My new baby!

Meet HECTOR!

Our new 6 week old baby German Shepherd.

Grandpa

So, my family had Christmas Saturday and I couldn't go because of work- both mine and J.'s. It was tough, as this is the first one I've ever missed in my entire life. They decided this year, while we were away that next year Grandpa doesn't need any presents, which breaks my heart a little.
He's my Grandpa! Everything I have I owe to him, and to my Grandma- who I miss everyday. Well, I was talking to J about this new decision, and I just won't stand for it! Every year from now on, I'm going to MAKE Grandpa something- he'll never get a repeat, as it's hand made- and then he still gets something at Christmas time.

2011- Grandpa's Made Gift, A Quilt.

My babies.

So, most people know of the crazy cat lady or the crazy dog lady. I'm both. I love my dog, Charlie, and my cat, Max, a WHOLE LOT! They bring me great joy every single day. So, for their Christmas presents I made them beds!

This is Max's bed. I found some reminant fuzzy polka dot material- and  had some left over qulit batting. So I pieced it all together into a kitty bed.

It has rolled edges, so that he can lay his head on them- like a pillow. It's now on top of the fridge, Max's favorite spot in the whole house. He's quite pleased with it.

This is Charlies doggie bed. I used velcro for the first time, so that I can wash the cover when Charlie tracks in sand or mud or whatever. It has two feather pillows inside it- two because Charlie likes to make a nest in the middle, and the crease between the pillows will help him with that.

Charlie seems to enjoy it- he's currently laying on it chewing a bone.

Happy Holidays to all the fur babies out there!

Baby Shower.

For those of you who know me, you know how much I HATE the color pink. Well, one of my friends is having a baby and I threw her a baby shower... It was all fun and games until she asked for the colors to be black and... you guessed it... PINK!

Here are some of the cool decorations I managed to stomach the overt girly girl-ness for.

A baby diaper wreath. I used a wooden floral wreath ring (available at most hobby stores), opened the diaper and stuck the center part to the inside of the ring, and tied tightly with ribbon on the outter section of the ring.

Close up of the amazing PINK and black bow I made for the wreath. I was so pleased with this project!

Here it is, hung up at the shower! My friend was thrilled and said she will hang it up in the babies room, that is, until she needs a few spare diapers- and then no promises!

I made roses out of baby socks for the center pieces. I also had chocolate covered pretzels with pink drizzle,but totally forgot to take a picture. I wish I had a better photo of the sock roses, because they're pretty cool.

And so, there is my very pink baby shower craftables.

Christmas

So, Looking at my Christmas Gifts I thought it was kind of cool how many crafty ones I have in the works.

Quilt for Grandpa, wall hanging for aunt- you've seen those ones. What else?

My in-law Christmas isn't until February so I have a little longer to work on those projects than the others. I'm making a quilt for my Mother-in-law. It's called a Sodku quilt.

That's the basic style- It's based off the Soduku game- the numbers game. Hers won't be yellow and black, but it will be in the Moda little Rascals prints.

For my Brother-in-law I'm going to make infused vodkas. I ordered really pretty cork stopped glass bottles from www.specialtybottle.com they're very affordable and very pretty. Then I'll just add produce (fruits, spices, etc.) to a really good vodka- shake and repeat. I'm excited for that one, as I've never done anything of the sort.

My amazing sister-in-law gets an apron, if I can figure out how to make it work, and hopefully a decorative and fabulous quilted pillow.

Probably going to look a little something like this. Which I'm excited for. We have this friendship Pineapple thing... Long story.

I don't know what else to do. I've got my work cut out for me with just those projects, and then the dream project I found for my husband. It's a quilt I will make him someday- and it shows off just how much of a nerd I am.

 It's a Mario One Up Mushroom cleverly disguised as a quilt! I LOVE IT! AMAZING! I will make this one day, oh yes, I will.

I DID IT!

That's right, you heard me! I finished my quilt! Finito! Done!
It's not fancy, and it's certainly not perfect- but it's one heck of a learning project!
The next quilt will be a little more complex, with actual fancy quilting patterns on it (the sewing bit, not the piecing bit).
But for now, here's my very first quilt.

It's small but mighty, just like Charlie dog. That's Charlie modeling with my quilt. Both items in this photo are quite awesome. I am pleased!

Adventures in sewing!

I got a sewing machine!! I got a Brother Machine for $50 bucks on Black Friday- no, I don't normally black Friday shop but I totally went out JUST to buy a sewing machine.

He's a good little starter machine. Now, when I mention how excited I am about a sewing machine it's because I haven't sewn ANYTHING on a machine since home ec class and that was over ten years ago (lord that makes me feel old).

Here are a few of my starter projects.

This is the start to a quilt for my Grandpa for Christmas. I have the rows sewn, I just have to get them together and a backing on it. Turns out- I can't cut in straight lines, and so all my blocks are different sizes and shapes! Huzzah! Any suggestions on cutting mats/utensils?

Pieced together Apron I'm making as a gift for Christmas. This is the first time I've EVER cut anything out with a pattern- also a challenge. I keep hearing things about webbing and interfacing, but I haven't the slightest clue what that means.

Stitched together apron, without pockets. All of the seams will be covered in binding tape- once I figure out how you do that...

A purse I threw together! I didn't use a pattern at all, just sort of rolled with it. I'm actually kind of proud- even though it is super long and the handles look goofy. But still! Not bad for a half an hour of goofing around!

In this photo it looks kind of like a diaper bag- but I'm okay with it.

So! There are my sewing escapades over the past few days. I'm still struggling with my hand sewing project (the wall hanging) but it'll get done,  I have high hopes. What are you working on for this holiday season?