Jammies for the Kiddos

Do you find pajamas as relaxing, as comfy as I do? 

If you answered no, then it's either time to go shopping or get sewing because in my world, just the word jammies should make your shoulders relax (or giggle like my sister's kids in these camping pjs).  

This is one of the many reasons that I like to make them so much.  This past Christmas (I know Christmas, in September?!) I crafted these lovelies for two deserving kiddos.  

Ryder, like his Uncle Eric, is a big fan of anything mustache...

so I just couldn't resist adding this applique to the original knit pattern.  

For Breckyn,

the cat was a no-brainer

since she refers to the family cats as her siblings. 

And the paw prints on the backside may be my favorite part.

They were both excited about the PJs,

and I must say, so was I.

Leah's Fish Game

A few years ago I found this tutorial for this colorful fish matching game. 

When my sister Rose saw it, she was just as much in love. 

Fast-forward 2 years and she has two kids and her little girl is old enough to enjoy such a toy!  

So I HAD to make it for Christmas as her homemade gift.  

The tutorial was full of pictures and great instruction, so it came together with ease. 

The hardest part (as with so many of my sewing crafts) was choosing which fabric to use. 

In the end it came together swimmingly!  

Rose says that Leah loves to play with the little fish which fit in her petite little hands.  

That little Goddaughter of ours is one of the sweetest soft spoken gals you come across.  

She is always sneaking in to help with putting away dishes or stir a batch of treats. 

Leah will even wiggle her way onto your lap and aid in machine sewing, if you let her. 

We just love her to bits. 

Wooden Family

Now here's a story, of a lovely lady, 

who was bringing up three very lovely girls,

all of them had hair of gold, like their mother, the youngest one in curls....But, in THIS story the lovely lady has a wonderful husband

who is father to the three lovely girls and all of them (even the father) have that lovely golden hair.

So what better subjects to turn into wooden dolls? 

The Bigelow Family is one of my very favorites!  Mama Bigelow and I have been close friends for years and I've loved watching her family grow

and grow 

and GROW!  

Baby Bigelow #2 is extra special to me...

she is one of my Godchildren!  So, I made these wooden look-alikes for her new doll house. 

I can't wait to see how well they fit into their new home! If you'd like to see the REAL family,

check out the Bigelow Family Blog. 

Such a loving bunch, I'm so glad you're in my life!

Mermaid Tail

Mermaid Tail for Breckyn

A gumball machine and a mermaid tail...that's what our niece Breckyn really wanted for Christmas.

Well, I couldn't be more excited...it's always my goal to have at least one homemade gift for the Godchildren.  With a little help from pinterest, I came up with this.... 

I found this great tutorial

and I followed it pretty closely.  It was so much fun to have an excuse to buy such sparkly pink fabric!

And large shiny gems...

The project came together so quickly. 

Bonus: I still have enough supplies to create another tail.

It can be tricky to create a fitted item without your little one on hand, but my sister-in-law is always so willing to take measurements and send them to me...

Thank you Chelsie!

I am so pleased; it ended up it fitting Breckyn so well...

 

The little flare at the ankle...

The gathering at the waist...

 She is the little mermaid.  She told me so.

She had the dinglehopper to prove it.

And she also said the purple gem is probably her favorite part 

(and definitely her favorite color).

Oh Breckyn, you are so spunky and always keeping things interesting. We love you so very much.