Snow Mum

This is Amy Butler's Snow Mum pillow. It's a free pattern from her website. And below is my finished project! I'm very happy with how it turned out. It was sort of a challenge in attaching the pedals on with my machine. The flower itself got too thick to fit underneath the foot - so I free handed it.

Pillow Cases

I found some nice velvet on sale at Joann's during my last visit. I wanted to change the look of the living room and lighten things up just a little. We used to have wine/burgundy colored velour pillow cases...I think these tan ones does the trick. I just made simple envelope style cases for our exsiting pillow forms.

It's getting cool outside

I made a couple more blankets using my handy dandy walking foot with minky. The light weight one with the colorful flower print will likely be a gift...Jenny, Shanny, or Michelle. The blue one below is heavier weight. The minky material is thicker and it's backed with flannel instead of cotton. It's perfect for these cooler nights to keep the little Piggie nice and cozy. I think I'll make some more for the little boys...Oliver, Fletcher, Connor and Davis. I found a nice sage green minky but need something else for backing. I'll have to go hunt down something.

On my plate and I'm super eager to try is the Amy Butler Snow Mum pillow. I think it would make a wonder Christmas present to friends. So off to Joann's or maybe Jenny's to collect materials for the project. I can't wait.

Empire Waisted Tunic Top

Well, I did it. My very first garment from a pattern. This is from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones. It took me nearly 4 hours to complete from start to finish. In part I had trouble understanding the instructions. It wasn't very clear that some pieces I had to cut in flip flopped. Then I didn't realise I cut the the fabric panels not using the contrasting print. But I still liked the way it turned out over all. I second guessed a lot of the instructions because I couldn't picture how to put it together or turn. I would have made some changes in the armpit area, I think it puckers since the sleeve was simply a rectangle. It still looks like boutique quality and I'm happy. I think when I make a second one, I'll be able to do it in less time and produce a better fit.

Minky Blanket Take Two

After doing some reading online, I discovered a walking foot for the sewing machine would make it feasible to work with the stretch minky material. It feeds the material from up top in addition from underneath, so the fabric moves thru the machine evenly. I picked up mine from Joann's with their weekly 40% off coupon. So here's my end result with the walking foot. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. This was a test I made for the Piggie. She's grown so attached to her pink satin/minky blanket - I thought this would help her spread the love a little. She likes it but still prefers the original. Then last week for Columbus Day - Joann's had a sale 40% off all minky material. I picked up some in cream and light green. I thought the green would be a nice gender neutral color. It would make a nice Christmas gift for all the babies we know.

Fashionista Part 2

Doanie models my belt with so much more flair!



***Her apartment is not normally a shoe display...she's currently doing a shoe inventory.

Fashionista!

This is a beautiful eggplant purple belt created especially for Doanie. I'm not much a of belt wearing person, however as I'm modeling for this picture, I think I might want one for myself. It's approx 38' but totally adjustable to fit any size. The width is approx 4" - very nice to add a bit of color. I'll contemplate it.

Minky Blanket

This was my first attempt at a minky blanket. I've reworked it at least 3 times and still can't get it work look as perfect as I had hoped it would turn out. I've since read that minkys are hard to work with and should consider a walking foot on the sewing machine. I'll give that a try on the next go around. I should probably start with a easier blanket that is simply turned inside out and top stitched instead.

On a brighter note, I've finished the birthday banner for the little piggie. Well kinda, I think I still need to outline the letters P, I, and D with fabric paint so it pops out more. Her big bash is next weekend and I have to get a move on with the tutu I want to make.

I was able to repurpose our old wedding thank you cards into these love birthday invitations. I think it turned out nice. Invites were sent out last week. Lynne has offered to bake chocolate cupcakes, I'm making coconut cupcakes. Grandma Lin will be bringing down some party trays of food. Grandma Woo will probably contribute something too.

Cloth bag

This item was pieced together last night. Being that I'm still a novice with sewing...it took me longer than necessary to figure out how to sew this together properly without a pattern. I already have one with 6 interior pockets, 3 on each interior side (purchased)...since I personally don't use the 6 pockets...I made this one with just 3. I am very proud of my work. I think it will take me less the 1/2 the time I spent last night when I make another one.

This bag is great as a diaper bag or a casual everyday bag. I find that since I became a mom, I tend to carry A LOT more stuff in my purse. This is roomy enough to carry a small water bottle, a couple diapers, travel wipes, and junk along with compartments/pockets for my wallet and keys.

Miracle in a jar

On our trip to Italy back in 2006, we went to the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy in Florence. It's were the monks used to formulate all kinds of creams, lotions, baths, and perfume. As a souvenir, Lisa picked up a jar of their Almond Foot Cream. OMG! A little goes a long way. We didn't know it then, but I guess they have stores in Beverly Hills and NYC. During her mini-vacation to NYC last week, she brought back a jar for me! If you don't live near either, you can always get it online at eluxury. Ever since the pregnancy with the little Piggie, my poor feet have been sad and callused. Literally after 2 nights of apply what would amount to less than a dime size, the calluses have been reduced by over 50%. Soon I will have my beautiful little feet back.

Market bag

Almost everyone in Australia uses market bags. You'd see people of all ages go to the store with a sack full of market bags. Doesn't matter where you go, they all do it. In an effort to help reduce waste, I'm going to start using cloth bags. Here's one I made with some fabric I picked up years ago. It was really simple. I think I'm going to modify the shape a bit - maybe a bit more square.

Babies all around

More baby boys...this must be the year of boys. Tanya's expecting baby boy in Oct, Suzanne's boy is due in July, and Jane just had her baby boy! Whew. I'm sending the crazy monkeys burpers over to Jane for little Roy. The airplane ones are going to Suzanne. And OMG! Jenny's preggo too! Shhhh...she hasn't annouced it yet, Anjali leaked the news.


