Unicorns

I'm Back!  Let's blog.  I could rehash the last 6 months with quick pictures and stories, but let's start fresh!

Kate will be turning 4 in a few weeks and really wanted to change up her room.  That meant no more toddler bed.  We got Kate her very own "big girl", twin bed and she loves it.  Since she has an opinion now (and many more), she wanted to redecorate her room.  The theme of the moment is unicorns.  Rather than have prancing, Lisa Frank inspired horses around her room, we opted for more bright colors and go with a subtle unicorn approach.  I made the duvet, bed skirt and pillows.  I then covered two pieces of foam-core board to create a lightweight headboard.  Pretty fun!

March "Family" Madness

How is it almost April!?  Time sometimes seems unbelievably slow and then amazingly fast.  March began with a family weekend.  On the 10th, we went to Craig's great-grandfather's 75th birthday.  The day was filled with family and lots of corn-hole.  That game can really be fun!  We had known about this day for a while, so we were happy we were able to celebrate with him.

We then headed further south for Dawn's baby shower!  Emerson Juliane is due April 25th and we wanted to celebrate this upcoming arrival with family and friends of Dawn.  I also had the honor of making the bedding for Emerson and I think it turned out really cute.  Can't wait to see her in her room!

Pinterest-inspired wreath

Play-doh babies

Mommy-to-be and Gram (aka Aunt Vicki)

Matt and Dawn painted this for Emerson's room

Quilt with verses and words of encouragement for Emerson

A fun weekend, but very busy. Not sure if we will squeeze in two big family events in one weekend!  Congrats to Larry for 75 years and Dawn and Matt for their upcoming baby girl!  May God richly bless you both.

T-Ball and other Spring Misceallany

Spring is blooming around here.  Jack started T-Ball on Saturday mornings with buddy, Kayleigh and he seems to really like it...more than soccer I think.  One day I hope to like baseball....  Anyway, it is the quick season with only 6 weeks and a basic introduction to the sport.

I have been sewing more, busy with baby stuff for Dawn (Craig's cousin) and her impending arrival Emerson, but in between that, I have made a few things for Kate and even myself.  

Time

I feel like life is speeding by, but in a good way!  The kids seem happy and well-adjusted to school.  Jack says his two favorite things are soccer and school and Kate just loves school in general.  They are also learning so much about God and making good choices - it truly is wonderful.

Craig is busy with work, which leaves me as single mom sometimes, but when he is here, he is primary parent which helps me out tons.  I truly feel for single parents and think the only way they could handle it, would be with God.

I am now working 5 half days/week.  It isn't too much, but definite adjustment from working about 8 hours a month from home!  Along with that, I am helping lead our Visionary Parenting class at church on Wednesday nights and every other Thursday, we have a sewing/outreach group at church called Common Threads.  We sew for organizations, fellowship and do a small Bible study.  In the midst of that, I am still doing my photography business and started a new venture called Style and Sew.  Basically, I do the sewing for people and they get to pick the item and the fabrics.  Some customers have me pick the fabrics too.  This is great for yourself, your kids, your house or someone as a gift!  I also ship to non-local customers.  Check it out!

Some friends have been asking, "How do you do it?".  My answer is God is giving me the time.  He is helping me with time management and structure.  God is order and that is only way I can function.  Oddly enough, working helps me do better time management.  I do need to work on spending more alone time with God and housework issues (don't look in my laundry room), but overall it is going pretty well.  My hobbies/businesses were created in a way, that I determine how much I want to work with them.  If I am feeling overwhelmed, I can promote less or say I need a break and I can put those businesses on hold.

Regarding my Common Threads group, last week we made several dresses as a free gift for a $15 donation to Little Dresses for Africa.  This organization distributes pillowcase dresses to African countries.  They have a ton of dresses, but need funds to send those dresses overseas.  Each box of 50 dresses costs $100 to send.  With a $15 donation, you can get a free dress for some little girl you know.  Check them out here.  If you see one you want OR would like to make a donation without a dress purchase, please let me know!  All donations are tax deductible.

Have a great Sunday and be encouraged that God will provide you with all the time you need if you just give it to Him!

Well...

Obviously, I have not blogged in like 3 weeks!  That may be a record for me, but getting into our routine has been kind of different, but I think we are getting there.  We now have school, church on Sundays and Wednesdays, Bible studies and normal life.  All those things are wonderful, it has just been a change for our stay at home mom routine for almost 2 years.  We have been busy, but not too crazy.  Soccer starts this Saturday!  And, I have been sewing and doing our sewing group at church as we use something we love and enjoy for God's glory!

