beginning

Speaking of sewing for little girls, I just started my first project for my youngest. My very first quilt. Partly due to the inspiration of this wonderful lady. I actually started it a while back, but I scrapped it all last night as it just didn't look like her. I started over last night with a little Innocent Crush loveliness that I feel fits her personality much better. Can't wait to wrap her up in it!

Sorry it's been a while... a little travel for work left me unable to post this past week. But I'm back- Did you miss me?

My eldest daughter is coming into her own VERY specific, fun fashion taste. I love it! Now the challenge is to make things she likes, not things I would like to see her in. One person who I feel meshes her style well with the desires of her little princess is Ashley at Little Blue Boo.

I totally admire her ability to do that. Did you see her amazing work at Project Run and Play? I tell you, her outfits would definitely win first prize with my girls. And as she said, Boo (her girl) was her ultimate judge. Well done Ashley! Thanks for the inspiration.

Jack Lion Debut

Just a little break from the regular posting to let you know that I am married to the sexiest man on earth. Don't believe me? Here he is:

Performing live tomorrow night at The Basement on 8th Ave in Nashville, TN.

If you are breathing tomorrow, this is where you want to be.

Adorable Tutorial!

How completely adorable is this top? Wait until you see the precious girl that it is on... so perfect. Check out the tutorial and pictures of this cute creation here at Craftiness is Not Optional.

Rainbows

Due to the incredibly loving sacrifice of my handsome man, I was able to participate in Rainbow Around the Block this past Wednesday. It is a quilting project run by the incredibly lovely Anna Maria Horner that benefits families in Middle Tennessee who lost their homes/ possessions in the flooding last May. Thanks for a great day and the opportunity to do something beautiful Anna! You can check out the fun pictures up on her blog here.

Once Upon a Thread at No Big Dill!

SO looking forward to this! An entire month of sewing inspired by children's books. LOVE IT!

Oliver + S giveaway!

YIPEEE! In partnership with Made By Rae and Celebrate the Boy, Oliver + S is having a fantastic giveaway! Hop on over to read the great interview with Liesl Gibson and enter to win 3 fantastic patterns.

And did you see the other good news?

There is now a cute Oliver + S book! Little Things to Sew is now available in the Oliver + S shop!

heart pouch tutorial from the purl bee

okay. I know Valentine's day is past, but can we keep celebrating? Because this is the cutest little tutorial ever (from the Purl Bee). Perfect for my little loves.

I saw the link and this beauty at Creation Corner. Thanks Tasha!

Boy Fabric Round-up from See Kate Sew!

See Kate Sew has a great round-up of fabrics to use when sewing for boys. If you love prints like I do, you'll love this group. It is fantastic. It is also posted at Made By Rae as a part of Celebrate the Boy. She has broken the fabric up into groups... solids, textures, preppy, prints... Great choices Kate!

Celebrate the Boy has begun!

Hooray! Celebrate the Boy has begun.

Dana at MADE kicked things off perfectly with a great basic pants tutorial. Check it out.

And how fun are these slippers from Made By Rae? Tutorial here.

Great start ladies! I can't wait to see what else is coming and my brain is full of ideas for how to alter these for the little people in my life. My sewing list gets longer every day!

sewing with kids

A super-great idea for a first sewing project from Skip to My Lou.

Craft Contest

Have you seen the news? If you are a clever crafter you could win MONEY! $1002 to be exact. Not to mentions Makia Crafts could turn your idea into a kit! Then you could earn royalties... maybe it's worth a shot?

Lily's Quilts Giveaway!

Check it out! Lily's Quilts is giving away a Sherbet Pips Layer Cake. You will love looking around on Lynne's blog. It's great! Just leave a comment on this post at Lily's Quilts for a chance to win some goodness from designer Aneela Hoey!

V-Day Sewing, Monkey!

If I had the time, this is what I would make my girls for Valentine's Day. Check out the free pattern at mmmcrafts!

Cute!

Valentine's Day Tutorials!

Valentine's Day is just around the corner! If you are like me and are still looking for ideas, here are some thoughts:

Dana at MADE has a great Valentine's Roundup with tons of ideas.

More cute ideas at Two Little Aussie Birds.

Still more at Stash Resolution.

Celebrate LOVE!

boys, boys, boys!

I don't have sons of my own, but I am excited about this. After all it is great to give a little something that is handmade. Mark your calendars! A m0nth of celebrating the boy starts next tuesday! If it's anything like last year (here and here), Made by Rae and MADE will have a fantastic lineup of tutorials and all around goodness! Bring it on gals!

Owls!

I know they have been popular for a while, but I love birds and owls. So when I ran across this cute Owl Stuffie tutorial at Hammer and Thread, I loved it immediately. I have seen a number of owl tutorials, but this is my favorite. It is constructed with such personality and I love how the wings look... great work Ruth!

Great Fabric Painting/ Printing Tutorials

So, a while back I promised some information on printing or painting your own fabric. Then I ran across Lil Blue Boo. There are a number of great ideas for printing on fabric. Have you seen this site? Tutorials and loveliness galore. Check it out!

Year of the Rabbit

According to the Chinese zodiac, this is the year of the rabbit.

In celebration of that fact, Craft Passion has a cute bunny sachet tutorial! How cute!

Inspired by the rabbit?

You could try this quick little bunny tutorial from Elsie Marley,

or this beautiful Purl Rabbit project from Purl Bee,

or this sweet Candy Cotton Tail Bunny Pillow pattern (free) from Wolf and Willow.

More Fabric Label Tutorials

In case you are interested in making your own labels, in addition to the tutorial in the last post, I found these other helpful ideas:

These clever labels at Patchwork Pottery use transfer paper and twill tape.

This one from Allyson Hill uses printable fabric.

More details about using an inkjet and making your own fabric printable here at DuhBe.

Lil Blue Boo has a great idea for you if you want more of a "tagless" look and feel to your labels. She includes a hang tag idea too!

Fabric Labels

Can't wait to try out this tutorial at Prudent Baby from Katie at Notes from a Very Red Kitchen. I have always wanted to be able to sew in my own fabric label after I make something. So now- the hard part, as Katie says- actually coming up with a design!

yummy, yummy

How cute are these little owl teethers from Homemade By Jill? What baby wouldn't love all that pattern and texture! She made them from a free pattern found at the Rubber Pumpkin. I love the clever way she made it crinkle- so clever.