Semi-makeover?
So years ago, when Matty turned like 8 months or so, we got tired of feeding him in his little blue rocking chair thingie, so we headed to Target to spring for a highchair. (Poor sentence structure alert!)
The selection was ick then.
But it was more about function and price than anything else.
This is what we got:
And really, the ONLY reason it even looks cute is because of Little Face. Aww, he’s so little here! (Where did 4 years go???)
We put the highchair away once Matty was big enough for the table.
And then along came Noah.
He too started out his solid food days in a wee infant chair.
But when he turned about 7 months, we knew we needed to go get the highchair.
It’s actually still in near perfect condition.
Save maybe for one stubborn-ass Blues Clues sticker that just won’t come off!
I refuse to spend too much time on it though, save my sanity.
Anyhoodle, I was right sick of looking at that beige (BEIGE!) seat cushion, so I set to work to make a new cover.
The home decor fabric that I picked up was on sale and I only needed a yard of it, so it was about 6 bucks.
I picked red because red is AWESOME. And it has dots!
I wanted to do it with minimal spending of the dollars, so instead of buying batting, I simply made the cover double-sided and slipped the old (washed!) cover inside, then stitched it up.
Kinda like a duvet cover? Minus the buttons.
I needed to add the little elastic doohickies on the bottom so it attached firmly to the chair itself. That was easy.
And I made a hole for the um, stem thing? Yeah, that was a bit more challenging, but I survived. Used a zigstitch for that.
And well, that’s about it.
It came out a bit smaller than the original cover, my head got wonky regarding the seam allowance, oops.
I like it though.
Mike said it’s fantastic and this pleases me.
Noah, well, he looked at it and pounded on the tray. Which I took as a sign of approval. And a sign for more Cheerios.
Kids.
August 18th, 2008 ★ No Comments »
It came and went by fast.
And now I can breathe again!
After a slow start on the first day, Thursday, things picked up a WHOLE LOT.
And I had my best year ever at the Arlington County Fair.
I’m still flying high because of it.
I beat my first two years and also beat the goal I set for myself.
Amazing!
Some pics of my set-up:
Now it’s time for me to sit down and list all the extras in my shoppe. I will hopefully have this completed in the next few days or so. If you’re looking for something that you saw at the fair, please keep checking back!
Thank you to everyone who took the time to stop by my booth.
And very special thanks to those who loved my things enough to make a purchase.
It means a lot to me and I’m very appreciative!
Cheers!
August 11th, 2008 ★ No Comments »
Has been a million years since I’ve posted something crafty?
Yes, yes!
But here we go, a project I started and COMPLETED in only about a week!
Unheard of!
Some of you crafty folks might know of a very sweet site Wee Wonderfuls.
I gather quite a nice bit of inspiration from Hillary and her work.
This was no exception.
I looked at this adorable photo of her daughter and just knew I wanted to make some fun banners for my sons’ room.
I don’t like to copy things exactly, so I thought for a while about how to make this project mine. And ultimately, my boys.
Here is what I came up with.
This one for my Matty:
The letters are felt, hand embroidered using DMC thread.
For the end flags, I wanted to pick images that represented Matty’s interests.
He’s a reader and loves music.
So…
He likes to bring his instruments onto his bed. To play and snuggle with them.
And yeah, he’s totally allowed to stand up and jump on his bed!
Now for my Noah.
His end flags couldn’t so much reflect his interests, ’cause well, he’s only months old and his interests right now are eating paper and pulling my hair. I didn’t really know how to indicate that in stitchery.
So I gave him a little red birdie:
And some sunshine:
I think he approves:
materials used:
scrap cotton fabric
flannel
linen
interfacing
dmc embroidery thread
poly thread
ribbon
May 12th, 2008 ★ No Comments »
Phew.
It’s all done.
It wasn’t THAT much, but you know, being that I had (and still have) like a billion things to do before the new babe gets here, it felt like my plate was extr-y full and all.
But now?
All done!
Well, the custom sewing projects are done.
And shipped!
That’s the best feeling.
And now all that’s left is for all the lovely ladies to enjoy their new items. Yeah, yeah, THAT is the best part.
So here is the work:
A ladybug hip-pack and hairband set.
Matty actually modeled it for me! (Being that in my current state, or you know, ever, do I have a 28-30 inch waist. Ahem.)
A pretty pink pinwheel purse (say it 5 times fast baby!).
And finally, a three piece set: messenger bag, laptop sleeve, and wristlet. A lot of work, but very pleasing. I loved doing the exterior embroidery design and I’m thrilled with how everything came out.
