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!

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!

Can you believe it?

I am already doing another blog...a little less than twenty-four hours after my last. I know, it's amazing. The truth is, I absolutely could NOT wait to show you these pictures of this Valentines decoration I made for our house. My cousin Nicole made one ,and immediately after seeing her pictures I knew I had to have one. I got this file from Embroitique. They have some really cutsie files! I am going to get the party banner, which is similar to this, and make it for a baby shower later on this week. This really is such an awesome idea! For any holiday, of course it would make an adorable addition to any home, but for a birthday party or shower...wow! Every year we buy all the cheesy, throw away birthday gear for our big party. The plastic "Happy Birthday" banner that is tossed in the trash before the end of the day. This banner will last through years of parties! Just think- you could put your child's name on the banner and the number of years he/she is turning that year on the ends, and then every year you can just replace the two numbers! Jazz up your party with a more sophisticated look and go a little green! There are endless possibilities with this as well. I could make the banner with any color combination and pattern. I really really think this is an incredible idea. I can't wait to make more. Enough chat about the banner, let's have a look!

No, it isn't permanently hanging on Lily's dresser. I did think it made a nice background for the picture. The individual pieces of this banner were made in the hoop of my new machine. I am having SO much fun with that machine. I used all sorts of different fabrics that I had on hand to create this, and I think they mixed well. I also think it looks extremely chic with more light/pastel pinks. Look at Nicole's- here. I think it is super adorable as well. The only thing I would change about mine would be the straight edges. Unfortunately being a newbie means not having an endless supply of equipment! Some pinking sheers are in my future.

Next up, I finished the baby shower bundle that I did for my friend Andrea this morning. The colors all came together so wonderfully. The only two additions that weren't in the previous post are the bib and wipes case. I did the bib without a pattern, and am very happy with it. I used a thick terry cloth on one side and the mod striped fabric on the other. This makes the bib appealing AND functional. The wipes case was done in the hoop and came from The Purple Hat. I wish that it was bigger, however, it is perfect for the antibacterial wipes that almost all moms seem to be carrying around these days. In fact, it worked out well because Andrea had bought a package of pacifier wipes for the basket! This was my first big set of coordinating baby items. I am very proud =). If you are interested in a custom package, email me for ideas and pricing!

I also finished up this lovely Valentines outfit order for a little girl names McKenzie. She goes by Kenzie for short. Isn't this sweet? Of course it is always so much cuter on, but I don't have any 3T sized children in my house.

Then I did a glasses case for my sister in law. For some reason the first one stitched out a little short, and I wasn't very happy with the color combination so I redid it. Here are pictures of both. The second one is the keeper!

Here are a few bows I was asked to make last minute for the little UPWARDS cheerleaders across the street. I'm glad I did, because now I have a ton of orders for them from their game Saturday!

And last, but certainly not least, is my little Miss Priss trying on her outfit when she came home today. She was so excited *smile*.

 

Valentines Day Projects!

So first just let me say, I am more proud of these two outfits that I made for Faith and Lily than anything I've made yet! They both came out so adorable. Faith and Lily both love them too, which is always a plus. The Heart applique file on Lily's dress is from Lynnie Pinnie. I didn't use a pattern for Lily's dress. I had been wanting to make a pillowcase dress. This was what I came up with by reading all of the different instructions online. It is much sturdier than the pillowcase dresses I've seen. I did two layers of fabric for each side. Then added the ruffle. I love it. She can wear a turtleneck under it too. The heart on Faith's was a polka dot heart I got when I first started sewing/embroiderying (In October) and I can't remember where it is from. I just took the polka dots off and then added her name. The font is the Kaileigh font from 8 Claw and a Paw. I used the Carla C Easy fit pants for her pant pattern. They are so cute. The Valentine's bows are $8.00. Order a shirt and bow set for $25.00. The shirts could easily be worn after Valentines day! Here is the button for the shirt set. The Bow button is after the bow pictures. Don't forget that there is a $2.00 charge for Paypal.

My new embroidery machine came in this week. I am LOVING being able to do a bigger space! Also, there are just SO many really cool "In the hoop" projects. Look at this glasses case I made for my mom!

There are so many more things I can do now with this new machine. I can't wait to try them all! This eyeglasses case is from Pickle Pie Designs. I love this fabric. I got it yesterday at JoAnn's and can't wait to do more with it! Order an adult eyeglasses case from me today for $12.00! Or one for your little one for $10.00. Faith wants one to match her Nana's. She asked me to "Please do it tonight so she can have it tomorrow." Hopefully I will =).

Yesterday while I was working on some of these Valentines Day things I also made Faith this "F" Flower shirt. I took the picture with my phone so it isn't as clear. The flower file is from LynniePinnie. I really need to make the hair pretty that goes with it! On my to do list. Okay I think this post is plenty long and full of pictures now! More soon, I promise!