Sunday, June 28, 2009

Lyla Kate's Late Gift





I have never ever been called a punctual gift giver. I believe my friend Joanne and I still have yet to exchange 08 Christmas gifts. I have them just haven't exchanged. So Mark and Emily Vandiver welcomed their baby girl into the world March 7 (which happens to be a very popular birthday...shoutout to Joanne, Mrs. Debi, Mary Gardiner, and Robert) and today was the day I finally got her gift to her. I have been in the sewing room as of late and this is what Lyla Kate recieved.

I Love Technology





Oh how I love embroidery. I have not been sewing lately, rather I have been embroidering premade items. The shirt is for Ellis. The dress was found at a consignment shop and handed to me to monogram.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Rae Gun Ramblings: Giveaway: Playground Shorts

Rae Gun Ramblings: Giveaway: Playground Shorts How cute are these little shorts...I hope I can win them for Ellie girl. Check out this cute site!

Caroline's Cake

Today I made Caroline Howard a sweet birthday cake. It might be the girliest cake I have ever made. My kitchen looks like an barbie explosion occured.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Yesterday

Well, you see I had full intentions of checking everything off my to do list. Thank goodness I am not psycho about my to do lists, as some people Connie and I know are, because if I was it would be bad. Yesterday the mood struck me to make one of those crazy canvas things everyone has had on their front door. I know I am a bit behind, but the mood struck me yesterday and so in about ten minutes I had located all my paints, my canvas, and some sorry excuses for brushes. After about 15 minutes this is what I had... I think it looks a little fallish but I guess I'm extra prepared. Anyway do NOT I repeat do NOT spend money on one, contact me I can paint you something in about 15 minutes.
As for my sewing room, if you count that I painted in my sewing room yesterday then yes I did a lot in there, but as for actually making anything...I made a top and a onesie for sisters and today I will tackle a shirt for their brother. I also have a new dress I am making for someone for Christmas...it'll be a size one if I have any takers. If I finish it I'll post pictures later today. I hope everyone is having a great summer.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

It's Been A While


Well, not really just about a week. Cullen and I have been on vacation so of course I have not been in my sewing room. I did however get some smocking started. I am about one row of cable stitiching away from it being finished. At some point I have to find a garment to insert the smocking into, but that will be later. As for today, I have some outfits to work on for my sister in law and as soon as they are finished I will post some pictures. Check out my friend's new blog http://www.conniebuse.blogspot.com/ she was a great role model when I first started teaching and I am so excited to be able to get to see snippets of her life now on her blog since we don't get to talk everyday now.

Monday, June 15, 2009

The Robinsons: It ain't easy being green...

The Robinsons: It ain't easy being green...

This weekend I was able to take some of the clothes I have been making for Ellie to Jackson. One morning when she was getting ready for the day my mom and I tried on her new Fourth of July outfit on her. Here she is.

Friday, June 12, 2009



Yesterdy and today I woke up ready to sew. I finished a dress for Ellie and made a little boy's romper. I also was able to make Ellie a 4th of July outfit that I hope will fit her. My friend, Angela, has the cutest kids in the world and I have been meaning to get out this little pattern to try for them, but when my sister in law called yesterday I decided to back my ears and attempt it. Turned out super cute. Angela give me the boys sizes and I'll make some for you, too. I don't know why I made these pictures midget sizes but hope you can see them.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Down the Road


While blog stalking today I found a great blog http://www.handmadebyalissa.com/. This lady is quilter. Now don't think I've jumped off the wagon and have gone crazy, but I have been wanting to make a quilt for a while. Searching her site I found tons of beautiful quilts, and then I found directions. It is very labor intensive and I am not sure how great I am with tedious tasks, since I don't like to follow seam allowances. heheheh but in the future I would like to make a quilt like this.

I love how the blocks frame a small picture in the fabric, and how the centers are a little off. I don't know when and I don't know for who, but I want to make this quilt. Say a prayer I keep with my dream. Angela since you are the only one that reads this if I turn out to be the next quilting fool I will make some for your boys. One day thier wives will love them.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Rae Gun: Giveaway: Citrus Summer Ruffle Diaper

Rae Gun: Giveaway: Citrus Summer Ruffle Diaper
Go to this website and enter to win this precious diaper cover. I love it.

I know I should be cleaning but instead...

