I just think these shirts are the cutest thing. I am loving my new machine — and I love having a little girl who enjoys all the fun mom-made stuff.

The rest of my sewing time was spend cutting for Brother’s quilt. I hate cutting more than anything else, so I try to cut it all before I sit down to sew. Hopefully the blocks will come together quickly and I will have a nice finish for next week.

Be sure to head over to Amy’s to see what others have been up to this week! I’m sure they have been sewing.

Sister chose to celebrate her birthday with friends at Build-a-Bear Workshop. It was a fun party. For the big day, I made sister a fun Birthday Girl outfit — it has kind-of become a birthday tradition. You can see past birthday outfits here.

This year’s was a quick sew. First I used my new embroidery machine to decorate a shirt I bought. Then I made some matching pull-on pants. Sister liked them because they fit like pajama pants. Super cute — and super easy.

Evidently, 11 is too big to dress special for your birthday. Brother opted to celebrate with the family at Benihana. It was really good food, and a lot of fun.

I love my kids! They are a joy to be around. I just cannot believe how quickly they are growing up!

I love celebrating babies!

These 2 little girls are GREAT blessings to some parents who experienced the heartbreak of a miscarriage before experiencing the joy of a child. Unfortunately, I know that pain, too. So, it was with extra prayers of thanksgiving and praise that I stitched up these self-binding baby blankets. I followed this tutorial at Pink Suede Shoes. It is a great tutorial and an easy project. I just love how these simple blankets look when they are complete — and look at the beautiful corners.

I know that these 2 little girls are a joy to their families. I hope these blankets will be, too.

I’m linking up:    

Happy Birthday to you!

2 weeks old

Happy Birthday to you!

1st Birthday

Happy Birthday, Sweet Sister!

2nd Birthday

Happy Birthday to you!

3rd Birthday

… And many more!

4th Birthday

We love you so much! You are such a gift to our family.

Fifth Birthday

Well, not much sewing going on around here this past week. I’m still playing catch-up from the Christmas break, clean-up, extra laundry, etc.

Completed: nothing

In Progress: I have gotten started on 2 baby blankets. These are the softest flannel. I think they will come together nicely.

I do have to say, the hardest part has been squaring up the flannel. I’ve decided to just sew the things together tonight and hope for the best. I love the curly monogram. Hopefully I’ll have a finish by the end of the day week.

Neglected: My other projects have gone neglected this week.

• I still need to piece the back of sister’s quilt and get it sent off.
• I haven’t even cut into Brother’s beautiful fabrics.

Click on over to Lee’s to see the sewers who have been more “on-the-ball” this week.

In my usual fashion, I had great plans for sewing Christmas presents. I was good and started early, but still pushed every project up until the very.last.minute! First on my agenda was American Girl doll clothes. Since Sister got her first doll for her birthday, I decided to make some outfits for her doll and for my niece’s doll. Then when I mentioned my plan to a friend, she asked me to sew some doll  clothes for her girls, too. In the end, I made each little doll 3 outfits – in total, that was 8 tops, 4 pants, 4 skirts, and 4 dresses.

I actually liked sewing in multiples. I think I tricked myself into thinking that it went faster – kind of like a little assembly line. I started in September and finished the week before Christmas. No, it wasn’t that hard. Can anyone say P.R.O.C.R.A.S.T.I.N.A.T.I.O.N?

The next 3 projects I whipped together in a day. Yes, that is what deadlines will do to you. Another friend asked me to sew up some aprons for her kiddos to wear in the kitchen. Honestly, the hardest part of this project was finding fire truck fabric. Seriously, I couldn’t find ANY in town. I finally found a cute fabric in my stash. I was so thankful that brother once had a crazy big love for firetrucks!!

I personalized the front of each apron, and then had the cute theme fabric on the back. To fancy up the little girl apron, I added a ruffle to the bottom. We also thought that she only needed her name — since she is a bit older than the boys.

I really love them — and my friend did, too.

I’m linking up with Amy Lou Who today. Click over there to see some other great finishes!

I came across Lee’s blog over the Christmas break. I love her weekly link-up for people to share their project progress. I need/want this kind of accountability, so I’m jumping in.

Completed:
Nothing this week, although I need to post some pictures of all the projects I did for Christmas presents.

In Progress:
Last August, I finished the top for sister’s quilt.

This is the project that keeps going on and on. I’ve blogged some progress here and here. I need to piece the back, finish the label, and decide about quilting. (I’m thinking of sending it off – but I’ve never done that before.)

In the Plan:
I have these beauties lined up for my next project.

Brother has requested a new quilt – “one less baby-ish.” His favorite color is orange, so we’ve added some gray (or is it grey?) and blue. I’ll be using the Bizzy Kid pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew.

I also have some baby gifts that I need to get done. I’m going to try the self-binding receiving blankets. Since Hancock’s has flannel on sale this week, I hope to get 3 done this week.

What are you working on? Stop over at Freshly Pieced and link up!

2012

I’m so excited for this new year! 2011 was beyond difficult. I’m glad to close that door and move forward.

I’ve been on a break – taking time to regroup and refocus. My life was unhealthy, unbalanced, and out-of-control. I was headed in too many directions. I have had to make some tough decisions. I’ve had to say no to some things and some people that I would have said yes to in the past. I’ve had to prioritize things in my life and schedule and learn what was truly important to me.

Now, I’m ready to come back. I’m ready to reconnect with friends in this bloggy world.

I have a new focus — sewing. Over the past few months, I’ve learned that I truly love the creative process and the end result. So, I hope to use my blog to share my projects, and to keep myself accountable to some sewing commitments. I need time at my sewing machine to clear my head and to push out the stresses of life. It is my “Me Time.” When I am creating, I am taking care of myself.

So – HI! I’m glad you are still around. I’ll be back tomorrow to share some Works in Progress.

A good lesson for the boys and the girls. <3