far too long....

I know, it's always far too long between posts.  I've been terribly busy the last few months.  A new job, a lot of social commitments, family stuff and just life have gotten in the way of my creativity.

That stopped last night!  I had a free night.  I should have been cleaning or doing anything but making things but I took a me night.  And I got two things on my list done!!!

The first I saw at this site.  I love A clock, so if you give me nine I'm a happy girl.  This project was so easy and quick.  I originally thought of putting the time zones on them and bringing this to work for my desk, but I love the way it looks.  I think I might make another one for work!  The whole project only cost about $20!  The only issue I had is one of the clocks has a stuck alarm so it's either beeping or no battery.  I have something else to return at Ikea, so I might just swap it out when I go back.  And buy the supplies for another one!  I just love the look and it's only 9x9 so nice and compact.

My other project is based on a similar project I saw online and thought I saved the post and now can not find, so I can't site it.  (Not for lack of trying, I just spent about 20 minutes digging through my google reader starred items).  Anyway...It's a shadowbox frame...yep, same one from above.  This time I cut a slit in the back, covered the back sheet in some fun paper, made a little label that says tickets and put it all back together.  I always save my tickets when I go to events, this way I can do it in a non hoarder way!    Not sure where I'll hang this yet, but I'm excited to keep putting tickets in from all the fun things I am able to do!  Each ticket is such a wonderful memory...I want to keep them visible! 

I have some major sewing I need to do in the next few weeks, a lot of cleaning to get done and hopefully enough motivation to get it all done!  Wish me luck.  Hopefully I'll be back with you soon!!!

rounding out the birthday fun!

I finished all the girlies' birthday presents in time for their party a few weekends back!  I thought I would post the rest of what I've done for the blogosphere to see!

First off is Lexi's lamp.  She's a nine year old who loves peace signs, so this is what she got.  It's not perfect, but I think she liked it. 

Brin turned three which means ABC book!!!  I took pics of all the pages and put them below for my reference and to share with you.  Because Brin already knows her ABCs (she's a smart cookie), she wrote out the letters for me and her mom drew out the pictures on the bottom for her older sister's to color.  It was so much fun to put this book together because it was really a collaboration between all the ladies helping out.  After the party died down a bit her and I read threw it and she seemed to really like it. 

Projects Projects Projects!

I have been so busy with work and haven't had much time to do any projects, but since I have a very special birthday party coming up, I had to get cracking!  First up...Peyton's art project for her room.  I used a 2ft x 3ft canvas and made what you see below!

I painted her silouette. 

 Here it is filled in!

I added some flowers (satin circles, burnt edges, beautiful!)

And then I added some add'l text, some stems to my flowers and some jewels in the center of the buds and it's all done!

Happy Birthday Petyton!

Black Friday

Every year I spend Black Friday with my girlies.  April goes shopping and they come and hang out at my mom's houe.  This year was very fun, including baking, sewing and lots of snuggly time.

Brin loved my Strawberry Shortcake wig and hat.  She wore it while watching the show that my mom had DVRd.  I think she looked pretty darn cute!

 Lexi sewed a pair of PJ pants!  My mom cut out the pattern with her a few weeks ago and it took us about an hour and a half to sew and Lexi sewed everything except the elastic and closing up the casing.  She did an awesome job.  To complete the outfit, I cut out and sewed a W on the Tshirt.  Now Lexi can rep the Badgers even in her sleep.  She did not want to take off the outfit after she finished it.  Hopefully she continues to love to sew.

 Little Peyton found the wig cap I brought back quite interesting.  She didn't want to take it off and although she didn't let me take a straight on photo, I did catch one. 

Another successful Black Friday with my girlies!  I have a few more things to make now for Christmas and I'm hoping to get quite a bit of it done this weekend.  I also have a goal of cleaning my messy apt, but until I'm done sewing getting too much done is tough.  That is most of my mess!  

An early Christmas Present

I made an early Christmas present for my mom, which I'm giving to her at Thanksgiving (I'm writing this post on 11/7 scheduling for after Thanksgiving to post just in case my mom reads this blog).  This bear is made out of an old flannel shirt that belonged to my Grandfather.  My grandpa passed away over15 years ago and my mom didn't get much when he died (not that she wanted anything, but something sentimental would have been appreciated).  Luckily my aunt had this shirt and sent it to me.  So I made the teddy bear -- which I'm calling Arthur after my Grandpa.  The buttons from the shirt are his eyes.  And the shirt still smells like my grandfather. It's crazy.  I hope she likes it!

Progress!

Last night I was so productive!  I finished so many projects with time to spare!  I guess after a week of working until 7p every night, those extra three hours of leaving at 4 were very helpful!

I finished these Saturday actually, but posting here.  Brin's little PJ set.

I made little Brin a purse with an adjustable strap.

 And suprise!  Dora lining!  That will make her happy!

I made a hat for myself.  It's fleece and it turned out really well.  I cut out another one of a different style as well.  I may attempt some mittens as well.

I made something to hang on my wall.  They are little, 5x7 each.

 I finished Peyton's PJ set as well!  I had to modify the pattern because the pants were supposed to be capris, but I think they turned out ok!

I'm hoping that today I can finish the other hat (the instructinos look really easy so it shouldn't take too long).  I may also make some little PJ shorts for the girls since I have some extra flannel.  I'm hoping that I can finish those before Thanksgiving as well.  My goal (which is well in hand) is to have all of the gifts wrapped and bring them back to Stratford when I head back next week. 

And on another note...tonight is the second show of the opera season!  Silent Night!  I can not wait!!!



Tis the Season

It's time to get back to my Christmas present making ways.  I got a small dose of the creative juices flowing with Halloween fun.

I made some GI Joe Tshirts for some friends.  One with a red star, one with a blue.

I made myself into Strawberry Shortcake for a few nights and man did that wig itch.

 I started Christmas presents.  I painted Peyton's tshirt to go with her pj pants I have yet to make.

I painted Brin's shirt to go with her pj pants I have yet to make.  I'm not as excited about this one as the one for Peyton, but since I free handed both, I'm going to call them success.  And since they are only PJs, I'm good.

My goal is to finish these PJ pants by Thanksgiving.  Then I'll only have a few gifts left to make.  I'm doing a purse for Brin as well that I can't wait to try.  I might make some add'l PJ shorts for the girls since I have some extra fabric.  I love the sets, but they can always use little PJ pants.

Other things I've done recently...made a skirt for tonight's Grease themed party (sans pattern which made me happy) and helped with three other friend's Halloween costumes.   I'm back with the sewing and love it.  I want to get some fabric for a pattern I have to make a dress for Christmas.  I have to finish all my Christmas presents first!