The Button Jar

Happy thrifting day!

2009-10-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

Awesome find! I was very excited to find the two large paint-by-numbers ballerina pictures as they go with the two smaller ones I found some time ago at a different thrift store. And my dancing daughter loves them! Can't wait to put them all up in her room.

What do you think - paint the frames all the same colour or leave as is?

Frame by frame

2009-10-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

A whole mix of things I have made in the last 6 months, from custom orders to gifts to stuff for my kids.....

Shirts for my girls:

The birthday dress:

Reversible art smock:

Drawstring backpack for Miss R.

Pencil crayon roll:

A few custom orders:

I'm working on a couple more backpacks for the upcoming craft sale, in boyish colours:

I have made an apron too, but no pics as of yet!

plain vanilla

2009-09-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

Ummm, so it's been a while. I have to start somewhere, so I think this will be a 'get over the inertia of not posting for a few (ok, 4+) months' post. I've done some sewing this summer, but having an impossibly heavy unmovable sewing machine in the hottest spot in the house does not lend itself to afternoon naptime sewing. Which is the only time that works, as little Miss E. has not lost her destructo-baby tendencies as she zooms forward into toddlerhood. She makes short work of dismantling my system of piles and baskets of fabric (yes there is a method to the madness, hubby dear!) and leaves the place looking like a hurricane has passed through, as opposed to my work habits, which resemble a small tornado...

Anyway, no pictures loaded on this computer, so this will just be a plain post. As the hint of fall approaches, the desire to create increases. I have a few projects on the brain, and am looking forward to the time to make them happen, as Miss R. is heading off to preschool three afternoons a week. I'm excited for her, as she is really looking forward to it, and excited for me. Afternoon naptime for Miss E. + preschool = uninterrupted time!! Maybe I shall post again before 4 months have passed!

Mostly Pictures...

2009-04-29T10:31:00.000-07:00

...of what I have ready for the craft sale this Saturday. I have about a hundred other ideas in my brain, but can not appear to violate the rules of space and time to make them. I'm considering the show a way to display what I can do, and hopefully get custom orders out of it.

Thanks to my fantastic sister and her fantastic camera for the lovely photos! We also got some nice shots (uncropped as of yet) of Rachel modeling the bigger dresses...

...and some goofy ones too!
Who can resist the twirly dress? Hope you can't! See you at the craft sale Saturday!

Easter

2009-04-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

As I have yet to take any good pictures of my craft sale goods, I thought I would post some pictures of the dresses I made for my girls for Easter. Rachel's (the red one) is made from what I believe was a tablecloth I picked up at Value Village. Emily's is from a sheet (also from V.V.). I had originally made that dress to sell, but liked it so much I kept it! I made the red one from a pattern I bought online, and for the yellow one I just winged it.

I am loving the bare feet in the last picture - yay for spring coming and baby feet!

As promised

2009-03-28T21:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a few things I have made lately.

Doll house: I found a tutorial for this on the net and I had to try it out. I have made two for gifts, and started one for my daughter (who reminds me frequently that I have yet to finish it!).

Gift for a car-loving boy

And a slightly pinker version for a girl

Patchwork dress: This present was opened today, so now it can be posted! This is the fifth dress I have made in this style. I think I have changed things somewhat each time I have made one. Once I can scrounge up the pictures I'll post some of the others. It's not a pattern, but a hybrid of several tutorials I have found on the net. The bodice and trim are made from men's button up shirts, and the rest from fabrics I have. Some of my favourite fabrics are from old sheets and pillowcases. I love thrift store shopping!

Off to bed - will take some pictures tomorrow of what I have made so far for our craft sale on May 2. Getting very excited about that!

Number One

2009-03-24T12:49:00.000-07:00

Since everyone's doing it...guess I should get myself a blog! I am very excited to be going full speed ahead on my sewing endeavors, and blogging just seems to make sense. I'll be able to post pictures of what I have made and the delicious fabrics I can't seem to stop collecting. I'm planning on setting up an etsy site to start selling my creations, with the intention of making money to further support my fabric habit. Not so much a vicious cycle as a beautiful cycle, no? However rationalized, I think this will be fun!