Cute as a Bug!

While nursing Maddie late one night I found the cutest pair of shoes online - but I was not about to drop $40.00 on them!! I talked my friend Jenn into going supply shopping with me and we made our own! I made a pair for Madeline to wear next summer and she made some for her daughters too! We had a blast being crafty yesterday and I'm pretty proud of the way they turned out!!! Having a little girl is TOO MUCH FUN!!

-Sarah-

Fabric of My Life

I was clearing out files on our computer and came across some pictures I'd saved from the internet of a camera bag I liked. It was super cute, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember *where* I'd seen it! Well, I went to google images, typed in the picture file name and viola, there it is! The bag was by Donna Downey! I spent some time looking around her website and was fascinated with all her stuff!! I found yet *another* project to add to my to-do list. Her Fabric of my Life book! is too cool!! It looks like something I can handle w/ out purchasing the ebook (may just have to do some research on how to bind it all together) Anyways, just wanted to share the latest project I've added to my endless to-do list!!

-Sarah-

I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!

Worked for Thomas the Engine, right? I'm ready to attempt my first adult article of clothing. I figured that If I could do a pretty complicated diaper bag sans pattern then I could make a matching outfit for Miss Maddie and I!! I found the cutest Alexander Henry fabric today at JoAnns. It's super tall black/white Giraffes! I'm going to use the Its So Easy # 4234 for my pants and I'm winging it for Miss Maddie - though if you look closely at the picture you'll see elastic thread... Yup, that's right, I'm going to shirr for 1st time!! We're having dinner with some friends tonight and I can't wait to get home and get started! I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!!

-sarah-

Another baby gift on it's way.....

This one was super fun to make. It's going to an old friend of mine who has no idea that she'll be getting anything in the mail. In fact, the last thing I made for her was a pan of brownies when we were in junior high! She was in a 4-wheeling accident and I took them over to help her get well (still not sure if they had any egg shells... it was my 1st time making brownies!!) Anyways, she'll be getting hooter hider, 2 burp rags, a diapee/wipee and a super cute outfit from babies r' us that isn't pictured. I hope she likes it! I know she plans on nursing since she's a NICU RN so hopefully the hooter hider will be very useful for her!!

-Sarah-




close up of applique on hooter hider

If there were 36 hours in a day....

Would I get more done? Or would I still feel like there's is simply not. enough. time? I feel that the latter would be true. Lets face it... I'm horrible with time management. Take for instance the fact that I'm typing out this blog while Maddie is sleeping instead of actually trying to finish one of these projects :) Anyways, look at all these wonderful fabrics!!! They are each slotted for certain projects (most being hooter hiders) and I really really need to get them started! Ahh, oh well.... Someday It'll all get done. I'm participating in a sewing swap on a forum I frequent and some of these fabrics are for that lovely mama. That project must come first. I've already finished about 1/4 of my ideas... so off I go to start on the rest!!

-Sarah-

Maybe someday

I wish there was some way to win the lottery without actually having to play... My "want" list for photography is already a mile long and now my "really really want list" for sewing is growing. It's not so long, just more expensive. I began sewing again to be able to duplicate some of the cute burp rags Aiden received as baby gifts and it's really taken off. I don't remember ever loving to sew when I first learned and now I'd almost rather break out my machine instead of my camera and I NEVER thought that'd happen! If I had access to unlimited funds (and really, unlimited space) I'd be all over the new Janome 350e embroidery machine! Especially with having a girl now... my head is always full of cute ideas and that machine would help them all come true... Mike is always saying that I should sell what I make... not a bad idea... Think I could sell enough for that hoss???

oh well, someday... someday...

-Sarah-

Cozy Boppy Cover

I love minky fabrics - so soft and cushy so I thought it'd be perfect for a boppy cover! I made a mad dash to JoAnns and picked up some super cute fabric from Alexander Henry (I love the Kleo collection!!) and some watermelon pink minky (it originally had dots but I ironed them out) I used my current boppy cover to create a template and used 2 strips of velcro to close the back! It's really cozy fun to nurse with! Maddie loves to snuggle down into it and when I'm nursing and night and get cold, I use the minky side down against my legs!!

