I think I might marry it

...I love it so much. Is this not the cutest, sweetest gift ever you have seen in your entire life? :) my friend jessica made this embroidered cloth for cora to spit up on (lol). She said it's her first attempt and I want to marry it i'm so in love with it. What say you? Group marriage? (he he he... I'm tired)

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

Thank you cousin colby

Love, evan

-- Sent from my Palm Pixi

I FINALLY FINISHED MY FIRST I SPY BAG!!!!

So, for years I have coveted my sister and sister-in-laws "I Spy Bags" they made for their kids/family and lived away (as usual) for their craft project of making it or even hearing about it. I thought it was genius of them to have it. A quiet toy for church, long car rides, waiting rooms, etc. I decided to start collecting the trinkets that go inside so that one day when I learned how to do it, I'd have a great sentimental collection.

I thought the day had arrived a few months ago (oh my gosh, it's was more than a few months! MY how time flies when you have a baby! I guess it was 6-12moths then) when some friends here had a craft night at my friend Lindsey's house, specifically to make these bags (none of us really knowing what we were doing, we thought we could figure it out.. LOL). Well, I spent the night cutting almost everyone's fabric and they had a clownishly funny time figuring out how to do these. lets just say one of them stared out as a "circle" but ended up as a "purse" LOL (you're welcome katie). It was actually cooler that way. So... I've been crafting again for a couple weeks and was just about to put up all my mess when I saw my collection of trinketts staring sadly at me, begging me to start the project! I couldn't resist those pink and blue google eyes! (some of the trinketts) I started from scratch at 4pm with a goal to finish before michael would get home at 6pm. I decided right there, since the fabric had states and capitals on it, I would cut it the shape of Tennessee! I made great efforts to make it accurate and am very impressed with myself with the outcome. ;) As I was about to sew, I decided to add handles like my friend Lacey did to one she made me with a rice filler (it's at my work for clients to enjoy, smokey would eat it in a second if it was at my house). I had also added the window then decided I needed to type all the 'Ingredients" to see how many there were and to be able to print it on iron on paper and iron it next to the window so you know what to look for or 'check off' what you found. THEN as I sewed, I realized the whole states shape would be a little much for the ingrediants to lay so I sewed an 'inner' rectangular shape around the window and to it's left to accompany the list. This made the ingredients contained in a more manageable area. I was careful to leave an opening to stuff the hole even though I almost forgot. I mixed the doll filler plastic beads with all the trinketts and made a paper funnel to get it in. I am sooo happy with the result!!! I'm addicted. I finished AS my husband walked in the door and surprised him with what I had made. I knew he's be surprised and pleased that I made anything in the shape of Tennessee. He doesn't say but I think it warms his heart a little that I love Tennessee so much and that I try to impress him with my thoughtfulness. What do you say Michael? (i won't hold my breath for a comment... lol). So... here you go! I'm going to make these eventually to sell also.

Front. Shaped like the State of Tennessee with handles so it can be folded in half and carried. The "S" is made for our last name so Evan can share it with any future children we are blessed with. Hopefully he will grasp 'sharing' in our teachings. ;)

Back with window and list

close up of window...

close up of list

the "ingredients" before they were counted, documented & placed in the back. This is an "I Spy" on it's own... Can you see the doughnut, robot, 'Love' confetti, pipe wrench (there are two kinds so you have to know your wrench) or rooster?

Did I mention that I LOVED this project?! I cannot wait to do it again.

One more thing, can you find "C-T-R" in 'red, yellow and blue' (not in that color order)?LOL

Evans first personalized gift from Mom. FINALLY!

Many of you are familiar with my personalized gifts. I have made many, especially these 'uniforms' for family and a few lucky friends. The majority have been "Dodgers" jerseys for nieces and nephews when they were newborns but I have been known to make a Rugby jersey, basket ball and a generic sports themed one. They usually feature the year they were born and their first or last name above that on the back side. Well, I finally made Evans! I decided on our AAA baseball team, "The Nashville Sounds" and found their original logo so it could be all retro and stuff. I'm pretty pleased with the turn out and hope you are too. Now that the sewing machine is still out from the before posted blankets/burpcloths etc... I'm likely going to make Evans blanket etc soon. Stay tuned for that, I'm sure it will be amazing! :) (Godby's this is the kind of stuff I kept saying I wanted to make you. Instead I chose crazy 8 since it was much easier at the time. If you want a jersey, let me know! ;) I'll do it.)

Craft Blog

I'm considering starting a blog for the crafts that I make and sell.

I would like some feed back.

Here are my latest endeavors inspired by a gift given to Evan by my friend Christi (thank you!)

These are seperate gifts for twin girls. One's initial is "M" the other "S" with the same fabrics only swapped as to their orientation. Each burpcloth has their intial in fabric. The *"Tab blankets" have an initial in ribbon. The Blanket does not have an initial but could.

Here is the "S" in same fabrics but swapped

These are the gifts for a very good childhood friend of mine just happens to be naming his son "Evan". His initial is on the blanket backed with fleece and the burpcloth but not on the tab blanket. His Evan will even have similar intials since we are both "S" last names! ;o he he he

All designs will 'frey' after washing and drying on burpcloths and tab blankets

*tab blankets are mini little blankets baby's like to hold while they suck their thumbs or drink a bottle or especially when they are winding down and start 'playing with their hair' or 'rub their eyes'. "tabs" denote the looped multicolored ribbons sewn in the sides. (you're welcome carly)

FINALLY finished Evans' name!

As promised in this original post: BETTER PICTURES! (added at 12am)

This is lettering that I make and sell (that's right, SELL). Featured is my lettering for my baby Evan. This is done with the newspaper from the day and city he was born in; ATLANTA, October 14, 2008. I have been saving this idea in my 'back pocket' to do it first for myself before I get flooded with orders to do it for YOU! ;) You can click on the pictures to see them closer and read the paper but I am explaining each letter, below.

The "E" is the front page of "The Atlanta Journal-Constitution" newspaper, including the date. My favorite part is on the bottom is gives a weather 'teaser' that says: "It promises to be (a) pretty day"
By far the biggest news I can remember from this time was all the fires in California (that lasted for weeks!) and since it was also in my home state, I was sure to use the story for my "V" as well as 'represent' for my Cali peeps. ;)

The "A" features the (then) Presidential Candidates who were focusing on "the Economy" (a lot of good that did). ;) Also a side story about Bristol Palin and her boyfriend (the speculation that he was being made to join the campaign)

the "N" is the Comics page of the day. i made sure to fit "family circle" cause it's so classic and wholesome. ;)

below are the pics and message sent originally from my phone.

I'll post better pictures later but I finally finished 'EVAN' for his bedroom. I have wanted to make his right away but till now (and even now) I had no time. I did all the letters in the newspaper from the day Evan was born & in the state/city he was born. I'm pretty happy with the outcome. Tonight I will post better pictures of it but tell me what you think?! I also sell these @ $7.00 per letter (plus shipping) for anyone interested. @ may post others I've made in the past.
Lila

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

blankie

Evan enjoyed playing with his blanket today. I crocheted this for him before he was born and chose orange to show respect for the University of Tennessee (Michael's favorite college Football team). He was being very good while I attempted to clean his room. Yeah right. I gave up and took pictures. lol ;).