Early Christmas

Nearly every year my husband and I say "no gifts" and nearly every year he'll break our "rule". I don't know why I'm surprised. This year was no exception. Last night our doorbell rang and there stood the man in brown with a BIG box. Inside was this:


I feel spoiled and excited. I've been sewing on a White for almost ten years. It is a wonderful machine. The computer on this machine makes me a little nervous so I will keep my White within reach.

But that's not all....the rest of my gift will arrive tomorrow...

Dino car seat blanket

Number three! I love making these blankets. Emily over at Toad's Treasures sells her pattern for only $6 bucks. Download your pattern today!

Been busy...

Making this...

out of this...
(McCall's M6143)
for him!


I love this little guy. I just hope my handy work held up for trick or treating!

Halloween Wreath

Last year my niece helped me with a wreath for Halloween.
My husband is not a huge fan of this time of year so this is the only *scary* decoration I have.
This year I made one for my mom. It is super easy. You can make one too!

Supplies:
A wreath--I found mine at Joann's. This time of year is a great time to buy spring and summer decor for really cheap.
Black spray paint.
Black ribbon.
Black crow--I bought mine at the dollar store
Optional: Martha Stewart glitter--any glitter will do.

Paint the whole wreath black, sprinkle a little glitter while the paint is still wet, put the bird in the middle, tie a ribbon to hang and your done!
My finished picture turned out yucky so I'll add a new one later.

Car seat blanket

Attended a baby shower for my Cousin this past weekend. I made her a car seat blanket. This is only my second one but I feel like I'm getting better at it.

I used some of my wild flower Michael Miller fabric.

Here's the shower card:
I tried to get the card to match

Catch-Up

(picture courtesy of my Sis's blog)

As many of you know, our "Pa" (Grandpa) passed away almost two weeks ago. He was a fireman for over 30 years and was such a funny and generous man. I *know* without a doubt that he is watching out for us.

The morning I got the call I was in Las Vegas with my sister. Our husbands had gone to California to ocean fish. I awoke with flu-like symptoms and had kicked my Nephew out of his bathroom as I cried and hovered over the porcelain. I crawled back in bed and slept for a few hours. When I woke up, I felt ready to take the six hour drive home with my Sister, her two kids, and Ruby the dog.

On our way out of Cedar City we had a tire blow out. Thankfully, this was not my Sister's first tire blow out and she handled it well. Just as we pulled over, we had an unmarked police truck pull up behind us. Out came SLC Sheriff Jim Winder and his crew (officer Cooke, and another officer) They had our tire fixed in no time flat (no pun intended). They asked us where we were headed and we told them we were going home to be with family.

I was so grateful they had come to our rescue.
Re-Elect Sheriff Jim Winder!!

(And before you even think it--No, I'm not pregnant!)

It's that time of year again!

I've signed up to help with Ward Super Saturday classes. There are so many cute projects underway!


I'm so proud of myself, I've even learned how to use my hubbie's saw!

Projects in progress...

Simplicity Skirt 2411. A very easy skirt so far.

Pink bean bag chair. Outer lining just needs velcro and beans ;) This one I made for my brother-in-law. Nah, just kidding--but he so desperately wants one.

Zipper rosettes for my flip flops (and matching zipper pull earrings)

Fabric!

I'm a member of a fabric co-op which has been good and bad. Good, because I get great deals on fabric but bad because now I have over 35 yards of fabric that I need to start using (before my husband sees it all!!)

Isn't it lovely?



Many, many projects are on the way...so much to do so little time!

Happy 4th

Hawaii Vacation

For those of you who are tired of snow...














This picture is for my niece Annabelle who gave me the spelling of my nickname (nene)

Have you missed me?

J and I took a much needed vacation. Two weeks in Hawaii. We spent a week in Kauai (our new favorite place) and a week in Maui. We had such a wonderful time. I will post more pictures (once I extract them from my camera) You know you've had a great time when it feels like you've been gone for a month!


Right now, we are still trying to get back into the swing of things. You know, work, house work, etc.


While we were gone my Nephew Boston had his 3rd Birthday-or "dirtday" as he called it. My mom was nice enough to drive his present down to him. There was no way I could have mailed it without paying a fortune in postage. I wrapped it in a garbage bag (classy I know) but I figured, hey, he's three.










It was by far my favorite sewing project. Especially since it went to such a cool little boy!
If you are interested in this cute little bean bag chair for your little one or your niece or nephew, the pattern can be found HERE. If you have questions, let me know.

Another Martha project gone awry

I have been sewing accessories to take on my vacation: a purse, skirt, beach bags, and flips flops. My idea is to make a coordinated "outfit" with all of the accessories. My problem: another blasted Martha Stewart tutorial, the reversible purse. UHHGG! I told J that I think you have to be Martha to understand it. He laughed and shook his head as he watched me flailing this purse up over my head in frustration. Why, why, why was this so difficult I said (screaming) out loud.

I'm not one to back down, so I WILL finish it.

Martha may not approve...

More Sewing

**Added link to Martha**

Emily and I got together this week to make Towel Totes. We pulled the tutorial from Martha Stewart's website. My idea was to make an adult size tote, and she was going to make a child size tote.

What we discovered was that the instructions for the child tote seemed more complicated than the adult tote. So, we made a "hybrid" of both.

Here's my *almost* finished product:

The outside (with handles)












The front pocket, for swim goggles, etc.









The inside towel.









The towel is actually attached to the tote so that all you have to do is fold it in and go!
Oh, and once it's being used as a towel, the pocket can be stuffed with clothes to make a pillow.

I love Martha, but my brain cannot grasp her tutorial style. Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Dollar tree vase

I've been keeping my eye out for candle stick holders and hurricane-type vases from the dollar store. I finally found them, glued them together (using gorilla glue) and made these:

Happy Valentines Day!

I finally put my heart shaped cookie cutter to good use. It is the only cookie cutter I own.

I hope you have a wonderful Day
OXOXOXOXOXOXOX




P.S. I do own a measuring cup that has a star shaped cutter on the bottom.

Car Seat Blanket

I meant to post this a while back.










Thanks to Emily at Toads Treasures for sending me the pattern and giving me the confidence to sew it myself.

Havin' some fun

I took Mish Mash (Michelle Wooderson's) advice and took one day off a month for a whole year.

She mentioned adding all of the days in your calendar now so that you won't back out later--GREAT idea. My first "ME" day was last Friday. I actually spent this day with J. It was really nice. Next month I have a spa day planned. I'm excited about that since I need a facial in the worst way.

I figure this will give me an opportunity to finish all of the projects I have piling up in the basement.

If you're interested in the "12 days of me" check out Michelle Wooderson's blog. She's selling a pocket book-type journal on her etsy shop.