I've been sewing. Today I slept a little later and didn't start sewing until about 7. Shocker since the past couple of days I have been in my room by 6:15. I have a to do list of things I need to finish up. 1) Natalie's shower curtain 2) Baby gift 3) Mallie & Ellis's summer items 4) two dresses for Ellie. I find myself instead making random clothing for children that I don't have or have anyone to give it to. Hmmm. Today I attempted my very first adult clothing item. Yes it was intended for me. I decided to forge ahead in the Weekend Sewing book and make something for myself. I decided I would make the Yard Sale Wrap Skirt. I made it from a chocolate linen that I had found a sale a while back. I will post pictures later, you will notice in those pictures that I am not wearing it. You see I have a problem using the recommended seam allowances, and by not paying attention to them, the clothes are not the size they should be. For instance if you cut out a pattern and start sewing, the pattern says take 1/4 inch seams.... and you take 5/8'' seams your seams will be deeper using more fabric and leaving your clothing a little smaller than it should be. My dear sweet Meagan became the proud recipient of the great linen skirt I made. When I post the pictures you will see that the skirt is really cute on her tiny waist.


After my adventure to see my dad today and to give my beloved skirt to Meagan we layed out and once I got home I got back to sewing.


I had this dress cut out for about two weeks before I knew what to put on it, and it has been appliqued about a week before I made the pants and finally finished it. This whale applique is really for a boy I'm sure but in pink it looks precious as well. Angela, I bet you need shirts for the boys. It would be cute in summer plaid, blue, or seersucker. This dress is a size 1 but would work for a top on a size 2. The pants are a size 1. Let me know if anyone would like them.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

From the Sewing Room

Today I took some time away from Weekend Sewing, to finish up some works in progress. I don't know if anyone else is like me but I get a lot of things started and then it takes a while for me to finish them. So today I finished up a non traditional Christmas Dress.



Next I finished up a pattern I put together myself. I am trying my hand at pattern making....well it isn't going so well. This is the top I made. Just a first attempt. It is really simple. Just a box pleat in the front and double buttons on the shoulder.

Finally this morning I made a pair of shoes. Yeah I know I'm a cobbler now or something. I found this super cute pattern online and thought I can follow directions, I can do this. And here is the result...Notice that only one shoe is made. That is because I got so darn excited about having just made a baby shoe I had to immediately post a picture.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Weekend Sewing Continued

As stated before I am trying to sew my way through the book Weekend Sewing. I know I know it will take a while and know that all my sewing does not take place on the weekend. Today I was able to create two more projects from the book. The Sunday Entertaining Apron and the Drawstring Bag. The bag was SO much easier than the apron.
The Apron, I began Sunday night after the baseball game. I was able to finish most of it but woke up this morning and sewed on the waist band. I apparently missed some of the directions which made it a little bit more difficult, but I got it finished.


The bag which can be made smaller or larger was super fast and easy. It took maybe 15 minutes. I am thinking I am gonna make one for each of my students to keep thier supplies in next year. They can hang them in thier locker and it will keep all the crayons out of my floor. Larger ones would be so cute to monogram as laudry bags, lingerie bags, or shoe bags for packing.
Stay tuned for what is coming up in the book.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Weekend Sewing






Well in an effort to add another book to my Summer Reading, and to branch out from the children's clothes I have been making for a year now, I have decided to sew my way through the book Weekend Sewing. Looking ahead I know I will have to put in a zipper (yikes), but I will attempt it. My first attempt at sewing something other than clothing was started on Friday. I am trying the Weekend Tote. It has some elements in it that I haven't had to perfect while sewing for children, so the next one I make will be even better. Here it is. My first out of the box item, the Weekend Tote. I used some fabric I had purchased as scraps from Premier Fabrics. I even monogrammed the pocket on the inside.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Sew Mama Sew is a website that has this sewing survey...I took it. Here are my answers.
What brand and model do you have? Brother Sewing machine, brother embroidery, bernina serger
How long have you had it?a little over a year
How much does that machine cost (approximately)? a lot
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? children's clothing
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get?at least once a week
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I like my machine, no name yet
What features does your machine have that work well for you? love the button hole maker
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? bobbin issues
Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it! My sweet mama got it for me.
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why?It is idiot proof.
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? durability
Do you have a dream machine? I would love love a viking, but a fantastic bernina would be welcomed on my doorstep.