A Colorful Valentine: Crayon Hearts

I came across these directions for making cute crayon hearts.  I had everything it called for, so I gave it a shot.  I decided to use red, purple, pink and white crayons to make it a little bit festive.  


I used Word to create the heart border around the white card stock card.   So cute!  

Planning Is In Her DNA

Meg has her 4th birthday coming up . . . in March.  She's been planning this party since she blew out the candles on her 3rd birthday cake!

We've decided on an "arts and crafts" theme party at home.  The teacher in me is very excited about all the wonderful supplies.


The ideas are starting . . . more to come!

Pink Ribbon Fabric Flower Pins

I leave in 2 days for my 3 day walk for a cure. Our team, Big Buoys, has raised over $25,000 for Susan G. Komen.

There are 8 ladies on my team. I haven't met some of them, but I think this shared experience we are about to have will forever change and connect all our lives.

I wanted to make a little something for them to wear as they make their journey. These pink ribbon flower pins can be worn on their hats, tanks or fanny packs. Just a small gesture to let them know how thankful I am to them for their commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer.

Check out Kimba's for more DIY projects.

Open For Business

I took the plunge. I opened an Etsy shop. I must be crazy.

Those two ladybugs are in honor of Ellie & Kate as is the name EK Designs

I have a few things listed. I'll be adding some Halloween things this week.

Come Visit!

Giving Handmade

This past weekend we went to a birthday party.  Happy Birthday, Scarlett!  We had a great time!

I loved how Meg's apron dress turned out and wanted to make one for little Scarlett.

Of course, at the last minute I decided I needed to have a cute little bag to wrap it in.  I found this great tutorial for a reversible patchwork bag.  I see lots more of these bags in my future.

From T-shirts To Throw Pillows

My aunt, Andrea, visited a few weeks ago. She brought up a couple of her favorite old t-shirts and wanted me to make pillows out of them.

Side note: Have I mentioned "To Kill A Mockingbird" is one of my favorite books (I know so original for a southern girl). Have I mentioned the author, Harper Lee, was a Chi Omega at The University of Alabama, and I met her during Homecoming week.

I love pillows. I used this as an opportunity to learn a new skill - making and sewing piping onto a pillow. I searched YouTube and found some great videos on how to make your own piping.

I hope you like them, Andrea. See you later this summer!

If you think you might want to try these, prep the t-shirts by ironing on some feather-weight interfacing.

Easter Pillowcase

Last week we learned how to make pillowcases in our sewing class. I love the great little piping detail. The cuff of the pillowcase is doubled and you can't see any seams.

Next time I'll get enough fabric to have the print running horizontal instead of vertical. I figure my kids sleep crooked anyway, so I don't think it will bother them.

The cuff is done in yellow polka dot. Love that.

I don't feel qualified to write up a tutorial, but I found a great one here. My measurements are a little different, but otherwise I followed it exactly as written. I used a 10 inch cuff and a 3 inch piping.

Birthday Tutu Shirt

The little girl is turning three this Friday. I wanted to make her something special to wear for her party, but I think she might insist on wearing it everyday this week!

This was my first time doing any type of machine applique. There are tons of useful resources out there to show you how to create an applique.

The whole project cost right around $10. I purposely got a larger shirt size so she could wear it with some little leggings and still feel like a ballerina.

The inspiration for this project came from a tutu tutorial over at Joy's Hope.

2 of 3 completed

I made this bag using Amy Butler's Birdie Sling Bag pattern. It's a gift for my sister in law, who hopefully has her hands too full with brand new little Nate to read my blog right now. It's going to be hard to part with this one, but I'll definitely make one for myself very soon.

It's a very sturdy bag and looks like it will hold tons!

It is lined with some great interior pockets. I'm also going to make a few zippered pouches to help keep the little stuff a little more accessible.

If you're interested in making this bag, check her website for a pattern correction. One of the pictures is printed wrong and there's a correction on her site. Don't ask me how I know - let's just say there was a glass of wine and a seam ripper involved!

The fabrics are from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern line.

