Birthday Coasters

We recently celebrated my oldest sister's birthday and I gave her these coasters . . . they are my favorite coasters I've made to-date.

Curtains!

We've lived in our house on the acreage for over 3 years, and during that time our windows in one part of the house have been treated only with a roller-type shade/blind in a "lovely" color of burgundy-purple.  (They were left behind by the previous owners.)  Since I recently painted the walls and Wayne finished installing the laminate floor, I decided it was time to sew some curtains for the two windows in our combined dining room/living room area.  I opted for a brocade-looking deep burgundy-wine fabric to compliment the walls and furniture.  The walls are a very soft pink color, but it's hard to tell in the photos.  I chose to let the curtains "pool" at the bottom somewhat, rather than try to fight with exact measurements.  I'm really pleased with the results!  The curtains nearly finish the room(s).  We're still waiting on new baseboards . . . 

Living room

Dining room

Kitchen Coasters

Very often we play board games on our kitchen table.  In the past, we've used a folded-up napkin to act as a coaster in the kitchen when our drinks are hot or have condensation on them.  I decided to make some complimentary-colored coasters for my kitchen--mostly yellows and greens, I love these new coasters!

Finally--The Pyjamas!

These pyjamas were intended to be my very first sewing project, way back when I got my sewing machine.  However, I got side-tracked with other projects and finally got the pyjamas sewed a few weeks ago.  The boys are loving the warm, cozy flannel (they chose themselves), that envelops them each night.

Connie's Coasters

My sister, Connie, asked me to make a set of coasters for her in specific colors to match her living room. Here they are:

Dress-Up

Yesterday I spent my entire day working on something that I've been wanting to get to for weeks now. . . sewing a dress!

The boys were gone for a large part of the day at something called "HUNTFEST", so I decided to do something that would be rather difficult to do if there were three males in the house, and that was to sew a dress.  My very first dress.

I bought the material about 4 months ago, with no specific plan in mind . . . I just loved the material so I bought it.  It was ON SALE and I immediately fell in love with the pattern and color scheme.  I know pink isn't everyone's "thing", but it is mine.  And when you live in a house full of the male persuasion, pink is a welcomed addition (at least in my world, it is!).

The dress took way longer to construct than I thought it would.  I actually did have plans to get some other chores done yesterday, but they took a back-seat to my dress project.

I must say, some parts of the dress were easier to create than I anticipated (like the sleeves) and some parts were more difficult to create than I anticipated (like the darts--I still haven't mastered those and honestly, I don't think I ever will).  But, overall I'm pretty pleased with the results.

I followed the sizing as per the pattern measurements of bust, waist and hips; but if I were to make this dress over again, I would go one size smaller.  I feel like there's a lot of unecessary bulk to the dress that I could have avoided had I sewn the dress one size smaller.  But, I was trusting the pattern's sizing numbers . . . somehow that part of it just didn't work out so well.  As a result, I did my own modifications along the way but still feel like the dress isn't entirely the way I envisioned it to be; but hey, it was my first attempt at a dress, and it has not stopped me from wanting to make another dress; in fact, I can't wait til I get to start on dress number two!

So, here it is.  I wore my new dress to church today and upon entering the building, a comment was immediately made by the Greeter regarding my outfit.  She liked it.  (At least someone does).

This is one way to wear it . . . tied in the front and off to the side, sitting at the waist or slightly below.

Another way to wear it is with the tie at the back, the waistband sitting right under the bustline.

Here's a better view of the top/neckline, plus a

very happy Kimmy-face!

Pink Butterflies

Well, the butterflies aren't exactly pink, but that is what I've named my most recent receiving blanket creation. I made it for my best friend who recently gave birth to her 4th daughter, Kierra Renae Lynn. On Monday I'm putting on a baby-shower in celebration of Kierra's birth and this blanket will be one of her gifts.

My First Attempt at Sewing a Costume

Mitchell's class has a Medieval Feast Day on Friday. Each student drew their "character" assignment out of a hat. Mitchell will be "Friar (Brother) Scott" at the Feast.

Guess what I've been doing the last two evenings?

Here's the finished product:

Hockey Night in Softness for my Nephew!

