The Celebration Banner

Wow, what a whirlwind, crazy few days (maybe couple weeks is more like it) I've had here! Our power went out a few times last week when Hurricane Dolly passed through. Not major power outage, just enough of a two second blip (several times) to throw things off whack and cause me frustration. Then, found out we had to get a new modem (or whatever you call it...my hubby is the tech guy, not I). Which meant I was not able to get internet for a long enough time to drive me a little crazy. Add to that my lack of a computer story (long one, so I will spare you the details for now), which means I have been having to grab my hubby's laptop whenever he's not at work or using it for work when he's home.....yeah, that's fun. Then, there was the birthday for the very special, now five year old, that I call my son. Crazy I tell you. However, I tried to best use my time by getting some much needed house work finished, cupcakes baked, laundry piles conquered and lots of fun time in the crafty room, also known as my studio. Let me tell you, it felt SO great to get some new designs out of my head on paper, have fun with picking and choosing fabrics and getting some personal family sewing done! Like this banner that we now call the "celebration banner"





I have been wanting to get this finished forever! Now, it's done and I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. The Monkey Boy and I collaborated on it together, which makes it that much more fun. He made sure I had some pink in it for his mommy since it's a celebration banner for our whole family....even the dog's birthday he said.




I wasn't sure if I was going to add "Happy Birthday" or "Celebrate" to it or not, but I added enough pennants that if I decide to in the future I can. It's also reversible. So, really I could put "Celebrate" or whatever on one side and leave the other without anything and just have the pretty fabric. Works for me.

Very nice feeling I must say getting this finished along with some new ideas and designs for the SHOP this Fall. I am pretty excited about it. I am bringing some things I made in past years back, which will be their first time on Etsy. Some for babies, some for toddlers, some for big kids. Most focused on style and function, practical and great for either gender, which I have always tried to accommodate with so many of my friends not finding out the gender before their little bundle arrives! As always my son inspires so much of what I design. He also has no problem letting me know his opinion, which can be pretty darn helpful at times. After all, he's a kid and knows what kids like, right?!


K, so I will try to pop in from time to time and will hopefully have my own computer again soon! Whew. Meanwhile, I will have (hopefully) some time to get some more designs made up and listed. Fun, fun.

Celebrations and Things To Make For It!

It's coming...the day my son turns FIVE! Where did the past five years fly by to? Who gave him permission to grow so much this past year and leave the pre-school years and become so much more grown up? I certainly did not. But, at the same time I am loving it. He really is great company and we have a ton of fun together. And, thankfully, he still likes to run around in a super hero cape....good thing cause I am not quite ready for that to go away yet. Meanwhile, the BIG day is tomorrow. Tomorrow! I say this with both excitement and slight anxiety. We, he rather, chose to forego the big party and just asked for a special friend day with his dearest friend who will be moving in just a week. Who said that could happen either? His best friend's parents are also dear, sweet friends of ours as well as the dad being our soccer coach. Again, who said this was all okay? Yeah, not me.

So, the anxiety is not from lack of party planning, more like making sure I get the one thing I wanted to make, oh for the past three years, actually finished! I have wanted to make a simple celebration banner that we can use multiple times for many occasions. Not just birthdays. But, since both my son and husbands birthdays are six days apart, it would be nice to just have a simple festive banner to dress things up a bit. Yes? Yes. It wouldn't hurt to have it for mine either...

Anyway, back to what I was attempting to write about. The birthday and the not-so-much-a-party thing happening. Funny, he originally wanted a big party with all ( and I mean ALL) his friends. I thought this a little too big for our house and backyard. Granted, he wanted a sprinkler party, so all the kids would basically be outside splashing around for the most part. He had it all planned out. Being that he is a Summer birthday boy, he attends others birthday celebrations all school year long, so he pretty much has a clear idea on what he wants long before the actual day. His other Summer birthday friends seem to do the same type of thinking. Which, in one way makes it easier for me. However, he changed his mind once he found out his best friend in the whole entire world was moving. He actually told me that if everyone else could make it, but not his special friend, then he didn't want one at all. Yikes. So, he then decided he only wanted a special friend day (which is always an option each year...choice of either a party or special outing with a friend). I thought it perfectly fine under the circumstances. That plus we always have a family party for both the boy and my husband, which he thinks is *way cool* cause he gets to celebrate with his dad.

So, anyhoo today I plan to make a celebration banner out of some fun fabrics. We'll see how it goes...I actually do have to vacuum and manage some laundry too. And then there are the cupcakes to bake......What was that about things being easier without a big party?

***UPDATE: I completed the banner! More on that to come in another post***

Vintage Goodies

The other day I was over at my Gramms and I stumbled upon an old container of buttons. I remember seeing these all the time growing up while watching and learning as she sewed. I loved the jar of buttons. I'm not sure why, but I just really always have. The many and varied things you can make with buttons! Am I right? SO, I asked if I could have them. Unfortunately my Gramms has macular degeneration and she is unable to sew as much as she used to. Really, anything she has even attempted to sew lately has been unfinished with many ripped out seams and such....she simply cannot see well enough to even put a zipper in any longer. *sigh*, makes me very sad. We had some of the best times sewing together and collaborating on projects together. How I miss those days. At the time I never realized how short-lived they would be. But do I ever cherish the memories.



There are several different kinds, but mostly the pearly-white kinds. Some of these are from as far back as 40 plus years ago from before they moved here to Texas from New Jersey. Can you believe some of the prices then on buttons? Fifteen Cents! Amazing.




So, she happily let me have them knowing they would be in good hands. I love my Gramms!

Shameless Plug

This is not something I would ever normally do, but they said to get the word out, so I am. Really, I am bit shy when it comes to things like this and to be really honest, I am ridiculously nervous about it! How silly is that?! So, help me calm my nerves and head over to Girl Indie 2008 Designer Chick Contest and cast your vote! And, in case ya wanted to know my item is under Baby Gear and entry number 5. Just sayin'. 

Feel free to spread the word! There is some really great creativity happening in ALL the categories. Go see for yourself:

Things That Are Green

A little green to start the day...

Green Jello
A green alligator (Fear NOT! It's fake! It's one of those mega-grow-in-water deals)
And a boy in green bandana pants waiting for the green alligator to grow..(btw, you should see that thing after two days...it's HUGE!)

Know what else is green? This nifty new site:

How cool is that? Go check it out. A little (or lot) of green is good for all I think. 

A new addiction

I think there might be a new sewing addiction for me in the very near future. I picked up this book I have read much about around blog land. I actually got it on sale! Even better. Of course, the first skirt I made, I made too big. Naturally. However, it's my own fault for sewing past my bedtime. I should know better....hehe. The book though, LOVE it! Super fun things in there and very easy to follow. I see many new skirts in my future....

Hope you are having a great week and a simple and fun Summer! 

Where have I been?!

Enjoying the Summer and a nice little vacation with the family. Then there was the Fourth of July (hope you had a safe and happy one!). And in between there we did a little of this:

We made some freezer paper stenciled gifts for friends. I love how kid friendly this project is! The recipients really liked them too. Fun stuff. I also did more of THIS cause, clearly between freezer paper stencils and bandana pants, I am obsessed. Clearly. 

I am taking it easy this Summer, just enjoying time with my son before he starts kindergarten and also getting some new designs and ideas together for the SHOP. I will be popping back in from time to time, but for now, before the Summer is over, I am enjoying some simple things. 

Today, that will most likely involve swimming....again.