Plumtickled

Ready to go...

That's right......... only 12 days to go until B-Day!

This is the my view from the couch...... it's sorta like sitting behind someone wearing a big hat at the movies!  You can't quite see around it!

I have been feeling a bit guilty over the fact that I haven't done very much for my new girl........ by saying "not doing much"...... I mean "not sewing much".

So, a couple of weekends ago Darren and I put in one of the John Adams DVD's and I got to cutting out my hospital/diaper bag.  I used Amy Butler's new pattern  that is called the "Birdie Sling" .......... it made me cuss, alot.

I didn't quite understand the directions....... why in the world would you put it together this way?  Why separate the interfacing as it tells you to?  Oy.

 I managed to work my way through it.  I had to add extra pleats and guessed a bunch but lo and behold........ I have a nice big bag that is now packed and ready for my make-up and flat iron........... and then the car!

(Darren's bag is packed as well, his just isn't as cute as mine....... although he has snacks included in his!)

Then, I made these.  I took some of my very favorite pieces of fabric that I've kept for a special occasion.  I sewed them right sides together with white terry cloth and made some pretty little burp cloths.

I'll do a short tutorial on them soon......... very, very simple to make but very rewarding for a guilty feeling Mama.

*Side note:  my girl Amelia helped with the staging*

*it was her ironing board after all*

I've got a few more little bits and pieces to show you but that will have to wait until tomorrow.  I've got to go get my big ole self into the shower and get ready for my OB appointment....... I wonder what delightfulness awaits me today?

(Tomorrow, I'll show you the nursing pads I made and a quick tutorial on them as well)

Back to school sale....

{*Note, please ignore the doll head in the background, stupid dogs!}

"The Baby Will Be Here Soon Sale"

 starts today on all dresses in the shop!  

Take 15% off of all dresses, ready to ship or custom!

Sale ends on August 11th!

 

 

Winding down & new pinafores

 

Time is winding down for me and little Miss Avonlea "something-or-other".  I'll be closing my Etsy dress shop for a couple of weeks starting August 18th so I can get my house in order and then after she's here...... I can have the time to heal and get to know her better.

I've been working on a some new pinafore's to add to my shop for the cooler months........ great little tops, dresses or tunic's that can be worn with or without a shirt beneath.  I adore them....... I get more compliments on these than any other garment my girl wears!  I think it must be the ribbons & ruflles!

I took these pictures this morning while fighting off two very stupid dogs, who haven't a clue as to what, "Go lay down" means. Or, "Leave the damn cat alone!"

Or, "Get out of the pool you stupids!"

I think I may write a little somethin' somthin' about our trials with these two dogs.......... Hey, maybe a dog giveaway will be in order.  I wonder if I could fit them into a box........ hmmmmmm?!

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I've also been busy making a few things for the baby ....... nothing too fancy that's for sure, but definitely enough to fill that feeling of needing to make something just for her.  One would think I've been steadily making and preparing for this sweet baby but .......... I'm ashamed to say that I haven't!  I've spent so much time making dresses for the shop that the great baby items I've planned in my mind have been set aside.  Sigh.

So, I've planned to use the weekends to do this.  Last weekend I made the diaper bag......... it's so yummy too!  I also finished up on a quick batch of burp cloths by using some of my favorite fabrics.  This weekend......... I plan on either making her some sweet little baby shoes using one of these three tutorials or maybe just getting some more of their quilts done.  We'll see.

I'll be back tomorrow with the diaper bag and burp cloths....... after all, this is supposed to be a crafting & sewing blog right?  Good grief!

Have a great day.... Amelia Claire and I get our hair trimmed tonight, I hope I fit into the chair!  Ugh!

 

 

 

I'd be skinny if ....

I did this for six minutes a day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

Or, if I cleared off my treadmill in my bedroom, I could do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

But then again, If I'm ever busted in the Phillappines....... I could do this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYp2Aloz-uE

Oh, not to be pregnant when all I want to do is bust a move!

Five things I love

Tagged by my girl Meredith....... I'm supposed to come up with 5 things that I love.

