If I Quit My Day Job - Part II

Oldest Daughter  is going though an owl phase. She really likes these creatures. She also likes stuffed animals. So a week ago I had this little idea . . . Pulled out some scraps of fabric, and in a manner of minutes of designing, cutting and sewing, I came up with this!

Then Littlest Girl wanted a baby owl of her own. This is hers. She named it "Cupcake" After I handed her my newest creation, she said "Oh, cute. I love it!"

It didn't take long forYoungest Boy to want one. And as he went off to school, he said, "make me one next!" Here is his.

Oldest Boy requested  a "Snowy Owl" for him.  I just felt flattered that he would even want one.

After seeing Littlest Girl's pink owl, I could tell Oldest Daughter wanted a colorful one too. So since she got the "trial owl" I made her this one too!

Here's the bunch a week later, after my spare time sewing.

I expanded the collection.

When I gave Oldest Daughter the trial one, she said: "Mom, you are such a good sewer! You should be a Stuffed Animal Maker!"

                                             The possibility for other creatures is there.
And I have yet another profession I can add to my resume! Oh the possibilities .  .  . I'll keep my day job though!

If I Quit My Day Job - Part I

As a stay at home mom, I'm guaranteed to always have a job, but I was recently made aware by my kids, that I can add two more specialties to my resume.

Even though hubby has Irish ancestors, we don't really celebrate St. Patrick's Day. I was thinking of just dyeing the milk green in the morning, but decided it was best not to, because last time I tried to be somewhat clever and made "witch finger" breadsticks for Halloween dinner (to go along with our pumpkin soup), the kids were not too crazy with the idea (I guess it's kind of like the green ketchup deal, it tastes the same, but it's appearance does throw one's taste buds off).

So, as far as the St. Patrick's festivities went, I decided to make sugar cookies frosted with royal icing. I've frequently seen the prettiest looking cookies on the cover of many magazines, but never actually tried the piping and flooding technique. So I made a batch, shared some, and put a couple in my kid's lunches.

When oldest son came home, he told me when he got his cookie out for lunch, one of his classmates asked him, "Did your mom buy those cookies?"  To which oldest son replied, "No, she made them." Then his classmate said, "Wow! Your mom's a good Froster!" 
I guess the two hours of baking and frosting didn't go unnoticed! 

I can now add "froster" to my resume.

Hibernation Is Over

I've been hibernating in my cave, but I guess it's time to come out. Sunny weather makes such a difference! I finished little girl's class costumes. All twelve of them. Now on to oldest daughter's. Although theirs are going to be much simpler. I was hesitant to pack up the Valentine's decorations, and bring out the Spring greenery. Partly because I don't really trust that the weather will actually cooperate and partly because I can't believe it's actually March, and nearly the end of it!

About a month ago, I went through a quick tour of Decorator's Imports with my mom and sister. My mom came out on top and spent a whole 50 cents on a glass trinket. I came in second with about five dollars, and my sister spent the most! Although I think some of her finds were for the Studio. I hadn't been thrifting for a while. As I said, I've been in my cave.

I found these dishes in not only my favorite color, but in one of my favorite shades of green.  Perfect for March.

I'm also partial to black and white. I found this on that same trip.

Here are some of last Spring's end of season items, I've added to this years Spring collection.

I made this last summer from my "pretty maids" design I produced last Spring.  It was a bit trickier since I used paper for the background. I just liked the paper, and didn't have fabric that color.

I used a thrifty frame. I didn't even have to paint it!

If the dates and weather would cooperate Spring would feel more official!

Retro Twilight Pillow

When I saw this fabric, I had to have it!  My intention was to possibly make a border for a tablecloth or table runner. But there was only about a yard left on the bolt. So, I purchased the yard and ordered some more.

I like fabric, and sometimes I buy it, not knowing what I'm going to do with it. I thought this would make a fun purse, or purse lining. I needed a quick project. I just wanted to display it in my home. It would even look fun, simply framed. I decided to use the yard I purchased to make a pillow. I find it is a quick way to change things up a bit.

I've also been having fun making these simple blooms into pins, hair clips or accents. I think I'm still hibernating my energy for sewing Spring costumes for my girl's dance classes, furniture painting, and perhaps a Spring or Summer quilt. So the key here is, my latest projects have been quick ones.

Some quilt doodling . . .

 a little accent . . .

and my Retro Twilight Pillow is done!

                                                             Back into hibernation I go!

My Little Valentines

 Seems I always have a tune in my head. I think "Beatles Rock Band" had something to do with this one. I had this idea lurking in my brain since last year.
From brain to paper:

A thrifted frame ready for the spray can-

Designed to embroidered -

Happy Valentine's Day!

Friendly Find

The quickest cross stitch yet!

I found this at the thrift store for 50 cents.  It did come in a cherry frame (sorry, no before picture). I simply repainted the frame and antiqued it. Much better!

I just thought it was appropriate for Valentine's Day. Afterall, My Valentine is my friend first.

Sonata Tote

One of the few things I created for the Christmas Season, was a small decorative pillow out of this fabric.

It needed a slight upgrade. So I decided to quilt it.

Drew a few lines on the backing, and sewed along. Perfect quilting project. If you've never attempted this, it's an easy way to add quilting into your life!

I was quite pleased with the end result!

 I used the same method and made a tote for my daughter to carry her books to piano lessons.

Made a little flower embellishment.

I made it into a pin

Because the tote is also reversible.

So it can be embelished . . .

Anywhere!