Valentine's Fun

My little man has begged and begged me to "make Balen-times" with him. I relented and went by the craft store for stamps, ink, blank cards, glitter and stickers. We had a blast doing them ! .....And the smile on his face?? Totally worth all the glitter stuck in the grout- glue washed out of hair- and- ink under the fingernails in the world. Here are a few of our "Balen-times".

Happy Tuesday and

Much Love,

Before and after

HERE it is!! The finished "baby doll crib" project.
I showed y'all in this post a peek of the bedding I was making for the baby doll crib that was mine as a little girl. That little crib started out a darkish stained wood (so very "80s" looking, doncha think?) that I painted white.... after a coat of primer and 3 topcoats! I made the little "sheet" of the pink gingham, and the blanket of pink gingham and leftover white eyelet from the bassinet cover and a wee little white eyelet pillow. And what does our sweet girl think of it? LOVES it. LOVESSSSS it. My dilemma now? Oh, just keeping a certain little 19 month old OUT of the crib with her babies. Check out the photographic evidence!!

Happy Saturday and
Much Love,

Pink Gingham....

...Baby doll bedding. The perfect project for a cold, rainy Saturday while the little ones are sleeping. Just me, the hum of the sewing machine, the rain and a big mug of hot chocolate. Bliss.

This project is in the works because of the recent inheritance of the baby doll crib I had as a child (which is currently residing in the garage awaiting me to paint it tonight).

More to come.

Happy Saturday and

Much Love,

Topiaries

After seeing several tutorials on how to make a topiary, I decided to tackle the project myself this evening. I bought the supplies while at the craft store today, and put the whole thing together in about 20 minutes. I placed a block of floral foam in the small pot, cut a dowel rod in half (painted it with transparent brown paint) then placed in the middle of the foam in the pot. I placed moss on top of this and then glued moss to a styrofoam ball. The ball was placed atop the painted dowel rod and then I tied a raffia ribbon around the pot (intertwined 2 different colors)... and viola! A sweet little topiary (for only about 5 dollars!). SO easy, fun, and a great addition to our dining room table.




Happy Tuesday and
Much Love,

Tiny, sweet tree

After I followed the link from Mrs. Wilt's, I just HAD to make one of these tiny sweet trees!! The pattern can be found here, and was just as easy as could be. Ideally, I'd like to make some out of different (contrasting) fabrics, and add some other fun embellishments! For tonight, however, I poked around in my sewing materials and just used what I had (and cleaned out the ol' button jar!) This was SO much fun! Can't wait to do some more.... what sweet little happies for friends!
Happy Monday and
Much Love,

Seam ripper, how I love thee

Oh, how I do love thee, dear seam ripper! I love thee for being my constant companion over the last day and a half during my little sewing adventure! I love thee for ripping out shoulder seams, and uneven hems! But alas, I shall have to put thee away until after Christmas, after which I am quite sure we will be back to being the very best of friends!

So, by now I am sure you have guessed what I have been up to lately! And, even after the headaches and many ugly thoughts I thought toward my dear little sewing machine (and seam ripper!!) I am pleased as punch at the way the children's Christmas pajamas turned out! I was determined that they have matching jammies for Christmas... after being unable to find any I liked anywhere, decided to tackle making them. For a beginning seamstress, it was a chore for me... a chore I tell you. Fortunately, my Gran (who is an expert seamstress) was around while I was sewing, so I had a safety net! She did not sew ONE stitch on these, however... I was determined to do it all myself (Okay, now I'm beginning to sound like I've been around my 3 year old too long!). Now they are done, and my dear friends the machine and the seam ripper will be put away until after the holiday... after which I have several projects lined up with which to torture myself. A torture which I am actually beginning to enjoy.... hmmm

*** Several of you have been so sweet to inquire about our neighbors and their preemie. I spoke with M. today, and the baby is doing okay at best. She is still "touch and go" ... she has a very long road ahead if she does, in fact, survive. Please continue to keep this little family in your prayers. (Their 2 other little ones are being cared for by relatives and mom and dad are driving an hour away every day to visit baby.) Thanks.
Happy Wednesday and
Much Love,

Projects Galore!

So, here are the things I have been/will be working on soon! I think I may have more than enough to keep me busy for a little while, don't you think?

"Bumblebee" Jumper I just finished for miss Anna Kate. It is the VERY first children's clothing item I have made- YAY!

"Little Red Wagons" I am smocking for Andrew

Stocking Kits I will be making for the children's Christmas stockings this year

PJs I am making for Andrew... Is the "bug" material not just the cutest thing ever? (It's flannel!)

So, what do you think.. tips, advice??? Hopefully soon, I'll be showing y'all some "finished projects" !!
Happy Tuesday and
Much Love,
Jennifer

Cake deco 101

You know, I mentioned to y'all awhile back that I was taking a cake decorating class on Monday nights... Cake deco 101. Seriously. For those who have NEVER decorated a cake before in their life!! I've had sooo much fun doing it, and last night we "attempted" decorating our first cake. Here is a photo of my "crude attempt" at cake deco. Maybe not SO bad for the very first time??

We cut it last night after I got home, and I have to say, at least it TASTED good. Little Andrew was sooo excited when I brought it home last night and (very loudly) exclaimed "Oh mommy, my beautiful, beautiful, birthday cake, is it all for me, is it mommy?!?!" I didn't have the heart to explain to the little fella that it was just mommy's practice cake from class, or that *ahem* PINK wouldn't exactly be the color for his birthday cake, or that it wasn't made just for him. I smiled and replied "It sure is. All for you my sweet boy. Mommy made the whole thing." He then clapped his little hands and so "Oh mommy, you are such a big girl, I am so proud of you mommy, you did such a good job... Daddy, clap for mommy and my boo-ful cake".

After the sugar-fest was over (we added ice cream for effect), I got a big sloppy kiss from my sweet boy followed by a contented sigh, and an "Mommy, I love you for my cake".

Kinda makes it all worth it.

Happy Tuesday and Much Love