It's really made me think since there are sooo many things that I love, how can one shave down the list?  I did my best and so, here it goes:

1. My sewing machine.  I adore my sweetie pie machine.  She will be 2 years old this November, a gift from my Angel of a Husband.  My old machine died..... R.I.P cheap machine with horrible tension.  Darren insisted that I go and buy a new machine...... a good one.  I told him I felt guilty because it would be about $500.00 and I've never bought anything like that for myself, much less anyone else that cost that much.  He then said this........ "I have tools that I work with everyday that cost twice as much.  Don't you use your machine to help support our family as well?  Why shouldn't you have a good tool to use to make life easier and to help you?"  Yup ladies....... this is why he's a keeper!  So, the next day my Mom and I went machine shopping and I got exactly what I wanted.  Nothing too fancy with stitches and knobs that I would never ever use but one that is sturdy, makes perfect button holes, AUTOMATIC TENSION, and has a clear bobbin door thingy.  Ahh...... my sewing life exceeds my expectations!
2. Fabric shopping.  I've thought about this one long and hard as I'm trying to figure out the exact reason why.  I came up with several.  Firstly, I never go alone.  My sister Debi & my Mom are my fabric companions and when my sister Jerri Lynn is visiting........ she's right there in the mix like she's never been away!  Reason #2 could be because we always have to head out-of-town to go.  Could it be that it feels like an adventure or a day trip?  Don't know.  Reason #3 could be because I adore fabric!  I love to see it, touch it and smell it.  AND BUY IT!  I don't go overboard as I almost always use what I buy so my stash isn't too crazy, (compared to my fabric companions that is).  And reason #4....... we always eat out.  Damn, that's probably the real reason.
3. The action shot!  Oh yeah......... it's my signature pose and it's rubbing off!  Here are a few that are my top favorites:
   

4.  Baking.  I enjoy baking something fierce... perhaps it has something to do with this:

5.  This picture!  It is of Darren with Amelia Claire right after her birth while I was in recovery.  My sister Debi took it and it's my very favorite in the whole wide world.  Not just because it's of my husband and daughter as I have two other boys in my life as well and I love them just as much .......... it's just the look on his face.  She was a child he didn't think he would ever have....... at 33 years old he was in love with a little 8 pound person and it you can tell.  There she is lying in her bassinet, brand new and perfect and he just can't stop beaming!  It's a moment I didn't get to share in person but will be forever grateful that I have this little speck of time captured forever!

This was a challenge to say in the least!  No need to tag for this one....... take a few moments and truly think of just 5 things......... it wasn't easy!

As promised

A few months ago I received an email from a very sweet gal from Lark Books regarding a few projects that I have made in the past from vintage pillowcases. 

 

She told me that they were putting together a craft book with 30 little projects that could be made with pillowcases and was wondering if I would be interested in entering a project or two to be looked at by their committee for commission.

Um..... yeah!  So, off I went to search out the prettiest vintage pillowcases I could find.  It wasn't easy that's for sure.  For  some reason, they were no where to be found.......... the type that I like anyhow.  Luckily, my sister Jerri Lynn who lives in New York found some for me and sent them and saved me!

I was given a suggestion as to what to make as a purse caught their eye, so that's exactly what I did.  I have to admit......... although it was a bit nerve wracking thinking it would/might/could just be put in a book for all to see........ it was fun to design it and sew it. 

It was pretty much lots of guessing as to how to even start since I had to write the directions as well.  Even though for years I designed dolls, wrote their instructions and sold their patterns...... it was rough on me........ this was something totally different!

I had two of the three ideas accepted........ and then I received the news that they upped the publishing date and needed the projects, instructions and templates in much sooner than first asked!  Panic!

I made it by the skin of my teeth! 

I've had to revise a couple of things for the instructions since turning them in and am keeping my fingers crossed that they will still make it into the book.  There's always that chance I guess that they will decide not to use them.

But, to me it's as when a famous actor says it's just nice being nominated for an award that they don't necessarily have to win........ I think I understand what they mean.

I still hope they make it though!  I can't wait for the Spring to see the whole book, whether I make it in there or not!  I think it's going to be full of fun little projects that are simple enough for everyone to make!

I have been dying to post about this for months now, I'm just worried that I'll jinx myself........ which would be soooo my luck! 

So, be on the look out for a sweet little book that's coming in the spring that may or may not have a couple of designs by Judi Music!

Cool huh?

Birthday Sale!

Yup, I'm a year closer to 40!

So, in celebration of my everything getting closer to the floor...... I'm having a 15% off everything in my fabric shop today!

This means all fabric, fabric bundles and patterns!

