It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

So it's been looking like Christmas for a while now and it seems like it gets earlier every year. I've been excited though because I have been wanting to decorate for christmas since the day after Halloween.
Time sure is going fast lately. I can't believe it's been so long since my last blog but I do have to admit I haven't gotten much done because i'm so burnt out from school.


First update is this adorable little baby girl Emily Louise (my niece). She was born November 11 in the middle of the day and already she is trying to outdo her older sister. She was already rolling over on her side and pushing herself up while at the hospital.

So to get on to the latest project, I started making this tree skirt on Halloween night and I just finished it this past Friday. That took way too long for such an easy thing.

I never did get a chance to close it in the back with the covered buttons. That will just have to wait until next time.
This will be for sale in my Etsy shop.

Now that my family is extended I have to double up on my work for Christmas presents. I'm currently working on some things but I will have to wait to show them.

Belated Halloween post

I know it's kinda late to be showing Halloween things but I forgot to show my halloween decoration. I used my Manikin from cosmetology class and hung it upside down in the front withdow with a string of purple lights and a black light underneath to give it a scarrier effect.

Everyone in the class has been saying when we graduate we are going to tie these Manikins to the back of a car because we hate working on them, or I should say we hate the old outdated styles they force us to perfect.

Oh mother

When is it that we realize we are turning into our mothers and we're ok with it. I fought it for a long time but i'm not sure why. My mom is cool. She works at the office that my sister in-law, brother and I work at and I have to say she is doing a great job even though sometimes I think it's wierd and laugh at her.

Anyway to get to the point. A great thing about my mother is she always has great magazines that she gives me when she's done with them. Most recent and most favorite is the newest Mary Englebreit's Home companion. There are so many Christmas ideas I actually can't wait to start decorating. One of her friends gave me a bunch of antique bowls for a wedding present and this picture gave me a great use for some of them.

Another thing I have been trying to do for Christmas is make tree skirts. I went through a very tough time a few years ago trying to find the perfect one so as always I decided to just make one. I usually tie it in the back with a bow but now I think I will be closing it with covered buttons, thanks to this pic. from Home Companion.

I'm not sure if i'll get around to doing something like this but I absolutely love it. Yet another picture from Home Companion. I'm in desperate need of a new stocking. I'm still using my very first one that my Memere knit and it had an angel on it at one point but it's so bent out of shape now and missing a head you could never tell.

This was Halloween

I made this Strawberry Shortcake costume 2 years ago for Halloween. This was the first thing I had made since I was a little girl so it didn't turn out great. I thought I could go by the measurements on the pattern but it ended up being way to big so I had it pinned in on the sides. It took me so long to make because I was out of practice and not used to following patterns the I didn't have a chance to put strawberries on it. The hat was not part of the pattern that was my idea. The apron is made from eyelet lace fabric and I wore tulle slip under it to make it puff out.

Brothers pillows

I don't have much time for blogging lately but I wanted to show you a project my brother and I worked on. He really wanted me to make pillows for our mutual frinds couch so I suggested that he make them. I cut out the fabric and gave a little advice but he did the rest and did a great job.

They obviously don't match my couch I just needed a place for them to pose.

Catching up

I made this lovely book bag for myself about a month ago and i'm just now getting some time to blog about it. I started Cosmetology school about 5 weeks ago and I am loving it. Well everything but the schedule. I work from 8-4:30 then go to school from 6-10 4 days a week. I'm exhausted!
Back to the book bag that I obviously didn't have time to iron before I took the picture. I used a diaper bag pattern from the Mary Engelbreit book Sew So Cute. With some great non baby fabric.

It has a flap that goes over to close it.

Though very heavy all of my books fit inside. Contrasting fabric for the inside, main bag and flap. I made only 3 pockets lining one side of the bag.



I really like how the pattern did the strap. I also used more of that shower wall siding for the bottom to give it the stabilty it needs. Next time I think I should make the sides a little sturdier.

Roses and Watermelons

Oh yes another Frenchy Bag. You may have noticed a few subtle hints from my sister Melissa about wanting one of these lovely bags. Well she finally got one. I was actually able to finish it in about 1 day. I love this fabric, the colors reminded me of watermelons. The rose came from one of the rosebushes my husband planted in front of out house last year. It smells wonderful.

Inside. Yay polkadots!
It's her birthday today so I will dedicate my blog song to her. Plus I love her song!

Beach Wear

Thank you so much Becca for posting pictures on facebook of Brynna in the outfit I made her.
You may remember this Pinafore top I made for her birthday in July. I posted it in the
It’s my party blog. Doesn't she look adorable in it.

I'm so thankful I can make things for my family and they seem to appreciate it.

Happy birthday to me!

I was born in 1984 on this day in Burlingame California. This picture of my dad and I was taken probably the day I came home from the hospital.





A few months later I met my Pop who lived in Texas at the time. I miss him so much.




I'm the youngest of 5 (technically 6) children. My oldest sister was taken in by my parents but never adopted.



My first day of kindergarten was my birthday.

My mom used to make a lot of my dresses. This is one of them and I think she still has many of them in her closet still.

I didn't get my first haircut until I was 12.

This was taken on my honeymoon at Niagra Falls. I got my hair cut for locks of love a year ago in August. I love it short now.

Reason for this song. It was the number one song the day I was born.

