brett over at manhattan craft room is hosting a craftalong to benefit those affected by hurricane sandy. they are collecting all kinds of warm handmade goods: hats, scarves, mittens, blankets, sweaters... you name it! just make something warm and send it to nyc!
last night i brought my sewing machine to my brownie troop meeting and each of the girls made a fleece scarf to send to the cause.
peapod and pip want to know what you're planning to make!
-melissa
I did a bit of sewing in preparation for the sandwich meet up. Sewing for dear friends and especially their babies is the best.
Of course I had to make the sweet boy some burp cloths. (After the gazillion I made it was a natural choice)
Sabrina picked out the softest fabric for his imitation taggy blanket
Some diaper clutches inspired by Claire's Portuguese roots and our european sandwich tile adventure
And of course a quilt. This lucky boy has such a joyful mom.
I also whipped up some headbands for Melissa
Arn't these two just the cutest?
I am already eager for our next meet up
-Lindsey
i finally got around to sewing the elastic into the waistband of lily's skirt. i found this elastic in my grandma's sewing basket. i have no idea how old it is, but given that it cost 29 cents i'm guessing it's seen a few years.
but luckily, as i said in the title, the old gal's still got a little snap left in her - so into the waistband she went!
-melissa
ps - you know what this means... finished skirt photoshoot coming soon!
Ever since I saw the I Spy quilt Melina made I've wanted to make one for Sabrina. Further inspiration came from Melissa and Claire's rainbow blankets.
I've had so much fun hunting down patterned fabrics of in all the colors of the rainbow. I used red pepper quilts' no bind method again.
It works so well when you actually follow the instructions.
Not too bad for quilt #2.
I especially love the fabrics on the back. 
We started some geography lessons - mostly where Daddy was born and where Claire lives.
I love playing I spy with Sabrina, especially since she always asks for more things to look for.
-Lindsey
lily and her doll clara got invited to a birthday luncheon this weekend. lily was worried that her doll clara did not have a dress fancy enough to wear to the party.
luckily she had been gifted some fancy fabric with golden sparkles on it. (thank you lisa!) and luckily she didn't have an overly complicated design in mind.
so i was able to whip this little number out in time for the luncheon on saturday.
-melissa
ps - isn't the idea of a birthday luncheon for girls and their dolls *the* sweetest idea for a birthday party ever?!?! love it!
I am please to announce that I have finished the sewing sweatshop! This round I had three darling fabrics.
I loved them so much I was almost hard to part with all the blankets and cloths.
One thing is for sure, I caught the sewing bug. I find myself looking at things, trying to figure out how to sew them. Despite the sewing machine calling to me from the dining room table, (I still have not put it up) I am really looking forward to getting back to some knitting.
-Lindsey
You probably remember Lily's hand-spun yarn, and how she auctioned off her beautiful second yarn to support team Breast Intentions.
Well, I am the proud winner of the auction and can I just say that the yarn is even more lovely in person.
It knitted up perfectly
Seam it up, sew on a ribbon and Sabrina loves her new bag.
She wants to take it everywhere!
Thank you again Lily! And good luck to team Breast Intentions!
-Love Lindsey
I love the diversity of opportunities my volunteer organization provides. Each year I choose a different placement. Flush with the excitement of my first sewing lesson, I signed up to make baby blankets and burp cloths for the teen health clinic mentoring moms program.
I probably should have been alarmed when I picked up 5 bolts of cloth and was told they needed 20 blankets and 60 burp cloths in a month. I should have panicked when I found out that was just the first half of what was needed.
Luckily, I finished with some help from my awesome Aunt Pat.
I think the cute fabrics will make the second batch even more enjoyable.
I just can't resist that sweet little pirate.
-Lindsey
Sew Crafty It is an awesome craft studio in Houston where you can take classes, buy supplies or just hang. I've wistfully looked at their class calendar for months but never taken the plunge. Michael even gave me a gift certificate for Christmas as way of encouragement.
Apparently it took the place closing for me to get off the couch and into a class! Of course all the classes are filling up fast before they close at the end of February so I had to play hooky from work to make it there. I hope my boss doesn't mind (hi Julie!)!
I took Sewing 101, we made a clutch. It is perfect for an on the go diaper bag.
I'm so bummed that Sew Crafty is closing -but grateful for the inspiration to pull my sewing macine back out.
-Lindsey
it's no holiday sweatshop (i'm sure that's on its way) but we are definitely in the midst of a halloween craft frenzy in these parts.
i think i've employed almost every crafty skill i possess this week: sewing, embroidery, knitting, not to mention general problem solving skills. (what does one use to be a diaper cover for a baby doll pretending to be a monkey?)
lily also has a birthday party to attend this weekend, so i quick made up another little birthday bag.
the doll is, as always, from the fabulous etsy shop princess nimble thimble.
stay tuned this weekend for some finished halloween costumes!
-melissa
ps - and if you're wondering, you use a bandanna to make a baby doll monkey diaper cover. thank goodness for my friend eva whose creative brain was still working when mine was worn out.
