finished projects

a dress for Ruby,

a sneak peek of a purse/diaper bag on it's way to Sarah,

and a baby doll that will be Ruby's only Christmas from us this year.

It feels so good to get something accomplished!
(I just noticed a color theme here...do you think I like the pink/red and blue combo?)

My Oh Sweet Sadie! booth

Just over a month ago I filled out an application to have my shop in the cutest craft show ever, Oh Sweet Sadie! I think I got so excited to be accepted that I signed the contract. In 4 weeks I made 26 aprons, 10 totes, and 12 block sets. The show started last night and continues through Saturday evening. I've been real excited to see my products there, but it was really crazy getting to this point while still being a wife and mother. I'm so thankful for a great, supportive husband who gave me time without the kids so I could meet my goals. And for family who took my kids for a couple hours, too. I don't know that I'll sell much, but the opportunity to craft (and have some sanity!) was priceless. Yay for almost being done with the madness that goes with having a booth in a craft show!

unbelievable!

Months ago I bought fabric on sale for this quilt. I thought I'd put it in my shop. But when I found out I was having a girl I hurried to make it and thought I'd keep it for myself because I love it so much! But then I had an idea. Why not put it on my shop for a ridiculously high price - much higher than any other baby quilt - and either way I would win with $ or a cute quilt.

I added it to my shop on Monday. It sold last night. Can you believe it?! For 145$, I might add! Who spends that much money on baby quilts?! Not that I'm accusing them. I'm pretty glad they did, especially since it cost me around $65 in materials and quilting only.

Anyhoo, now I'm a bit sad I didn't keep it, and Elton is sad since he really liked it, too (amazing!) But now I have some cash to get started on another one :)

table tent

My sister sent me a photo of a cute table tent. I had never even heard of these, but think it's a fabulous idea! So I made one for my boys (I know it's a bit girlie, but the fabric is a good quality and CHEAP - I made this for around $10!)

The front door opens and attaches with velcro. I put a window in the door and 2 in the back.

Both my boys love it!

100th post and {not so} grand opening!

With how often I DON'T write, I can hardly believe I've made it to the 100th post. I'm not the best writer, but it's been fun posting about our daily activities and accomplishments. To celebrate this wondrous occasion, I'm announcing the opening of my own little Etsy shop, "pocket full of daisies".

It's nothing grand, but has given me a chance to do what I love during those few precious moments when children are sleeping. I hope it will pay for many more crafting opportunities :)

Here it is, (drumroll, please)....

http://www.maisiedaisy.etsy.com/

selling little boy stuff, plus other goodies.

Stay tuned, I'll be doing an apron giveaway soon for apronfest to get the word out about my new shop. If you get a chance to look at my shop and have any suggestions, let me know your feedback. I need all the help I can get!

what I've been up to lately

These past few months I have tried to squeeze in time for one of the things I love - crafting - and this is what I came up with. It happens to all be sewing, but one of these days I'll get to the scrapbooks, too! My super mom made us travel bags when we were kids, so I knew Sam needed one, too, for our long drive to California. Then I thought he ought to have a smaller version for waiting rooms, church, and such.

A little girl's apron.

I know I don't have one to wear it, but I thought it'd be fun to make. See the coordinating mom's apron.

Coordinating mother's apron. I love the colors and the flower. Sorry the lighting is so bad in these photos!

Little boy's pirate apron. I've looked and looked for cute, boyish things, and finally decided that I need to make them myself. This is one of the ideas I've been excited about. Do you think it needs a pirate guy or treasure chest???

Sam's bed quilt. It was my first try at machine quilting. I learned a couple things: use the spray adhesive for quilting and start in the middle. I messed it all up and just don't have the heart to start over after how many days this took. The next one will be better :)

Sam moved from the crib to a toddler bed and didn't have blankets large enough for the bed, so I made this. Now he's in a regular twin and this doesn't fit. I guess I just can't win!

Big view of our growth chart. I wanted it out of fabric so it could easily go from place to place and be taken down when they're older (but still could be pulled out to update it and see how they've grown).

Close-up view of our growth chart. I love the bright colors and lettering.

Sew, Mama, Sew!

I just found this great shop/blog and wanted to share the great giveaways they're having. It's May Giveaway Day over there! I'm embarassed to admit that I've spent too much time visiting all the links with giveaways over the past couple days, since I've needed to pack for our trip tomorrow, but it's been fun! Go on over there and check it out - there are tons of links to giveaways for handmade items and sewing supplies/material. Just don't spend as much time as I have, looking :)

work shirt quilt

This is for you, Kim! Sorry it took so long.

Last fall while Elton was traveling to NY a lot, I decided to piece him a quilt out of all his old work shirts. I gave it to him for Christmas. I think he likes it - he keeps it in his office and takes naps on it during his breaks.

I used sleeves, cuffs, the front/center where the buttons are and patched up holes with other shirts. It was a lot of fun to make. Maybe I'll do another one sometime.

a little gift from me

My sister-in-law posted this on her blog and I thought I'd join in the fun. Here is how it works-the 1st 5 people to leave a comment on this post will recieve at some point during the year a little gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well-before you leave your comment here write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going. Then come back and let me know you are going to play and sometime when you least expect it you'll receive a little handmade gift from me (I don't guarantee that you'll love it, but it will be from the heart :)

another quiet book

Yay! I finished one more quiet book for Sam. My RS church ladies group wanted to know what people wanted to do for a crafty Saturday together and I suggested a quiet book since I've been looking for one. This is what we did. It took a LOT longer than 1 Saturday, but it's done and I'm excited for the day Sam will be ready to use it without putting pieces in his mouth :)

"Maisie Garden" sign

When Maisie died we planted a garden in her honor, to remember the life she had. It is full of daisies that bloom at different times of the year. We love it! I've wanted to paint a sign to put in it for quite some time now and FINALLY did it this week, yay! This is it :)