Back in the Swing of Things

I just realized it has been almost 2 1/2 years since my last blog post. So much has happened that I don't even know where to begin. I've been divorced, promoted twice, and remarried, quit my said promoted twice job and went back to school in Interior Design. After a very long hiatus, I'm finally getting back the things I love to do. Here is a simple collection of what I have been up to for the last 30 months.

Polka Dots and a Monkey

One of my friends asked me to make this for her as a present for her aunt's birthday. I was happy to oblige. It's been a crazy month with my new job, becoming host home parents for special needs adults, and family functions every weekend, it's been busy. I need to get some blankets done and other sewing projects, but now I'm just trying to get a new routine down.  

Anyway, the only stipulations she had was she wanted blue and white and a newsboy cap. She left all the designs up to me. Pleased to say she thought it was cute. I love the little dress.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Sew Can She

A Little Monkey for a Little Monkey

My sweet friend Heidi just found out she's having a baby girl and she's due in September. She's doing the nursery in a jungle theme. It's mostly blues and oranges, so she said she wanted something pink to pop in the room. She lives 4 hours away now so when I found out she was coming up north for a visit, I decided to whip this little beauty out for her for a surprise. 

Keeping in the jungle/safari theme, I used some giraffe ribbon I had on hand to embellish the monkey. The good thing is I had everything on-hand so nothing new had to be purchased for this last minute project. Even the red heel socks. 

She was so excited and when I handed it to her, the baby started kicking! It was fantastic. I'm so excited to meet her little miss in a few months. 

                                         Linking up with Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts

Quick finish

One of my favorite people is moving. :( Granted it is only ten minutes away, but still, when she has been 5 houses down from me and won't be anymore, it's really sad for me. We both taught the teenage girls at church and she is so much fun. A few weeks ago she casually asked me if I would make her a sock monkey because she had always wanted one, but her mom wouldn't go for it. I had the arms and tail added to a body, but no face or ears, or clothes. When she finalized on her house, I knew EXACTLY what I wanted to do for her. I finished the ears, mouth, and eyes, and it took a little bit to decide what to do for the clothes.

But then, I came up with this. I loved it so much, it was hard for me to give it away. Definitely one of my favorites. The icing on the cake was when I gave it to her, she actually CRIED. Oh my! I cried a little bit and it really helped me know that she loved it.

And I'm linking up to Finish it up Friday, over at Crazy Mom Quilts and the weekend link party at Family Ever After

So I've been neglectful......

Ok, so right before Halloween I promised some fun tutorials with bath towels. Well. sorry for breaking the promise. I had no idea I would be as busy as I have been. Here are some of the projects I was working on.

The wreath was something for me, but I really did need more fall decorations in my house. Thanks to my sister Lynnette for doing the bow. I always have such a hard time with those.

A custom stocking order I did for my etsy shop.

Sleighs I did for one of the gals at work. They are made completely out of paper.

Here are the sock monkeys I did for people for Christmas:

The hot item this year for Christmas was Zhu Zhu pets. I hadn't even heard of them until after Thanksgiving. These were some custom carriers I did for one of the gals at work that bought them for her granddaughters. In case anyone is wondering, it is a little tricky measuring a hamster for a carrier.

Stockings for everyone at work. There are about 40. Thanks Teresa for your help!

Cabbage Patch doll clothes for my nieces. The tricky part was having to come up with the patterns. I'm getting smarter about saving them though so next time maybe it won't take as long :)

This was a purse I did for my niece Sarah. I haven't even talked to her yet since I gave it to her, but I hope she enjoys it :)



Lastly, I did this magnetic recipe holder. Would anyone be interested in a tutorial for this little beauty?