Time to Make a Dress

A few weeks ago I saw a picture of a cute peasant dress and decided Vivian needed one.  After searching for a pattern, finding several and getting one from a friend, I decided on one.  The next step finding the perfect fabric.  Of course this is alway the hard part for me.  I can never find the "right" fabric.  Now fabrics have either very bright colors or geometric designs I can't stand.  I always go to the store with a color in mind but never a pattern.  This time I wanted a soft color with a more vintage look.  I love vintage patterns.  I found the perfect pattern with a coordinating pattern.  It is a quilting fabric.  I fell in love with it but still looked through out the store, but could not find anything else I liked.  Fabric normally has the designer and pattern line on the selvage but this one just says design exclusively for Joann Fabrics.  I was thinking of making a quilt out of this fabric line.  That is how much I love it.  After searching Joann's website I finally found the name of the pattern line and I am pretty sure I will make a quilt with it .  I just need to figure out what size quilt I want to make and how much of each pattern I need.  The fabric is Legacy Studio Fabric Bobbish - http://www.joann.com/search/_legacy_studio_fabric_bobbish

The dress was pretty easy to make and it took about an hour to cut and sew.  I did this while Vivian was at school.  I had to wait until she was him to complete it since I wanted to make sure the neck and length were correct.  I made the dress about 1-2" longer than the pattern.  I wanted her to be able to wear it longer and she is A LOT taller than most 3 year olds.  Most people don't believe me when I say she is 3 because of her height.  I am so happy with the dress and it fits Vivian great.  I need to get a picture of her in the dress.  Until then here is the dress.  Isn't it adorable.

Wanted to try an appliqué

I was going to make a dress for Vivian and I still plan on doing it this week, but I wanted to try an appliqué.  The Slice I recently purchased will also cut fabric.  Vivian has been asking for a butterfly shirt.  The appliqué design card has a few butterfly patterns.  I decided I would try an appliqué.  How hard could it be?  We picked a shirt and then I picked some coordinating fabric from my ever growing fabric stash.  I really need to stop buying fabric and fat quarters until I use what I have.

Cutting the fabric was a lot easier than I thought it would be.  First I had to put fusible web on the fabric.  Then I cut a shadow of a butterfly and then the butterfly.  Once that was done I ironed it onto the fabric and then did a blanket stitch around both pieces.  Much easier than I thought it would be.  Very happy with my first appliqué.

Making Menu Planning Easier

I have become obsessed with Pinterest.  I spend so much time on the site.  I have found so many great things on there.  I have done a few and added a ton to my list of things I want to do one day.  Recently I came across a menu board that I absolutely love made by Clair at http://clairsfairytale.blogspot.com/.  I am guessing I am not the only one that loved the board that she did two follow-up posts on her blog.  I loved the board so much that I made one.  First I had to figure out what we eat regularly and also things we eat occasionally.  My goal was to come up with 30 days of meals.  I then had to write down what was needed for each meal.  Once that was done I printed the meals and lamented each one.  I have several crockpot meals I love to cook and sometimes I just find a crockpot meal I think we will like.  I decided to just have one card for the crockpot.  Periodically I like to try new recipes.  I made one card that says New Recipe.  I am very happy with my completed board.  I have decided I will make it a family event to plan the weekly menu.  The older kids will each get to select 2 meals for the week and then I will select the other 3.  Hopefully this will make things easier since they say I never ask what they want to eat.

Now here is my completed board and a sample of the menu cards.  My cards are very simple and only list the main items.  On the front is the menu and the back is the ingredients needed.  Some nights we also have rolls and salad with the meal but I felt there was no reason to have this on the cards.

Pretty easy to see that is the card for baked chicken and the back of the card for Hamburgers with Fries or Chips.  Of course with hamburgers I do add other ingredients tot he meat but they are main staples I always have on hand.  I didn't list any ingredients that I always have in the pantry. 

I have several scrapbook kits since I am a member of a monthly kit club.  That made this project so much easier since everything is already coordinated.  I used my Slice Elite and Bon Appetit Design Card for the designs on the pockets and the word menu.  Now that I am looking at the picture I may pop open the frame and move the word Menu over an inch or so to the right to make it look centered between the cards and the frame edge.

Here is the direct link to the board - http://clairsfairytale.blogspot.com/2012/01/ultimate-menu-board.html

Now onto my next project - a peasant dress for Vivian.

Do something for one do it for all

When Kirsten and Anthony were one and three I made them each a stool.   It was something they enjoyed using and they are still in their rooms today.  The only difference is they are no longer used as a stool except by Vivian.  They use them as tables or shelves depending on what they are doing or where the stool is.  Vivian has also been using them.  Since I made the stools for them I couldn't not make one for Vivian.  I finally found a stool to paint or Vivian.  I spent the day painting, stenciling and painting her stool.  She is so excited that she now has her very own stool.

