Birthday Bags

My daughter turned 8 a couple of weeks ago. My how time flies. She was so excited about her party and knew just the people she wanted to invite. Unfortunately that just didn't work out. We invited 6 little girls and by the day of her birthday only 2 were able to come. As the numbers kept getting smaller I knew I needed to have a special project for them to do to keep it exciting. So I made up these little bags that each girl could decorate when they first got here and then I filled with the rest of the goodies.

Luckily I had plenty of felt for the outside and fun sparkly fabric for the lining. Daphne wanted blue felt for hers and I made the rest out of white. I also added a different type of ribbon to the handles of each bag, for stability and fun. Of course I forgot to take pictures of all of them so you just get to see Daphne's.

Here's what the inside looks like. I boxed the corners and as I was sewing in the lining I tucked the handles and ribbon ties in to secure them. They were really easy to make and the girls had a ball decorating them.

Here's what Daph's looked like before it was decorated.

Here's what her bag looks like now.

Wow, where did the time go

Happy New Year!

Wow, I can't believe it's January already. I just don't know where the holiday season went. I can't believe I haven't posted since November. I hadn't thought I was THAT busy, but well maybe I was.

I did a lot of sewing leading up to the holidays, and somehow forgot to take pictures of any of them. I made matching jumpers for Daph, and my niece, and coordinating overalls for my 7 month old nephew. They turned out so cute. The overalls have a little plane appliqued on the leg in the argyle fabric.

I made a candle mat for my Aunt, a bag for Daphne's teacher, but the best set of gifts was for my brother in law's fiancee. Juliette knits so I made her a collapsible project basket from this pattern, and a knitting needle cases from here and here. It all turned out great especially when I added a coordinating skein of yarn and a couple bamboo needles. Oh I did finally finish a Christmas quilt for my family, it even got hung up!

I also became a Girls Scout leader. I've been a co-leader for awhile, but it's finally official. We are also gearing up for cookies sales to start in January, so watch out when you get a knock on your door. It could be cute little girls asking you to buy cookies!

Here's a little of what I've been working on...

I've been working on a few projects trying to get them done so that my parents could take them back to Idaho when they came for Thanksgiving.

I didn't get both of the quilts done but I did get this one done, and I love how it turned out. The piecing I kept really simple, and to go with the Knight fabric I appliqued this amazing dragon onto the quilt. I even used minkee for the belly, ears and tail. The applique pattern is from this wonderful website full of free patterns. Hopefully my nephew likes it as much as I do.

I'm almost done with a quillow for my niece, but I promised my husband that I would finish quilting a Christmas wall hanging for us this year before I get back to making presents. So I better go and quilt.

I Love my new camera!

Okay it's not really new new, since it was my birthday present in September, but I finally got a chance to really play with it.

Last Saturday my daughter and I went to see Disney Princesses on Ice. We bought tickets in the middle range. It gave us seats in the middle concourse with a great head on view of the action, but we were in no way close. While we were waiting I tried taking pictures of the backdrop without the flash on my camera just to see what it would do. I was pleasantly surprised. Then during the show I took pictures zooming in just to see how they would turn out. I even took pictures at the max zoom. I was a little worried because on the screen the scene was prettypixelated, but I was so excited to look at the pictures on the computer when we got home. The second dress is even a still capture from the movie I took!

This is why I love my camera!

Just in case you couldn't guess, Daph's favorite princess is Cinderella

Purse #3

Here's my 3rd purse for my cousins. This one is for my 13 year old cousin who LOVES pink and kind of flashy things. With this one done, I've finished the purses for the cousins that are going to be with us for Christmas. Yeah! Now I just have a couple more to make that will get mailed.

This purse was made using the Buttercup bag pattern from Made by Rae. I love this pattern!

So 3 down and 2 more to go!

Two Down, several more to go!

Here's the second purse for my cousins. This one is for the 12 year old. It's not the fabric I would have picked for a 12 year old but she loves browns and blacks so it just seemed right. I based the purse on this pattern, but of course I can't make much exactly by the pattern.

Yum!

Eggnog is back, so we had eggnog french toast for dinner. I think this is one of the best things about the holidays. Okay well after spending time with family and friends, and making and giving gifts!