30 Second Project

Before:

And after:

All I did was sew the front of a greeting card onto a cardstock journal. Easy and fun!

Sick Day

I took a day off of work thanks to this cold bug that's going around. A day in a middle school cafeteria just wasn't what I needed to get better. Instead, I completed Ali's new beds. In our old apartment, he had two chairs that he slept on, but they don't fit into our new place. Dog beds are too expensive, so I just bought a couple of body pillows and some sale fabric. I think he likes the white fleecy one better than the plaid flannel.

Advent Calendar

I feel as though I often jump into things without knowing what I'm getting into. Although it makes everything an adventure, it also usually requires more work than I expect. This project was no exception. I learned how to cross-stitch/embroider, and became the master of cutting squares. I know they're not exactly even, but since when have I been a perfectionist???

Thanks to the Purl Bee for this fun idea. I did change up a few things to "make it my own" and also to spend $15 rather than $150 on this project.

At the moment, it's hanging on a chop stick, but as soon as I get up the courage to brave this cold Atlanta weather (yes, I'm a wimp), I'm going to find a stick to hang it on.

I'm also not sure what to fill the pockets with yet. Chocolate would be fun, but I know I'll be the only one who consumes them. Hmmm, any ideas?

Fingerless Gloves

Made from socks!

Pin Cushins & Purses

I've been really busy the past few weeks and haven't had much time to make anything. I have about 5 projects partially completed as well, which makes for big messes in the kitchen! Here are the completions:

This is a pin cushion made out of a tuna can with some scrap fabric. It's too big to fit with the rest of my stuff, but irresistibly adorable, so I use it anyway! Plus, it only too 10 minutes to make.


I'm REALLY excited about this purse! I made it using my birdie sling pattern, but adapted it a bit making a longer handle and adding a zipper. I wanted a big purse for our big adventure to Eastern Europe coming up on Friday. Because of all the luggage we'll be taking for friends, I wanted it to be hands free, hence the handle that drapes over my shoulder. I also wanted it to have a zipper closure so I don't have to worry about sneaky hands taking my passport or wallet. Finally, I adjusted the pockets a bit, and made some sections for pens, cell phone, etc. And, the best part is that I made all of it with fabric remnants form the store, meaning it only cost me $5.00 to make altogether!

This pictures are also a chance to show off my sassy new haircut!

Pretty Kitchen

I got this idea from the movie "P.S. I love you" and thought it would be fun to try out. And then, I ended up at Michaels one day where they were selling spools of ribbon for $1.


There's probably a better way to attach the ribbon, but I just used duct tape.

Coming soon: turning a free cardboard box into a basket that holds blankets!

Patterns and Purses

Well, I broke down and bought my first pattern on Friday. I'd never followed a pattern before, and never really planned to because they're too expensive. The way I shop, I could find a purse for cheaper than the pattern. But, after looking at Amy Butler's Birdie Sling daily for almost a week, I decided to break down and just get it. The pros were that I learned a bunch of new sewing tricks to make my creations look more polished. The cons were that it cost money and it took me forever and a day to make it.

I LOVE the final product--though, an old lady at the fabric store told me my fabric pattern combos were "disgusting." I kid you not, she told me it was disgusting. Ha, I laughed and figured that it's not a very old-lady-southern style. No worries!

It's nice and big for all of my stuff too! Thanks Ky, for multi-tasking and modeling while also talking to mom on the phone!
Here's the lining. Way to cute to hide inside a purse. I'll have to do something fun with the extra!
And finally...the state of our kitchen table for the entire weekend (and even now)!

Felt Flowers

Kylene and I had a night in while Jonathan ran Team Trivia at the shop. What could have been better than The Devil Wears Prada, rum and coke, and crafts that cost about $.30 cents to make?

I was looking for something fun to put on my winter jacket, and found the felt flower tutorial here.


These were Kylene's finals.
And mine...

And a lovely bouquet!

My First Dress

Well, I finally went for it and decided to try and make some clothes. I bought some plain, cheap fabric so I could mess up and not waste too much, but it actually turned out well. I was inspired to make a dress like this, but it ended up quite different. Actually, I think I made 3 dresses altogether considering how many times I took it apart and started over again. (Seam ripper is my bff in sewing!)

Here's the final product. Not bad for my first item of clothing and no pattern, eh?

I added a broach and leggings to spice up the boring color a bit. I like that it can be simple, but I could probably dress it up a bit too. Yea!!!

Photo Contest

United Airlines is having a travel photo contest. The winner gets a vacation for two to Hawaii. I figured I don't have anything to lose, though I doubt I'll win. It was hard to pick just three, but here are the final postings.

