Ahhh, Christmas sewing...

My Christmas sewing got a little crazy this year. If life didn't happen around my sewing projects I would have been just fine. Each year I make Christmas pajamas for my side of the family. That means 7 pairs of pajama pants and 5 nightgowns. All matching, at least as good as I can. This year we added one of my best friends kids into the mix which was another 4 nightgowns and 2 pajama pants along with 4 doll nightgowns. Because the doll has to match too, you know.

Lets add into this project a boy home from school for 3 days because he was sick, a four day vacation with my daughter, a boy home from school for another 6 days because he was SO sick and the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with him, an out of town piano recital, a friend's (we are her "grandchildren" because she has none) surgery and care for her after. That is almost too much to think about. No wonder I got really sick when it was all over. I was worn out.

Despite the big project that it was, it sure was fun. It reminded me how much I enjoy spending time in my sewing room, hanging out with my sewing machine. Call me crazy...I already do. And the kids have great memories, even when we can't all be together they get to see pictures and say, "Hey we match." It really is fun!

Sewing?? What is that again??

I had to go pretty far back to find this project to share. I think know that through the summer with the kids home, my sewing time was very little. It has taken me a while to really get a feel for where I am now. I still don't have much current to share. I didn't get the school clothes done that I should have. I am not going to share the jammies I just made for the boys because they are rediculously too long and I need to do something about them.

 

So here we have a sweet nightgown set that was made for a friend to give as a gift. It turned out super cute and I hope it wasn't too long for the intended child.

 My friend picked out this pink with brown polka-dot flannel and made sure to get enough to add an 18" doll nightgown to it as well. Call me crazy but doll clothes are sometimes more fun than the little girl clothes. Thanks, Addy, for being my model.

My current work is being done on Halloween costumes. We have Harry Potter, a spider and Dorothy in the works. Oh and don't forget Zorro and some mending on Belle. Oh so much to do.

Jenny Lou Hospital

 Over our family reunion this summer, the Jenny Lou Hospital was opened. I have fixed alot of of things since I learned how to sew, so many moons ago. But this time, a hospital was necessary with many tears from little girls.

The kids were set up in the backyard...a tent for the boys and a tent for the girls. They really had a great time, making memories and such. We were getting ready to go somewhere and the girls had thought they closed up the tent. Well, somebody must have been confused because we came home (late mind you) to find several stuffed animals and dolls mangled by the resident puppy.

The girls were heart broken and all were in tears. Mr. Sock Monkey (belonging to one of my nieces) needed an operation and Ms. Sydney (belonging to my Tee) had lost a hand. My sweet Tee was so upset about Sydney. An uncle helped her out and made her a cast, which the girls promply signed.

So, the Jenny Lou Hospital was born, operations were performed and slings constructed. That is one experience the girls will never forget.

I have something new on my wall...

For months and months now I have been looking at these lovely quilt blocks on the wall. But after months of looking at them, it was time for them to come down so I could look at something else. One of the top priorities in the sewing room is to now get them sewn into a quilt top. We'll see how that goes now that school is almost out for the summer. I am very excited for the kids to be home!

I took the blocks down and have a new project underway. If you could see into my brain you would understand how chaotic it can be. Projects all the time. I actually started this one because I wanted a project that I could take to the park with the kids in the summer. I always hesitate taking them because I just sit there. Well, now I have something to do.

In the center of each block is a blank white square that will soon have a piece of embroidery in it. The patterns come from this quilt along and I am very excited to learn something new. Embroidery is all new to me. It will be great! Stay tuned, I will let you know how it is going.

I have a Label!!!

New Spring Dress

For some reason my dear sweet Tee keeps growing. I hear that happens when you feed and love kids. So she needed a new dress to wear to church. All of the ones she had were too short. We can fix that problem.

So her new dress is a lightweight corduroy with cotton straps and midriff. At first she thought it was her new Easter dress. Well, sorry honey, I have something else in mind for that (another post, another day. I don't have any pictures of it yet.) It has a small ruffle at the hem, zipper up the back and she just loves it.

I really love the gathering on the bodice.

Quincy's Quilt

This is a recent project that I finished up. My nephew Quincy needed a new quilt so I got to make him one. It was so fun for me. It came together quickly and turned out so great!

It is hard to tell but the white fabric is covered with all kinds of sports stuff. All things that Quincy loves!

Happy Birthday, buddy.