Some Sewing, a Serger and a Shoe...

Hello friends,

it's been a while since I've been on my lil' ol' blog.

Summer's officially started (weather wise) and we've been enjoying every bit of it. And I have found that there is less and less time to blog. So, during the summer I will be posting as much (or as little, I suppose) as the weather, the kiddies, the fun allow me to.

So, I've been sewing again! It's a huge deal since I'd fallen into a rut and not sewn a thing since December! Can you imagine?! Wanna know what prompted me to sew again? Well, you see, last month was my birthday and I got a little spending money. And with that spending money I bought this:

The Janome Jem Plus LSS. The LSS stands for Light Serging System. And yes, it's a sewing machine and serger in one! I LOVE it! It makes SUCH a difference in my sewing! If you wanna read more about it, you can go here. (I can also do a review on it if you guys are interested)

Anyway, it got me motivated to sew and I've been busy making shorts out of out-grown pants, coin purses, NapKits ("what's a NapKit?" more on that in Monday's post!), pjs, and shoes!

My sweet baby Benji, is tiny tiny tiny. And I can never find shoes I like, that fit well AND are comfy. SOOO, I made my own. *insert proud grin here* :)

I made them out of an Elvis printed cotton (how cool, right?!) for the outer and a dark brown flannel for the inside:

I am in love with how they turned out! I didn't use a pattern, instead I kinna went with what I saw in my mind and IT WORKED OUT! Yay! Love when that happens :) I made a pattern but not a computerized one. I think I need PhotoShop for that. Rats. Instead I sketched one and I already have a second pair all ready to go!

Oh, and what am I naming these cute little shoesies? The BENJIS, of course!

Well, that's all I have for now. Hope you're all having an excellent day :)

Be back soon!

Dorian

JOURNAL SWAP

At the beginning of the year, the very lovely Aleks from Aleks Handmade had the AWESOME idea to do a journal swap! How fun, right? Basically, we would each be paired up (at random) with another lady who signed up and then we would make/embellish/cover a journal in a way that would be all her. The idea of getting a journal customized for me was super excited. HOWEVER...The idea of customizing a journal to perfection for someone else was DAUNTING! 

Anyway, I signed up and got the sweet Laura from Along For The Ride. I began the serious task of blog stalking her, researching her boards on Pinterest and basically being a creeper. LOL! 

THIS is what I came up with:

It was based on this free printable I found on her boards:

found via IROCKSOWHAT

She had at least TWO variation of that saying, and her blog name is similar so I thought to myself "self, it seems like she likes that quote"...so I went with it!

I used a beautiful fabric from one of my favorite fabric "houses", Echino which is now mostly sold out, but you can see more from that collection here. And for the embroidery, I used a fabric pen to free hand the letters in and then went over them with the thread an needle. 

It ties closed, to keep everything neat and tidy:

An inside look:

I also send her a Sharpie in a coordinating color because, really, there's nothing better to journal with! The one I send her was a dual tip...extra thin to write with and the regular one for sketching or what not.

This is what it looks like off:

And in case you wanna know, I bought this generic sketch book at Wal-Mart for under $7...

I was SOOO nervous to send it to her and really hoped she'd like it. She got it yesterday and said that she LOVES it! ( I may or may not have almost made her tear a bit...YES! LOL!) I am so so so happy she liked it...a lot of love went into it and I hope and pray she fills it with wonderful memories.

***I did NOT use a tutorial. I actually TRIED using one and ended up completely messing up my first attempt at the cover. It didn't fit right, or look right :(. So I started again, from scratch, and kinna made up my own way to do it. I didn't make a tutorial along the way, but I had a request for another cover so I could make a tute, if you're interested. (and ps...the first cover I made I will be using...it's not soo bad, just not good enough to give away!)

And know for the best part...WHAT I GOT!

My partner was the beautiful Natassia from Nat's Knapsack. She claims she not an artist, but I think the journals beg to differ! So beautiful!

I got THREE lovely journals, each loving hand painted and recovered by Nat:

The back flap has a slot to store extra papers:

Let me show you them, one by one.

The first (and my fav!) is this yellow and pink one, I am in love with the dainty, artsy little flower!

She even made a bookmark to go with it!

The next one is the blue and green one...I am loving the yellow flowers on it!

And since she's so great, she made me a coordinating bookmark for this one too!

Isn't it sweet?

And last but not least, the one I call the "Love" one...

The inside is decorated as well:

And the bookmark for it:

This is one of my all time favorite verses, so it was really special that she included it.

The best part is that they're a great size!  They're about the size of a wallet, so I can carry them where ever I go without adding extra weight and bulk to my bag! With a baby, I need all the space I can get!

And lastly, the lovely Aleks (the coordinator of the whole shindig) sent us each a GORGEOUS personalized bookmark:

Isn't it so pretty?