New blanket for Kate - also our project for our sewing group for A Women's Pregnancy Center - I thought the verse went well with the birdies.

Took these two shirts, and made...

...this dress for Kate

And, on a final note, I have found a new obsession - Pinterest.   It is place where you "pin" links of things for your house, sewing, clothing or really ANY ideas.  Love it!

Blog you later...

Sewing - I Might Have a Problem

I might be a tad out of control.  I am addicted to sewing.  I have in my mind to make most of Kate's clothes for the winter and fall, but that probably won't happen.  I am just enjoying learning and growing in the craft.  Last week I was at Wal-Mart and all their pre-cut fabric was $1/yard for cute stuff, so I picked up 18 yards and am already using some for projects.  I have also made a few things for myself and another outfit for Jack.

Something I am really excited about is a Sewing Group at our church.  We are going to do a devotion, sew for fun and sew for others.  We will make stuff for places like homeless shelters, children in need and new mothers.  I am super excited about God using something I and several women in our church like to grow His kingdom!







Knotty-Apron Shirt


Dino Shorts and Applique Shirt


I finally got around to making pillows for our couch we have had about 4 months.  I made 4 of them and put zippers on all of them to be able to take them off and wash them.  They tend to get dirty with the kids.


Double Ruffle Pants - Mary Abreu's Little Girls, Big Style Book.  This outfit cost me about $8.  I would say that is pretty good deal for handmade clothes are cute!


Up next we have are keeping it pretty low-key except for a girls getaway/business trip with my mom to San Antonio in a few weeks and Jack and Kate's birthdays!  In the meantime, I will probably be sewing and taking pictures.

Sewing Night and the Tana Tutu Dress

Last Thursday night I hosted a sewing tutorial night.  People could bring whatever they wanted to do, but I  showed some how to even use their machine and others how to work on other projects.  We had lots of pillowcase dresses made, a pair of shorts and applique shirt for a little boy and a yoke dress.  It was a lot of fun and I loved sharing with the girls how to sew for their little ones or someone else.  We ate pie, laughed and ooohhhed and aaahhhhed over the finished products.  Next time, I think we will have it at the church so we can have more people and I don't make Craig stay up in our room until 11:45!  Great job ladies...

I also found this Tana Tutu Pattern and it can be made reversible!  Between the two pieces, you add the tulle and it makes it have a tutu feel.  The butterfly side she can wear for a while and the Happy Birthday side she is wearing to church on her birthday Sunday, August 28!  And, you will be happy to know I made something for Craig.  He got some flannel PJ shorts with golf balls and tees on them.  He was happy and now he will maybe get off my back and stop saying, "when are you going to make me something??"  

Finally, yesterday was our 8th anniversary.  These past 8 years we have grown up, grown together, become parents, established our careers and hopefully matured in our marriage and in Christ so we can have 50 more wonderful years.  We compliment each other and that makes us work.  He is calm and I am not.  He is more reserved and I am more outgoing.  He is a thinker and I am doer.  It works and I am glad God chose us to work together.  Happy Anniversary, Craig!

Summer Sewing Projects

Between all our June and July activities, I haven't blogged much about what I have been up to with my sewing.  I have more ideas and fabric than I do time, but I am managing to squeeze a few projects in here and there.  I am starting to branch out and work on more challenging projects.  I did my first zipper and have worked with piping.

Children's Corner - Hillary - I was disappointed I didn't make Kate a dress for Easter, so I put that behind me and whipped this out for a cute summer dress.


Sew Sweet Patterns - Saffron Romper - Loving this for summer!
    

Whale applique shirt and shorts - Loved this pattern and I like the way the whale applique came out.  Shorts are Sew Sweet Patterns - Lucy Shorts


Close up of side button detail


4th of July dress - McCalls Yoke Dress Pattern


First Zipper!


Sew Sweet Patterns - Reversable Harper Dress (Side 1) - Kind of disappointed here.  This is a size 2, but way to short to be a dress.  So, we will add some leggings and make it a long shirt for school.


Sew Sweet Patterns - Harper Reversable Dress (Side 2)


This was my biggest challenge - Made by Rae Toddler Backpack.  It took me some time, but I finished it and happy with the final product. This will be for Kate for preschool in the fall.  I am thinking I will get her name embroidered on it too.




Ready for school!


Yes, all of these are for Kate, but I have something in the works for Jack.  He has requested something dinosaurs, so I will be making him something soon.  Tomorrow night I am hosting a sewing night and teaching some girls how to sew or improve on their sewing.  Super excited!