Do you remember Jane's shirt designs?  I shared this version awhile back.  After reading all those encouraging comments, Jane was determined to see one of her designs become reality.  Many more drawings later, she settled on this for herself:

For this artist it is all in the details.  For this mom it is all about practical.  So we compromised and started production.  I channeled my inner Hannah and printed the words straight from my computer on to freezer paper.  I cut out the stencil, leaving the "o" intact.   I found a long-sleeved striped t-shirt from Target in an acceptable color combination and then paired it with a short-sleeved shirt (also from Target) we already had.  Jane did the painting.

Jane chose the fabric for the star and I did the applique on my sewing machine.   I cut the sleeves off of the striped shirt at the shoulder seams and then grappled with how I was going to attach them without some weird visible stitching.  I decided to sew them into the short-sleeved t-shirt at the shoulder seam allowance and it worked perfectly.  The key part:  I don't think that this would have worked if the shirts were different brands.  Both sleeves had the exact same profile.

See that smile?  Jane is one happy girl.  She designed it and we made it.  She wants to wear it.  All the time.  I couldn't be happier, either.  The experience was a good reminder for me that dreams can come true.   You just need to chase them a bit.

Jane also designed a shirt for Kate.  You can see it here.

Another pin cushion....no blood this time!

A quick shot of the back for scale.

Still checking things off my to do list....I have a lot to accomplish in the next two weeks so posting may be spotty.  Happy Friday everyone!

I made another coffee cozy last night for my friend Geron.

I didn't want her to feel left out.

I raided my small scrap basket on Sunday to make this pin cushion as a gift.  I got it all sewn up and stuffed and then I noticed it.  You know, that faint brownish-red spot in the middle of the orange gingham?  Right there between the white and brown pins?  Blood.  My blood.  From a pricked finger.  I picked up a wayward pin pointy side up because I was distracted by the incredible conversation between Amanda and Jennifer coming out of my ipod.  So wonderfully inspiring, but I knew it would be.  Anyhow, guess whose pin cushion it is now?  Yeah, you got that right.  I needed one, too.  Well, at least that is what I am telling myself.

I am feeling slightly less panicked at the moment.  The girls' shoes are ordered and the rest of the school volunteering for the week can be done at home, via telephone.  Working today and then addressing envelopes tonight and tomorrow afternoon.  I am hoping to find a dress on Thursday - fingers crossed.  So, more photos than words in the next week or so....and probably not much emailing.  I try to answer all my comments, but I may just have to let that go a bit for right now.  I really appreciate the time it takes to come here and catch up with me.  I really, really do.  Reading your comments always brings a smile to my face.  Thank you so much for that - right now, it is just what I need.

The zipper tutorial is finished.  Hooray!

It took me FOREVER to decide on what kind of pillow to make....I thought about patchwork and actually made most of a log cabin piece before abandoning it.  I thought about embroidery also, but settled on good old applique.

Let me know if you follow the tutorial and have any problems.  I have read it over once, but I am always afraid I might have missed some crucial step.  Happy Sewing!

There was no way I could make just one.  This time I got all crazy and made my own bias tape.

I am in love with the brown and white gingham on the bias.  Crazy in love.

This time, I remember to take a photo of the back, too.

In case you were wondering, there will be more.  I can't stop.  And I don't want to either.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes for my mom.  I think she had a great day.  My dad flew all the adults in the family out to Telluride to surprise her.  It was a quick trip....22 hours door to door which is a bit shorter than my last journey out West.  It was great being able to celebrate with her.  All that eating and drinking and not enough sleep has left me completely worn out.

Moving on....craft swap was on Monday night and, as always, was just great!  One of our group is recovering from major surgery and decided to sit this swap out.  Well, we really couldn't let that happen!  We all made an extra craft for her and, with her husband's approval, held a surprise craft swap at her house.   We swooped in with food and drink and handmade goodies.  What isn't there to like about that?

Inspired by Amy and Courtney, I made coffee cozies.  My original intent was to make them patchwork using fun fabrics from my stash, but when I found the chocolate brown linen on sale, I decided that it was better.  This way all little coffee drips will blend right in.

I embroidered everyone's name with a running stitch and chose fabrics to compliment the floss.  There is one layer of batting sandwiched in the middle.  I wanted to quilt each one differently, but in the end decide that less is more and went with two simple lines.  Each cozy closes with little fabric loops and two buttons.

My friend Laura pointed out that these would make great teacher gifts....sew up a cozy and pop a gift card in the cup.  I think she's right.

Every one made such wonderful items at this swap.  I haven't had time to photo them all, but I will in the next day or two.  I am also working on the pillow zipper tutorial....I had hoped to have it up this week, but it may be a bit longer.   After our quick trip, groceries, laundry and rest are at the top of the agenda.   Back soon.

With all the alphabet posts finished and the kids in school, I actually managed to make something.  This is a craft blog, after all.

It's my first quilted bib and I am pretty happy with how it turned out.  What is there not to love about patchwork and bias tape after all?

I scooped up that chocolate brown linen on sale about a month ago and I am just crazy for it.  It is a pain in the you-know-what to embroider on, though.  I have a white pencil, but it doesn't show up too well.  Anyone have other suggestions for transferring images or text onto dark fabric?  I have a fairly large embroidery project in mind that I want to use dark blue linen for, but don't want to start unless I know I can transfer it successfully.

Thanks for all the back to school love - both girls had great first and second days.  We all love school.  Phew!  OK, the craft swap is on Monday.  I am about 75% finished...better get cracking.  Have a great weekend.  I will be back next week with some lovely show and tell.  The mailman has brought me some lovely packages in the past few weeks.  Oh yeah.