There is a lot going on for us lately with the movers coming in less than a week and getting everything ready to move half way around the world. I am still not really that stressed which is great. For the last 2 weeks I have been trying to do a couple things a day to get ready for the move. Even if it is just something small, its all been adding up and has helped out a lot. The movers already took a small shipment of stuff that will hopefully be waiting for us in Little Rock that will help us get by until the big shipment arrives. We shipped the kid's beds and some kitchen things, linens, and a few other things I don't even remember. But we shipped the crib with the first small lot and now cameron has been sleeping in her pack n play that I found a yard sale for only $10! =) But within the first 24hrs of having to sleep in it she has taught herself how to climb out. So now everynight and at nap time I have to keep putting her back in bed a hundred times until she finally gives in and is too tired to climb out again. I thought it would stop after the first week or so but she keeps doing it. I get scared at night that she will wake up and wander around when we're all sleeping but she sleeps pretty hard and hasn't done it yet. Thank goodness!
I was looking for some fitted sheets for the pack n play and found that they are really expensive, even on etsy. So I found an online tutorial with instructions on how to make my own. I was so happy to find it and made my first sheet within an hour. The second one is going to be so quick now that I know what I'm doing. It is really easy and I am going to make a few larger ones for the crib after we move. I just wanted to share the tutorial though so everyone can give it a try. So you can find it here. It is a good way to get some fabric used up too. I've been trying to thin out my fabric stash too so the movers don't have to deal with so much of it. It has been so hard not to order any fabric either. I just keep reminding myself that when I get to the states I can stock up and actually be able to go to the store and pick things out without having to order on the internet and pay s/h. I did order some a couple weeks ago though. I am just in love with this Heather Ross line, Mendocino. The oranges and teals are what caught my eye first and I found this adorable top that really loved. And then this bedding set. So I think that when I am pregnant next time that I am going to make a crib bedding set like this out of this print. I thought it would work well for a girl or a boy. That is what I am thinking now, and I am always changing my mind so we'll see if I actually go through with it. But I am so in love with this fabric and can't wait to move so I can order more of it. I wish I knew how to make a collage of pictures that I love so I could post them all in one thing, but I know that it will take way too much time and I have things to do. soo.....
Oh and my little sister gets married today! I wish we were able to go but it was pretty much the worst month out of the year to take off to the states and pretty much not even possible. So we're here thinking of her and mike right now and of all the wonderful family that I haven't seen in so many years that I am missing out on seeing. But it feels good to know that we'll be home in just a few weeks. We'll have to make the rounds and visit everyone ourselves then. I can't wait. With the movers coming it just makes everything feel a little more real and gives us that 'this is REALLY happening, eekk' kind of feeling!! And it feels great! =) Hopefully it won't be so long between blogs again, but who knows with everything going on here. We are going to be staying in a hotel for about 2 weeks between getting out of our apartment and flying out so I will have lots of time on my hands.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Busy Busy Bee...
^^ This top/dress is so adorable with a pair of jeans. ^^ and this top is a combination of a thrift store top (the pink part) that still had the tags on and then the striped top I made and attached the two.
Love this REVERSible dress^^^^^^^^^ I made it from a dress I had laying around that didn't fit right but I never returned because I liked the fabric. So I cut it up and made it reversible with the solid black. I am so happy with the result and can't believe how far my clothes making has come in just a week or so.
^^ my little stash of dresses/tops ^^ love this top.. it turned out way different from what was in my head but I just went with the idea and it turned out so beautifully. And all the fabric came from my scrap bin. I can't believe I almost got rid of the yellow fabric. I'm so glad I didn't. I am such a pack rat some times but I guess it pays off sometimes.
This yellow top I have lined with a yellow solid so there aren't any raw edges or seams showing. Cameron loves the little birds and the silky feel.
^^^This teal garden party dress and this ^^ butterfly one are the same dress only reversible!
I have been sewing a lot lately and have put in two nights this week that I didnt go to bed until 3:30! Just yesterday I think I set a record by getting 2 dresses/tops, 2 diaper bags, and a messenger bag made up in ONE day! I've never done so much before. But I love to stay up late and get things done without distractions. I live off of this stuff and I see on the site they have other flavors so maybe I'll be able to find those in the states. We only have the Original here and it's a lot cheaper here at only 3$ something compared to the site at almost 5-6$. crazy. But it's organic so that is always wonderful! Anyway...
