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Lily Moon's Day

 

Mike and I woke up super early this morning to do a little decorating for a special day. A special day indeed! Today is Lily Moon's birthday! 

Hip-hip-hooray! She's 9. The last number before hitting the double digits... I'm trying very hard not to cry. I'm holding on as long as I can and savor every moment. I can't believe she's nine. NINE! Oh my God, nine... ((sigh))... nine.

Let me share a little about my Lily Moon...

She was born on November 25th, 2000 at 3:50 a.m. I wanted to name her Liliana Rose and Michael wanted Tiger Lily. We both liked the name Lily, so that was her first name, but what about her middle name? Hmmm... we couldn't agree on anything. It wasn't until the night she was born when the doctor pulled her out (she was cesarean, BTW) and started to laugh. "She's mooning us", he said, and it clicked! 

"That's it!!! Lily Moon!" I said. Mike agreed.

A tiny little peanut was she...

 

With her big brown eyes and fat little cheeks, she would just stare at you. Quiet. Watching. She was my little glow worm.

 

Lily Moon was a buddha baby! Very much like her sister. Oh, how I loved to bury my face in her neck. She didn't mind... 

 

and when she cried... oh just look at her face!!! How pitiful! You just wanted to scoop her up and hold her tight.

Those moments. Tender moments... 

fond memories, forever locked in my heart.

 

Birthdays came and gone...

 

her personality started to take shape...

 

     

 

gone through many phases (still more to come)...

 

and now she's nine...

 

Now she loves to go shooting with her Dad...

 

a sharp shooter if I may add...

 

LOVES taking Tang Soo Do classes...

 

and although it may seem like at times she can't stand her sister... she can't live without her. 

      

So that's a little bit about my Lily Moon. 

I love you, my babydoll... happy birthday!

 

 

fabric flowers

A while back I wanted to learn how to make fabric flowers. Did some research and found a few tutorials that were helpful, but the one tutorial I really liked was actually from a book. Not just any book and certainly not an english written book either! It was from a Japanese craft book (surprised?) In case you haven't noticed, I love Japanese craft books. I can't read a darn lick of Japanese, but the pictures are more than enough for me to get by!

 

Here is the book. The book's main focus are bags (which, BTW, are just beautiful),  but towards the back is what caught my attention...

 

Flowers! Oh happy me! 

Let's get started...

***

 

Supplies:

-fabric (for this type of flower, pick 2 different fabrics)

-heavy crafting fusible interfacing (it's almost like paper)

-thread

-felt (just a small piece for the back)

-either a hair tie or brooch pin (depending on what you want)

-a flower pattern

-sewing machine (you could hand stitch)

 

First thing you want to do is create a flower pattern. Flowers generally have many "levels" of petals that vary in size. I suggest you do the same. 

 

We'll do an easy one today. This one has two sizes and is reminiscent of an orchid.

*When you are creating a pattern, you can use newspaper or even printer paper.*

 

Got scraps? I do. This is perfect for the project...

 

dig-dig-dig...

 

Once you got your fabric, place your pattern over the piece and trim around it, like so.

 

You are going to place that cut piece (right side up) on top of your fusible interfacing. The back side of your fabric should be touching the adhesive side of the interfacing.

  

Trim the interfacing the same size of the fabric. 

 

Do the same for the other petal(s).

 

Follow the instructions that comes with the interfacing to adhere the pieces together.

 

Once you have adhered the fabric to the interfacing, place that fabric on top of another fabric (it could be the same fabric or something different, depending on the look you desire). Have the back sides together, place the pattern on top, pin it down and cut.

Do the same for the other petals.

 

You should have two of each pattern.

 

Take one set and place them (back sides) together, like so.

 

Stitch along the edge. Depending on how big or small your flowers are, you want to set your sewing machine to the right size stitch. I use a small stitch. Slowly stitch around the edge and you want to go around about three times.

 

It should look like this. I could make my stitches perfect and evenly spaced, but I don't want to kill myself...

 

Take one petal and fold it in half. You will then stitch about 1/4 - 1/2" along the edge from the center of the flower, out. Repeat this on every petal.

 

 

Once you are done, your back side should like this...

