pink picket fence

The Olivia Baby Quilt

I tell you what, my friends sure are keeping me busy making baby gifts these days.  Not that I'm complaining; I'm getting my fair share of snuggles and baby breath.  Is there anything that compares to that?  Because I really don't think so.

This quilt was made for Olivia Christine, born on October 27.  She is delicate and coo-ey and has the most beautiful full lips -- just like her mama. 

In general, vintage sheets are so pretty that I don't like to cut them up very much.  Bands of color are just fine by me.  It also makes them easy to personalize with embroidery.

I usually mix a band of a new fabric in with all the older sheeting, mostly to stretch my vintage stash and also to break things up a bit.  But this front and back are made completely from the vintage goods and are ever so soft.   { I used a new cotton print for the binding, which I do prefer for its strength.  Sometimes those timeworn lovelies are prone to tearing. }

I hope sweet Miss Olivia enjoys her blanket and her mama lets her use it and spit up on it and everything else that goes along with babies.  This one was made with love and should stand the test of time. And if it does need repair, I'm pretty sure they'll know who to call.  ;)

Hopefully, before too long, I'll have nursery room pics to share.  I'm kind of loving how it's turning out. 

She's a great vintage

So my sister's birthday party was this weekend.

Last year I made her some comfy pjs from vintage sheeting, and I know she likes unique handmade items, so I couldn't exactly let her down.

Don't worry, I didn't whip up anything too special.  But she did like it a lot, and it's one of those fast + easy gifts you can really have fun with. 

I bought a bottle of wine (and made sure I liked the bottle top cover -- it didn't have any writing on it to distract), soaked and scraped off the front label, and then replaced it with a personalized one.  I told you it was fast + easy. 

{ As for the 'Chexican' part... My gorgeous, olive-skinned, raven-haired sister has been mistaken for many a nationality over the years and she embraced it a long time ago.  Her friends threw her a Chinese Fiesta party, complete with egg rolls, layered nacho dip, taquitos and fortune cookies.  It's all in good fun. }

I also made her six napkins, just because.  Everyone should have lots of fun napkins at their disposal.

Happy Monday, blogworld!  xoxo

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PS: Sparkle Power is hosting a great giveaway.  ;)

the gift reveal

Running short on time today... babygirl sleeps really well at night, but it translates to very short naps during the day.

Anyhoo.

Here is an almost-full shot of the baby blanket I made for a friend of mine who is a couple weeks away from being a first time mama.  I used a combination of vintage sheeting (the pink stripes), and some stash fabric (from Heather Bailey's Pineapple Brocade to stock quilter's cotton; the blue has polka dots).  I trimmed it with a dotted pink minky left over from Figet's nursery bedding, made three years ago.

I loved the combination so much that I think I'm going to use that yellow for curtain's in the new nursery.  I'm not kidding.  I have about 10 yards of it that I bought for another project that will never happen and I think it would look smashing as full-length curtains.  Anyone think I'm nuts?

I also made a matching onesie for the babe.  This little newborn onesie was worn by by my own babygirl once or twice and I was getting ready to put it in the goodwill pile.  Ten minutes and a little heat-n-bond later, I had part deux of the baby gift.  Voila. 

I'm making more of these.

That's a promise.  And a warning.  I do have a bagillion baby gifts to make, after all.  :) 

xoxo

hello hello!

That dust-cloud you see just over the fence? 

It's me, spinning around like a whirling dervish, getting my creative-on and trying to keep up with the laundry and baby apparati.  I have a theory that the smaller children, the bigger the accessories.  Bouncer?  check.  Bumbo?  Check.  Swing?  Check.  Playmat?  Check.  Pack n play?  check.  Baby bucket carrier thing?  Check.  Exersaucer?  Check.  I always forget that part about having babies.  Suddenly your house feels like a clown car stuffed with baby equipment.   All my 13 year old needs is her ipod, cell phone and lip gloss and she is good to go.  I can tell you these are tiny because she is constantly losing them.  No way I'm losing that swing.  Might break a leg tripping over it, but I won't lose it, that's for sure.

But I digress. 

It happens.  A lot around here these days.  Mostly because I am busy making kissy faces and oohing and cooing at babygirl.  I swear this girl is a chatterbox already.  I know.  Crazy, huh?