I've figured out how to make up these little dresses and I already posted about them before but I've made up a few more and am getting really quick at getting them made. I used one of cameron's dresses and then looked online for a few tips to make the reversible ones. I am going to make up a few more hopefully soon and start listing them on etsy. I love how they fit well but they grow with my girls. Cameron will be wearing them for a long time. And I love anything reversible because I love to have options. This winter I will just pair them with a long sleeved top and a pair of jeans or thick tights. Well it is nap time here so I need to hurry up and get sewing while everyone is sleeping.. I'll post some pictures of the adorable elephant diaper bags I made up later. Or you can go to my etsy; www.juanitashandmade.etsy.com and get a preview now.. have a great weekend. its beautiful in germany and my hubby doesn't have to go back to work until tuesday!! yay for days off finally! he deserves it.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Oh and new things in the shop
I forgot to put a link to the shop.. juanitashandmade.etsy.com
Check out the new things and hopefully I'll have some more things posted in the next day or two.
2:30 a.m.
Well I am back and sooo much has happened since I last wrote. And now it is 2:30 am so I guess I will catch you up on things.. lol I have no idea why I all of a sudden felt like writing now, but please over-look the typo's if there are any because I get really sloppy at typing late at night (and early in the morning).
So, my husband returned from Iraq, safe and sound, and I am so thankful he is home. Things are so different with him home but its a good different. The girls were so happy to see him. They followed him around non-stop for the first two weeks he was home and I just couldn't get enough of saying 'go see your daddy'. He was lucky enough to get 3 weeks of R&R before he had to return to work and we did absolutely nothing and it was Great! We do live in Europe and could have gone 100 different places but it all didn't matter. As long as we were together I didn't even care to go anywhere, just to sit around and watch movies with him was as good as it could have gotten for me. But he is back at work now and we've gotten into a good routine. I am just so thankful to have him home, its the best feeling!
Little Cameron decided she would start talking once daddy got home too. She had a few words before that but her vocabulary has multiplied ever since he got home. I guess she didn't want him to miss anything.
I have been busy sewing and have gotten a lot done in the past couple of weeks. I had a rummage/craft sale last weekend and did alright. People keep emailing me and telling me they couldn't get to the sale and if they could stop over. So I've been making money all week from different people stopping over. It's like the longest yard sale I've ever had.. lol But I have a lot to get rid of before we move in a month. And I sold a few bags and posted the ones I still have on my etsy page. I've been doing well and have sold a few since I posted the other day too, so things are going really well. I've decided to try and make some clothes for the girls lately too. I've read a lot of different craft and sewing blogs and there are a lot of challenges out there, that challenge you to repurpose the clothes you have in your closet or repurpose things you got at a thrift store. So I've sort of started to try that out. I've never really done any clothing before but little girl dresses are the easiest thing and a great way to start. I've made Cami a couple pillow case-type dresses and they look so cute by themselves or with a pair of jeans. The tops will even fit Brooklyn as a tank top, so I was so happy with myself on how they turned out. I made one more that I will have to post later because I haven't gotten pictures of it yet. It's my favorite of the three too.
The movers will be here tomorrow to take the first shipment of things and it feels good to get the entire process started. It will just be a small shipment of essentials that we will need once we get to Little Rock AFB. And it will be there waiting for us so we have some kitchen things and other necessities.
I thought there was more I wanted to post but it's now 3 am and I am about to crash. So I'll have to write later. I just had to get something posted since it has been so long. Hopefully now I'll keep things posted a little more frequent and get updates on the move and all.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Home
I have been m.i.a. for the past week and probably will be for a little bit longer. My husband just returned from his deployment in Iraq the other day and we are so happy to have him home again!
I will be back soon. =)
I will be back soon. =)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
W.I.P.- Work in Progress Wednesday!
Well its almost Wednesday, here in Germany at least, and I've been meaning to get these things posted for w.i.p. (work in progress) Wednesday. So I figured since the kids were in bed and I finally had some time I'd actually get them posted on the right day, so I don't have to wait until next week. So, here they are.....
This isn't exactly a work in progress, but it is something new. My mom got me a few of these coffee sacks and I made this one into a reusable grocery bag. I have a few more of these so if you have any other great ideas for them let me know. I was also thinking of making a couple baskets out of them, or maybe a hobo bag. What do you think would sell best or be the best use for these awesome bags? Let me know!
This is a great spring bag that I am really excited about. It is all ready to go except I am anxiously waiting another batch of labels. They are way over due and holding up a few projects. One of the great aspects of living overseas! waahoo... lol I was so excited about this bag because I found the handle at the thrift store. It is a really cute belt and the colors matched perfect with the bag I was putting together so I thought I'd try it out. And these pictures aren't of two different bags, it is reversible! super cute!