And that’s all for now! I need a break. But probably won’t take one. I have plans to actually make myself some stuff now. Finally!
materials used:
nylon quilted
wool felt
magnetic snaps
zipper
lightweight corduroy
cotton
thread
nickel swivel clip
d-rings
dmc thread
interfacing
cotton canvas
September 17th, 2007 ★ 2 Comments »
Yeah, I can’t get enough of the owls.
I just ADORE them.
I still had some of this very awesome Japanese owl print cotton and decided to make a few items . My favorite part is hand sewing the wool felt appliqués on the outsides.
Eyes open!
Eyes closed!
On that second pouch, you will notice some extra cuteness in the corner there. I added a pink owl button and a removable pinback button, which I got from the very cool Kung-Fu Cowgirl over on etsy. See the whole set that I got? Darling!
Both pencilcases are in the shop, along with a few other items that I was able to whip up while waiting for some fabric to come in for the custom jobs I’m in the middle of. (Poor sentence structure!)
Check ‘em out folks!
materials used:
wool felt
dmc thread
interfacing
cotton
twill
thread
zipper
button
September 12th, 2007 ★ No Comments »
…of the custom work I’m in the midst of.
I’m loving this black mini purse.
It was made at the request of a very lovely lady, Jeanie.
I met her at the Arlington Fair.
She was helping her friend Judy in the jewelry booth next to mine.
Both of those ladies definitely helped pass the minutes.
(And allowed me to take a loo break!)
Oh and Jeanie’s husband rocks. Did ya know?
Check it.
So this mini is for her friend Mandi.
Mandi is cool.
And she has an 80s tribute band, The Reflex.
I think she’ll dig this mini.
Who could resist a mini made exclusively for themselves?
materials used:
ebony heavyweight twill
heart print cotton
magnetic snap
thread
wool felt
dmc thread
interfacing
September 1st, 2007 ★ No Comments »
Though given the chance, maybe I could be?
Allergies (both mine and Mike’s) have kept any and all felines out the house, so I tend to rely on the stuffed kitties and kitty fabric to get my kitteh fill.
I didn’t mean to make two cats right in a row.
But I had a wee bit more of that weiner doggie fabric and I just couldn’t get past the idea of stuffed softie kitty wearing a doggie print dress.
So I caved into it and whipped up this doll in the last few days.
I got to use the sewing machine this time, so with the exception of the felt and embroidery, which was still hand-stitched, production, as a whole, went much faster.
Her name is Jess.
And yup, she’s a rosy-cheeked dog lover.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Now, doesn’t that little doggie I stitched up look very reminiscent of Zero from The Nightmare Before Christmas?
I didn’t even do that on purpose!
(Can you believe that movie is from 1993? HOLY!)
And s’more Jess shots:
materials used:
wool felt
buttons
polyfill
cotton
embroidery thread
ribbon
And of course, the ever-awesome wee wonderfuls pattern.
August 26th, 2007 ★ No Comments »
And just as unbelievably cute!
Here are better pics of me new gal-pal Roberta.
Kitty-cat gal-pal.
Does that even make sense?
Who cares!
Look how pretty!
And the obligatory close-up of her fashionable little red birdie accessories:
You know you want a bag just like hers!
materials used:
wool felt
craft felt
dmc thread
cotton
grosgrain ribbon
buttons
polyfill
August 22nd, 2007 ★ No Comments »
Very pregnant.
And sewing.
A lot.
The Arlington County Fair is only 8 days away!
My self-imposed production schedule is kinda ridiculously ambitious. But I figure this fair will be my last hurrah for a good long while.
I have lots o’ stuff cut out already and it’s just a matter of me sitting at that sewing machine and going to town.
Last night I was up until 1230.
Tonight?
Who knows!
Once everything is complete, then it’s on to pricing, picture-taking, and packing.
Erm, fun stuff?
August 8th, 2007 ★ No Comments »
Say that in a sing-songy voice. ’cause I am.
And ’cause I do.
Recycle.
And sing like a fool.
I thrifted this gorgeous skirt from eBay.
It’s very funny to me that I buy clothing that don’t fit me.
It’s because I have vision people.
I don’t see dead people.
I see revamping and repurposing and reincarnating.
It’s awesome.
It’s a gift.
Here is the before:
And now for the afters:
I have the tiniest amount left. So I’m gonna make a tote that matches that last stripey makeup bag.
My favorite detail is the braided strap that I made. I just love the look of it.
I’m definitely gonna do more of those straps in the future.
This bag doesn’t have interfacing. The first one I’ve done like that.
I wanted to keep the natural, slouchy shape of it.
The best part?
I already sold the large purse!
It sold on etsy in one day.
Which is awesome.
Though a smidge bittersweet.
I love that purse and had to really fight the temptation to keep it myself.
materials used:
satin skirt
olive twill
cotton
thread
magnetic snap
zipper
June 14th, 2007 ★ 1 Comment »
