Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I heart Fall

It's starting to feel like fall...


I love fall...


Almost as much as I love gold...







This is as about as fallish as my house can get right now! These last few weeks have been quite boring in a caotic way. I can't explain it.







I've done some fall cleaning- all this was piled atop my refrigarator




The kids were out of school for October Break, the summation of our week??....BOREDOM! I just don't have the energy to run around with three kids anymore. Im too tired and fat and on top of that I had really bad "allergies" (so i thought) more on that later.

So chillin at home I got a little of this sweet guy....



But I mostly dealt with this guy...



I have a feeling the man baby can sense there is change a' comin, he's been so needy and clingy and whiney- he's really been testing my infinite patience.

It's always fun hanging out with this clown...





Even when his "clownliness" is totally misunderstood by us

(he thinks he's hilarious, I think he looks a little scary)


Niki, having flattered my buns off with her little post featuring my creations led to an overwhelming amount of newcomers looking at my blog. I REALLY want to start selling some things but I feel like once my nugget arrives, there will be no such thing as "free time"...however, I promise to set up something in due time- i just need to come up with a game plan!
Anywho, here is some stuff I've done recently...



Im obsessed with the mens shirt to jumper idea, Its so easy and looks awesome and its cheap! Heres another I did for Say. Here's a close up of the over-sized ruffled plaid pockets/pattern





It looks better with a white undershirt but it was dirty



It also looks better as just a dress or with leggings




Heres a jumper I did for Bella, who turned 1 a couple of weeks ago. I refashioned a womens button tee (smaller baby) so I got to work with some floral print! I paired it with an undershirt and gave her an old jacket of Says...I love it!




Here's the jumper all by its self




I threw some doilys on there for an extra "custom" look




Im working on making my shoes more symmetrical so Emrys getting them all!! I want to make him a hat that matches but I don't like any of the prints I have, I haven't found "the one" yet. I have an image of what I want his take-home outfit to be and these don't go with it...but they're still cute!







********
If you happen to be a fan of ANYTHING i've created and desire something for your own nugget and I by chance don't know you, please don't be afraid to comment and inquire further. It brings me absolute delight to make things for others!!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

PRAYERS NEEDED PASS IT ON!!

One of the greatest things about blogging is that you can reach a large of amount of people in a short amount of time.
My friends, this is needed now more than ever!!!
My truly amazing, gifted blogging buddy of Alexa Mae: It's a Love Story, she and her family, specifically 'Mr. C' are in desperate need of our prayers at this time as he is in critical condition in the ICU now.
Alex is such a great women, mother, wife--she would do anything for anyone. So please whether you know her or not, keep these truly wonderful people in your prayers and if you want to go the extra mile, post a little something on your blog, as to reach as many people as possible.
We've all seen the power of strengh in numbers...

Monday, September 28, 2009

Vintage lovin'

Seeing as how this whole "pregnancy" thing comes in waves, I am only one in a slew of friends who are currently knocked up...ere-go, many baby showers! I had the pleasure of challenging myself by channeling my creative side to come up with a gift for Niki and her little nug Evie...




here's the bundle



I made a hat for Emry (by the way, that's what we're naming nugget #4) and it was easier than I thought. I found some lovely doily's at goodwill and came up with this vintage inspiration



There's a mink inside and the outside linen I think really adds to the vintage effect...and it's one of my top 3 favorite things I've ever made!


A onsie to match...


Of coarse I had to throw in the bird




I added some bum ruffles for a little fun!



I finally tried a tutorial thats been on my mind for awhile, baby shoes. These two are the first i've attempted, not perfect by any means but I can see many more in my future!!



I found perfect matching buttons



These little guys are made with a fleece lining- it made them a little more stiff and a little bit more boot-ish. The outside fabric is the same as the hat.

I've got more shower gifts on their way so stay tuned. In the mean time, I've started on some fall items for Saylee.


A quarter fat + goodwill curtains = cheap, custom and cute!!




Im borderline obsessed with this floral print



Mens shirt to jumper refashion...I added the white and criss-cross back for some diversity. The pockets are my favorite, I wish I would have made them bigger because their lined with a super cute print that no one will ever see!



