A Gift Bag

Not a lot of sewing this week again.  I did make a cute little gift bag for my nephew though.  Instead of the tote or purse styles I have done in the past I made this one a drawstring loot bag.  Hopefully he will find many things to carry around in it after he has enjoyed opening his gift.  I really like the idea of fabric gift bags.  It thrills both the crafter and environmentalist in me.  Plus with the right deal a yard of fabric is cheaper than a paper bag.

Athena and I also made some pillowcases for one of her teachers at dance that is going away to college in August.  It was fun to do a project with her.

I also did some prep work on a big project I'm working on.  It was mostly gluing and spraying enamel though.  And although those are fun things too, it's just going to be a while before I finish and am ready to share.  Especially since I have no idea what I'm doing!

I've also been playing an awful lot of Epic Mickey.  This game is so much fun I just can't stop playing it!

It's just about time to start thinking about back to school for us.  We took care of Athena's supply list this weekend and will probably do some clothes and shoe shopping sometime soon as well.  I want to attempt to make a lunch bag for her myself this year, so watch for that.  She is a little nervous about 5th grade, for some reason she thinks she is expected to be all grown up in 5th grade.  I know she will be fine and do a great job as she always does.

Another Seamstress in the House

Yes I'm still around.  After all those blog posts right after one another even just a week off seems like a long time.  I blame Harry.  I spent most of my free time last week re-watching all the Harry Potter movies with Athena to get ready for the finale.  Which we loved!  But I did manage to get a few things done, and look who learned how to sew!  Athena took a beginning sewing class at Joann's and made this pillow case all by herself.  She said she loves sewing and has big plans to make all kinds of things now.  Hope I don't have to arm wrestle her for time on the sewing machine.

I did manage to get a few projects done between all the Potter viewing last week.  I made this dress, headband and flip-flops for Athena.  The dress is straightforward McCall's pattern 6316.  It was cute just as it was so I didn't make any changes to it.  The headband is just my own pattern I made up form trial and error.  And the flip-flops were taken from this tutorial here.  I didn't have quite the amount of fabric it called for though so I'm not sure how long they will last.

I also managed to use up some fabric that has been in my closet for a very long time.  I made this skirt for Hailey.  It is basically a simplified version of McCall's 5811.  Elastic waist instead of a zipper and you could see through he fabric so I lined it in a pink cotton hemmed just a bit longer so it will hang down below the white skirt.  I think my favorite thing though is the bottom trimmed with brown bias tape, I just LOVE that part!  I also managed to make one more baby thing, but just in case I'm not posting a picture until I have given it to the new mommy.  I should hopefully have some awesome things to show off next week, if they all go as planned ;-)  Hope you all are having a wonderful summer!

Another Wonderful Memory

I guess turning 40 isn't so bad after all.  My wonderful, brilliant husband once again knew exactly what I wanted for my birthday, even though I had no idea.  He threw a surprise party at Old Chicago for Hailey and I!  I have never had a surprise party before, it was fantastic!  All the fun and socializing of a regular party without all the work and planning ;)  I'm still trying to figure out what kind of Jedi mind trick he used to get Hailey to suggest going to Old Chicago for dinner in the first place though.  Thank you everyone that was able to make it, you made my day very special and one I will never forget.

Tomorrow I'm 40

I used to think 40 was the age old people were.  I don't feel old, maybe that will change tomorrow.  Sure sometimes when I've been sitting too long my body creaks when I stand up.  And yes sometimes my eyes take a little longer to focus these days.  But I am still mostly the same person I was at 20.  I would still rather see an action movie based on a super hero than a cheesy chick flick.  I still prefer my ice cream come in a cone.  Yet there are things that have changed, I no longer feel the need to stay up all night or even past 10:00 just to prove I can.  And who ever would have guessed that I would not only know how to sew but actually enjoy it?  So many birthdays to look back on now.

Look even at 4, I loved the Mouse!

7 was the year a little kitten crashed our 4th of July party.  I was in love and after we found out who she belonged to my parents let me keep her as a birthday gift.  I named her Tigger!

This might have been my 7th as well, but isn't it a great picture?  I remember this party and the popping balloon game.

I don't have a photo of my 13th birthday but it was one of my favorites.  Breakfast on top of the Space Needle is quite a memory.  I'll have to look for a photo the next time I visit my mom.

There was my 16th and cruising around in my little green Bug.

And no other birthday can compare to my 20th, when my Hailey came along and changed my world forever.

Another favorite was my 36th spent at my favorite place on Earth , complete with a Monte Cristo at the Blue Bayou.

And I know I will always cherish my 38th for the bonding experience I had with Hailey.

