Happy Halloween!

Hope you all have a good one! Last night we took the kids trick or treating in our church parking lot. We ate chili and cornbread to kick off the night. Fun was had by all-mostly by Mia! She had a great time hanging out with her cousins.  I just posted more pictures on my photography blog, so if you would like to view more, click HERE.  As you can see, Mia and I were witches this year. I found these great witch hats at Target.  I found my striped tights there too. I found Mia's tights at JoAnnes.  Hayden was the CUTEST bumble bee around!  Later this evening we're heading over to my sister inlaws house for some more Halloween fun with the cousins. Its going to be a nice low key evening with a few games for the kids, sugar cookie decorating, and the Nightmare Before Christmas. Did I mention I'm making Halloween Soup?   It's my step dad's recipe and is one of my favorites for this time of year. Here's how you make it!

Make White Sauce:

1. In a large, saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over low heat.
2. Blend 4 tablespoons of flour into the melted butter.
3. Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
4. Cook over low heat, stirring, for 3 to 4 minutes. Cooking for this length of time will minimize 'flour' taste.
5. Slowly add 2 cup of milk, stirring constantly.
6. Continue cooking slowly until smooth and thickened.

• Peel and cook 2 potatoes and 4 carrots
• Mash. Add salt and pepper to taste
• Stir in vegetables into white sauce.

Serves 3-4



Enjoy! And Happy Halloween!

Cute Clutch!

I just made this cute little cluth purse using the pattern from Keyka Lou. I think they will make great Christmas gifts for all ages.  I plan to make one for Mia using some left over mermaid fabric by Michael Miller.  When she saw this clutch this morning she asked me if it was hers, hahha.  This sweet little clutch is perfect for quick errands, or taking to the gym to fit your necessities in.  I also like to throw it in my diaper bag to hold my lip gloss, keys, cell phone, and check book. This one is ready to be shipped out for anyone interested! The dimensions are 8.5 " x  4.5".

Mia Modeling the Key Lime Dress

I told you it's even cuter on!!!  I can't even tell you how in love I am with this dress on her. I can't wait to make one for Hayden using a onesie. I'd also like to make a long sleeved version that she can wear with tights and boots.  I will make these special order for those interested. Just let me know by leaving a comment or sending me an email. The cost is $40. Thanks!

Key Lime Ruffle Dress

It was a miracle-today Mia actually fell asleep on the couch while the baby was napping and this is what I did to take advantage of my time!  You probably can't tell from the picture that it's a dress small enough for Mia. I don't know why it looks bigger in the picture.  I'll have to take some pics of her wearing it. I LOVE the way it turned out!  I've had this white t-shirt that is size 2T sitting around for months, and since neither of my kids wear 2T I haven't known what to do with it-until today :) It fits Mia everywhere but the length so I used the top of the shirt to make a dress.  Remember my jelly roll dress I made awhile back?  I had left over strips laying around that I've been wondering what to do with as well, and decided to use them to make ruffles around the neck. Next I made an elastic waistband skirt that would be long enough for a dress using 1/2 inch elastic.  I then sewed the skirt directly onto the shirt.  I thought it needed an extra something so I used the jelly roll strips to make the sash.  I need to try it on Mia first before I decide whether or not I'd like to attach it or keep it separate.  I'm also debating if I should reattach the skirt a bit lower so it looks more like a skirt and top rather than a dress? Or move the skirt up to give it more of an empire waist.  I guess I'll just have to try it on her. What do you think? Overall I'm really excited about how it turned out. It reminds me of key lime pie :)  I was inspired by THIS earlier which is what gave me the idea for Mia's dress. I may try to make a tuxedo dress for Hayden though!

Fancy Nancy Headband

I finally got some pictures of Miss Hayden wearing this fancy little headband. I like to call it The Fancy Nancy Headband because that's what it reminds me of.  I'm surprised I was able to get such good pictures with her being sick and all. Yesterday evening Mia wanted to ride her bike outside, so I took advantage of the photo opp! Speaking of photo opps, to any of you living in AZ, I will be doing portrait sessions for the holidays. To view more of my work you can click HERE. Just leave me a comment or drop me an email if you'd like to schedule or get more details. Thanks!