If you haven't notices, although these pics were taken at the same time on the same backgroung, the top one is way more pink than the bottom. We got a new Samsung digital camera - in celebration of 30 yrs in US market, they gave these to all of their employees. I just picked it up from Sam today at lunch, so just beginning to understand the buttons. Evidently I had the setting on Retro setting.

Nursing cover #3

I've been having a hard time find the right fabric that's good as a nursing cover for a boy. Then I thought this is nice modern, bold and not to fem for a mom nursing a baby boy. Although I didn't have enough for the full body of the nursing cover...I used some left over scraps of brown to trim it. I liked how it turned out so much that I had a hard time giving it to Doris.

Land down under

The flight to Australia with the little Piggie was not bad at all. The flight went well. She was fine for take off and landing. She was asleep in my mom's arms for the landing. We got a bassinet for her. The flight had approx 100 empty seats. So my aunt found a window seat to give us more room. She was curious and up around when we initially boarded the plane. She then got bored with being confined in such a limited space around 1pm. I have her 1 dose of benedryl and she fell asleep soon after that. She slept in the bassinet til around 5am, I heard her wiggling and gave her a bottle of formula. That carried her til about 9am. She got up and nursed, played and went back down. Got up again and nursed and ate around 12. She was asleep for landing. There was probably a total of 30 -60 mins of her fussing, but ultimately not bad.

Ummm cake

Shanny made this adorable birthday cake for Lisa's 30th last weekend. We all went to Skate Depot for a night of 70s Disco Roller Skating. It was great since we dressed up too!

Shanny's already thinking about Piggie's birthday in a couple months. She's making 2 cakes! Tinkerbell and pigs! I'm looking forward to see what she comes up with.

Pants party

I went to M&L last week to pick up fabric for Lisa's little dress I'll be making her. I found a super cute brown and pink apples corduroy fabric. I thought it would make a great pair of pants for the little Piggie. I used one of her little pants as a pattern to cut. We tried it on for size but it's just a tad snug. Maybe I'll need to add a zipper or button up???

Up cycle

I made of shirt from scraps from my mom's blouse. She wanted 10-12 inches taken off her 2 shirts so I re purposed them and fashioned a cute little shirt for the Piggie. This will be perfect for the brisk temperature in Australia this time of year.

Crawlers

Now that the little Piggy is full blown crawling, the hard wood floors must be tough on her little knees. I made these leggings for her to help protect the knees a little. Plus its great for her in the mornings when it's a little cooler - keeps her a wee bit warmer without the bulk of pants. And easier for diaper changes.

You can buy these fancy little leggings at baby boutique stores but it would set you back about $12-14. Or you can buy women's trouser socks or knee highs, cut and sew for a fraction of the price.

No more peek a boob

I've finally made a nursing cover for myself. This is a necessity for our 14 hour flight at the end of the month. We've already practiced using it over the weekend. Bella keeps pulling at it. She doesn't like having something draped over her head. I guess she'll just have to deal. No sense in exposing myself to everyone else on our flight.

Oliver has arrived

Baby Oliver was born the same day as Lisa and Grace's birthday! We stopped by for a visit. I made a few baby burpies with monkey prints (forgot to take pictures) and brought a matching set of burpie/diaper wipe case.

We had to cut our visit short since I had to hurry off to Tanya's baby shower. I got her a Bjorn off her registery and the nursing cover I made and posted along with the matching diaper wipe case (Mod Mommy). It was a hit.

Oh, and Michelle wants to buy the Mod Mommy case for Jenny to use. She thought it was so cute : )

Travel Necessities

A couple months ago, I was listening to the and they did a segment on airplanes. In particular airplane pillows and blankets. They interviewed an anonymous flight attendant who confirmed that airlines DO NOT clean the pillows or blankets. They simply toss them back up into the overhead compartment for the next flight. Ew, disgusting. In preparation for our flight to Australia at the end of the month, I made my own travel pamper kit. It includes a pillowcase, a lined blanket and eye mask. At least now I'll have a barrier between me and the previous guy in my seat.

Flowers and Dots

I'm so happy that Lynne liked the Tutu and Pinafore I made for Grace for her birthday. It felt great to give her something I made myself. Lynne's very into DIY ~ and she ususally does it better than what money can buy. So it was a huge compliment that she not only liked them, but wanted to know how she can make them for herself!

In attempt to give Lynne a pattern, I cut one of my own. It's a little larger than the one I made Grace. It gives me great pride to say that I've done a pretty good job. We went to my new found favorite store M&L Discount Fabrics in Anaheim and picked out the fabrics for project. Yi Yi helped me pick out this nice yellow and pink flower print to go with the dot print I chose. From start to finish, this project took about 1 hour to complete. I'm getting more efficient on the sewing machine.
I might revise the patten a little bit - giving it a wider neckline. It's a tight squeeze for Bella's bobble head. Otherwise, the fit is good. I'll scan it tonight and email it to Lynne for her to play with.

Now I'm working on a Bitty Booties project from Heather Bailey. It's simply adorable. However the booties are good for 6mos, so I'll have to modify it for the piggie. I thought they would make great slippers for our flight to Australia at the end of the month. Plus, it's always sooooo cold at my aunts house there, it would keep Bella's little toes nice and warm.

Mod Mommy

I'm on a sewing frenzy. Now that I'm more confident with the machine. I got a great pattern online for a nursing cover. I think it looks better that the ones you buy from the boutique stores. I wish I had attempted this sooner so that I can use it myself. This along with the matching wipes travel case will make a lovely gift for either Doris or Tanya.