Having Fun Making Gifts

I thought that I would make a little romper for my baby nephew and a pillow case dress for my baby niece.  OK, so they are my baby cousins,  I've always called my younger cousins my nieces and nephews.  It's one of the benefits of being one of the older cousins in a HUGE family!   After I made their little outfits, I decided to keep on going and make all of the small kids in the family a little something.  After all, I didn't want to hurt any feelings or leave anyone out.  Yeah, I'm a big softy like that.  So here's pics of their gifts.  As well as a picture of Giggle Bear's little dinosaur plushie.  Which I made out of one of his old baby blankies.  Here's the link to the pattern I used.  Little Black Teapot.  Of course mine looks nothing like hers.  The ones she made are adorable!  Mine looks like a newbie made it (uh-hum) and it sort of looks more like the Lock Ness Monster, compared to the dinosaur it is suppose to look like.  But hey, who's to say Nessie isn't a dinosaur, herself.  Right?  

Now keep in mind, I am still in the learning process of sewing and I have a LOT to learn.  I made quiet a few mistakes, especially on sewing the edges of the bows. I think I'll use this blog as a way to document my progress on the road from beginner to most awesome sewing lady in all the land!  Ha ha ha!  J/K on that last part.  

~Giggle Bear's  Dinosaur~

So, it's not the best plushie around.  However, a certain little man loves it. 

~ Jon Jon romper,  pillow case dress, and purse~

 My two youngest niece and nephew's matching outfits.  I wish I had paid better attention to the bows when making them.  We learn from our mistakes though. 

~Bow Ties for three of my nephews~

Note to their mothers: These match perfectly to the other two's dress and romper.  A certain auntie would love a picture of the 5 of them together. 

                                                ~Blue Jean Purses made for the "big" girls.~                                                                 

 

These were made from a pair of old blue jeans.  The first two are the bottom part of the legs.  The  last two are "Daisy Dukes" style.  (Fringe on the top.  Although, I think I should have fringed them a little more after looking at the picture.)

~Friendly Little Monsters for the "big" boys.~   

                              After using the no sew attach glue for the arms and legs, I figured out it would have looked better if I had sewn those parts into the fabric as I was making them.  Another lesson learned.  I  attached the following poem (that I found online) to each of them.

"I am a monster  through and through.
But, please don’t be scared, I will not hurt you

I do not want to make you cry.
That is the truth, I never lie.

I would not give you a nasty stare.
I won’t wake you with a strange nightmare.

So why am I here this very day?
The answer is easy, I just want to play!"

      ~Author Unknown

 

~I.D. holders for my two teenage nieces~     

I also have an older nephew and had no idea what to make him.  So, I made one of the coin purses  for him to use as a "guitar pick" holder.  I must not have snapped a picture of it, before I delivered it.  It looks just like this only in blue jean material.  And without the ribbon, of course. 

~Mamaw's Big Purse~

  My grandmother who is having her 80th birthday this week, loves big purses. 

I love the little button flap in the middle.  I'm not quiet sure if it will hold it closed, but it is cute.

So there you have it.   What I have been working on for the past few days.  I know I have a long way to go, however, as they say: "Practice makes perfect." 

On another note, I received my wonderful football tote all the way from Japan!  My new friend Janine over at CraftyTokyoMama  surprised me with a note that has my name written in Japanese!   LOVE it!  I really wish I knew how to write in Japanese, it's so pretty.


May God bless each of you with a peaceful night and a bright glorious day tomorrow!

Beautiful Day and Great Memories!

It is such a beautiful day!  There's a cool breeze so our windows are open letting the fresh mountain air in.  The breeze is blowing the leaves on the trees as well as the American flag on our front porch and the birds are singing such beautiful tunes.  Ahhhh, I love days like today.  Giggle Bear is outside "helping" his daddy work on the house.  Noodle Poodle is on the porch swing, apparently she is the foreman for their construction crew.  I'm not real sure where she gets the bossy bone from..... uh-hum.... must be her daddy's side of the family!  Ha Ha!

Yesterday was an awesome day, as well.   Noodle Poodle made next year's volleyball team for the middle school.   I can't believe she's so grown up.  I have mixed emotions on this whole her being in middle school thing.  On one hand I am excited that she is fixing to start a new chapter in her life. On the other hand I miss the days of piggy tails, frilly pink dresses, and that gorgeous smile with missing teeth. Sigh, they really do grow so fast.

I've been practicing my new found love for sewing.  Yesterday, I made a toy dinosaur and a jon-jon for Giggle Bear.  This morning, I started out making a Bible cover..... it turned into a Bible bag.  Not exactly what I was shooting for, but it's still cute.  ;-)