Doll

I have had a fun day of creating new things! I just finished the main part of a doll, although she still needs hair and clothes. I've been seeing lots of dolls online lately, which inspired me to attempt creating my own doll. She may need a few minor tweaks, but overall I think she turned out quite cute. The face is machine embroidered. Over the next few days I'll be working on giving her hair and making her some clothes.

Owl Softie

One of the blogs I check often, http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/, has been featuring fat quarter (FQ) projects each day. Each day I look forward to seeing what the project is for the day. One day was a FQ purse, which I have made 3 of so far, all different (sizes, shapes, etc.). Another day was a cell phone case. I've made one and added a strap, but I didn't like how it turned out, so plan on making some adjustments to the next one. Monday was an Owl Softie, which I fell in love with and spent the day trying to make. There was no tutorial with this one, so I tried to replicated it by looking at the picture. Mine didn't turn out nearly as cute, but it was my first attempt. There is going to be a pattern available at some point for this owl that I may have to buy if I can't get mine looking any better!! Here is the link to blog with the owl, http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=712 and here is the link to the blogger who made the owl, http://mytinystarblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/my-oliver-owl-softie-was-featured-on.html

Here is my owl....and as you can see it doesn't look nearly as cute!!! It was my first attempt, so I guess it isn't bad for a start. My son's been begging me for it all afternoon, so it may get passed onto him. As you can see I didn't do it exactly like she made it.

Working out....

Since it got cold outside I haven't done much exercise!! I was really good about getting out most days for a walk in the morning with the kids, but when it got cold, those walks stopped and I haven't been motivated to do anything inside. Every few weeks I would think....I need to get up in the morning and do some kind of exercise, but each morning I had trouble motivated myself. Then yesterday we were out shopping for new sheets at Kohl's for our new bed that is to arrive on Saturday and while I was at the second Kohl's trying to return one of the sets of sheets (I found the one I really wanted at the second Kohl's) there was a stand with video games and DVDs. The DVDs were 40% off and I saw one for mothers post birth. It has been almost 2 years since my last child was born, but I thought it would be a good one to get me started. It was only about $10 and has a 12 week program for getting back in shape. Yesterday while the kids were napping I put my workout clothes on and did the first workout, which was only 18 minutes, but it worked my entire body!! Boy, am I sore!!! It recommends doing a workout every other day, so today was a day off. I do plan on working in some treadmill on my off days once I get into a little better shape!!

The Fighting has begun!!!

Last week we spent the week visiting with my parents. We had a great time, but by Friday I was ready to come home and sleep in my own bed and have the kids in their own rooms. My kids usually sleep in until sometime between 8:00 and 9:00, but while visiting my parents they were up by 7:30 almost every day!! Since we've been home there has been a LOT of arguing between my two little ones and even some arguing between me and each of them. The argument usually starts with my son (4 in April) saying something to my daughter (2 in March) and she says "NO", then he says "YES". As the argument continues the "NO" and "YES" get louder and louder!! Oh, the fun it is listening to them argue. I didn't realize it would start this early and from talking to my brother this is just the beginning and will continue for MANY years!! I so look forward to the years to come!! So, my son and I argue about him cleaning up on a daily basis. I tell him to clean up and he whines that it is too much. My response is always, "you made the mess, you clean it up". One of these days he might learn to get out one thing at a time and put it away before he gets something else out. Today he lied to me!! I asked him to clean up the mess he made in our (my husband's and mine) bedroom while he watched Sesame Street this morning. I reminded him many times he had to clean it up and when we sat down for lunch I asked if he cleaned it up (I forgot to check) and he said yes. A little later when I checked it wasn't cleaned up!! My daughter has started telling me NO when I ask her to do something or give something back to her brother that she isn't suppose to play with. Oh, the joys!!

Motivation....

The last few weeks I haven't been really motivated to blog! I've had a hard time since the holidays ended motivating myself to do too much. I got an order from my mom for a baby gift, plus wanted to make some things for the same person. The baby gift my mom order got done, but I ended up giving stuff from my stash because I just couldn't work quick enough!! Now, I'm trying to motivate myself to get a bunch of things done for a craft fair in March and today was unsuccessful!! I have a huge list of things I would like to get done, so hoping the rest of the week goes better!! Here are some pictures of things I've completed recently....

This first bag can be a small diaper bag or purse. It has two pockets on the outside, five elastic pockets on the inside and a zippered pocket the size on one full side of the bag. It was the trial run of a diaper bag my mom ordered. She wanted a small diaper bag to give as a baby gift. I LOVE this size bag, but wanted something a little bit bigger for the new mom, so I added a couple inches in both directions to the one I made for my mom to give as a gift.

The second diaper bag I made for my mom. She picked out the fabric and I made the diaper bag, which can later be used as a purse. It has a matching changing pad, dirty duds pouch and a diaper and wipes carrier (hold a travel wipes case and 4 diapers). Both diaper bags have a clip for keys, so they don't get lost in the purse!!

Here are the items I gave for the baby gift. Included are a small rag blanket, tag blanket and two burp/bib sets. I also include a few small purchased items and an embroidered onesie. I have a problem with going overboard on baby gifts and birthday gifts, but I LOVE making stuff and giving it away, so I don't see it as a problem!!

Next is a frog softie I made for my daughter. I also made one for my son, very similar, but different fabric for the feet and no initial. My kids love the softies and my daughter calls her frog woggie! She's have trouble with beginning sounds these days. We spent last week at my parents and she called my mom Ammy (Grammy). She's still a couple months away from 2! There are a few other softies I completed that I still need to get picks of and will post them at a later time...

Here are two reversible A-line dresses I started for my daughter before Christmas, but never finished. I was having trouble deciding what embroidery to put on each of the dresses and on top of all the Christmas gifts I was working on they never got finished. The first one is finished, but the second still needs the side hand stitched and the buttons and button holes put on. I decided on a heart for one of the dresses and a cross for the other, both from http://www.fivestarfonts.com/. I still have one other dress cut out that needs to be completed!! Maybe this week...