Becca's Birthday Bag

I made this Miranda Day bag for my new sister in law for her birthday. It's the Miranda day bag pattern but I changed it a little with ideas from my mom's quilting group. This is so easy and fun to make, there are no pattern peices just measure and cut which is my favorite way to sew.

This is the closure in the front. Daisy's are my favorite flower.


The back side of the bag showing off the really cool handles.






The inside of the bag. You can see some of this fabric along the outside upper edge of the bag. You can use a different fabric for the pockets which go all around the inside but I chose not to. To make the bottom sturdy I got a large piece of fiberglass wall panneling (usually used in shower walls). I got it cut down to a smaller piece at Lowes and then my dad cut out pieces sized to fit the bottom of these style purses. And covered it with a sleeve of the same fabric to match. The pattern says to use a piece of cardboard but if your like me and always carry a book in your purse cardboard just isn't going to hold.

Did you happen to notice what it's hanging on? This is just another favorite part of my sewing room that my brother helped me remodel. (Full pictures to come soon).
They are coat hooks from Target. The back board is Espresso finished and the knobs (my favorite) are glass with an Amber color.
Thanks for visiting!

Shower the People you love with love

The mommy to be is my sister in law Missy (I mentioned her in my last post). She has been a part of the family for over 10 years and I consider her a true sister. I threw her a baby shower at work on Thursday and it was supposed to be a surprise but one of the doctors sent her upstairs when they weren't supposed to (oh well).
She is 6 and a half months and compared to her last pregnancy she is huge.

I made the cupcakes and got the decorations. These are homemade cupcakes with pink Buttercream frosting and pink sanding sugar. I had some trouble decorating because I think I had the wrong tip so a little twist of the wrist and all fixed.

Lots of diapers and lotions.

Another Frenchy bag

I just finished another Frenchy bag for my sister in law's mother for her birthday. She got to pick out her own fabric with a little guidance from me. I wasn't sure about the blue on top at first but now that it's done I love it.
The pillow it's sitting next to is something I made a few months ago that is helping decorate my new sewing room that my brother helped me put together. I will have to do a post on that once I get it finished.
And a Lovely song in French to accompany this post.

Put a ring on it

While putting away some of my wedding things I remembered I haven't shown you one of my own creations for my wedding. I had such a hard time finding a ring bearer pillow. I wanted something simple yet pretty in Ivory. All I could find were either Ivory with gold fixings or white with crazy amounts of lace and frill and all for a very hefty price. I decided to make my own. I got simple ivory silk fabric from Joanns and I was going to do my own beading design but I found this beautiful applique and added a pretty silver button for the center. The ribbon was what we used to close the favor bags. It came from JKM ribbons and trims (aunt Marsha's idea). Making my own ring bearer pillow was such a better and cheaper option.
You can find a really cute video of this song at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CU2JhYM8tY

It's my party

My neice Brynna and her sister just celebrated their 1st and 3rd birthday together this past weekend. I had a pattern sitting around with this adorable beach fabric for it and I finally had an opportunity to use it since my other neice is getting a little too big for this style.

It is a pinafore top that crosses in the back. I used extra large rick-rac for the border and fish buttons. I think this will make great beach wear and that is one of Brynna's favorite places. I also made bloomers to go with it.

The fish buttons are made out of polymer clay and since that is something I am very familiar with I might just be attempting to make my own buttons as my next project.

I hope to have a picture of Brynna in her new outfit soon.

Better Together

I have finally found the time to start posting thing on my blog again. If you can't tell this is my new husband Jake and myself on May 30, 2009.

This is the amazing purse that my aunt marsha made me. (Yes I did notice the little charm.) Thanks Marsha!

These are some of the many favors that Marsha also made. I told you she was a busy bee.

Something Blue

As some of you may know my wedding is coming up a week from today. My 2 aunts have been very busy little bees. My aunt Marsha is making all of my favors and i'm sure she will post them on her blog at cutestuffinside.blogspot.com. My aunt Roxanne has been busy making this beautiful garter for me. She knitted this up in just a few short weeks and I love it. Thanks for all your help.

A place to rest your head

I managed to save a large flower from the fabric I used on my frind Meredith's apron. I think it makes a fun pillow.

St.Patty's Frenchy bag

My newest project. The same Frenchy bag I have been making with brown, green, and turquoise fabric. I kept this one for myself. Reminds me of the Irish.

Happy Birthday to ya!

Boston Cream pie cupcakes made specially for my friend Kelly(fsdropout.blogspot.com). Drop by and say happy birthday!

These cupcakes are made with white cake with vanilla pudding mixed with cool whip inside and a chocolate sauce on top. Yummy!

I got the recipe from kraft foods. This is the second time I have made them and so far a big hit. Only problem, they have to be refridgerated.

Happy birthday Kelly.

Girls best friend

Check out what i've been busy with. These are my newest style ring and favirorite so far. I also made a matching pair of earrings. The ring above is made with Amethyst and Light Amethyst Swarovsky crystals. Perfect for a February birthday!


This ring to the left is another of the first style ring. It is made with green and clear crystals. This one is going to be great for St. Patricks day!
This ring with the red and black reminds me of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland. It has a Garnet ball in the center with Garnet rondelles, black, and clear crystals.

All of the above items are for sale at etsy.com. My seller name is birtyboutique0i0.