Archive for the ‘Crafts’ Category
Lillian’s Quilt
Posted on: March 8, 2011
- In: Crafts | Quilting
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Here’s Lillian enjoying her newly finished quilt in her crib daybed, which we’ll soon be replacing (since the baby needs the crib). 
I started this quilt long ago, but I had her in mind all along. When I discovered these fabrics I was not a big fan of quilting, because I thought quilts just weren’t my style. They’ve come a long way since then! And I’ve changed a little too. Here’s my original post.
So, I had the top pieced together, but I still had to make the back, machine quilt, and bind. The bad thing about finishing something you made a while ago, is that I know more now and would’ve done a better job putting the fabric together and piecing it more exactly. For one thing, I hate that I used the dark brown cheapo fabric on it in the upper right corner. I think that part looks horrible. BUT overall I’m happy with how it turned out. 
And I did make a way cooler back than I’d originally planned (plain brown). I just used materials I already had stocked up too. This back picture I took before I finished the quilt, so you can’t see the quilting.
I basically followed Amy’s instructions for machine quilting in straight lines and boxes, because I think it’s pretty cool. I didn’t follow her bad binding directions though. Decided on the super quick one-step machine-attached binding, and I’m happy with that.
I think L likes it pretty well too. 🙂
Pillow Monsters
Posted on: January 29, 2011
Simple Sewing for Baby has this really cute pattern for Pillow Monsters as I call them. I made up four of them for Christmas for my kids and their cousins. Got the idea for them from my friend Lori, who was making them for her kids after the went crazy for one she’d made as a baby gift. They were the perfect gift, since I already had all the supplies, and they went together fairly quickly.
I was also hoping that the monsters would stop all the talk about pillow pets from Brendan. That was shooting a little too high– the advertisers did their brainwashing job well. The kids do sleep with their new buddies though, and they make great backup pillows. 🙂
Meet Eva
Posted on: January 26, 2011
Named after Lillian watched Wall-E for the 20th time. It’s a good name though– one I actually considered for L herself. She’s from the Wee Wonderful book, which is SO adorable just like the blog.
She’s Little Miss Storybook in the book, which is a combo of Goldilocks and Little Red Ridinghood. Perfect for L, and well loved already. I did switch the face with another doll in the book though.
She’s made from two Alexander Henry fabrics, and the cape fabric is by Tanya Whelan (which I’d never heard of before). I found the fabrics at the newish store in Westport called Bon Bon Atelier (thanks to LivingSocial.com). 🙂
I’m looking forward to making more dolls now. Pretty satisfying work, even if it takes a while (especially when you hang stitch the hole thing). The only bad thing is that its kinda tempting to just sit her up on a shelf where she can’t get dirty and messed up. Maybe I’ll just have to make one for myself.
Sewing Update
Posted on: October 5, 2010
- In: Crafts
- 4 Comments
I’ve been having a hard time getting any decent pictures of the stuff I’ve been making lately. My little model is camera shy these days. But, here are a couple things I’ve done lately anyway…
This is the Tea Party Sundress by Oliver + S made with Anna Maria Horner voile fabrics. The pattern was a little more difficult than others I’ve made because of the tulip shape of the skirt (made out of several different pieces put together), and the buttons. But, since I couldn’t get my machine to do a button hole to fit those big buttons I skipped that major step. The buttons are sewn on the top, and the closure is actually velcro. Which means Lillian takes it apart all the time… not good. The fabrics: I LOVE the voile fabric. It’s light and airy, and beautiful.
This dress is half Simplicity and half Oliver + S. A few months back I made the Bubble dress for my niece Libby (never got any pics of it unforunately). So, when I bought this Simplicity pattern (2460), because of the look of the top part I realized that the way they did the bubble would just not work for what I want to do. Which, ultimately, is to make a fancy flower girl dress for my sis-in-laws wedding. This dress was mainly to make sure that I could use the skirt from Oliver and the top from Simplicity together. A good excuse for another dress for Lillian. Fabric: the main one is another Anna Maria– an old one that i don’t think is in print anymore. The midriff part is Amy Butler. Sort of makes for a busy dress (for me), but I was trying to use only fabrics I already had. I didn’t have enough fabric to make the straps, so I just used ribbon. Twice as much as the picture actually shows, unfortunately Lillian sabotaged this dress all along the way. Turning all my sewing machine knobs TWO different times, plus taking scissors to the ribbon. Yikes.
