Embracing Fall

I've been pleased to learn that I'm not the only person who doesn't just looooove fall. I don't hate it. I don't love it either. There are things I love about it, but it's my third favorite season. Living here has helped me come to a place of greater appreciation for it. It brings relief from humid summer days. The days get shorter, which is normally a minus, but that means Dennis gets home from work sooner and that is a plus. Holidays. nuff said. However the biggest downfall of autumn is that is reminds me that the drab days of winter are knocking at our door and pretty soon I will have to let them in. Winter is the guest that wears out its welcome and doesn't leave until it's darn good and ready. So when I saw these pumpkins on Pinterest I knew they'd be the perfect way to welcome fall and still keep some summer color in our home.
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*E helped by stuffing the pumpkins and she sewed the tiny green one pictured in her hands.

February brings good things...

like...


being with these girls...(and sister in law not pictured),


and having this baby happily play...



while I sew an apron,


a tissue holder and a birthday card;



like sunsets,

and kids playing on the ice





and laughing like crazy.

Cutie Man is one year!

Cutie man being my nephew. He's a year and I was able to see him open some presents via skype. Thank you Jesus for skype! Here is what I've been working on for him for a while. I think he'll have to grow into playing w/ it. Perhaps it will entertain him when he's not sleeping on their 9+ hour drive home. Love you Knox!


The swing moves and the airplane travels.


Oops. On its side. BUT those little animals in the barn are finger puppets! And the tools come out too.



Rocket Travels, fruit snaps on and off.



Had to include the ocean!



After making a crown for miss Mia I had to try a boy one. Not perfect...but cute IMO. I think he wore it for 1/2 a second. He's one. I'll give him some grace on that. :)

*inspiration for some of the pages and the template for the tree trunk, barn & finger puppets was found HERE
*Also some inspiration (tools) found HERE

I'd really like to do this one someday...maybe I'll make something for my own kid! ha!

a peek

So...she's not mine but she is pretty stinkin' cute huh? Really more of a beauty than just a cutie. Her mama gave me permission to put it on the blog because I made her crown. Do not be distracted by the amazing rainbow cake. Focus on cute crown. ha! A preview to some other sewing I've done for my nephew and MUST mail tomorrow.

Happy Birthday miss Mia! Thanks for wearing it :)

look at what i did!

Yes, I've been sewing and shamelessly want to share. Most of this...well all except for the last thing was for an old friend to whom I never sent any baby gifts and since her oldest is almost ten, I figured better late than never. (Disclaimer...all of this looks better in person than in my lame photos :)


This is for her youngest...baby boy 6ish months. burp cloth or blankie.


This is for the 3 year old who's name is Blaze. I made this out of a pair of pants that I'll never get into again...



Who cares what this is when you see those blue eyes, huh? BUT, it's a hat made from a sweater found in the good will bins for 75 cents. And this is for the oldest but my youngest was the only model around at the time. (I have tried it on larger heads and it works)




The bag is for their only girl. The inside is lined w/ a fabric that is the same pattern but grey w/ pink polka dots. E informed me she would like her own.


This is my fluffy, high fashion scarf. That's the story I'm sticking to anyway. Remember my disclaimer? This was cut out of a maternity shirt made from a sweater like knit. It was cute but had a paint stain.

And at last, the Easter dress! I was super pleased w/ out this turned out. I learned a lot while making it and was able to add a few things to the pattern. The white eyelet lace on the bottom to make it longer, the buttons where the straps attach in the front and...

the cuff bracelet w/ the fabric flower and...

her little hair clip. All made from a pink men's dress shirt found at good will. The brand was Ralph Lauren and E really wanted the "horse" or polo player on the dress somewhere. So I used that part for one of the pockets.

Also because credit is a big deal in the craft blog world...

bag tutorial found here

scarf inspiration here (I also was guided by here various fabric flowers, look around)
Easter dress here

Cant' remember where I found the hat idea...but it's pretty basic. The others are all me :)

a couple of things i've made...

hair clip and a pee pee tee pee or wee wee wigwam


headband

fabric flowers inspired here

6

Yup. My girl is 6. There is something so big girl about the sound of that number, don't you think?

Celebrations started w/ lunch at Panera w/ mom mom after school on Friday. (she's started wearing her stickers from school on her forehead...i don't know..)

Then that evening her two cousins that are her age came over to stay the night.

They made their own snack. We talked about how cowgirls would need to build a fire out on the range at night, so that's what they did. I loosely followed this as I remember doing it in girl scouts/brownies.

J is not to be left out!

After snacks it was bed time and not too long until they were fast asleep.

Morning brought her breakfast of choice, baked oatmeal. Then we were off to ride horses!

They LOVED the hats I bought them. (notice my e's belt buckle...was mine from earlier days)

After leading the horse out of the pasture,

brushing him, (his name was Mel)

little bro looking on,

cleaning his hooves,

making tractor noises,

stopping for a quick pose,

or two,

it was finally time to line up to ride!

Best moment of the day. This little one likes to play it cool, but she could not contain that smile. Priceless.

Everyone, including J, got a turn.

Even V.

Many thanks to Connie for making this happen! She went above and beyond.

Then it was back home for her lunch of choice, tomato soup and grilled cheese. A good choice for a dreary, cold day.

Then cupcakes!

Horse cupcakes, of course. They almost look just like the pictures in the book.

We finished things off with presents. This is a picnic basket that I covered for her, and I made the food. Sandwich (w/ lettuce tomato, cheese, turkey slice; apple and two mini cupcakes) It was a good day and thank you to all who helped make it special!