This is a custom bag for a lady. She was in love with all these bright prints and just had to have them all. I just have to put the handle on and it will be finished! Defiantely on the top of my list to get finished up tomorrow.
Another reversible bag. Black and white toile on one side with the Anna Maria Horner print on the other side.. .
Skully bag with bright pink on the inside. I love the way this bag is turning out. It could even be reversible!
And I finally am learning to master putting in a zipper. I started small and got these two guys made up the other day. The wallet with a change purse is for myself. I am going to give the other one I ordered for mothers day away I think... lol I got it in the mail and looked at it for about 5 mins. and thought I could definitely make that up. This always happens to me. I can't wait to get to the states so I will be able to take a closer look at things instead of looking on the computer at them. If I can check it out and touch it I can get a better feel for the way it goes together. But I still love the wallet I bought. I'll just have to think of someone special to give it to. No worries!
And I made up this cute coin purse. Its the first one I've ever made but it came out pretty good. I am going to try and get it to my friend Sara. She is leaving for the states tomorrow. =( sad. But I am going to try and meet up with her at the airport and say good bye and get it to her before they leave. I am definitely going to make up a few more of these. It was super easy, but I need to find some more zippers, I only have a couple left. I've found quite a few at our local thrift shop and they were all still in the packaging and only 25cents! So maybe I'll get over there tomorrow and check to see if I can find some more.
And the last bag I have to post isn't a w.i.p. but I just finished it the other day for a lady and she was sooo happy to get it. Its a messenger and it turned out really well. She said it was just what she wanted, so that was great. She also wanted a matching passport cover so I made one of those up for her too.
It's only 3 more days until the weekend! yay.. jk that means not a lot to me since everyday sorta meshes together for us.. but daddy will be home hopefully by this time next week! We're all sooo excited to have him home. It truly feels like forever since he was last here with us.
But have a great rest of the week everyone!
take care,
juanita
This isn't exactly a work in progress, but it is something new. My mom got me a few of these coffee sacks and I made this one into a reusable grocery bag. I have a few more of these so if you have any other great ideas for them let me know. I was also thinking of making a couple baskets out of them, or maybe a hobo bag. What do you think would sell best or be the best use for these awesome bags? Let me know!
This is a great spring bag that I am really excited about. It is all ready to go except I am anxiously waiting another batch of labels. They are way over due and holding up a few projects. One of the great aspects of living overseas! waahoo... lol I was so excited about this bag because I found the handle at the thrift store. It is a really cute belt and the colors matched perfect with the bag I was putting together so I thought I'd try it out. And these pictures aren't of two different bags, it is reversible! super cute!
This is a custom bag for a lady. She was in love with all these bright prints and just had to have them all. I just have to put the handle on and it will be finished! Defiantely on the top of my list to get finished up tomorrow.
Another reversible bag. Black and white toile on one side with the Anna Maria Horner print on the other side.. .
Skully bag with bright pink on the inside. I love the way this bag is turning out. It could even be reversible!
And I finally am learning to master putting in a zipper. I started small and got these two guys made up the other day. The wallet with a change purse is for myself. I am going to give the other one I ordered for mothers day away I think... lol I got it in the mail and looked at it for about 5 mins. and thought I could definitely make that up. This always happens to me. I can't wait to get to the states so I will be able to take a closer look at things instead of looking on the computer at them. If I can check it out and touch it I can get a better feel for the way it goes together. But I still love the wallet I bought. I'll just have to think of someone special to give it to. No worries!
And I made up this cute coin purse. Its the first one I've ever made but it came out pretty good. I am going to try and get it to my friend Sara. She is leaving for the states tomorrow. =( sad. But I am going to try and meet up with her at the airport and say good bye and get it to her before they leave. I am definitely going to make up a few more of these. It was super easy, but I need to find some more zippers, I only have a couple left. I've found quite a few at our local thrift shop and they were all still in the packaging and only 25cents! So maybe I'll get over there tomorrow and check to see if I can find some more.
And the last bag I have to post isn't a w.i.p. but I just finished it the other day for a lady and she was sooo happy to get it. Its a messenger and it turned out really well. She said it was just what she wanted, so that was great. She also wanted a matching passport cover so I made one of those up for her too.
It's only 3 more days until the weekend! yay.. jk that means not a lot to me since everyday sorta meshes together for us.. but daddy will be home hopefully by this time next week! We're all sooo excited to have him home. It truly feels like forever since he was last here with us.
But have a great rest of the week everyone!
take care,
juanita
Monday, May 25, 2009
Happy Memorial Day!