So, now I’m working on the flower girl dress. Half way done!
Cutest Project
Posted on: April 10, 2010
Thought I’d share my latest project– the funnest one I’ve done in a while. It’s what I made for my cute little niece (my favorite niece- har har) for her birthday (and I hope to make one for L soon too!). An adorable little fabric dollhouse, or in this case Rabbit-house. 
For more of Libby’s house check out my flickr photostream in the sidebar to the right. To make one of your very own go here!
Patchwork Messenger Bag
Posted on: February 19, 2010
- In: Amy Butler | Crafts
- 3 Comments
My newest bag– the Patchwork messenger bag. From my favorite bag designer (the one that designed my clutches too) I made it for myself (yay!) out of some of my favorite fabrics from Amy Butler (of course). Been toting around my knitting and my pilgrim’s progress in it. 🙂 I really like the size. Sometime I’ll get around to making a couple for the shop (I hope). Until then, if you are interested, then let me know! Special orders always come first! I have lots of cute fabrics to mix and match right now!
Inside flap has a little splash of color, and more pockets!
Oliver+S Playdate Dress
Posted on: February 18, 2010
A while ago I made L a playdate dress that turned out really cute, but wouldn’t fit over her head. Found out lately that the sizes run differently, so she probably just needed the next size up. I never got around to replacing the yoke with a bigger one that would work. Very frustrating, since it’s SO CUTE! She grew out of it.
SO, then I made this.
Now I’ve finally got around to making a Playdate dress that L can wear! I’m very excited. It’s even a little big, so she should be able to wear it until fall. If she grows according to plan. 🙂
More photos in flickr (check the sidebar).
February Update
Posted on: February 17, 2010
- In: Baking | Crafts | Etsy | Family
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Pictures: Part of my fabric stash. Photo credits belong to my very helpful assistant Olivia. Then my already messy brand new craft table that C found for me FOR FREE! Much better than the previous cardboard table.
Outside: Very cold. Little bits of snow on the ground. I’m ready for spring! And more sunlight.
In My Kitchen: Mainly just been baking lots of bread. Most recently a Pumpkin Brioche from Healthy Bread if 5 Minutes a Day. I used it to make a crescent roll. I have to admit that the shape was the only thing like a crescent roll. Way too healthy. 🙂 It baked up much better as a loaf today. Tomorrow– either donuts with the leftover dough, or french toast with the bread.
I am wearing: Jeans, v-neck sweater that is a lot more comfy that cool, and brown t-shirt. Wool socks of course. It’s cold! Didn’t I mention that?
Can’t Wait For: Energy. I’ve been feeling very drained lately. For no good reason in case you are wondering.
Current Read: Still working my way through the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy. It’s good, I just haven’t been reading much lately. I go in stages. Plus, I’m a little annoyed with both Kristin, and her husband. Especially her bum of a husband though. Also, reading Pilgrims Progress for the first time since elementary school (so really for the first time).
I am hoping: to learn to be a better businesswoman/ salesperson.
Around the house: some new curtains going up. A purchase of counter tile should happen this weekend. If I’m lucky. More on both soon (I hope).
Simple Pleasures: L’s new habit of singing “I love ____” over and over. The first time it was pancakes. Today we graduated to Daddy. She’s a sweety.
Creativity: should have some pics up soon of some of the stuff I’ve been working on. Changing one of the purse patterns for the shop. One purse has shown up from that endeavor, but I doubt it’s the final pattern even though I have gotten some good feedback about it. Clothes and curtains for L. Now working of filling some special orders including something like my 30th diaper bag.
Plans for the Weekend: Just realized purchasing tile was on my last update. Who knew tile could be so elusive!
Family Update: Our cat did come back. He’s been driving me a little crazy lately actually. But that hasn’t been a hard thing to lately to be honest. Did I mention I need sunlight? hehe
Lillian: is so affectionate towards B. It makes me so happy to see them hugging on each other.
Brendan: is a pretty good big brother. Even helpful at times! I can’t believe how big he’s getting. Easier to take him places these days too. Unless his Daddy keeps him up playing Xbox that is. =P
Valentines Day: was a good one this year. Unexpected/undeserved presents. A fun date (even though it didn’t quite meet our expectations). Made Chad a yummy steak and potatoes meal too.
Searching For Creativity 