POD Swaddler for new nephew

My husband and I have a new nephew.  He's adorable...but he's in Wyoming.  So, I made him my favorite swaddling blanket and shipped it off last week.  Hopefully he'll be snuggled in tight and feel a hug from his auntie in Idaho.  I didn't want to post it until it arrived safely, so as not to ruin the surprise.  It is made with soft white jersey knit and fabulous Heather Bailey Freshcut green fabric I found on sale last summer. 

Keeping it real

So, sometimes I feel really intimidated by what I see in other blogs. Immaculate homes, amazing skills, and perfect children. Then I had an epiphany the other day. Bloggers, me included, show you what they want you to see. They photoshop, crop, and otherwise manipulate what they present to you. This isn't a bad thing...but it can be misleading sometimes if you don't keep that idea in mind as you read.

I am not perfect by any means, and I hope that isn't the idea that you get when you read my blog. I make a lot of mistakes. Sometimes I yell at my kids.  My refrigerator had not been cleaned for a long time...until last night.  I have a pile of clothes still needing to be ironed that I don't want to do.  I cannot and do not "do it all".  I am good at one thing at a time, maybe two tops.

However, as moms, we cannot focus on one thing or two tops. I know I juggle a lot of things at one time. I just can't expect everything to turn out well, or to not let something slide in the process.  My goal is to not neglect the things that matter most by focusing things that matter least.

I wanted to give you a peak into my real life.  I want my blog to be source of inspiration, but please know it is not a place for perfect people.  I want my blog to be a place where lots of friends can gather, find some fun ideas to try, and do one thing good at a time.  Most importantly, that you find ideas that help you and your family find some joy. 

Here's to lots more fun to come, from one real woman to another. 

Birthday Outfit for Sister

I have had all kinds of projects I've wanted to try but didn't have time because of school commitments.  Since we returned from graduation, I was on overdrive to get the birthday presents done.  This is my favorite.


Last summer, Dana posted a wonderful tutorial for her Market Skirt.  I was in love...but it was for a size 3T.  Too big for baby and too small for Sis.  Later she posted instructions for resizing, and I put it on my someday list.  I even found some white seersucker fabric in the clearance bin and bought it, hoping to use it for the skirt eventually.  I finally got it put together, to match this top I found on clearance at The Children's Place:

I loved the color...it just needed a cute skirt!

It took me a while to find the perfect fabric.  I finally found the right orange at a local fabric shop.  The accent colors are from Sandy Henderson's Meadowsweet collection.  Designer fabric is fabulous, but expensive, so I use it as accents for the most part.  The buttons are vintage from my great-grandmother's stash I inherited, and had been saving for just such an occasion.
A couple points of advice.   Following Dana's instructions, I doubled the white fabric for the bottom layer of the skirt and the pockets.  If you do so, baste the skirt pieces together first before you do anything else.  It makes things so much easier!  Second, since the pockets were two layers, I sewed the pockets wrong sides together and then turned them out, clipping the seams before hand.

I thought this was a little easier to do than ironing all those curves and holding them in place to sew.  I just zigzag stitched the edge of the pocket before I folded it over and sewed the button holes.  After I gathered the pockets, and sewed on the decorative fabric, I just basted the edges down behind before I sewed the pockets on.

The most difficult part was placing the pockets.  Just forewarning you.  :)  I thought I had it right, sewed on one pocket, and ended up picking it all out and starting over.

For the headband, I used another "future" project idea...the covered headband from calico. 

To complete the outfit, I made a little ruffled flower broach to tie the top to the skirt.  Sorry, no tutorial or link, I just put it together in a hurry.

My big girl...looking so sweet and grown up!

The funnest part, aside from doing a little fashion show for these photos was watching Baby's reaction when Sis opened her present.  She couldn't get enough.

 We finally put the skirt on her, and she wore it, parading around the house for about 15 minutes.  I am going to have to find some more white seersucker fabric and make one for her, too! 

Oh, these girls.  They are so much fun!


I'm linking up with Blue Cricket and Someday Crafts, Make it, Wear it, and The Girl Creative.

Brother's gift for Sis

For Christmas, I helped my children make presents for each other.  The older two really enjoyed the experience.  So much so, that last week my oldest boy asked if he could make something for his sister's birthday.

On our way back to Idaho, we stopped at my parents' home, and they had a little get together to celebrate some family birthdays, including Sister's.  She received this from her grandparents:

All the older kids wanted to try the loom out, and big brother found a great idea in the instruction book to make a coin purse.  So, after Sis had made her first pot holder, Brother picked out the colors, wove the pattern, and I helped him finish the edges.   I taught him to do some simple stitches to hold it together:

Then, I sewed on a button, and we wrapped it up for Sister's birthday.  She was excited to find this:

It is so rewarding to help them show each other love this way!  Brother did an amazing job. 

Kirsten's accessories are a success!

Bis Sister's birthday was Saturday. We had a rather subdued celebration because both the hubs and I have been really sick. Despite my illness, I was able to complete all the projects I'd planned. I'll be featuring them this week. First, are the accessories I made for the Kirsten doll:

Using the patterns I told you about HERE, I made the sunbonnet and spoon bag.  I made my own little pattern to make the apron, using a gathered rectangle shaped piece of fabric and a bias tape for the ties.  The amber heart necklace was put together with part of an old bracelet of mine, dark brown skinny satin ribbon and simple necklace findings. 

Saturday, Kirsten got to listen to her story as Sis got out the first book and reread it.  Last night for bed, Sis got Kirsten ready for bed in her nightgown, and was excited to have some new ways to play with her treasured friend.

It's nice to be home!



I'm linking up with Today's Creative Blog.

An award

Jess at Craftiness is Not Optional gave me a sweet award while we were away at graduation.  I'm sorry to not have time right now (still trying to get better from a weekend illness) to pass it along, but I wanted to acknowledge her kindness.  Run over to her blog and see what other amazing ladies she nominated, and the fun things she is doing for her home and family.

Thank you so much for thinking of me!

Beginning Embroidery Lessons

Big sis is really starting to show an interest in learning to sew. I decided over the weekend that it was time to start. So, I cut some small squares of white cotton fabric, and used pencil to make a simple cross-stitched heart pattern.

 

I pulled out my old embroidery  hoop, and placed the fabric square inside.

I threaded the needle with some embroidery floss (pink of course!) knotted one end, and then demonstrated how to begin stitching.  I think it took two stitches for her to say, "I can do it!"

She quickly got the hang of things for the most part, and in no time was ready to begin a second heart.  I really enjoyed watching her work.  There were a few frustrations, including knotting the floss around the handles of the embroidery hoop.  Overall, she was thrilled to try sewing.  Next time she wants to try a different design.  Preferably a flower. 

Way to go, sweetheart.  I love your tenacity and your desire to learn.  I also love your freckles. 

We're going to keep making little cross-stitch squares, and eventually incorporate them into a friendship quilt for her Kirsten doll.  I think by the time summer rolls around, she'll be ready to learn simple straight stitches on the sewing machine.