hot pads

I actually made these in November, but I wanted to wait until after Christmas to post them. I made one for each of my married siblings and their family. They are super cute, super easy and usable.

Then I added a bread pan and a few of my favorite bread recipes and I had a great little gift for each of them.

If you are wondering how to make these hot pads, they are super easy. I just cut out two pieces of fabric and one piece of insul-bright the shape of a hot pad (I traced ones I already had). Then I sandwiched the insul-bright between the two pieces of fabric and sewed bias binding around the edges, making a loop out of the bias binding at one corner.

Countdown to Christmas

This is an awesome advent Christmas countdown that I made with my sisters, sister-in-law and mom. I wish I had taken pictures as we made it because it is really cool. Each of those squares is chipboard covered with scrapbook paper and the number and on the back is a magnet and some activity to do that day. The back board (the off-white) is metal covered with scrapbook paper so you can stick the magnet squares on and then take them off each day. Under the squares is a picture of baby Jesus, so as you countdown you are uncovering the picture. It is really cute and we enjoy doing all the activities and counting down.

Lena's Christmas Dress

Wow, it's been over a month since I've posted on here. I guess I haven't been very crafty lately. Anywho, this is Lena's Christmas dress. I claimed to be following a pattern, but it totally doesn't look at all like the pattern. I guess that is just me. I am like, well, I want to change the sleeves and I want to make the skirt a patchwork and I want to add lace and I'm not going to put anything in the middle, etc etc. So it turned into something quite different. Anyway, it is made from the leftover fabric I had from making our stockings last year, so she will match our stockings :) But I thought all the fabrics looked really good together and that way I didn't have to buy more fabric.

New dress for Lena

I made Lena a Fall/Thanksgiving time dress. I wanted one with a long skirt and long sleeves. It was a little tricky to get the lengths right because I usually sew when she is sleeping. I am very happy with how it turned out. And it was all made from things I already had at home. (Thanks Klaudia - this is from three of the fabrics you gave me)

Lena might be spoiled. I'm not sure. It's a possibility anyway.

An Ego Boost

A week or two ago we went as a family to pick out pumpkins and Lena was wearing a Halloween dress that I had made. And of course she was looking as adorable as can be. As we went to pay for our pumpkins the lady helping us was saying how cute Lena was and how much she loved her dress. That made me feel good and I told her thank you. Then she asked me where I got it. I told her I made it and she was very sweet and told me exuberantly how wonderful it was and how talented I was and how adorable Lena was, etc. I was very flattered and a slight bit embarrassed. Then she asked me if she could pay me to make one for her. I was shocked at first and must have asked her "Really?" like five times. Then I said, "Sure, actually I already have a couple that are a little bit bigger and the fabrics are switched around. Would you want one of those?" She said yes and asked if I could bring it by sometime.

So a few days later the kids and I went back and sold this dress to her.
I was extremely flattered and amazed. It is really nice to have people appreciate something you create. I was also really glad that she wanted something I had already made. So much easier to fulfill.

Frankenstein Goody Bags

I made a bunch of Frankenstein goody bags to hand out to the kids that came to our Halloween party. They turned out looking a little angrier than I was planning, but I thought they turned out pretty good anyway.

Halloween costumes

So I decided to make our Halloween costumes this year. And this is what I went off of:

Here is how they turned out:

Paper Bag Scrapbook (Girl Style)

I made this to pass around at a baby shower that I co-hosted last week. I really love doing these. They are so cute and quick. To see one that I made a while back click here.

Halloween dresses

Baby Blankets

Lovie Blankie

Bibs

Baby Toys

Toy #1 Front

Toy #1 Back

Toy #2

Toy #3

Toy #3

Toy #4 Front

Toy #4 Back

Toy #5 Front

Toy #5 Back

Toy #6