-Sarah-

Neapolitan Overload

I love the color combination of chocolate, pink & cream together (though neapolitan ice cream isn't a favorite of mine!) A few years ago I fell in love with the Lotus ring sling from Sakura Bloom and while they are truly stunning slings, I'm afraid I just can't shell out $340.00 for one!! Well, lucky for me they stopped making their Lotus sling so I was forced to make my own. I love it! It's beautiful and feminine and so far, Miss Maddie loves to be snuggled up in it. I don't wear it as my everyday carrier but I love it for church! I was feeling extra ambitious when I made it, so I created a matching hooter hider. Actually, those are my new favorite thing to sew and I've made about 10 so far. Hopefully I'll get a picture of them soon and get it posted. In the meantime, here is my new sling....


-Sarah-










My matching "hooter hider" See her hand and foot poking out?

First Dress for Madeline

I finished sewing my 1st dress ever for Madeline. I know it'll be the first of hundreds more. I used the left over fabric from my hospital gown and just winged the pattern. It turned out pretty cute I think. I was so proud when I put it on her yesterday and I imagine my own grandmother felt the same way the first time I wore something she had sewn. Just wanted to show off my pretty girl in her pretty new dress!!

-Sarah-

Sunny Dress

I recently signed up to be a pattern tester for Nanoo Designs at You Can Make This My 1st pattern to test was the "Sunny Dress" It's a super adorable reversible wrap sun dress and I can't wait for Miss Madeline to fit in it (in probably about 3 years!!!) I was even daring and added applique to both sides! I really liked having the opportunity to test a pattern and look forward to many more (if Nanette liked my work and feedback!!)
So - here's to my 1st sewing project since Maddie was born - the 1st of about 20 on my to-do list!!
-Sarah-


~ Side One ~





~ Side Two ~

The ultimate diaper bag

I went through several bags with Aiden but always had a complaint about each one. I searched and searched for something I'd love with Madeline but was never just "blown away" Soo, I just decided to write down my likes & dislikes and make the darn thing myself! So, that's exactly what I did!! It's a adjustable strap messenger with 9 pockets and super cool washable lining. I was feeling extra crafty during my last days of nesting, so it also has a coordinating changing pad, diaper purse and wipe case! I'm super excited about my new custom girly diaper bag!

-Sarah-

Dora the Explorer

A friend's daughter is about to celebrate her 3rd birthday and as a certified dora fanatic I'm sure she'll love to wear Dora & Boots! I made this using several different patterns. The pinafore top is reversible and features a dora applique on the solid pink side. It looks like I'll have to miss her party but I hope she loves it. I wish I had a manaquin to model my clothes... maybe her mama will get a cute picture of her in it so you can get a better idea of how the top looks!

-Sarah-

Designer Hospital Gown

Okay, I can't be the only woman who hates the standard hospital gowns. You know the ones.... 20 sizes too big, blue and ugly? I've begun nesting and decided to make my own gown. Thanks to google I found a great free pattern for hospital gowns. Downloaded it and printed it then headed off to good 'ol Hobby Lobby to find some fabric. A print caught my eye pretty quickly so I scooped it up (on sale no less!) and came home to sew! About an hour later I had my own custom (and proper fitting) hospital gown! Now, I just hope CLRH doesn't burst my bubble by not letting me wear it. I made sure it even had snap shoulders for easy mmaneuvering around IV lines! And yes, that is a matching headband. By gosh, I may be a woman in labor, but I'm gonna look good at the same time!









Action Shots:
You can see more of our special day by watching her slide show

I'm a Cowboy Baby

Just another baby gift - OSU Cowboy Blanket, Diapee/Wipee and burp rag. After searching for a few weeks for the perfect trim I gave up and decided that I'd make my own!! My ruffle foot wasn't nearly as complicated as I had always thought! I loved being able to make my own ruffle!! Didn't think this was too girly :) I also got brave and added an appliqued 'C' on the back... Hope you enjoy it baby Cooper!

-sarah-

I'm a knifty knitter :)

I saw the cutest cocoons that a few photographers were making for newborn shoots, so I just *had* to give it a try myself! I can kinda crochet, but have never knitted in my life! Thank goodness some genius invented the LOOM!! Now I too can knit! I stayed up till about 2 am in the morning finishing this one because I wanted to use it on my newborn shoot the next morning. It was fun to make and surprisingly easy too!

-sarah-
(don't mind my test subjet - it was all I could find in the middle of the night!!)