Hello Kitty Sewing

Gina got a Janome Hello Kitty sewing machine for Christmas, and I love it (she does too)!!! I finally got it set up for her to sew. She was so excited sewing on her own. She is making a quilt out of her fabric stash. Oh yes she has a stash. Every time we are at a fabric shop she has to have a couple of FQ's. She had a sweet rhythm going, sew, clip, press until the ironing accident occurred. She was so excited laying her fabric on the ironing board that she burned the back of her arm. Nothing major, your typical sewers burn :) However she decided that I should do her ironing for her, for a little while anyway. I can not tell you how much it blesses me that my 5 year old loves to create alongside me. I hope it lasts through the teen years, but time will tell I guess :)

My Cora Paige Contribution.

*edited to add that she sold already. Thank you :)
In order to sell anything to raise money for The Cora Paige Playground I had to open an Etsy Shop. I am a couple days late for the launch, but I have finally gotten a sweet doll listed. It is the only thing in my shop currently. I would love to have an Etsy business, but life is a little crazy right now for that. Please click on the link on the left to see all of the wonderful items available to help support build Cora's Playground.

A Winner!!!

Okay so my random number generator is my husband. I asked him to give me a number between 1 and 23. He chose 12! So Congratulations Jess. I will be emailing you shortly for your mailing address. Thank you to all for taking the time to leave me the encouraging comments. I plan to have many more giveaways this year. I also plan on making some tutorials. I am so thankful to everyone that shares their ideas and knowledge here in Blogworld!

Happy Valentine's Day!

My mom always made a big to do about Valentine's Day when we were kids. She taught my sister and I a sweet song when we were young to remember how to spell Valentine. I am sure many of you know it, but for those of you that don't here it is.

V-a-l-e-n-t-i-n-e Valentine

If you will me M-i-n-e

Then I'll be T-h-i-n-e

V-a-l-e-n-t-i-n-e Valentine.

I wish I knew how to add the melody, but I am just not that smart LOL.

(Click on the photo to go to this listing)

For Christmas I ordered a gift for my sister and myself from Gina. She has gorgeous (and affordable) personalized jewelry in her shop. We have received so many compliments on our necklaces. They would be the perfect gift for Mother's Day ( I should have told you about her before Valentine's Day). I hope you all have a great Valentine's Day I am off to work on my doll for Cora's Playground.

*I will be drawing the winner for the fabric giveaway on Monday afternoon. There is still time to enter :) *

Sweet Little Cora

I didn't even know this sweet baby girl, or her family, yet her life has changed me. You can read her story here. I have been busy sewing some of my dolls to sell to raise money for a playground in her memory. I have been dragging me feet in getting an Etsy shop open, but in order to sell for Cora's Playground I need one. I have to be ready to list my items on Monday. Does anyone know how to spiff up a new etsy shop. I would love help, or direction. Thanks so much! Here is a link to the many etsy stores donating to Cora's Playground.

Gymnastics!

Gina has officially started gymnastics at a "real" gym (she thinks she has outgrown the Little Gym)! She is super excited. This is a picture of us on our way to her first class (last Thursday). Thank you Grandpa Pat!

*p.s. -Don't forget to enter in my FQ fabric giveaway *

One Year of Blogging & a Giveaway

I have been blogging for One Whole Year! I can't believe I have stuck with it (I have a hard time focusing) :) I have loved every minute of it. I love every comment you leave. I seriously check my blog throughout the day to see if anyone has commented (does that sound pathetic?) So as a thank you for all of the blog support, I am having a giveaway! I am giving a way 12 Fat quarters. These are fabrics from my stash. There are some Amy Butler, Alexander Henry, Robert Kaufmann, and Kerry Berry cat fabric that I used in my Project Improv block. Everything you see pictured. I figured one FQ for each month I have been blogging. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.
Coincidentally my 100th post will be sometime this week also. This is #96. I will choose a winner on the 100th post!!! Good Luck and spread the word. It's a great way to build your stash ;)

Too Sinister?

My nephew Baylor turned 6 this week! This little guy is so into dress up and creative play. He loves to give us all tattoos. I have had this idea in my head for him since last summer. I made him this Tattoo shop. Now my question for you is, Is it too sinister looking for a 6 year old boy? I am taking this to his party this afternoon. I hope he likes it. Boys are so hard to create something for. I made a functioning open/close sign for the shop.

Here are the goodies I have included with the door cover. Every tattoo artist needs his own ink ;) A skully doo rag, stencils, and temporary tattoos (the spray bottle is for the temporary tattoos). The lap desk makes a perfect portable work station. I do have ideas of making Gina a Spa Shoppe for her bedroom door. Maybe even a rocket ship for Adler's door. How cute would a cottage front be? Maybe even a castle? Oh the possibilities are endless! If there is an interest I would be willing to post a tutorial for this little project.

*sorry the pics aren't better. It was difficult to find a doorway with proper lighting.

Here She Is!

Okay I have finally figured out this pattern, I think. I am happy with the way she came out. I have really been wanting to make my own doll. I have made many flat style dolls on my own, but this was my first of this kind. I need to tweak the pattern just a little bit more and then I think I have her as close to perfection as I can get. She is a playful little girl. Loves a good apron, with a pocket of course.

Head stands are a must!!! So are stretchy rainbow leggings.

Time for a rest on her favorite little knotted quilt. She is so cute! I may have a hard time sending her off to her new home (my swap partner).

Gifts for the Girls

Super Bowl Sunday is so much fun for the guys, but what are the girls to do? I decided it would be fun to make and give the little girls at our party some new fashion accessories. My sister has some of our old friends staying at her house so finally there are more girls than boys around. (well the boys still out number the girls by one, but who's counting?) I made them initial shirts and leg warmers! This all started because I wanted to make little Annalye (8 mos old) some baby leggies like I made for Adler when he was little, and then I lost control. Gina loves the pairs I have made for her, so I thought her little girl friends might like them too!

Gina Loves her outfit for today!

This is the next project I need to get done. A Birthday shirt for my nephew that has a Birthday on Tuesday! I know I love procrastinating ;)

*The first Pic has a peek of the swap doll with hair. I still need to style it and dress her. I think I love her!