My sewing "studio"

OK.... So maybe it's not as exciting as a studio space would be. But it's what I have and it's where the magic of abundant Sonshine happens! 

I even tidied  it up... just for you! 

{Gasp, you mean you don't keep it clean all the time?! Creativity is rarely tidy people ; )}

But I wanted to invite you over to see where I get to do my fun-free-time-stuff!!

I found the cute little jars with my labels in them at Goodwill! 

Why so many scissors? You may be wondering.... no? Well I'll tell you any way ; )

*1 pair are pinking shears {keeps fabric from unraveling and work great for a quick finishing}

* 1 pair are fabric ONLY cutting scissors {a must for being able to cut fabric well}

* 1 rotary cutter {my best friend for cutting straight lines in fabric}

* 1 everything-else pair of scissors {I use them to cut out patterns, strings, etc}

This wreath just makes my space happy and adds a touch of color!

{You can get a hit to make your own here!}

A little basket that is home to all my cards and a few patterns.

And... probably my absolute favorite part of the business...

FABRIC!!

I love fabric. 

I love picking it out. 

I love trying to figure out the perfect project for that fabric.

I love the colors!

I love the patterns.

And I was so excited to learn a great way to keep my fabric organized and easily accessible! I stumbled upon THIS on Pinterest!

It has made a huge difference as now I can see exactly what I have on hand and even quickly take pictures of fabric prints for inquiring customers! : )

And there you have it, my sewing studio and possibly one of my favorite places in the house!

Dresses

I found some fabric that I had to use to make Little Lady some dresses! I was so excited to get 3 of them made this weekend! I had a great idea to share them actually on the little lady they were made for, but a photo shoot with a 2 year old is probably the most ridiculous idea any one could ever have....

Things started out well.

{This one started out as a dress but I didn't really care for it so I cut it shorter to be a cute top instead!}

And my little model was still on board for the next one, but she didn't want to stand still for very long.

{This one is my number one favorite of the 3! Love those buttons :D}

By the third outfit change we were just racing the clock.

{It's a little blurry which makes you feel a little dizzy with this fabric.}

And it just wouldn't be a photo shoot with out sharing the out takes.

       

                 

All the rest were blurry. So there you have it! My favorite past time right now is making sweet dresses for my sweet little lady!

*Here are the tutorials I used for 2 of them. The other was from a pattern book I have.
Junebug Dress
Ruffle Peasant Top

Sew much fun!

My mama came to visit this weekend and we really enjoyed it! On Saturday hubby had to work so we went out and did a little shopping. Sunday was church and I went to help plan a baby shower and then we just hung out at the house. Monday we all {except hubby and little dude} had a bit of a stomach bug or ate something that didn't settle right. So Nana decided to stay another day.

It was a relaxing, enjoyable time! And the best part was I got some focused sewing time in while Nana had tea parties and played with the kids. We all got to do what we enjoy!

Someone my mom works with has a little girl who turned 2 this past weekend. I got inspired and decided to make her a little outfit!

Dresses like these and many other adorable things for your little sweetheart will be available in my shop by the end of this month!! I'll share more about this in the coming months!!

Wonderful Weekend.

What a wonderful weekend! I hope you all had a great one too.

Let's see, on Saturday we got up and around and went out to our favorite outdoor shopping center close by to snap some picture of the kids! Imagine my surprise when we pull up to the courtyard {that also has a ground fountain we enjoy through out the summer} and find that all of the flower gardens surrounding it are filled with TULIPS, all in full bloom. I was so excited because tulips are my absolute favorite flowers!

And they were gorgeous! The fountain was going to, which was also a surprise. Although I can see why, given our 80 degree weekend. Summer is just around the corner!!

The kids were in pretty good moods and we got quite a few great shots! Even though Little lady is in a phase where she doesn't mind her brother as long as he isn't touching her. That left little hope for a sibling shot.

After we took pictures, I spent the afternoon at our church helping put together rose bouquets that our mom's group sold for Mother's day to benefit a local place that helps single moms in the area. And we went to Saturday evening service as well, where I won the "Mom of the youngest child" contest! Every year they do a competition for the "Mother of the youngest" and "Mother of the oldest child" at each service. Little dude happened to be the youngest little dude there on Saturday night! I won a beautiful bouquet of roses and book!

