Latest projects

First up, a second birthday gift for one of Caroline's very good friends. The shorts are fast and easy to make. And I found the perfect color tee-shirt to match at Target. It was in the boys' section, but there's nothing boyish about it now.



Some very good friends are expecting a little boy in late September. Since Mom and Dad both went to UT, I thought the orange polka-dot flannel was the perfect choice. That's a blankie, a long-sleeved onsie (it will fit perfectly through college football season), and a bib.


Lastly, two gift sets for two new babies - some more birdies and some sailboats.

Felt board and other stuff

We're taking a trip to the beach. The long car ride calls for some new activities for Caroline. So I made a felt board. It was very, very easy. I bought a cheap 8x10 canvas, 1/2 a yard of felt from a bolt, and tons of craft felt rectangles. I cut the felt to wrap around the canvas. Then I used my staple gun (so much fun) to attach it in the back. And the shapes are just free-handed from my imagination. This is the "summer day" set. I'm going to make a "sea scape" set and a shape set.


No new creation is perfect until the test user approves.


My sleeping beauty actually took a nap one afternoon! I thought the giant violet hippo made a perfect pillow.


And sometimes when I ask her to smile, I get this face instead. Her Aunt Emily must have taught her this one.

(Side note: Caroline's little dress is another that I made for her. It's strawberry pique with a lime green pique collar and shorts to match. I made it for picture day at school. I stayed up until midnight the night before because she just had to have something new and handmade for pictures. I know. I'm silly. I'll post her picture soon.)

I've got a couple more sewing projects to show you...

Wordle

Create your own Wordle. (I have wasted too much time trying to figure out why it's so small. Just click on it to see the full-sized version.)

Busy summer week

We had a special guest visiting us last week - my niece Autumn came to stay with us! She came down for Vacation Bible School at our church. We really enjoyed having her. I had activities planned every day. At the end of the week Autumn said, "I don't want to go home!" I guess we were lots of fun!

Sunday, she came to church with us and helped decorate the room for VBS. Our VBS theme was the Wild West and it was so cute. My friend Lindy and I taught 1st grade. After decoration time, we went to the zoo. It was the best zoo trip ever. It was cloudy and not too hot, so all the animals were moving about and playing and having a great time.

Monday, we went to VBS. Then we painted pottery. I can't wait to pick up our creations! We also got to bring Autumn to music class.

Tuesday, there was more VBS in the morning. We came home for a rest, then went to a friend's house to swim.

Wednesday, we took Caroline to school and headed back to VBS. When we picked Caroline up, we went to the Children's Museum. The girls loved it. At one point, Caroline was crawling into a tunnel, turned back to me and said, "Mommy! This is so much fun!" Melt my heart...

Thursday was day 4 of VBS. We rested quietly in the afternoon and then filled up the pool in the backyard.

Friday, things were winding down (my energy, especially!). We finished VBS with a big ol' hoedown. Then we met Erin and Mimi halfway between Memphis and Mayfield.

Whew. I think I need a 3-day rest from all that activity! We stayed quite busy! It was a fun week and I was so glad Autumn could come and stay with us.

Independence Day parade

Our neighborhood association always has a fun parade on the 4th of July. It's so much fun to see all the kids with their bikes and scooters decorated. Caroline entered the parade this year with Daddy as her partner. I had to make a shirt for Caroline. I wound up using beads ("beans", as Caroline says) to make it a little more interesting. Our friend Richard always makes an outrageous creation for his girls - this year it was a real parade float, complete with real flowers and royalty sashes. It was incredible! Caroline had a great time. And Mommy and Daddy did, too! We finished the weekend by celebrating at KY Lake with Kevin's family. It was a very fun weekend!