And look at what she added just above the flower:

I just love it and will be using it with my bible! 

A huge thank you to Aleks and Nat! You girls are awesome!

I am linking up over at Aleks journal swap linky party here.

Thank you for reading this loooong loooong post! Have a super awesome day!

Linking to these parties! Come on over and join!

One Day...

I am super excited, you guys! You see, tomorrow my honey and I are going to start in a new (albeit, small) project. Right now, my craft space is in what I like to call the craft/office/toys/gather all/junk mess/room. We have THREE desks in this room plus a cubby/bookshelf thing. And the desks are not little, no sir, they're full size office desks. And it's a small space!

Anyway, We're hoping to get rid of one desk right off the bat. It's old, ratty and garbage. And then we plan to get rid of the other two once we find suitable (*ahem* cute and cheap!) alternatives.

This room will then functions as a craft (sewing) room for me, home office for the man and playroom for the boys...BUT with organization!!! 

Anyway, this is not going to be a quick thing where I show you the after next week. Not.at.all. Actually all we're really doing this week is tossing a bunch of things out, making more room, and moving my son's train table in. The rest (the fun stuff!) will have to wait. There are, after all, a few obstacles in our way:

1.time

2.budget

3.finding the perfect layout!

So, in honor of one day having the perfect room for us all, here are a few pictures of rooms and ideas that inspire me:

Enjoy :)

For the closet:

The Dainty Squid

The Inspired Room

It's The Little Things
but not with toys, rather with craft stuff...okay and some toys :)

Better Homes and Gardens

LOVE:

You Are My Fave

Hubby often works from home, and I usually blog/pin :) while he works late into the night. So we need a desk that can house both my computer and his laptop. I happen to love these long desks: 

Better Homes and Gardens

Mathews Family Happenings

Marigold & Sage

houzz (AWESOME site, btw :)

I like the desk type in the above picture, but NOT the formality of it. Not me.

my ideal sewing table(s):

Apartment Therapy

The 36th Avenue

Ana White

Manolo Home

Better Homes and Gardens

All images found through Pinterest. If you want to follow me on Pinterest, go here.

Have a great weekend! 

What I've Been Up To

Hello Friends! 

I have so much to tell you! We've been dealing with something concerning my youngest for the last 4-6 weeks and it's finally looking better! YAY! But that's a story for another day as it's 12:30 am and I am beat!

I also wanted to let you know what I've been doing.

I've been helping my lovely SIL with a blog makeover. I am so excited by how it turned out! I feel it suits her perfectly and best of all, you can find all her GORGEOUS tutorials easier and faster!

You probably know her...

Lucy from:

 If you haven't visited her blog, you may want to.  She's got something for everyone. And it's so inspiring and just plain beautiful to look at. 

Also, you can take a peak at my "work" ;) 

Click here --->>Craftberry Bush, if you want to check it out!

Thanks for reading friends! I hope next week I get back into my regular crafting/blogging groove. 

I really, really hope!

2012, You're Gonna be a GREAT Year!

I don't really know that, obviously. But I've decided it. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up with my "decision" everyday, but I will certainly try! 

 I have soo many hopes for this little blog. They're nothing extravagant. Nothing flashy or crazy. Just simple things that I hope I can learn and see improvement in. Let's talk about those.

These are my 2012 Blog/crafty goals:

- Learn to cable knit (well, get more comfortable knitting period. I'm more of a crocheter, but wanna do both)

- Learn to knit a hat and cowl (knit in the round and also see above)

Knitted Bliss

- Sew at least one quilt (my first!)

Cluck Cluck Sew

- Embroider more often. 

Feeling Stitchy

- Continue to explore sewing clothing (for my boys)

Amazon 

(just got this book as a Christmas present and I am SO excited to get it so I can start sewing!)

- Learn more about making patterns, but first sew from a pattern ;)

- Open an online shop (!)

-Learn more about HTML and blog design (this one is for me personally, but it sounds soo fancy, it's not. I just want a pretty blog for free! LOL!)

- Take a sewing class and...

- Sew more (gonna try for a tiny bit everyday)

Google Images

- Keep a Creative Journal and sketch more

Lil Blue Boo

- BLOG A LOT MORE! (don't know HOW I'm gonna pull that one off!)

Little Miss Momma

- Craft for my home A LOT more (make this little house of ours a cozy little HOME)

Cup Of Jo

- Makeover my crafting/sewing room.

Oh, Sweet Joy!

-Take better pictures

-Make more handmade gifts (my poor family's screaming "nooooo!!!!" to that last one! LOL!)

And that's it. I don't think it's too hard. Most of it is learning and that something I'm not too bad at. Well, when it comes to crafty matters...LOL!  

I'm most nervous about the online store, and blogging more. 