Here are some poor shots of Say with it on...I swear Im getting a new camera before Mr. Nugget arrives- I've got my eye on one at Costco







I swear one day I'll get the perfect pic!!

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

talk about dead as a doorknob

I started early today around 8 am cleaning my house that's been neglected for WAY too long. (like wear your shoes in the kitchen cause my floors are so sticky-too long) Around 9:15 Brody tells me that Grady is stuck. I heard no screams for help and assumed this meant Grades got stuck behind the dollhouse...again. But today Grady got locked in his and Brody's room. I pull out the bobby pin from my hair ready to unlock it until I noticed something...


We've been here a almost a year and today for the first time I noticed that Brody and Gradys doorknob has a keyhole on it. Ya know, like your front door, only I don't have a key for this lock! A booby pin wasn't going to do the job! I can't believe in all this time here that the door had never gotten locked (especially from the inside). Grady wasn't crying real bad...he'd cry then stop and play some more then cry again. I tried everything...bobby pin, wire hanger, actual keys, screwdrivers, etc. I tried going in through the window (which was of coarse locked).

After about 30 mins of Grady stuck--- I started to panic!


So of coarse I call Mandi who offers solutions that have already been tried! She helped me keep it together, that however did not last for long! After Grady started crying for real and kept crying/screaming, etc. I took matters into my own emotional, hormonal, lonely hands..

I took this...






to this...(different door- sorry no before pic)




and got this...




I started with the lock but it wasnt working, I had started to crack the actual door so I just busted a hole in it..



After 42 minutes of being locked in, I found Grady in the corner of the room scared out of his mind. I was balling, Brody was crying thinking he was in trouble for accidentally locking him in, I can barely lift my arms for smashing with all my might with a framing hammer...needless to say we're all EXHAUSTED!!
And it's not even noon yet....

Thursday, September 10, 2009

so cool for school

After months of hearing this phrase EVERYDAY, "Mamma, I wanna go to school"...we finally made it happen! Im a little late- he started on Thursday. It's just pre-school, but it doesn't feel like it because he's there 4 days a week for 3 hours. He eats lunch there too! I wasn't really sad to see him go becuase my mind was too busy throwing a party in my head with the joy of never having to hear him complain and cry about school anymore!


Ready to go in the morning

In the car....
Then he walked away- with this "peace-out" look on his face. It all happened so fast I didnt get to take any pics! So these are of me picking him up



His face and shirt had so much crap on them.
1st lesson as school mom: Boys + white shirts + school = BAD IDEA!!!
I oxi cleaned that mo right when we got home and it's integrity was restored!



bad lighting but whatev...



So this is my new weekly schedule (at least for a couple of weeks)

Monday: take Brodes to school and Saylee to see Dr. E (with boys)
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: wake up, have everyone dressed (including me) fed and out the door by 9:25 a.m.
9:30- drop off Saylee
(go to Target or somewhere and NOT spend $$)
11:30- drop off Brody
(go to QT with Grady)
12:05- pick up Saylee
(make lunch for 2 kids and almost get comfortable because-)
2:25- pick up Brody
come home and collapse
Wednesday: NOTHING!!!!

Oh yeah...did I mention Im 31 weeks pregnant??? Im all alone and emotional!!

Anywho... here's Grady just for fun!


Ya I know you're thinking he looks big and he is! That shirt is new-not a hand me down and it's a 3T! He is also giving a thumbs up but I think his thumb sort of looks like a carrot!


Here's Saylee actually wearing something I made her. It is the bubble dress but looks WAY cuter with the jeans as a top!


She has made so much improvment already but thats for another post!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

growing up

Today was Saylee's first day of preschool. This is a day Dus and I have been trying to make happen for the last few months. She is in a special-ed class at EMECEC (East Mesa Early Childhood Education Center), the state is paying (halleuah) but that meant months of meetings/qualifying/IEP...yada yada yada. Anywho, we are so excited to reach this milestone. Im praying that all of the outside exposure into this new routine will help with her recovery. I know this first month or two is gonna blow (especially for her teacher) becuase Saylees stubborness is gonna have to take a back seat and relax...she needs to learn she's not the exception to the rule and can get away with whatev.
Im drifting...
Alright- first day--- Started out well, she was excited this morning, im sure just becuase she thought we were getting out of the house







Could she get any cuter?? She's so big and we got her cute new shoes (which she refuses to wear..closed toed) and a new backpack (which she refuses to wear) so we pretty much rolled with the usual wardbrobe...


