Coraline models

I'll admit the downloading of pictures from the camera to the computer and from the computer to this blog drives me insane and is definitely the reason why this blog lacks post.  I will have to do better if I expect anyone to read this! 

I made another "Abbey Dress" for Coraline.  Same fabric as before but in a bigger size.  I added 1.5 inches to every dimension she lists in her pattern. 

 Coraline shows off the back of her dress and bloomers.

 The front of the dress.

The bloomers were a new pattern for me and soooooo easy to do.  I recommend it to anyone and everyone for its simplicity and cuteness factor.  Here is the link to the pattern.

 She was not interested in standing and showing everything off for me, so she is holding on to her pink blankie so she'll be still.  But you get an idea of what it would look like.

The completed outfit.

How on Earth

did this sweet, tiny little thing . . .

turn into this mobile, climbing, squealing, singing, dirt-eating, food-loving, gosh darn cute slightly bigger thing?

I'm telling you- this was the fastest 365 days of my life!  And I loved every minute (almost every minute)!

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl! 

New Toy

This new toy has been taking up my time lately!

A Brother CS-6000i sewing machine.

I'm so excited to actually own a new sewing machine (that has a LCD screen mind you).  Now, it is by no means the top of the line, but it is faster and has more options than my old one. However, my old one is near and dear to my heart, because I got it when I was 12 years old and it is a solid piece of Singer machinery.  I can't ever let it go.

My tension in the old machine kept getting wonky when I would quilt and I was getting so frustrated with it (who likes to pull stitches), but so far this new one has done a great job of keeping the tension steady.

What was kind of special about this machine is that I bought it with money I earned from selling my quilts on Etsy.  Money well spent. 

So far I've quilted (and sold) a quilt, made a stroller blanket (to be added soon to Etsy) and made a dress for Coraline.  Time and money well spent.

Appliqued owl quilt

What a pretty quilt this turned out to be!  A sweet mommy-to-be contacted me because she wanted to have something special made for her little girl.  She picked the fabric and told me what she wanted and this is what I came up with. 

I love how the appliqued owl on a branch turned out.  

This quilt style of basic squares is turning out to be quite popular- probably because of how well it highlights the fabrics. 

This is another larger quilt (47 x 47).  I'm loving this size quilt- it's so thick and luxurious feeling.  It will certainly last through toddler hood and a little beyond.

Alright folks, onto the next quilt.

A fine day indeed . . .

It's a good day to be a mother.

My loves got me a fun basket filled with little treats.  And my mom left a little surprise on my door.  Everything was food or food related.  Wow, my family knows me well.

This is my first Mother's Day.  This year has been wonderful.  Who knew being a mother would be this great?!  Little Miss C has rocked my world (for the better, of course) and I am thankful she has.  I wouldn't trade a single day with her.  I hope the next year is just as great! 

Love her.  And I love Grant for making it a special day for me! 

Garden Adventure

We've been having some beautiful weather here lately.  A friend and I decided that a visit to a garden was in definite order.  And wow, Duke Gardens is beautiful!  I have wanted to go for awhile and it definitely did not disappoint.

 They have some of the most interesting flowers.  This one looked like a firework.

 Miss C enjoyed herself.  She wanted to pick the flowers, naturally.

 I let her eat a leaf instead.

We got to sit down and let the girls play on the grass while the grownups got to enjoy some pineapple tea.  It's the small things that make me so happy!  A beautiful day with friends and sweet (but not too sweet) pineapple tea!  Perfect.