Diaper Cake!

In addition to making my gift for their baby, I was busy before Joanna's shower making a diaper cake. Joanna specifically requested this as a part of the shower decor. I think this is my best diaper cake yet.

Why? Because I added these fun ribbons in between the layers (I just taped them to a piece of paper so the ribbon can be used again to decorate something else).

I also liked how the polka-dotted pacifier topper on the cake coordinated so well with the polka-dotted ribbon on the paper.

Yay for diaper cakes!

Gift for Baby Cronkhite

I sewed a bunch of gifts for Isaac and Joanna's little one.

First I added some cute ribbons to these burp cloths.

Then I used one of my sewing machine's fancy stitches to make an edging on a swaddling blanket.

Isn't this the cutest material? Thank you Ramseys for the donation to the Fix fabric collection!

Then I made him some matching pajama pants out of the same material.

Finally, I sewed what I call a "dipes and wipes" case. It was a challenge to make a pattern complete with velcro and a lining. It was tricky but I was very pleased with the end result. And this is an item I use a lot so I'm glad that Joanna and Isaac will have one to help out with their baby boy. We can't wait to meet him.

Sophia's Shirt

So, for Sophia's birthday, I made her the shirt for the Sophia Pattern on Burda Style.

Did you catch that the name of the pattern is SOPHIA and I made it for SOPHIA?! I was pretty excited about that.

The back closure with a heart button.

The front yo-yo details that I added for some extra cuteness. I've said it before and I'll say it again, making baby girl clothes is ADDICTIVE! So fun. Happy Birthday Sophia!

Say it Ain't So!

As far as inspiration is concerned, domino magazine has been so so so so influential in my design choices. My sister has gotten me a subscription to this magazine for a couple years now and I devour it monthly. I have learned a lot from this magazine!
So I was DEVASTATED when I heard that they are stopping publication. At least I have a few back issues to keep and read over and over and over and over again. Goodbye friend. It was fun while it lasted.

NYR #6, Magnetic Wall

Growing up, my mom created a collage of friends and family on our fridge. Every year, she would put up the pictures received in Christmas cards and leave them there until the next years cards started arriving.

While I love this tradition, my husband doesn't love a cluttered fridge. So we came up with a compromise. I put the pictures on the side of the fridge where they were less visible.

However, lately the clutter on the side of the fridge had moved to the front.

Meanwhile, this blank wall was sitting waiting for something to liven it up.

Enter magnetic primer. Did you know such a thing existed? I just discovered it recently and was anxious to try it out.

With it's help, I transformed this blank wall into...

A fabulous place to display pictures without annoying my husband in the process! YAY! My two complaints/comments are 1) Even after three coats, it's not strong enough to hold up Rock's toy and our kitchen timer that were on the front of the fridge. And actually, only my super strong magnets were capable of holding up the pictures.
**So, if you see your picture on the fridge but not on the wall, don't stress. I didn't throw it out -- I just need to buy some more strong magnets. **

2) Even after three coats, it dried unevenly. I know it's supposed to be a primer so I should paint over it and make it look prettier. But honestly, I like the black color (the can says it will "dry a dark grey," but this wall is BLACK!). I think I'm going to leave it as is. What do you think?

And here's the clean fridge. I have to admit that Fix is right, it looks a lot better without all that clutter. I left the FIX magnets on it so no one will steal it when they come for dinner.

Friends for Supper

Recently, we had the Coleman boys and their wives over for dinner. And they made me laugh so hard I couldn't hold my camera still.

Carrie said that my efforts for this meal should count as a Design Fix NYR. But since it is not a permanent addition to our home, I'm not going to. However, I did want to show you all the cute boxes I put together for them to take home. They were filled with homemade caramels (my new obsession!).

NYR #5, Throw Pillows

So, the pillows on our dining/family room futon have been looking a little tired.

We've had them for about 6 years now and although I love them I was ready for a change.

So I picked up some fabric at Joann's (I should buy stock in that company!) and made some new throw pillow covers.

Here's a close-up of the new black and white fabric. I am quite fond of it.

I put three buttons on the backs of the pillows to keep the pillow form from falling out (a problem with the old set).

The only problem is that now this side of the room looks a little devoid of color. Perhaps I need to make a slipcover for the futon to solve this problem?! Sigh. That's a project for another day. In the meantime, could someone come and pick up these books for me?

NYR #4, Creating a Crafting Closet

So, for awhile now, my sewing machine has been in our bedroom.

Without a home, my crafting tools/books/etc. have found their way into every nook and cranny of our house.

Although I tried to hide the clutter, it was clear that I needed a better space to store my crafting supplies.

Meanwhile, we have a closet upstairs that was not living up to it's full potential. Although I had stored some crafting supplies here, the space wasn't living up to it's full potential and neither was I (crafting-wise that is).

Hooray for the Container Store, a sale on Elfa storage systems, and a gift card from my parents!!!

It was so easy I could install it myself (except for a stubborn screw that needed my hubby's manpower).

And I am VERY pleased with the results!

The red accessories are from IKEA. My labeler got a workout as I made a place for everything and put everything in it's place.
Even my sewing kit got a revamp.

I love that there is space next to the shelves so I can store rolls of fabric and my cutting mats. There is also room for a folding chair (from IKEA) that I can easily hang up off to the side when I need to close the closet door.

I also purchased this handy thread storage rack. I am planning on screwing it into the wall to get it off the countertop as soon as I can spray paint it (too cold outside right now).

Well, by no means is this where my ultimate happiness comes from, but for now, I agree with Elfa! This organized closet has brought me a great deal of delight.

Not only did I organize my crafting and sewing supplies, but I finally have a place to create! Look for many more completed projects now that I have a place to complete them.
***A quick note on this stone. I used to work in a store that sold these clay 'stones' that had inspirational words on them. One day, I was unpacking a new shipment to put out on the retail floor when I noticed there were a few typos on the stones.... CREAIE, FOGUS, INSFIRE, GTVE. They were made in China and were even given a sticker to show that they passed inspection. We called the company and ordered a new set and I got to take these treasures home! I love them!

NYR #3, Slipcover Success!!!

Remember when I posted this picture and told you not to lose hope because the slipcover was on it's way? That was back in August.

Then right before Rock's birthday in September, we made some major progress. I finished sewing most of the 'body' of the slipcover and my dear hubby Fix completed 4 of 6 cushions.

At that point, all we needed to finish the slipcover was to sew velcro on some key areas to keep the cover from moving around and finish the last two back cushions (cleverly covered by a blanket in the shot above).

Oh and the bottom edge needed to be hemmed. But seriously, all those little steps left us with approximately 9 hours of work left.
Yet for months, the slipcover stayed in the same state as pictured above. Even though it has been on each and every to do list I've made, somehow it never got crossed off.

This one shows that I did sew the piping for the cushions back in October, but did I get around to actually completing the slipcover? NO!

Slipcover, oh slipcover, you have plagued us so!

NOT ANYMORE!!!!

THIS PUPPY IS DONE!!!! THANK YOU FIX FOR ALL YOUR HELP! YOU ARE THE BEST HUSBAND EVER!

HALLELUJAH!!!! After a little work on Saturday night and Monday afternoon, I will no longer need to make excuses when people sit down in my living room!

**Okay, so there is one teeny, tiny issue -- the fabric is a little thicker than we thought and we are having problems making covered buttons. As soon as we can get this problem fixed (any suggestions anyone?), we'll slap some buttons on the back pillows to give it a nice tufted look and be officially finished. But please don't rain on my parade -- for all intents and purposes, I am declaring this slipcover "DONE." Wahoo!