Perfect Playmats

These little boxes delivered by Mr. Mailman always make even the dreariest of days (like the one we are having today) a bit brighter.

Remember this post by Jennifer? I was floored when I found out I won the giveaway and flabbergasted when I found out Jennifer was going to make TWO of them for me since I am having twins! Don't you just love that packaging? The day keeps getting brighter and brighter.

This one is for little miss Baby A. It is so perfect. And yes, that is a sneak peak of her crib!

And this one is for little mister Baby B. Again, it can be summed up in one word - perfect!

I just love the design, the fabrics, the quilting (freehand!!!), the snugglieness...

...the detail! The backing is beautiful and both quilts have this adorable little square in the middle - one girl, one boy!

Each playmat has it's own personality while mixing some of the same elements...just like my two little ones. I love that!

How many more times can I say perfect in one post? Let me get by with one more time...they are so me, so what I have in mind for their rooms and just so perfect!

Thank you so much Jennifer! You really did an amazing job - I admire your skill and creativity! My day is bright as can be now!!!

For my Dad...

I am so proud of this project for many reasons. I made it for my Dad. When I was visiting them last weekend he watched me working on another scarf and was quite interested. With the recent cold snap we have been having here we decided he needed a nice woolly warm scarf. So, a couple of nights later when I cast off the other scarf I had some free needles and a desire for a new project for Dad. This scarf actually was completed in one sitting. Two movies later and Dad had a brand new scarf made of some handsome burnt red and brown woolly yarn. I still can't believe I can actually knit.

This is actually completed knitting project #4 - where is #3? Well, that one is a scarf similar to this one but is mega long...so I need to model it for a good picture. Maybe DH will be available to help with that over the weekend.

Some exciting news: The nursery furniture will be delivered on Tuesday!!! Also, you have to sneak a peek at this. I am soooo excited!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Address Book? Check!

The beautiful leather bound address book was one of my stocking gifts from my DH. It was an item I had requested back when I was desperately gathering addresses to send out our Christmas cards.

I've always wanted a beautiful address book and this one is just perfect. There is plenty of space and the inside of the cover is just beautiful, isn't it?

So, this was added to my list of "Things to Do while on Bed Rest." Now that all of our addresses are neatly filled in our new address book I can mark this project off the to do list and next time I need an address I will know just where to find it.

First big item for babies!

Our baby furniture has been ordered (about 4 weeks ago) and at that time they told us it would probably take 8-12 weeks to arrive. We ordered these beautiful oak handmade sleigh cribs from an Amish family-owned furniture store while visiting the Amish Country. We have had the babies room painted (thanks mom!) in a very neutral color (Dusty Trail - a khaki color) and had new crown molding and baseboards put up in the room. The room has been very empty since then...containing only the rocker that my mom rocked me in when I was a babe and our hibiscus tree which was brought it for the winter season. Well now, thanks to my sister, we have something new for the babies to add to the room!

My sister and brother-in-law got us a pack-n-play with the changing station for Christmas!!! I was so super excited!

My sister picked it out...doesn't she have great taste??? I think the pattern is so cute and very boy/girl appropriate!

And the mobile that came with it is super adorable.

Slowly but surely we are getting ready for these babies...next step...I need to pick crib bedding (so hard! do I get 2 matching sets for their cribs or coordinating sets...there are so many to choose from!!!) and complete a registry!!! So much to do!

Crossing things off the to do list

This cake plate was one of my favorite bridal shower gifts. A couple of months ago when I pulled it out of the cupboard to use it the top came completely off of the pedestal. I was crushed. I sat it aside hoping I could salvage it later and piece it back together. Well, I finally found the time. Thanks to some E6000 my cake plate is like new again.

I also have had "try freehand quilting" on my to-do list for awhile. I decided to make a little thank you for my mother-in-law for having us at their house during the remodel. I whipped up these cute little hot pads/trivets and gave the freehand quilting a whirl. It was fun...must do this again. Though I couldn't imagine doing this on an entire quilt...I guess I'm a small projects kind of girl at heart.

I also made a set of 4 quilted coasters for my sister as a thank you for taking my belly pictures over this past weekend. They all have pieced tops and linen backings. Love how they turned out. Plus, I got to use my walking foot! I tied them up with a little antique lace in a lime-y green, attached a thank you and they were all ready to go! Hope they like their gifts cause I really appreciate them both so much!!!

Mark another off the to-sew list...or not...

