Nesting...It's taking over my life!

We've been shifting things around in our house a bit to accommodate the new babe.

And because of this I am the happy benefactor of a snazzy new "creating" space.

Another happy benefactor of a new space is Ms. Nanners. 

Her new room is three times the size of her last and now includes toys, a book wall, and her very own dress-up corner (donated by Nana).

And with all this new space and a mind that will not stop obsessing about projects,

I've been toiling away into the wee hours of the night "nesting."

Oh, it's a bonafide disorder--seriously...my mind...won't...stop...

 A few of the things that have been keeping me up at night:

This brilliant idea came from my visit to Jen's (who is seriously amazing at creating fun activities every day for Lucy to do). It's a card catalog of "recipes for fun" to do 

with Nanners. I am terrible at thinking of things on the fly to occupy Nanners' time so I decided

to make something that can be easily referenced with ideas that we can make or do together.

Some of the ideas include: peanut butter playdough, bubble painting and magic milk colors.

I'm adding as many as I can find before this baby makes his debut!

There are so many things I am working on for the baby, but this blanket is proving to be

the most time-consuming. It is called an heirloom chenille blanket, and although

the finished product looks quilted, it doesn't require any cutting squares or piecing together. However it does require sewing a million diagonal lines. I may be sewing lines until this baby is delivered!

And finally I've been working on this "rainy day" or "Portland weather" mobile for above the crib.

It went really quickly and I love how it turned out!

Oh so many things to create and oh so little time.
Shouldn't I be sleeping while I still can?

Christmas is coming...Purse Tutorial

I just finished a little purse for Nanners for Christmas.

I used this tutorial and it took maybe 1 1/2 hours, at the most.

If you would like the pattern just ask via email listed on the tutorial blog.

 You'll just need 3 different scraps of fabric, some batting and bias tape (if you don't want to make your own out of fabric). Seriously easy, seriously satisfying to finish.

I'm going to fill it with some fake chapstick, a bracelet

and some snacks. Too bad it's not big enough to throw a diaper and wipes into.

Isn't she getting old enough to carry her own stuff now?

I keep thinking about what Nanners' expression will be when she opens this.

It's going to be good.

Announcing my first-ever Ornament Swap!

I'd love for you to join in the fun.

You make 3 ornaments.

You receive 3 ornaments from distant crafty workshops.

Doesn't that sound exotic?

The more people, the better!

Here's how it works:

Just shoot me an email by Sunday November 20th with:

1)Your name and email address 

2)Your mailing address

3)Your blog (if you've got one)

I'll match you up with 3 different people.

 Make (or con someone else into making) 3 ornaments,
then send one to each person by December 5th.

Then wait by the mailbox for your ornaments to come!

I participated in one last year and I loved it. It just made Christmas so magical to get packages with handmade goodness inside. I seriously got some fantastic ornaments--in fact I felt a little sorry for the people who got mine!

Here's some inspiration to get you started:

http://www.everythingetsy.com/

From Juicy-bits

From Purlbee

From Fetching Knits

From Everyday Chaos

Happy Swapping!

Works in Progress: Piped Floor Cushion

Yeah that's right, I used piping--who knew it was so easy!

I used a tutorial from Living with Punks to make this lovely little floor cushion.
It turned out to be an easy project and well worth
the 2 hours (maybe less) it took to make it.

I did change the dimensions to make it a little bigger.

I just wanted something more substantial that could be

used for adult behinds as well.

My dimensions:

circle: 21" diameter circle

side piece: 66" x 7.5"

 (slightly thinner than tutorial, and I had to cut some excess off the length after pinning)

handle: 3" x 12" (same as tutorial)

Here's a picture of the tutorial one for reference:

Image taken from  Living with Punks

I added a covered button to the top to polish it off.

The Pants had to lend his muscle to make the "fancy buttons" as he called them.

It did my heart good to see little Nanners snuggling up

to my completed project the next day. I made her pose

for this picture--otherwise I would have gotten a view of her

 mauling it or rolling all over it.

Works in Progress: Felt flower pillow

I've been a sewing fool lately, hunkering down in my basement crafting cave.