Just send a convo with your fabric choices & their cuts and I'll make a custom listing!

Or, if you prefer....... complete your purchase without paying and I'll send you an adjusted PayPal invoice!

This ends on the 21st...... which just so happens to be my Dad's Birthday too!

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I'll be back on Monday with the news I've been waiting to share!

WOotie  WOoot WoOOt!

Giveaway!

I had to stop by and share the news!  Head on over to Old Red Barn Co. and leave a comment for this amazin' quilt that she has made and is giving away!  It's going to blow your mind! 

You can also click on the graphic in my sidebar...... it'll take you there as well. 

Lot's of luck.......... if you win..... please think of me!

Hair & Eyes

Two very important features on a lady person.  So far, my new hair-do and I are getting along.  I haven't gotten the small head/big body feeling yet that I normally do with a shorter hair cut.  It's a quick to fix "do" too.  Thank goodness!

 

But my eye and me...... not so lucky!

You can't tell from this photo but my dad-gum eye is twitching.  It's been twitching non-stop for 4 weeks and 3 days now.  I've researched it and even asked my OB/GYN if he knew the reason or could cure me of this horrid affliction.  No help.

So, I've come up with a few ideas myself...... given I've had reminders of it every two seconds for over a month now.  Here they are:

1. My heavier than Hell eyelids that lay on my eye's more and more everyday..... maybe my lower lid needs the exercise.
2. Stress.
3. Lack of sleep.
4. Staring at the T.V and computer way too much.
5. Dusty house.... Good Lord, it truly could be.
6. Still not having a name for the baby who will need a name in forty something days.
7. Lack of or too many Dr. Peppers.
8. Sewing dresses like crazy for my shop..... I'm sewing the doo doo out of my machine!
9. Bills
10. Bills
11. No name
12. A slight weight gain of say.... blippity blip blank pounds.... I hear it can strain your vertebrae and cause a nerve issue. 
13. The sheer weight of all my chins that are causing stress upon my upper face muscles that are in charge of keeping up my face parts.

I have an eye appointment for Friday....... wish me luck!

(And just a little side note here:  If the Jack-Ass tells me to lose weight...... I'm gonna punch him in the eye)

What's her Name's cradle

As promised yesterday, here is the cradle that Darren built for the baby. 

I just adore it so much and love the fact that her Daddy made it just for her.  She's loved already!

Today we took a trip to Jacksonville's Olde Green Cupboard to pick out and buy the fabric that will be made into the sheets, bumper and coverlet.  I chose this:

 We also have two or three other coordinating fabrics that will make up the entire ensemble. My Mom made the bumper set for my last bassinet as well....... she's got a knack for baby stuff!

While my sister Jerri Lynn was down for a visit, she and my other sisters gave me a surprise baby shower!  It was fantastic........ such a surprise and so needed.  After deciding years ago that Amelia Claire was our last......... I gave almost everything away.  Needless to say, this new little baby has just about everything she'll ever need. 

We still need to buy a swinger.......... I cannot live without a swinger with a new baby!  Aren't they a lifesaver?

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Now, the main reason for today's entry is to search for the perfect baby name for our girl.  We have a name picked out but we're having just the hardest, most-worsted time finding one that sounds perfect with it that we both like.  Soooooooo, below I'm going to leave a list of what we have tossed around for your opinions.  I'm a woman....... I need opinions!

I've always loved the name Avonlea..... you know, like the book/movie?  Here are some choices plus a couple that don't contain Avonlea.  Please, please, please leave your favorite choices or some you think sound great with it.  I've already heard some great names after yesterday's post and I thank  you for them! 

{Also to Mrs. Meatloaf hair......... GOD BLESS YOU!}

Here we go:

1. Avonlea Lucille
2. Avonlea Dutch (Dutch is a family name on his side)
3. Avonlea Dutchess
4. Avonlea Dutchabelle
5. Avonlea Magnolia (Esther....... I love your baby's name!)
6. Corabella Avonlea (Cora is both of his G-ma's names)
7. Landon Avonlea
8. Reagan Avonlea or Avonlea Reagan
9. Priscilla Avonlea
10. Ella Avonlea
11. Ella Grayslie
12. Sadie Adelaide

There you go....... these have been in the running.  Cora and Dutch are both names from his side of the family and are kinda cool.  If you have another in mind....... go for it!

Thank you so much for your help ahead of time!