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.  ;-)

Winner!

I am sooooooo glad I found the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway contest!  I have met a lot of  wonderful people from all over the world.  And I have even won 3 awesome prizes!  It really amazes me how many people are interested in crafts and sewing, like I am.  I have been like a kid in a candy store, going from blog to blog following people and drooling over their creations. I have also figured out I have ADHD, when it comes to craft making.  I can't focus one just one area of crafts.  I want to do them all and I want to do them now! :-)

My FABULOUS winnings and links for you to see their designers shops!  

241 Tote                Everdeen Earrrings                Football Tote

Look For Better Days

Yesterday, I visited one of my most hated places on earth.  The dentist office.  Anxiety fills my entire body, before I even get pulled out of my driveway, every time I have a dentist appointment.  To say I loath sitting in that chair is putting it mildly.  After heart surgery and two c-sections.... I still have to have my husband in the room with me to hold my hand.    I avoid going, till I have no other choice.  Yesterday, was one of those days.  My upper two wisdom teeth were taking out 5 years ago.  At that time, the lower ones had yet to come through enough to be pulled... and I was in no way going to be put to sleep to have them cut out.... just not going to happen.  Side note: The dentist had told us, much to T's  amazement, that I have a rather small mouth... and that was somehow a factor in why I had so much trouble with  my wisdom teeth.  LOL!   So, yesterday after spending 4 days with a bottle of ibuprofen, I gave in and went to have one of the bottom ones pulled.  All I can say is, I can't wait for this to heal up!  That bottle of ibuprofen is still my friend.  Salt water, clove oil, and a heating pad have now joined our little clique.  I have said all of this to say:  Even when we are having rough times, we always have an option to look for the better day ahead.  Eventually, no matter our situation, God always brings us to that better day.  :-)

Hubby Turns 35!

We returned home from Disney World last week.  I think the only bad thing about being at DW, is not wanting to leave.  My kids had the time of their lives.  My biggest child (that's of course my husband) enjoyed his surprise 35th birthday dinner with Mickey and the gang  at Chef Mickey's!  I can't believe I kept the reservations a secret for so long.  I am TERRIBLE at keeping secrets, especially when I'm excited about it!  Okay, so I did tell my daughter, my mom, my mother in law, and my dogs.  But still, I didn't tell the birthday boy, till we were on the way to the restaurant!  ;-)

My favorite 35 year old and my favorite mouse!

Childhood Blessings

I grew up watching my father studying the Bible.  I can recall many times, opening the door to his study and seeing him on his knees in prayer.  I grew up listening to my mother's angelic voice sing praises to God, both inside the Church and at home.  In my teen years, I would try to get out of going to church. My mother in all of her wisdom, told me she was not going to force me to go church.  It would be up to me to decide whether to serve the Lord, or not.   Now of course the first few weeks of my new found "liberation"  I loved it!  After a while, I realized I missed church.  The freedom my mother had given me, was in sort like the freewill God gives every human.  He does not force us to accept him.  He gives us a choice.

As I have grown older, I realize what a true blessing it was to have grown up with such true steadfast Christian parents.  What a blessing to walk in on my father, in the midst of his fellowship with God!  Many have walked in to find their fathers doing drugs. What a blessing it was to see and hear my mother offer as a gift her praise to the Lord, through the very voice he had blessed her with!  Many have heard  their mothers voice as she screams or curses them.

I grew up knowing that either of my parents would lay down their lives for me.  I grew up being told by my mother in her own words: "There is nothing you could ever do, that would make me stop loving you."  This is like the love our Heavenly Father has for us.  There is nothing we could ever do to make him stop loving us.  He sent his only begotten Son to die for our sins, just because he loves us.

After The Storm

Yesterday was a series of powerful thunderstorms and tornadoes.  Our state was one of the many hit by the violent weather.  In our little community alone,  as soon as one tornado or thunderstorm warning was over, another quickly appeared.  Tornadoes were spotted in two neighboring communities with one touching down.  I thank the Lord for watching over my family, friends, neighbors, and me.

Sadly over 30 people lost their lives due to these storms.  My prayers are with the families of these victims as well as those who are injured and those who have lost their homes.  Such a tragic night for many.