Scrapbooking

Mom and Dad are going to have a party for their 30th wedding anniversary. My job: make scrapbook pages for people to look at. A few years ago, I made my mom a "Brag Book" with pictures of Abra. The last page was for Christmas 2005. I have a little catching up to do!! Here is what I have done so far after 2 days:

Sorry for the sideways pictures, blogger just doesn't want to work!!! But look at my baby!!! These were all done yesterday.

These were all done so far today. I have gotten to summer 2007-but there are a few more that I don't have inspiration for yet from when Mom and Dad came out Christmas 2006

Abra's skirt

I FINALLY got around to making a skirt for Abra last night. It was really simple-but has some issues:( Not bad, for last minute. The fabric if from an old dress that never fit correctly and this pattern http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/photos/twirly_skirt/index.html.typepad.com/photos/twirly_skirt/index.html It has some issues that are sewer's errors, but for a 4 year-old, it is beautiful!!

Megan's present

I am fairly confident in saying that I can post Megan's bridal shower/wedding/birthday present with out ruining the suprise!! I saw the reversable halter top apron (http://tenthmusestudios.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/halter-apron-pattern/thmusestudios.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/halter-apron-pattern/musestudios.wordpress.com/2009/06/18/halter-apron-pattern/ )and HAD to have it, so I ordered my first pattern!!! I FINALLY got it in the mail (really it had only been a week at the most) I went to JoAnn's and used my coupons and got enough fabric to make the apron and hopefully a few potholders. Then after Abra was tucked into bed, I sat on my living room floor( I am glad that I decided to move the carpet out) and started cutting. That was my least favorite part!!! I know it doesn't have to be EXACT, however the closer all the pieces are, the easier to put together. I sewed until 2:30 this morning and decided I should sleep. All that was left was to put the two "seperate aprons" together and sew. Morning came WAY too early, but I remembered my apron, and jumped out of bed and to the sewing room! I was finished by 10 this morning!! YIPPEE!!!I tried it on and it didn't look right on me, so I had my little giant model for the camera!! (I AM GOING TO LOOSE THE WEIGHT!!!)

Side two

On the little giant

NO MORE ROCKS...well...

I am finished picking up the rocks that were along the sidewalk in the back!!! Well, not exactly, there is another couple of layers of SMALL rocks that we are just going to cover with dirt. If they work up to the surface, Abra will be older and she will pick them up!!! Also, there are a few spots that I can't get to because of the "firewood" pile. Sadly, we are going to have to add to that pile, the BIGGEST of our Cedar trees (the one we were hoping to build a tree house by/with, is rotten in the middle, so chances are it is going to come down. But, not to rain on my parade, I hand picked these rocks with some help from Abra and Dorothy, but mostly my own hands and carried the rocks in a Small garbage can-we NEED a wheelbarrow or wagon don't care which!!! And now, instead of a "rock garden" we have a HUGE rock pile!!!

This is the before. Look at the bottom...ROCKS!! There is more then what you can see, but you get the idea

Here is the after. You can see all the little rocks, but not for long:)

Like Shia's dog house she won't use!!! SERIOUSLY!!!

My BIG pile of rocks

Just for you Mom-DAFFODILS!!

Beautiful day!!

Abra has had a fever for the past few days, so today she is going to stay home as a "recovery day". She was very devastated so we brought out the paints!! Plus side, it is GORGEOUS out so we can be outside to do it!!!

Roman numerals

So, I am attempting to make the Roman numeral wall art. I have a piece of crap wood (is really thin) and drew the numerals this morning.I decided to make the numerals mean something instead of just VIII IX X, I did our birthdates! Rich got the power tools out and he taught me how to use them!! It was exciting!! We have cut out one set of numerals, however Rich wanted to "try" something and ended up breaking the X, so that will be our practice. Here is how the practice turned out:

Then, we went on a trip to the Home Depot, and got SUPER EXCITED because pine lumber is super cheap and with a little practice, I will be able to make my furniture...and furniture for my friends, just because it is fun!!! Maybe, I can find a way to make a couch for Tina that way she doesn't have to pay an arm and a leg :)

PLUS, we stopped into Salvation Army and I got 40 spools of thread (lots of different colors and some were not even used!) for $1.25!! I was so excited!!! Well, today has been productive and I it isn't done yet! I promised Rich brownies for valentine's and I have banana's that are ripe and about 10 sewing projects ready to going and not to mention, re-drawing today's practice numerals!!

