apple green

My three have all gone to the same preschool.  Every year they have a neat fundraiser called the Dessert Extravaganza.  Every year I make a doll bed for them to auction off.  The Extravaganza is tomorrow and I wait until almost the last minute to finish it, which is today.



The cradle is painted apple green.  The bed is vintage and all of the bedding is new, Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, Alexander Henry.  I usually make a little paper doll garland to hang on the back of the bed, but this one didn't have any place to tie it.  So, I was going to make a doll.

Once I figured out that I had no doll making experience, and this was not the time to learn, I sat down in doll defeat.  Just looking at my stacks of fabric that were dumped out of their neat little baskets.  Then I saw these cute little faces from all around the world, and why not a little girl pillow?  So I found the perfect size glass from my kitchen and had the perfect circle template.



I think it turned out super cute.  I ended up putting the paper dolls in a clear envelope and pinned them to the blanket edge.  Wish it luck! And if you would like to make it to the auction the tickets are $20. which allows you to sample an unlimited amount of desserts, and to bid on live and silent auction items.  All to benefit the Community Christian School in my town of Lincoln.

Saturday, Februrary 28th

6:30 p.m. at the Community Center

the corner of 1st and Joiner

p.s. This is the last day to enter my book give away, so just leave a comment to be entered.  And good luck to you!

did you know?

You can make do.  I love how this is made to seem like a new idea.  It's not a new idea, we are just making do in a new way than what our parents or grandparents did.  We repurpose!  Sounds hip doesn't it.  Well many seem to think so and I am so happy that you all like the idea.  Because that is what my whole business is based on, is making do and repurposing.  And you know it is a passion of mine, finding new ways to use up some of that old stuff!



A comment was recently left asking me about cutting up these old fabrics.  It is hard to do.  Most of the linens, like the embroidered linens that I buy are not in perfect condition.  There are holes and stains in so many of these pieces that I buy.  So, I just lay out my pattern and make it fit.  So on the new item that I am making you see only those little stitches of embroidery.  We are all amazed at the work that someone else did and the time and love they put into their projects.

I do buy pristine pieces of linens too.  Sometimes this is just what I need to make that dress or skirt.  But more often, if I buy a vintage tablecloth and it is perfect, I will not cut it up.  Those ones get used by me.

And my friend Gabreial at Vintage Indie let me know just this morning about how some others are making do too.  Enjoy!

look!

How do you like my new header!  I love it!  Thanks Amy for helping me out and just being the best!

Remember how I took (bribed) my kids to go to the book store?  I forgot that I took some cookie pictures of my kids.  I had to share them with you :)  enjoy!

This photo cracked me up.  I love how the cookie looks as big as her face!  And her big huge eyes.

Brothers dipping their cookies into the whipped creme of the hot chocolate.

Q took this pic of me and my boy (and my book)  as soon as we got home.

Remember to leave a comment to be entered into my book giveaway.  It's still on until Feb. 28th.  Thanks!

i'm giving in

I love the Oscar's.  I am learning that some people don't.  How can you not love it?  I have learned that some don't like the singing and dancing, and some don't like hearing the actor's political comments.



But I still love the Oscar's.  Did I say that already?  My butt landed on the couch at about 1:30 yesterday.  Yes, I did watch most of the pre-show stuff.  And did not really get up until after the Barbara Walter's interviews were over.  I don't really care for her interviews, but I did love seeing more of Hugh Jackman.  (Who did a wonderful job as MC, he was a natural.)  Did you see his lap dance at the end of his interview?  I wasn't sure how to react to that one.  I thought it was really weird, scary, freaky, to see him doing that to Barbara.  But I couldn't help but wish it was me.

[caption id="attachment_869" align="aligncenter" width="232" caption="taraji henson"][/caption]

Ok, so here is what you really want to know from me.  Who were my favorites.   Worst dress, Jessica Beil, no comment.  Best dress, Kate  Winslet, and of course she won best actress.  I should have known she was going to win just because she looked so perfectly put together.  And my other favorite dress was Taraji Henson, I loved the torn look of her ruffles and the different textures.  And such cute hair! Favorite speech, Sean Penn.  Loved his homo, comie, sons-of-guns, accusation.  He used his opportunity at the mike to voice his belief and brought tears to my eyes!  Good for him, always the rebel.

I so love seeing Meryl Streep.  She is so talented.  I watched French Leutient's Woman awhile ago.  Fantastic.  It is worth going through Flickr to see her previous movies.  Then you will understand her rep.  All the wonderful things that other actor's say about her, is true.

So, what did you think of last night?  Any favorites?

the book is here!

I was talking to Emma the other day and she called to tell me that she had seen my book!  Well, you know it's not my book, but I'm in it!  She was at Barnes & Noble and there it was:  Dozens of Ways to Repurpose a Pillowcase.

So, I loaded my kids into the car, promising hot chocolate and a cookie if they were good.  And I found the book right away, found my pages and saw my name.  What a thrill!  I wanted to tell everyone in the bookstore :)  I ended up just telling the cashier when he noticed that I was buying two copies of the same book.

One copy for me and one copy for a book giveaway!  Just post a comment and I will be sending off this Craft Challenge book to one lucky person.  Who I hope has a great pillowcase stash of their own!

And here are some photo's of my own, the one's in the book are a ton better of course!

[caption id="attachment_858" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="coaster made with vintage pillowcases"][/caption]

This one was fun to make using misc widths of cut up pillowcases.  The back is also pillowcase fabric.  It's like a little tiny quilt!

