Old Pants... New Shorts

I saw this cute idea on another site... and I thought they were really cute. Of course it wouldn't work for the boys, but when Sadie finally wore out her jeans {she has four pair with holes} I decided it was time to make her some cute shorts. Sadie picked out the ribbon she wanted and I sewed it on the bottom. The only bad thing is they like to fold up with the ribbon on the bottom. Sadie really liked them and so did Darby... Darby was so upset because I wouldn't cut her pants off and sew ribbon on hers. They really give me a good laugh some days.

{5.1.12}

{Sweater} Pillows

I have seen lots of these cute pillows that ladies have made to decorate their homes for the season. They are so cute and since I have been obsessively making pillows for each month it seems like... I thought these would be so cute and warm for Christmas. I bought a few sweaters at DI... a couple of them I kept to wear and the rest I am making pillows out of. I was a little disappointed that the sweaters were too small for the pillows I already had, so I had to make new pillows to go inside, but it all worked out.  They were pretty easy to make and turned out really cute. Next time... I am going to buy men sized sweaters so I can use pillows I already have.

Christmas is a wonderful time year... the snow is magical... and the hot chocolate is so delicious.

{12.8.11}

{Halloween} Pillowcases

I know I am obsessed right now with pillowcases.

I can't help it.

They are so easy to make and they make the holidays and seasons that much more fun.

Besides my living room can really use the {pick me up}!

These turned out so cute for Halloween and I have lots more to make for the upcoming holidays and seasons... maybe I will even piece some, lol. 

{10.7.11}

cardboard is AWSOME!!!

I have been trying to reuse some of the things we usually burn or throw away... and I have come up with some great storage boxes...

There have been some great ideas from other ladies on how to store material so that you can find it easily. I had a bright idea the other day... I always have tons of these diaper and wipe boxes laying around, so I decided to use them to put material in... they work great! I can see all the little scraps I have left so when I get ready to sew it will be easy to pick. Some day I might get them covered so they look prettier.

I have lots of magazines and books that need a little organization... and these work perfect! I really like how the polka dotted one turned out... I modge podged wrapping paper to it... that I got at Black Eyed Susans {I love that store}. I am excited to do more...

{7.28.11}

July {sWap}

We haven't had swap for a few months... so I was so excited to go the other night. Tuesday night we all gathered at Lewaina's house for lots of fun. It is nice to get out and visit these wonderful ladies. We finished a year of "tucks" in May... so now we are trying different things each month... and I am really excited to learn lots of new things from such talented people. Lewaina had us make these cute stars... we learned how to iron the material on some freezer paper and run it through the printer to get something printed on the front... and since it was the 4th of July she had phrases like... We the people... One Nation Under God... Freedom... Land that I Love...  they turned out soooo cute and Laura brought us each a spring... awsome! I didn't get mine done there... but I brought it home and finished it. I love how it turned out... I think I might buy some more pip berries to wrap around the star. Next month is my turn to host swap... we will be learning how to make picture frames... and I hope that they turn out as good as these stars did...

{7.7.11}

{fuN projectS}

I loved the heart that Lewaina had at Lindsey's reception... so I decided to make one (I hope she doesn't mind)... or a few... they were fun to make and they turned out really cute...

 

This one was my favorite... so I hung it in the kitchen so I could see it all the time...

I finally bought some pillows for the living room so we didn't have to use the ones off our beds anymore... and of course I had to make some pillow cases for them... {front}...

{back}

I love old wood crates!!!... some day when we go back East I am going to bring home a truckload... but for now I have to just make my own... I made this one to go by our new front porch... it turned out better than I thought it would... I'm not sure what to put in it though... I will have to just keep changing things around...

 {6.28.11}

Pillow Cover

I finally found a perfect project to use a piece of material that I got out of the leftover bin at Walmart. I was so excited when I measured the material and found that it was the perfect size to fit the pillow because I have been wanting to use it for a long time, but didn't know just what to use it for.

I made this pieced pillow cover when we lived at Grandma & Grandpa Birds house. It has lasted pretty good, other than I should have made it just a bit longer, but it is getting worn out and I was wanting something different.

It didn't take long to sew up the new pillow cover and find some ribbon to tie on the ends. I'm not sure I like the ribbon, but it looks good for now. I love when you can take something old and make it new again.

{3.3.11}

February Swap

I was excited to host Swap this month. Not everyone was able to come this time but I look forward to seeing everyone next month at Felicity's house. I always have so much fun talking with everyone.

A couple months ago Lewaina gave us a challenge to make a doll and to come up with a story to go with it. I got the doll made, but couldn't find or make up a story. My scrap doll named Alice, by Sadie, is on the right and Mom's rag doll named Maria is on the left. I had fun making my doll with Sadie and she had fun knowing that she would inherit the doll when we were done. It was also fun making Mom's doll on our Girl's Night with Becca and Shantay.

I had fun making this tuck. I got the idea off of another blog; the one on the blog was a valentine's heart but I thought it would be cute as a four leaf clover too. I also clumsily sewed the world lucky on both sides with the sewing machine and it was hard (I am very surprised that it wasn't all crooked) I didn't stain it because I liked the way it turned out without the stain, but Jessica can stain it if she wants to, I don't mind. I got Lewaina's tuck this month and it is so cute, I love it. I can't remember what she told me that it says, but it is in Irish and I love it.

This is Mom's pillow that she made and it turned out so cute. I thought I would take a picture of it since she left it with me because she couldn't be at Swap.

I made a danish pastry and it turned out really good. (I forgot to take a picture because I was having to much fun) I had made it before but didn't like it as well so I made some changes this time. Here is the recipe if you would like it.

1 box puff pastry

cream:
1 cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract

1 can pie filling, any flavor

Lay the pastry dough down first, spread the cream over it, and then put the pie filling on top (I only used half a can). Then with your left over pastry dough (if you have any) I cut strips and laid them on top, just for fun. Bake at 350 for about 30 min. or until it is golden brown.

I am really looking forward to next month, but now I have to come up with another idea for Easter. I can't decide to go with something like the Easter Bunny or our Savior. See you all next month and Happy Sewing.

{2.10.11}

Valentine's Swap

It was time to Swap again.

I love swap! I get to get out of the house and have conversations with other women, it is great. We met at Lewaina's and had fun swapping our tucks, visiting and had yummy brownies & ice cream. There were also some fun drawings, of which I didn't win, but they were really cute.

I made some cloth envelopes with love notes inside that I took for a drawing. I saw them on the internet and had fun making some.

I also took some little valentines for everyone that Willy helped me make. They were little scented hearts. I bought some little wooden hearts with crinkly edges. We scented some wax, dipped the hearts and sprinkled them with cinnamon. They turned out okay, not quite what I expected but pretty good for the first time dipping something. I loved having Willy's help it was fun.

I got the tuck that Mom made this month it is so cute. It has a pocket on front with some hearts inside. I love it!

I look forward to next month which I think is at my house.

{1.27.11}

Baby Shoes

These cute little shoes are for Darby.

I can't see paying $5 for church shoes
that she only wears once a week,
and that won't last her very long anyway.

They look really cute,
but they don't stay on her very well.

I have made lots of adjustments
since I first made them.
(they used to be tie on's
but they wouldn't stay tied,
so I cut the ties off
and put on some elastics with ribbon)

Live and learn,
and then resew and resew and resew and resew...
ha, ha, ha...


{12.2.10}