Winter Wreath

I have finished my wreath and love it!  It feels nice to get back to crafting since baby Q was born.  I have so many other wreaths I want to make as well.... totally fun

carseat strap covers

My baby's poor little neck looks like it is being cut off by the seat belt straps.  I had a bit of time (finally) yesterday to sew some strap covers that match her carseat cover.  I made a set for Hailey as well.  They are truly terribly sewn but you can't see when they are on so I'm not changing them.

I made it!

I guess I did have a little help in that department... but I did do all the work :)

This is my daughter Quinn who is almost 6 weeks old already!  Since we welcomed her into our family I haven't had time to create anything.  I am excited for when I will have time once again to get out my sewing machine, vinyl and scrapbooking supplies and get creative.  I still have big plans to finish decorating my toddlers new room :)

Valence

Here is the completed valence for Hailey's room.  It was actually Ian's idea to make it all 'scoopy' (that is not an official term ;)  Maybe he should take up interior design!

I'm still disappointed with how stiff the curtains turned out but don't have the energy, or fabric, to remake them now.  Maybe someday :)

Baby Blanket

I finished the blanket for the new baby and it is oh so soft :)  I think I am going to have a hard time keeping it away from Hailey.  My mom had bought one for Hailey when she was born that is all white and almost identical to this.  She hasn't parted with it since.  I thought her little sister might like something so soft and cozy too but maybe it will just turn into a fight.  I guess we will see :)  Less than 5 weeks to go and I am hoping it is more like 3 as I endured a night of contractions last night.

Carseat cover

 Here is the carseat cover I made for our new baby!  Conveinient for the summer to shade from sun and keep creepy people from viewing our daughter.  I didn't get a picture of the other side but it is opposite what is showing.

Pillowcase Dress for baby

Just wanted to post the baby dress on this crafty blog so I have them all together.

Pillowcase Dress done

Here is the finished project!  It didn't take too long to make (minus my issues with math and making a pattern the right size ;)  I love it and am now off to make a mini one for Hailey's baby sister.  I am totally going all matching on my girls.  Hopefully they don't hate me for it ;)

Pillowcase Dress

I'm going to make one of these right now.... I'll post up the final pic when it is done.  Shouldn't take me too long so I am hoping to post today.  I love these dresses, they are super cute!  Sadly I don't have this awesome fabric but will use what I've got and maybe make a trip to fabricland next week so I can make A MILLION more :)

If you are a sewer here is a tutorial on 'how-to' make these cute, easy items.

OR

If you just want to buy some for a pretty good price, check out Little Miss Tutu's stuff!

Valentine Heart Pockets

I made these pocket hearts for Valentine's Day.  They are for holding love notes to each other.  I think the girls will have a lot of fun with them when they are older!

Fabric Haul

I love a good fabric sale!  The fabricland one this month was pretty good with buy 1m get 1m free (or 2m free or 3m free depending on the type).  Saved me a bundle!  I didn't have specific projects in mind however so I bought some fairly random patterns.  I made sure a few matched at least so I could use them together.

I washed them all up, ironed and folded them nicely all ready to be used!  I realized during this process that the only time I ever iron has to do with sewing.  I couldn't be bothered to actually make a shirt wrinkle free.... how boring ;)  Too bad Ian hates it too... just means we have to grab certain clothing pieces straight from the hot dryer.... or wear them wrinkly!

I wanted to make something quick so I decided on this plastic bag holder found at Make It and Love It!  I have needed something like this to collect my stash of grocery bags for a while.  Now maybe I will use them as garbage bags instead of paying for those nice (expensive) kitchen bags.

I found this size is actually pretty large.  I'd cut it down to 18" strips across and use only 7 instead of 9 pieces. 

I love this fabric the most out of the ones I purchased so I used it on another project for my nieces...

I love these cute matching aprons!  If I had twins I would totally dress them alike.  Probably a good thing I don't then ;)

They are far from flawless but I am having fun learning how to sew!

I'm still looking for someone who wants to go to Utah in October for this Sewing Summit with me (and upcoming baby).

Happy Valentine's Day

Don't YOU wish one of these was for YOU?  Maybe it will be ;)

Does everyone love candy as much as I do?  It is a curse really, at least on the dental front ;)

What are your Valentine's traditions?  Do they involve goodies as well or some special event?  I am trying to decide what sort of tradition to begin with my children!  I don't want this 'holiday' (because let's face it, it really isn't a holiday) to become about presents!  Let me know your ideas I would love to hear them :)

This countdown to kisses is going to be something we continue each year!  I love counting down to things.  It adds anticipation and excitement!

Waterproof swim bag!

I used vinyl to create this handy zippered swim bag for the pool.

 Obviously this is more of a 'family size' one that will fit all our wet towels/swim suits to take home after a swim! 

