Matching Sallys for Cousins {April Goal Complete}

Whew! Getting this post up on the last day of April... I finished the dresses earlier this week and now the gift is wrapped and ready for giving tomorrow. Woohoo! I was busy making other projects off and on, which is why these didn't get finished until the very last minute :)

This was my first time sewing the Sally Dress pattern from Very Shannon. The one above is for my newly adopted niece. She's being baptized tomorrow so it seemed like a good time to finally present her with a token of love for being adopted into my sister-in-law's family. We love her so much and we are so thankful that God has brought her into our lives!!

I made a size 4T for Kae and a 3T for E... They are 6 months apart in age and very similar sized, although K is a bit taller. I'm just crossing my fingers that Kae's dress will fit her at some point :)

I used a very thin pin-dot chambray from Raspberry Creek Fabrics on Etsy, and the floral came from the local fabric store. It's a Free Spirit voile (I'll post the actual name of the fabric in the post with pictures of E wearing it - I can't find it online right now). Both fabrics, especially the floral, have a bit of sheer-ness to them, so I did make some knit shorties to wear underneath them as well. I also figured that 3 year olds will be running and jumping in them, so the extra coverage underneath will be nice ;)

April Goal! {No Pictures}

Another boring goal post for another month. Sorry for the lack of pictures, but I figured it's just not worth the time to take a simple picture of two little dresses that haven't been sewn up yet :)

Yup, my April goal is to make two dresses... one for E and a coordinating one for her cousin Kae. Kae's is a gift for her official adoption which happened two months ago - eek! We'll give it to her at her baptism the first Sunday in May. Perfect goal for April!

The dresses are cut out and they've had a few lines stitched... it's the Sally Dress by Very Shannon. I've always wanted to try this pattern, so I'm excited to finally be doing it!



PS: Happy 3rd Birthday, E! :)

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WIP (works in progress) List

• Summer Clothes for E, JT and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew) - up next is the birthday dress (birthday dress didn't happen! The Sally Dress is a good alternative)
• Onesies!  - done!!! Just need to make matching skirts!
• Baby Bag... waiting on Mom to work on the name appliqué, but I suppose I should be picking out fabric so I'm ready to go when she finishes

UFO (unfinished objects) List

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 5 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding 
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc
• A new table runner from a mini charm pack won from a giveaway recently

March Goal {Sorry, no picture this time!}

I had a hard time making a goal for this month. It seems that nothing is very pressing at the moment, although I still have a lot on my "want-to-sew-right-now" list. I also have several photo books to create (I use Snapfish), and now that James is getting older and the weather is getting warmer, I've really been having a painting itch... I have several crafty projects that I want to work on this spring and summer. Sigh. There is always more to do... I love my creative side, but sometimes I get overwhelmed with EVERYTHING that I want to work on (especially when the baby hasn't been napping well...).


With all that said, I think I want to finish the onesies that I currently have cut out. While none of the babies are due this month, it will make me feel better when I have these done and ready to go - less to do later when I may have more on my plate!

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WIP (works in progress) List

• Several dresses/tops/etc for E and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew) - up next is the birthday dress and then on to summer clothing!
• Onesies! 
• Baby Bag... waiting on Mom to work on the name appliqué, but I suppose I should be picking out fabric so I'm ready to go when she finishes

UFO (unfinished objects) List

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 5 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding 
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc
• A new table runner from a mini charm pack won from a giveaway recently

February Goal

A friend is having a baby this month... time for another baby quilt!

While I have several tops all made up, I wanted a special I-Spy quilt for this baby. I like the idea that the quilt can help entertain the toddler big brother a little during nursing and rocking sessions :)

My goal is to finish this by the end of the month! I also hope to have one onesie made to send with it... wish me luck!

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WIP (works in progress) List

• Pattern Testing a Dress for E 
• Several dresses/tops/etc for E and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew) - up next are the birthday and Easter dresses, but I have a bit of time before they are needed :)
• Baby Quilt for a friend ~ the top is finished, now to baste, quilt and bind
• Baste a baby quilt for another friend... then quilt and bind
• Onesies! 

UFO (unfinished objects) List

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding - will need 2 done in February (see above)
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc
  
  

January Goal Post {End of the Month}

My January Goal was to make 3 Hope Dresses for Violette Field Threads' Give Hope Campaign that they hosted during the month of January. 