I've had a few misses on projects--but after not measuring correctly, not getting enough fabric,

a bad online tutorial, etc. I did manage to finish a project I'm really happy with.

This picture doesn't show the depth of the felt flower but it looks really cool.

And I got the fabric for the actual pillow at a special fabric sale

at this very hip clothing shop downtown.

I only mention it because I totally had a moment while I was

rummaging through boxes of the loveliest, most unique fabrics.

I chatted up the other ladies about making your own bias tape, fray check,

and potential future projects.

As I left I couldn't help but feel like a definite newbie member of the sewing club,

but a member none-the-less.

If you asked the Pants he'd say I'm a full-fledged member by

the number of trips I make to Joanne's each week.

About the project:

I used this tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew

There's nothing to critique. It was so easy to follow.

It took me about 1.5 hours to complete (in between naps).

Here's the tutorial's picture so you can see the flower better:

And this is what is on my sewing docket for June:

Father's Day Ties in vintage fabric

Tutorial from The Purl Bee

and

This pillow for my little nephew's owl nursery.

I've got a little time luckily-he won't be arriving until September.

Tutorial and photo from Cluck Cluck Sew

Maybe I'll be making a membership badge for the sewing club too.

Works in Progress: Oh Baby!

I think it has become apparent that I'm on the path towards addiction.

An addiction to sewing.

I never thought I would see this day, considering I've made fun of

women who sew since forever.

But with a couple projects under my belt I totally get it.

It feels kind of fabulous to see an idea take form from something

in my brain to something I can touch and feel and actually use.

Luckily I had a perfect muse for my first projects:

Lucio Alexander

(and his hot mama who is also my sister)

Photo from Bucheli Photograpy

As I posted before I used this project guide from The Purl Bee to make a tote bag. I decided to make a tote in a pattern that doesn't scream "BABY" but useful enough to hold diapers and the likes. In my opinion a mom just can't have enough small bags to stuff full of baby necessities for the day's outtings. The tutorial was so easy to follow. (Remember I just learned how to thread a bobbin so ANYONE can do this.)

I did learn how important it is to measure correctly rather than using the fabric's pattern as a guide. One side ended up 1/2" wider than the other...Next time.

And every new mom needs a big ol' stack of burp cloths. So I obliged with these super absorbent cleaning rags appliqued with animals. I cut them out of fabric that conveniently contained one animal within a square box. Sewing Jargon Alert: Applique means to apply as a decoration or ornament to a larger surface (Merriam-Webster). News to me!

And every new baby needs a stuffed Otis the Owl. I used this tutorial from Sew Simple. It was officially my first sewing project ever (since the boxers I made in Home Ec that ripped all the way up the crotch two months later). I used recycled wool sweaters that I scored at the Goodwill bins and felt. I put a little bell inside for added excitement. Lessons learned: when a pattern says "enlarge 100%" do it even if it involves a run to Kinko's. I tried to use the original size at first and I soon realized it would make an owl small enough to fit in Lucio's pocket. Also, if I do this again I will sew the face to the body rather than using fabric glue. It does not adhere to wool very well.

Nanners served as quality control for this project. She approved. She couldn't stop

hooting and shaking and kissing Lucio's owl.

I guess I'll have to make her one too.

Welcome to the world Luc!

We are so happy you're here.

Snow Day & Works in Progress

We had a fake snow day yesterday!
The Pants stayed home from work and we watched
the morning snow melt into a perfectly sunny day.

Luckily Aunt Chrissy dropped these off the night

before to match Nanners' favorite sweater.

Just in time for the "snow."

Little kitten mittens...or mice.
Whatever you see, they are ridiculously adorable.

Nanners is one lucky baby to reap the benefits of such talent.
Speaking of talent, or lack thereof- I'm starting a sewing class next month!

It's going to be intense. 3 hours every Saturday for a month.

And I've got my sights set on this project.

All straight lines-right up my alley!

Check out this project here at The Purl Bee.

And they're having a fabric/yarn/everything sale right now.

Dangerous...

*photo courtesy of The Purl Bee