tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30896740156098080232012-02-16T01:55:47.280-07:00Making things, sewing things, knitting things, and sometimes baking things.c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.comBlogger791100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-38882667883934703932011-12-20T15:47:00.001-07:002011-12-21T16:21:55.301-07:00

With the cold comes time for knitting again. I've completed a couple more Koolhaas hats and I'm almost done with this chunky cabled throw from Lion Brand. I saw it in one of their magazines a couple of years ago. Of course, that's about how long it takes me to get started with most projects. I'm making it with the same yarn and color as the pattern, which can be found free here. It would

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-75796080066802080462011-11-19T18:56:00.001-07:002011-11-19T19:49:46.394-07:00

From Little Things To Sew by oliver + s. I love this bag. Here it is in action at The City Library of the Year 2006. It only took us about seven years to finally go see the new library. I made two of these for the kids and they use them all the time.  I chose light canvas for the outside because I knew I wouldn't be able to handle it if I picked out some wonderful fabric only to see

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-46971347361576671782011-09-25T22:29:00.001-06:002011-09-25T22:29:51.246-06:00

...so fun.

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-69119855476521751082011-09-06T22:43:00.000-06:002011-09-06T22:46:28.521-06:00

This is an oliver + s free pattern, the Popover Sundress, sewn for Project HOPE Art which will be given to a little girl at Nadine’s orphanage in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti.  More information on this dress drive can be found at Art Projects For Kids.  I hope to make a couple more before the December deadline. The pattern is a free PDF download which prints out on about 11 pages, I think. 

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-73751043371196590982011-08-29T20:33:00.003-06:002011-08-29T20:40:54.878-06:00

Not only have I finally made something, BUT ... I also attempted to join a sew-along! Incredible. OK, so I bought this terrific book, Little Things To Sew by oliver + s for myself a while ago, for Mother's Day. It made me feel less guilty about it in case I didn't ever end up making anything. I could at least just look at it. Well, Monkey Pants needed a sun hat for school but it had to be khaki

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-54640902135438169552011-04-25T20:28:00.001-06:002011-04-25T20:28:54.664-06:00

I made this on a bit of a whim for Easter dinner: cornish hens, artichokes, and golden potatoes with steamed carrots. Yum.

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-35466436349948014402010-12-07T18:18:00.003-07:002010-12-08T08:24:11.079-07:00

I think this has been in Target stores for a while but I just discovered them right in time for Thanksgiving, the Giada De Laurentiis line for Target.  And I wanted to share my find.  I got the set which was on sale a few weeks ago and then had to go back for the oval 2-qt. baker.  I love this off white color and the handles.  Anything you cook/bake looks yummy in them.  And they are ceramic so

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-57079578718707448132010-11-02T07:00:00.005-06:002010-11-02T07:00:08.160-06:00

For monkey pants' 6th birthday I decided on a gingerbread house sort of theme since she was dressing up as Gretel for Halloween. We made it a fairy tale costume party. I tried to keep the cake as simple as possible. I figured a nine inch round with a fondant bow around it and a gingerbread house on top made with a kit wouldn't be too much work. The only thing was that I couldn't find any

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-65553760511128998932010-10-31T11:23:00.000-06:002010-10-31T11:23:42.445-06:00

Crafting has been slow the past few months and I must admit I searched high and low for Hansel and Gretel costumes online and couldn't find any so alas, I was forced to make them myself. Yes, it's true I didn't want to do it. But here they are, and of course after they were done I was so glad I made them myself. I was a little concerned no one would be able to tell who they were dressed up as

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-5107885142458943762010-06-21T19:15:00.001-06:002010-06-21T19:20:27.941-06:00

When I saw this particular selection of fabrics (Flora and Fauna by Patty Young -the nicest person ever) for the Kyoko dress pattern, I knew I had to make it. And not for monkey pants either. For my little niece who just turned four and because she has this same cute hair. And I have no shame in being a complete copy-catter.  I'm also excited that some of this fabric will be/is available in

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-32931175178052169082010-06-03T11:24:00.007-06:002010-06-04T10:08:16.137-06:00

Actually, the real reason I haven't made anything is because I was going to make the Kyoko dress by Modkid and I cut the pattern out on my fabric, I have the pattern pieces, but I can't find the instruction booklet!  What the hell did I do with it.  I swear, when things get lost within the perimeter of my own house and I can't find them it makes me want to drive myself to the loony house. So,