So many wonderful memories, and I hope there are many more to come.  And no matter what everyone is saying tomorrow or how I feel some days, I am NOT old yet :)  Maybe I'll spend my 50th in my beach house.....

They Can't All be Great

This was supposed to be a post about how I made this awesome shirt for Athena using left over fabric and a lining made from a t-shirt in the Goodwill pile.  But it's not, because the shirt turned out too big.  I am getting tired of store bought patterns, even though I follow the reccomended size for the measurments they just don't fit right.  I think I am going to read up on how to make my own patterns in the near future.  Here is a shot of the shirt anyway, maybe it will fit her in a couple of years.


I did however manage to pull off a few projects that did turn out the way I envisioned them.

A couple of reversible headbands for the girls.

 After the hail storm last year that destroyed our pool chairs Shawn decided he was going to try his hand at re-strapping them.  Them he found these lounge chairs out for bulk garbage because the hail had destroyed them as well.  He did re-strap them all (but says he will never do it again).  I think they all turned out great and we have some more comfortable free chairs!

Some towel covers for our free chairs.

 I had some more ideas in my head for baby gifts but didn't make them in time for the shower last month so they will just be for when he gets here.  I sort of used a McCall's 6368 pattern for the burp cloths but changed it up a bit because I wanted more of the contrast fabric to show on the front.  The bibs were taken from this pattern.  And I used this pattern to cut out my ball but added the ribbon tags.

More fun baby gifts.

 I had so much fabric left over and couldn't decide what to make with it so I decided I would make a fabric gift bag that can be used as a quick trip mini diaper bag.  Or even just a bag to hold toys.  I hope mom and baby enjoy all of these things, because I enjoyed making them all.

Fabric gift bag!

This has also given me an idea for upcoming birthdays!  I don't want to say too much yet but can someone tell me if boys like bags too?  Not a purse type bag but more of a drawstring loot bag.  I don't have boys but I'm guessing all kids like to have something to carry stuff around in right?

I also made a very cool pair of shorts for Athena out of an old t-shirt of mine.  I haven't had her pose for a picture yet though so that will be in the next post!

One more question.  I'm not sure if anyone reads this blog other than my mom and husband, but if there are other readers out there, are you getting tired of all the craft posts?  Should I make a separate blog for those and keep this one just about what is going on in our lives?  Be honest :)

More Sewing Projects

Sorry this is sort of turning into a blog all about my sewing projects, but it is 114 outside and my sewing room is nice and cool so that's where I am spending most of my time.  Plus I had to make use of all those supplies I bought last week didn't I? 

First I'll start with the roman shade I made for the back door.  It wasn't exactly fun, and I still have issues with it.  Like the way the cord to lift them is under the shade.  But it is a temporary solution to the problem of the sun coming in and cooking us during the evening hours.  We plan on eventually buying a new door with the blinds inside the window but for now this $10 fix was much more affordable.  I used this tutorial.

Next I made a couple more of those really cute notebook covers.  I initially bought the floral print to make one for myself but then found the cherries in my scraps and can't decide which one I like better to keep for me :) I had planned on putting one away for a future gift possibility but I'm not sure I can part with either of them!




 





Lastly I made up some summer jammies for Athena as requested.  She picked out the fabric and seems to love them!  I like how quick I can crank these out now.  I remember when it would take me weeks to make a pair now I just need about an hour.

I also cleaned and oiled my sewing machine this weekend.  Wow what a difference that made.  I still have my eye on this beauty though but waiting while I save up for it will be much more bearable if I remember to clean and oil more regularly.

$52 of Joy

 I have been busy in my sewing room the past weeks.  Athena has this old dance costume of Hailey's that she likes to play dress up with.  It is getting too small so when Jan gave me a bunch of fabric earlier this spring she asked if I could make her a new one out of it.  So I did!

Old one

New one

Athena is always having a hard time finding both ballet shoes in her dance bag.  She can find one but never both, so I made this quick, simple drawstring bag to keep them in and hopefully make it easier for her to find them.


Then I made a trip to Joann's for some more supplies!  For only $52 I got fabric for Athena's sewing class project, some fabric and t-shirt for some summer p.j's that Athena has been wanting, some fabric to make myself one of those fun notebook covers I made a couple weeks ago, lots of on sale patterns for the future and some clearance home decor fabric to make this http://www.scoutiegirl.com/2011/04/acute-how-to-no-sew-fabric-blinds.html for our back door.  I'm tired of the sun hitting me in the face while cooking dinner :)

I also made a couple organization purchases.  I hate how all my needles fall on the floor every time I pull them out to change, how cool is this?!