Time ran short, however, since a few other sewing gift projects popped up, so I only finished one Hope dress. This fabric is from my mother-in-law when she downgraded her stash several years ago. It came in handy - don't the fabrics make such a sweet size 4 dress?

The pattern itself is very easy to follow, and yet this dress takes up a lot of fabric... and because it's reversible the hemline takes a little extra work than I usually enjoy putting into dresses (I can be quite lazy when it comes to tedious steps like ironing hems and such!).

I love being able to use my sewing skills to help out wonderful causes. This dress has already arrived to the VFT headquarters where it will wait with the other donations before being shipped to the Casa Guatemala orphanage. I hope that the little girl who receives this dress enjoys it!

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WIP (works in progress) List

• Pattern Testing a Skirt for E ~ Finished
• 3 Hope Dresses for donation ~ Only 1 done... the other 2 scrapped
• Several dresses/tops/etc for E and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew) - namely a Valentine's Dress ~ VDay dress is done!
• Baby Quilt for a friend ~ fabrics chosen, need to iron and then sew ~ layout chosen, now to sew the squares together
• Baste a baby quilt for another friend... then quilt and bind
• Onesies! I have fabric chosen and the pattern pieces ready to cut out... I'm so excited about this one! ~ 1 done... many more to go!

UFO (unfinished objects) List

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding - will need 2 done by February (see above)
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc

My Own January Goal

Even though there isn't an official "A Lovely Year of Finishes," this year, I still hope to make and keep a monthly goal. Mostly, it helps me focus on what needs to be done, and it is a great way to keep track of my WIP and UFO lists!

 So, along with several other projects, I hope to sew up 3 "Hope" dresses to donate to Violette Field Threads' Give Hope Campaign for a Guatemalan orphanage. You can find more information here :)

I already have the dress pieces cut out, but I need to cut out the ruffles and then sew, sew, sew!

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WIP (works in progress) List

• Pattern Testing a Skirt for E :)
• 3 Hope Dresses for donation
• Several dresses/tops/etc for E and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew) - namely a Valentine's Dress
• Baby Quilt for a friend... fabrics chosen, need to iron and then sew
• Baste a baby quilt for another friend... then quilt and bind
• Onesies! I have fabric chosen and the pattern pieces ready to cut out... I'm so excited about this one!

UFO (unfinished objects) List

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding - will need 2 done by February (see above)
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc

Binding, Binding, Binding {December Goal}

December Goal: Finish attaching the binding on my Christmas lap quilt.

I'm pretty nervous about finishing this one... I really want to get it done before Christmas, but there is a lot of other things on my to-do list during this season! Hoping for a lot of quiet car trips (so I don't have to hold a pacifier in my son's mouth) that I am able to bind while the husband drives!

JT's Stocking {ALYOF November Goal Complete}

Shortly after our wedding, I started working on crocheting our Christmas stockings. Then, when I was pregnant with E, I made one for her. Now, it was time to make JT's stocking. 

I've used the same pattern for all of them (link) that I found through Pinterest and I bought enough yarn from JoAnns at the beginning to make all of them.

I look forward to having all four stockings hanging together this Christmas season! I only have a few more days to wait until I can decorate :)

Goal Post here...

Number 33 in the goal linky...

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WIP (works in progress) List

• Christmas lap quilt (finish binding)
• Several dresses/tops/etc for E and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew)

UFO (unfinished objects) List

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding - will need 2 done by February
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc

One More Christmas Stocking {ALYOF - November Goal}

Over a year ago, I posted this picture as an announcement of my pregnancy. I had started James' stocking to match the rest of the ours, but I had barely gotten past the centers of the 12 granny squares needed to create one stocking. I finally started working on it again last month and have finished the 12 granny squares, but now I need to put them together! 

November Goal: Finish James' Christmas stocking!

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WIP (works in progress) List

• Christmas lap quilt (finish binding)
• Several dresses/tops/etc for E and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew)
• SDSU hats for Christmas gifts (6 cut out, a few started, still need to cut a few more)
• Finish crocheting James' Christmas Stocking

UFO (unfinished objects) List

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding - will need 2 done by February
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc

A New Zealand Bag {October ALYOF Goal}

October Goal: Finish the bag for Baby Z

After being in New Zealand for 2 years, my sister-in-law and her husband (and almost 4 month old cutie) are on their way back! Knowing that they'd be coming home 4 months after Little Z was born, we haven't given them their baby gifts yet... their Monikered Baby Bag needs to be finished this coming weekend, so it is ready by the time they fly in on the airplane! 