The Mediterranean Sea, Alexandria, Egypt


The Nile, Cairo, Egypt


The Red Sea, Dahab, Egypt

Original Aprons

This weekend turned into the weekend of cherries, daisies, and polka dots. I spent both Saturday and Sunday working on two new aprons. They were both original designs (or at least a combination of many different aprons). The first was a bit too small (though it fits our model-neighbor perfectly), so I tried something else with the second.


The moment Ali hears me turn on my camera, he runs over. Apparently he likes posing for photos.


All in all, I think I like the second the best. I got to try a few new things with making it more fitted, though the first is a bit more "June Cleaver" as Kylene puts it.

Weekend Project

Actually, it turned out to take me a few weeks to accomplish. And, it wasn't very much fun because there was very little sewing machine involved as well as a lot of repetitive cutting and sewing.

I found this great bird mobile project, and although it's designed for babies, I made it to remind me of the way the Lord cares for His beloved. One of my favorite verses is from Deuteronomy 33:12: "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders."

Now, I realize that this verse doesn't technically have much to do with birds, but it seems to fit the project as a reminder of God's goodness, faithfulness, and provision.

Jonathan even got to use his mad problem solving skills in balancing the branches and attaching the screws.


All I did was use scraps to cut out the bird parts, sew them together, and stuff them. Ali helped me find some sticks which I sewed them to, and Jonathan balanced and attached them all to one another. Easy process, but lots of mundane work. It was worth it though!

Down Time

Last week was busy! Altogether, we had 5 people staying the night, and the guests changed every day. I also had someone start the 3:45am shift at work this week, which means I was out the door at 3:15am on Wed and Thursday. On Friday night, Jonathan asked me what I would do if I had free time this weekend and I told him I wanted to spend hours at Starbucks with a grande non-fat chai, my ipod, journal, and Bible. I also said I wanted to sew.

I'll comment later about Starbucks, but here is what I did the very moment I got my free time!

"Say aloha (the goodbye version) to summer" cupcakes (thanks Martha Stewart for the idea):




A little purse with my new favorite fabric. I didn't follow any patterns or tutorials and even added some pleats, so I feel pretty good about it.



A new duvet cover. I know it doesn't really match the walls, but I liked the pattern too much to pass up. I was afraid Jonathan would think it was too girly, but he actually really liked it.

I just bought two bedsheets and sewed them together, leaving a small opening on one end.
I also attached two little ties in the corner so the comforter doesn't fall into the corner. Bonus!!!


Also, when Amanda came to visit, she brought all of her mad decoration skills and we got Kylene's room ready for her. (Did I mention we're getting a roommate in a few days???) Here's the final.


Next on my list is a new apron and perhaps some homemade clothes!

Work, Vacation, and Free Time

Sorry for the lack of posting. Things at work have actually picked up. It's been wonderful having the chance to help people and actually do something, but I'm also missing the free time. Again, the best and worst parts of my job are often the same. I get to make my own schedule and can often be home by 3ish or so to start doing my paperwork. But, I make my schedule around my clients going to work, so, depending on the day, that can be painful too. Last week, I watched someone sort clearance items at Macy's for 10 hours altogether. This past week, I drove 45 minutes to Alpharetta to spend Monday-Thurs from 8-12 watching someone put plastic filters together. Next week, I have someone going to work at TJ Maxx and at a nursing home cafeteria. The kicker is that mid-August, someone will be starting a position loading UPS trucks...from 3:45am-8:30am. I'm going to need to be there for at least 3 full shifts. At least I'll get off really early!

We've also been travelling a lot. Last weekend, we met up with all of Jonathan's family in Jacksonville, FL for the weekend. We had a blast hanging out, laughing, and the parents even made up a "newlywed game" for the 4 couples there. Jonathan and I came in second. We got every question right except I answered that he wanted 3 kids instead of 4. Oops! And this afternoon, we leave to go to IA for a family reunion. We're so excited to meet our 1 1/2 month old niece, Domini! Ali has been staying with some friends of ours who have a big house, a dog run, and Charlie, an energetic lab. They said they'd never met another dog who had as much energy as Charlie until Ali. Ali came home from the weekend with them and slept for 2 days straight, not even getting up to greet us when we came home.

A big highlight of the month of July is a sewing class a friend and I have been taking. It's a general intro to sewing class, so I can do some of the things, but most of it is new to me. I'm learning the difference between making something that looks homemade and something that looks professional. Here are a few of the things I've made so far. (You'll notice they progress in skill as I've had more classes.

These are just some normal napkins. I tried to use my thread to draw a star on them, but didn't finish because I wasn't really digging it.

Here's a bib I made for Domini. I wasn't super skilled with the velcro, but everything turned out well.

My favorite: a reversible tote! I adapted the pattern a bit so I could make the purse bigger, and I added a pocket for my cell phone and keys.