long time ago.

What a week! I'm glad I finally got some stuff done and glad Matt's back too. I'll post some pictures of Sydney soon.

This Past Weekend

On Sunday, we took the boat out with some of our friends. It was a lot of fun and here's some pictures to prove it. Jessica took this picture of Sydney and I.

Here's Sydney (with a cracker in her mouth) and Jessica. And just in case you were wondering, Syd doesn't have the life jacket on because we were stopped next to an island and not moving. I mean, geez, Matt is the safety officer at his work!

Doug is the #1 most laid back guy. Matt probably being the second. I guess all the "laid back-ness" is rubbing off on Syd.

I finally got my Amy Butler Sew It Kit! I was kind of disappointed because most of the patterns I already have in my InStitches book. There were a few new ones and I absolutely love so I guess it was worth it. Here is one of the projects I made. I think the project has a lot of potential for parties and holidays.

Also, this weekend I made Matt & Sydney come to Macy's with me to see the new Martha Stewart collection. Oh my, the kitchen goodies are so nice. I know what's on my birthday list! : ) I bought the citrus press and a small cutting board. I just love the colors! Matt made fun of me for buying such a small board but I love it. It's perfect for fruit and other snacks I cut up for Sydney.

I'll have more pictures of crafts coming. I on a "5 days, 5 projects."

Well...this has been a great post - a walking billboard for two of my favs, Amy Butler & Martha Stewart! : ) My job is now complete.

Happy Friday!

Sewing for Sydney

I made Sydney a new dress. It's McCalls pattern M5415. This is a fanastic pattern. This is just the basic dress. I think the next time I'm going to jazz it up a bit. That's the great thing about sewing - there is endless possibilities.

Oh geez! This is not my child! So much for the modeling career...

(and yes that is just the pointer finger. No offensive pictures here!)

Labor Day Weekend

We've had a good Labor Day weekend. We went to Orlando and shopped around on Friday. We went to the pool on Saturday. We left early since there was a Caddyshack moment. You know the BabyRuth in the pool! They had to clear everyone out to clean it and add more chemicals. Since we had to wait 30 minutes to get back in, we just went to the park and went home. Sydney was definitely the prime suspect since she was the youngest. But I can say with confidence that is was not her. I know this for many reasons that I'm sure you really don't want me to discuss! Today, we went to a friend's house for lunch and to swim. It was really nice and relaxing weekend. Below, is some pictures from this weekend.

I love this picture. Sydney is reading a book and using Dixie as her pillow. As you can see, Dixie could care less.

She gets so busy when she plays. We removed the couch cushion (as you can see). She loves to play on it. Jumping, crawling, you name it - she does it. Her favorite things these days is Elmo (just like her cousin Karalyn). Thankfully we don't have too much Elmo stuff. The 2 dolls and 2 books. I swear Sesame Street knew what they were doing. I think that sat around choosing a character that had the brightest color and the easiest name every baby could say. Great marketing if you ask me! She can spot Elmo from a mile away too. Example: We're at Target. "Elmo, Elmo, Elmo!" I don't see an Elmo - oh wait - is that a one inch Elmo doll way in the back corner of the store? Why yes, it is. "Good job Sydney! I do see Elmo."

Here's her tired look coming home from the pool. Nap time!

Hope everyone had a good weekend too.

More Craftiness

I've still been busy with crafting. I have a huge long list of stuff I want to make and scrapbook. Now it's just about finding the time. Here's a couple things I was able to check off the list.

First, I embroidered this onesie for my friends who just had their first baby. On a side note, I went to the hospital yesterday to see them. The baby, Edward, was just so precious. I love holding newborns. Chilbirth is a miracle. It just shouldn't seem physically possible but there, in one moment, is the smallest little person to love upon. Incredible! It's also hard to believe Sydney was once that small.

Okay...let's get back on track! : )

The seal that was next on the list from the Animal Mascot Book. Here he is. These animals are very easy to put together. The longest part is hand sewing on the eyes, nose, etc.

I made my best friend's daughter a dress like I had made Sydney. I added ruffles on the bottom for that extra touch.

Mini Mozart

Sydney definitely has my love for playing the piano. Maybe it's because I played to her everyday while I was pregnant. Who knows! But here she is playing the piano. She's just so happy.

Sydney & the pets

Sydney really loves our pets. For Dixie, she loves to brush her, give here "Dixie Treats," and also to pet her. For Martha, she loves to pull her tail! The other day, Sydney was holding on to Martha's tail. Martha got up and started to run away. Well, Syd still had her tail and didn't let go. So Sydney ran behind Martha for only just a minute and then was pulled onto the ground because she couldn't keep up with the cat. She did to cry too, poor thing. Oh man, it was funny though! Matt and I were trying so hard for her not to see us laughing. I wish we would have gotten that video taped. We, for sure, would have won the $10,000 from America's Funniest Home Videos. Ah yes, the good times with kids!

Here's Martha, being deprived of attention, snuggling with the monkey.

Here's Syd giving Dixie a kiss. Doesn't Dixie look so happy?!

