TuTu Couture!!

Couture: Couture fashion is considered the height of fashion elegance. Thus TuTu Couture must be the height of fashion elegance for babies! I origionally learned how to make tutus from this tutorial on YouTube. I absolutely love making super girly things so when a former neighbor called up and asked me to make a couple for her girls for their pictures, of course I said YES! We went with hot pink and I added daisies which I first took apart and redid the center (they were yellow and it stuck out like a sore thumb) I just bunched a piece of tule up, added a bead and sewed them all together. In most tutorials it says to use four yards but I figure, if you are going to wear a tutu, you MUST go all the way so I use any were between 8 and 10 yards per tutu. I have it tied with a wide satin bow and made some matching hair clips with the same flowers. Maybe a little large for everyday hair wear but seriously, you are wearing a huge poof of tule, you can get away with a little larger hair accessory! If you have a little girl or know someone who does, you HAVE TO TRY THIS. It pretty much only requires a scissors and some knowledge of a slipknot!

Greyson's Gift

Another site I came across over the last week is making baby blankets super small for the tiny babies that do not make it. She has a very special story and is now working to collect blanket for Arlington Medical Center and then move on to different hospitals. Chekck out her site and make a blanket!

Craft Hope

A face in the crowd.
Originally uploaded by auburn doll house

Just today I came across this site that has projects every so often to donate to different charities/groups etc. The sock monkey project is almost over but I am looking forward to the next one! Check them out, the button in on the sidebar.

More Birthday Fun!

Sunday Matthew had his last birthday party at Grandma DeVries'. We made a crocodile cake found here and he LOVED it. It was pretty easy to make and he could help with the candy decorations. I missed it becuase I was home very sick with a sinus thing. I am finally starting to feel better. YEAH!! Matthew is starting school today and was so excited that he has been up for quite a while (he starts at 12:30) so he will probably be tired by the time he starts.

Gift in a Jar - Fall Look

My husband visits many people whether for church-work or work-work so after finishing the jars for the gift baskets I decided since I had everything out to just finish off the jars that I had bought. I decorated with burlap that I got a while ago from the remnant bin at Field's and dug around in my stash for some fall decorations. Now we have ready to go gifts at a moments notice.

Gift Baskets

I am a firm believer that homemade is almost always best especially when it comes to gifts of appreciation. Last week I made two gift baskets for my husband to give to two of his clients. Both were themed to match their kitchens and included handmade potholders, embellished towels, Gift in a Jar mixes, and a covered baking pan. The red one I put in a collander and wrapped in a gift basket bag (found on clearance of course!) and the green I found a green metal tub in the left over summer stuff. Hopefully these items will be used for years to come.

Friday Fun Finds Feature!!

Today I am featured by kojodesigns! Check out their blog which includes some amazing tutorials.

Happy Birthday!!

My "baby" is 5!! Matthew is my oldest and I can't believe that it has been five years since I had my first baby. He is starting preschool next week and is very excited. He wanted a sports theme so I borrowed a football cake pan from my mom and used a glass bowl for the basketball. We have another birthday party with the DeVries' this coming Sunday so I will have to make another cake for that.

Cutest Shoes EVER!

I have a 19month old girl and these totally make me want to have a tiny baby!! These shoes from sewingsparklz are so adorable. I found her shop through Twitter. I am loving Twitter more and more as I am being introduced to a lot of new shop owners that I otherwise would have not searched for.

Custom Week!

If you can think it, I can do it!! These are all special request custom work that I finished this week. I love doing special things for special little people.

Making an Easy Tutorial....HARDER!!

I asked Kristin for this tutorial that she used for the checkerboard potholders. The first ones I made were following exactly the tutorial. After that I decided to change things up. Here is what I did:

1). I cut the Insul-Bright to 8" square
2). Cut the fabric squares to 9" square

3). Layered as directed. I now have a small seam allowance on each side that does not include the Insul-Bright.
4). Stitched around the edges without stitching the Insul-Bright
5). Turn right side out, being careful not to bunch the Insul-Bright
6). Reinforce the edges with a decorative stitch. This holds the Insul-Bright in place.

Why? you may ask?

Well, after turning the first set right side out, if was kind of puffy and the edges did not lay nice. The seams were so bulky with the Insul-Bright that even with reinforcing , they would have puffed up. Taking the Insul-Bright out of the outer seam and "floating" it in the middle makes the sames lay nicely and after the decorative stitch makes them lay flat and gives them a more finished, tailored look.

So, try it and see what you think. I like how mine turned out and it really didn't take too much longer. Totally worth it!!

Fabric Flower

Fabric Flower
Originally uploaded by spiritofgiving

The winner of my giveaway decided on a pink towel with green and pink polkadots and this beautiful fabric flower. I am sending it directly to her friend as a gift. Congrats to Aura again and hope they enjoy the baby gift.

I should always take pictures outside!

When I actually do it I love how true the colors photograph. Something pretty funny happened. She ordered three towels and when I asked her what font she wanted and sent her a link to my flickr photostream, the font that she wanted was "finn" and that reminded her, "I have a nephew, (yep you guessed it) FINN who could really use a towel" I mean, what are the odds! Well, here are the towels. I love the toile ribbon. I the spool it looked to burgandy that I never would have thought to pair it with the pink and it looks perfect. Enjoy Kelly!

A chill in the air..

As soon as there gets to be a dip in the temperature I get the itch for crocheting. I have no idea why but it happens every year! So far this year I have finished a camo baby blanket and a little girl scarf. I have been trying to make my pictures a little more interesting. I have this wonderful old fence out the back slider at the rental we are currently staying (until we find my "perfect" house) . I think my next project will be a blue baby blanket for my new nephew scheduled to arrive in early January! I have a bunch of towels to get to this weekend and get to use a lot of the new fonts that I purchased this week. I will post pics when they are done.

The WINNER is...

CONGRATS to Aura who said " My friend just told me that she want a nice personalized absorbant towel as a baby gift for her daughter so this would be perfect. The burp cloths would definately make a great addition especially the stripes and spots (the first one) with all it's great colors"

Thanks for all the entries!! It was so fun to hear from all of you!