So Proud!!!

This is what came walking around the corner to greet me the other day. That's right! My one year old had the tape measurer draped around her neck, smiling from ear to ear.

Does a momma's heart good to have an aspiring seamstress in the house, no matter what age. :)

Cozy Blanket

I really have been busy with a little creativity and not just the mundane, everyday house work. It's hard to sneak in the time, but I did.

Here is one such project. My brother-in-law recently married a wonderful lady, and I wanted to make them something special. Plus, it's been a bit of a running joke that I would make a blanket like this for him when he got married. (I made one for the in-laws a few Christmas's ago.) When the ring was on the finger and the date set, I started planning - and sweating.

This cozy blanket was so much fun to make! Plus, I loved working with all the soft, beautiful flannels. It's been a while since I've done a project of this scale, so it wasn't finished by the wedding deadline. However, the recipients have been very gracious and forgiving in the lateness of the gift. (Sorry for the sideways pics. At least I remembered to take them this time!)

The blanket is big enough to be placed on a twin bed, if desired. My main goal, though, was making it big enough for both newly weds to be able to fit under comfortably. No complaints about stolen covers, here!

The full blanket:

The panel:
Here are a couple of close-ups of the panel. All the pieces are ironed on and then satin stitched around to secure and keep the fraying at bay.
I did just a little bit of hand stitching in different areas. The smoke coming from the chimney is just a running stitch placed a bit randomly. Obviously, the buttons, eyes and beads on the snowmen where done by hand as well. The last hand work was a blanket stitch around the bear. There was just no way I wanted to try and maneuver those curves through my machine.
I have enough left over material for a good start on another blanket. My husband is now wondering when HE gets a blanket! At least it's a good excuse to do some more sewing in the near future.

Confessions........ and Surprises!

I was so looking forward to last week. We already had a planned trip to my parents place for a family reunion. So, when my mother called and suggested I throw in some extra clothes for the oldest 3 kids to stay for the week, I was psyched!

The list seemed ENDLESS! But, oh, the things I could get done with just the baby along for the ride. Can't you just imagine?!

Would you like to know what I got done? I bet you would!

Well........ I spent the entire week being literally sucked into the world of Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan. You read right - the ENTIRE week! All those plans of finishing the kids' bedrooms, painting every room in the house, working on any craft project I decided and finishing my brother-in-law and soon to be sister-in-law's wedding present. It all seemed so doable in my mind's eye!

And, then I picked up Twilight.

This confession has helped me feel some better; but, knowing the opportunities for such weeks are few and far between, keeps the irksome feeling I have at my lack of self-control at the forefront.

The only other thing that makes me feel a little bit (and I do mean little bit) better is the fact that the morning sickness set in that week. (Yep. Little bundle #5 is on the way and will arrive at the end of March.) Morning sickness bad enough that I had trouble smelling the cleaners while scrubbing down the upstairs bathroom. I couldn't even imagine opening all the paint cans that waited for their turns to be put on our bare walls.

So, a huge apology to my wonderful mother for wasting the time that was gifted to me. But, I do truly appreciate the time that I was able to lay on the couch most of the day and not have to take care of all 4 kids the first week of my yucky morning sickness. I'll just have to wait patiently for my next opportunity at such a week.

But, that wedding present has a deadline of Sept. 5 th. Hoping to be able to share that triumph with you all soon!

Busy? .... To Say The Least!

I feel as if our summer is flying by. Anyone else in the same boat?

I've been able to do several projects, but remembering to take pictures has been a problem. Distractions? NO! Not in my life. So, after yet ANOTHER trip out of town, I hope to share with you all the many different small and large projects I have been able to, er.... start.

So, coming soon - an announcement or two, completed projects revealed and current projects in progress.

A New Skirt!!

There is a tutorial for an adorable little skirt here at The Crafty Cupboard. I'm soooo itching to get a piece of fabric out and start working on this right away. Alas, there are already too many projects on my plate in the works right now. (And I wonder why I can't seem to get anything done around here!)

Look around her site. Melanie has some really cute ideas and projects on there. Several things are on my mental to-do list.

Lazy Days Skirt

This has been done by many people, I know. The tutorial can be found here. I'm very proud of the fact that I was able to get 3 of these skirts done in one day and still managed to get all my other responsibilities done. (You know it's UNBELIEVABLY easy, if that's the case.)

This particular fabric is a St. Jude print. I loved all the happy flowers and wonderfully bright colors. I used gross grain ribbon for the hem. Very easy and such a fun color!

The second fabric is one I picked up somewhere along the way. It's another happy little fabric that the girls all seem to like.

The best part is the happiness that I get to see on the kids faces when I get projects like this finished. A bit selfish, maybe, but a definite win - win situation for all of us.

New Best Friend

Sad, I know.