Daily Spice

Check out this happy little apron! I made it from Heather Bailey's "Daily Spice" apron pattern as well as her Nicey Jane fabric. I just love the way it turned out! It certainly does make kitchen duty more enjoyable.

Facelift

We've been having some lovely weather here lately which means lots of time spent outdoors. This is the spring for improving the outside of our home--painting trim, planting flowers, mulching beds, preparing and planting the garden... Good thing I have 2 little guys that love the outdoors! Here are before and after shots of a door that got a facelift. I painted the trim, salvaged an old milk can which also received a new coat of paint, and planted some cheerful geraniums. Much more welcoming!

Knit your own...

Hello Crafties! Long time, no post for me. But I certainly have loved seeing all your beautiful creations. Jana, you are a whiz with the clothing! And Leigh, quite amazing with 2 small men to care for! I have also been busy with my little men, but I have managed to create some things over the past couple months which I will try to post in the near future. Here is the first:

The Huggable House

Compliments of Joelle Hoverson's book More Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Mine turned out a bit more marshmallow-y than her's. But I have to say, it is extremely huggable. In fact, it often turns up missing, and I find it in Josiah's room. I knitted it to match my house--yellow with a green roof and bright flowers. Perhaps not very practical, but it is quite cheery!

More sewing . . . Simplicity 2599

I made one more thing this week--well, two if you count this cute purse I made for a little girl's birthday party that Andreas was going to (bought pattern a few years ago from youcanmakethis.com): https://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/aivilo-one-hour-hipster.htm

I added two coordinating ruffled headbands made from this online tutorial: http://homestitched.blogspot.com/2011/01/ruffled-headband.html

And finished my second top made from Simplicity 2599. It's a great pattern--has over 50 reviews on patternreview.com--and allows for a lot of individualization. This is the second version I've made--the first one turned out well also. Here's the review: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=63146

I used a cotton voile print from Anna Maria Horner's Little Folks line. The fabric is just gorgeous--light and smooth. I love this voile but it is expensive--I only bought this because it was on sale.

McCalls 6073

Here's a dress I cut out hoping to have ready for Easter, but ended up just finishing today.

Here's the pattern review: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=63016

To enhance preschool geography instruction, sew this:

http://seekatesew.blogspot.com/2011/04/scrap-map-tutorial.html

In appreciation

Last year I found a great tutorial online to use for teacher appreciation week at the kids' school:

http://christyrobbins.blogspot.com/2010/04/bouquet-of-cinnamon-buns.html

I made these once again this year since the kids both have different teachers and it wouldn't be a repeat gift. I decided to use jars we already had, and dressed them up with scrapbook paper, ribbon, and used red hots to help keep the "flowers" in place.

Made by me #4: Colette Sencha blouse

Pattern review can be found here: http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/readreview.pl?readreview=1&reviewnum=62740

Hungry Caterpillar

I discovered this Eric Carle "Hungry Caterpillar" fabric and knew I had to make something with it. So I made this pillow and am planning to make a quilt for Jack. I envision him plopping down on the pillow to have a good read.