a new bag . . .

A local quilt shop has some great deals going on and I couldn't resist picking up some fabrics for a new bag. So this is my new bag for when my purse doesn't quite fit everything. It will probably end up being a diaper bag on occasion, or for Bible study when I need to carry a few books. Right now it fits those couple extra summer items that need to be carried around and a couple things for Alyssa since I don't need a full diaper bag for her anymore. I made the pattern myself because I wanted something original but found inspiration from here and here. The bag has a couple inside pockets, closes with a zipper (my first time doing that!), the bottom corners are boxed for some stability, and there's some pleats between top and bottom fabrics. Anyways, a new fun bag for me to enjoy!

a new purse . . .

My purse was in need of a replacement and I wanted to try out the Buttercup pattern that's been floating around for awhile now. The pattern was super easy to follow and the purse came together really quickly. Changes I made included enlarging the pattern a bit and adding some heavyweight interfacing to give more shape. I love how it turned out except that I find the purse buckles a bit when I weigh it down - I think I might open it up and put in some heavier interfacing like pellon in the top band to help keep its' shape.

our little flowergirl . . .

So here's a pic of our little flowergirl from the wedding this past week. She did quite well in the church - walked down most of the aisle by herself, just got a little confused when the other flowergirls started running back and forth down the aisle. She even stood at the front with the bridal party and watched as the bride was given away. The formal pictures on the other hand were a different story - she fell asleep on the drive over and cried on every picture. But at least she wasn't the only one, they'll be amusing pictures to look back on later.

one hour pajamas . . .

Chantel was feeling a little left out the other night while Elayna was attending yet another birthday party (seems half her class has their birthdays within a week of each other) so I cheered her up by letting her pick out some fabric from my stash and whipping up a Summer nightgown just in time for bed. This seriously took no time at all to make and I LOVE how it turned out. Now if I was only ambitious enough to whip up two or three more of these for each of the girls, they'd be set for the whole Summer.

some little girl aprons . . .

Elayna was invited to a birthday party for four little girls from her class. So I made four half-aprons and added a cookbook to top off the gifts (got them for a great deal). I had the fabric and rick-rack in my stash for the aprons, used a couple pics from the web as inspiration, and they came together really easily. I wrote down the measurements for everything in case I decide to make them again - after all, there will be lots of little girl birthday invitations coming through this house in the years to come.

dolly stuff . . .

So I have been having way too much fun sewing this morning. I brought my sewing machine and iron upstairs so I could sew in the air conditioned part of the house and not trip a breaker (for some reason my sewing room is on the same breaker as our air conditioner even though they're on total opposite corners of the house). Then the girls got in swimsuits and played outside for hours (I'm loving this weather!) while I got to play with some of my favorite fabrics - mostly ginger blossom. I made a little dolly diaper bag and matching dolly change pad for a little girls birthday party tomorrow. It was much more fun than taking the girls shopping! I have a pack of preemie diapers and I'll put in a handful to complete the gift - hopefully the birthday girl loves it as much as my girls do!

(here's a close-up of the bag. Inspired by Heather Bailey's book bags in the May 2008 issue of Home Companion).

some dresses . . .

Well, I have been spending time in my sewing room - quite a bit of time actually. I picked up some fabric for $5 the other day and managed to get two maternity sundresses out of it. Since this is already looking to be a hot summer, I'm sure a couple light things to wear will come in handy.

shoes . . .

Today we spent entirely too much time shoe shopping for the girls. They each ended up with a different pair from three different stores. And there were more stores that we looked at too. I cannot believe how opinionated Chantel was about hers and am already starting to dread the teenage clothes shopping years. But now they're all set for a family wedding and church - their current Dora and Princess sandals weren't cutting it. They just better not outgrow them before the Summer ends . . .

(and yes, they're in age order).