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-81073423392081456692010-06-03T09:20:00.002-06:002010-06-03T09:21:36.210-06:00

OK, the reason I haven't made anything lately is because I've been wasting all my time entering Internet give-aways.  Just kidding.  No actually it's true.  Tea collection recently had a whole weeks worth of giveaways on Facebook for their 8th anniversary, yesterday another for See Kai Run shoes.  Cedarworks playsets had some a while back including a fund raising raffle for a school.  I even

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-16573317751387632212010-05-22T17:25:00.001-06:002010-05-22T17:26:14.444-06:00

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-65732061946825961302010-05-18T15:41:00.005-06:002010-05-19T09:12:28.065-06:00

I don't typically go for the super cutesy girly patterns with frills and all kinds of fabric combinations, but the truth is, I can't really stick to one style either. And, I just had to make something with this butterfly print from Sandi Henderson's latest fabric collection, Meadow Sweet, I decided to try the Frida Modkid pattern by Patty Young for a nice summery play shirt. The pattern

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-78481059640883004302010-05-07T15:20:00.006-06:002010-05-11T14:10:06.478-06:00

I have a couple of things I made a while back and some patterns that I was wanting to put up for sale on Etsy. When I went to create an account for "MakeMeStudio", I was kind of surprised when Etsy said that user already existed. So then I thought, oh, I must have created it a few months ago and I forgot. I tried every yahoo e-mail account I ever created to see if it was linked to the Etsy

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-19247090472733056232010-05-05T07:00:00.001-06:002010-05-05T07:00:09.645-06:00

-- From Heather Bailey's Fresh Picked Pincussions pattern

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-87856539716058235772010-05-03T07:00:00.007-06:002010-05-03T06:33:48.781-06:00

When my now 5-year-old went to daycare, she was a super drooler and I couldn't stand it when I'd pick her up and the whole front of her outfit was soaking wet. I put every mismatched and sometimes hideous multi-colored holiday themed bib I had received on her to keep her clean and dry. Lucky for baby #3, I refuse to make him look like a rodeo clown in a gigantic lobster bib. So, I created some

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-65154250432236572832010-04-20T07:00:00.005-06:002010-04-20T09:26:18.791-06:00

Babies need burp cloths, or as I like to call them -vomit cloths. I don't know about other babies, but my babies burp, spit-up, and outright vomit a lot. My first was an exorcist-style projectile vomiter. I didn't have one nice burp cloth. The dogs kept getting a hold of them an chewing them up (they're dogs -they like that kind of stuff). And, eventually the "spit up" was so bad, I just

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-43014671442218954762010-03-24T19:00:00.004-06:002010-03-25T00:24:35.878-06:00

I, or should I say, my pregnancy brain went back and forth trying to decide wether to make the smallest bedroom in the house into the nursery or to move our 2-year old and create a boy's bedroom for him instead, leaving his old nursery in place for the new baby.  We finally decided to make the little bedroom the nursery.  So before dismantling the old nursery, I wanted to preserve it in pictures.

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-61764857276876490342010-03-15T13:24:00.001-06:002010-03-15T13:28:55.874-06:00

I've been spending most of my time sitting around lately. At least it seems that way. Really, it's a lot of feeding the baby, changing the baby, forgetting to change the 2-year old, remembering that I need to go to the bathroom too, making/re-heating meals, driving 5-year old to preschool, sleeping (sort of), going up and down the stairs to get burp cloth, 2-year old's shoes, my sweater, a drink

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-61843697010151497172010-02-23T14:10:00.002-07:002010-02-23T14:13:21.060-07:00

Another Emmeline Apron for a birthday gift.  This is such a great re-usable pattern.  In fact, I've gifted all the ones I've made and I've yet to make one for me.  What's up with that?  I used Heather Bailey's latest fabric line, Nicey Jane, from my favorite online fabric store, QuiltHome. Hmm, looking at this picture, I realize I may have cut the patterned fabric upside down. Oh well, no

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-46968192335058418722010-02-18T19:57:00.000-07:002010-02-18T19:57:56.054-07:00

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-52229380067238682382010-02-08T07:00:00.001-07:002010-02-08T07:00:05.677-07:00

