Sewing a Dress

My best bud talked me into taking a sewing class. I hired a babysitter (wish you lived closer, Mom!) and the four hours in class zipped by!  Basically, we bought a shirt and cut it then added the skirt and apron.  I still need to hem it, and I'm thinking I will embellish the apron with gros grain ribbon.  It was really fun - I love having a little GIRL!!!

Last night I went to the mall to buy a shirt for the class and found these super adorable shoes for $6!  Caroline loves them.

HB is an amazing seamstress.  She made TWO dresses for her twins in the time I made one.

I learned some new techniques and grew more confident in my fledgeling sewing skills.  I will be making more of these dresses.

A Peek into Our House

Our first cucumber!!

The first "jelly bean" tomato didn't make it for the photo op; it was eaten. YUM!

I've been wanting to make an appliqued tie shirt for Mr. Intensity for a loooong time.  Finally made the time to clean out the guest room to find my sewing machine.  :)  Since he's wearing a size 6/7, I had to lengthen the tie from the pattern.

And Mr. Intensity?  Creative as ever.  Yesterday I bought a box of straws and he's had the best time with them.  I *thought* we'd drink from them but he had other ideas.

While Hubby is at the pool with the kiddos, I'm going to make Chocolate Chip Whoopie Pies to celebrate Magaw's birthday (wish you were here!) They are so delicious.

J Twins

Mr. Intensity has a good buddy with whom he shares the same first name. They are inseparable and want to be together every minute of the day.

It's official now that they are twins; they have matching shirts. I whipped them up in less than 30 minutes, using a zigzag stitch around the edge. Mr. Intensity put his on and wrapped the other for his friend.

The gift was well received.

Birthday Party

The Nester says, "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful."

Quickly, I put together this banner a couple of weeks ago to celebrate HB's 29th birthday.  I'm also planning to use it Christmas morning - and at other birthday parties.

Easy Fringe Scarf

This is a super easy scarf to make. Last night I made two for my mom. (Shh!  It's a Christmas gift.)  She and her college roommate are going to the Music City Bowl Game.  Go CATS!

Handmade Gifts

When it comes to giving gifts to children (or really anyone) I get a bit nervous.  I want them to like the gift, especially when it is handmade.  When it comes to five-year-old boys, giving a cape with their initial is always a hit. Not to mention cheap inexpensive.  Girls also like wearing capes, especially if they're pink and you call it a Princess cape.

As for a pattern, I copied a cape that I'd seen at a preschool but this tutorial will help you if you can't hold a cape in your hands.  My fastening device at the neck was simply velcro.

Mr. Intensity gave the cape in this personalized recycled up-cycled bag.  We used painters tape to make the initial and he colored over it.  Warning: The tape doesn't always come off so easily.

The next handmade gift we gave to his homeschool co-op teachers.

Marshmallows.

The whipping got a bit messy so I had to cover the mixer to keep marshmallow fluff from going everywhere.

This tutorial is very helpful.  Marshmallows are super easy to make.

Last year I gave the marshmallows in a tin.  This year I opted for jars, because that's what I had.  Definitely tins are the better receptacles.

The humidity was high when I made the marshmallows and by morning it was raining.  The marshmallows were very sticky.  I'm not sure if the humidity has anything to do with the stickiness or if I did something differently from last year.  A year ago we were living in the desert and the marshmallows were perfect.

The above basket and below bowl I found at Goodwill.  Also included are chocolate chip as well as ginger cookies to add to the jar of marshmallows.

See what others are making inexpensively for the holidays at The Nourishing Gourmet.

A Few of Our Favorite Things

 - Laura compiled a wonderful list of Christmas ideas for preschoolers, that's worth reading.  She shares my sentiment that open-ended toys are best.  Click here for my classic toy list.   

 - Meg wrote a post about her favorite online shopping sites (and tips)

 - Melissa posted O's favorites, too.

 - Here's the Warillever's list.*

I've added several things to Mr. Intensity's Wishpot list.

To the list for preschoolers, I would add Handwriting Without Tears wood pieces.  Mr. Intensity can be quite creative with these.  When I got them out the last time, I encouraged him to make shapes.  Secretly, I hoped to make letters, too.  He decided to make a humongous ice cream cone.

Mr. Intensity's preschool teacher recommends Magna Tiles.  She's taught preschool for about 30 years and said, "Every class is different; each has it's own personality.  Certain children gravitate toward certain toys.  However, year after year, EVERY class loves the Magna Tiles.  They are pricey.  But they are worth it."  Even 8-year-olds like them.

When picking Mr. Intensity up from preschool last week, many of the boys were wearing capes on the playground.  His teacher let me borrow a cape to use as a pattern.  It took all of 15 minutes to make.  Love a project that is that fast.

Starry Sky Ranch wrote a post this weekend with great sewing links.  I didn't use any of her links, but there's a cape pattern in there.  It pushed me over the edge and made me make a cape.   I also made one in shimmery pink to give a birthday princess.  Beware!  If you start making capes, they are addictive.

Mr. Intensity chose the flame fabric.  He thinks it makes him run faster.

One more potentially addictive project I'm going to share: sewing plastic bags. If my sister sees this, she will really think I've gone crazy green. 

