Mother's Day Tutorial....sort of!

Picnic-Tastic Lunch Mats

Finished the rest of the Leong Mothers Day gifts! Two more sets of picnic place mats using Sandi Henderson (old skool) fabric! I made these double sided.



Wanna make these! So easy!

Cut out place mat 22" wide by 16" tall (cut 4)
Cut pocket 7" wide x 4" tall (cut 4)
Cut napkin holder 2" wide x 4" tall (cut 4)


To make the place mats, fold the fabric over (right sides together). Your fabric should measure 16" wide x 11" tall. Sew together leaving an opening for turning. Turn mat right side out and use a chopstick to push out the edges. IRON, IRON and IRON some more. I used starch and the chopstick to make nice, crisp edges.

Top stitch around all four sides of the mat (this will close up the hole).


For the pocket, take the top edge...fold it down 1/4 inch...then another 1/4 inch. Press and top stitch. For the flatware holder take your 2x4" fabric. Fold it in half. Open again and fold both sides into the middle..then fold again. Iron and top stitch on both sides.

Put your flatware holder on top of the pocket piece and baste in place. Then take the three raw edges (with the newly attached flatware holder) and fold back 1/2 inch and iron (on the backside). Top stitch pocket to place mat. (does this part make any sense at all)?

And you have some fun place mats....so go on a picnic and enjoy!!


I have the cutest little helpers!!

Well, those were really not the best instructions...not really a tutorial, but it isn't my original work so I just wanted to pass the info along (mostly for Darcy!) Hope it wasn't too confusing!

Mother's Day Preview

I'm not always the best at getting gifts out to family...but I really want to honor all of the mothers in my family!

About 2 summers ago, Robert's family started picnic in the park. It has become a little tradition. Everyone cooks something yummy and meets at the Chardonnay Hills park. So I decided to make a set of picnic place mats for Robert's sisters and mom. No more eating on those yucky picnic tables!! Here is a set that I made for one of his sisters. I still have two left to make...but I'm getting there!



I love this Tina Givens fabric. I wish I had some of the coordinates..but since I don't this was a perfect project!


The best part of the place mats...a cute little pocket to keep your napkin from flying away and a little spot for your flatware.

Tutorial was from "One Yard Wonders". So many fun ideas in that book!

Mix n Match

I love how these outfits finally came out.

I started with the Madealine Apron Knot Dress found HERE.

Cute...but I think it loses something when you put a store bought top underneath!

So I added a peasant top and ruffle pants to complete the look.

Here is one of the outfits without the knot dress

Side view...I just love these cuddly girls!
I used this tutorial for the birthday crowns.

The fabric I used was from Patty Young's Flora & Fauna Collection. I just love the bright colors!

ps. I HEART my serger! Rolled hems make sewing so much faster!

poor procrastinator

Boo hoo....woe is me...this is my sob story

I waited until 2 weeks before Christmas to make all of the many handmade Christmas gifts on my list.

My home fell apart {not literally but I have resigned to not answering the door for fear of my visiting teachers surprising me with a visit}

I gave myself a deadline. No more sewing after Friday, December 18th! {Robert has since said that next time I give myself a deadline it must come with a time as well}

So I stayed up all Friday night...because in my mind Saturday didn't start until I went to sleep. I had dreams of making adorable backpacks for my fun twin girls. It was the last thing on my list and I was determined not to sleep until I had both backpacks ready to wrap.

I finished the first of the two packpacks at 4am on Saturday morning. It turned out horrible. I was crushed. I decided to throw it away. Robert convinced me to keep it but I was bummed out. I think it may have been the major lack of sleep more than anything because not I don't think this backpack turned out HORRIBLE. It isn't good...but that is what I get for procrastinating.

It had such potential too...

I loved the fabric...Andalucia by Patty Young

Mistake #1: I used interfacing for everything...but I ran out for the zipper straps. I thought it would be fine. It was not. I think this would have been easier if I skipped the interfacing and used medium to heavy weight fabric instead of quilters cotton.



Back view...not horrible

Yikes...here is where it got ugly. I don't know if the measurements were off or if I did something wrong. But the loop {the zipper + sides + bottom} seamed too big when sewed onto the front and back. I'm pretty sure I did something wrong because I think I didn't sew them together in the right order. I was so tired and not thinking straight.

Ahh well...I was resigned never to sew again. But after a good nights sleep and a 3 hour nap today i think that I am ready to try this out again {maybe in January}

a peak into santa's workshop

Just call me Santa.

Actually call me an elf. They are the ones that do all the slave labor right?

Since I am the slowest sewer in the world...I've been working long and hard on Christmas presents for my girls. I still have many more to go but I'm on a deadline and it is coming up very soon! Here is what I've done so far...

{glasses case for my grandma}

glasses pictured are not included *tutorial here*

{hair styling apron for brielle}


{vintage nightgown for brielle and her baby}

i did not make the backpack

{baking set for kylie}





just have to finish a can of *sprinkles*

{coordinating set for peyton}

i still have to finish the *cookie sheet and cinnamon rolls and frosting*

{christmas twirly skirt for brielle}

*tutorial here*

left on my list...
*twirly skirts for kylie and peyton*
*skirt for my sister breanna*
*backpacks for kylie and peyton*
*felt nativity*

Just a Wannabe

I am a self proclaimed copy cat. And when I saw Bakerella make these adorable reindeers...I just had to copy. Robert's work party is today and he is taking all of my little reindeer friends to share.

Aren't they cute? I had so much fun making them...too bad I stayed up all night! At least I had Julie & Julia to keep me company...cute movie!

Christmas Cheer

Not that I don't have a million Christmas presents to finish sewing...but I thought I would take a break to make this fun wreath. I raided our thrift store and bought all their glass ornaments! I used this tutorial for guidance. Super easy and fun.

I love how it adds a little CHEER to our otherwise bare wall