"Sew" Easy - Diaper Covers!

I FINALLY got my Brother 1034D serger out of the box. I've had it for several months now but was a little intimidated. I knew I didn't want to mess with it unless I had several hours to scour over the manual and do a bunch of test sewing. Using it really was pretty easy. Threading is a bit more challenging, but getting easier. I have a LOT to learn.

Anyways, to put my new serger to work, I thought I'd give a new, and SUPER EASY pattern a try. I did have to use my sewing machine too to make the elastic casings, but used the serger to sew up the sides and bottom. I think I'm in LOVE. I LOVE that it looks professional!

Source: dana-made-it.com via Emily on Pinterest

Check it out! These are the ones I made for Carson...



She has several patterns available, up to 12-24 months. These were the 12-24 month size, but I probably could have added a little to it. I think I also messed up with the new serger. The pattern didn't stay if I was supposed to serge at just the edges or serge using the normal 5/8" seam allowance, so I might have taken more off than I was supposed to. Next time I make, I'm going to make them a little bigger all the way around and maybe add an inch so they fully cover his diaper at the top. Carson is definitely pushing the 24-month size clothes.

Yes, these are a little snug... but look at that sweet booty!


These are perfect in the summer and for little girls to wear under their dresses, they are like bloomers. I think I will be making a lot more of these in the future in all kinds of fun prints!

Santa!

This year's visit to Santa was similar to last year, except that we had a toddler instead of a baby. For the most part, Mr. Serious came back. He definitely wasn't scared of Santa at all, but we couldn't get him to smile. He was mostly pointing to the Christmas tree next to Santa and showing him all the ornaments. We TRIED so hard to get a beautiful Carson smile, but this is the best we got...


This is actually pretty good. It was the first picture they took. He was pretty much expressionless or just checking out the Christmas tree in the rest of the pics. I was secretly hoping for a screaming picture. Is that bad??? I just think they are SO funny. Maybe next year. Carson's just not that clingy (most of the time) and really isn't scared of anyone. I guess that's a good thing. I also should have pulled his pant legs down. He looks a little goofy!

Merry Christmas!!! Only 16 more days!!!

I Might Have Created A Monster...

...and NO, it's not my child {or husband}.

Disclaimer - For you "picture people" that don't ever read blogs, you just looks at pictures, this one is NOT for you. I'm just typing what's going through my mind...a "Pictureless Post" if you will.

For the first time in a REALLY long time {and possibly ever}, I can say that I truly have a hobby that I am PASSIONATE about. I love sewing, appliqueing, crafting in general. Anything that I can make with my hands FEEDS my need to have tangible results of my time & efforts. I just LOVE {and NEED} to see the fruits of my labor. Always have.

This is probably the thing that I DON'T like most about my job. I feel like I pour hours of analysis and analytical mind power into something that ends up in some bottomless audit black hole. That drives me crazy. Yeah, okay, here's a pretty FINAL memo or report. Yes, I'm glad it's done, but it is NOT THE SAME THING.

I LOVE knowing that Carson or another kid is walking around in something I made. I LOVE walking into the kitchen and seeing the valance and table runner I made. I LOVE walking into our room and seeing the headboard I made. I just love seeing something created from nothing.

This past weekend, when I got a babysitter to come over for a few hours just so I could go into my sewing hideout, I probably gave myself the best gift I could have. I was in the zone. I was on fire. I was LOVING what I was doing. I didn't want it to stop. Of course, I didn't want to neglect my baby, but I haven't given myself that kind of time to do something that I wanted to do in a REALLY long time.

I think I might have an obsession now. I can't stop looking at Pinterest for ideas. I feel like I have pinned a million things and have a million ideas swirling in my head and then I panic {well, that's probably not the right word} that I won't ever be able to find the time to do any of these things. Sewing requires more than 30 minutes at a time. This is when working at home SUCKS. I feel like there is a voice from the garage whispering to me, "Just come out here for little while. You'll feel better..." It would be SO easy to just run out there, but I have SO much work to do. So what am I doing, blogging about it. I might as well just be out there. There's just so much on my mind. I am just ITCHING to make things. I think the years of being hobby-less are catching up to me now. I have so much bottled up creative energy just dying to get out! I think I'm going to tell Andrew to take Carson to Baytown for the weekend sometime and leave me here. After all, he did just go hunting for a week, he owes me, right?!?!? :-)

At the least, when I know I won't be as busy with work, I think I'll just take a couple days off here and there to just have "ME" days. Days to sew, days to organize, days to just do whatever I want to do. Days to get that creative, nagging energy out. It truly does NAG at me. I can honestly say that my mind is SO not in work mode... all I want to do is run out to my shop. I DON'T get tired of it. I might get frustrated. Yes, there is always plenty of that, but I never get tired of it. As excited as I am to be so energized about something, I'm also a little concerned... it almost bothers me more because I don't have the time to work on everything I want to. Then I get depressed {okay, that's a little bit of an exaggeration} because I can't get the energy out. It makes work and the day-to-day stuff worse because all I think about is how much WANT to go sew and that I'm NOT getting to. Someday, be able to wake up early and go out there before work, but this time of year is certainly not that time. I LOVE being in bed when it's cold outside.