Anyway, there is serious gift-making happening.  I have six -- yes, SIX -- friends who have either just had a baby or are getting ready to, and there is some crazy sewing happening down in the studio.  They are surprise-ish, so the reveals will be slow but steady here.  I promise.

(here's a peek at one that gets gifted tomorrow... I don't think she checks my blog. )

Also, I am in the process of the nursery design.  What ho!  Are we having fun around here!  I picked up a dresser for $25 at a thrift store and hubs has made me promise to fix it up this week so we can get it out of the garage.  So I have a deadline, which is always nice.  Now that I'm officially a full time stay at home mom I need a Real Challenge.  Thanks, honey.  I'd hate to sit around and eat bon-bons all day.

getting back into things. Step one.

I am so ready to get back into the swing of things around here!  Naps are becoming something I can depend on and I'm busy making lists already.

First, though, I need to take care of the pile of past-due projects on my sewing table.

Like the JUNE quilt square for Sarah, who asked for "whatever." 

And the AUGUST square for Kate, who asked for a scrappy log cabin.

I love getting my quilt square fabric in the mail each month.  It's a little like Christmas.  Plus, I think you can see each of the quilters in their fabric choices.  Even if these came without a nice little note attached, I'm pretty sure I could guess who sent it. 

September is my month, and I've got my stacks ready to go.  My plan is to get them in the mail on Friday... can you guess what kind of fabric I'm using?  :)

Okay, off to the dentist. Joy.

because Hope is worth it

Princess McGassypants is making things tricky around here.  It's hard to carve out enough time to craft, let alone take pictures and blog about it.  You know the drill.  Feed baby.  Rock baby.  Make the super-gentle transfer to a cozy spot for a quick nap.  Cross fingers and let go.  Tip-toe across the room, hoping to squeeze in a teeth-brushing, and maybe - MAYBE - a shower.  And toss in a load of freshly pooped-on stuff.  (It's all worth it, of course, and life WILL return to normal.  I'm just sayin'.  It's tricky to be all craft-blogger these days.)

But some things are even more important than showering and doing the laundry.  Like the difference craft hope, the little craft-for-a-cause brainchild of my dear friend jade, is making all over the world. 

This little baby blanket will be off to a needy newborn in India before long.   I still haven't made a thing for my own little newborn (unless breastmilk counts, ha), but this was something I really wanted to do.  My own children are so fortunate, so comfortable and so loved... my heart couldn't help but break for the tiny babies in India.  It's a small contribution, but I know it will make a difference.

Please take a few minutes to read Eren's account of the doll deliveryto the Casa Bernabe orphanage in Nicaragua. I cannot convey how amazing it feels to know that the first little doll I made is making some little girl happy, somewhere so far away.  Even if you don't have enough time to read Eren's amazing trip report, take a moment to see the beautiful photos.  Craft Hope is making a difference.  It's such a privilege to be part of it. 

Here's the thing.  You don't need a blog to participate.  You don't need to be an accomplished crafter.  You don't need to spend a lot of money.  It doesn't even take that much time.  Just sign up and send in your project donation.  There is no long term commitment (but you'll want to join the cause again and again).  I'm just saying, if a mom with a newborn and two other kids can squeeze in a little time, it isn't impossible.  I'll let you know about the next sign-up and maybe you can join in, too.  You know you want to...  

And honestly, it's crazy how much it fills you up.  You might be making a difference for someone far away, but I'm pretty sure you'll notice a difference a little closer to home, too.  Crafting Hope feeds your soul.  xoxo

{ blanket details, for those of you who are curious: It's a thrifted vintage sheet on one side, and reused pink flannel gingham baby blanket on the other.  Both sides are so soft.  No batting, but it is quilted together to keep its form.  It's bound with simple white bias tape and only about 30" square.} 

Ok, now it's shower time.

Ms. Andrea's Apron

I'm terribly late with this apron.  It's for one of the teachers at Fidget's preschool who got married in April.  APRIL.  I'm not exactly setting records with this one, am I?  She likes green.

(You'll forgive me for not re-ironing this before I shot it, right?  Because you're sweet.  You are.)

