yarn wreath

I've hesitated to blog about this wreath quite simply because I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. I was sick last week and watched a lot of movies with my little buddy who also happened to be sick. "Thomas the Train" anyone? This kept my hands busy and my bottom on the couch. I'm happy about somethings: I like the lines, and the shapes, and it made me happier about the summer ending. I do like fall, but I'm just not ready to give up summer yet. My mind is still adjusting. I really liked the concept, which I got from Patricia Zapata's blog, A Little Hut. I'm just not sure the assemblage is quite up to par. I'll keep looking at it on my wall.

accordian box

I've been working on an accordian box to hold the three sets of flashcards available in my shop. Here is the finished product. I'm not completely satisfied with it. But I plan to make a free tutorial when it's just right.

finishing and starting

Today I finally got to those sewing projects that were almost, but not quite finished. They nag at me until I finish them. It's good to have them off my back. Plus, I'm really happy with the way my little pig finger puppet turned out. The nose was rather difficult to sew, but it ended up just perfect.

Of course, I got finished with that, and wanted to get started on another project: my little buddies quilt. I got the first two blocks sewn before he woke up from his nap. I think it's going to work out. Now I have another project to start nagging at me, eh?

ready made cards

I love making cards, but I decided to play around on the computer today designing some cards for myself. Here are my results, a few personalized cards that I can now print at a moments notice when I need them. I'm pretty happy with how they turned out. The only thing I'm a little worried about is the lemons and limes. I just thought they were cute, is it too ironic that they are on the "thinking of you" and "just because" cards? Maybe I'm over thinking.

Shapes & Colors Flashcards

I'm really excited about the new flash cards I put up on etsy today-yes I finally started my shop! My little buddy has just started picking up on colors. He's had "puhple" down for some time now, and has caught on to most of the others in the last couple of days. He stills struggles with blue, yellow and gray though. So I thought I'd make this set for him. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner. I thought I'd add the shapes for a little longer use. We'll see how he likes them.

what I've been up to

It's been a bad week or two for blogging eh? But I've been busy. I've just had so many things on my mind, I keep procrastinating a new post. Here's a couple things I've been up to (sorry for the bad pictures):

new lamp shade covers. I detested my old ones, these aren't totally what I want, but they are a step up:


fabric for the quilt I'm planning to make my little buddy:


I've also been working on some finger puppets. Clearly the pattern needed improving with that first one. I think it looks more like a cross between an elephant and a mouse. I'm in the process of finishing a pig. (I was almost done but my husband threatened to watch Lost reruns without me, lame I know :)


And finally paper dolls for my etsy shop (I promise I will open it next week):

snake-E Tutorial

My 2 year old, my "little buddy" has been talking a lot about snakes (He calls them snake-E's). I mentioned making one for him and he got really excited. So I made this snake for him in about 45 minutes. It will probably take less time for you-since I made a few dumb mistakes. Here's a tutorial if you are interested, read all the instructions before you start (I usually don't and end up with problems-just a bit of advice).

Step One: Cut peices out of cotton or other material of your choice.
Top: 3" x 21.5"
Head: 3"x 4"
Bottom: 3" x 25"
small tongue out of felt (mine is 1.75" x .5")


Put bottom and head together and use round object (a cup or lid, etc) as a stencil to round the head. cut out.

Step two: pin and sew wrong sides of top and head together using a 3/8" seam. (that's the edge of my presser foot). iron seam open.

step three: SEW button EYES ON SNAKE. Then, pin wrong sides of top and bottom together, centering tongue inside the two pieces. (see image below).
Step four: fold tail end in half (hot dog style) at bottom. pin.

Step five: measure in 3/4 inch and make a dot: see below (I only did 1/2 inch, but I think 3/4 would work better because I had to change my seam allowance at the bottom to 1/4 inch)
Step six: measure across the top 4 inches and make a dot, connect the dots using a ruler and a fabric marker. Cut along line.

Step seven: unfold and pin together. Sew almost all the way around the snake using a 3/8" seam allowance and a close stitch length. Leave a 2 inch unsewn space for turning right side out and filling snake.
step eight: Turn right side out and fill snake with rice, or batting or dry beans or whatever you want to fill it with. I used rice. I also made myself a little funnel out of a piece of cardstock. I left about four inches of the snake empty so that it could bend and move and not be too full of rice. It seems just right.
step nine: sew opening together. I did it by hand so it was hidden, but if you want to sew it on the machine, it would be a little faster probably. If you do sew it by hand, make sure you use small stiches so the rice doesn't come out.
YOU are finished and have one happy snake-E for someone to play with! If this was confusing or you have questions let me know!