ChicaSchmica made me do it.  Go look at her cute party hats.

Just to experiment, too see what the hype was all about, I started fusing (ironing) a plastic bag.  Next thing I know I had several plastic rectangles.  I couldn't just have a bunch of rectangles sitting around, so I sewed a bag.  I'm weird, I know. ( Julie A. - this is one project where all the materials can be found in Hungary!)  

*What are your favorite things for preschoolers? 

Extra-extrovert

While I love being with people, Mr. Intensity has me beat on the extrovert scale.  He love-love-LOVES people and is absolutely energized by others.

Yesterday two friends came play and fill up his love tank.  After 2 hours of non-stop energy, we took them back their house.  Once alone in the car, with a forlorn scowl he said, "I'm so sad."

What on earth is causing you to be so sad?

"I don't like it when I'm by myself."

*note the new apron - I made it on Saturday.  He wanted a Christmas one (like I made for myself) but Hubby thought it a bit too girly.  The Thomas print was a bit more masculine. 

Captain Hook

Happy Halloween from Captain Hook!

Um...I mean Happy Reformation Day!  Warning: if you watch the video, you'll be singing the tune all day.

idhtbptbb

Last night I gave a sneak peak of my newest kick: freezer paper stencils. I stenciled 3 construction vehicles on curtain fabric remnant.

After painting, I pulled out Sally. She's my staple gun - it's short for Sally the Sassy Stapler. The Nester calls her's Matilda. It was this project that gave me inspiration. I stapled the fabric onto the canvas. I love that The Nester says, "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." (idhtbptbb would definitely describe my decorating style.)

Mr. Intensity was super excited to help hang the "art." He got to use his expert skills of bamming. To ensure accuracy, Mr. Intensity pulled out his level.
Then it was back to bamming.

More intense bamming!!

Ah! The final product. First thing he said was, "When Maddy comes over she's gonna look at it and I'm going to tell her, 'It's cool!'"

The best part? Total project cost less than twenty dollars. It's only taken two years for me to get something on the walls in his room. Maybe now someone will buy our house. :)

Fun Craft Day

My dear husband makes Saturdays wonderful days for me. He tries very hard to keep Mr. Intensity out of my hair for a few hours so I can have some "alone time."

This morning began at 5:30 - when Mr. Intensity woke me. Daddy was gone mountain biking with a friend...thinking that we would sleep at least until 7:30.

So, after a strong cup of decaf and morning devotions, I started crafting. I sewed ribbon & rick rack on burp cloths - there's a shower at church next weekend and a friend had a baby yesterday. I also made something special for my nephew (yet to be born) but I can't post pictures yet - his momma & daddy might be reading.

Then I embarked on more stenciling! It's addictive. Big Lots has all sorts of canvases for $5!! I bought three squares to put on Mr. Intensity's walls. The only thing his walls have seen are dirty feet.

It took four coats of paint to evenly cover the material (which is remnant fabric from his curtains.) The project is *mostly* completed, just need to hang them - but here are the pictures. I'm pleased.

Apron Winner

Amie Weeks was the winner of the apron give away. She asked for pink and brown toile. My favorite fabric store didn't have pink and brown. So, I chose pink with a coordinating pink/brown gingham. On Saturday it was finished and I took it to the post office. Mr. Intensity took the photo of me at the machine.

Sewing Purses

On Saturday I took a sewing class at a wonderful woman-owned store near me. I was there for 5.5 hours and came home with this fun fold over handbag. Most of the women who shop at this store are quilting enthusiast. It took at least 1.5 hrs to cut out the fabric pieces for this bag. Quilting enthusiast I am not.

I would rather make this pink bag (below) in about 90 minutes. The next one I make won't take as long, I made a lot of silly mistakes today. If you're looking for a fun, easy, satisfying project - this is it. Here's a tutorial to teach you.

Apron Giveaway

For my 200th post, I'm doing my first giveaway. I'm so new at this, I have to admit I feel a bit nervous!

If you'd like a chance to win a retro apron I've been making, leave a little love in the comments. It will be custom made for the winner (color and size). If I don't have your email address already, make sure to leave a way to be contacted.

The contest will close next Tuesday (June 10) at noon.

Saying Goodbye

Tonight we're going to a "Going Away Party" for our former neighbors, the Reinecke family. They are moving to California.

Gina was a blessing to me. She taught me so much about healthy living - esp. cooking - so I wanted to give her a small going away gift. I sewed rick-rack on the bottom of these kitchen towels and made the card from our watercolor night.

A Pastor's Wife

This one's going in the mail on Monday - to a newly engaged friend. I'm so excited for her, that her prince has finally come. She's going to be a pastor's wife...and needs to look the part, ya know? :)

The colors in this self-portrait don't look all that smashing - but I promise it is totally cute. It's my second favorite behind this one. Actually they all have a special place in my heart.

Apron for Rachael

My favorite apron yet. This is my dear friend, Rachael, who has 3 small children. Sophia just turned 2 and the twin boys are 14 months. She needed this apron.

Another Apron

This is Ms. Shannon - the wonderful preschool teacher at the Desert Botanical Gardens. I made the apron she's wearing as a thank-you for being a great teacher. Isn't Mr. Intensity's expression adorable?