Sassy Anna

I made this dress for Anna for her birthday last year. Now it finally fits right, except it's shortish so I put pants underneath it. I like it better this way I think.

It's Simplicity 3513. I made a shirt with it in the Fall too (blue whale shirt).

I said to Anna, "Let's go outside. I want to take a picture of your dress." She struck a pose. Standing like that I can see the young adult in her! *sigh*

The fastest Baby Quilt ever!

Unlike Liz I am a total procrastinator. There is definitely a part of me that wishes I was a little more on top of things, and then there is a part of me that is always surprised with how much I can get done when I push things to the dead line. This baby Quilt is no exception I finished a half hour before a baby shower (That is why the photo is so dark.) I found this pattern about a year ago and fell in love with it, but you really don't even need a pattern it is so simple. the best part is that you sew the squares on when you are quilting the top so you cover two steps in one. I think this pattern was written for people like me!

Post Edit: The quilt is called: Vintage Baby Quilt by Yoyo Mama Designs

my turn

Hey Tracy - it's my Birthday today... not tomorrow. Ha! We've been best friends since we were 13 years old and neither one of us can remember WHICH DAY the other's Birthday is on. Actually, Tracy sent me some fun napkins that I will take a picture of (unless Tracy did and wants to post them herself). Oh yeah, the point. Pumpkin Cheesecake! Every year since I can remember my mom made pumpkin cheesecake for my Birthday. When I left for college she would send me the ingredients. The past couple of years my good friend has made it. Today, my husband made it. It was the first time he ever has and I thought it was very sweet of him.
Here's the recipe. It's easy. And involves Jello no-bake cheesecake, so it's sort of like cheating. OK - it is cheating, but there so much less guilt involved when finishing off a 9" pie full by myself because no one else in the house likes it...

1 pkg Jello Cheesecake (sold at Target for only $1.59!)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
3/4 c. pumpkin
3/4 c. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
cool whip

Crust: Prepare crust of cheesecake mix per instructions on box.

Filling: Combine all dry ingredients. Add pumpkin, milk, and vanilla. Beat on low speed for 3 minutes. Pour mixture into crust. Chill for at least 1 hr. Put whip cream on top before serving.

Yum!

birthday stuff

Two years ago today I woke up in the middle of the night with contractions - 5 weeks early and 3 hours away from the hospital. But we made it! And now he gets to wear this fun little shirt for his birthday that I made him (well, I appliqued the 2 on at least).

I saw this fabric at a local quilt store and knew I had to do something fun with it. Birthday banners are the best! They make everything so festive. I made a template out of card board for the triangles. I experimented with a few methods, but decided the best way for me was to sandwich felt in between the two triangles (so there is fabric on the front and back). The edges are raw. I prefer the felt in the middle because it makes the triangle a little more substantial. The triangles are 6" by 8". I could post a pdf for the template if anyone is interested.
Last of all - jumbo Space cupcakes - get it? Earth, Sun, Saturn, Jupiter, Outer space. Mars! I forgot the Red Planet - oh! That would have been so easy too! duh! I'm not a crafty cooking/baking person, but I have to admit, I though myself very clever with these. A few years ago I bought a Cake Decorating Delux kit from Williams Sonoma for a steal (only $10!). There is everything you could want to decorate cakes and cookies in that kit! Sugar sprinkles and food coloring in every color you could ever want - even brown. It was fun figuring out how to make the cupcakes look space-y. My sister told me I have to much time on my hands ; )

Happy Birthday (baby) C!

"balentines" gifts

My 4 1/2 year old used to say "balentines day". She doesn't anymore, but I miss the way she used to mispronounce certain words. Oh well... part of getting older.

If you haven't tried applique on a shirt - you gotta do it. It's seriously addictive.I just used a shirt that was all ready in her closet. I cut the arms and the bottom of the shirt to make the edge roll a little. If you're looking for cheap t-shirts to applique on Walmart (I know, boo... hiss...) has them for only $3.50, and they're pretty cute actually. I like to use the Steam-A-Steam to appllique with on most things so the edges don't fray as much. I embroidered A+D on the trunk of the tree (Anna + Daddy). Fun.
I may still make a shirt for Carson, but am not sure... boys are tricky for Valentines Day. I thought this (hearts cars) was a cute idea - not so obviously Valentines. I bought the tie pattern here, although you can get it free for bigger sizes here (you have to scroll through all their free patterns to find it). I probably could have figured out how to make it smaller, but sometimes, it's nice to have someone else think for you. The ties are so easy and fun to make and only take 30 minutes or so. This may become our new birthday gift for all our little boyfriends at church.

handbag tutorials

I've been wanting a new bag lately. It's hard to find just the right one. I'm in that mommy stage where the most practicle bag is probably a messanger-style bag, but what I really want is - well, I couldn't pick just one. Maybe I should just make one...

Here are some tutorials if anyone is in need of a new bag. Do you know of a good tutorial?

Hobo bag: very cute!
Margaret Sling bag
Backpack: maybe not for me - but my daughter would love it!
Reversible patchwork bag

I just bought this pattern. Do you think it's too big? It is sorta big... Hopefully I'll have one done soon to show you.

Something Sweet

I am in love with this web site.  Every time I view Bakearella's wildly creative concoctions I am in heaven.  She has really stretched the limits of basic cupcakes but with that said I had to try a white cake recipe she posted a while back. It isn't my favorite I think it is a little to heavy for white cake.  Do you have a perfect white/butter cake recipe?  If so I would love it if you shared it with me.  

sunday brunch jacket

I recently made this jacket for my oldest. I wanted it to be a simple and basic jacket that would go with most anything, but I love the detail of the bias trim on the inside. It's like wearing a little secret.

I love sewing the Oliver+S patterns. There is a lot of detail that makes them truly a joy to sew. I really have learned a lot from sewing from them - and better yet - the size you measure on the back of the pattern is the size that the garment comes out as. It's miraculous!

I've been wondering lately. Is it cheaper to sew for my kids (ok - well, daughter)? The PJs I just made my son only cost $2 (fabric, free tutorial online, and reused pattern I paid $1 for for the pants). I mean, Old Navy often has cute things for cheap - certainly a $10 jacket. Would it matter whether or not it was cheaper? Is this new found craft/hobby/skill actually priceless because it makes me a happier mom and wife? I certainly sew for sanity and find myself needing/wanting to make something everyday. Really. Sewing makes me happy. I love it when a stranger comments on something Anna is wearing and then are amazed that I made it. It's so fun hearing Anna tell people her "mommy made it", or when wearing a nicely made JCrew jacket people ask me if I made it - ha!

SO:

*1 1/2 yards light weight denim (clearance at Joanns): $3
*4 buttons: $3
*1/2 yd sale fabric for bias tape $2
*pattern (divided by 4 because it goes up to size 8 and I will likely make it again) $4
*creating something new that makes me (and her) smile when she wears it: priceless