Derby Time!

I LOVE horses. My whole life my parents have had horses. I grew up going to rodeos and riding horses for family nights. This year, I decided it was time to have a party for the Kentucky Derby.

What is the most famous part of the derby?

The hats of course. I whipped these out for myself, my sister-in-law, and her three girls. The white hats I got at Wal-Mart for $2.97 each. The black hat was a little bit more at $8. All the ribbon but the thick white on the black hat and the purple ribbon I already had on hand. When I looked for Derby hats for the party, they ranged between $35-$275+ per hat.

These saved me so much!!! And it was the first time I had ever done hats before.

Then, it was decided that we needed some new horses.

And the party began.

Dinner

After dinner, we watched the race. We actually had the party on Sunday, even though the race was Saturday. My sister-in-law picked the winning horse.

Playing horseshoes. I love all of them in their hats. And the handsome devil in the back looks pretty good too.

Kids stick horse race. It was hilarious!!

Adults stick horse race. Classic!

I just loved this picture of Little Miss "J" in her hat and Mr. "L" looking so handsome.

He even had a pocket watch.

The Winner's Circle

Most Dapper Dude, Most Creative Hat, Best Big Hat, Prettiest Dress, and the Race Winner in the back.

Surprise!!!

Not only did the Easter Bunny leave this two awesome kids great surprises, but dear old Aunt Tiff snuck down to their house literally in the middle of the night (their mother was still awake) and left surprises for them too. They had a surprise for me as well. They had colored eggs for my husband and I because we weren't able to make it to the egg dyeing party.

Little Miss "A" has been asking her mother for an apron for a long time. And this year, I finally helped make that happen. Her mother didn't even know it was coming. Their mother was expecting a Harry Potter snow owl look-a-like for Mr. "L", but that was just not panning out. This sweet boy has been bouncing back and forth between Harry Potter and Star Wars. So, instead of an owl, he got a Jedi inspired cloak instead. The best miracle of all was that I didn't have any measurements written down for either one of them except for the ones still floating around in my head from the dress I made for
 Miss "A" here .

The cloak to me about 3 hours start to finish and I made it completely out of a twin sheet. Using as much of the hem lines throughout the sheet as much as possible to save time. 

Little Miss "A" doesn't know it, but she actually picked out the pink fabric for the main part of the apron. About a year or so ago, her mother secretly handed me the pink fabric and told me to use it for something since she doesn't sew.  There was about a yard of fabric, so I used it for her apron. I had never found anything else I wanted to use it for. Thus, this apron was born. The strings at the back are made from the same striped fabric as the neck tie. Would you believe it took me longer to do this than it did for the cloak?

I love these kids. I love having them as neighbors, and I love being their Aunt.

I'm linking up to Finish it up Fridays with Amanda Jean And Family Ever After

You'd think I would have done this by now

A couple of years ago, my husband and I decided to do something big for his parents for Christmas. We made 17 crib sized blankets for all the grandkids to be given from his parents.  Well, little did I know this would be the gift that keeps on giving from now to eternity. His mother (bless her heart) has requested they keep being made so none of the grandchildren feel left out. This was 2011. I know some of you don't like the look or feel of tied quilts, but to me they are just homey. And I am still trying to figure out the quilting feature on my sewing machine. *sigh* maybe someday.

to see previous year's quilts, click here 

I'm linking this post up to Finish it up Fridays and Family Ever After

I finally got pictures of these-- Sheesh!

I made these outfits a little over two years ago. I was so surprised when I found out these two little missies still fit in the dresses. They were originally done for a wedding reception, but it never happened. This chick is so posey. It was hard for me to get a good picture which is why I cut off part of her head. -- These were made from Simplicity 5704.

And here's her older sister in her red dress that still fits.

The next ones are Halloween costumes I did for these sweet little red heads.

Little Miss "B" as Raggedy Ann- I even dyed the tights. My sister has a life-size Raggedy Ann Doll. That was the only pattern I had (if you can call it a pattern, based on the fact the doll is over 20 years old and like 4 1/2 feet tall) other than the large circle for the hat, which was McCall's 2337

Little Miss "J" as a Black Bunny-- she loved it so much and I think it was the first time she got to wear this costume since it was originally done for her older sister. She wanted to sleep in it. The ears were the bane of my existence!! It took me 3 times to get them to work. Either the ears were uncooperative or the headband kept breaking. - The bunny was made using McCall's 8953

Little Miss "B" again as a monkey. This fit her a little bit better Halloween 2010. Little sprout just keeps growing. -The monkey was made using McCall's 8938.

I'm linking up to Project Run & Play and Family Ever After

Happy Birthday and a list of firsts

This little gal turned 7 on Tuesday. Not only is she one of my favorite neighbors, but she's my niece.

This was the look on her face when I showed her...

THIS!!

I used McCall's pattern 6020 for the bodice and sleeves. The brown satin I had on hand from a killer dealer at the fabric store.

It was my first time sewing a lace overlay. Not too shabby huh? I learned SOOO much doing this.

I love the side gathered sleeves and the flower was my own addition. You can't see it, but I also did a crinoline. First time actually sewing with tulle. I had only ever done the no-sew tutus before. It wasn't too bad, but the crinoline should have been more gathered. Oh well. next time maybe.

Linking up to Amanda Jean's Finish it up Fridays and Project Run & Play's Linky Party

It's Finally Done!!

Hooray! Can I get a woot! woot! This beast is finally done. It is my first attempt at a crocheted blanket. The original idea was to have it done for my sister's wedding, but that didn't happen. She got married in August of 2010! But, alas, it is finally done. After over 100 hours and 18 months, I can finally mark this off my to-do list. This was as closed to her colors as I could get. They were electric blue and pewter. No too shabby huh?

It wasn't as big as what I had pictured in my mind, but is a nice twin size quilt measuring in at 55"x71".

Linkin' up again to Finish it up Fridays over 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