The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney with Care.......

A couple of months ago, I got an email from a friend at church asking if I could make Christmas stockings. I eagerly sent back my reply, "Sure!" I had wanted to make some for my family anyway, and this would just get me started on down that path. See, she had ordered a set of stockings for her family in the 2008 Christmas season, and she LOVED them! Then, in January, they got a special delivery - they were able to adopt another little baby boy! When my friend started pulling out the Christmas decorations, she realized poor little Graham didn't have a stocking!

She sent me this pic from the site where she bought them and said she would bring me the ones she had so that I could make some more to match, since this particular style had been discontinued. She brought me the felt and everything, even some little pom poms for the tips. I managed to get a couple of them done before Christmas, with just enough time to take it across town to get Graham's name monogrammed so he could hang it up for Santa ;)
I finally got around to the last one today. (She wanted extras to have one hand, just in case....) I really like the way this last one turned out - maybe I will get ours done sometime this year....

Old News

This post is just to show an example of a name applique.


FYI the eye and mouth were fabric paint, not embroidery ;)

Trick-or-Treat!

Usually around the end of summer, we start talking about Halloween costumes. That's also about the time of my husband's birthday. (side note: my oldest son LOVES to plan parties of all types, so everybody (Mama, Daddy, grandparents.....) gets a "theme" party, no matter how old or young. This year, my husband's party was themed "Batman meets Scooby Doo". Thus, about the same time, my oldest son decided on Batman as his Halloween costume, and he also decided that his little brother had to be his sidekick, Robin. (We like matchy costumes around here- 2007 Lion and Lamb, 2008 Penguin and Polar Bear, 2009 Batman and Robin)

Anyway, I bought Batman t-shirts for both boys at Target for the Batman party, and I had made the Batman cape last year when my nephew was into Batman (and picked up the Bat-mask at Wal-mart somewhere along the way), so all I had to do for this costume was make a yellow belt and construct some gray pants to match the shirt. Do you know how hard it is to find plain pants for little boys?!?! Especially in this small town.... Anyway, I went to Roses (a discount store chain, but not sure how wide-reaching it is) and I bought a 3XL men's T-shirt in almost the same shade of gray to cut up into a 5T boy's pajama pants.

Robin's costume was a little more involved, meaning I had to start basically from scratch. He is almost 2.5 yrs old, but he only wears 18-24 mo clothes, so I was lucky to find a plain red onesie at Roses, although it was a turtleneck. I also found a green Land's End T-shirt (men's Small, also at Roses) that I used to make Robin's pants and sleeves, so they are super soft! For the cape, I had a remnant of yellow satin that just happened to be the right shade, and I just used the pattern from the Batman cape and a collar from one of his everyday polo type shirts. It turned out very well if I do say so myself! I finished up the last touches with just hours to spare - the belt and the "R" monogram patch.

But, since I had a few hours to spare, I decided to get crackin' on those Scooby Doo PJs I had promised ever since we bought a piece of SD fabric to use at their Daddy's birthday party. So that was their treat that they received when they rang my doorbell, supposedly for a photo op.

I also threw in a Ty Scooby beanie and some Mickey crayons and coloring book, and of course, self-charging flashlight that requires no batteries! Here they are all packaged up in Halloween treat bags, that I never got listed on Etsy....

Deadlines

Why is it that I work best when faced with a deadline? I have known about this baby shower that I went to last night for a month, yet what was I doing in the last possible minutes? Sewing, of course!

This baby shower is kind of unique, though. In our Whispers of Hope group (a part of Women on Mission, or WMU in prior terminology) at church, there were something like a dozen or so babies due during this year, the first of which was born in July, most of the babies are second or third in the families, but a few first timers. Anyway, there was a shower for the first 3 babies of this group back in June, to which I brought each a ribbon ball. Then there were the twins who came 2 months early for a first-time Mommy who got her own shower on my son's birthday (and I will get my gifts to you soon, April, I promise!) Then last night's shower was for the 2nd set of 3 mamas. Man, that makes me dizzy just thinking about it!

I don't know why I didn't get around to making these gifts earlier with plenty of time to spare, except that I just couldn't decide on an idea and stick to it.

