Valentines Day Pics and a Burlap Wreath

The husband and I are celebrating Valentines Day next weekend (due to babysitting, etc), so this weekend the girls and I made a trip to Austin. I snapped some pictures of the girls outside before church today. They looked adorable!

They are so gorgeous. I think we got more compliments today on their outfits at church, Chuys, and Costco than ever before *smile*. I was proud. I can't believe Lily actually kept her headband on too!

Usually when we come up here I pack my entire sewing room and tote it along. I can actually finish something start to finish here with the help of Nana and Granny. I get more accomplished in a day than in a week at my house! However, this time I decided I would take a break from it. I needed to finish two sets of letters, and I wanted to try this non-sewing wreath project that I found on Tatertots and Jello. Most importantly, just spend some good quality time with my family =). Anyway, this mommy is amazing. I can't wait to try so many more of her crafts. This Burlap Wreath Tutorial is just great! Here is my version, that I just LOVE. Tuesday it will be hanging on my door at home!

I had a lot of fun with this! I'm about to go get started on finishing Miss Chloe's letters. I do miss my machines though! It has been kind of weird not sewing/embroidering the past couple of days!

Teacher's Gifts are Finished

gI did all of Faith's teacher's gifts today! She has two teachers for extended care in the morning, two for preschool in the afternoon, and I always do something for the Director and Assistant Director too. I absolutely love her school. I have such great relationships with her teachers and the director. It's awesome knowing your child is being taken care of by loving people. This past Christmas was the first year I have ever been able to make presents for Faith's teachers before. I always put a lot of thought into their gifts, and Faith always had a part in picking them something out. This year, it has really been neat to actually make each one something personal. Faith picked out the fabrics for every single glasses case that I made for them. She came into my sewing room, picked a fabric, and told me exactly who it was for. I only had to talk her out of one once (and that's because it was leftover sparkly snowman). So anyway, here are the finished products! I can't wait for Faith to give them to everyone tomorrow! We also made Apple Banana Bread from the most amazing recipe ever. I saw it on my cousin's page (which if you haven't checked out- Go!, she is my sewing idol), and after reading the recipe couldn't wait to try it! We've now made it twice, and the pan has lasted less than two days! Wow! We are putting a slice into these little bags with cute curly string ties. Okay, really now here are the pictures-

These are an In the Hoop from Pickle Pie that I just adore. They really make adorable gifts! Here are a few up close-

So, I'm sure you've noticed my blog has a new look. I really miss my old background, a lot, but it doesn't come in the three column template. I tried and tried to figure out how to make it three columns myself; however, I was unsuccessful. The nice ladies at The Cutest Blog on the Block were extremely quick and so helpful when I finally gave up and purchased theirs. They did it for me in a couple of minutes! I wanted to have more room on the side columns, etc. 

On another note, one of my MOST favorite things in the entire world= fresh flowers. Right now, there are two vases FULL of beautiful flowers in our house. So we had to get some pictures. Notice the two place mats I made for our breakfast table (which we always eat at) with the leftover fabric from Faith's pants. I did mean to say two, because the girls are not allowed to eat on cloth place mats yet. Or sit in cloth covered chairs. Or typically wear clothing while eating...hahaha. I let Faith keep her shirt on for pictures ;).

She loves her hair pretty from Pickle Pie.

Lily is trying to decide if she should smell, eat, pull, or just look at the flowers. Thank you to a very sweet husband and amazing mom/Nana/mother in law for the gorgeous flowers brightening up our home!

Last picture-

This was an order I had for a Vday shirt like Faith's and Kenzie's. I think they are super cute. I am going to do Lily one, but on a light blue shirt (then she can wear it all the time). Now I am off to bed, have to get up early tomorrow and finish preparing for Faith's party!

Valentines Day is Almost Here

I'm in charge of Faith's class Valentines Party this year. I was a bit nervous when her teacher called and told me that I was the only parent to sign up for this party (yikes); however, I am having SO much fun getting stuff together for it! We visited Hobby Lobby, for probably the fourth or fifth time last week, and I went a little crazy. I got the kids plastic Valentines cups and let Faith choose what to put in them. I also made these absolutely adorable Monogrammed Hair Pretties from Pickle Pie for all of the little girls in the class to wear at the party.

Can you tell my models weren't home for picture time today? Oh well, Babystyle bear is styling because of it.

Obviously the little boys wouldn't want to be adorned this way, and I'm sure their parents would have mutual feelings. So, I made them little pins for their shirts! 

I just think they are perfect! Faith is so excited about her party. I don't think she goes more than a couple of hours without mentioning it. It thrills me how much she loves school. I can't wait until after Wednesday when I can have an entire Valentines Day Party post! Oh the anticipation.

I also finished my niece's valentines day outfit. It sure came out cute. Of course, like anything else, it will be much more adorable when it is actually on her. I would have had Faith put it on if she were here, but then again, I wouldn't have gotten it finished if she were here *wink*.

I did the top just like a pillowcase dress, but shorter. Then I added the Lynnie Pinnie Heart Font (which I love). The pants are the Easy Fit Pants by Carla C (which I love even more).

 

Lastly are these two shirts I made for sisters Karley and Chyanne. They live across the street and are little sweethearts. I don't even have a favorite between the two. They both came out great!

Now I'm off to update Bowdenland and clean before the rugrats get home from Superbowl Sunday at the inlaws! Oh, and hopefully be in the chair, with a glass of wine, watching Brothers and Sisters at 9:00pm!

