Hoo Are You?

1. Do you have any siblings?
Yes, I'm the oldest of 5! 2 sisters and 2 brothers.

2. Do you have any children?

2 so far! A little girl, 5, named Jayne, and a little boy, 2, named Ryan. They are amazing little people!

3. Are you a morning or night person?
Both? I get up early almost everyday of the week to work out. If I don't, it really throws off my day. Night times are my time to craft and do projects so I stay up late most nights doing that too and hanging with my amazing husband. Now as I write this I realize this is probably not the best plan. I could definitely use more sleep :-)

4.Are you organized or spontaneous?

I'm totally organized. I'm rarely spontaneous. But I think it's fun to be spontaneous so I do try to let it happen here and there.

5. What is your typical 4th of July like? Laid back at home? Community celebrations? etc...?
We always spend it with family. Usually swimming, good food, BBQ, family, and fireworks. I love the 4th of July! and I love decorating my house for it. It's a constant reminder of the sacrifices made to make us free.

Join along. Go to Night Owl Crafting Blog and link along :-)

Hello Summer!- Towel Backpack

The summer version of a backpack?- One that turns into your beach/pool towel!

I saw this adorable bag on one of my friends blogs. You know how it goes, you hop from blog to blog. I found this awesome tutorial on "The Train to Crazy" blog and had to run out and make them. I rarely get to make anything for my son, so he was super excited. He's been wearing his "backpack" around non-stop. You can find this tutorial HERE

(and yes, it includes a hood, which my kids just love!)

I LOVE this because by having each kid carry their own towel, leaving me with only my towel which I can throw in my chair, that saves me 1 whole extra bag of towels I would normally be carrying! That's HUGE! Someday when my kids are big and they can all carry their own stuff, it won't be as dramatic, but for now, when I look like a pack mule as we make our way down to the sand, this is huge. I highly recommend this tutorial and project! Super easy, quick, and fun.
**Couple Changes: After making 1 exactly like the tutorial I ended up making a few changes to the next 2. I made the pocket/backpack part 1 inch larger on each side. Also, the straps where the perfect length for my 2 year old, but I had to make them longer for my 5 year old. 30 inches wasn't enough for her. Extended it about 37 inches long. I also added some embroidery and patches, which I thought made them extra cute!

This is just a perfect gift idea too! Already made one for a party last week, and doing another for a party this week!

Favorite Things- Summer Beach Bag

As you may know from past blog posts, I get to go to a Favorite Things party twice a year! Two of my friends host it. How it works is, you bring 5 of your favorite things (all the same item). The item has to be between $5 and $6. Then you swap your 5 with everyone else and everyone goes home with 5 different things. It's so much fun! They do it in December and then sometime in the summer.

This summer I decided to make a summer beach bag!! I spent all the money on fabric (and had to search all the clearance racks to find anything in my price range). I got a really nice heavy canvas for the outside and a thin cotton flower fabric for the inside. I did an outside pocket and 2 pockets on the inside. I cheated a little since I only made it in the price range with the actual fabric cost and not my time, but it was worth it!

Click HERE to see my past tutorial on how to make this bag. It's completely reversible/lined, and totally professional. I've already seen several of the lucky 5 that got my bag at the party using it! I just love that.

If I could have spent more money I would have padded the arm straps, and added a big white flower on the pocket, or monogrammed the pocket. I do custom orders if you want one!

I folded up all the bags and put inside 1 to take to the party. So fun! Can't wait for the next one!

Teacher Appreciation Present- Lavender Aromatherapy Pillows

Jayne's teachers this year have been so great! Besides going in on the group gift from the class, I thought I'd whip up this little gift with a note that said, "I hope you get a chance to relax now that school's out!".

How To: I used some scraps of warm and natural quilters batting sewn together like a pillow. I left about a 3 inch hole on one side. Flipped it inside out (so finished seams), then filled the pillow with rice and lavender. Fold the fabric of the whole and sew it up. Your insert is now done. Then I just made a minky pillowcase for it. Use a front solid piece, and 2 pieces that overlap in the back (your flap) so that you can get the insert in and out. After finishing the edges of the 2 flaps, put right sides together and sew all the way around. Using your center flap, turn it inside out and it should be all done and ready for the insert.

I added a tag, some candy, and wrapped it up in a cello bag. Happy end of school!

New Pillows

Before

I've been wanting some new pillows for my new couch. It's a big brown microfiber L couch and I love it. It's comfortable, can sit a ton of people, and the kids goop just wipes right off. It came with 3 pillows that I got to pick the fabric for (out of about 200 choices). I got this nice paisley'ish fabric in the colors of my room, but the 3 pillows wasn't enough for this huge a couch. All I had on hand were some ugly old brown pillows that I used a million years ago. I spent about $40 and some coupons and got the fabric to make 4 new pillows. I just made covers for the ugly pillows that way, if it's a kid night or someone really needs to lay their head and sleep on my no wash machine fabric, they can just take that cover off and be comfy. I can put it back on and make my room cute :-) Perfect combo!

After

It really brightens the room up. I'm loving the extra color!
I did buy the pillow insert for the small burgundy pillow. I wanted a little different texture so I did it with a thin stripe, added cording to this one to make it different, and the coordinating flower. For the back one I used a different textured fabric but still in same tones, so everything wasn't so matchy matchy.
I'm totally in love with this flower I made! I followed V.'s instructions here, but I folded the fabric in half first so there was no raw edges showing and all the raw edges are tucked inside. The fabric is raw silk so it's a little shiny and hard to photograph, but it looks so divine in person. :-) I love my new pillows! Especially for less than half the price of buying them!

Tshirt Blanket

This was a fun project! A new client had heard about these t shirt blankets and wanted one for her daughter for her graduation from high school. She found/saved a bunch of t shirts starting from a scrap of her favorite baby blanket all the way up through high school and a t shirt from the college she'll attend int he fall. It looks super cute! I wish it was easier to photograph, but it's a full size so hard to get it all in the shot. The client loved it so I'm happy! I did include batting and quilted around each square to add extra durability. What a great college throw blanket! Love it!

Summer Sun Dress

I just love this dress pattern and decided to make another for my best friend for her bday! It turned out really cute. I'll have to post a follow-up with her in it.

Here's the link again. It's so easy and the smocked top is so in this summer! Try it!