You Make My Heart Flutter

I'm not a big fan of giving children candy, so I decided to make a Valentine's treat for my daughter's friend that would also serve as a way to improve fine motor skills, pattern/shape and color recognition exercises, and provide hours of entertainment.  I made big kits for each of her little friends, which included "A Very Hungry Caterpillar" book, hat, bug catching kit with tweezers, and little plastic bug friends.  For her extra little friends, I included a "Hungry Caterpillar" bath book and bath toy.

Bug Kit Content

Close-up of Content

Bug Kits for Her Little Friends

All Wrapped Up!

All Wrapped Up!

It's SNOW Much Fun to be ONE

My niece is turning ONE!  My brother and his family are coming home to celebrate her first birthday with family, and I am super excited to have both of my siblings (and all of my nieces) under the same roof!  With the recent winter storm that hit the east coast, a snow themed party seemed perfect!

One of my best friends and "partner in crafting" gave me some embroidery lessons (both in person and via phone/text/youtube videos).  I think machine embroidery is my new addiction.  LOL!

FAVORS: I can't take credit for this idea.  Once again my best friend introduced me to the chocolate snowman creations.  She made some for school faculty during the holidays and I borrowed her creative idea to make favors for the party guests.

BANNER:  Not a lot to say here.  Every little girl needs a 1st Birthday Banner, so I made one. :-)

Now for the fun part!  I has so much fun embroidering a bodysuit, bib, and quilt for the birthday girl.  I even embroidered matching shirts for her older sister and my daughter.

C is for Cookie

Last weekend my daughter and I hosted a cookie decorating party for some of our friends.  I was busy with my planning.  I made personalized plates for each of my little guests.  I also monogrammed stockings and made mommy/kid aprons and monogrammed those.  The party was so much fun!

Instagram Party

My niece's birthday is coming up and in the midst of Thanksgiving chaos (I actually hosted dinner for my family and friends this year), I was able to make a few items for her party.

Party Invitations

Photo Booth Props

Party Favor Tags

Party Favors- Monogrammed Fleece Blankets

Photo Booth Props

Photo Booth Props

Photo Booth Backdrop

And a few pictures from the actual party :-)

It's Fall Y'all

I decided that my front porch needed a touch of fall, so I spent 2 hours one night experimenting with outdoor pillow shams.  I drew my own pumpkin pattern, and use the satin stitch on my sewing machine.  I think the pillows came out pretty good (considering I didn't have a pattern for the applique nor the actual sham).  You can learn so much by just engineering your own stuff!

Itsy Bitsy Spider Halloween

I've never been a big Halloween fan, but I'm excited about my daughter's classroom parties and our own "Itsy Bitsy Spider" Party. I love any excuse to get together with friends and craft/sew.  Let's hope I can complete all of my little projects before Halloween :-)

Monogrammed Aprons and Personalized Treat Buckets

Embroidery is awesome :-)

Kids love anything with their name on it!

Classroom Treats

With 3 classes, I made a total of 55 treat boxes!

Party Time!

My trick-or-treat stash for my neighborhood friends

Loads of Fun Coming Your Way!

Things have been super hectic!   Being a wife, mom, project manager, daughter/sister/friend, and community volunteer does not allow a lot of time for crafting.  However, I have been working hard in the crafting department late nights and extremely early mornings (I start my real job every morning at 6:30 am and log off at 6pm).  Anyway...My little cousin's 1st birthday is quickly approaching so I volunteered to make party favors.  I think the kids will enjoy these little favors (toy trucks with personalized favor tags).