Fanning the Flame

This year for my birthday, I received a brand new sewing machine. It's nothing fancy, a Singer Simple (2263), that I purchased at Wal-mart for around $100 (plus a bonus 1 year subscription to Martha Stewart Living - woot!). After all, I didn't have any idea how to use the darn thing, so why was I gonna spend an exponential sum of money on the lovely, high-end Bernina that the lady at Hancock was trying to convince me that I "needed," when I was still questioning whether I was really cut out for the whole sewing thing to begin with? Despite the ridiculousness of her sales pitch, I signed up for a simple "introduction to sewing" class. The class ended up being pretty fun, once they realized in the first 30 minutes that I wasn't going to be shoved aside with my cheapo Singer in favor of the other lady with her shiny new Bernina that literally cost her as much as a luxury sedan. I managed to learn a bit about my machine and some basic sewing skills. Much to my surprise, I found that I just *might* be capable of this sewing thing that others seemed to find so easy. I was excited!


Unfortunately, time went by and I hadn't much touched the machine since the class, with all of the handbags I was furiously knitting away at and selling. I had a good thing going, selling all those custom bags, but was in definite need of a break - some "me" crafting time. Once I announced my handbag hiatus, I finally got to work on some other projects that needed my attention. First, I turned out a pair of dinosaur mittens for Ian, one triceratops and one T-Rex, complete with pointy teeth and red gaping mouth when he separates his thumb from his fingers(which he was WAY cute about). I also managed to knit about half way through a what-will-be lovely sweater for me in the most beautiful "moss" tweed you can imagine. I worked on a couple of projects for friends, a purse for Sheila's daughter and a poncho/hat set for Laura's Birthday Girl. I even bought the yarn for some cool felted slippers I've promised Collin, which will be really fun once the knitting bug bites again.

You may have learned by now, I tend to go through phases of crafting. I'll completely obsess over one medium for a while - eating, drinking and sleeping my current obsession, while hardly touching the others. So, when I finally found myself glancing longingly at my new, yet neglected, sewing machine, the embers of passion were once again fanned and I was ready to dive in!

It all started with the desire to recover the gliding rocker that would end up in Meghan's room. This chair was fairly cheap to begin with, and has mostly made it through Moira's and Ian's nursery years, but was in need of a little pick me up. So I managed to figure out how to recover all the cushions in a nice tan suede that should hopefully hold up as well as the original denim, as seen here. Then came the inspiration for a very special project for my soon-to-be born nephew, which is so special that I'll devote the entire next post to tell you about it. ;-) While working on the project for baby "Pete" (no - as far as I know, that is not going to be his name. It so happens that my co-Auntie, Suzann, on the McCann side of the family, loves nick-naming all of the not-yet-born babies until we have an actual name at the birth) I stumbled upon this tutorial by Leslie at a room somewhere. Go ahead and look... I'll wait... it's worth it, trust me.


Ooh la la! You mean, I can do that? Are you sure?! You do know I'm complete beginner, and - while, yes, fueled by the crazy that so often plagues other like-minded Crafties of my generation - I've never stitched anything that anyone would even remotely want to put on their body? Well, okay. I'll give it a go. So with great pride, I present to you, my first attempt at pillowcase dresses! Matching, or more appropriately, coordinating ones for my girls. Now, I'll have you realize that a large part of the adorableness of these is the wearers, for which I can claim very little credit, but THEY'RE PRETTY DARN CUTE, are they not?!?

First up, Darling Meggie, strutting her stuff (with the help of big Sis). These pillowcase dresses are going to be uber-cute during outings this Summer to the Botanical Gardens, when it's sweltering hot outside, and they can wear nothing but the dress (they'll make a good swim-suit cover up too!). But, for now, the brown leggings and undershirt look pretty sweet with it too.

(Okay, how can you not love this picture? Just a snippet of her constant state - tongue waggling in the air like she's vigilantly awaiting something to come and land on it.)

Here's the ever-fabulous Moira in her version of the dress, which can't be seen all that well in this picture, but you get the idea. Another great thing about these dresses is the speed in which one can be whipped up! I bought the fabric Friday afternoon and was able to complete her dress in a couple short hours that night before her Tea Party with (l to r) Kendal, Chloe, Celeste and Kaitlyn Saturday morning.

