Just For Me

One of the things that I really dislike about my kitchen is the huge window at countertop level right behind my sink. It is set back and almost every time the sink gets used something splatters on the window or the counter and I can't reach it to clean it - unless I get a stool.

My custom made piece from TheShabbyChicCottage doesn't really solve the problem, but it makes me much happier just to see it!

She makes votive and tealight holders in her shop, and I was so excited when she agreed to make this bottle holder for me!

I love it!
(The flowers are called Eryngium if you're interested.)

She has so many other fabulous things in her shop, you have to check her out!

Mosaic Fun

Our family is doing something a bit different this year - we are having summer camp at my mom's house!

My oldest is working on a firebreathing dragon.
The middle one is making Sonic the Hedgehog (apparently a video game character!).

Even the little one is getting in on the fun - I cut up paper squares and she made a combination maraca/tambourine.

My mom is making this for a friend - I love the outline colors!

I didn't think I could concentrate on an actual design, so I am "filling in the spaces" on this tray I found.

I think I could easily want to begin to mosaic everything - it takes a long time, but it's so fun!

Something New

I just finished these plaques/organizers today!

Perfect for a beach house, pool house, or mud room!

In my shop now!

Independence Day Dress

At the last minute, my little one decided that she "needed" a new dress for our Fourth of July parade. Since the parade is a day early this year, that didn't leave me much time.
Fortunately, I save almost everything and I still had this (my favorite western skirt that doesn't fit anymore) in my closet.

I used another dress to estimate how long it needed to be, cut off the waist, and removed two of the ruffles. I used a pattern I have for a peasant top to cut out the shape for the neck and the sleeves. I was a bit worried because the skirt was wider than my pattern, but I like it even better than the dresses I usually make from the pattern and it doesn't look too bulky at all.

I made a waist by adding elastic above the ruffles. (I made a casing with seam binding on the back side of the fabric.)

I also gathered the neckline. The sleeves were a bit shorter than the sleeve pattern because I cut them from one of the ruffles. Instead of gathering the bottom of the sleeves like I usually do, I left them as flutter sleeves and really like them with the style of the dress.

The pattern I used is Simplicity 4206. I always cut the neckline lower about 2 inches because, at least on my child, it always ends up being too high otherwise.

Denim Crocheted Doily Dress

I have had this idea (and the dress!) for months, and finally had time to lay everything out and start sewing. I found these pretty colored doilies on Etsy.

I layered the doilies in different sizes and colors and then pinned them where I wanted them to go.

I hand-stitched each one all around the edges and within the doily, too, to hopefully prevent fraying and catching on things. (I definitely plan on handwashing.)

I used an off-white thread on each one (tiny stitches) so I didn't have to come up with so many different colors of thread and the stitches don't even show.

I love how the edges of the doilies are free to move. My little one has already gotten several compliments!

One of my Chandeliers is Finally Up

I have been holding on to this chandelier for five years ever since we moved from our previous home. Of course I couldn't take the house with me, but I just couldn't leave the sea horse knobs in the bath or this sweet chandelier from the dining room. It was always too small for the room, but I just loved it!

Of course it really needed rewiring and major cleaning! It always seems so easy to take it all apart and then put it back together, but it never is! I was smart this time, though, and took photos of every part that I unscrewed or moved.
And yes, I needed the photos!

The rewiring didn't take long at all since it's just a single bulb, but I must admit that cleaning and hanging the crystals took about an hour.

In the end, though, it's definitely worth it and makes cleaning the kitchen so much more pleasant!

Scottie Dog Birthday Part 2

I thought I would never get these photos posted! But finally here are the rest of the scottie dog birthday pictures!
A chocolate chip cookie cake (take 2 - the first one didn't come out of the pan, so I didn't even try with the 2nd one!)

Bunting - so everyone could find us at the park!

Scottie chalkboard tags to go with the chalk favors. Two coats of chalkboard paint and they seemed to work really well.

My oldest even drew some scotties for decorations around the tables! What a sweetie!