Little Booties

You may think the matching pants and shoes are a bit overwhelming, but I'm liking it. Anyway, the shoes never stay on too long. Maybe they taste better than they look. The fabric is decorator weight Amy Butler, from Quilting Adventuresin Richmond, VA, which is an amazing store because they actually appreciate that there are things you can do with fabric other than make a quilt. There is a serious shortage of cool fabric stores in St. Louis, and I might be just a little bitter. The pants are straight from Lotta Jansdotter's pattern in Simple Sewing for Baby. The booties are from Making Children's Clothes, and took 4 times as long to make the shoes as it did the pants- funny how that happens. And the shoes only stay on for about 4 seconds! (Sorry guys, for some reason I can't get my links to appear, but the books are both listed in the right column with links.)

Recycled T Scarf

I've mentioned how I love re-using old t-shirts. They're so soft, and free, and plentiful. Well, they used to be plentiful (sorry, Babe.) A month or two ago I was goofing around and cut a stencil, which I painted onto an old maternity t-shirt of mine. I picked it up a few weeks ago, and one thing led to another and before I knew it I was on a Natalie-Chanin-style roll. I layered three t-shirts, cut the shapes, pieced them together and hand stitched around the cuts. I also love the back of the scarf where it just looks like all hand stitching. This scarf is so soft and warm- ahhh... the touch... the feel of cotton....

Wrapped Up

I've spent the last year envying women wrapped up in gorgeous quilts. Here, finally, I am wrapped in a quilt of my own creation.

Grandma's Journal

Maybe sewing really is in my blood? My Mom gave me my Grandmother's sewing journal/workbook from the 1930's-40's, Paris. I just scanned in a few pages. Nothing photoshopped. The pages are really that yellowed. Her writing was really that beautiful. And the designs are gorgeous. All in French. 112 pages of blouses, chamises, coats, vests, ruffles, bows, collars, and on and on. Lessons all enumerated. I am kicking myself for not paying attention in French class in 8th grade. It's now a dream of mine to get to a point when I can design and sew like my Grandmother. But who taught her? I'm self taught. I've done fine by "winging it" but maybe it's time to think about a few lessons. I wish I could learn from her journal. You can click on the pictures to blow them up and look at the detail.

My first pillow

Why oh why have I never made a pillow cover before? No problem. I have a ton of Amy Butler and Joel Dewberry decorator fabric that I ordered not realizing it was decorator weight. I am exciiiiited to use some of it. And change some Summer colors to something warmer and heavier. These are too easy and fun, I have a feeling this is only the beginning. By the way, the three I made today are envelope style, based on a pattern in Amy Karol's book Simple Sewing.

Cords

Unstructured. Baggie. Cute. No?

Winter Warmer

Cool days in St. Louis have me thinking about Fall and Winter. A quick run to Jo-Ann for some fleece, and I'm ready to sew. (There are also a handful of no-sew projects you can do with fleece for blankies and scarves, if you don't sew.) I've started a poncho-style cape, and here is a little hat, designed by Lotta Jansdotter:
This took a very resonable amount of time to make. Don't be surprised if we gift one in your direction.

I love sneak peaks

Just a little teaser for Margot's first birthday party. With almost two months to go, I'm starting to put some ideas together. What kind of crafty mom/craft blogger would I be if I didn't go all out?

Moonpies are the best.

Catch up time! Still sewing every day...

Catching up! Lots of catching up to do with my posting. One reason I've been waiting to post pictures is that I've been working on a lot of gifts lately. Nierman baby, Bursuker baby, McFarland baby, Penn baby, Howell baby, Arch-Andorsky baby, Ouk baby, and on and on. Seriously. Lots of babies. Which makes me super super happy! Now that they're out, here are some photos.
The Noa Nierman Mermaids:
This taggie has sewn tags instead of the normal ribbon. This is a very special baby, so it was definitely worth the effort! The mermaids are from the very talented Heather Ross, and the fabric is a super soft tight-woven cotton. There's flannel inside for some stability and weight, and the reverse it a sparkley linen, which makes me giddy.
And a bib to go along with the taggie. You'd almost miss it if you didn't look closely; I am super happy with Noa's little name stamped in the wave.

Bibs for Fischer Green Howell (what an amazing name!!)
Twins.
Baby Eve's nature taggie.

Some dolly friends.
And here's my neeeeeew fabric stash!!!!!!!!!

A Wee Quilt

Cookie Monster's a got a special place in this house. He is Nash's baby. For whatever reason, when Nash saw new little baby Margot getting swaddled, Nash went straight to Cookie Monster. He's been swaddled, given pacifiers and taken on many a stroller ride by Nash. I'm not sure why it took me so long, but finally, finally, Cookie has his own blanket.


I couldn't be happier that Cookie Monster likes vintage-inspired fabric. I've been eyeing these fabrics for months and could resist no longer. They remind me of men's neck-ties, but they also remind me of a dress I would pay way too much for from Anthropologie.
Also, I'm proud to finally blog about using recycled fabric: t-shirts! I'm no pioneer, but have recently started using old t-shirts in my projects. I haven't gone as far as to shop for them (I've never been much of a thrift store shopper) but am so happy to have a small collection of my Dad's, my husband's and my own to use. They are so soft and wonderful and so many get thrown away. Why?? So I'm happy to find uses for wonderful cotton, do some recycling, add a personal touch to my projects. I think it makes it that much more special that the backing on Cookie's blanket comes from a t-shirt once worn by Nash and Margot's Grandpa. I think Cookie likes how soft it is too.

Soft Book

Making this little book was a fun project I will definitely do again. I was really excited to put it all together, so I didn't do as much decoration/activity work as I should have. I did make a pouch with a rattle in it (which she loves to play with) and there's a crunchy flap, and some bows her to feel and of course put in her mouth. She likes it! Each set of pages is 1/2 inch smaller so they fit together nicely when folded up. Overall, I'm happy.