Made by you Mondays--Always Kiss Me Goodnight pillow

This was a cutie to make, and very quick, too! The embroidery was the most time-consuming part of the whole project, but the best part...it's not just for Valentine's Day!! Oh no, this little baby will be staying on my bed year-round.

And, are you ready for this?...this whole project cost a whopping $5.75! Yes m'am, you heard me right...I said $5.75. Can I get a high-five from all the gals out there that head to the clearance section first?

Let's start with this yummy microsuede that I scored at JoAnns on clearance plus 50%off, add in the 12x16 pillow form ($4 at 50% off) and this super-cute embroidery design I purchased at Embroidery Library for a whopping $1!!

The burgundy matches our bedding perfectly, and it adds a little ooh-la-la to our bedroom...seriously, they call the 12x16 pillow a "boudoir pillow". Anything that sounds french and goes in your bedroom just oozes ooh-la-la, don't you think?

Heart Throb

Slowly but surely getting some orders filled. This is a cute new design from Embroidery Boutique called "Conversation Hearts". It's great because there aren't too many Valentine's appliques that could be used for little boys! There are several "sayings" with this file, but with my merging software, you could also put a name or monogram on the heart as well!!
Thanks for stopping by! Let me know if you'd like to place an order. I do plan on ordering some more blanks soon...market baskets, backpacks, beachtowels, mugs and sports cups seem to be the most popular. I usually make my own bibs customized to each order, but I may order some of those as well...seems like there are lots of last minute "I need it NOW" requests for baptism and baby gifts, so hopefully that would make it more convenient for some!
Have a blessed day!

And the Love Note Tote goes to...

Thanks for all of the sweet emails and comments! I am SO not a computer whiz, but apparently you have to have a Google account to comment? Anyway, I am really having lots of fun with Made By You Mondays...such creative ladies out there with some really awewsome ideas! I was so inspired that I already finished my project for next Monday! (which is also a Valentines theme) Good thing too, because I have quite a few embroidery orders to fill! That's what I will be up to tomorrow (if the boys cooperate with their naptime routine.)

Martha! Please send me an email to kbmdvm@bellsouth.net so I can send you your Love Note Tote!

Blessings to all of you!

The Apple didn't fall far...

You know what they say..."The apple doesn't fall far from the Tree." I am seeing that in my daughter each day. She loves to draw, paint, cook and sew...and when I saw her with a can of spray paint and she got that same gleam in her eyes, I knew she was My Girl!
She had a project due for science class...she was to make a 3-dimensional animal cell, and it could be out of anything. Her idea? Rice Krispies treats, icing and candy. She drew up the plans, gathered the candy (left over from Halloween...so glad to see that go!) and by getting all of her supplies together and a game plan ready, it took us less than an hour to make this:

Who knew that icing, Nerds, Fruit Roll Ups, Dots, Twizzlers, M&Ms, Laffy Taffy and a Charms Pop could be so scientific!!

We're so proud!

Made by you Mondays--Love Note Totes

This week's theme for Made by You Mondays (over at Skip to My Lou) is Valentines Day!

Anyone else just love Ballards Designs like I do? I love the whole French Country look...maybe because it goes with all of my hand-me-down and inherited furniture...we prefer to call it "Parental Provencial". So when I got the new catalog in my mailbox I flipped for these love note totes! But why order one when you can customize it to your colors, decor and even monogram it if you want to! (Plus you can make it as big as you need...in case you're lucky enough to get lots of love notes and maybe even a box of chocolate!)
So I made my own versions:


This one I made for the kids...I used the red striped ticking fabric and then lined it with a soft red cord. I added the embroidery after it was finished and I love the simple little design. They will love finding this hanging on their bedroom or closet door when they come home from school today! I added gussets so it would have a bit more body and be able to stand on its own...it may just find its way to the breakfast table a few times before Feb 14th!
Now, onto the adult version...

I jazzed these up a bit with the cheetah fabric and a monogrammed bold red heart. It is large enough to hold a valentine, box of chocolate and a little velvet box! This one could be hung from the door but is snazzy enough just to lie right on the bed. (Hubba hubba...)

I have another of the red and white...anyone want one for your sweetie? Just leave a comment and we'll randomly pick a winner on Wednesday January 20th!

Have a great day!

How to Help

We have all seen the images of devestation in Haiti...it is heartbreaking to witness such suffering while we sit in our heated homes on comfy sofas with plenty of fresh water when we turn on our kitchen faucet. There is a definate sense of guilt...the difference between them and us is simply geography. We didn't have an earthquake, they did. Their homes aren't standing anymore, ours are. Most of us have plenty of food in our pantries, they don't know how or when they will be able to feed their children. It is overwhelming. It seems hopeless...yet there is hope. There should always be hope. And help.

Please don't be so overwhelmed that you feel as though whatever you could do just wouldn't be enough. The point isn't to do it all...just do something. Maybe a few dollars that you had budgeted for something that isn't a necessity. I heard this week on the news that 80% of the population of Haiti lives on less than two dollars a day...that's less than most of us spend on a cup of coffee in the morning. (way less if you're going to Starbucks!) It might just seem like a drop in the bucket, but if we all put just one drop in the bucket, eventually we'll have a bucketfull!