My nephew, Jacob Rohan, was born on April 16th, 2010.  Not knowing whether my brother and his wife were having a boy or a girl, I took a chance on the fabric I chose for their baby's receiving blanket, secretly hoping that I was going to be blessed with another nephew, so that I could make a hockey-themed blanket.  My brother is a hockey FANatic, so you can imagine how excited I was to find two different flannel patterns--one with hockey players and refs, the other with hockey pucks and hockey sticks, to join together to form their son's blanket.

Here is my son, Ty, holding his newest cousin, Jacob.  Ty was enamored with this little guy, and so was I.  He is so adorable . . . I can't wait to see him again!

This is the hockey-player and referee fabric:

Here's a picture of both fabrics, side-by side.  I was also able to make 4 matching burp cloths.

Projects #5 & #6: More Blankies

Here are the next two blanket and burp cloth sets I made--a gift for my neighbor who just had a baby girl last week.  I am really enjoying trying out the different topstiching options my sewing machine has to offer.

Project #4: Baby! Baby! I'm Taken With the Notion--Receiving Blankets!

This is the first of many receiving blanket and burp cloth combinations I'll be working on in the next couple of weeks.  This set is going to a gal from my book club and her new baby boy.  It seems that there are SO many babies being born in my circle these days.  These blankets are what I've been dying to work on, although I thought they'd be a tad easier to construct, if nothing else, less time-consuming than some other projects I've embarked on.  There's one thing I'm quickly realizing--that is, sewing takes time.  But the end-result is worth it!

Project #3: Toddler Aprons

Once again, I adapted an existing apron pattern to create these toddler aprons for some special little girls in my life.  The sizing is a bit off, but nonetheless these girls were thrilled with their glow-in-the-dark bunny aprons.

In case you're wondering why the faces of these girls are hidden, it is because I have not received permission from their parents to plaster their adorable faces on the world-wide-web.  Parents of these toddlers, if you read this post and you're okay with their faces exposed, please let me know.  If not, no problem.  I want these precious angels protected as much as you do!

Project #2: Charm Pack Coasters

To make 6 coasters, you start with 36 fabric squares, each 5 x 5 inches in size, of various coordinating colors and patterns. You iron and fold the pieces in an inside-out-kind-of-way, stich up all four sides, turn the pieces right-side-out and, voila, you've got a coaster! They're great for coordinating with your decor, and they're extra soft for use on scratchable glass-top tables.

Here's a sampling of the three sets I've made so far--Green & Green, Blue & Blue and Green & Blue. I've got plans to make more!  It's fun coordinating fabrics for these!

Double-click on collage to increase image size.

Project #1: Fiery and Cheery Aprons!

So, this is the very first sewing project I attempted. Without an actual pattern, I used an existing apron of mine and "shrank" it down to a size that would fit my boys. They both picked out their fabric, which I zoomed in on (above) . . . and I'd have to say that the fabric they each chose reflects their personalities. Ty is usually sweet and cheery, while Mitchell can be like a blue flame at times.

The boys wear these aprons with pride, and are constantly finding a reason to wear them. That makes me glad!

P.S. If you want to see the picture enlarged, just double-click on it.

Fear and Trepidation

About 2 months ago my husband got the notion (pardon-the-pun) that a sewing machine might be something I'd like. (So, guess what the boys got me for Christmas?) Where he got the idea that I would like to sew is beyond me. Maybe it's because I have been bemoaning the fact that I have no real "hobby". I love to bake, but can you really call that a hobby? I mean, there's never anything to show for it. As soon as I create something, it's in someone's stomach.

I toyed with the idea of scrapbooking, but in all honesty, I could not imagine investing so much time and money into that hobby. Don't get me wrong. I think scrapbooking is beautiful. Maybe if I had started it when my boys were babies, I'd feel more enthusiastic. However, contemplating the arduous process of scrapbooking their baby photos and beyond is too overwhelming for this mind to fathom. Not to mention that for the way my creative juices flow, combined with my perfectionism, a lot more money would need to be dished out than either Wayne or I are willing to invest in the cool hobby of scrapbooking.