Sunday morning my mother's day wish came true and I was able to sew for the whole morning!! I actually completed a little summer dress for Little lady! {All except for the shoulder straps which I still have to attach before she can wear it.}

 

I used the tutorial over at Make it and Love it blog! It was really simple and so very cute! I'm excited to make a few other adorable little outfits for her from a pattern book I found.

We also spent Sunday afternoon with hubby's mom and his aunt and we always have a great time visiting with them! To finish off our day, we went to the park and watched in amazement how much Little lady has grown since last year this time.

 

And Little dude had his first experience in the swing! He really liked it, much more than his big sister did at his age.

A little work out with daddy was in order as well!

What was the best part about your weekend?

Just got the call...

That my sewing machine is fixed!!! Yay :D

{insert happy dance and many smiles!!!}

I have been having sewing withdrawals. I know that my machine being down for the count was a much needed break given to me from the Lord.

And now I am so excited to get back to work! I seriously have a stack of projects all cut out and ready to be sewn.  And I just found this site today - Sewing in No Mans Land - Oh my cuteness! Could you seriously not just die of this cuteness?!}

All of these are patterns on this website! And these adorable aprons, 

I can hardly wait to get my hands on my machine and some fabric!!

All that matters.

My sewing machine is 'sick' and I'm having it repaired at the moment. And it would be perfect timing... But not really. It's never perfect timing to be without my machine for two weeks. :( I have some fabric that I'm so excited to turn in to cute sting and summer dresses. For Little lady, of course, and also for my shop! My Etsy shop that is.

You can find it here. There is also a link in the sidebar to the left.

I love to sew and I love to crochet. I find that both are a great creative outlet for me and I have fun making things that I or my family can use and then some! So I figure I can sell them.

I'm still learning and have a long way to go to be any kind of expert, but I love learning! I really hope that Little lady will want to learn to sew. {I won't throw a tantrum, beg her to give a try, make her if she doesn't want to.} But I hope she'll want to learn. It's kind of a lost art. But it's coming back!

And I can't wait to get my machine back. God probably knew that I needed a break, to keep my priorities straight, which is time in the Word before time on my hobbies. Although, I do enjoy listening to podcasts of messages given by Calvary pastors while I'm working on crafts. But the precept study I'm doing requires a lot of actual study time. That can be difficult with littles and my only opportunity most days is 5 min here or 5 min there. But that too is a 'God thing'. It keeps me from building my head knowledge and gives me extra time to let the Holy Spirit transform my heart. And I need my heart transformed.

Not only is this Bible study pulling more of my free time {thank you Jesus!} but I'm excited to be in the last month count down of my 'little sister' and best friend's wedding!! I can't believe it's less than 5 weeks away!! Needless to say, the days are getting busier as we approach the big day! And I'm having a blast doing all the matron of honor task {not to mention the 'big sister' duties!}

So while my project list grows, as does my must-read book list... and my wedding prep to do list, my prayer is that God will interrupt 'my plans' and keep me focused on what really matters. That He is on the throne, He is worthy of all praise, and our time left on this earth is short. And my main purpose is for His Kingdom. And nothing else on this earth matters.

P is for play.

I had to show off a project I put together for the new baby!

It's a texture play mat! Each "pie" piece is a different material: fleece, bumpy fleece, satin, terry cloth, velour-ish, and 3 cotton pieces with print.

On most of the "pie" pieces there are elements that baby can explore, feel, tug or just drool on :).

I'm particularly proud of myself given that the project was labeled 'intermediate' and the directions were very vague. I had a few bumps and hurdles, but I finished it less than 4 hours! 

Now we just need baby to get here so he or she can play!

Until then...

Big sister doesn't mind breaking it in!

And while we are on the subject of play, Little Lady is one who plays hard. She doesn't show fear for anything it seems. When she starts getting hyper she is twirling around the room or throwing her whole body up against the couch and bouncing off. She loves it and it only gets her going more!

In the last couple days she has managed to, shall we say earn, a few 'battle wounds'....

The one under her chin she got while playing in the nursery at church on Sunday. They said she had a run in with the mat and it left her a pretty good mark!

She also has a scrape under her eye that she got from practically throwing herself off of the couch in one of her hyper spells. Just moments before she fell I was thinking how rowdy she was getting and that she was probably going to fall, and then not even moments later she went face first on to the floor. :( 

Niether boo-boo seems to bother her too much but she sure looks pretty beat up. What can I say she's one tough little girl!!