Orders Ready to Ship Out

I'm trying to play catch up. It's amazing how far behind you can get when you have a sick baby.  The burp cloth gift set w/the diaper caddy was a rush order for my Mom over at Still Crazy After All These Years, and the headband is for Sue from Sue's News, Views 'N Muse.  Thanks Ladies for your orders. I still have one more headband to make for Sue. More to come :)

Happy Halloween Dress

I've been meaning to post this for a couple of weeks, sorry for the delay!  I decided to add a little bow on the sleeves. It's just the right touch if you ask me :)  Yesterday she wore this dress with her orange and black baby legs on her arms so it looked like it was layered with a long sleeve top which was also very cute.  I still need to get around to making Mia one.  Unfortunately I think Miss Hayden has an ear infection so I may not have the time.  I've been working on orders for customers as well, and that takes first priority.  My mom called yesterday in need of a burp cloth gift set for a baby shower she is going to next week, so I will be sure to take pics before mailing it off. I just LOVE the fabric! It's an Alexander Henry jungle print. So cute for boys!  Since I rarely make boy things, I have to post it! Till then...

Apples and Pear Dress with Polkadot Sleeves

 Yesterday I took my girls to the pumpkin patch!  I found this cute apples and pears fabric on sale at JoAnne's and bought the last of the bolt.  Anyway, I made Mia's dress a few weeks ago, but finally finished Hayden's.  I think it's really cute for the fall season and looked cute in the pumpkin patch pictures.  I used the Sweet Little Dress pattern by leila and ben.  I just LOVE this pattern. It's so easy and so cute!  I am going to be working on some new dresses hopefully in the near future, so stay tuned...

Modeling Our New Headband

I've had a few requests to post some pictures of Mia and I wearing the new headband I designed. I wasn't having a very good hair day, and I'm not super photogenic these days, but you get the idea. Mia models it beautifully, however. I like this headband with our hair down AND pulled back :) I forgot to mention that if you aren't a fan of headbands, but like the flower, I can also make this into a clip. I just made a black clip that I will post later. Be sure to place your orders in time for the holidays! Again, the price is $25.

Halloween Embellished Onesie Tutorial

I had some left over fabric from Mia's Halloween skirt and decided to embellish a onesie for Hayden. I cut out a witch hat and a witch shoe, ironed on some heat and bond to secure it to the front of the onesie, thenwith my sewing machine I stiched around the edges.

I also attached purple and orange swarovski crystals along the neckline. I think the bum is my favorite part! I cut out a strip of the fabric I used on Mia's skirt, serged along edges and gathered it to make a ruffle. I also gathered a strip of tulle so there are two ruffles on the bum :)

I found these cute Halloween striped baby legs in the dollar section at Target. Normally I'd make them myself, but you can't even buy the socks to make them for that cheap! Sorry this isn't a more detailed tutorial, I didn't think about doing one until I started posting.

Pumpkin Necklace

I started playing around with my Sculpey clay and thought it would be cute to make a little pumpkin bead for a Halloween necklace. Cute huh? Mia loves it anyway. If you haven't been able to tell, I love Halloween and all the cute crafts that come with it :)

Sewing Room Makeover

Before:



This weekend my dad came into town and helped me give my sewing room a MAJOR makeover :) I LOVE LOVE LOVE the way it turned out!!! The "before" was not so pretty, but the "after" turned out beautifully. I love my dad for coming here and making it all happen.
After:
Here I am with my dad after we finished. Isn't it pretty? Too bad the color isn't really showing up right in the pictures. Its such a soothing room to be in and an even better room to create in. This wall is definitely my favorite. I can't believe we were able to cover the black with just one coat of paint.



So many shelves, drawers, and cupboards to fit all my stuff :) It's a dream come true! You should have seen how cluttered all my stuff was in Puerto Rico. I had a fold up table and everything else was stuffed in a bin or in a big pile next to my table. Now everything feels so clean and organized.

Remember the blue blinds? Well, my dad spray painted them! I'll only be here for 9 months so it was a great quick fix. This is my accent wall.