I guess Wayne thought that sewing would pique my interest, if nothing else, a sewing machine would provide me with a way to make repairs to existing clothing and other items that needed mending. I don't think he realized what a monster he was going to create when he brought that sewing machine into the house.

Sewing has now become an obsession of mine. I have had to put it on hold for the last week due to the fact that I ran out of a certain-colored thread that I need for the project that I'm working on. And I have decided to work on one thing at a time, not having 2 or 3 projects (which all create their own individual mess) on the go at once. So, I've finally obtained the colored thread that I need and I will be back with my beloved "Brother" (my machine is a Brother CE-5000) soon.

Within a day or two of receiving my machine, the boys and I went shopping for fabric. My intention was to start with something easy, in order to build my confidence. After all, I have not sewed since Grade 9 Home-ec class, which means I haven't sewed anything since 1987. Yes, folks, it's been a L-O-N-G time! Again, I will reiterate . . . what was my husband thinking?

Anyways, back to my shopping adventure of fear and trepidation.

I walked into the fabric store with my boys, pretending to know what it was that I was doing. Finding fabric. Well, that was the easy part. Finding a pattern. That wasn't so hard. But actually knowing what everything meant . . . that's where I had to "fake" it. I almost bought a copy of Sewing for Dummies. I consulted a clerk on sizing, since the boys are two different sizes. I wanted to buy a pattern that would accommodate both of their sizes, in order to save some $$. However, one son wanted one style, the other wanted another style, so I made the decision to buy them each their own pattern. For what, you ask? Pyjamas. Easy-Sew Pyjamas.

We picked suitable patterns, found our fabric and took it to get cut and measured. The cutting clerk asked to see my patterns, to ensure that the fabric chosen would be suitable for the pattern. Unfortunately, flannel fabric was not suitable for Ty's pattern choice. It was clearly written on the back of the pattern that flannel was not optimal fabric for this particular pattern. I guess I hadn't read that. Thankfully, I was able to convince Ty to use the same pattern as Mitchell. All was well.

While the clerk was cutting our fabric, there was a very young, sophisticated woman having her fabric cut and measured as well. She seemed to analyze my every move. She seemed to analyze my every word. She seemed to analyze my every ignorant question. She couldn't stop staring at me. At us. At that moment, as my fabric was being cut and measured, I seriously questioned what on earth I was doing in a fabric shop with two boys, aged 8 and 10, buying fabric for things that I have no idea how to create? Who was I to think that I could actually accomplish the goal of sewing them some pyjamas? Or making some receiving blankets? Or sewing the boys their very own aprons?

I almost left. But the reality set in that once the fabric was cut, I couldn't return it. The fabric had been cut. All of it. The fabric for the aprons. The fabric for the pyjamas. The fabric for the receiving blankets. Oh my. I was committed to these projects!

The boys and I continued on in our adventure at the store, looking for sewing notions and supplies. I purchased a set of sewing scissors, thread, elastic, and dressmaker pins. Buying the supplies was bringing some of the excitement back, but I was constantly running into the sophisticated sewer, as well as other women who apparently knew what they were doing.

I decided to buy a membership at the fabric store. Our city has very limited access to fabric stores, so the one I was currently in was basically my only option for future fabric purchases. And for a $20 membership I'd eventually recoup my membership fees by the savings I'd be blessed with along the way. That is, if this sewing hobby actually took off like Wayne hoped it would.

The boys' first experience in the fabric store was an exciting one for them. They had fun choosing the fabrics they wanted their items to be made out of. They had fun helping me coordinate fabrics for the receiving blankets. They were troopers in that store and only threw something once. However, the next time I was there they didn't fare so well; probably because I wasn't purchasing fabric with them in mind. Note to self: I will do everything in my power to avoid the fabric store if my boys are with me.

So, that's the story behind the beginning of my sewing hobby. While I was completely terrified upon leaving the store, and anxiously questioning what I'd gotten myself into, my husband's instincts were right on. I am now a sewing freak. I would sew for hours every day if I could. I haven't tackled all of my projects yet, but I will chronicle them on this blog and keep you posted on anything new I create. Hopefully I'll have time later today to post on my first project--aprons. Aprons I created without a pattern. Stupid? Maybe. Fun? Definitely.

Sew long y'all.