Christmas Crafts

I'm running late and it's my own fault. I really need to get my Christmas crafting underway. Well I've started I just need to hurry and get farther along. I've finished one gift, started on another when I realized I needed one more thing to put it together. While out buying the "one more thing" I picked up the bulk of what I needed to complete three other gifts. My plan for today is to put gift #2 together and then cut out #3. I can't say what the items are because there are to many eyes around her that would learn what they are getting for Christmas.

Here's my Christmas gift rule this year... If you get a handcrafted item from us and it was hand delivered (by us not USPS) then you can't use it until we are gone. Why you may ask? I don't want anyone to feel they have to use the item whether they like it or not. This way if you hate it I don't have to know and there's no pressure on you.

Here was item one in the making.

I like the blue fabric

Finished!

Present #2

Oh my is that zebra fabric?!!! LOL... You only live once so why not try out a little zebra? Don't worry it won't be that bad... I hope. I couldn't find a fabric to match the green so I decided "why not be bold?"

"Making-this-up-as-I-go-along-quilt" part 2

Because of many diversities like mom only have a size 16 ball point needle for her sewing machine and one bobbin which was full of white thread, my "quilt" has been put off. Just a reminder I say "quilt" because I'm actually going to make a bath mat out of it. Neal is always getting water all over the floor after his shower. He says our bathroom rug is for catching all his water... my mistake, I thought that is why I supply him with towels. I know that isn't why I bought the rug thought. I wanted something that would look nice and keep us from slipping when we get out of the shower. I would rather anyone using my shower to completely dry their body, wipe one foot then put it out of the tub/shower, then wipe the other foot and bring it out of the shower. Now how nice is it to step out on a dry rug? Oh, it's great isn't it! It's even better when you are wearing socks and walk into the bathroom in the morning and DON'T get your socks wet. Oh to the day...

Anyway, my quilt top... Now that Kaitlyn is done with her surgery and moving on to the ornery stage of recover (or is that terrible twos?) I've decided to move on with the quilt. I bought and washed the fabric before her surgery.

This week I ironed and cut it into 3" squares. I was going to try 2.5" squares, but I lost my nerve and went for 3".

I drew a line across all my squares and sewed 1/4" on both sides of it. I was actually doing this step again today because I needed more then twice as many as I currently have done.

Here's all my squares pressed and laid out. I still need to sew them all together.

And for a bit of randomness... Here's Kaitlyn last night laying in her bed.

She had to sleep with her Little People prince and the wand. I kept picturing her waking up with it under her back. Thankfully that didn't happen.

Tummy Bug

Can you say "booo" to being sick?! I've had some kind of tummy bug since Monday. I really wish mom and dad had a set of scales so I could see how much all of this is helping the bottom line. LOL... I better be getting some good results from all of this. Thankfully if Neal must be away, I have mom here to help with Kaitlyn. Mom has been great with changing diapers, dishing out food or just watching Kaitlyn so I can get some sleep (or run to the bathroom). I'm so done with this bug. Thankfully no one else has come down with it yet. When I first woke up sick on Monday I thought it was food poisoning, but it still hasn't gone away.

On a totally different topic I was ready to add some Velcro to some modified toddler panties when I remembered I didn't buy new needles for my mom's sewing machine. Aah! I was going to cut out 2.5" squares for the bath mat or "making-it-up-as-I-go-along-quilt", but I decided to not stress the cutting until I knew I could sew it together. Because my sewing is on hold I decided to oil her machine. It should now be working well. I also looked up how to sew a skirt onto a t-shirt. I know it's not rocket science, but I didn't want to stretch out the shirt to put a skirt on it. I considered buying the directions from You Can Make This, but again, I knew it wasn't rocket science. I did a simple google search for t-shirt dress tutorials and what do you know... I got results. My problem is few options of knit dresses. I bought Kaitlyn a couple dresses from Walmart and Kohl's, but I feel really limited. Mom had purchased some fun fabric last summer which I'm thinking of using to make a tiered skirt onto a shirt. I actually picked up a couple 3t-4t shirts from Kohl's when I bought the dresses. If the t-shirt dress comes out well, I will probably make her a couple more. Otherwise she will spend more days like today wearing her sleeping shirt (regular tee from Walmart) all day long. The poor child needs options.