 The project was pretty easy but challenged me with putting a zipper in and turning the handle right-side out after it was sewn!  I have some more vinyl and zippers I will be using to make a diaper/wipes case as well as a smaller bag for Hailey to carry her toys/treats to church.  Maybe I will be able to get back to using a purse instead of a diaper bag ;)

Latest projects

I have added the kisses to my Valentine's board and it looks super cute!  I should have used a larger router bit as they aren't staying in as well as I would like.

Also made this family name board for a friend who ordered it for their anniversary!

5 months late

It only took me till this weekend to finish this fall wreath I planned to make in September!  I have had all the materials just teasing me to get it done.  I finally did it.  Now how to store it so that it stays intact until next fall?

Whipped it together

I whipped this together today (I love writing that.... because rarely can I just make something quick... but I did...really).  I had the board already cut/routered and painted.  All I had to do was a little modge podge, drill a few holes, cut some vinyl and stick it all on!  I love it, but there are so many flaws in it too because I haven't done something 'exactly' like this before and messed some things up!

found the tutorial/link for this project here

 Hershey Kisses will be put into the little number slots each day as a treat

I have never drilled little holes like this... and really wasn't comfortable doing it.  I should have waited till Ian got home because one of the holes went straight through when it was only supposed to be a partial hole.  I tried to solve the ugly/jagged hole by covering it with vinyl... which worked pretty well.  There will be hershey kisses in the holes anyways so it won't be seen (but I know it is there).

I also used the negative space on the vinyl instead of the positive so that I could have the black letters showing through the 'kisses' word. I modge podged the paper underneath a little crooked though and it went into the above space where it shouldn't have... and I can still see the other writing through the vinyl.  Guess it isn't thick enough vinyl to cover it.

Those are the worst of the flaws... which are bearable.  Maybe this will be a good Valentine's craft for our craft group to try?  I know what to do now so others look nothing but perfect!

I can't wait to get my chocolates and start the countdown!  It will also be the anniversary of Ian proposing 4 years ago (well it was actually on Feb 16th he did it... man was I ticked when Valentine's came and went that year with no ring ;)

Family Tree

OLD POST - was simply adding a label to it and it moved to the top of the pile!



I have been trying to come up with something to put on our massive, empty wall in the kitchen.  Lots of ideas passed through my mind, along with this massive tree that would fill the whole wall...  It felt a little too 'permanent' for me (no vinyl isn't permanent but what if I didn't like it? - and Ian wasn't for it).  So I opted for something a little smaller.

This was the first time I used canvas to put vinyl on.  I wasn't sure if it would work but figured it would be an easier medium than all the work involved with wood!

delicious dinner and dessert!

Ian made the most wonderful sweet and sour pork for dinner yesterday.  What a lucky girl I am to have him cook dinner 2 weeknights in a row :)  It was a real treat.  I felt useless not doing anything so I decided to make some Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.  Who doesn't LOVE fresh strawberries in the middle of winter?  It gave me hope that someday spring will come :)  It was tasty... and still is!

finished?

I have finished the fall blocks.... well, as finished as they are probably going to get!  The letters should be filled entirely with beads... but I was silly and bought really small beads.  It became very tedious and boring so I opted for just an outline of the letters.  Maybe in the future I will fill it in... but for now they will remain 'as is'.

If you make this project USE LARGE BEADS!  I still like it though and think it will be cute next fall up on our mantle with some fall leaves and candles :)

Soup Day

I found some great soup recipes online that I am going to try today!  First up is the Corn and Leek Chowder found on this blog.  

(oh, missing a couple ingredients for this one... it will have to wait)

Next is this Taco Soup that looks delicious!  Found on this blog

I'll let you know how fabulous they are after the taste test :)

Craft catch up

Since Thanksgiving I have had a lot of projects piling up.  I even have all of the supplies to make them with.  What am I waiting for then?  TIME!  I have only 2 precious hours a day while H naps to get things done (okay, after 8 pm too but I usually like to spend some time with my husband on a daily basis).  For the past 4 mths however I have needed to nap when Hailey does.  I think I am over the sleep slump and am determined to finish my fall/winter/Christmas projects before spring hits... Here is the list!

Fall Blocks

Almost complete... just gluing on the beads

Autumn Wreath

Yet to begin

Cookie Sheet Countdown Calendar

Almost done, just finishing the pieces to go on each day

Treat Jars

Need to start

Two other Christmas countdown calendars (one just needs a way to hang it and it is done, and the other has only the hanging pieces complete)

This is my motivation..... WORK JEN WORK!  I'm glad to have some crafty time to myself again.... SO FUN!  Also hoping to start the monthly craft group with friends so I can speak to adults once in a while.

Vinyl projects!

Here are a few projects I just finished working on for some friends!