We are so excited to welcome them home!

WIP (works in progress) List

• 1 Monikered Baby Bag (fabric chosen, cut and interfaced... waiting on Mom for the name appliqué... then need to sew it)
• Christmas lap quilt (finish binding)
• E's Halloween Costume (dress/bloomers finished... just need to finish two bows/ears)
• Several dresses/tops/etc for E and me (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew)
• SDSU hats for Christmas gifts (6 cut out, a few started... need to buy more fleece!)

UFO (unfinished objects) List...

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding - will need 2 done by February
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc

WIP and ALYOF {September Goal}

I had a couple of yards of this yellow knit that I purchased at Hancock Fabric in Rapid City when I was in the Hills for a wedding last summer. I bought more than I had planned because it was nearing the end of the bolt so I just bought the remnant as well. I always figured I'd make a top or a dress for E, and maybe even for her cousins. Instead, I've decided on making E and her two cousins matching pajamas. It will be perfect for when they're all at Grandpa/Grandma's farm this fall and winter.

Pattern: EYMM Riley Nightgown
Fabric: Yellow Jersey knit from Hancock. Pink and purple accents from my stash - no idea when/where I purchased :)

Official Goal: Finish sewing three nightgowns!

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Finally, an updated WIP and UFO list :)

WIP (works in progress) List

• 1 Monikered Baby Bag (fabric chosen, cut and interfaced... waiting on Mom for the name appliqué... then need to sew it)
• 3 nightgowns (fabric cut - just need to sew it)
• Christmas lap quilt (quilting done... need to attach and finish binding)
• E's Halloween Costume (fabric and pattern chosen... need to cut and sew)
• Several dresses/tops/etc for E (patterns and fabric chosen... need to cut and sew)

UFO (unfinished objects) List...

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding - will need 2 done by February
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc

August Goal {ALYOF}

Another new-mommy friend is coming to visit... another Monikered Baby Bag needs to be finished!

August Goal: To finish the bag for Leah :)

July Goal {ALYOF}

July Goal: To Finish the Monikered Baby Bag for Baby Burke

I'll be seeing his mom at the end of the month, so I hope to be able to give it to her then... instead of shipping it to the PNW!

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WIP (works in progress) List

• 1 tiered skirt for E ... preparing for family pictures this fall (fabric chosen and ready to be cut)
• 1 Manhattan tops for E (I cut out the pieces before JT arrived)
• 4 Monikered Baby Bags (fabric chosen and all but one of the names embroidered... need to cut and sew the actual bags now) 
• A tote bag needing straps

UFO (unfinished objects) List...

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 1 lap quilt needing quilting then binding 
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc

June Goal {ALYOF}

Let's keep this simple, shall we?

My goal for June is to make a sundress for E with this fabric and bias tape...

It should only need one seam plus attaching the straps, and yet such a simple dress will be a welcome addition to her closet. We'll be potty training soon, so she'll be wearing sundresses and skirts quite a bit outside without a diaper. Should be fun ;)

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WIP (works in progress) List

• 1 easy sundress for E (current post)
• 1 Manhattan top for E (I cut out the pieces before JT arrived)
• 4 Monikered Baby Bags (fabric chosen and names embroidered... need to cut and sew the actual bags now)
• A tote bag needing straps

UFO (unfinished objects) List...

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 1 lap quilt needing quilting then binding 
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding
• A pile of Christmas half-square triangles that need to be trimmed and then organized into a table runner/table topper/pillow/etc 

WIP: A Pillow for E {April ALYOF Goal}

Sorry for the poor lighting! I put together this block from scraps from the birthday dress that I made for E (her birthday is this month!) The colors match her bedroom really well, so I just had to use the scraps to make a scrappy pillow! 

My goal is to add an outer border, do a little quilting and then sew an envelope backing before throwing it on E's already full bed. Should be fun!

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Current WIP List...

• 1 pillow top needing a border then quilting and then needing a back (current post)

Current UFO List...

• Twin size quilt top needing a border then quilting and binding
• A quilt top from my grandma needing quilting and binding
• 1 lap quilt needing quilting then binding 
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding 

WIP Wednesday {ALYOF: March Goal}

March ALYOF Goal: Finish hand-sewing the binding to the back of these four baby quilts. 

Two of these baby quilts are reserved for March due-dates, while another is reserved for an April baby. The last one will just hang out in my "gift box" until just the right little lady arrives! I better get started though... it's a binding party type of month!