Well, Happy Memorial Day to you all. I hope your day has been as beautiful as it is here in Germany. The past two days have been in the 90's and I am loving the warm weather. It was so hott today that I had to think of ways to cool the kids off but to also get them out of the house. We don't have a kiddy pool or a sand box. They're both on my list to get the kids but with us moving back to the states in 3 months I don't think it will happen until we get to Little Rock. We'll just have to get by for now. So the kids played outside for a while until they got bored and hot so I got them some buckets of water to play with and help them cool down. Not long after I brought them out I found little Cameron sitting in hers. It was pretty cute, so I had to take a picture.
We have been taking it easy for the weekend and haven't really done anything. But Memorial Day means a little more to us this year then before with my husband deployed in Iraq. But he will be home soon. Only one more week! Everyone is soo excited to be back together again. I can't wait to see how excited the kids get when they see him. =) It's going to be great!
I made a dress the other day for Brooklyn. I saw a tutorial for it somewhere online. I will share that and a few others that looked really cute later.. but for now I wanted to post a few pictures. I didn't actually use the tutorial but I just looked at the picture of the finished dress. It is really easy because you make it out of an old dress shirt. I picked up a couple the other day at the thrift shop and used the one I didn't like the best to try things out on. And I got to use my new bias tape maker so that was a lot of fun. I picked it up here. (great site to buy fabric from also, they have everything) It's the best tool I've ever used and think its a must-have for quilters and pretty much anyone else who sews. I really want to start making more clothes for my girls so I am sure I'll get a lot of use out of it.
And the other day I snapped this picture of little Cameron listening to her sister's ipod. It was so cute because she found it all by herself and was jammin' out.. so cute. =)
I hope you all have had a great and safe weekend
of cookouts and relaxing.
And haven't forgotten who to thank for it.
take care,
juanita
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Handmade Toys I [heart]
As promised... (finally, it's been a long night)
Handmade toys that I LOVE
I am just in love with these adorable dolls from Bit of Whimsy. I wish she had more than the pdf pattern for sale but maybe she'll be stocking more sometime soon. I might just have to get the pattern anyway. They are just too cute! And I really love the bunny and this lamb.
This is another doll that I just adore from Fabric Farrago. Isn't she just the cutest thing?
I don't know how to crochet so I am going to definitely have to pick up some of these crocheted cupcakes from Puka Shell. She has some other delicious looking crocheted deserts but the cupcakes have to be my favorite.
Also along the lines of play food is felt food. I have been meaning to make some of these up for the girls; I just haven’t made the time to do so yet. And felt is not easy to find here in Germany. There are lots of easy patterns out there that you wouldn’t even need a sewing machine for. You probably wouldn’t even need a pattern for many of the foods, just a picture to look at. The sky is really the limit on these and honestly I don’t think the kids will care too much on how perfect they turn out. This could even be a great project for kids that are a little older and able to use a scissors. Kids are so creative and it would be a lot of fun to hear their idea and see what they come up with. I can’t even decide on a shop to spotlight or even an item, just log on to Etsy and type in ‘felt food’ in the search bar. But if I have to choose I’d say I do love this sushi set and these fruit baskets.
There are lots of things you can make at home like home made play dough. My mom always used to make it for us, and it’s great that you know exactly what it is made of when you make it yourself.
Homemade Play Dough Recipe
makes four 2 1/2 inch diameter balls of play dough
Ingredients:
· 1 cup of warm water
· 1/4 cup salt
· 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
· 1 teaspoon canola oil
· 1 cup flour 15-20 drops of food coloring per ball (4 balls per batch)
Preparation Instructions:
1. In a small, non-stick sauce-pan, mix the warm water, salt, cream of tartar, and canola oil. Slowly blend in the flour, getting rid of clumps.
2. When blended, turn the stove eye to medium heat (medium-low on a gas range). Stir constantly. As it heats, it will begin to clump and turn into dough.
3. When smooth and thickened, remove from heat promptly. Pull the dough out of the pan and let cool a little. Start kneading as soon as possible until well-blended and appropriate consistency. Divide into four even balls.
4. Add food-coloring five drops at a time to each ball until color is evenly mixed in and desired hue. (Wash hands between colors). Let cool.
5. Place the colorful dough balls in plastic bags or airtight containers when cooled.
Another great toy that you can make yourself is play silks. Here is what I found on a tutorial of how to make them.
