seizing the day...

Well, today just might be the day... or rather, will be the day... So I thought I better pop some of the pictures I've been hording onto my blog.








this is my latest pattern testing pattern!

New Winter Boots!

Just finished up baby's first pair of winter boots. The lining is made from an old, shrunken sweater and the exterior is made from wet felted wool - from my favorite fiber store in Savannah Wild Fibre and a cute store in the upper peninsula of Michigan!



Can't blog long... too much stitching to do!

Dad's Baby Blankie

Andrew had the fun idea of turning an old uniform into a cute little baby blanket! Well, the uniform wasn't exactly old...but rather had a small hole chomped into the back by our first born - Violet. She enjoys sneaking into the laundry room, pulling clothes through the holes in the laundry basket, and snacking quietly til mom comes to catch her. She has a special taste specifically for camouflage... we think it reminds her of her roots in the fields of west Texas.



So this is it. A little lap blanket for the car or for snuggling when dad's at work. Oh how soon will there be a little body under this blankie.

Baby Quilt!

I just finished my Cloud9 organic cotton baby quilt. Smiling ear to ear to have it finished! I'm not entirely impressed by my binding, or actual quilting for that matter, but it will help me loosen up and be prepared for dirt, puke, and (hopefully not) poo that may come into contact with my fine piece of work!




The little mushrooms in the fabric make my heart hurt...they are SO CUTE!

Well, I guess I'm ready at least for the hurricane now, if not for the baby!

Pattern Test

Pattern Test - done! I really enjoyed making this cute little pouch. There were some confusing, frustrating parts, but overall, very cute and fairly quick. Hopefully my job as tester will help to work out the kinks and confusion!

Baby's First Toy

Yesterday, Modern Alternative Mama posted a great blog about toys and the correlation between simple, natural toys and a peaceful environment in the home. Perfect timing for this post, considering my sewing machine came home from the doctor today! And if there is one thing I have to have it is a peaceful home. I can't imagine how much more I'll want that when we have a little, tiny addition to our family. So I made our tiny addition it's first toy - an organically, stuffed bird!

New Job!

Well, job might not be the right word, since it isn't paid, but I'm I Think Sew's newest pattern tester! My first assignment is an adorable little zipper pouch. I'm thrilled. I've made a few zipper pouches, but this one is a little different with a curved zipper.

I'm excited to see what else they have me sew. Some of their bags and little shoes are painfully, PAINFULLY cute!

fingerless gloves!

I just finished another pair of fingerless gloves. These ones I'm having a hard time parting with. I LOVE the pink polka dots. I revamped my design, leaving the wrist seam less bulky. I'm hoping I have time to whip a pair up for my trip this week to Colorado!




Also, my dear modeling his handmade coconut bra. And that's about all that remains from my birthday coconut vanilla cupcakes!


just coconut shells...don't worry.

chicken diapers

As we get ready to scoot off to Colorado for a conference, I've realized I've got nothing to pack my shampoo and conditioner in... usually I'd just use that as a great excuse to skip a shower, but instead I whipped up this ruffly little bag.



On a slightly more exciting note, I spent my Christmas evening stitching chicken diapers. Yes, diapers. I wanted them done before Christmas, so the girls could come in to open presents, but that didn't happen. So they came the next day to watch a little football with their daddy. Danica enjoyed being inside and actually did watch TV. India stood still and would only move if motivated by F-U-D. For Hope, it was a different story. As soon as I strapped on her diaper, it was like a switch was flipped and she did everything backwards.



The video above shows the two chickens handling the diapers well, and Hope reversing into and tripping over the ShopVac.


My super model.

handmade gifts

The last few weeks have been a blur of stitching, trying to finish up Christmas gifts for my nieces.


Julia, who is three, will receive a handmade toadstool mouse house. Equip with two felt mice and handle for toting around.


and window boxes loaded with daisies.


always thankful for help from my stitching bunny.




Lilly, six, will receive a handmade diaper bag set for her baby. A few cloth diapers, a quilted changing pad, bibs, and a way-too-cute diaper bag.




stitching bunny stuck her nose in my pin container. one time, never again.

things made

One of my favorite parts of the changing of seasons is the changing of daily activities. Fall means more stew and home-baked bread, more foods that include pumpkin!, warm beverages instead of iced, sweaters in the morning in place of sweat, evenings spent stitching versus summer evenings spent weeding.

Needless to say, we remain busy. Working, playing, making. Kissing our chicks and bunz.

Here are a few of our most recent projects:


House shoes to keep my toesies warm.



Quilted rug that bunz HATES.



Kitchen island made by my dear.






Two painfully cute cross-stitches made for me by my dear.