So, here is what I finally came up with in the eleventh hour:

-for a little baby boy who is being born into a University of Florida fanatic family (his mommy has already requested a similar one for big brother, who didn't want to let go of this one!)
-for a little baby girl who will have 2 older brothers
-for another little baby girl who will also have 2 older brothers!
Maybe I will be better prepared for the next shower, but knowing me, probably not!

I hope to have some of these in my Etsy shop soon!

Finally!

This blanket has been on my to-do list for a while. I finally finished it Monday just before we went to pick up my son from school, so I had it in his seat waiting for him. I had hoped to get it done by his 5th birthday, which was the 11th, but like most of my intentions, it just didn't happen, because there simply aren't enough hours in the day to carry out all the things I have on my mind!

Anyway, this was a specific request by my son. He wanted a John Deere blanket, and he chose the backing (which I forgot to take a picture of) - green satin, and he said that he wanted those ribbons on the edge, even though I tried to convince him that it would look better without them, but he wanted them b/c his little brother's blanket has them. You know, what one has, they both have to have....sigh...

In case you are having a hard time figuring out what all those ribbons are in the brown minky dot "field", I tried to represent peanuts, mostly due to the fact that my son is absolutely glued together with peanut butter (he has to have a PB&J at least once a day). The "sky" is blue flannel, and I cut out the tractor from some fleece fabric scraps lying around here (I know, I took a shortcut, but like I said, I was hoping to get it done sorta close to his birthday, and I missed it anyway.... ) I wanted the blanket to be big enough to last him a few years, so I added a border of John Deere fabric all the way around, and I really like how it "frames" it.

Hope he has many cozy memories with his John Deere blanket!

Don't Forget! It's Fall Y'All Sale!

It's Finally Here! The 3rd Annual GA Etsy Street Team's:

It's Fall Y'All Sale

This weekend Oct 9-11th, shop from our great list of participating stores or search "all items" for GAetsyteam or Itsfallyall.

Handmade is never mass produced, so each item is special and unique! Give yourself and your friends the gift of handmade!


List of Participating Shops:

Amber's Aromatherapy
http://ambersaromatherapy.etsy.com/
Handmade soaps, lotions, lip balm, milk bath and custom blended teas
20% all orders

Amelia's Soap Co.
http://amelias.etsy.com/
Handmade Soap Products
15% discount on soaps

April's Afghans
http://aprilsafghans.etsy.com/
Afghans and other crocheted household items
Free U.S. shipping

Artistspirit - A Reflection of Mind
http://www.artistspirit.etsy.com/
Glass fusion jewelry, plates and coasters
15% off any item

Beautiful Tree Huggers
http://beautifultreehuggers.etsy.com/
Homemade all natural soap, lotion, etc.
Everything in the store 20% off

Be Inspired Designs
http://beinspireddesigns.etsy.com/
Scrabble Tile Pendant Jewelry & Accessories
Buy 2, Get 1 FREE plus FREE SHIPPING

Bewhiskered
http://bewhiskered.etsy.com/
(stuffed) animal skin loveys
Free U.S. shipping, $5 off shipping everywhere else!

Bug's Hugs
http://bugshugs.etsy.com/
Unique handmade creations for anyone that could use a hug!
Free shipping (U.S. only) plus 10% off all orders

Cocoa Dreams
http://cocoadreams.etsy.com/
Personalizable baby bibs, blankets, burp cloths and aprons
Free domestic shipping on everything in shop

Crafters Crossing
http://crafterscrossing.etsy.com/
Handmade Swarovski crystal and wire jewelry
10% off merchandise orders totaling up to $99.99
15% off merchandise orders totaling $100 or over

The Crafty Coop
http://lilcoop1.etsy.com/

Handmade resin jewelry with glitter
All necklaces 20% off

Debidesigns
http://debidesigns.etsy.com/
embrodiery,dolls,quilted items
20% off section

Deb's Pane In The Glass
http://sunnya.etsy.com/
Anything Stained Glass from sun catchers, ceiling fan pull chains to business card holders and holiday items
Free USA and International Shipping!

