Another Pinterest Inspired Project!

Lately, I have been addicted to making stuff out of things I already have and leftovers from other projects. I think it's a great way to clean out things I can before the New Year begins! With that in mind I made a pair of adorable little leggings for Aubree the other day after seeing these pants on Pinterest awhile back:

Source: makeit-loveit.com via Dori on Pinterest

While they follow pretty much the same "pattern" as most other tutorials to make baby pants/leggings, I liked the cute reverse applique, as it was one of those simple things that I probably never would have thought of on my own!

I have a TON of old t-shirts since my sister and I recently cleaned out our closets and anything that was stretched out or stained or not worthy of donation has made its way into my stash. One of those was a shirt my sister had probably held onto since middle school. I don't have any "before" pictures, and I am horrible at taking progress pictures. (I get in the zone and forget!) Here is my version before I put the waistband on:

And here is my chunky monkey trying them on for the first time:

I decided not to add any ruffles or "flair" to the bottom, as I think the print itself is busy enough. I just used the bottom of the t-shirt to be the bottom hem and it worked out wonderfully I think.

I apologize for the "deer in the headlights" look and the blurriness of the photo. Still need a digital camera, but my iPhone will have to do for now. Aubree is at that stage where I can't get her to sit still for a picture unless she can see herself on the screen-- and that usually results in funny faces anyway ;) The pants do seem to ride up a bit on the inseam, so next time I will have to remember to add a bit extra, but overall I am quite pleased as this was my first time attempting pants! (I did make a pair of boxer shorts for my mom in high school but that.... is another story!

Crocheting (like I need another hobby!!)

So a couple weeks ago, when school was at it's most burdensome (and my stress--not coincidentally-- high as well), I was experiencing my usual restless anxiety. That typically means that I haven't had any "me" time for expression. It is nearly impossible to sew or quilt with my little ones awake, and when they're asleep that's homework time. I decided I needed something I could do while they were awake, and so I dug out some yarn I had been hoarding to send to my knitter sister. I decided to reteach myself to crochet. I learned when I was a preteen, but never really learned how to do anything other than potholders!
With the help of an incredible youtube video database (by far the best crochet tutes I could find... Clear, explanatory, and slow), I first made a scarf for Aubree (No pictures). Then I decided I was going to try an easy throw. Well, I keep coming back to that one, and it isn't done, so no pictures there either. I then realized that since everyone makes crochet flowers, I bet some crochet snowflakes would look pretty amazing on my tree. On to Ravelry I went, and I regret that I don't remember exactly which patterns I used, but I did a couple then experimented and made a few on my own:
One day, while pinning on Pinterest, I came across this picture of a really cool basket made out of crocheted nylon rope:

via pinterest

I pinned it and decided I was going to make it someday. Well someday became today, and although I couple of times I backtracked and started over close to the beginning (I happen to be a bit of a perfectionist!), but here is my version:
I used cotton, and it is a bit thinner than her rope, I think, but I still love this basket! I think a basket like this, but with longer handles, would make a great "holder" for a hanging plant, don't you?

I-Spy Quilts

Over a year ago, I decided I wanted to make an I-Spy quilt for Cullen. Earlier this year, I participated in a swap for I-Spy quilt squares, which left me with 200 different squares! How awesome!
As I started sketching out ways to arrange them (with sashing or without? 9 patches based on background color?), I realized that I had enough to make TWO! So I began separating the definite boy squares and girl squares, then divided the gender neutral ones. Borders and appliqued names later, here are the finished quilt tops:
I have Aubree's quilted, straight lines on either side of the seams of the squares, but I still need to do the borders. I hope to get Cullen's basted and started on the quilting tonight. I somehow lost the FMQ foot for my machine, so I need to order another one, since I planned on doing FMQ on the borders. Unless any of you have other suggestions? I thought about just doing diagonal lines evenly spaced, but I don't really want to quilt THROUGH the names :-/

Still Alive!

I am definitely still here, and I am going to try to get back into blogging on a regular basis. I got extremely overwhelmed this summer and fall with school, the kids, work, and trying to keep up with the swaps I had signed up for before everything hit the fan! I also want to completely redo the look of the blog, but with my lack of know-how, time, and talent, it may be awhile.

I am still sewing and quilting, of course, with some great stuff to show coming soon, including I-Spy quilts for each of my kiddos.

And I can't believe how big they are getting! I came to the realization the other day that I no longer have babies anymore. Cullen is now 3, talking up a storm, counting to sixty by himself, and to ten in Chinese and Spanish, as well as many other words in Spanish. Aubree is walking, learning her body parts, and starting to talk. I want them to stay this size forever!