More Projects Completed

Two more projects are done.  I finally finished a rag quilt I have been working on.  It was going to be a quilt for Kirsten and it turned into a lap size quilt.  I used 5" charm packs for the quilt.  I really like the way it came out and the girls like it too.

Thanks to my Pinterest obsession.  I have found so many great ideas.  One I came across recently was a nice little pocket organizer.  It has 3 pockets and a place for a small memo pad.  It stays closed with elastic. It will come in so handy.  I made it from fabric I had leftover after making a quilt.  It is the same fabric I used for my keychain fob.  Now I have matching keychain and organizer.  It was totally coincidence.  I did not plan it that way it just happened.  I tried to find a picture of the keychain, but apparently I didn't take a picture which is odd since I take a picture of every craft/hobby project I do.  I found this idea at {lbg studio}: 12 gifts of christmas blog hop: organizer wallet tutorial and a giveaway

Great Deal on Slice products at Michael's

Last Friday I was at Michael's and they had all the Slice Cutters and accessories on clearance.  I looked and asked if there were anymore cutters.  None left and no more would be coming in.  I thought I missed out on  such a great deal since the cutter retails for $149.99 and they had it on clearance for $19.99.  The design cards retail for $39.99-49.99 and they were all marked down to $4.99.  They only had a few cards and no other accessories.  I spent the next day calling all Michael's within 30 miles to see if anyone had the cutter.  No one had it and I was told the same thing by all stores.  No more would be coming in.  Then yesterday I was on a scrapbook forum and saw a post that the cards were marked down to $2.  Off to ebay I went to see how much the cutters were being sold for.  The basic or first model was being sold for $40-50.  I thought with the price of the cards at Michael's I would just go ahead and get some.  I had not got a cutter yet but I knew the supplies would not last long.  I decided I would head to Michaels this morning and get some design cards.  While there I didn't see the cutter on the shelf but I knew my local Michael's keeps all of the machines in a locked case.  I decided I would look to see if there was one there.  Was I in shock when I saw a Slice Elite on the bottom shelf.  I asked an employee for the Slice in the case.  She said we are out.  I told her there was one in the case.  We walked over and she was as shocked as I was that there was one in there.  I walked out of there with the Slice, 3 cartridges and a set of marker tips for it.  While checking out she told me I might want to check the other stores in the area for more cards and accessories.  I spent the next hour driving to 2 other stores.  I found a glass cutting board,  hands free kit, 2 more marker tips and 9 more cartridges. I couldn't be more excited.  Now I am trying to decide if I want to drive to the other Michaels in the area looking for more cards and accessories.  Just look at my new toys and you will be excited too.  Can you believe I got all this for $80

1/27 - A little update - I have went to every store in the area and got all the slice stuff I could find.  My final  list is:

Slice Elite (Pink) - 19.99 - Reg 149.99

Hands Free Kit - 11.99 - Reg 39.99

Glass Cutting Mat - 5.99 - Reg 19.99

Ball Point Pen tips (3 packs) - 2.99 - Reg 12.99

Marker Tips (3 different color packs) - 2.99 - Reg 14.99

Design Cards (18 - yes 18 different ones) - 2.00 - Reg 39.99

Total Spent - $92

Retail Cost - $1014

Total Saved - $922

Let's get this thing going again

A new year and new list of exciting things for the new year.  I did finish my 356 days of pictures even though I stopped blogging about it.  It was just too hard to find time to blog every day about a picture that may have just been the sunrise or a flower.  I know those things are so exciting and you wanted to know what I was thinking when I took the picture.  Well most of the time I was thinking what can I take a picture of today in the beginning and then it was oh know it is 7pm and I haven't took a picture that then turned into what was I thinking I don't want to take a picture today and finally it was I can't think of anything to take a picture of and is is Dec 31 yet....that was in May.  So now you know why I stopped writing about it, but like anything I start I had to complete the project.

Now onto a new year and new idea.  I have decided instead of devoting a day to something for an entire year I would make a list of projects both craft and home that I want to do by the end of the year.  So far my list is at 35 projects.  They range from a 30 minute project to a 3-4 day project.  Once a project is complete I will post about it.  My goal is to give people ideas and inspiration to become more crafty.

