baby birds

Look what I've discovered three feet off my balcony? A little nest of baby birds. They are so entertaining-and greedy. I never knew a little bird neck could get so long as when their mother arrives with some food. But it so much fun to watch . . . maybe that's why I'm not getting too much done this week :)

little booties for the little cutie

I'm really having a hard time keeping up with all the projects my mind can generate, especially with our sweet little girl only six weeks away. I'm starting to feel frantic. Too much to do, so little time. Cutting out all the little pieces was probably the most time consuming part of this project. The top is all one piece, and the bottom is one piece, but then everything needs interfacing, and fleece interfacing, and then it starts to be a lot. But aren't they so cute? I think I'm in love. The hunny wasn't as excited as I was. Anyway, the pattern comes from the Amy Butler book, Little Stitches for Little Ones. I think these booties are my favorite project in there.

FF: Stars & Stripes Cupcake Toppers

Some fun cupcakes with festive toppers are always fun to celebrate the 4th of July, eh? Not only are they fun, but they are quick too! My favorite combo. Click here to download some free Stars & Stripes Cupcake Toppers. Use a 2 inch hole punch to cut them out easily. Enjoy!

Check out some other fun and patriotic crafts at the patriotic parade!

painted headboard

the "new"

the "old"

The end of our old headboard came when my boys were wrestling on the bed. They ripped it in half! But that's because I made it out of cardstock-and stuck it to the wall with spray adhesive (after I let it get tacky first). Despite it's humble origins I was in love with it, but I didn't expect it to last too long. Surprisingly it lasted over a year. I have had a hard time figuring out what I wanted for a new headboard. I just don't like that empty space above the bed, you know? I was cleaning off some shelves and came across these four canvases. I think I like the result. I don't know if I'm in love-but I'm in like, and that's better than the cavernous emptiness.

(pardon the pitiful pictures-the colors match a little better than these pictures let on.)

freebie friday-ABC poster

Here it is for FREE. It's true. I blogged about the beginnings of this poster back here. But between my really crappy printer, and my desire NOT to have to ship things, I've put off selling printed posters in my etsy shop. I have, however, decided to sell more printABLE posters in my etsy shop. So, if you don't like these colors, or you are looking for something different-check there. This one, however, is on the house. It prints out as an 8.5 x 11-make sure you cut an inch off the bottom and a half inch off the RIGHT side. This will make it 8x10 and perfect for framing. Now go print it off and put it in your play room :)

soccer mom

Nope, actually I'm not a soccer mom yet. But in a year or two I hope to watch some hilarious preschool soccer. In the mean time, I'm getting the little buddy ready. I found this cool patchwork soccer ball pattern in the book Seams to Me by Anna Horner; another happy find at the library. I also think it will be perfect for the sweet little one coming in August-when she gets a little bigger. The little buddy thought it was a lot of fun to pick out the fabric for it, I might have helped a little bit too.

freebie friday-flower favor box

Who doesn't like a cute little box? Or maybe I'm just obsessed with little boxes and containers and paper . . . I really love stationary stores. Download this fun little thank you favor box by clicking here. Finished dimensions are 2.25 inches on all sides.

dinosaur hooded towel

I've been on a bit of sewing streak lately-and a lot of it has been for "little sister" as we affectionately call her. (The name debate goes on). I just have endless ideas for sweet baby girl sewing projects, and a few less for active toddler boys who are content with their dinosaurs and cars. But I didn't want the little buddy to feel left out and he really has been needing a hooded towel! I used this online tutorial and added eyes and big sharp teeth. (It probably looks more like a scary frog or a crocodile-but we're calling it a T-rex.) I only wish I would have gotten pictures of him chasing daddy around the house growling. He dived on top of him and wouldn't get off growling and roaring all the while. I'm glad he likes it.

ruffle headband tutorial

This idea came to me one night while I was trying to sleep-most of my ideas come then. But they aren't always good ideas :) I think this one might be though. I thought it would be perfect for a baby because it's not very tight. I'm always worried about those little elastic headbands squishing tender little baby heads. All you need are the following:

1. an old T-shirt
2. sewing machine, thread, etc. . .
3. 1/8" elastic
3. buttons


1. Cut off the bottom hem of the T-shirt.

2. Cut a 1-3/4" strip off the bottom of the T-shirt-this is your headband.

3. Starting an inch from one of the seams, pinch the jersey material.

4. Fold the "pinch" forward an inch. (no rhyme intended).
5. The T-shirt side seam should now be on the bottom (as shown), and you have a nice little one inch fold. Pin in place.

6. Continue measuring and inch forward, pinching it and pulling it forward another inch and pinning them. Do this until you have enough to make your headband the desired circumference. (A newborn's head is usually around 17"). If you're measuring it laying flat remember it's doubled over-so you need to double the number to get your circumference.


7. Baste through the center of all your folds.

8. Cut a piece of 1/8" elastic an inch shorter than the total number of all your folds (So if you have 5 folds cut a 4" piece of elastic, if you have 7 folds cut a 6" piece of elastic.) Center it at the end of your folds and start sewing, back stitch. AFTER you've backstitched pull the elastic while you sew it down the middle. Pull it so it reaches all the way to the end of the last fold. It's kind of tricky to pull it, make sure it stays down the center and sew through the elastic all at the same time. Take your time.

When you're finished sew a simple button on the end-or two. Make sure you sew it securely (I have fears of babies choking on buttons too).

You now have a ruffled headband. Model it on a patient little buddy:

freebie friday-mini card

the Freebie this Friday is a printable mini card and envelope-and yes-I finally found my memory card. The little buddy had pulled it out of the computer and put it in an old computer's disk drive. (My husband likes to collect old computers). Luckily it was close enough to the outside that I could pull it out with tweezers. Anyway, click here for the mini card & envelope download. The card, once folded measures 3.25 x 2.25. Enjoy!

jersey dress

My first ever maternity dress is finished. I've been looking for a jersey dress that fit ME, wasn't too short, the shoulders weren't too big, didn't hang funny, but that was comfy. I just couldn't find one. So I decided my best chance of getting what I wanted was to make myself a dress. It took a bit of unpicking, but without a pattern I think it turned out alright. I used a white and brown shirt for the top part-cutting and sewing them together-and then an extra large shirt I found on clearance last year for a dollar for the bottom. The bottom part of the white shirt that I cut off I used to make rosettes on the dress. I found a great tutorial for them here. They aren't actually for a dress though so I tweaked them just a bit.