Brown Paper Packages

sweet little pants ::

I've been thinking about making some little elastic pants for Ruby to wear.  It's so hot right now that jeans are out of the question but shorts & dresses are hard on a little walker's knees.  I had in mind some little chambray capris with pink ric-rac around the bottoms.  A morning in the sewing room and Miss Ruby had herself these sweet little pants.

I cut up a shirt I don't wear (it is closet purging time around here!) . . .

and the three little pigs fabric that I recently ordered from here seemed to be the perfect addition.

 

A sweet little pair of pants for a sweet little girl. 

a windy day project ::

This momma has really been using her creative juices this winter, keeping small hands busy when it's too cold, and in particular, too windy to play outside. 

And so today, August made a train.  Want to make one, too?  Come along!

:: First, it's good to pick out the fabric you want - if you're not sure what you want, we have an in-house fabric selection expert that can help you out.

:: Once you've drawn your train on the fabric with your momma's "disappearing ink pen" (which is quite coveted, by the way) you cut out the fabric.  Momma will help you with the sewing machine and then you cut out pieces of felt that you want to iron onto your train. 

:: Like so:

:: Then you'll stuff your train with wool.  (That's from a sheep, you know.)

:: You could also have a friend help you with the stuffing.  This one will hand you small bits of fluff.  (And what a small bit of sweetness she is!)

:: Then you'll need to sew up the seam . . .

:: And then you'll have a train!  Voila!

:: Tune in another afternoon for a sequel.  It seems the engineer is now wanting to make a dump truck.  But first, it's time to do laundry. 

   

whatcha been doing? ::

I just thought I'd take a few moments to share a few of the projects I've been working on since Ruby's arrival.  When I was home on maternity leave, I decided to rearrange and reorganize my craft room.  And amidst the piles of assorted crafting materials,  I happened upon my sewing machine.  At first, I looked at it suspiciously.  For some reason, it had a look of distaste about it.  I slowly remembered that I had been peeved at my sewing machine for quite some time . . . I tried to remember why, but I couldn't come up with an exact reason or situation, so I decided it was time to make amends and make up.

And voila!

 Project #1 - August's tractor lap quilt:  I've never made a quilt before, but it turned out pretty snifty . . .

. . . . . four sets of j's for Sir August . . . (yes, one is in the wash)

. . . laundry bags for our suitcases . . .

. . . matching bags for Momma and Ruby & a treasure bag for August (made especially for the dirt on his treasures to fall through before they come to the house!) . . .

. . . and a picnic blanket quilt.  Which is in my car.  So no photo.  Too cold.  (The ideas for both bags and the blanket are courtesy Handmade Home, by Amanda Blake Soule.)    

Thanks for letting me indulge myself.  :-)  It's just nice to have a pictures of something I've finished.  Unlike laundry.  And dusting.  And dishes.  And putting laundry away. (As if I ever do that.)