We Love Owls

I've discovered in the past few months of sewing/embroidering that I definitely favor owls over a lot of the other cute little animal appliques. Lily already has an owl shirt, then I made Faith that little skirt set with Annie owl, and yesterday we added another item of owl clothing! I wanted to make Faith a short sleeved shirt to go with the pants I made her last week. You know, the pants with the super cute fabric I got at JoAnn's. Anyway, we decided on an owl. The other shirt that matches these pants has a cute little peacock. I'm not sure which is my favorite, but I know that I really love this little owl shirt. My poor little Faith was a bit under the weather with an ear infection. She was acting 100% well this morning! I wish I could upload videos to my blog because I taped the most HILARIOUS video of she and Lily dancing in the living room this morning.

 

Aren't the colors great? She has on the pants too, but was resting in mommy and daddy's bed (because it apparently is much more helpful when sick than her own) with the covers pulled up. I had an order for this cute little camera case this week too. I love the fabrics and colors she picked.

The camera case is an in the hoop from Pickle Pie Designs. Adorable, right?
Then I also had an order for this glasses case. I've had this fabric and really haven't had anything to make with it. So, I was happy to use it when these were the requested colors!

Now I'm done blogging for the day, and we are off to spend this amazingly beautiful day at the park! I should be able to finish my niece's V-day outfit tomorrow and have some pictures of it, it's PRECIOUS! But for now...everyone enjoy this awesome day!

Recycled Shirt Dress for Faith

So when I was looking at Ruffles and Stuff, I came across a wonderful tutorial for this precious little dress that Disney made for her daughter. This dress is GREAT for a stained shirt that is otherwise in good condition! She used hot pink polka dot knit on hers, which was super adorable, but I found this at Hobby Lobby in the remnants bin (one of my favorite areas). It was called the 15 minute dress on her blog, but since it took me about an hour, I'll call it the recycled shirt dress, haha! I made a few changes on the one I made for Faith here. I put the fabric flowers in the upper corner of the dress instead of in a row across the middle (the upper corner is where the stain was), and I used a long sleeved shirt since it is still pretty cool! I am pretty happy with the way it came out. If you want to try one go look at her tutorial here.  I wanted to use a brown shirt, but didn't have one on hand. Of course I couldn't be patient enough to wait until today to go to the store, but I'm sure I'll make another. This is such a great idea for older shirts! Faith has a ton of shirts that have gotten too short but still fit perfect otherwise. You could applique something on the shirt with the knit too! Well, here is the dress. Faith was excited, see her dancing in her new outfit =).

3 Adorable Bibs for Addison and a VERY Clean Sewing Room

I had an order for three chenille bibs for a little girl named Addison. I feel like almost all of my baby stuff has been for boys lately, so I was excited! I finished them last night, but decided to wait until today to post them...I say "decided". Actually, this has been my first chance. Lily decided she wasn't much interested in sleep (again) last night, and today is just now coming to a calm point. Lily and I dropped Faith off, went to Hobby Lobby, came home and cleaned, then baked, then went to pick Faith up, then worked out, and then came home and ate dinner. Whoa, did you notice I never said the word nap in that sentence? That's right, no nap today. Let's hope she'll make up for it tonight! She is sitting in my lap as I type and I feel the drowsiness coming on (Yay!). So here are some pictures of Addi's bibs. The cupcake is my favorite, but I love them all. I just drew a bib pattern out myself and then got to work.

I used the Heart Font from Lynnie Pinnie on this one

Then on this one I used Cheri font from 8 Claw and a Paw . I love the way it looks but, wow, it uses a lot of thread. I went through at least two bobbins on this bib!

Last, my favorite, the cute little cupcake that *sigh* I can't remember where I got it, and the Kaileigh font from 8 Claw and a Paw.

Oh and ok, I am so proud of this I have to post a picture of my organized sewing room. The room used to be a storage closet, so it is rather small...and exceptionally hard to keep clean!

Gifts for Baby Gavin and Something for ME =)

Today the girls and I went and had lunch at the Cheesecake Factory with Stevi and her sweet little baby Gavin. He is finally healthy and home from the hospital, and I was able to give him his presents I've had to keep secret. I made him this minky and satin blanket. It is SO soft I would like one for myself...haha, I will most likely never have time for that. Anyway, here it is-

 

I also made him a little "G" onesie and a Valentines Day one. These little V-day ones are so adorable, I have two made for Wyatt and Walker. They look exactly the same, but I'll still put a picture later. They are the two most precious little boy twins EVER. 

Now for my favorite-

I finally broke down and bought some chenille. It is quite a bit more expensive than terry cloth (almost double!), but I really think it is worth it. Especially now that I have personally tried it. It make the bibs look SO much nicer. I have an order for three more for a little girl named Addison that I can't wait to get done. These bibs are customized to your preference and are 10.00 each. Get a set of two for 16.00!

I have quite a few things in my sewing room that are *almost* finished, so I will aim towards another blog tomorrow (go me, I think that's a record).

I had an order for this "L" wine bag from a really old friend that I haven't even spoken with in at least five years. These bags really make great gifts. Just think, you could get a bottle of wine and any adorable custom wine bag for under 30.00. I think personalized gifts are so much more meaningful than the typical things we buy.

Oh and take a look at this camera case I made for myself. The design is from Pickle Pie Designs. Isn't it great? Get one today for 13.00. You pick the fabric/colors/and button! This case could also hold a cell phone, just not the iPhone (it is a bit to tall).

I think this is the very first thing I have ever made myself with my machine! I have only had a sewing/embroidery machine for ~4 months. So, I was really excited to make something for me! Oh, and one more thing-
Isn't this satin flower clip pretty? I made it for Faith the other day after seeing all of Jessica's on Mia Joie. I love the way they look. They are definitely a much different style than the bows the girls normally wear, but I really like this style too. I will sell these lovely flower clippies for 5.00 each. Buy five or more and they are 4.00!  It's funny that sometimes I'll dress them in boutique style clothing and others I'm really more fond of the vintage/earthy clothing styles. I love it all!