A while back I made the Sophia Carry-all bag for my little monkey pants when she had to go to the hospital for surgery. I've been meaning to make another one for my little boy and as I get closer to my due date, the idea surfaced again because he will need a little day bag for his things while I'm in the hospital and he goes to a friends house. Our hospital isn't allowing any children visitors at

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-92091650420595935662010-01-26T00:00:00.000-07:002010-02-07T16:39:43.216-07:00

37+ weeks Although self portraits are not exactly my cup of tea, I thought I'd give it a try. Most came out quite poorly to put it mildly. At least now I can see these maternity pants aren't as flattering as I thought. But since I don't think I've had any photos of this pregnancy and in a little bit of a rush in case I went into labor I took some quick shots. Remind me to clean the mirror; it's

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-54444352853037259032010-01-04T07:00:00.000-07:002010-01-04T07:00:07.362-07:00

Pattern: Reversible Fingerless Gloves Designer: Cotton & Cloud Materials: Knit Picks Merino Style; Ella Rae Classic Solid Worsted Amount: (1) 50g ball yellow plus assorted colors; (1/2) 100g ball aqua Needles: US6 and US5 bamboo DPNS Cost: $2.79/ball; $6.50/ball Size: small Start Date: Dec. 21, 2009 Finish Date: Dec. 31, 2009 I finished my last knitted Christmas gift yesterday -

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-55305389155153328812009-12-29T07:00:00.043-07:002009-12-29T07:00:06.282-07:00

Pattern: Montera Hat Designer: Pam Allen Materials: Elsebeth Lavold Silky Flammé Amount: (1.5) 50g ball Needles: US7 and US10 16" circular Addi Turbo Cost: $10.00/ball approx. $20.00 Size: one size Start Date: Dec. 3, 2009 Finish Date: Dec. 9, 2009 Ravelry Project Link This was a fun hat to knit. A little like the Koolhaas pattern; but easier since you don't have to hold stitches. That's not

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-58175861199949916592009-12-25T21:08:00.008-07:002009-12-25T21:39:46.804-07:00

I only managed to churn out two out of four pajama pants by Christmas Eve, but even that was enough to surprise myself.  I don't have a small enough pajama pant pattern for my little guy that is just two years old and I wasn't up to the task of drawing one out again this year.  I tried in vain to find a free toddler pajama pant pattern online and finally had to go to my nearest Walmart on

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-81370434057820406582009-12-23T07:00:00.010-07:002009-12-23T07:00:03.066-07:00

I finally got around to using my $20 credit at Quilthome for the link of the week winner.  They also had a 25% coupon on Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane fabric line.  I remembered, only too late, about my last Christmas resolution to begin a new family tradition of making pajamas for everyone.  I figured it was probably a bit too late, but I was so happy to get my delivery yesterday that I may

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-17793736081546791762009-12-22T07:00:00.014-07:002009-12-22T07:00:06.320-07:00

For one of my last Christmas gift projects I needed a color of yarn I couldn't get from the Knit Picks selection of merino wool so I was forced to get off the couch and make a trip to the yarn store. There aren't any yarn stores too close to where I live so I wasn't really looking forward to this. Not to mention, going to the yarn store kind of makes me feel overwhelmed, like I don't know what

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-37647635582526845402009-12-20T11:17:00.002-07:002009-12-20T11:30:44.537-07:00

Pattern: Cigar Gloves free pattern from Knitty.com Designer: Keri Cadd Materials: Knit Picks City Tweed DK Amount: (1) 50g ball Orca' plus a tiny bit more to finish the pinky and thumb Needles: US4 bamboo DPNs Cost: $3.99/ball Size: Small -changed length for medium Start Date: Nov. 10, 2009 Finish Date: Dec. 20, 2009 These knit up pretty quickly, specially compared to the fingerless mittens

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-27360799843511885862009-11-21T10:39:00.001-07:002009-11-21T10:43:50.405-07:00

Being this is the third time around with the baby making and everything, enthusiasm hasn't been quite as high as the first two times. And I have to admit, I was wanting the third, and most likely last addition to the family to be a girl, maybe even a real girl (monkey pants is quite the tom boy). So, being told this was another boy after just having a boy in a relative short time wasn't as

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-68334357696343433592009-11-18T07:00:00.002-07:002009-11-18T10:34:36.565-07:00

