Christmas craziness

I haven't forgotten about this blog, really I haven't, but most of the things I am making are secret, so I have few pictures to post. Not to mention the fact that I am swamped at work, swamped at home with projects and the daily upkeep (if you can call it that) of the family and home. My inlaws are coming to visit in about 10 days and my husband had the audacity to get sent out of town for work (how dare he ;), so it is up to me to get the house presentable. We are excited to see them, though, it has been almost a year since they have seen the girls. They may barely recognize them!

I hope that the few people out there reading this had a great Thanksgiving. We had a pretty low-key time. We lost someone very special to us this year, and his presence was greatly missed, so it was a bit melancholy (that word makes me think of the Smiths), but we enjoyed ourselves and ate like pigs. I also went with my girls to spend some time in my home town with my mom and I was able to get a good bit of sewing done. My mom was such a help with the girls (thanks). I hooked up with my girlfriends and went to an old haunt (FST, now Scoundrels) that is much changed and we saw a really bad disco cover band. (I will not post the pic of Kelley with the band to save her the embarrassment). It was good for lots of laughs and a bit of a hangover the next day.

I will however post some pics of some of the things I am working on soon and some gratuitous photos of my kids for the grandparents. In the meantime, to see a few of the Christmas photos my very talented friend took, of my girls, go here.

Excited!

I am so excited, I just won a $20 gift certificate from my favorite sewing website, Sew Mama Sew! This is great, because I have lots more fabric to buy for Christmas gifts and I know just what I am getting although I won't tell just in case the recipient is reading this (not likely).

I have been doing lots of crafting lately, but none to be posted since it is all for Christmas gifts.

Instead, here are links to other bloggers with some of my favorite holiday ideas and please check out all the other holiday tutorials on Sew Mama Sew.

• Little Elephants snow globe would make a great teacher gift. Also check out the Christmas village they made with a Martha Stewart kit - I want that!
• I am thoroughly obsessed with this felt food on You Can Make This.
• Angry Chicken's Christmas cards are lovely.
• Pioneer Woman has a ton of decadent holiday recipes.
• And no holiday would be complete without Bakerella's cake pops/balls!

Grosgrain puts the fab in fabulous

GROSGRAIN MINI STORE OPENING NOVEMBER 6!!!! AND BIG PREVIEW GIVEAWAY!!!!

If you haven't checked out this website, YOU MUST GO THERE NOW. This woman makes gorgeous clothes and gives them away, as in for free. It is unbelieveable. And if there is any doubt of her awesomeness check at the Marie Therese dress she just gave away. Oh how I am kicking myself for missing the deadline on that one!

First posting

This is a month of firsts! Sew Mama Sew is my number one source for sewing inspiration and sewing products, they have the most gorgeous fabrics and patterns ( I have a few things in my wish list right now!). They requested links to projects, I sent mine in and today my beach bag made it to their pages! I couldn't be more thrilled. The online crafting/blogging community is so fabulous, I am happy to be a part of it.

First Festival

Well, my first festival was moderately successful, I think. I sold about half my stuff and it seemed like people were quite interested in my crayon roll-ups. I can use the leftovers for Christmas presents. Thank you to my wonderful friends, the Snyders, for coming to see me, buying a couple totes and taking some pictures.

I wish I had the time to do another one before Christmas, but I am too busy making Christmas gifts for my family, which I enjoy more anyway. In fact, I am slightly obsessed with coming up for something for my very hard to buy/make for hubby. I think I have an idea, but the execution may be the challenge. The ideas seem to be easy to come by, it is the skill and time to execute where I tend to struggle.

I did, however, just buy this adorable fabric (not for hubby) that is discontinued, but I had to have it anyway, don't be surprised to see this in some Christmas gifts:

Harvest of the Arts

Just wanted to let anyone who may happen to come by here that I will be attempting to sell some of my creations at the Harvest of the Arts Festival this Saturday from 9-5 in Saline, MI. I will be a squatter in my friend, Claudia's booth (#21 near Michigan Ave). She makes the most amazing quilts! If you are in the area, come by and say hello!

many creations

Even though I haven't been posting, I have been creating a lot this summer. Unfortunately, I sometimes don't get photos of my creations but I am trying to get better about that.

First up, some gifts for my new nephew and his big sis. Super easy "quick quilt" from jcaroline, the adorable doggie fabric is from Joann's. I am so excited to have a boy to sew for.

I also made a super simple fat quarter tote for my niece with her initial on it. I made these for my girls too, but forgot to take pics (oops!)

For our trip to the beach (that never happened), I made the girls some simple sundresses using New Look pattern #6195. Again, fabric from Joann's. My original plan was actually to make nightgowns, but Lily wanted a dress she could "wear outside". Couldn't get Chloe to pose for a pic, but Lily is always my little model.

I also created a couple of beach totes (one for me and and identical one for a friend) using the vinyl covered tote tutorial from jcaroline (can you tell I love that site). I had to wait a while for that fabric, but I am in love with it and it was totally worth the wait. The vinyl was much easier to stitch than I thought it would be.

Finally, some gifts for my sister's birthday. She is a hip girl and since retro style aprons are so in, I decided to try one for her. I also whipped up some matching oven mitts from a pattern in Lotta Jansdotter's book, Simple Sewing. Don't you just love the bird fabric?!

I made a few more things, like headbands to match the dresses, a peasant blouse for Chloe, a superhero cape for a friend's birthday and a sunhat for myself, but I don't have pictures of those. Maybe I will get around to it.

I am trying out a few creations to sell at the end of September in a local craft show. I don't know when I will find the time!