Some People Do...Why Can't I?

 Some people make a living out of doing what they love...why can't I?  Don't get me wrong I'm not a great sewer but, I can sew a straight line and piece things together and I could get better with practice.  But, I've been so busy that I haven't had very much time to do the things that I really enjoy like sewing and digital scrap booking.  I can be very crafty and I feel I do a good job at it, I feel creative and happy.  Now, why can't I make a career of this and feel creative and happy instead of having such a time consuming, stressful job?
 Enough babbling! 
I starting thinking about this because over the weekend I made my sister this car seat cover.  She is expecting her first little baby boy in the next couple weeks. 

I thought it turned out so freaking cute!  I don't mean to toot my own horn but I really don't sew much and my experience is all from my 7th grade sewing class.  Yes, since then I've done quite a few things but, I've had to teach myself.  So, sometimes I end up impress myself as well! :)  I went to Swiss days and thought about getting her one there just because I thought I wouldn't have the time but decided against it because I couldn't find one that I liked so I went to the fabric mill in Orem and found this fabric that I fell in love with and set off to make the cover.  It turned out so much better

 than I thought it would and cuter than anything I saw at Swiss days. 

I loved the colors of the fabric and the big red buttons!  I especially loved the gray poke a dot fabric on the back and straps.  Oh, and the green Ric rack around the edges, how cute is that?  I know humility is a virtue but I feel like tooting my own horn!  :)

I loved doing it too.  It felt good to actually take time to do something that I enjoyed.  I love creating things.

So, I'm telling you...I can be for hire! I can do car seat covers, invitations, and/or announcements. :)

Here are the invitations I made for her shower.  I used the frog one because it seemed more "baby shower" but i loved the colors of the other one too! :)  I also made matching return address labels with the little frogs, dragon flies, turtles, and bugs. 

Bedding Decision...

After not being able to find anything I was in love with...Although, all the comments were very helpful! :) My friend Jess who also does SEW DARN CUTE talked me into making my own bedding. So, this is what I am doing! I surprised myself when I did a DIAPER BAG, maybe I will surprise myself again! :) But, this way i know I love the colors and can choose how it looks and is put together! :)
Here are the colors and a picture of the paint job (that stripe goes around the whole room)!

This room was inspired by a sock monkey quilt that a lady in our ward is making us. It is so cute! I loved it and thought Sock Monkeys would be a cute little boy room! Here are just a few of the fabrics she is using in the quilt...

Refashion #2 & 3

Well, here are a few other things that I have refashioned. It has been really fun to learn how to sew better! Thanks to everyone for all the ideas and tutorials!

A shirt to a skirt

This one turned out to be my favorite! I just really loved the colors in the fabric. And, although it looks like a smaller original...it went from a large shirt to a so cute little girls dress!

This is the back of the dress. The shirt already had this gathered part and I didn't want to lose the detail so I just made it smaller to fit the size of the dress. Also, these two projects were my first attempts at a "gather"...it is such a simple thing but looks so cute! :)

HEY...Check Out My NEW Cards :)

Blue Butterflies

Re-Fashioning Project #1

Here is one of my old shirts that was re-fashioned.

BEFORE

AFTERI know it looks like a smaller shirt but isn't that the idea?
My niece, Kenlei, looked really cute in it...she is a good little model!

She is a high-priced model...she demanded to go to the park as compensation! :)

"Refashion"

As I search all these amazing blogs of talented people I see a lot of "refashioning" old clothing. This bodes well for me because fabric is too expensive for me right now...you know "the times" and all. Anyway, anyone who knows me well knows that about a year ago I lost about 50 lbs. So, I remembered that I have a bag in the back of my closet full of clothes that no longer fit. If you think about it...that's a lot of fabric! :) I pulled out that bag and got some old shirts...now I am ready to "refashion"! :)

Pictures coming this weekend! :)

"I Need A Hobby"

Have you ever heard someone say, "I need a hobby?" Well, I think I found one.... I have been a busy bee. It all started with the bag, then the diaper bag, and now this, I am hooked!...
Baby Booties

So, I got my hair cut again this week and, Summer, who cuts my hair is pregnant. We were talking about knit booties and I got this idea to make felt booties. Here are the first two pairs that I made--Summer these are coming your way :). I found the patterns on Heather Bailey and Martha Stewart.

Knot Dress

This is Jayci...the cutest little girl in our wards nursery. The other day she had on the most fabulous dress ever (this one).

I had to come home and TRY to recreate it. I used fabric that I had lying around...Pink denim (NICE!) Anyway, it turned out pretty cute, I thought. The original dress came from

Matilda Jane. If you have little girls it is a MUST SEE!

Thanks Jill for letting me use Jayci's pictures.

I had to post this picture too because I thought it was so delicate and beautiful!

I have really enjoyed learning to sew and make things. Also, I love all the blogs and craft websites that give me ideas and keep me motivated!

Maybe one day I will have my own little kids to make things for but as for now...All Friends and Family keep having babies so that I can keep making you things! :)

Yea...I have a hobby!

Diaper Bag

My friend Dede just had a baby this past weekend...again CONGRATULATIONS! I made her this diaper bag. I was really excited to do it and then got really overwhelmed. I just wanted to make it something she would like and also something useful. Since I have never had to use a diaper bag I in listed my good friend, Jess, to give some suggestions about what good diaper bags have....pockets and cleanable. Thus...here is the final project:

The outside fabric is a laminated fabric and you can just wipe it clean from spills or dirt.

There are three pockets on the outside. One with a flap, one for a bottle, and one large one in the front. It also closes with a metal/magnetic clasp.

The strap is adjustable.

The inside is a jersey/sport fabric...also wipeable! There are 5 pockets: one long one across the front, 3 elastic bottle pockets and another straight one on the other side.

It has stroller straps to hang from the handle of a stroller. (very happy about those:))

There is a detachable key clip. (very happy about this as well :))

Matching diaper/wipes case.

Yeah, I know the Velcro is crooked...don't judge :). It wasn't crooked when I originally sewed it on. Anyway, it closes good enough.
I am very happy with the final project and I hope that Dede finds it useful for her and her new baby!
Jess also, thanks for taking all my countless calls and brain storming with me!

I Did It!

Well, Ryan has been out of town all week so I needed a project. Every once in awhile I get this itch to learn how to be a fantastic seamstress. My experience consists of a class in 7th grade, multiple pairs of pajama pants, and a skirt! Last Saturday while we were out and about I found this cool pattern and Ryan picked out the fabric and I did it! I think it turned out pretty good if you ask me. :) It is my new church bag.

I especially hope that Stephanie, Jess, and Sarah like it because this is the prize for "Pay it Forward"! Now, I just have to make time to make them. :) Also, Sarah and Stephanie you made your blogs private and "forgot" to add me to your lists so I can't get on your blogs. Anyway, thanks for posting on the "Pay it Forward" post...I hope you have fun with it too.

P.S. FYI... http://www.thebluebutterflies.blogspot.com/ was updated.

Blue Butterflies

I love to make cards...and now I would like to make them for you and your friends and family! Check out my new blog which features some of the cards. I will update it periodically so you can always check out new cards. If you like what you see...buy it! If you want something else...let me know! Hope you enjoy-I enjoy making them!

www.thebluebutterflies.blogspot.com

For more pictures check out the blog...