Pattern: Crazy Easy Textured Newsboy Cap Designer: Ele -Nutella Dreams Late Night Crafts Materials: Knit Picks (a) Comfy Worsted; (b) Shine Worsted cotton blends Amount: (2) 50g ball (a) October; (b) Caution Needles: J 6mm (US10), E 3.5mm (US4), D 3.25mm (US3) Cost: (a) $2.79/ball approx. $5.60; (b) $2.49/ball $5.50 Size: Adult size to fit 2 year old average head Start Date: Nov. 15, 2009

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-88543803836923296802009-11-10T18:21:00.010-07:002009-11-17T21:32:58.449-07:00

Pattern: Koolhaas Designer: Jared Flood Materials: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes (worsted) Amount: (1) 50g ball 'Lake Ice' Heathered plus a tiny bit more Needles: US5 Options Zephyr Acrylics 24" circulars and US7 16" Addi Turbo circulars Cost: $2.19/ball approx. $4.40 Size: Knit per instructions (4 pattern repeats) except with one size smaller needles and lighter weight yarn.  Finished size fit

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-31362898802878175502009-11-04T17:55:00.015-07:002009-11-04T23:19:16.969-07:00

Pattern: Reversible Fingerless Gloves Designer: Cotton & Cloud Materials: Knit Picks Merino Style Amount: (1) 50g ball 'Nutmeg', (1) 'Fedora' (dark brown) and assorted colors Needles: US6 bamboo DPNS Cost: $2.79/ball approx. $5.60 plus assorted colors for stripes Size: small Start Date: Oct. 21, 2009 Finish Date: Nov. 4, 2009 I would have been done much sooner, but started on the

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-30312305098972825252009-10-27T16:15:00.004-06:002009-10-27T16:30:14.549-06:00

With so many planned knitting projects, I finally had a justification to get this circular knitting needle set.I also finally set up an account on Ravelry (LolaT). What an organizational treat. I don't know why I've never gone on there before. It's going to take me a while to set up all my projects and things but I had no idea there were so many photos of finished projects. If you're new to

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-26228797282277951532009-10-17T07:00:00.007-06:002009-10-17T08:16:52.199-06:00

[pattern photo from oliver + s]Because I really enjoyed the Jump Rope dress pattern from oliver + s, I decided to get another one, the Sailboat Top, Skirt & Pants pattern to complete an outfit I got at Gymboree for monkey pants. As monkey pants gets older, I'm not drawn to Gymboree's matchy-matchy lines as much but I couldn't resist this adorable panda top and black short sleeve cardigan. I was

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-48635091102961780132009-10-14T07:09:00.000-06:002009-10-14T07:09:10.858-06:00

Pattern: GeorgeBook: Jaeger JB29Materials: Knit Picks City Tweed DKAmount: (4) 50g balls 'Splash'Needles: US3 and US6 bambooCost: $3.99/ball approx. $16.00Notions: Buttons (Walmart .79 cents)Size: 12-24 month. My swatch came out bigger so I knit a smaller size than what my son measured (he just turned two and was maybe one centimeter smaller than the 2-3T size measurements. However, I knit to the

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-61693982892353199872009-10-11T20:14:00.004-06:002009-10-11T20:36:58.906-06:00

Progress on the "George" cardigan has been super fast, super fast for my standards anyway. Finishing in the same year would be fast. Anything above and beyond that, I would consider "super fast". It did take me several tries to get the right number of stitches added on to the front for the button border, though. It's kind of tricky to get them equally spaced apart and to end up with the right

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-42081230511371981222009-10-08T09:13:00.010-06:002009-10-08T10:06:08.605-06:00

I'm planning on making a few knitted gifts for Christmas again this year so I was forced to make a plan for a few projects so I could make a large enough order from KnitPicks to get free shipping. I picked my colors from the catalog this time and ignored the pictures on the website. Hopefully I'll have better luck. In my search for fingerless gloves patterns, I found the cutest knitting website

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-78219328364658493852009-10-05T07:00:00.007-06:002009-10-05T09:33:14.709-06:00

After the first Jump Rope Dress for monkey pants, I really got the urge to keep sewing stuff for her, so I completed view A of the pattern that same week. This one is made with Heather Bailey's Bijoux fabric, Tiled Primrose - yellow, in a size 5. I have to add, that I found these buttons in a budget multi-color pack at Walmart and do they ever go so well with the fabric. I hadn't even bought it

