Sew Happy

Whenever I'm invited to a baby shower my first thought is "What can I make?" I want the new parents to have a special gift from Dynamo and I that's different than every other. One that was made with love and care and unique! Including imperfections!



So I accessorized this burp cloth with some free motion stitching! I just love that technique! It's basically creating a sewn collage! And then I made a couple of bibs for the baby girl on the way!



The rule is not to look too closely! I'm not a good hand sewer so finishing off, etc. is a little tough for me! But, that's what makes it special right?

Once our friends told us they were having a baby I started working on crocheting an afghan for them!



When they said it was a girl I added the flower!



This particular pattern was very time consuming, but not hard. It was small thread and lots of single crochets! But, it really did turn out to be beautiful I think! It was totally worth the effort!

We gifted these goodies last weekend and hope the new baby on the way loves them!

paint + stitching + composition books = grungy journals

So, at "back to school" time I found these composition notebooks. You know...the black and white ones that we used to use in school? I guess they do still use them, but now you can find them in all sorts of colors and styles. But, I went for the cheap ones. Yes, the 40 cent/each ones!

I wanted to jazz them up so I coated the front and back covers in gesso, then put many layers of acrylic, and topped it off with some wild free-motion stitching and vintage lace! Here they are!

















I think I may have these for sale at the craft show I'm preparing for in November! I think they're fun and turn a plain notebook into prettiness! More details on the craft show soon!

My Purple Journal

I hope you like my latest journal pages!







Happy Tuesday!!!

Hymn # 308

We needed to send a thinking of you card recently. I hate having to send them sometimes. Often, because it means something sad has happened. So, I try to make them as happy and pretty as I can. My goal is to bring a smile in a time of sadness. This rose was just glorious to me!



And, I decided to use a page from an old hymnal I got at the thrift store. This idea is courtesy of my friend.

Blues and Greens for the Bride

Over the weekend I attended a bridal shower for a friend getting married in July! I combed the registry to get an idea of her colors and decided to make her a kitchen gift set. I wanted her to have something special and handmade. I wanted her to have something you couldn't buy in a store. Something she would know was made just for her.

Here was her card...

Yes, I'm still on the free motion sewing kick!
Here's a closeup...

I made her a hot pad holder...

And, a decorative dish towel...

And, an apron...

And, they all match!!!!

Very Vintage

Tags, tags, and more tags....

My friend found a book on vintage papercrafts at a flea market and brought it to me! She absolutely loved the tags in the book, so I decided to make her a few similar to those in the book as a thank you for thinking of me. I'm excited to be able to add this great new book to my collection.

I just love this one...

And, a few more...

Fabric Collage for Baby

I attended a baby shower on Sunday and wanted to bring a handmade gift that would be unique and special. So, I decided that every baby girl needs a little blanket...

Here's a closeup...

When I was little I had a little blanket that was soft, but had a silky part too! So, on this blanket I added a strip of satin ribbon. The backing is a very soft minkie type material. The collage on the front creates texture for the baby's little fingers to rub as well.

It was a tiny blanket. Little ones just need something to hold onto, suck on, or tote around everywhere. So, it just needs to be soft and lovable. The Amy Butler base fabric was so soft! I just love her stuff! And, the baby's room is going to be green and pink, so I tried to stick with the theme!

And, every mom needs a few burp cloths to match of course...

And, the gift bag tag matched too...

Mom seemed pleased with the gift. This will be her 3rd baby, but first little girl!!

flowers for mom

Sorry for the delay in posting the card I made for Dynamo's mom, but the mailman held it hostage for a few days, and I wanted to be sure she had actually received it before I posted it.

This card was actually my very first free motion sewn card, but I couldn't post it last week because it was for the special occasion!

I was so excited to learn this new technique that I went on to do more cards! But, I wanted Mrs. C to have the first one because it was made just for her, with her in mind.

I even made the envelope that we sent it in!

a mother's day mini book

This is a mini book that I put together for my mom for Mother's Day! I meant to give it to her in person when we saw her on Sunday, but I left it at home on the counter. So, she got it a little late!

On the inside I filled it with collaged pretties and little thank yous for her.