A bean bag for Ben

I can't believe the 2-week spring break is over!! Anyway, we had been extremely busy during the break. Fortunately, I got this bean bag chair done BEFORE the spring break. It feels good to sew again! (BTW, notice the brand new hardwood floor? It's pretty isn't it)

The bean bag chair is based on this tutorial from Stardust Shoes. It's great to be able to find great patterns on the net, and it's free too, no less.

The applique is upcycled from some of Ben's old bibs...

More coin pouches

I have been busy the last couple days. Here's me all organized for the coin pouch assembly line...

One for Carol from Toronto...

...one for Faye from a couple blocks away...

...one for mama me, to match my favorite pillow...

... and the last one for Ben?!

I also made two aprons for Carol's little boys, although I wish I had done a better job sewing the bias tapes... oh well.

Don't you think the little gift pouch is a nice touch?

A wallet for Sarah

I was going to sew a coin pouch for myself, so I made this and put it on the console table. The next morning Sarah saw it and asked if it was for her. Well, it is now.

A blanket for Sarah

I got my machines back from the shop! The sewing machine sounded different when I sew, but I wouldn't say it made a huge different. I have to do a few experiments before I can say whether it's worth the money spent. I inherited the machine from my mother-in-law. The machine's 10-year-old and it has never been serviced, so it's probably ok to spurge to have it cleaned and checked.

Anyhow, here's a blanket for Sarah, which she promptly used as picnic blanket for tea party with her dolls.

I took apart one of Ben's minky blanket for backing and hand quilted the random circles. I wanted to add a few more but Sarah couldn't wait!

A jungle apron

I got the corduroy a little while back because I was in love with the color, even though I had no idea at the time what to do with it. Today I had a spark of inspiration and here's what I come up with.

I think the jungle print works perfectly with the corduroy. And I am oh so lucky to have the right colors and just enough bias tapes to finish the apron.

A blanket and pillow for strawberry shortcake

Happy strawberry and cherry smocket

Here it is... such cheery prints and simple pattern... and fully reversible!

Sarah was watching the little mermaid movie so she wasn't interested in trying on the smock! Nonetheless she said she likes it, with her eyes still glued to the TV.

The PDF is for 2T so I spread the pattern pieces by about 4 inches. It fits Sarah quite nicely. The shoulders are tied in the original pattern. I tried it on Sarah (see the cherry print picture). but wasn't too keen on the ties so I sew buttons on instead. I love the strawberry print so much that I am going to make myself something with it! The best part, it's remnant from Fabricland, buy 1 get 3 free. I got 2 pieces of this print, each is 0.7m.  I don't have much left now, just enough to make some bias tape and bottom ruffles for my perfect summer top!

Sarah's first embroidery project

I picked up Soule's book The Creative Family from the library a couple days ago. It's filled with great activities to do with the kids - perfect for the just started summer holiday. Here's the first thing we tried: embroidery. This is something new for me as well. We spent yesterday afternoon sitting side by side sewing away. This is what Sarah made. Isn't it lovely?!

Here's what I did...

And she drew the butterfly and the cute ladybugs on it when I wasn't looking...

I think I will embroider the cute drawing. Maybe I can make a quilt out of of Sarah's drawings... so many fun thing to do!

Father's Day Breakfast and smoothie season, finally!

Scramble egg on toast with cream cheese, salsa, mixed greens and basil.

The greens and basil were fresh picked from the garden.

And finally, it's smoothie season!

Cardboard Fun

This morning we spent time together to make a cardboard roadmap, completed with little cars, apple trees along the roads, a pond with mermaid and birds, a parking lot and a supermarket. It is inspired by the cozy car caddy. The good thing is the three of us can do it together!

A ruffled top for my little girl

I sewed this a couple weeks ago. The initial idea was to have wide ruffled straps slightly over the shoulders. But then when I put them on they were not wide enough to have the semi cap sleeves effect. So I took them out and let it sit while I muse over what to do next.

Then yesterday was really hot and the forecast for today is even hotter. I need to get it done so Sarah can wear it today! I also want to try making bias tape with this technique, which worked wonderfully, except when i cut the bias tape at the last step, I was a little distracted by the kids and accidentally cut both layers. Luckily it was a small cut at the beginning of the bias tape that I can just discard the small section. I used the fresh bias tape as spaghetti straps.

Anyhow, back to those initial straps that were too narrow. What to do with them? Matching hair band, of course!

So I have been thinking... so far most my sewing projects are for Sarah and myself. I don't want Ben to feel left out. And then I reminded myself to be realistic - he will like a trip to the playground and fresh strawberries much more than a new pair of pajama pants!

Read this if you have a little boy in your house

Make the cozy car caddy and you will be his hero! Created by Jill from homemade by jill.