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!

you q?

It's PRIDE! I love this weekend. Hanging out with all my friends...celebrating every one's right to be who they are...having some beers...watching a parade. It wears me out every year, but still love it. So, to support my gay and lesbian friends, I wanted to work a tasteful rainbow into my weekend wardrobe. My friend Ryan and I got together last night to paint some shirts and mine is below! I'm working on another one for Saturday (this one is for Sunday) so if it turns out, I'll post that as well!

I'm very fortunate to have such amazing friends who have included me in this celebration for the last three years. Here's to many more prides to come!

Just give me a staple gun...

...and I'll take over the world. I took my first steps into upholstery the last few weeks. A friend is redoing her apt and wanted to recover some $20 Craigslist chairs. Never one to back down from a challenge, I helped her out. The first chair took about three hours, the second one only about an hour and a half start to finish. Below are the pictures. I'm super excited about how they turned out. It makes me want to scour Craigslist, find old chairs and recover them and re-sell them. However, these were pretty straight forward and pretty easy. I might not be so lucky next time! And hopefully within a week or so I'll have a new project to post. A friend wants to paint tshirts ala I Love Johnny and I'm all for it. If it works out I'll post some pics!

After and Before.

Second chair done! Can't wait to see her whole place come together!