Cute just doesn't quite cover it.

Nothing new from me today, but I HAD to link to this post by Corinne that I just saw on her blog, so September.

Can you believe the insane amount of cuteness that's oozing from this set of hoops??!



Look at the little chains connecting the three. I. COULD. DIE.

Seriously, I just cannot get over the utter adorableness. LOVE!


You'll find the free pattern for this darling fellow on her blog.

I embroidered him a while back but haven't tried adding the patchwork to the sides yet. In my opinion, it just brings the sweetness level way, way up!

Tooth pillow

My six-year-old has a dentist appointment today that we'd both hoped wouldn't be necessary. But she's got two reluctant baby teeth that just won't vacate the premises for the impatient adult teeth that have already come through.

So after more than two months of wiggling, jiggling, pushing and pulling with no success, the dentist has recommended extraction. *sigh*

She's VERY nervous and just the thought of this visit brings her to tears. So last night I tried to come up with a little gift that I could give her to help to ease her anxiety a little.

I've seen these all over Blog Land and just had to make one myself. It's a safe little place to put those precious baby teeth in anticipation of a visit from the Tooth Fairy.

Complete with a heart-shaped pocket for the safe keeping of teeth & money.

Hopefully this will increase the excitement level while decreasing the panic and dread. HOPEFULLY.

fabric scalloped bunting

Bye, baby bunting,
Daddy's gone a-hunting,
for to get a rabbit skin,
to wrap the baby bunting in.

My Mom used to sing us that song as children. Now I sing it to my kids. And every time I hear the word "bunting", that's what comes to mind.

I loved the idea of some kind of banner to string up in the corner around Finnley's crib. It needed something, and I figured this would be just the thing to fill up those walls.

I started by carefully selecting the scraps of fabric I wanted to use, then cutting each one into a sort of "U" shape and stitching them to a plain cream linen backing. You could easily make this a reversible bunting by choosing fabrics in a different color scheme for the other side. 2 in 1!!

Pinking the rounded edge made the curve nice and smooth once the pieces were turned right side out.

I couldn't resist doing a little embroidery on a couple of them.

Then each got sandwiched between some extra wide bias tape and stitched in place.

I'm in love with this bunting.

I found this sweet little canvas at TJ Maxx on clearance for $7. Isn't it darling??

The embroidered pieces repeat the sentiment I stitched onto the crib skirt.

It was amazing how quickly this project came together. MUCH easier than I expected. But I think what I really dig is how inexpensive this was. Practically free! All of the fabric came from what I had on hand, so the only thing I bought was the bias binding-- and even that didn't have to be bought, but I was just feeling too daggum lazy to make some. :)

Just for fun I added labels to this last picture indicating what other projects my scraps of fabric have been used for (click to enlarge). This banner has little bits of memories sewn into it, which makes me love it even more.


*EDIT: At the wise suggestion of my aunt, I re-hung the bunting higher to be sure that it would be out of Finnley's reach. If you make one of these, be sure to hang it so that your little one can't pull it down and become entangled.

Tutorial: Make an embroidered fabric photo ornament

Last night I finally sat down and made my baby's first Christmas ornament. I have a thing for photo ornaments, but I also wanted to incorporate some of the fabric I used for his crib bedding, as well as a little embroidery. Here's what I came up with.

Even if the ornament itself hadn't turned out well, how could it not be cute with that little face on it?


I didn't take photos while I was making it because I wasn't planning on doing a tutorial. But this morning I figured I could give it a try using (bad) drawings. Don't be fooled by all the steps. This really is a very easy project. So here goes:

How to make an embroidered fabric photo ornament.

You'll need:
sewing machine
thread
pins
scissors
fabric
thin, clear vinyl (optional)
pencil or disappearing ink marker
photo
embroidery floss
hand sewing needle
embroidery hoop (I used a 3" hoop)
hot glue gun
felt
ribbon


1. Using your embroidery hoop as a guide, cut 2 pieces of fabric for your front that are about 1" larger than the hoop.

2. Cut one back piece of the same size in a plain fabric (this will not show).

3. Lay front pieces together, right sides facing, and trace a circle in the center with a pencil or disappearing ink marker that is about 2" in diameter.

4. Stitch along your marked circle.
5. Trim away the fabric inside the stitched circle to about 1/4".

6. Clip notches in the seam allowance very close to the stitching, all the way around the circle.

7. Turn fabric right side out by pushing one side through the hole.


8. Finger press the circle, then press with an iron.


9. (This step & step 10 can be ommitted if you don't have or want vinyl to protect the photo.) Place a larger circle of vinyl over the fabric circle. Pin together carefully at the edges so as not to make any pin holes where the vinyl shows through the fabric circle.


10. Turn over so the vinyl is on the bottom and stitch close to the edge of the fabric.


11. Embroider whatever you'd like very near the hole (year, baby's name, etc.).


12. (No photo) Print photo of your subject to appropriate size for hole.

13. Center photo on the back piece and stitch along the top to keep in place.


14. Place front piece on top of photo and back piece, centering the photo behind the vinyl.


15. Carefully place into wooden hoop, tightening fabrics evenly on all sides.


16. (No photo) Trim excess fabric on back to about 1/2" and glue to the edge of the hoop with hot glue.

17. Cut a piece of felt the same size as the hoop and glue to back to cover raw fabric edges.


18. Add a ribbon to the top and hang on your tree to enjoy!

Christmas decorations

I completely forgot to post photos of my finished tree!! Man, what a slacker I am! Anyway, here she is:

After I took this photo I made a proper skirt from oyster colored burlap and trimmed it with a wide plaid ribbon. I'd have posted a photo but my couches are now pushed back together and they hide the whole base of the tree, and frankly I'm just too lazy to move them out of the way. :)









We cut several low branches off the tree so there'd be room for presents underneath, and here's what I decided to do with them. (Keep in mind, these photos were taken a few minutes ago so the branches have had a couple of weeks to dry out and curl a bit, but I think they still look okay.) You can click to enlarge and see the details a bit better.





Here are a few more decorations I have around my house this season. I'm in love with this beautiful feather wreath that I got at Joann for 50% off. I added in the little bronze ornaments for some sparkle, but they're removable because I just couldn't bear to mess with such a lovely wreath.


For fall I'd hung some grapevine garland along my curtain rod, then just stuck in a few red berry sprigs to add a little color for Christmas time.


I made this wreath for my front door after seeing this one featured on someone's blog (can't remember where, I'm afraid) and totally loved it. I had some of this webbing left from an upholstery project so I just bought an inexpensive straw wreath form at Michael's and wrapped it up in jute!


And here's today's project, found on this blog by way of this blog. I love hanging things above my dining room table. I don't know why, but I do. And I do it a lot. These paper ornaments are festive and pretty, and so so very easy (and inexpensive!) to make. I love that they go with the blue theme I've got in my dining/kitchen area.




If I don't get back here before the new year, I hope you all have wonderful holidays!