Spring Updates

It's been staying lighter later, the sun has been shining and Spring is almost here. I love this time of year. It motivates me to get all sorts of things done in preparation for enjoying them this summer. My list is long, but it's getting tackled and that makes me happy. A few things on my "list" include building a chicken coop, planting a garden, and generally working on the yard to get it the way we like. The chicken coop building started last weekend and continued on this weekend. I haven't taken on much of the building (that is my hubby's role) but I am the support crew - bring them food and treats, keeping the kids out of the way, etc. But in the meanwhile, I've been planting a few flowers and cleaning up around the yard a bit. I made a few changes around the back porch which mostly included moving planters and stuff we already had. The result is better than before, but maybe not completely done:

Another project that I finished this weekend was a an old window converted to jewelry organizer. I found this old window at Flea Market Chics. It had some rope stapled to the sides to hand stuff on but it wasn't really what I needed. (opps - I forgot to take before pictures, sorry) So I pulled out the rope and all the staples. I then nailed some chicken wire to the back and hung a few really small hooks from the top. Ta-da!

I love it! And now I have no excuse to leave my jewels laying all over the place!

While we were at Disneyland I got some silhouettes of the kids made. I wanted to display them and so the hunt for some shelves was on. I went to my favorite store for random stuff: TJ Maxx and found exactly what I was looking for - some floating shelves and some frames for the sweet silhouettes. This wall was totally bare before with just the framed picture of Avignon on it. I had thought that eventually I'd add a bunch of frames and make a sort of collage with them, but it wasn't happening. I can easily change out or add to what is on the shelves now. 

So that is what's new around here! What is on your "list?" What are you working on?? Leave me a comment - I'd love to know!

My Chevron Bag

For Christmas I received Amy Butler's Style Stitches bag book. By New Year's I had my fabric picked out for this bag. And so it began. I think the cutting and ironing on of interfacing was the longest part of this little sewing project. The sewing part was easy. I love this bag! You may have noticed me carrying it in our Disneyland pictures. It fits everything in it! It was my carry-on for the plane, my day bag/diaper bag/ snack bag, etc. I like to use it for whatever I need for the day and stick my purse right inside so I'm only carrying one bag.

The Keaton Coat

When I saw this sweet coat on luvinthemommyhood I knew I had to make one for Sage. I had this doll fabric that I had bought last fall at Quilted Strait and thought that I had enough, so I started cutting. When I got to the sleeves I realized that I was short about a square inch. So I thought at first that I'd just make them 3/4 sleeves. In the middle of sewing the coat I had an idea to add some of the lining fabric to extend the sleeves and then my mind went to ruffles. So the ruffles were not part of the pattern - just something I decided to add. Just like Shannon I think I might make a few more of these for Sage. They are easy to make, great for layering and perfect for Spring!!

Super Simple Dog Bed

The dog bed situation on the back porch was completely out of control. It was old and falling apart and every time I looked out the kitchen window, it frustrated me. We had just bought a new bed for inside and I didn't want to buy another one. So I started digging through my fabric stash. I found this heavy canvas that I had used in our previous house for curtains. The best part is that not only was it the perfect size (no cutting needed) but it already had finished seams! I seriously made this in less than 5 minutes! I simply made a pillow case and stuffed it with some old blankets that we usually used for the dog anyway.

Here is the before. Gross, right??

Just a simple pillow case.

Much better!

Happy Dog.

Disneyland

We got back from five magical days at Disneyland. The kids (and adults) had a blast. This was Wyatt and Sage's first trip to Disneyland and they were amazed, excited and tired. Walking around all day really wears you out!! But we all really had a fabulous time - riding rides, exploring islands and tree houses, face painting, dining with and meeting all the characters, watching parades, fireworks and light shows and all the magic that happens at Disneyland. Some good friends joined us for our last day and it was really great to see them and let the kids play together.

Little Red Riding Hood Cape

 This cape was not intended for Wyatt, but for a special little girl on her 4th Birthday. However, I needed a model and well, Wyatt was the closest size. This cape is from the Oliver & S book and I just couldn't resist making it. I put red flannel on one side and a home decor weight fabric on the other, so it can be worn on either side.

And of course, Ms. S has to be in the picture too!

Spring Napkin Rings

Our table needed a little update - in the form of some new napkins and napkin rings. We use cloth napkins on a daily basis and I was getting tired of seeing the same rotation of napkins. I thought it would be fun to make some new spring-y napkins and some personalized napkin rings for everyone. My mother-in-law has a super fancy embroidery machine, so I took my napkin rings down to play. Just a simple initial for the adults and the kiddos got some fun buttons on theirs. The initial napkin rings got fabric-covered buttons in the print on the back of the napkins, a sweet little blue and yellow daisy. The napkin rings are reversible and are in the same colors as the napkins, but not the same fabric. I'm thinking this may be my new go-to gift, a set of personalized napkin rings for the whole family!