Simple Skirts GIVEAWAY!!!!

Simple Skirts GIVEAWAY!!!!
That Ms Grosgrain is at it again. . . and she has a beautiful picnic frock for big girls, too.

Snowing Blossoms

IMG_3215
Originally uploaded by hmsohly

My children have been finding such pretty things in the grass. The boy holds a pink blossom from one of our cherry trees. I love it when the yard is full of blooms--apricots, cherries, pears, apples. I hope you are seeing the signs of renewal in your parts of the world.

A Beautiful Table

My sister-in-law is the queen of beautiful. She is a graphic designer and definitely has a passion for what she does. Here is a glimpse of her Easter table. We were 2200 miles away, as usual, still, I got to share in some of the day through photos. Cheers to Heather and her pretty ideas--damask placememats she designed and printed in black, white and yellow, a napkin of polka dots and a peep for fun and pop. Of course, she had flowers and bunny statues and wonderful food.

Sleeping Dollies and their Improv Blankets

These little dollies are on their way to our friends--the M4 Posse. I hope their girls enjoy their babies like my little girl does. It was fun to free-hand the pattern and the faces. Any ideas what they might be named? I'll have to check with the M's and see.

The blankets are project improv inspired. I love the pink windows with the birdies in them.

Child's Party Hat Tutorial

Just thought your kiddos might enjoy an enduring party hat. I think the photos in the slideshow will lead you through the process nicely.

Materials:

Medallion Fabric and Letter Fabric

Base Hat Fabric

Stiff Felt

Fusible Webbing

Elastic

Sewing Machine

Iron
Needle and Thread


The link below is a flickr slideshow of the steps. Just haven't figured out how to imbed it here. I'll work on that.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24125250@N03/sets/72157616597415022/show/

1. You will cut the hat from a hat pattern. I could post one if that is helpful.

2. You will apply fusible webbing to the medallion, letter and the felt.

3. Decorate the base fabric with medallion and letter by ironing them fusible side down.

4. Machine applique.

5. Adhere base hat to felt with fusible and iron.

6. Cut opening for tab with rotary cutter.

7. Pin hat in place.

8. Thread elastic through side holes with large embroidery needle and tie elastic.

9. Sew hat together along tab and opening.

10. Party!

Hope for the M4 Posse

We have friends who are hitting one of those extended valleys in life. The mama is in the midst of breast cancer treatment. Their little ones are the same ages as our kiddos. They have the most amazing perspective and energy as they tread through this experience. Mama M has lost her hair and Daddy M has shaved his head. This piece of stitching and patchwork is my project improv that belongs to them. Mama M would tell you to do your monthly self-examinations. Please send some extra love and possitivity into the world for his little family. "Hope is a thing with feathers" as Emily Dickenson wrote.

A Play or Changing Mat for Baby Otto

A new little man is in the world and I had to make something for him. Otto is the babe of a former co-worker. He is sweet and has all kinds of dark hair just like his Mama. This little changing pad or play mat is what I made when Sew Mama Sew did their doll quilt sew along. I used some charm squares from Moda's Recess and some blue I had on hand from the panels on my boy's windows. I bound it with some remnant navy and blue cotton from Joann's. I added the ribbon so this would be easily portable. Stippling still seems to daunting, so I used my walking foot and just sewed diagonals over the squares. One of these days I'll get brave enough to stipple, I promise. This little bundle with a onesie from our favorite local coffee shop will find the baby this week.