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Current WIP List...

• 4 baby quilts needing binding (current goal)
• 1 lap quilt needing quilting then binding (on the back burner)
• 6 baby quilt tops needing quilting and binding (on the back burner)
• 1 pillow top needing a border then quilting and then needing a back (on the back burner)

Goodness, I don't remember the last time that WIP list was so short! 

Sure, my to-sew list is still quite long, but at least most of the items on that list haven't been started, so they don't belong on the WIP list... yet ;)

WIP Wednesday and February Goal {ALYOF}

ALYOF February Goal: Finish two Easter/Spring dresses for E! I have a little bit of a start on them, but I still have quite a bit to do on them. The scraps from sewing the patchwork skirt are to be made into a pillow cover and a purse. That fabric was recently won in a giveaway, and I found matching fabrics for the bodice, sash and skirt band. The other dress is from stash fabrics. Both patterns are free from The Cottage Mama. 

Then, there are these... 9 baby quilt tops that I finished last month. Four are spoken for as I have several friends who are expecting. The others will be kept on hand for future friends' babies. With our #2 on his way, I know I won't have as much (if any) sewing time and I want to be somewhat prepared!

Do I even dare mention these? Two baby quilts ready to be quilted. One for our Gus-Gus and one to keep on hand! These need to be quilted before I can baste the four quilts needing to be done, as I don't have enough safety pins for all these quilts I need to work on!

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So, I've updated the WIP list that I started last December... lots of fun still to be had :)

(a list that does not include projects that have fabric pulled but haven't been cut into yet!)

1 baby quilt needing binding

2 baby quilts needing quilting then binding

1 lap quilt needing quilting then binding

9 baby quilt tops needing backs (then quilting and binding)

2 cotton Easter/Spring for E that are part-way done (and one matching "purse")

2 knit dresses for E that have been cut but need some sewing done(!)

1 pillow top ready for quilting and then needing a back

January Goal Post {ALYOF}

It's another year for "A Lovely Year of Finishes!"

This is a wonderful way to set one goal at the beginning of the month and to stay motivated to finish it by the end of the month. I'm sure I won't be able to participate every month during 2015, but I may as well start and see how it goes as the year goes by :)

January goal: I have two "Monikered Baby Bags" to complete! 

While my mother makes these as baby gifts, the way things are going around here, I think I'll start calling them first-year-birthday bags :) A lot of moms have their preferred baby bags anyway. I use E's as her toddler bag as it's easy for her to add toys to before leaving and to dig for toys at our destination. My brother's sons use them as church activity bags. They are even wonderful for library bags! So, I'm OK with them getting finished long after baby is born... as long as they get done... preferably by the first birthday, ha! So.... let's get these two done before I really have to get busy on some more baby quilts :)

Dec Goal Complete {ALYOF}

My December goal was to finish the binding on this baby quilt. I started working on this goal yesterday during E's nap, and then finished it after she went to bed. Yay for quick goals during busy, busy months!

Goal Post Here

Number 49 on the ALYOF Goal Linky

I think the favorite part of the quilting process for E is when I'm done and it's through the wash and it's time for me to clip threads. She then decides that the quilt becomes the perfect dance floor! 

Twirl, Twirl, Twirl.

This quilt is set for donating... along with two other scrappy baby quilts and some school supplies I picked up this fall. School supplies bought in the fall rarely last throughout the school year - especially pencils! So, I hope these help some students start the new year off with the right foot! The quilts will arrive in perfect time for a few more months of cold-cold-cold winter weather... brrr!

Bindings and Pop-Eye

This is my last of three donation baby quilts made with some of my scrap fabrics. My ALYOF December goal is to finish hand-sew the binding to the back. 

I hope to get them mailed in the New Year with some school supplies... kids don't just need school supplies in the fall! As a former teacher, I remember my students always needing new pencils and borrowing paper from their peers (or me!).

 

 I showed you this Popeye Skater Dress for E in a previous post, but I figured it would be too big for her to try on. Well, it's not! It fits just right over a black turtleneck. Don't mind her zebra leggings... her black ones were in the dirty clothes basket. She gets so excited when I pull down a dress and ask her if she wants to wear it that day. She loves dressing up!

As you can see our Christmas tree is up... E loves naming the different ornaments ("ball" and "star") and jingling the bells. She should be quite entertaining around all the decorations and presents this year!