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-41691035225947625222009-10-03T15:04:00.009-06:002009-10-03T15:51:18.894-06:00

Along with picking up on some sewing projects, I'd like to start knitting again. There's tons of stuff I'd love to make, but knitting takes so long (for me), I really have to force myself to focus on one thing at a time. I decided to start with a cardigan for my little boy, "George" from Jaeger Handknits JB29. I'm not too game these days to make a trip to the yarn store, so I decided on some yarn

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-62305019872445093092009-09-28T05:00:00.001-06:002009-10-03T17:09:56.125-06:00

I went to a local quilt fabric store to pick up some plain white fabric for a quilt my sister is making for my daughter. A quilt I planned to make, but never did. I couldn't resist this cute fabric, Hopscotch, to go along with the Jump Rope Dress by oliver + s. Hopscotch and Jump Rope, perfect.I made view B of the pattern with the long sleeves and no waist. It was fairly easy and fast. I was able

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-49266557310008275282009-09-23T05:00:00.002-06:002009-09-23T07:47:19.134-06:00

For my son's birthday, I decided to take an easier approach to the cake this year, so I went with cupcakes. A while back, my sister went to New York and brought me back this cupcake book, Hello, Cupcake. It has a lot of creative ideas decorating cupcakes with candy. I picked what looked like one of the easiest designs in the book which I thought was well suited for a two year old. Now, I'm

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-28116726953081504682009-09-21T05:00:00.001-06:002009-09-21T05:00:08.066-06:00

I was asked to make a wedding cake earlier this year and not having made any cakes for a while, I eagerly agreed.  Somehow I decided that it would be manageable despite the fact that the wedding date was my son's birthday and I don't think I was yet aware that I would be four months pregnant.  Nevertheless, this cake was much less stressful than the first wedding cake I made a year ago for my

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-41641579688276581382009-09-19T07:48:00.002-06:002009-09-19T07:51:21.326-06:00

Since this year has been pretty slow going with hand made projects, I decided to kick start my motivation with a fast and easy one. I've been wanting to make Heather Bailey's Pear forever but couldn't bring myself to pay, what for me is a premium for the pattern. So I finally caved. Here's the smallest project on the pattern of which I made several and they are every bit as cute. I intend to get

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-55041871831844083982009-06-15T00:00:00.000-06:002009-06-15T00:00:12.434-06:00

I made a 6" round mini cake for my niece's 3rd birthday with a left over fairy from the Tinkerbell package and some other "left over" items. I was going for ultra easy and fast. I think this one might be even cuter than the Tinkerbell cake. Maybe just a little more sophisticated I guess. Not too 3-year old like, I guess. "Silvermist" is the fairy of water for those not properly educated in

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-3219754480389837272009-06-13T15:42:00.003-06:002009-06-13T16:01:13.427-06:00

I sooooo have not made anything lately. But I had another opportunity to do some face painting for monkey pants' "Circus Day" at preschool. I used this video for reference.

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-34696632862743055122009-04-11T10:57:00.006-06:002009-04-11T11:28:21.998-06:00

Really trying to keep it simple this time for an adult birthday cake for my friend. I still spent probably about four hours on it, in part because I decided to try to make swiss meringue buttercream from a recipe in The Confetti Cakes Cookbook (which I frugally and very uncharacteristically checked out from the library). I usually use cherry or raspberry pie filling or opt for the safer and time

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-61228283810992291012009-03-27T23:57:00.003-06:002009-03-28T09:37:52.907-06:00

I made something!A friend of a friend ..... needed a cake made for her daughter's fourth birthday. I came up with a few ideas, trying to keep them uncomplicated. She opted for the more traditional nine inch round cake with decorations. I thought it would be simple enough, but it always ends up taking me way longer than I anticipate. I wish I could go to a professional cake decorating class by

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-13249048982214173542009-02-02T10:15:00.011-07:002009-02-02T22:57:01.565-07:00

I did it! I managed to post make absolutely nothing in January. What a way to start the year. I guess I'm kind of backwards in that respect.Anyway, I just realized I never posted any pictures of my matching family pajamas I made for Christmas with Heather Ross Mendocino fabric that I mentioned in my Upcoming little projects post. I think it's because the only pictures I got of them were on

