New Year, New Project

I've been away from the blog for a while, focusing on family and holidays.

Oh, who am I kidding?

My son started Kindergarten back in August and I'm still reeling from the change of schedule. And my poor blog has taken a back seat.

But I got a new Macbook! Maybe that will help.

Who am I kidding?!

I did finally find some inspiration for the yards and yards of fabric my mother has been sending me from Africa. She is a short-term (if you can call 18 months short, when your mama is across the ocean) missionary associate stationed in Congo, where she teaches teenage girls how to sew. That's what we tell people, anyway. It's obvious from my stash of batiks and wax block prints (totally new to me!) that the REAL reason she went to Africa was to add to my fabric addiction.

Thanks, Mom!

So. That's my new project for the new year. I'll still be making "the usual" dresses and outfits, and assorted other crafty awesomenesses, but I'm going to be adding a new line of clothing and accessories I'm calling, "Let's Congo!" using the fabrics she's sent me. Squeeeeeee! I'm so super duper excited to debut the first fruits of this little labor of love.

Oh, did I forget?! This new line will also involve donations to missions in some way. I haven't sorted it out yet, but probably 10% of the sales will go to a charity that works in Africa. Which is the real love part of this labor. I'm excited!

Christmas Outfits

Here are a few quick snaps of the Christmas outfits for 2011! I am currently taking orders, so hurry before the fabric is all gone!

Dinosaur! Rawr!

What I've been working on!

More new stuff!

New in the Etsy shop

Available for order now in my Etsy shop in size 12-24 month

Another piece of progress

Today's menu consisted of lots of fabric, hot glue, and staples --provided by my friend, the electric staple gun. (Insert Tim Allen's Home Improvement man-bark here!)



I started out by recovering a bulletin board in my son's room. Super simple, quick fix for an outgrown memo board. One thin layer of batting, wrap it in fabric, add a few little details, and done!



I thought the nails and hooks were very masculine!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Then I tackled some wall art for sister's room. This time I covered three 16x20 canvases with fabric, attached fabric letters, and embellished with scrappy flowers and buttons.



I'm very pleased with the outcome.



Mostly because I love this fabric soooo much! I really don't think I could dislike anything made with this.



It's going to be a sad day when I either 1) run out of fabric



or 2) run out of walls/windows/pillows/thingies to cover with it.



Oh, and I finally am starting to figure out the manual settings on my DSLR! I've been trying to learn myself, because that's how I roll, but until today it didn't really click. My kids' rooms are hard, because the lighting is bad but I'm finally getting it! Excited!

Pinterest Wreath

I've recently become addicted to Pinterest. Specifically, the iphone app. It's so fun to peruse the pictures while I lay on the couch or while hubby watches sports on TV. I have tons of pins on tons of boards! Last night I made my first Pinterest craft-- a scrappy fabric wreath!



It's no secret I like bright colors! I really love orange, and I think it looks great on our dark red, slightly outdated front door.



It even fits nicely behind the storm door. Win!



I used a large metal ring that I found in the jewelry section at Hobby Lobby for $2.47. Stuck a small nail in the back side top of the door and hung the fabric loop on it. Done. And Simple!

What do you think?