Speaking of Kaitlyn. I painted her toe nails hot pink. Her nails are actually brighter then her cast if you can believe that. Before the polish it looked like her toes barely stuck out the end of the cast. Now her toes seem to really stick out. She has such a little foot. I was washing her free foot tonight and was struck by how small it looks compared to the big cast she is wearing. Her dainty foot with hot pink nails was splashing in the water. =)

Random Projects and Makka Pakka

Today I made the bloomers for the doll dress I made a few days ago. I know what took so long. Using the pants pattern it was really easy. I'm glad I made them.

I know I bought this fabric for two different projects, but I'm going to use some of it to test Nanette's new pattern. I thought it could be fun colors to mix and match. I have yet to decided exactly which two will be used for the top. Now ask me why I didn't wash it until today? I have no idea. I went to cut out the fabric and noticed my slacking made me put the project off yet again.

You may not be able to see this picture well. If you are really curious you can click on the picture to make it larger. Today's activities consisted of trying out my two different button hole options and sewing on a button. I'm impressed how well it sewed the button on. Now do I dare try it on my coat? It needs two buttons sewn back on. My machine has auto tension. The manual says if you are going to use the satin stitch to adjust the tension. Well I played with it, but found it to pucker less if you leave the tension alone.

And finally for my family members who were wondering what or who Makka Pakka is... Well, take a look for yourself.

He's from the a British children's TV show call In The Night Garden (ITNG). He says his famous lines along with his theme song. All the ITNG characters have their own song. We also have Upsy Daisy and Igglepiggle, but we haven't given them to her yet. She will get those for her birthday. We gave her this one last night after we picked him up.

Today's Accomplishments

I've been kicking tail today and just had to share a couple photos. Alright now that I take the picture it doesn't seem so much like kicking tail. Here they are anyway...
The flash is killing the colors of this pillowcase dress and pants. Today I finished the dress and made the pants. In the past I put elastic between the main fabric and the cuff of the pants. as of right now I'm leaving these like they are. **edit** I forgot to add these are Boutique Bottoms by Sew Sensible.

This doll outfit is the same as the one I made yesterday other then I shorten the pants 1" so it won't cover the dolls feet.

My other accomplishment was sewing up some pants of mine. *insert blushing* Last week I was dressing for church when I decided to iron my pants (thank God). While straightening my pants I noticed there was a hole in the rear. For heaven's sake if I hadn't ironed the pants I would have worn them that way. I'm so glad I took a moment to look less frumpy. Well today I restored my black dress pants to their former glory with an extra seam as back up. =)

Doll Gown and Outfit

I finished the gown and an outfit for Kaitlyn's doll. Here's a picture of both.

I haven't showed the clothes to Kaitlyn yet. I'm going to give them to her for Christmas.

Faith Top and Boutique Bottoms

I made Kaitlyn the Faith Double Layer Dress Top and Boutique Bottoms recently. She wore it to base Friday night. When the BX (Base Exchange) put all their fabric on clearance for 50% off, I picked up these three prints. Looking back I wish I had bought more of the main green fabric on her top and none of the green top band fabric. The two greens were different colors; enough that I had to use two different colors of thread on them. and keep them separated by bands of the pink and white check. Instead of putting ruffles on the bottom of the pants I tried to make them bell a little bit and put a second layer just like the top. I actually used the pattern for the main shirt panel so the bell would be the same. I know this isn't the best picture, but Kaitlyn didn't want to cooperate for a better one; as usual. =(

Fabric.com

For all you fabric lovers out there I just got a good buy at www.fabric.com. They have all their Bell Bottom fabric by Sis Boom on clearance for 20% off. My order was just over $35 so I got free shipping. ++Plus++ Today is the last day, but you can save 15% off your order by using the code frisky. Because their shipping is based on the price of the fabric not any discounts that may apply I got the free shipping then when I added the 15% off coupon my order was below the $35 mark. (insert clapping smiley here)

I'm going to make Kaitlyn a dress out of this...

With this for the ruffle. Now before you turn up your nose at the color/pattern mix let's keep an open mind. I expect it to look wonderful.

I also bought these for another project as well as extra of the first blue...

I wanted to buy this and probably would have if there were softer pinks in the collection to mix with it.

New Project

I must show you this. I've pushed aside all my other projects to give this one a try. Yesterday YCMT sent out their news letter with this new ebook for sell. It's actually on sale until the 10th I believe. I didn't need to wait until the 15th because:

1. I've been wanting to try making a skirt, and


2. This is their first women's clothing sewing pattern

I bought it and pulled out some fabric to give it a try. I would have had it done last night if Kaitlyn wasn't so clingy. I'm going to try finishing it today.