Now that we have that out of the way on to the projects I have completed.  Each will get it's own post in case someone wants to link to it.   Not sure that will happen but just in case.  My first project was organizing my craft area which was primarily moving it to a new location and organizing my scrapbook stuff.  The table was in the office and I never used it because everyone was always piling stuff on it and the stuff wasn't organized.  Well I solved that problem and consolidated everything at the same time.  I had empty shelves and drawers because of the way the table was arranged that I couldn't access them.  I moved the table into the living room.  Something that I really didn't want to do because I didn't want it in there but I have no where else to put it.  With it being in there that means it will stay clean an organize since I have to look at it every day.  Now everything in a drawer that is labeled with the contents.  Every thing has a specific place including a spot for projects I am working on.  As of right now nothing is out.  My Cricut will be out at some point but as of now it stays in it's green carrying case.

This corner was Vivian's.  It had a table and a 5 drawer plastic container with her coloring books, play dough, crayons, etc.  I have moved that to another are in the living room.  You can see her roll of paper had not been moved when I took the picture.  It is still sitting on the fireplace.  It just gets moved around and has not real home.  I need to find a good location for it but can't think of where I want it.

Day 29 of 365 Days of Pictures

Well, today I got bored and tired of sitting around the house.  I decided since i haven't let the house for more than a trip to the grocery store it was time to get out.  After thinking of something cheap to do with the kids I decided we would go take a ride on the Saint Charles street car.  I have never taken the kids on the street car before.  We rode the entire route.  It took about an hour.  It was a nice day for the ride.  It wasn't too hot and although it was overcast it was nice out.  I don't think Anthony liked it too much since you just sit there and look at the sights, but I am pretty sure Kirsten liked.  I know Vivian really enjoyed it.  I may do it again during the week with only Vivian since she enjoyed it so much.

Day 21 of 365 Days of Pictures

It is time to start getting ready for festival season.  That means time for making bows.  I am finally going to try to sell some bows at craft fairs.  I must get started making them since every thing I read said I need a ton of them.  When I say a ton I mean at least 500 in various sizes.  I have made 4 sizes in the past and I will continue making them.  I will do special orders and I have printed out some simple cards to give to people at the fairs in case they want a special order.  I got out my ribbon and started cutting and sealing to get ready to make some bows.  After all my ribbon was cut and I was able to determine what colors I was still missing I ordered more ribbon.  That should be here in a few days since the place I order from is very fast with orders.  My past two orders have arrived within 2 days of my order.  I placed my order around 10am and at 1:35 I had a tracking number.

Day 5 of 365 Days of Pictures

Today was a day of sewing projects.  Vivian went to Mom's day out so I decided to do a few sewing projects I have been wanting to do but can't with Vivian home.  She loves to watch me do projects but when I am sewing she is constantly trying to get into the needles or push the peddle on the sewing machine.  I think I had a productive day.  I made Vivian another Crayon tote, a set of curtains and a blanket for Vivian.  Here is a picture of the crayont tote and the blanket.

Cakes, Crafts, Pictures and everything else

Most of my posts are about fmaily.  Well it is time for me to start blogging about anythign and everything going on.  So what have I been doing lately.  Making crafts, taking photography class and teaching myself about fondant.  This has been interesting and some people may wonder how I can sewing one day and playing with fondant the next day.  That is easy. I finish one project and get tired of that type of thing and find something new. In the past month I have redocrated Kirsten's room, made a nap mat for Vivian, started photography classes and learned to make and how to design with fondant.  I love learnign new things and I think I am a great teacher because I am pretty much self taught on everything crafting I know how to do thanks to Google and You Tube.

Well, I know this is short but I need to go to the store to get more craft stuff.....cake decorating supplies.My photography classes are goign to come in handy once I get good at all of my hobbies.

My oldest kids had ADD and ADHD.....I wonder if my bouncing from thing to another is ADD.  I have never thought about but t maybe I have a minor form of ADD.

Diaper Case

I decided I wanted a case for diaper and wipes that I can just throw in my pruse when I need to run to the store instead of taking the whoel diaper bag.  I looked at the stores and they are around $20.  I thought I can make this for cheaper than $20.  So I began a google search for a pattern.  I found one at http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/dipecase.html  The instructions looked simple and the materials I needed were listed.  I just needed to get the supplies and dust off my sewing machine.  I spent $8 in supplies and made 2 cases.

First let me start by saying my sewing machine was very very dusty.  It has been sitting in the garage since I had to sew costumes for the kids school event.  That was over 2 years ago. 

I bought some thicker thread but the sewing machine would not work with it.  I got out the manual adjusted the settings change the needle, but nothing I did would work.  The thread kept getting tangled and stuck in the bobbin area.  I finally gave up after fighting with it for 20 minutes.  I went back to the regular thread. I completed both cases in 30 minutes.

Here is my completed project. 

This has sparked my creativity and I am thinking of trrying some other things.  Maybe I will even get out my scrapbook stuff and finally get Vivian's 1st year book done.  I have all the pics and stuff, but i just haven't found the creative bug to do it.