I decided to go with dupioni silk for the tie.  I've had this brown in my stash forever.  I love the texture.   Kind of makes it fancy.  Yes, it's washable.  And pre-washed, too, so it won't shrink or pucker.

My favorite part is this little vintage button on top of the brown ribbon:

Also, the topstitching on the pocket ribbon.  I was too lazy to switch out the blue thread, but ended up really liking the effect.  (Even if my stitches aren't 100% straight.)  Don't you love it when that happens?

I hope she likes it.  She is insanely sweet so I'll never know for sure.

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Things may come to an abrupt halt sooner than expected around here.  We were timing contractions Thursday night, but things seem to have calmed down a bit.  For now... 

craft hope: project #2 doll

This little island missy will be making her way to the Casa Bernabe Orphanage very soon. 

I used the black apple doll pattern and stitched on a little face instead of painting her up.  I used some thrifted washable velvet for her hair instead of the felt and do love how it feels.  (If you ever do this, you'll need to zig-zig over the edge of her hair cut-out, so it doesn't shed everywhere... )  She also needed some flair to go with her Hawaiian print dress, so I gave her a little flower.  Sweet little thing is ready to go play with a very special little girl now.  (As long as I get her in the mail tomorrow!)

I'm so proud of Jade and her work with Craft Hope.   She's got big things happening over there and makes it so easy to reach out and lend a hand.  You don't have to have a blog to contribute, either.  Signups for project #3 will happen soon.  Don't you want to be part of the solution?  xoxo

Mother's Day Pjs

Hello!  I just up and left you last week, didn't I?  Took a quick trip out to Arizona with hubs for a long weekend of sitting by the pool and taking naps whenever I felt like it.  Sound like heaven?  Oh, it was.  My in-laws came up to watch the girls, and now my mom is here helping me while my partner in crime stayed behind to play some golf this week.

They're both so deserving of something special on Mother's Day.  Naturally, last week I was busy scurrying about getting some gifts ready. Enter the vintage sheet pj set.  Not original, I know.  (I gave my sister I set for her birthday last September)  But, be honest, who can resist soft comfy pjs?  (Simplicity 9505 for tops and bottoms)

This first set was for my Mother in law -- a tunic style top with her pj pants.  I loved how the wild floral sheet contrasted with the delicate white and green pillowcase print.   I didn't get to see these on her, but she left a note saying they were comfy... I guess it fit ok.

My mom got a more muted pink and gold palette, along with a babydoll-esque top with cap sleeves. Her top was cut from the gold sheet and has a band of pink around the bottom, and the pants, pink with a band of gold around the hem.  

She's been wearing them this week and they look so comfy.

The thing about pjs is they don't really photograph well.  They sort of lie there like a crumpled heap on the bed or droop from a hanger.  I also finished these late on Thursday night, so the lighting was very, very poor.  I'm sorry there aren't any good quality shots; however, I'm going to guess you all have a pretty good idea what nightwear looks like, so that's ok.  ;)

playing with stretch knit: more of B5119

Fidge and I were at Hobby Lobby on Saturday looking for some fabric for a teacher gift, and she spotted (ha! Punny) a brown and pink and green dotted knit.  And she wanted another shirt.  I've never sewn knit with any kind of success, but I thought it was time to stretch my wings.  (HA!  Still punny.)

Enter Butterick 5199, my confidence-building go-to pattern.   You know what?  Stretch doesn't have to be scary.

Modifications:

• shortened the length of the top
• added a ruffle to the bottom
• shortened the sleeves (but not as short as the last one.)
• Note: I ALWAYS shorten the length of the neckline elastic.  For some reason, this pattern calls for enough elastic to make this an off-the-shoulder top. Not really what I'm going for here.
• Instead of hemming the bottom of the ruffle, I took my zig-zag stitch and went around the edge to finish it off a bit.  I did a wide zig-zag on a short-to-medium stitch length.

Fidget was too busy pretending to be a rocket ship this morning to give me some decent shots before she went to preschool, but I'm pretty sure you get the idea.

My eldest also thinks this paticular shirt has 'Clown' potential, but we should be okay if Fidge avoids wearing it with stretch pants. Duly noted, resident fashionista extraordinaire. (she's probably right.)