So help. There are lots of ways to give, you can call your local church or local branch of the Red Cross. Go to www.umcor.org and not only can you make a donation, but you can find out how to make relief kits and how to send them. Do it now. And if you can, do it again later...they will need help for months and months to come. And pray. They so need our prayer. Pray for this country, their loss and their pain...mothers and fathers who have lost children...children who have lost their parents...the ones left waiting who still haven't found their loved ones...and pray that everyone will do something to help.

Momma's got a brand new bag!

Cute, stylish and functional! (and really cheap to make!)

Santa brought my children a portable DVD player that has 2 screens. They primarily use it in the car on long trips but we often use it inside as well. (When someone is sick and confined to their room, during a long wait at the ball field or gym, etc...) So since the original packaging had fallen apart at the seams (literally!) it needed its own little home...preferrably one with handles so it can be toted from place to place. But since it has two screens it needed a soft divider to keep one from scracthing against the other and damaging each others surfaces. I decided to make one!
I am confined to our house today due to a nasty stomach virus that is sweeping throughout our household (3 down, 3 to go) so going out to the fabric store isn't an option. Plus, although I adore the fabric store I really wanted to try and keep this little project "on the cheap" and use what I already had on hand. This little cutie was made using some scraps of prequilted fabric, my handy dandy rotary cutter, a sewing machine and my serger (aka: "Chopper") I added the monogram at the end so there would be no question as to whose bag this is!


On the outside I included a pleated pocket to hold the various cords (I added a snap to help keep it closed) and on the inside I included a divider in a coordinating brown fabric (also prequilted). I also used a piece of left over fabric to make a little fabric envelope to hold the earphones and keep the cords from getting tangled up with the power cords. The fact that I could serge my edges, used a rotary cutter and used prequilted fabric (instead of having to use batting and stabilizer) really made this a quick and (somewhat)easy project!
Doing this project taught me several things:
1) I can often create my own "pattern" if I have my measurements and think things through.
2) You can't do a decent topstitch if you are in a hurry.
3) If I am nice to my serger, she'll be nice to me. I have neglected cleaning Chopper out the way I should. I cleaned her and she purred like a kitten.
4) If you tend to drop pins and not pick them up, at least have enough sense to not walk around barefooted.
And finally: 5) If I can do it, anyone can!!


Have a blessed day!

New Garanimals!

The word is out...Wal Mart has their short sleeved Garanimals on the shelves! There are supposed to be some cute new spring colors, so you'll want to shop early for the best selection. I was working this morning so I haven't had a chance to go yet, but I will post pictures as soon as I shop. These are so perfect for both applique and monogramming...they stitch out really well and hold up like a dream after many many washings!
It was a balmy 29 degrees here this morning so I can't imagine wearing short sleeves just yet! (Actually, I did wear my scrubs today which are short sleeved...but I had on my thermals underneath!! BRRRR!!)
Have a blessed day!

Monogrammed Shopping Bags

In an effort to try and be more earth friendly, I have really cracked down on myself to consistently use my reusable shopping bags intead of the plastic or paper ones. (The problem is remembering to get them out of my car at the grocery store!) I see more and more people using the "green" shopping bags, but wouldn't it be fun to make them prettier as well as more functional?
I wanted to do something special for my children's teachers and when I found these little cuties I knew they would be just the thing! Not only are they adorable, they are HUGE (24 x 17 inches!!) I added a monogram in a punchy vermillion to make it more personal.

Isn't there supposed to be snow for a snow day???

School is cancelled for snow.

There IS NO SNOW. Yes m'am, you heard me right. None. Sure, there have been a few flurried flakes floating around, but none on the ground. They melt as soon as they hit.

Are you kidding me?

Don't cancel school and tell my kids it is for SNOW. Because now I have the tiny hand, nose and mouth prints of four children all over my windows. Boots are ready to be put on little feet wearing at least 2 pairs of socks...gloves, hats and mittens are waiting by the door...the excitement around this place over the mere idea of building a snowman is so thick that you could cut it with a knife.

Sadly, you have to have snow in order to construct a snowman.
I need a hot cocoa.

Tissue Covers

This is a version of the Tissue Cover that you can find over at Skip to My Lou!

You'll need a 6 1/2 inch by 7 inch square of pre-quilted material and a serger. (I needed to make several of these so I cut out a paper template. That way, I could just lay it over my fabric and use my rotary cutter to cut around it...made the process SO much quicker!)


Then just serge all around the 4 sides, taking off about 1/4 inch from each.
Now find the short sides and fold them in to the center, overlapping the edges about 1/4 inch. With alot of pre-quilted fabrics, you'll have 2 different patterned sides...you'll want to fold so that the pattern you want to show on the outside of the cover is folded to the inside at this point. Now just sew along the two long sides, flip right side out, tuck in a pocket sized packet of tissues and there you go!

I made 30 of these in less than an hour! (But I had a little help from a certain second grader who needs these for his class.)

Made by You Mondays

Cindy over at Skip to My Lou is hosting a "Made by You Monday"! She has a fantastic blog that's full of fun creative ideas, like her fabulous crayon roll tutorial! I cannot even begin to tell you how many crayon rolls I have given away as gifts and all of the kiddos adore them. They are perfect for when you need a "quiet toy" like in church, on an airplane, etc! As an added bonus, they roll up to be really small and can be tucked inside a purse or diaperbag. They can easily be made during naptime (or less than an hour) and are a great way to use up some fabric and trim scraps. I added a monogrammed name to this one for my niece just so it would be a personalized gift. You know you gave the perfect gift when the little recipient jumps up and down and squeals!
Thanks for all of the great ideas Cindy!