While I was cleaning the playroom last night, I remembered I wanted to make a bag for Abra's "Don;t Break the Ice" game. The box just isn't cutting it anymore and I am OBESSESSED with not losing game pieces!!! I am getting better at sewing!! I was able to complete the project in ONE night, my cuts were straighter and my lines were straighter!! I am getting better, but still have MUCH to improve upon!! I followed this tutorial from the Noodlehead blog and it turned out pretty well!! http://noodleheads.blogspot.com/2010/02/boys-drawstring-backpack-from-khaki.html My fat legs is enough to make two of these and If I really wanted to, probably three using the butt! Since I DON'T have the legs to show off "short shorts" I took the zipper off of the khakis and used it for the bag. I also took the buttons off and will use them for other projects!! I am trying to be more resourceful!

catch up

Now that the rain has returned, so has my unmotivated mood! I have decided that will NOT be acceptable behavior and tonight have embarked on several projects: Bought Dorothy's christmas present, ordered pictures for Mom and Dad's scrapbook project, made a family tree http://www.marthastewart.com/article/hand-lettered-family-tree unfortunately, mine did NOT turn out as cute as Martha's. Of course, if I had unlimited resources at my disposal, I too could be as good. Abra and I painted the blanket crate pink and white. It is still a work in progress, but getting closer to being done. Oh, and tomorrow I am going to try and make the market skirt for Abra. She is VERY excited!!

BUSY day

I started off my day trying to figure out where my 2007 tax form is or how to get a copy quickly without paying the government. Then off to the zoo!!It was chilly this morning, but the animals were out and ready to play!!!WE went with the old neighborhood friends (minus the school age kids)

Then a quick trip to Target..FINALLY!!! Then off to school for Abra and I decided to run into a cool knitting/crocheting shop and decided that once a week, I was going to go in and learn to knit!! I am super excited!!

Came home and played in the yard since it is suppose to start raining soon. I stopped to check online and saw this idea and VALETINE'S DAY PROBLEM SOLVED!! I am so excited because Abra can do it all-practicing those ever so important fine motor skills. http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-heartbreaker-valentines.html

And I just got a call from my father in law saying that he found a copy of our tax form!!! YIPPEE What a great day

PAINT

I got some weird whim to paint this afternoon...so I did!! The paneling in the living room just was too much wood for me, and we didn't want to deal with taking it down until we replace the heating system, so I decided to paint it today. Don't ask me why, I just did!! AND I was crazy enough to do it with a paint brush instead of roller. (I didn't have anymore roller pads and didn't want to go to the store) I LOVE this color on the paneling-a VERY country cottage look, but I am not sure what I think about with my color yet!?!? (Don't tell Rich that!! He REALLY liked the wood paneling) I think that once I have more color and wall art it will all blend well! Okay ladies, it is time for you to come out again and see the changes/suggest what to do next!!!

Matching shirt

I really wanted to make a shirt to match the market skirt I made.After viewing the pattern tutorial( http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-make-your-own-pattern.html) I was wondering if I could do the 90 min shirt for a girl. Then I got curious about making a crew neck shirt, so off to the Abra clothes bag that I still had and there was a t-shirt that I didn't really like but for some reason still had so apart it went!! I followed the same steps loosely with the neck line being the exception. I used the collar from the t-shirt I cut up that Rich NEVER WORE!! He is so funny sometimes!! Then I embroidered some flowers that match the purple in the skirt!! I think that it turned out very well...except the black marker by the arm pit and the stretched out neckline, but it is the thought that counts, right!! Hey, summer time is coming soon and Ava will be outside walking around and unless Tina runs around behind her with wet wipes...wait, she probably will, but this is one of those shirts she is allowed to get dirty!!

Ava's birthday gift

So, I saw this skirt and LOVED it(http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-market-skirt.html)!!! I wanted to make one for Abra, but I just don't have enough fabric, so I decided to make one for Ava. It was a long, frustrating week, mainly because this is my first PATTERN that I have attempted and I had to play to make things work! It was a learning experience and I think that I now know more about my machine and am really excited to try a few other things out. Here are the pictures:














Up: pre-pockets on an abnormally large babydoll (9-12 month size)
Right: the finished product!!! Ava is just about to start walking so she in the chunk stage. I guestimate it is around 18 month size!!

Pancake

Abra has a new little friend...it's name is pancake and it is a worm. THere are two other worm friends, Jewelry and Abadah

It is finished

I went to my sewing machine yesterday to work on the market skirt (http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-market-skirt.html) but there was a quilt in the way and since I got my quilting foot from my mom for christmas, I have no reason to to procrastinate any longer!! I finished it today and it will stay in my stash until either someone I know has a baby girl (Matt and Jennifer) or I might give it to one of the little girls as a doll blanket. It is a little smaller then I hoped it would be, but still turned out REALLY well considering it is my first block quilt!!