a skirt for matilda

remember i told you that i made a skirt for matilda? well, here it is:





matilda looks so darn cute in it, the icing on the cake. i was so happy with the way it turned out, which never happens.



i used pink embroidery thread to sew a button cluster i the corner.



i finished the seam with chocolate brown piping (surprisingly easy!), even though i don't know if i did it right!

i am on a sewing kick again. i think i'll whip up a few of these and then maybe this...

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Craft of the Day: Men's shirt turned little girl dress

Today's craft of the day has a very lovely guest star. My new friend Katie and I had a craft date where she worked on her Ruby doll helped me sort out my vintage pattern woes. I started a project weeks ago in honor of Father's day. I took one of Sam's old shirts and my cute vintage patterns I got at Lakewood and that's pretty much where it ended. The rigged interfacing snagged in the machine, the tension wouldn't fix, etc. I screamed, I pouted, and then I threw it all in a baggie.

Before



and almost After





I say almost because I couldn't figure out the dern buttonhole feature on my machine. I think it's because the fabric is too thin. I may have to use some cheating moves here people, or just burn the thing. Katie was an absolute saint helping me troubleshoot and persevering when I was soooo over it. She's so cute and pregnant and so ridiculously creative...just check out her blog! I had such a lovely day with her and I can't wait to see your finished doll! xo








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Craft of the day: Homemade dollies

Want a sweet, priceless gift on the cheap? My lovely friend Jessica took some fabric scraps and cotton balls to create this tiny wonder:



{heart veggies}



{heart veggies}

Sweet Sophia with her ruby doll.

There is nothing sweeter than a handmade gift and the image of a little girl with her dollie.

xoxo

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Craft of the day: Gnome Pincushion

I think I've gone a bit pincushion nutty. I decided that the little owl was indeed in need of a companion. After studying the owl's lovely dimensions I decided that he could also be a gnome. Say hi:



Haha. Isn't he funny?



My day also included some tummy time with my favorite teething baby.



She wasn't feeling it. She rolled right over and was much happier that way.



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Craft of the day: Owl Pincushion

Just because I think that kindness should be rewarded, this little owl will be making it's nest elsewhere. While I have him for a little while longer here is his evolution. Cheers!



I've never tried my hand at anything stuffed. The first little guy didn't make it.



This base ended up being way too big (there was no pattern).



Help, I can't see.



Sleep with one eye opeeeen.



Tada.

source: moonstitches

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Today

Matilda cut her first tooth. Ouchy. Lots of tears, although you can't tell from this picture. Sweet baby.



This adorable poncho was a gift from my sweet and missed friend, Margot.

My genius husband found a perfect rain barrel and then made it fit perfectly in our garden.



He cut part of the gutter to attach a flexible piece that would flow in to the barrel, he also stapled a piece of mesh to the opening to catch debris and hoisted in up on cider blocks to allow easy access to the hose. I will probably plant something around the blocks to make it look a little prettier.





and I made this:



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The Big Reveal: Baby Shower Craft

So, a while ago I hinted that I had a secret project that I was working on. I can finally share it with you! I was working on a shower gift for my friend Kathleen and her arriving baby Amelia. I used this tutorial for the instructions and here are the results:

A diaper changing mat and wipes holder all in one.









I also made a burp cloth with coordinating fabric, but forgot to take a picture of it.



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Happy half birthday Til!

MIss M is officially half a year old. To celebrate she had her shots today:( how awful. She did so amazingly well. I will say tylenol before and after and a bottle ready for post-traumatic-shots syndrome were a huge help!



Here she is in her french bulldog onesie made with leftover fabric from another project. I had some major issues with the zig zag stitch...ugh. Too tight too loose...any tips?

I first saw this project at Katie's baby shower. The ultra crafty Colleen shared this jewel with all of us. Speaking of Katie...

WELCOME To the World Isaac Paul Dingler. I can't wait to get my hands on you!

Speaking of hands, these arrived in the mail for me today. I love you Amy Butler.



Today Mom and I stocked up on frozen foods for Matilda to try. I am so excited. Stay tuned for the obligatory baby-in-a-high chair-with-a-bib-and-food-all-over-their-face pictures!


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Secret projects

I am still working on a few under cover operations...



I have definitely had some challenging moments. More on that later.

Here is the amazing belt I was telling you about that Sam made me. Look for it in the shop.





Shazam!

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Bad news, Mean People=Creativity

Sometimes the worst things in life bring out the best in people. I've been determined not to bring doom and gloom to homemade grits, but dang things are bleak in the world right now. As far as mean people go, we all deal with them. If only we could say what we think sometimes...or not! My slow comebacks probably save my butt. Do you ever replay in your head what you should have said over and over again? What a waste of time.

Anyways...my next project was a little 8 x 10 painting I did. I picked up my paints and paint brushes for the first time in years. I didn't want to do anything technical I just wanted to have fun. It was so relaxing. I missed the feeling of swirling my brushes in globby paint and bringing something to a blank canvas. The pictures aren't all that great, but here they are none-the-less.










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Oh Crafty Day!

I am very lucky to have a crafty husband (read: Magnolia Leather Works %20 off sale), who doesn't mind going to Joann's on a rainy sunday. It was there that I made future crafty plans and withheld my efforts of a project a day. I can't go too much in to this project until a later date, although I can tell you I finished it much to my satisfaction and I only had to use the seam ripper once!. Here's a tease:



Uh huh that's right. That's my sewing machine. Thank you youtube for helping me get that blasted thing threaded. I'm a little rusty, but it was kinda like riding a bike.

As far as my status is concerned I am feeling much better about life. It's amazing what a few days (and two days off) can do for your mental state. I was very fortunate to have a sweet visit from my Kate who is soon to be a married woman. See below.



She brought me iced coffee and the sweetest birthday gift. Those Kiefer girls sure have my number. I can't wait to show you the beautiful necklace I received from Claire!



Charley Harper salt and pepper shakers. Kate also got me the neatest table butter dish from Le Creuset.



The butter crock keeps soft, fresh butter ready to spread for 3-5 days. Love it!

I can't wait to show you my newest accessory supplied by Sam Graham...

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