Are these girls not the cutest of cute?! Once again, Moira can sport hers with brown leggings and a pink undershirt on the colder February days, but will enjoy a more sundress-type wear this Summer. I see many more of these in all different patterns and styles in the very near future.

~~~

So there you have it. The beginning of what I expect to be a very long and beautiful relationship with my $100 Singer sewing machine... that is, until I completely loose my mind and trade my car in one day for the "needed" Bernina. ;)

Meghan's Room

Well, here it is. Meghan's room is finally finished... for the most part, that is. I'd still like to find a good area rug for the floor, I'm waiting for her 6 month pics to hang on the wall over the changing table, and we need to stock her bookshelf, etc, but the decorating is mostly finished. I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out because I love the pink and brown for her and we didn't even have to paint the walls, since they were already this tan color. It all just came together so nicely. :-) Of course, I don't think the pictures do the room justice, it's so cozy and sweet in person, but you get the idea. Come visit and we'll show you the room in real life. ;-) Enjoy!

Viewpoint from the doorway.

Her crib and the name frame I made this week. It's the first one for one of my kids, if you can believe that!! I think I'm gonna need to get on one for Moira and Ian now.

The rocking corner, complete with quilt from Aunt Dara. I love the wall stickers that match her crib set, they were a nice touch. This is the old rocking chair we've always had but I reupholstered it, so it's no longer denim, but this tan/brown suede. I love it, and am quite proud to have figured out how to do it all by myself. :)


The picture on the wall is a cross-stitch my dear friend, Leslie, made for Meghan. She's actually made a matching one for all our kids, just in different colors. Oh, and the rocking horse was a gift from our friend, Lynnea, whose father made it. I love the way it's short and squat - perfect for little ones. :)

This is the quilt from her crib set, Mia Rose. I like to hang them on the wall since they're great decoration and we don't tend to use the actual quilt much. I bought and painted the quilt hanger flowers pictured at the top too.

Here's a close-up of the "M" that a lady from my parent's church sent to us when Meghan was born. I think this is a great gift idea, and fortuitous that she chose pink and brown! It looks great in her room.

A close-up of the cross-stitched piece over the bookshelf from Leslie. I love the chunky pink feet!

A close-up of the name frame I made for over Meghan's crib. This one was a fun one to make.

Here's a "before" picture of the rocking chair, in all it's worn, denim glory. ;-)

And "after" - I really love it. Like I said, I'm quite proud to have figured out how to sew the cushions and arm rests on this thing!

PS - Click on the pictures to enlarge. :-)

Halloween!!!

One of our favorite times of the year. Unfortunately, I've been busy with sick kids the last week or so, but here's my attempt at catching you up on our Halloween activities...

At the Botanical Gardens for Bootanica!

Collin's masterful pumpkin carving.

Our Jack Skellington pumpkin!

Sweet Moira as Minnie Mouse at our Fall Fun Fest at church.

Dashing Ian as a knight attempting the ring toss at Fall Fun Fest.

Drooly Meghan as the cutest little skeleton ever for the Fall Fun Fest! :)

Mommy & her adorable trick or treaters.

Daddy loves his little lovebug!

My favorite Meghan picture of the month!!

Boo-tiful! ;-)

They LOVE their little Sis!!

Meghan observing the trick or treating procedures.:)

Trick or Treating fun!

The loot! :)

Meghan *hearts* Daddy!

Happy Halloween 2009!!

Time for Pictures!

Here are our studio pictures from Friday. They're Moira's and Ian's yearly and Meghan's 3 month pictures. Obviously they're under copyright laws, nor are they quality uploads, so please don't print them. They should be ready for pick-up on the 19th and then I'll get them out in the mail as soon as I can. Lovin' being a Mommy of three beautiful kids!!

(Suzann - This isn't the best picture, but Meghan LOVES the pink poodle you sent her! She plays with it and talks to it all the time, it's hilarious. It's easily her favorite thing, with the exception perhaps of her big people. Thanks!)

my birthday

My birthday was last Thursday the 8th and I had a very nice day with friends and family. We went to the Botanical Gardens for a play date and to check out the scarecrows, then out to P.F. Chang's for dinner (yum!) with the family, and I even got what I wanted - a sewing machine and a class to finally learn how to use it! :) It's nothing fancy, but perfect for learning on, and I think I've got the thing figured out after the class I took last Friday night. I'm looking forward to making matching Christmas PJ pants for the family, along with various other projects. I'm sure you'll be seeing some of those here. Here are a few pictures of us at the gardens from my birthday.

My three happy kidlets

Making faces with all our friends

Moira and her best gal pals

Ian checking out the scarecrow witches

Thanks to everyone who called, e-mailed, and sent birthday wishes! Thank you notes will be going out soon! <3

September

Once again, I'm woefully behind in blogging. Perhaps it's the fact that I'm now a busy Momma of 3 now? Scratch that. It IS because I'm a busy Momma of 3! I'll try to be better about it, but for now you'll just have to be content with some catch up. September has come and gone, but this is some of what has gone on.

Meghan turned three months old on the 17th! Of course, now she's coming up on 4 months, but I'll save that for another post. She has really been drooly and munching on those fingers, so we think she might've started the teething process. Earlier than the other two did, but no real cutting of teeth yet, so we'll see what happens. She's still growing, which is a blessing I probably take for granted most of the time. Here are two of her 3 month teddy pics. As you can see, she's found her hands and is my most content baby yet! :) (Click here to compare with her newborn and 1 month teddy pics and here with her 2 month teddy pictures.)

Got those hands!

Sweet face and so big!

I might've lost my mind, but I've also begun selling the hand knit purses I started making this Summer. I've been up to my eyeballs in yarn and handbags, but it's helping us get a little extra money for the holidays, so I suppose it's been good. I'm afraid I have taken over our dining room table though... ;-)

The normal state of our dining room table as of late.

Finally with a bag of my very own.

Well, I suppose that's about it. We've gotten back into the school routine and been enjoying our new classes and teachers. Everyone has stayed healthy, which is a huge blessing with a little baby in the house! We also got our yearly pictures of the big kids taken recently, along with Meghan's 3 month pictures, so be looking for that post soon. :)