Here are a couple other resources if you're interested in making this bag.
Grace Designs
U-handblog

1 of 3 complete

This monogrammed canvas is going to one of my mother-in-law's friends' grandson. The only direction I was given was that his nursery was done in sage green.

I blanket stitched around the monogram for a little extra detail.

I made the sails for the sailboat out of wool felt and embroidered a little detail around the edges and on the stripes.

I sure hope she likes it. It's much different making things for other people. Every little bubble and seam becomes a huge issue. I just kept trying to remind myself that handmade, homemade stuff is extra special - even if it's not perfect!

Some Projects in the Works

Apparently I have a little craft ADD.

Here are pictures of projects I'm determined to finish this week. Now that I've told you about them - you'll hold me accountable, right?

A Valentine

Davis' Valentine party is today at school. I found this great little template for him to use for his cards.

With the exception of cutting them out and inserting the lollipop, he was able to do these on his own. Even Wall-E got in on the action. OK, maybe I straightened out the eyes when he wasn't looking.

He was so proud carrying these into school. I hope he's going to be alright with giving them away to his classmates!

Her Feathers Aren't Ruffled . . .

. . . but her pant legs are!



These might be the only pair of pants I ever sew. I worked from a pattern - a pattern obviously written for someone who has a little more sewing knowledge than I do. I was able to get the two legs done with little problem. When it came to actually sewing the legs together to make them look like pants, I was totally lost and was able to take them to my sewing class for some guidance.

Making and sewing the ruffle on was by far the easiest part! Now that I know how to do this - everything might get a little ruffle!. Honey, I promise to refrain from putting ruffles on the boys' pants.

Have A Little Heart

I was inspired by this heart mobile at Pottery Barn Kids. I picked up Moda's Candy Kisses Charm Pack by Sandy Gervais for $6.00

Cut out heart shapes and sewed them together - wrong sides facing. My little helper, Meg, stuffed them for me.

I'm going to hang them from the light above the breakfast table, but I'm going to at least wait until February.

Lesson learned: don't use the pinking shears to make the initial cuts. Wait until the heart is sewn together and trim edges with pinking shears.

Reversible Apron: Take One

The little apron dress wasn't going to work for Davis. I found this tutorial and decided to tweak it a little.

I couldn't choose which fabric I liked best, so I decided to make it reversible. I put a little pocket on one side and a crayon pouch on the other side.

Yes, those are our dining room walls sans wallpaper. Yeah!

Apparently I should have consulted my client first. After trying it on, he immediately ran to get his construction hat and all the tools he owns. He said, "I want to be just like the character in Katy No Pocket". OK then.

I guess I'll be sewing another with lots of pockets for him and all his tools!

A Little Apron Dress

I started this little apron dress at my sewing class last week and was able to finish it up over the weekend. I found the pattern from a great little Etsy shop, Leila and Ben. Meg loves it, and I was finally able to pry it off of her at bedtime.

Her big brother is patiently waiting for me to make him one - not this girly, of course.

Hooked on Fabric

I had a great time at my first sewing class today. It's pretty cool to be able to create something from nothing. The list of things I'd like to make is long, and of course all of those things are going to need fabulous fabric.

I'm having the most fun looking at all the wonderful fabric out there. I found a great Etsy seller, FabricWorm. She has an incredible selection of fabric and is great to work with. Below are just a few of the great things she has in her shop.

Heather Bailey Fabric, Pop Garden

Jessica Jones Home Decorator fabric, from Michael Miller

David Walker for Free Spirit, Robots

Alexander Henry Tillbrook and Joel Dewberry, Aviary

Alexander Henry Granville, Turquoise

Amy Butler Fabric, Daisy Chain

Head over to Hooked On Houses to see what other people are hooked on today.

2008 Before & After Recap

As I looked through last year's posts, I realized I've become a little crafty. Of course, with so much inspiration from fellow blogger's, it's not hard to see why I caught the crafting bug. Southern Hospitality is hosting a little before & after blog party, and I wanted to share the few things that transformed around here.

A dust ruffle fit for a ballerina.



A Girly Bulletin Board




Decoupaged Monogram Frame




A family heirloom rehab



A Bookshelf Update


An updated picture frame