[caption id="attachment_859" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="pillowcase covered box"][/caption]

The book publisher sent me Martha Stewart pillowcases to use for this project.  I also used some Martha Stewart decorative tape that I bought at Michael's and of course in pure Martha spirit, it matched perfectly.





Here are a few pictures of my stash.  I think each one is beautiful and precious.  They are also in the book.  We were asked to share some of our collection.  I was kind of afraid to part with some of these!  But they took such great photos and did them a wonderful justice, making them look so pretty and prestine!

Well, I am sure you will love the projects in this book.  Be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win a free copy of your own!  Or head over to the bookstore to pick one up.  Have fun sewing!!

p.s. the book giveaway will be going on until February 28.  Then I will announce the winner.

what i've been up to

I had one of the funest Valentine's this year!  I had a party for my little girl and three of her preschool girlfriends.  They were so cute doing their little Valentine crafts, decorating cookies, playing dress up, dancing, and watching Cinderella of course :)

Doesn't a party with a bunch of 4 year old's sound fun!  I think it will have to be an annual event.

I have also been in paper mode.  I went through my stash and originized it all be color or theme, and then templates and pictures.  And I even got rid of a little bit.  I have a huge flat box that I keep under my bed and it was getting so I couldn't even close it.  What else should a girl do on a three day weekend?



I then turned to banner making mode.  I am getting some together for a class basket that is going to be auctioned off with a birthday theme.  So fun!  I can't get away from making things girly and pink right now.





And here is what I made with the left over scraps of paper.  A smaller banner.   Our baby sitter/neighbor is turning 20 this coming weekend, so this one will be for Maggie, ssshhh!

and a good time was had by all

Thanks to those of you who came to see me on Saturday and Indie Sac!  It was such a treat to see friends that I have made from past craft fairs, and I even got to see a few of my flickr friends :)  I'm such a lucky girl.  And I was totally feeling the love for all things katie jean on Saturday.

Remember the photo I showed you of some super cute Japanese fabric?  I made a size 1T pants out of it and they were the first thing to sell!  Cori got them before I had even set up.

[caption id="attachment_826" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="cori crooks"][/caption]

The funny thing about doing these kind of shows, is that you do end up buying from the surrounding vendors.  So you make a little money and spend a little money!  But I tell people that you see so many cool things handmade here that you normally wouldn't see anyplace else.  And often they are one of a kind, so if you love it, you better get it!

And yes, I did buy Cori's book Sweet Charlotte's seventh mistake.  It looks like a scrap book.  I love the "feel" of the book like it was made by a crafter.  It is a poignant look into the personal life of a little girl growing up and finding her true worth and place in the world.  If you get a chance, buy Cori's book.  You will fall in love with this memoir and get trapped inside it's pages.

[caption id="attachment_828" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="donna of the donut lounge"][/caption]

I didn't see any donut's at donna's, but I did get a card from her for my sweetie.  A little Valentine for him.  This is sooo much better than Hallmark!  I do love all of her sushi inspired trinkets.

[caption id="attachment_829" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="little peanut"][/caption]

I bought one of these little crayon books from Michelle of Little Peanut, funky goodies for little goobers.  It is a great size and fits pretty well into my purse.  It has crayons and a pad of paper in it.  Perfect for me to whip out at a moment's notice of boredom!  I was actually thinking of church when my 3 can't keep their hands and feet away from each other!

[caption id="attachment_831" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="chicken pants"][/caption]

This is Claire of Chicken Pants fame.  AKA my Indie Sac neighbor.  I wanted to hold each little chick, they are so cute and soft.  They are also funky little chicks, and are again one of the cool things that can be found at this event.

[caption id="attachment_832" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="pepto girl"][/caption]

This is Amy of Pepto Girl.  She makes the cutest, kitchyest, colorfulest little accessories.  Like my adjectives??  Plus she is my web designer (to be updated soon).  So, I love her!

Happy Valentine's Day all of you crafty chicas!  Thanks for a fun day.  And thank you to all who came up for a chat, and a day of shopping.  It really did mean so much to me to see so many familiar faces, and to see some familiar names to put with those faces!

a peak

I wanted to entice you once more with some photos of me (my stuff actually) getting ready for Indie Sacramento.  So hopefully this will do the trick for you!

A stack of finished pants and skirts.  I made up some new tags, using vintage valentines.

I made these up just yesterday using some crafty paper, scissors, and stickers.  My girl had a lot of fun helping me out!

Amy Butler fabric and vintage trim go perfectly together.

I did not want to cut into this super cute Japanese fabric!  But this vintage trim was just the right color.

So, come by and see me tomorrow.  I promise you will have a great day!  And it is supposed to be sunny out too!

g&g for feb

Here are some of the pictures that I promised you. These are my glitter and grunge updates for the month. And... they will also be at the Indie Sacramento event that I will be at this Saturday.

So I got the skirts made using all new fabrics. This is so much fun! Getting to dig through my stash and see what goes with what. It is always a pleasant surprise.

[caption id="attachment_806" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="paperdoll skirt size 1T"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_807" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="katie jump skirt size 2T"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_808" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="delphinium skirt size 3T"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_809" align="aligncenter" width="450" caption="daisy chain skirt size 4T"][/caption]

Now I am off to work on some pants.  I thought they would all be for boys.  But, no.  Too funny, I had some fabric all picked out but once I got the pattern already, I just wasn't feelin' it.  So, they are all (four pairs) made for girls!  Each one is soo cute!  I hope you think so too :)