Notice my new serger! Did I mention that I found a Bernina serger on Craigslist a couple of weeks ago? HEAVEN! Anyway, a big thanks to my dad for all of his time and hard work. It was so fun working on this room together. A memory I don't think I'll ever forget.

New Headbands for Sale

I designed this headband last week, and I'm so excited about it! It's my favorite one to wear by far. For one, its really comfortable! I always get headaches from wearing headbands because they always seem to squeeze too hard behind my ears. Does anyone else have this problem? Anyway, these thin metal headbands have been the trick for me, and hopefully for you too. I can wear it all day and almost forget I even have it on. Another reason I love this headband so much is because its stylish and elegant for me, but also looks sweet in Mia's hair as well. I will definitely be using this for a photo session with her soon :) Anyway, I am in the process of making other headbands in different colors (black flower with turquoise center, champaign flower with black center, black flower with black center, and champaign flower with turquoise center). If you're interested in buying one of these beauties leave me a comment with your email address and I'll get in contact with you. *They make great gifts too* Christmas is coming up :)

Fun Halloween Accessories

*Double click on collage to view larger*
The other night I made Mia her Halloween Jewels to go with the Halloween skirts I made her. A day or so later, I came across a new blog I hadn't seen before, Brown Paper Packages where I found her tutorial on how to make Pumkin Candy Bracelets. I just HAD to go buy the stuff to make some! TOO CUTE, and what a great idea. It completely took me back to my childhood of loving candy necklaces. I remember as a little girl waiting and waiting for the ice cream man to come so I could get one, and when he didn't come, my dad took me in the car to find him. Gotta love my dad! Anyway, I think these bracelets make a great party favor for any Halloween party for the little ones. I have a few little girls in mind to make these for :)

Halloween Twirl Skirt

I've never made a twirl skirt, and to tell you the truth, I didn't even know this was going to be a twirl skirt until it turned into one, LOL. Let me explain...Because the design on the fabric needed to be lined up right, I cut out two pieces (front and back) instead of just one like the skirt in my last post. Anyway, my two pieces were wider than normal, and since Mia's waist is so small it gathered so much that it created a twirl skirt. YAY! I love the way it turned out and it looks so darling on her. In preschool each week, Mia's teacher assigns a new color to go over and likes the kids to wear that color for the week. This week the color is orange so I thought she could wear this skirt with her orange Halloween shirt. I am selling Halloween skirts, so if you would like one for your little one, they are $15 for babies-size 6T and $20 for bigger girls. Let me know!

Easy Elastic Waistband Halloween Skirt Tutorial

I made this skirt for Mia a couple of weeks ago, but I'm still without a computer so I haven't been able to post it. I thought I would be able to have Geek Squad fix my laptop, but they said I need to get a new computer, so now I'm just waiting till I find the right one. I hate that I haven't been able to use photoshop! So please excuse my unedited photos ;-) This skirt is so easy peasy. I used less than a half yard of fabric, so it was practically free. JoAnne's has Halloween fabric for 30% off right now. Anyway I measured how long I wanted to make the skirt and kept the width of my half yard alone. Basically to make an elastic waistband skirt, you're using a strip of fabric that looks like a rectangle. Next you make a casing for your elastic at the top of your rectangle. You will want to fold and press about a quarter of an inch to hide your raw edge. Next you will want to fold and press again, this time making it the width of your elastic. I usually use 3/4 inch elastic. Next you will want to feed your elastic through the casing you made. It's easier if you use a safety pin at the end of your elastic to feed it through. Once you get both sides through, sew them in place. Now it's time for the side seam. With right sides together pin in place and sew down giving yourself a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Lastly you will want to hem the bottom of your skirt. You will want to fold and press about a 1/2 inch along the bottom and repeat. Pin in place and sew your hem down. All done! Hope that helps. Let me know if any of my directions are confusing and I can clarify through email :) When I started this post I wasn't planning on doing a tutorial so it's a little unorganized. This is a great beginning project to start out with if you are a beginner sewer. Mia just LOVES this skirt. She and her cousin picked out the fabric. It has little witch hats all over it if you can't tell by the picture.