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-15962972251594502562008-12-29T12:21:00.009-07:002008-12-29T23:26:33.511-07:00

I wanted to make fabric apples for monkey pants' preschool teachers from Heather Bailey's Fresh-Picked Pincushions pattern for Christmas gifts, but I couldn't convince myself to spend almost $13.00 plus shipping on a pattern to make apples and pears. By the time I convinced myself, it was too late to order it. Well, it all turned out because I found this cute, free online bird pattern from Spool

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-83235643771557056922008-12-23T16:31:00.008-07:002008-12-23T16:58:23.081-07:00

Just got done with this one. Another Emmeline Apron for a Christmas gift. I wanted to try something different with my choice of fabrics this time, although not too different since they are still Amy Butler prints. I chose some darker blue fabrics from the Daisy Chain (Aquatic) line that I wouldn't normally be drawn too. But I'm glad I did. I really like the result.This time, I did a few things a

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-28057345129617003302008-12-19T16:56:00.007-07:002008-12-19T20:53:19.078-07:00

Pattern: Tuck-in or Bow-Knot ScarfThis is a free pattern I found on the web a while ago, but now I can't remember where. I did find another link to it here.Materials: Mission Falls "1824 Wool" (I thought this was worsted weight, but upon checking, it's not) Aran 100% Superwash Merino Wool, Rhubarb 534The yarn was a little irregular in places and one of the balls had a join in it which bugged me.

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-90666708326421262322008-12-17T00:00:00.002-07:002008-12-17T09:22:27.832-07:00

Kimberly Bag from Amy Butler pattern - check. Again, used the same fabric as the pattern (different colors). I love this bag in this pattern in pretty much all the colors. I would probably like to keep this one too, but it is a Christmas gift.This bag took me a bit longer, probably three days. I had a bit of a set back when I started cutting because I didn't realize I was out of fusible fleece

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-68664025135741300272008-12-15T00:00:00.004-07:002008-12-15T00:00:00.896-07:00

One Frenchy Bag from Amy Butler pattern done. I know, it's not very original. I used the same fabrics on the pattern, but I really liked it that way. I made this for a Christmas gift, but I have to admit I took it for a test run to see how well I would like it. The pattern design has two large open pockets on either side of the inside of the bag and I wasn't sure how practical that would be. Well

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-26207949140751234182008-12-12T16:23:00.009-07:002008-12-12T16:54:19.258-07:00

The Village Frock from Sugar City got completed in time for Thanksgiving. It was such a cute little project. I think this is the first real item of clothing I've made for monkey pants. I wanted to make it out of a lightweight denim, but I didn't have enough. I took a trip to the dreaded Joann's and decided on this creamy wool that was on sale. I thought it might be a nice wintery version. My only

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-91083057244204031932008-11-24T14:09:00.008-07:002008-11-24T15:06:18.609-07:00

I have a bunch of little sewing and knitting projects planned for Christmas gifts again this year:- maybe an Amy Butler bag or two, - some matching pajamas for the whole family from Heather Ross Mendocino fabric to start off a Christmas Eve tradition, and - some fast bow tie knitted scarfs because god knows anything bigger than that has a 50/50 chance of being left uncompleted- oh, and a little "

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-22648425445757291392008-10-30T22:09:00.005-06:002008-10-30T22:34:43.738-06:00

Trying to decide what to dress up the kids as this year didn't come to me very quickly. I certainly didn't plan to slave for hours over costumes that would probably only be worn once and likely be stained with sticky stuff, mangled, and who knows what. After shooting down the idea of Batman (for my 4 year old girl) and Robin (for my 1 year old boy), I decided to go back to basics and I couldn't

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-12368571508291114082008-10-18T21:16:00.012-06:002008-10-18T22:30:14.847-06:00

Having done the 3D pumpkin and frog cakes for my daughter's previous birthdays, I decided to do something more of a traditional cake shape but stylized this year. I thought I would do a cute polka dot and bows type of thing to tip the scales more towards a feminine balance. So a couple of days ago I came up with this idea inspired by a Meomi's September desktop calendar that I totally loved. It

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-5172647473224014422008-10-16T08:35:00.008-06:002008-10-16T14:43:49.264-06:00

