Inspiration

I went to the fabric store yesterday and bought some material to make Olivia a couple of summer dresses - I hope it works. It's my first time following an actual pattern! I have a feeling I'll be skyping with my mom about this one!

Also, I've discovered a new facebook page that has taken up most of my morning. Someone has linked together a whole bunch of fantastic pictures for crafty parents. And now the list of things I want to make is huge! Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ideas-Inspiration-For-Crafty-Parents/227305467298064

Bee Quilt!

Here it is! My bee quilt in completion. I've been working on this on and off since February. This is my second quilt. The first was a baby quilt made from a quilt kit. This one I made from reading a lot of quilting books and online articles and by spending a number of conversations with my mom on Skype asking, "Is this right?" and "what do you suggest I do here?" type questions. I'm pretty happy with it. Looking at it, I feel like I accomplished what I wanted when I first bought the material last fall. I wanted the bee fabric featured. And I wanted the back material to become the frame of the front. I know it isn't perfect and I still have a lot to learn about sewing and quilting, but I feel good about this.

My bee quilt

A glimpse at the back

All folded up

The Cutest Apron!

Don't you just love this little apron?  I first saw one like it on Flexible Dreams.  As soon as I saw hers I was on the lookout for the supplies to make one myself.  This apron is made from a tea towel, potholder and ribbon.  That's it.  So simple.  The toughest part was finding a cute potholder/tea towel set.  It was my first time trying pleats and I'm so pleased with how they turned out.  This little apron is on its way to my niece.  I hope she like it!
To make one of these yourself go to Flexible Dreams' Tutorial here.  Her instructions make it so easy.  I did this in one night, if I can do it, you can do it too!

Makin' Valentine's Cards

Last week I got away to a Card Making Workshop.  I found it through Meetup.com.  One of the other moms on one of the meetup groups I belong to recently became a rep for Stampin' Up, which is a high quality stamp company.  It was a lot of fun!
Meetup.com for those who haven't heard of it is a site you can join all across the world.  Each city has people who host groups looking for like minded people to meetup.  The range of groups is incredible.  I've met some great moms that way.
Onto the cards.  This was my first go at card making in a long time.  I'd made our wedding invitations, but they were very simple.  As well I made birth announcements for our first born 6 and half years ago.  I used to do a lot of scrapbooking, but since kids the scrapbooking has fallen by the wayside.  I will get back to it one day.
The cards were fun once I got into it.  Our host had a lot of product to choose from to use and a lot of samples to inspire.  Here's what I came up with.

 for my 6 year old son

for my 1 year old daughter

 for my 3 year old son

for my husband

Opinion Please

I've just cut out the quilt top for my first non-quilting kit quilt.  The only part I haven't done is cut out the rectangles for the border.  The directions need 40 3 1/4 by 5 1/2 squares.  I just don't know what material to use.  I have a yellow, but I don't know if it should be all yellow?  I still have enough of the other fabrics left to cut out some with those.  What do you think? 

Bird Mobile

Since I've started crafting, I have been taking a look around at what other crafters are doing and posting.  One my favorite discoveries is Maggie and Sparrow.  Kathryn is a quilter from Down Under, who hand quilts all of her projects.  I think they are gorgeous.  Her mobiles caught my eye and seeing as I have no travel plans to Australia in the near future, I thought I would try my hand at my own.  You can see one of hers here.

I chose birds as the theme I just love these little birds.  I think they are so sweet.  These little birds are on my daughters snuggly quilt that my mom made her when she was born. 

Here's my daughter's little corner of the house.  She shares a room with us, but I still tried to make a nice little nursery corner for her.  The fabrics for the mobile are the same as the stuffed letters I did with her name this fall.

Here's how the mobile turned out.  I took a lot of shots of it, trying to get it in the best light.

Daisy flower birthday cake

My daughter turned one today - this is the cake I made for her.