Whole Lotta Sewing Going on

Sloan is so excited about her new sewing machine (mom is too) It is challenging trying to teach her how to sew. She thinks she knows how to do it already. I am sure I probably was the same at her age. Today she actually listened. We had so much fun. She is working on cutting out the squares for her quilted bag that she wants to make.

It came from this amazing little book/kit that I picked up in San Diego at the Amvet thrift store. It's now our little tradition to go every time we are in San Diego. All us girls go down there. This was brand new in the package. I got it for $1.95. It is very age appropriate, the people at Klutz are so smart about how they present the information. The book also came with a kit to get started on a few simple projects. it included fabric, batting, and other sewing notions.  Sloan was able to read and look at the pictures in the book and start working on the project with an idea of how it was all supposed to work. Then she informed me I was preparing the fabric incorrectly. Heehee. I informed her I know little tricks of the trade. A happy medium was found. She's a smart little cookie & I am sure she will be sewing great creations in no time.

While Sloan was prepping for her project, I was working on the other dresses. Assembly style is so much faster than one at a time.

This is what I finished up last night. Just added the last button on the back this morning. I used two eye hooks as the closures. The back button is for show. It looks just like the buttons on the front pockets. I used a vintage print I had purchased at a yard sale oh so many years ago. I am too embarrassed to say how many years I've been toting this fabric around. Yeah I know, the dress is being modeled by Pepito. I couldn't find our Madeline dolls.  

The dress is completely lined with a cotton muslin. It could even be worn reversed if you wanted a more simple look. It was kind of a bugger to remember how to sew lining into the garment. Especially since it's so small. I finally remembered so the rest of the dresses should go a little smoother. Hopefully. I don't know if people would even be interested in buying something like this for their little girls. I am hoping to have pictures of the other dresses soon. This little dress will be going to my ever patient swap partner. 

Slowly but Surely

Our house has been quite the disaster since we got back from our Thanksgiving trip to San Diego. I just never quite got it together enough to clean everything that needed to be cleaned and put away. Add all the different activities that are planned and crunched into the few weekends and evenings before Christmas week, sick kids,  sick hubby, sick me, more traveing............well it left our house looking like someone broke in and ransacked the place but forgot to take any loot (not that we have any). Dean has been in San Francisco all weekend working, he will be home in the next few hours. It gave me the perfect opportunity to clean and organize our little room. It's coming along. I can't wait to paint and put up some curtains. I already told Dean that I have a bunch of fun ideas for him to help me with when he gets home. I forgot to take a picture of the light fixture he put up the other night. I bought it from a company called Fire Farm Lighting when I worked for Kerri up at the lake. I used to be an assistant for an interior designer. So many fun resources to look at and buy for other wealthier people. Fire Farm has really unique handmade wire and fabric lighting. Some of their lighting uses mesh and others metal or paper. All are so unique. If you are in need of lighting and want something more than what you can find in the local Home Depot, I would highly recommend them. You won't be disappointed. Anywho as soon as I get a few more things done in the room I will show you the light fixture, and the finished product. 

Our Master bedroom light fixture :: here 

Girls bedroom light fixture :: here 

Amazing Giveaways

Du Buh Du Designs One World One Heart Giveaway

Jen Duncan's Quilt giveaway

Both of these giveaways are just too much. They need some love. So run, run I tell you and go enter for your chance to win. Or don't, because then I actually might have a chance of winning one of them.

I Have a Dream.............

His moving speech can be found here 

My friend Shawn's other work can be found here

*His Anathema series contains graphic nudity*

I am Working on......

I am a little rusty at sewing. A couple months has taken it's toll on my skills. So this first dress will be for my girls. They won't mind playing with a dress that has imperfections (wink, wink). They just love the fact that they have another dress to play with. I am almost finished with the first one. However now that I have remembered some little tricks while making this dress, the others should go much smoother. I also hope to make them assembly style. Hopefully I will have them all done by Monday night. This is my goal. Now if everyone at my house can just stay healthy, go to bed on time, sleep in the next morning I am sure the dresses will get finished. 

I have some fun ideas for my next sewing rotation. The whole reason I went to the thrift store tonight was to buy an embroidery hoop. They cost a lot more in the retail stores. I got my used one for $0.69. Can't wait to show you what I am going to make with it. It's a doll, but I am not saying anymore. You'll have to wait and see. Next week will be my week to create in paper. I am excited. I have a few projects already in the works that I need to finish up. 

It is so fun to see so many new people stopping by my blog. Thanks for leaving comments. It really brightens up my day. Being a stay at home mom is so rewarding, but the lack of adult contact is sometimes a drag. Reading comments is a total pick me up, it helps me to keep on track. I feel like if someone is reading my blog I should maybe follow through on all the things I am trying to accomplish in this crazy life of mine. So have a happy week and I can't wait to see what YOU are working on.