 

and your front side should like this. Repeat this process with the other petals.

 

Once all of your petals are stitched, place them in order.

 

Attach your buttons (this will also attach all the petals together).

 

I'm using three buttons.

 

Now choose your weapon... hair tie? Brooch?

 

If you are making a brooch, cut a small piece of felt that will fit over the base of the brooch pin. Set the felt aside.

 

Take your brooch pin and strategically place it in the back side of your flower. Stitch it in place.

 

Take your felt piece and lay it over the base and stitch in place.

 

Using a hair tie?

 

Easy! Just stitch the tie in place in the back side.

 

For a barrette, cut a small rectangular shape felt (big enough for a barrette to fit) and stitch along the sides.

 

Just slide your barrette through.

DONE!

 

And there you have it! A lovely brooch... or a barrette... or a hair tie... or an accent to a pillow... oh the possibilities are endless!!!

Happy crafting!

over the weekend

 

Stocked up on some cute dishes...

 

 

made another pincushion for the shop (I'll be posting it by tonight!)...

 

 

made a brooch (oh yah, this too will be in the shop)...

 

 

and made a scarflette for me! 

I actually entered this scarf in a giveaway over at CRAFT for a chance to win a Singer serger! Oh I hope I win! Keeping my fingers crossed...

***

So what did you do over the weekend?

drum roll please...

 

 

 

 

Congratulations Addie! Please email me your address. As for all those who participated, THANK YOU!!! I enjoyed reading everyone's comments. It brought a smile to my face!

 Just think of one thing you're thankful for and click here. Hurry! The giveaway ends SUNDAY, November 22nd and the lucky duck will announced on Monday!

in the shop

I made another pincushion. A different style and oh so happy! I've decided to make a few for the shop and a few for some of the crafty women in my life for Christmas. This one will be up for sale in my shop by 9:00 a.m. (pacific standard time). 

How cute would this be with tiny scissors from Domestic Nest and some fabric bundles in a basket as a gift?! 

(I hope none of my girlfriends are reading this...)

 

 

Christmas "To Do" wish list #12

 

Okay, I'm startin' on my to do wish list and what a perfect time to start with #12. So what am I thankful for...

YOU!

That's right! I am thankful for you!

Thank you for visiting my blog, thank you for leaving comments, thank you for visiting my shop and thank you for buying something from my shop!

So to show my gratitude, I am giving one lucky duck my latest creation...

 

 

A cute little pincushion. Complete with thimble!

 I found the delicate porcelain at a local japanese store and the fabric is from So Fun Fabrics (a sweet gal!). I made this last night and fell in love with it. I wanted to keep it for myself, but decided to give it as a gift... hopefully YOU! I most definitely plan to make more and will have s few in my shop by next week, but you will have the very first one!

So here's what you do:

- Leave a comment and tell me one thing you're thankful for.

Easy schmeasy! I'll post the winner on Monday, November 23rd.

my Christmas "TO DO" wish list

I saw Little Bit Funky's list for the holidays and was inspired to make one of my own. 

I chopped my down to the twelve most important. Believe me, I can go on and on, on my list...

 

What's on your list?

Girls Day In

So picture if you will, the expo took place in the grand ballroom of a historic hotel built back in the forties. Very little renovation has been done to the ballroom, so the architecture and design of the ballroom has that art deco feel. There was music, two fashion shows, a full bar and a lounge area where you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine. A lot of the women preferred to walk around and shop with their wine in tote. The vibe was positive. Very relaxing. About 350-400 people attended, which was great being the first event of its kind and it was nice to meet every customer that came by.

Overall, a great experience. I will definitely do more shows next year! I must tell you, a few of the vendors really caught my attention and deserve a shout out... Domestic Nest, So Fun Fabrics, Made with Luv and PYP Designs. All wonderful women and very inspiring... you ladies rock!

 

 

My goodies all waiting for a home...

 

 

fashion show...

 

me being goofy.

So-so sorry... the pictures came out horrible. My picture taking skills suck.((boo))

So thank you... thank you for all that came out to visit me and for those who couldn't but sent good vibes and prayers. You guys are the best and it really means a lot to me. More than you know!!!