Another Crafting Post

I really love all the Japanese Crafting Books they have out there. I think the Japanese crafters are amazing (& that's not to take away from the amazing US crafters we have here). They come up with the cutest stuff. I ordered my first Japanese crafting book the other day and have another one on the way. Needless to say, I'm super excited! The book I just received was to make stuffed animals. I wanted to make some for Sydney. Handmade toys from mom - what's there not to love about that! Here's the cover of it. Aren't all the animal precious!

Here's just a little snippet of the inside. Uh-oh! What did I get myself into! : ) No, the pictures are very clear and it's pretty obvious what to do. There is some pretty funny "Engrish" in it too.

Anyway, here's my first attempt. The bunny made out of Matt's old khaki pants. And yes, he did know about it...before I cut them up! : )

It was actually very easy. There are a couple areas where I need to practice so it's as cute as the picture. The hardest part is that everything is so small. The bunny (from ear to foot) is 7" tall.
All the animals and finger puppets in the book are just amazing. I'm pretty much going to attempt to make all of them. The next project is the seal!

On a side note, I did get my free fabric. And I didn't choose Amy Butler. GASP! I chose this one. I do, regardless of what I might post, have other favorite fabric designers! Joel Dewberry, Heather Bailey, and Moda's Urban Chiks just to name a few.
Have a great day everyone!

My Little Helper

Nothing really happening over here. I just thought I would post a picture of Sydney helping with the laundry.

I won! I won!

Oh my gosh! I actually was randomly chosen to win a yard of fabric from one of my favorite sewing blogs that goes along with the store, Sew, Mama, Sew! I can't believe it. They have Free Fabric Friday, well, every Friday. I always enter if I happen to remember that it's Friday (staying at home really messes with the days of the week). I just wanted to share my excitement with some since I couldn't get Matt on the phone to tell him! Off to go pick out my fabric...hmmm, so many wonderful choices!

Also, if you clicked on my blog from Sew, Mama, Sew's link - don't be shy to just say "Hi!" in the comments part of this post! Thanks.

The new do

So my hair was already kinda long when I got pregnant and I thought it was wise not to do anything too drastic (at least that's what they tell you in all the books). Then, after I had Sydney it was so nice just to put it up in a ponytail and not have to worry about doing my hair with a new baby. So it just kept getting longer and longer until one day I wanted to chop it. But then I said to myself "I don't want all this hair to go to waste." It still baffles me where that thought came from because do people really say that to themselves or am just really weird.

I think I'm just weird.

Anyway, then I thought of Locks of Love. They use real hair to make wigs for children. So I went to their website and see how much hair they needed. It's 10" to be able to use the hair in a wig. I had to grow another inch or so. I could totally do that. Heck, my hair's already long. So yesterday was the day to chop it all off. I was definitely ready!

Here's the back of me with long hair. It's the longest I've ever remembered it.

Here's my two 10" ponytails.

Here's my new do with Sydney. It's really not that short. And most of you have known me with this length hair so it's not very dramatic but fun nonetheless. I like it. I'm glad it's cut off. And I'm glad it's going to some kids who need it.

Talk about giddy!

I was doing a random search on Amazon today and look what I found!! Amy Butler's new book, Sew-it Kit, out in September! Oh my goodness, I can hardly wait! She might be coming out with a baby sewing book too! Not totally sure on that one though. (Lauren - wouldn't that be great!) Also, my favorite band is coming out with a new album in just a couple weeks! I just don't know what I'm going to do with myself! I guess I'll just have to sew right along to my new music. : )

I've been wanting a good beach bag - I think this might be the one to make.

Crafts, crafts, & more crafts!!

Okay, brace yourselves - there's been a lot of crafting around here these days so that means there's a lot of pictures.

A pincushion I made off a tutorial somewhere on the web.

These are the wide leg pants out of Amy Butler's InStitches book. They are definitely wide legs. I really like them. They are very comfortable. Fabric is Heather Bailey (she has one of my favorite websites!) and came straight from the sister-in-law in S.Korea!

These are Amy Butler's Stash & Dash bags. I absolutely love these! I did give these away. When I told Matt that I was going to make one for myself he gave me a eye roll! : ) He thinks I have too many bags. I just giggle, smile and say "Umm, sure thing!"

Okay, these birds are my own pattern and I think I'm going to put them in my Etsy shop in a few days.

Do you see this cat?!? This is during my photo shoot of the birds.

Here's my little owl hiding in my thread. I don't know what got me to make this little guy. He is my own pattern too. I don't know why I keep making bird things either. It's just a phase.

Back to patterns & Amy Butler. Here's her Frenchy bag pattern. I did change it up and added the ruffle to the top. This is going to be given away too. See, I don't keep all my bags! : )

Whew! All done! Hope you enjoyed my goodies. I sure did enjoy making all of them. Don't worry, Syd is well fed, bathed & dressed. I usually do all my crafting while she sleeps. And yes, she does sleep a lot. She's an excellent sleeper. No complaints here.

Have a good day.