'What are play silks? Only the best imagination inspiring toys ever! No really, I was skeptical at first too, until I saw children playing with them. They are completely "open ended" which means that the only limit to their use is your imagination. Younger children play peek-a-boo with them and liked to swish them around and watch them gracefully float through the air. Later, they will play a huge role in pretend play. A purple one becomes fairy wings, a black one becomes a wizard's cape, a green one on the ground becomes a pasture for small animal figures and a blue one becomes a pond for boats. A red and orange one can be fire for a pretend bonfire and a white one can be snow...' (taken from here)
The tutorial for making your own is on the site, Make Baby Stuff. And I found another great tutorial for making them here on The Artful Parent (lots of awesome ideas on that site too) They look really easy to make and if you'd rather buy them already dyed there are some great shops on Etsy that sell them.
Well, that is going to be it for now. The editing thing on the blog has been driving me crazy tonight and I've wasted way too much time trying to get everything right and I lost everything just as I finished the first time. So this will have to do. So much for getting to bed early. I hope you enjoy and I will for sure have to do another list of toys I love because there are plenty more...
take care,
juanita
Handmade toys that I LOVE
I am just in love with these adorable dolls from Bit of Whimsy. I wish she had more than the pdf pattern for sale but maybe she'll be stocking more sometime soon. I might just have to get the pattern anyway. They are just too cute! And I really love the bunny and this lamb.
This is another doll that I just adore from Fabric Farrago. Isn't she just the cutest thing?
I don't know how to crochet so I am going to definitely have to pick up some of these crocheted cupcakes from Puka Shell. She has some other delicious looking crocheted deserts but the cupcakes have to be my favorite.
Also along the lines of play food is felt food. I have been meaning to make some of these up for the girls; I just haven’t made the time to do so yet. And felt is not easy to find here in Germany. There are lots of easy patterns out there that you wouldn’t even need a sewing machine for. You probably wouldn’t even need a pattern for many of the foods, just a picture to look at. The sky is really the limit on these and honestly I don’t think the kids will care too much on how perfect they turn out. This could even be a great project for kids that are a little older and able to use a scissors. Kids are so creative and it would be a lot of fun to hear their idea and see what they come up with. I can’t even decide on a shop to spotlight or even an item, just log on to Etsy and type in ‘felt food’ in the search bar. But if I have to choose I’d say I do love this sushi set and these fruit baskets.
There are lots of things you can make at home like home made play dough. My mom always used to make it for us, and it’s great that you know exactly what it is made of when you make it yourself.
Homemade Play Dough Recipe
makes four 2 1/2 inch diameter balls of play dough
Ingredients:
· 1 cup of warm water
· 1/4 cup salt
· 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
· 1 teaspoon canola oil
· 1 cup flour 15-20 drops of food coloring per ball (4 balls per batch)
Preparation Instructions:
1. In a small, non-stick sauce-pan, mix the warm water, salt, cream of tartar, and canola oil. Slowly blend in the flour, getting rid of clumps.
2. When blended, turn the stove eye to medium heat (medium-low on a gas range). Stir constantly. As it heats, it will begin to clump and turn into dough.
3. When smooth and thickened, remove from heat promptly. Pull the dough out of the pan and let cool a little. Start kneading as soon as possible until well-blended and appropriate consistency. Divide into four even balls.
4. Add food-coloring five drops at a time to each ball until color is evenly mixed in and desired hue. (Wash hands between colors). Let cool.
5. Place the colorful dough balls in plastic bags or airtight containers when cooled.
Another great toy that you can make yourself is play silks. Here is what I found on a tutorial of how to make them.
'What are play silks? Only the best imagination inspiring toys ever! No really, I was skeptical at first too, until I saw children playing with them. They are completely "open ended" which means that the only limit to their use is your imagination. Younger children play peek-a-boo with them and liked to swish them around and watch them gracefully float through the air. Later, they will play a huge role in pretend play. A purple one becomes fairy wings, a black one becomes a wizard's cape, a green one on the ground becomes a pasture for small animal figures and a blue one becomes a pond for boats. A red and orange one can be fire for a pretend bonfire and a white one can be snow...' (taken from here)
The tutorial for making your own is on the site, Make Baby Stuff. And I found another great tutorial for making them here on The Artful Parent (lots of awesome ideas on that site too) They look really easy to make and if you'd rather buy them already dyed there are some great shops on Etsy that sell them.
Well, that is going to be it for now. The editing thing on the blog has been driving me crazy tonight and I've wasted way too much time trying to get everything right and I lost everything just as I finished the first time. So this will have to do. So much for getting to bed early. I hope you enjoy and I will for sure have to do another list of toys I love because there are plenty more...
take care,
juanita
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