One of my best friends {real best friend, not just bloggy best friend} over at Hop Across the Pond, suggested we have a crafting weekend. Um... AWESOME IDEA!!! Unfortunately, it didn't work out this past fall and she's expecting her first little this spring, so timing may be tough, but SOMEDAY we WILL do this. If anyone else would like to partake, let me know and we will SERIOUSLY try to get this on the calendar. {How funny is it that a "Girls Weekend", even 5 years ago, likely had a totally different agenda! Ah, times, they are a-changin'!!!

AWARD TIME!!!

I got a nice little heads up in my e-mail yesterday to be sure to check The Balch Bunch blog this morning. Yes, The Balch Bunch gave me the Liebster Blog award! I was SUPER EXICTED, especially when I read about what this little award was all about. I pretty much just blog to document our own life and motherhood since most of our families and friends don't live where we do. I also blog when I've got a sewing/craft/DIY project to show off. So, I was excited to know that someone thought it was worthy of an award. Thanks, Kelsey!

Oh, and please go check out The Balch Bunch! Kels is SUPER STYLISH mom that has the most precious little girl, Channing!!! I knew her hubby in high school {he was actually my homecoming date my senior year, as friends of course...that could be a little weird otherwise!} We met a a mutual friend's wedding when we were both preggo with our first little ones and have had so much fun keeping up through the bloggy world (we're in different parts of the great state of Texas). Boo.

So, here's the story on the Liebster Blog Awards:

The Liebster Blog Award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.

Liebster is a German word meaning "dear, sweet, kind, nice, good,
beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing and welcome".

To keep this award going (by passing along to other new deserving blogs), the recipient must now recognize five other bloggers with less than 200 followers that have really stood out in the crowd.

The rules for the Liebster Award are:
1. Thank the person who gave the award and link back to their blog.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know!
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog post.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love too! 

So, here are my choices to receive this award...
1. Coffee & Cabernet
2. Stories of a Stay at Home Mom
3. Racing Towards Joy
4. The Norwood Nest
5. Hop Across the Pond

I'm going to cheat and add a 6th. I'm guessing she probably has more than 200 followers, but it doesn't say on her site, so I'm including anyways because of the great ideas she has on nurseries.

6. Custom Nursery Art by Kimberly

Thanks again, The Balch Bunch!

While the Hubby is Away...

...Mommy will SEW and CRAFT and MAKE ALL KINDS OF THINGS!!!

Yes, I was "safe" and waited until he was home to post this... don't need to let the crazies out there know I was home alone with just the little man and the goofy dog.

I totally had a babysitter come over for 4 hours on Saturday morning just so I could "do stuff"... BEST.DECISION.EVER.

Finished some Christmas presents for some special littles! I only have ONE more project to {hopefully} finish this week.





Made a Christmas table runner (but not so Christmas that it can't be used throughout winter)




Made an upholstered headboard with plywood and painters canvas (SO EASY!). I still need to add the nailheads because I'm going to have to order some. The big ones are hard to find in bulk. That detail will totally make the headboard. It already looks good, just needs a little something extra. Separate post to come on this one...





Started an owl fabric art project for Baby B... SOOOO excited about this one... but it's a secret! I'll only post a "preview"... I want Mommy G to be surprised!!


I learned to knit over Thanksgiving, so I've got two projects going there as well. I'll post a pic when there's something more exciting than 4 inches worth of knitting to look at.

I also got all our Angel Tree gifts for church and got our house as organized as it ever gets. I was supposed to work over the weekend, but that didn't happen. I was having WAY too much fun out in my new Sewing Hideout... I was out there until midnight two nights in a row and didn't even realize it. Probably why I left the keys in the door overnight...I was a little sleep deprived from all that I was getting accomplished...and LOVING every second of it! I SO wish I could have that kind of block of time on a regular basis... AMAZING what you can get done with no interruptions!!! I did have lots of quality time with my little man too. We had a great weekend being silly and running around town!

Make Ya Smile Monday!

Fascinated with a fork...

Tastes good with nothing on it...


Might be better to do something productive with it...


Hmm... let me think about this


See, I got this...


BAM!

Two FABULOUS Giveaways!!!

And no, they aren't from me! :-)

Check out Sarah's Blog, Racing Towards Joy, for TWO, yes TWO fabulous giveaways!!!