For my daughter's upcoming birthday party, I decided I might try my hand at face painting. I collected some photos from the internet I liked, check out a book at the library, and bought some face paints at the party store. The face paints are not very cheap but cheaper than hiring a face painter, right.Here's a couple of the faces I've tried so far. Now if I can only get my face painting time

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-35250933729009216752008-09-29T10:03:00.008-06:002008-09-29T11:05:48.544-06:00

This is the first wedding cake I've ever made. It's a very simple cake but it was very stressful not knowing if I would be able to pull it off for such an important occasion. There's not exactly a plan B scenarios if something goes wrong. But it all worked out.The cake was french vanilla with raspberry filling; butter cream on the outside covered with ivory "Fondx" fondant. This was the first

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-7597823929386858982008-09-28T10:08:00.008-06:002008-09-28T10:50:49.772-06:00

Here is the flower girl dress I made for my daughter. I don't have any pictures of the sewing progress because I usually didn't get started working on it until late at night.It looked like a simple enough pattern (McCalls 5570), after all, little girl dresses are pretty simple, a plain bodice with a gathered skirt, right. I was somewhat oblivious to all the layers that are required to go under a

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-83222164197975254322008-09-22T11:05:00.005-06:002008-09-22T11:41:17.076-06:00

Apparently, staying at home is proving to be more work than going to work. And somehow, more time at home means less time overall. Still trying to make sense of that but really enjoying being at home. This month I'm ramping up for a few projects though; the first of which was a cake for my son's first birthday.This cake took me .... um, all day long. I almost started regretting it as soon as I

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-92187423709972330432008-06-26T18:26:00.011-06:002008-06-26T19:47:59.940-06:00

Nothing to do with sewing, bento, or cakes; but having to do with making things...I've decided to make the leap to SAHM for my two little kiddies, a probably long overdue change. So, I made some farewell cards for my "monkey pants" to give to her daycare/preschool class and teachers.When I make cards and other paper designs for print, I usually sketch it out on a piece of paper where I figure out

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-44052525312345094612008-06-18T16:33:00.020-06:002008-06-18T21:38:59.313-06:00

I barely finished the bag in time for my daughter's surgery last week. I left it in her room as a surprise for her to see when she woke up that day. When she awoke, she came in to my room and asked me why I had left my purse in her room. It took a bit of convincing to explain to her that it was hers.I helped her pick out things to pack in it for the hospital and I think it was a good activity to

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-90022936693320491712008-06-10T00:04:00.004-06:002008-06-18T17:30:50.631-06:00

I'm getting close to my deadline for completing this project and haven't had a chance to work on it for several days. I did get the exterior completed. Attaching the bottom piece was definitely the hardest part specially because I decided to use the Timtex on the panels as well. It did help that I trimmed the seam allowance. I had to rip out and go over the stitching in a few spots several times

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-27099528121326608802008-06-05T13:05:00.008-06:002008-06-18T17:30:50.631-06:00

I've made some progress with the bag and overcome the purse zipper issue. Yea!But first, about the interfacing. When I first started ironing on the woven interfacing, I was NOT impressed. The interfacing shrunk SO MUCH with the steam of the iron, that it rippled the holly crap out of the fabric. I had to rip it off several times and try again only to get the same result. OK, I didn't exactly

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-38821582581135495752008-06-03T15:31:00.005-06:002008-06-18T17:30:50.631-06:00

I'm having a hard time finding a double pull zipper for this bag. The Coats & Clark Purse Zipper called for in the pattern only comes in "neutral colors" which are all dark - black, navy, and a manly brown color. I need a zipper in white, light grey, or light pink. I posted my dilemma on the Monkey Foot Designs & Stacey Sews Flickr sew along, but the sew along for the Sophia bag was over a

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-24989892984853614742008-05-30T11:21:00.012-06:002008-06-18T17:30:50.631-06:00

I got my fabrics and I started cutting for the Sophia Carry-All bag from Amy Butler yesterday. I considered scaling everything down since this is a bag for a child, but that would have complicated my life way more than necessary so I just followed the pattern. It took me ... I don't know, forever. It's specially time consuming when you have to break every five minutes or so to teach your 3-

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-32257336001380746002008-05-24T13:29:00.007-06:002008-05-26T14:16:06.456-06:00

Back to sewing - I joined this sew-along for the Emmeline apron and managed to finish it this weeked. I used some of Amy Butler's fabrics from the Midwest Modern line. They are so refreshing and happy. I liked the pink prints so much, I may make some window treatments for my little studio room with these. This apron will be for a friend that just finished remodelling her kitchen.