Here we are heading towards the gate, all these buses make it SO REAL


We were greeted with this...TOTAL CHAOS!!
Chaos for us but apparently this is an everyday drop off scene. Tons of pre-K nuggets not wanting to leave mom or can't wait to get away!




Grady roamed around and ate the freedom while he could get it!


My camera died (of coarse) right after this but she seemed interested in some other kids




For about 18 seconds...then the rest of the time (waiting for entire class to arrive) she ran around and roamed in the grass until everyone left and Dus and her teach were left chasing her down! She inevitably had to be dragged/pulled to class but it was all in good intentions! Brody was really sad, he's been anticipating school for SO long but doesn't start till next week. I made it through okay-- meaning i didn't cry, but about 10 mins after we left... I lost it!



Just for kicks, here are some pics of some "back to school" stuff I've made for the nugget lady. Maybe one day you'll see pics of her actually wearing something custom for her!!



Men's shirt to dress refashion w/ added ruffle...buttons are on the back



Skirt/leggings refashion combo (they're attached) I don't know how I feel about this one
leggings are recylced LS shirt and skirt is mens shirt, I've since replaced buttons with bigger red ones



I always forget to take before pics, but here's a Target pillowcase



Into a ruffle top... I've since added white buttons underneath the straps




with some fun little zig-zag detail



Saturday, August 1, 2009

This weeks creations

This is where I spent my week...



Usually Dustin leaves for the cabin on Thursday but instead this week he left on Monday. Approximetly 48 hrs after returning from the cabin from last week. Anywho...this is my sewing room. Messy, bright and not organized, I guess that's how I roll! Love the blue, green and purple walls?? What you're not seeing is the kitten/sunflower wallpaper border...oh, it's a delight!



Mandi was in town this week and she's usually the first person I tell after I make something but because she's a resident of California, she never reaps any of the rewards. So, I made some stuff for Presley who's birthday is next month anyway. Again, everything I used is from stuff I already had so sometimes my pickin's are slim.

First, this skirt....




For some reason I want to call it, "fresh cut bird"- like fresh cut lawn (for the green) and bird for the uh...bird?? It sounds gross. I can't help my obsession with birds, its my fav applique to do





Next, the sundress (or pillowcase dress)






Whenever I make anything for a Crum girl, I immediatley think vintage. This is some remnant fabric I've had for awhile and the tie is some lace off an old smelly curtain. I love the way it came out.





Now for my own kids... a "bubble" dress for Saylee





I found this really easy tutorial here, it's the first time I've made something with straps and had to measure Saylee. Needless to say that was not an easy task so i had some major "do overs." This was also the first time I ruffled something (other than the toole skirt) and it was really easy. I tried it on her but of coarse couldn't get a decent shot, she looks cute I swear. With some leggings underneath, it's oober cute.


Here's a crappy close up of the print, my crooked lines and ruffles...





Finally (for this week), we have some new shorts for the man baby...





I don't know how all these other moms with these awe inspiring blogs get their kids to pose for the stuff they make them. It's really discouraging sometimes because I always feel like my pics NEVER do justice to what I've made. So as you can see, this is the best shot the man baby would give me.
I really don't like the elastic waist band but for babies...what can you do. I'm not skilled enough to learn the REAL way to make shorts/pants. I used an old pair of slacks that look tweedish, but aren't. I also put on some faux pockets to add some flare. I LOVE how they turned out. They look pretty gay in these pics but when Grady has them on, the waist isn't bunched up so they look alot more normal.




The pockets for his buns are a little off and I swear one leg isn't longer than the other


Is it annoying that I type all these descriptions out?? Sorry, it's theraputic to explain my process.