Stay tuned, though, I will have more coming!

Some more bee/swap blocks!

I didn't make it to the post office in time to mail these out today (I was SIX minutes late, can you believe that?!) but this first picture is of the two blocks I made for Glen in the 15 Minutes Play Scrap Bee for June

And this is my block for Linda, my June partner in the Block Swap Adventure

I hope the recipients like the blocks I made them! Now, if I can get little man to go back to sleep I can get some more stuff done tonight! :D

Some swap updates :)

First, as I stated the other day, May was my month for the Let's Bee Together Bee... I was a little late getting my fabric out, so the blocks are still coming in. I am THRILLED at what I have received so far!

These are from (top L-R then bottom L-R) Charlene, Linda, Toni, Jadie, Erin, and Debra. Aren't they fantastic together?

I guess that means I need to decide what I am going to do for "my" block. I have already decided I will probably sash the blocks in a dark brown, and add a piano keys border with all the scraps I have gotten back. How does that sound?



Also, I have still been participating in the Inchy Hexagon Flower swap. These are the hexies I have received so far. I apologize that I don't have a list, some people didn't sign them and I didn't keep the envelopes (which I wish I had noticed they weren't signed so I could have written on the back of them :/ ) I still haven't decided what I want to do with them, but I think maybe a few throw pillows would be nice when I finally get my own place again!!


I do have some more stuff to share, but I will save some for Thursday! In the meantime, it has been awhile so I will share these two of the (not) babies!Aubree is now 9 months old, and walking short distances. She says "mama" "dada" and "cullen" (no, really, if she can't see or hear him, she stands up, looks around, and says "cuh-en! cuh! cuh-en!") She is such a happy and cuddly baby--way different than the colicky baby she was for the first two months!
And my handsome little man, Cullen, is now almost 3! He amazes me everyday with how much he learns. Oh what I wouldn't give to be 2 again, and amazed at everything I see! Everytime we go outside, he says "Look mom! A tree!" and when we get to my car he says "Jorie's car!" (Yes, we still haven't gotten over him using my first name). He can almost count to 20 (he does it perfect with help... on his own he gets to 13, and then says 12..13...12...13...12...13... TWENTY!!! hahaha), knows all his upper and lower case letters, and is learning how to write them and what sounds they make. Thanks to "Super Why", one of the only tv shows he gets to watch, he also can read/recognize quite a few short words. I am sure all moms do this, especially at this age, but I ask myself every day how I got so lucky to have such great babies. Cullen is (usually) such a great big brother, and while he is super rambunctious and likes to play fight, if he gets rough, he will stop and say "booboo!" and give me a kiss, a hug, and ask if its all better hahah! He barely sits still, and when he does, I usually get pictures like this:

Hehe! Hope everyone has a great week! I must get off and finish my homework, tomorrow is my long day (school AND work), so from 1130am when I leave to drop the kids off, until 3am Thurs morn I am out and about :( Boo!!

♥ Jorie

Over two months!

Wow, have I been a slacker or what? Well, at least in my virtual and sewing life I sure have! I do have an excuse though-- several valid ones, but I understand they're still just excuses ;) I am finally caught up in all of my swaps though (I apologize to everyone who received stuff late from me these last couple of months!)

After spending two and a half months without my babies, I picked them up from their daddy in May, and then started school less than two weeks later... So between school four days a week, working a couple nights a week, the video card on my laptop being out, spotty wireless internet for the desktop, and the kiddos, it's been hard to find time to sleep, let alone give my sewing machine any exercise or post on the blog! I think we have finally settled into a routine, and I have gotten quite a bit of sewing done this week. There are a few pictures I can't post (at least not until the recipients get them!), but there are a few I can!

These are blocks I finished up tonight, for the 15 Minutes Play Scrap Bee (May's blocks *sigh*). Sara wanted island and lake blocks. It was such a unique and fun idea!! I never would have thought of a block/quilt like this. (June's blocks are just as different!)

It certainly has my head reeling with new ideas for when it's my turn :)

And these are my April blocks for Kate in the Let's Bee Together Bee...

I made the slanted diamonds one first, then realized I had missed where she asked for pinwheel blocks. I sent them both to her, hopefully she can use the diamonds on the back, or for something else entirely maybe!

Speaking of my turn and LBT, I have also received a few blocks from the Let's Bee Together Bee, as May was my month... I need to take an updated picture of the blocks I have received so far, so I will share that tomorrow. For now, though, it is time to head to bed-- my kids like to wake up with the sun! Glad to be back though :)

♥ Jorie