Deuce Goods
http://panash.etsy.com/
Be original this Fall with one of a kind accessories & gifts
15% off All Hats and Scarves

Everyday May
http://everydaymay.etsy.com/
toddler items and women's accessories
FREE shipping to U.S. on all items

FerntreeStudio
http://ferntreestudio.etsy.com/
Adorable Art for Children, Babies and Fun Grownups!
Free worldwide shipping, plus 10% off storewide -all refunded via paypal

Fluffy Flowers
http://fluffyflowers.etsy.com/
cute Creatures & pretty Pouches
FREE shipping to ANYWHERE in the world

The Goddess Within You
http://thegoddesswithinyou.etsy.com/
Artisian Jewelry
Free shipping

Jenjie's Stuff
http://jenjie.etsy.com/
Beautiful and Fun Handmade Items
Free U.S. Shipping and 10% off all items

JoyAnna - all things beautiful
http://joyanna.etsy.com/
Purses, pillows, scrapbook covers, tissue holders etc
FREE SHIPPING within the Continental USA on everything in the shop.

Kartu Graphics
http://www.kartu.etsy.com/
Designer of our fabulous sale graphic

15% OFF

K. Berlin Metalsmith
http://kberlin.etsy.com/
Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry - Precious Metals and gems
Free Shipping on All items

Madame Monogram
http://madamemonogram.etsy.com/
Personalized intems for Bridal, Baby, Child and Home
FREE pair of luggage tags with any purchase, a $12.00 value

Maria Luna
http://marialuna.etsy.com/
Handcrafted Artisan Jewelry and Fine Art Photography
15% OFF excluding items that are already on sale

mod momME
http://modmomme.etsy.com/
Accessories for mom and baby
10% off your total order. Use promo code "fallyall" Money refunded via PayPal.

Nicolita Love
http://nicolitalove.etsy.com/
Handmade and Vintage Jewelry and Accessories
Free Shipping on orders over $20 & Free Nola Brooch with purchase

Nipurnascreation
http://nipurnascreation.etsy.com/
Unique Handmade Jewelry
Buy one get second one half off (BoGo)Sale

Princess Ciarra Raye’s Designs
http://Princessciarraraye.etsy.com
Jewelry for the little girl inside you
Free Shipping

The Print Duchess Studio
http://tlhprints.etsy.com/
Custom Stationery & Personal and Promo Designs
20% off Rectangular Address Labels

PrissDesigns
http://prissdesigns.etsy.com/
Original Mixed Media Art
15% off everything!

Rachelsilk
http://rachelsilk.etsy.com/
Handmade Silk Scarves and Gifts
Sale Items 15% off with Free Shipping

ribbits
http://ribbits.etsy.com/
Kids wear and more
Free shipping

Smelly Rhino Studio
http://smellyrhino.etsy.com/
Art with a little Humor! Original paintings and Prints
10% off and free shipping!

Sweet Pea Boutique
http://happygrandma402905.etsy.com/
Colorful hairbows and clips for girls of all ages!
Buy any hairbow or clip set and get one HALF PRICE, with FREE SHIPPING for orders $10 and up

Worthy Soy Candles & Crochet
http://worthysoycandles.etsy.com/
Soy Candles & Unique Crochet Creations
10% Off Everything!

HAPPY SHOPPING!!

*** Special thanks to Rebecca Salcedo (smellyrhinostudio) who painted our ad backdrop of the falling leaves and to Maria Allen (Kartu Graphics) who layered the graphics

Ribbon Tree Blankie

It has taken me a while, but I finally managed to get around to translating one of those ideas I have in my head into an actual product!

I was looking for a way to decorate a blankie with ribbons that stick out beyond the edge, but not have "tags" in the outer seam. And here it is!

I sketched out my design a few weeks ago, and then one day I cut out a pattern, and then another day, I cut out the tree....anyway, you get the picture....I finally just sat down this morning and made it. A lot of the ideas I have get pushed down further and further down the list when there's no particular deadline associated with it, because no knows it's there except me.

I like this blue swirly sky background fabric because it makes me think that there is a little wintry nip in the air, even though all visible signs are of autumn. I used "fall" colors, so the overall scheme is vibrant enough for a baby, but still accurate enough to portray a tree!