What a Neato Project!

I made these for a good friend of mine, my stylist. We used to trade product for hairstyles when I had the bakery, and even for almost 2 years after that, until I decided that baking and decorating from home just isn't as fun as it used to be. (Insert frowny face from her here. Add one from me for having to tell her.)

She approached me with this project not too long ago, and originally it was all supposed to be paper. I wanted to step it up a notch since I do love my fabric. The budget folders are paper, and then laminated. The holder is an outer fabric, a lined fabric, and both are pressed with a fusible interfacing for stability. I can do a tutorial here for them, it just can't be right now. In a couple days maybe? (I have another order going out, a bright red Valentine bear, sweet!)

I'm considering making myself some, after I find out if placing your money in pre-designated budget folders works. I know it will work for her, she's uber organized. Me? Not so much. My version of saving money is sending my husband to Costco instead of going myself so I'm not tempted by all the wonderful things they have. Go for milk and eggs, come home with milk, eggs, wine, cookies, yoga pants and a blender. Oh, and more wine. :0)

Enjoy your day, I'm enjoying the bright winter sunshine and hot cocoa made from Nutella. Who knew THAT would be SO good!

Frustrated.

I so wanted this post to be the pictures of my latest projects. Instead, I miscalculated a critical piece of one, sewed it up, and whoah. Not happening for the project intended. Still super cute, but not at all what I needed for a PAID ORDER. *sigh* Luckily this doesn't happen often, but when it does I get so frustrated that I give up for a while and retreat to Pinterest in search of the much-needed inspiration I crave. So that's where I've been today.

Where my son has been, however, is all over the house. With his big trucks. Crushing goldfish crackers. ALL OVER. Insert another sigh here. I have a hard time crafting when my house is mess. I don't know why, but it's like house cleaning is what I view to be my "real" job, still. The whole stay at home Mom thing I guess. So. New plan. P goes to my Mom's tomorrow, so if I clean up the goldfish mess tonight, I can start fresh first thing. Look for new pics tomorrow, after all, (I'll use the phrase I use for my girls all the time)

...Tomorrow is a new day.

Enjoy yours :0)

Sneak Peek at the Ruffle Vest

It turned out super cute, I'm working on sizing now. Since it takes me about five finished projects to work up a new pattern, there will be more! I am thinking Voile next time for a softer, even more ruffly look.

It's really difficult to take a nice picture of yourself, by the way.

Enjoy you day!

Here We Go With Another HUGE Catch-Up Post!

Whew! It's been a crazy, wonderful, (mostly) spectacular couple months. I should apologize for not blogging more, but with three birthdays just in our family and two more (niece and nephew) parties, plus Christmas and all that jazz... You get the picture, BUSY! And I love it. (mostly) The above picture is my beautiful daughter and I at a craft show in the fall. Where I purchased that gorgeous hat. I love felted wool, wish I would have bought another! Hailey supports me in everything I do, and I'm pretty sure this is the child we count on to not put us in a home when we are old. ;0) I'm going to do lots of pictures and updates in this post as it's been a while, and I promise, I. Have. Been. Busy.

A huge shout out of thanks to Grandma Wanni and Papa, and Nana Lana who watch P. so I can still be busy! Love them!

We had Madison's birthday the 7th of December, and Phoenix's the 8th. Combined into one big party for the family. We did a Candyland theme, as they both love their sweets! The cake was three tiers of candy bliss, and there were jars and dishes of asst. candies all over. I wish the cake had turned out better, but when you add that much candy and color to something, it's, whoah. A lot going on. I should know this by now, right? But the kids had fun, and that's what it's about anyway! So I'll post a picture anyway, even though it's not a favorite.

And a couple pics of the kiddos...

Madison giggling because when I said "One, two, three... Happy (insert the song here)" She thought it was time to make a wish. So she did. And blew out all twelve candles!

P saying a big "Thank You!"

Madison beyond excited for the book she's wanted "forever". Our little bibliophile pretty much only asked for books this year. :0)

For Christmas I so wanted to take the time to make everyone in our little family a special present. For the record I put some of Madison's own art on a pair of Converse shoes. They turned out awesome, but she is wearing them right now, so you'll have to trust me that they are cool, because there is no picture!

I made my husband a sign out of an old wooden ski, that says "Happiness is a large, loving, close-knit family... In another city. (It's a quote from George Burns, and an inside joke for us, in case that came off as rude...)

Hailey loves Alice in Wonderland, and her room has that theme. So I made her an art doll of the Mad Hatter, which she LOVED!

I made a fuzzy hugable blankie/softie for Phoenix. He immediately took to him and we call him "Pete".

*Love*

My Hubby and took a trip to Portland, just for a couple days, as he now does service and repair of Janome sewing machines. He had training there, so P. and I tagged along and went to The Children's Museum, and the Portland Zoo. It was a cold, rainy, blustery day, but when we got to the zoo, it cleared up. All of the animals were out and about, and the zoo was all but deserted. It was great!

He had such a good time! We had a nice lunch, with I swear the BEST latte I've ever had. He had cocoa, just to be clear. :0)

Hailey had her 14th birthday a couple weeks ago, and in keeping with the "Alice in Wonderland" theme, this was her cake.

I wish she didn't look far older than 14. But that's a Mom thing I'm sure!

On to my sewing! I promised I was busy, so here are some pics to prove it!

Happy Birthday Owlette...

Fritzi Teddy Bear...

Elphie Circus Mouse, not a great picture, and she'll be holding a felt bouquet I bouquet I believe...

Some fabulous pins I'll be offering for sale on my soon to be website...

My personal favorite. :0)

And just because it makes me smile. :0)

Now my time is up, as I heard a crash from my sewing room. My sweet curious boy is into things again. *sigh* Until next time! Enjoy your day, it's snowy, sunshiney and sparkly here now. *Love*