Recently I finished a top from a Simplicity pattern. It was supposed to be an easy pattern, but I still got lost while trying to follow it. It made me appreciate all the free tutorials I've been finding online and You Can Make This with their great ebooks. I just wish they had more women's clothing.

I'm using fabric I bought to make Kaitlyn outfits so it won't be the most ideal skirt, but... whatever.

Pre-Wash & Swap

You must ALWAYS pre-wash and dry your cotton fabric before making a garment. Sigh. Tell me why I don't just throw all my fabric in the washer when it arrives in the mail? I have no idea. For a while now I've had some fabric sitting, still in the box, in our spare room. Today I decided to pull it out and make Kaitlyn the dress from an ebook I bought a couple months ago at least. With everything laid out I was getting ready to cut out the bodice when I realized the error I was about to make. I hadn't washed my fabric yet. I was disappointed my project would have to wait. I grabbed up all the fabric I have for any intended project in the future and washed it all. I also stripped the ironing board and put the cover in the wash too. Neal has starched his uniform so much there is a nice browning coat of starch all over the ironing board cover. Now that I starch my fabric before sewing it I'm only adding to the problem.


So picture me with all my intended clothing fabric in the wash as well as the ironing board cover and I now have nothing to do. I decided to pull out the remaining fabric from the purse I made a week and a half ago.

Instead of the white panel I have some green and black fabric I'm thinking about using. I cut out the front strips (15" instead of 18") then had to stop. I'm not sure I like the green. I'm now debating using the white again or adding a splash of color with some blue or orange fabric I'm planning on making Kaitlyn a dress out of. I decided I wasn't in a rush to sew up the front panel seeing how even if I did I still couldn't finish the purse until the stinkin' ironing board cover comes out of the dryer. I'm back to square one with nothing to do.

On a totally different subject if anyone would like to do a swap for a cloth grocery bag hop on over to swap-bot. I'm doing a swap for a handmade or store bought grocery bag along with two small kitchen items. The kitchen items can be something like a frig magnet, dish towel, or even a recipe. You must be signed up by July 28th to participate.

Another swap I'm hosting is for children's travel toys. In this swap you buy 4 small toys, coloring book, crayons, or any other toy or activity item for a child 1-5 years old. The sign up deadline is July 31st for this swap. I'm excited to see the fun items Kaitlyn will get for our long flight back to the States in a couple months.

Slacker!

I really need to get on the ball. Three evenings ago I bought the ebook by Sew Sensible for the All In One jumper. Don't ask me why since buying the cheap fabric I have been obsessing about getting the ebook for the jumper. Well now I have it, the fabric is washed and cut out yet there it sits.


I know it's random fabric, but Kaitlyn doesn't care. When I finally put it together she will prance through the BX with it on causing everyone to stop and give her plenty of "ooh" and "aah". Thanks Aimee' for making me look good. =)

My second project newly waiting on me to complete is a place mat purse. I wish we had better options on base, but the pickings are few. I really want to try it so this milk chocolate place mat will be my ginnie pig. I forgot to look through their handful of fabric options to see if anything would match or give a nice contrast. I just happened to be buying this brown and gold fabric anyway and thought it would work for the lining.

Project #3 is a cloth shopping bag for my first swap on Swap-bot.com. Have any of you done swaps on Swap Bot? I'm a bit nervous of people swapping junk. Does anyone know of a good group of people who swap handmade items like throw pillows and handbags? Is Swap Bot the way to go for such swaps?

Memorial Day outfit time

This week I have been thinking it's time to plan for Kaitlyn's Memorial Day outfit if I want to make her one that is. Last year she was able to wear the same thing for Memorial Day that she did for the 4th of July, and Labor Day too.

Memorial Day 2007

Look how chunky her face was. Her head is definitely longer now. Also, we haven't used the Boppy in a long time. A month after this picture was taken she could sit up unassisted.

4th of July 2007

I remember the day turned nasty right after this picture was taken. It was already getting a little to cool when this picture was taken. This was her first time on a real swing.

So what should I do this year??? I want to make it instead of buying something at the BX making her a cookie cutter cut out of all the other kids on base. I need to go search online for some fun fabric.