The Phantom Moon

Something New

Since Fall is already upon us, I took the oppurtunity this weekend and cleaned out BB's closet.  I packed most of her t-shirts, leaving out only a few in case we have a some warmish days in the near future, shorts and any other thinner clothes.  I also packed away everything she's outgrown since we've moved in with our host family.  And to my surprise, my darling girl had 4 boxes full of clothes that she could no longer wear.  I was floored ... she'd grown that much in such a short time? 

All of her clothes went into storage and it made me think of my sister and how quickly time has passed since I first found out she was pregnant ... to the cute baby belly she has now.  We'd always anticipated that I'd give her some of BB's clothes (ok, maybe it was just me) so that her baby could wear them as well.  But then there was a kink thrown into that plan.  You see, she's having a boy - the first in our immediate family!  I very well can't give her dresses and shirts that say "Daddy's Little Princess", right?  So I've been doing a little digging online and have come up with a few projects that would be suitable for little Baby M*.

The Woodlands Shirt Sewing Pattern from Sew Liberated.  Now, technically this is for both girls and boys so would it be cheating if I could make something for BB and Baby M out of it?

The Huck Finn Cap Sewing Pattern (again) from Sew Liberated (this girl has serious talent!).  Actually, BB loves hats so she's probably want one of these as well ...

A nifty link on Sewing your own Pajama Pants from instructables.

Adorable Baby Overalls via Sew, Mama, Sew!

Sketchbook Shirt & Shorts Pattern from Oliver + S (I love their designs!)

Nature Walk Pullover & Knit Pants by Oliver + S.

There is so much more available pattern wise for girls then boys which I never really noticed until now.  Well, there's no time like the present to try something new!  Now let's just hope that diaper changing time is as easy with boys as it is with girls ...

*They haven't picked out a name yet so Baby M (first initial of their last name) has become the little squirts nickname.

Vintage Sewing Machine Embroidery

Finally, after working here and there over the course of a month or so I've completed the first in my series of Embroidered Sewing Machines!  This sweet girl is a vintage model of course and I can just imagine how smoothly she ran.  She's finally up on Etsy if you'd like to take a peek.

I'll be honest with you, I really wanted to create this embroidery in September during Sewing Month but there are so many things going on that it just wasn't possible.  I did manage to squeeze in time here and there and finally finish this baby and I'm so happy with the results!

I looked through tons of pictures of Vintage Sewing Machines and this is one of the few that I chose (the others will be stitched up as well when I find the time). 

Don't you love the pink thread peeking out?  That's my favorite part ... how it looks like it's actually threaded through the machine. 

I love it when things work out!  Granted it might be a month late but in the end, it came out even better then I imagine.  I'm putting the rest on hold though while I try to create some other embroidered hoops that have to do with a favorite movie series that's being released soon (name withheld purposely, lol).  I think I'm just as excited about the movies release as I am finishing these hoops!

UPDATE: I'm having a giveaway for a custom hoop just like this ... check it out!

Handmade Birthday gift

Sorry this ol' blog has been quiet lately but I have been busy gift making, crafting and enjoying those final few days of summer.  It's been good and another season has gone by in the blink of an eye.  Time really flies and in just a few weeks my nieces will be going back to school ... one to 4th grade and the other to 1st.  I still remember when they were little tiny things you could snuggle in your arms. 

My other niece / goddaughter and their sister will be 3 years old this Thursday - I can hardly believe it!  My brother and sister-in-law decided to throw her a Dora party this past Saturday to celebrate.  BB, hubby and I had so much fun and I just can't believe how big all of their girls are!

I wanted to give her something handmade to compliment the gifts I had already purchased for her and found a sweet tutorial on Skip to my Lou that fit the bill perfectly.  It's a Child's Apron and the entire process took about 2 days to make off and on.  With no distractions you could easily make this in an afternoon.

My sweet sister is modeling the apron.  Pardon the lack of ironing!

Too cute, right?  I made it a wee bit bigger then the pattern called for so she could get even more use out of it since children grow like weeds and I'm sure she's grown several inches already since I saw her on Saturday.  Even her oldest sister wanted to try it on so I just may have to make her one too!

I really loved making it and I can't wait to see her wearing it!  Happy Birthday sweet girl!