I've been wanting to make a camera strap for my sister (the awesome photographer) for quite some time like those of Adrienne and Jade. For whatever reason though, I just couldn't imagine cutting up the strap that came with the camera. Plus, I wanted this to be a surprise so I couldn't exactly steal her camera strap...I mean she uses it every day. So, after studying my own camera strap I figured there must be some way I could make it all on my own. After a trip to JoAnn's, I figured I had all the supplies to give it a try. Now, like I said, I've been wanting to do this for a while. My trip to JoAnn's was back in July. So, it was quite comical last night when I decided to actually sit down and figure this out. I couldn't find the pleather (fake leather - vinyl stuff) I had purchased. After much whining and searching ("DH have you seen my pleather?" - ask your husband that...it gets quite a reaction), I found it and settled in. The result...

Not to shabby. I used buckle fasteners so that the straps that attach to the camera are fixed in place and the strap itself can be removed and exchanged. It is much easier to remove the camera from the strap with this setup than the strap that came with my camera. Now...I'm addicted. I feel like I need to make 2 -3 more different straps so she can interchange them based on mood. Or maybe holiday ones. Ooo, the possibilities. Now, I gotta make one for myself too...so I can't exactly mark it off my to-sew list just yet.

So Fall.

One of my friends sent the sweetest gift when she heard our exciting news...a lovely note of congrats and two beautiful sunflowers (one for each babe who will be the sunshine of our lives). They are so fall and I so love them.

I recently had a chance to do some baking (well, my form of baking - out of a box). I tried the Archer Farms (Target brand) scones in Vanilla. The verdict...well...they are just that...kinda vanilla. They are very moist but not much flavor. Don't think I will try these again. Anyone have any good and quick and easy scones recipes???

A Happy Birthday Apron

I whipped up this cute little half apron (BTRS Vintage Apron Pattern - 1st time trying it and I love it!) for my grandmother for her birthday. I used some vintage fabric that seemed just perfect for the pattern and the upcoming summery season. I just love how it turned out. I used vintage rick rac, vintage bias tape and vintage buttons too!!! The perfect new vintage apron! I can't get enough of those cherries - too cute! Hope she likes it!

It keeps raining and raining and I love it. Let it rain!!! Less watering of flowers I have to do later! :)

Finished projects...

...that I love but...

...this one is too big. :(

I guess when I measured my own body measurements I got something wrong. Bummer. So my first piece of clothing made by me will not be for me. The top is from the S.E.W. book (sew everything workshop) an it is called the Flouncy Tank Top. Fabric by Alexander Henry.

...this one is just right...

I made these luncheon size napkins for my Mom as part of her Mother's Day gift. I bought the fabric at one of my favorite local quilt shops a while back and the pattern is from the Bend-The-Rules book. I loved these and my mom did too!

I have my fabric all lined up for the Emmaline apron. I plan on reading over the pattern tonight and cutting out the fabric tomorrow if time allows. Also, I plan to look over a couple more clothing patterns I have to give it another go with clothes for may(d) for me.

ANOTHER baby gift...

...in the bag and ready to go!

One of my colleagues is having a baby (I know...it's in the water around here!) so I whipped up this little gift to give to him which includes a luscious pear onesie and a trio of boutique burp cloths. Like the gift bag? I made it myself! Now, I just have to add the tissue paper...oh wait, we don't have any more left at home because it all caught on fire while I was stuffing the last baby gift. Note to self (and others): candles are not a good idea in your sewing studio.

Have a great day everyone! Don't forget to check back tomorrow for my BIG NEWS!

Baby Burp Cloths

Baby Gift Completed!

One of the nurses is going to deliver next week and I wanted to make sure this gift was all wrapped up so I would be able to give it to her in the hospital. I love boutique-ish burp cloths! The baby girl will have a nursery decorated in sage & red with dragonflies and ladybugs. So...I made these burp cloths with the same theme. I bundled them all together with bakers twine and secured it with a double vintage button closure. I wrapped the burp cloths in tissue paper sealed with a gold sticker that says "Home Made" and then tucked them in a plain brown gift bag tied with red ric rac. It looked super cute if I may say so! :) Hope she likes it!

Another one off the to-sew list...

Over the weekend I tried the Black Apple Doll pattern from the Martha website. I have been spying these cute little Black Apple Dolls on Etsy and the Inside the Black Apple blog for quite some time...Emily has talent! Her dolls are sooo cute...but sell sooo fast. They have the cutest faces! My poor version of the Black Apple Doll (no where near the original!) was made without a face (a little artistic gesture, I guess...or maybe it was I was too afraid I might ruin the dollie if I attempted a face). Must say...after watching the clip on Martha and reading the instructions with the downloadable template it was super easy to put together. Plus, all of the materials used on the doll came from my scrap basket and the pattern cost a mere 30 cents to enlarge at Office Depot. Gotta love it when I project only costs 30 cents. I gave this little dollie to So for Easter (along with the felt food which was a major hit). She has such a good imagination the dollie won't even need a face. :)