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-16745712875247005132008-05-21T15:49:00.009-06:002008-05-22T13:05:10.980-06:00

I found this great online Japanese store, Rakuten, with lots of stuff I like but I need to figure out how to order this stuff. How frustrating to be able to see it and not be able to find the "buy" button. (Actually, they may not even ship to the US but I would like to think that they do).I was able to find some cute kid's bento boxes and egg molds very reasonably priced from Ichiban Kan. I

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-27585883848492377352008-05-19T10:45:00.010-06:002008-05-19T21:36:32.193-06:00

A little while ago I made an attempt to make my picky eater daughter's lunch a little more exciting in hopes that it would encourage her to eat better. I used a simple gingerbread cookie cutter to shape her sandwiches and tried to add some color to her plate. And what do you know, my small effort actually paid off and she ended up eating a turkey sandwich without dissecting it and throwing the

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-30982003521437463742008-05-12T10:44:00.002-06:002008-05-14T11:26:14.753-06:00

More pot holders and a simple apron except I didn't realize I didn't take any pictures of the apron before I gave it to my mom. Woops. I selected some more Amy Butler fabrics for this set from the Nigella line. I don't think I even liked this print (olive primrose) when I first saw it, but now I absolutely love it and want to make all kinds of stuff with it.I used the stripe fabric (from an

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-63790849450334932292008-05-05T10:39:00.000-06:002008-05-05T11:08:15.347-06:00

I meant to make this bag to use as a lunch bag. I didn't want it to be too girly so my husband could use it too but it turned out to be too narrow to put plastic containers in so I may modify this pattern later on to use as a lunch bag. However, I really like the way it turned out for general use and even as a purse it actually looks really nice. It's really easy to toss stuff in and it

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-24338921888570010162008-04-27T12:00:00.000-06:002008-04-27T12:41:21.041-06:00

Here's the matching pot holder for the cafe apron from Amy Butler's pattern. I made it from the leftover patchwork pieces, thermal batting, and store bought binding in a neutral color which saved a lot of time. Cute. Now I just need to make the other one.

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-50989843728275821262008-04-19T15:06:00.001-06:002008-04-19T16:17:28.912-06:00

I decided to make Amy Butler's Cafe Apron for my sister's birthday in February, oh well, at least I got it done in the same year. I wasn't as happy with the Freshcut fabrics (Heather Bailey) I picked out as I would of liked. I think I played it too safe and maybe they are too matchy matchy. It's hard too when you can't find all the fabrics locally and you have to order some of them online.The

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-16243770114790181302008-03-15T16:17:00.000-06:002008-04-19T16:26:30.893-06:00

I made lots of Stash & Dash Bags from the Amy Butler pattern for Christmas gifts last year. I tried the iron-on vynil lining on the very first one I did which was the smallest bag. I thought it would be convenient to use on all of them if it came out well, but I wasn't too happy with it. The iron-on vynil feels kind of crinkley and hard. It was a bit hard to sew through too. So I left this

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-53979542624596660972008-02-15T21:14:00.000-07:002008-02-15T22:15:46.066-07:00

Pattern: Cable HatBook: Just Hats from Lion BrandMaterials: Knit Picks Swish Worsted 100% Superwash Merino WoolAmount: 3 'Capri'Needles: US6 bambooCost: Cardigan - at $3.29/ball approx. $9.87I made this hat last year in an adult size but the yarn I used was not quite thick enough I guess so it turned out a bit on the small side. This year, my 3-year old was able to wear it. Much to my surprise,

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089674015609808023.post-46707795314795253732007-08-12T18:03:00.000-06:002007-08-15T16:23:26.250-06:00

Pattern: JennyBook: Jaeger JB29Materials: Knit Picks Merino StyleAmount: Cardigan - 4 balls 'Storm', 1 'Frost', 1 'Harvest', 1 'Vanilla'Needles: US3 and US6 bamboo, US7 plastic for fair isle patternCost: Cardigan - at $2.49/ball approx. $17.50Start Date: I can't remember. I think I started this last December and stopped sometime in January because I kept making too many mistakes. I restarted it

c(*oo*)ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01218722564585640147noreply@blogger.com2