I am most anxious to begin: sewing more, cozy-ing up my home, sewing the clothes and quilt and keeping a creative journal. I used to do that a lot when I was younger, but I stopped and now I don't remember why. I can't wait to see what it looks like in December!

Anyway, I also hope to have a LOT more tutorial up and maybe even some guest posts...exciting! And I can NOT wait to start interacting with you all more, this is gonna be a fun year, thank you for joining me on my journey!

Thanks for reading! Next...my handmade Christmas presents! 

"See" you soon!

T'is The Season!

For being UNBELIEVABLY busy! LOL! 

But a good busy, ya know? Making gifts (which I am STILL finishing up! I know, I know....bad crafty mommy!) and wrapping and baking (who am I kidding? I bought the boxed ginger bread houses ready to make!). We've all been terrible sick for the last three weeks around here. It's been gross. First I got it, then hubby. Then my oldest, than the baby. Hubby still had it the whole time, Then I got it again! We FINALLY went to the Dr, and got antibiotics, than the antibiotics made my babies tummy hurt and they had "accidents" all over the house (an early Christmas present of sorts? I think not...ugh!) but we finally are done with the medicine, so we're better now. Thank goodness! But that little game of flu-tag put me WAY behind in every department. Even blogging :( But, not a day goes by that I don't think I should get on here. I seriously THINK in "blogger speak" sometimes! Lame or what?! I've just been swamped. Like seriously guys, it's 3am here and I stayed up wrapping, sewing and am finally blogging, if not one of the tutes I have, at least a quick hello!

Anyway, I don't know if I'll get back on here before Christmas, so I just wanted to make sure to wish you all a very 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

may you be surrounded with those you love and may your day be filled with laughter and joy! 

I am so grateful this time of the year for the gift of Jesus! That sweet new-born babe born in a stable. 

It's so easy to forget what the real meaning of Christmas is in the hurry of the season and in the midst of all the gift buying. But I am going to try and slow down and remind my little guys what this day is. After all, it's so important they know. It's a birthday celebration of EPIC proportions! For a God bigger than our biggest fear and greater than our imagination could ever understand! 

So, not only do I wish you a very Merry Christmas but I hope you enjoy the birthday party and send out a "thank you" to the Birthday Boy :)

And now, I want to thank YOU so much, as always, for coming back time and again to my lil' ol' blog. Your friendship, words and visits are like Christmas presents to me! So, again...thank you from the bottom of my heart :)

See you soon! (I hope!)

xoxo, Dorian

Losing My Marbles...

I'm back with some stuff I did this week! Yay! I've been so busy sewing (I can't show everything I sewed in case a certain person is reading this...) and making some fun jewelry!

I'm not gonna post everything right now (It's LITERALLY 2 am here!), but I'll show you the easiest, simplest but most loved thing I made this week:

Drawstring baggies! In super cute fabrics! What are they for, you ask??

Why, marbles, of course! 

My oldest (who is only 3.5) is super into marbles lately...loves to play with his daddy all day if he could! He carries them up and down the house as if they were little treasures! Which they are, to him. Anyway, he was carrying them in that awful plastic fishnet bags they sell the marbles in and I, being the crafty momma I am, thought he should have something much more fun! And pssst...perfect (and frugal!) stocking stuffers!

I initially made only one (the blue one with the yarn drawstring) but he promptly informed me that Daddy would need his own bag for his marble as they play to win each other's marbles (is that encouraging betting???). So I made the brown one and "upgraded" to ribbon instead of yarn. Okay, so let me be frank....I DO NOT LIKE THE RIBBON! It makes it soo much harder to close and open the bag! It looks WAY cuter, but it is such a pain! Learned my lesson...

Anyway, because they're being used for marbles and the little guy likes to fling 'em and be all boyish and rough with 'em, I made them double thick. I came up with a SUPER EASY (like really easy guys...I did both in like 15 minutes, start to finish!) "method" to making drawstring bags. In fact I made a couple more as gift baggies. 

SOO...my question to you is: want a tute? Or are you all like, "come on, Dorian, duh, that's like sooo easy! thanks for the insult!" ??? I'll do a tute even if ONE person says they want it, so make sure to let me know down there...in the comments!

This were supposed to be stocking stuffers, but I couldn't help it! I gave them to him early and he LOVES them. It's too sweet to see him carry them everywhere! It warms my heart, it does :)

AND....wanna see something I put into one of the other (not pictured) baggies I made?

I know it's super simple, but I LOVE IT! This one is actually mine (didn't wanna put up the actual gift) and it's short, hits me at the collar bones. I love that it says "Create" on it, since creating is so close to my heart! And I love the simplicity, I can (and DO!) keep it on all the time and even if I add more jewelry it's not overwhelming or clash-y.

Anyway, I made a ton of other stuff I can't WAIT to share with you! But for now, this Spinning Momma got to be a Sleepin' Momma (HAHAHA! oh wait...why am I the only one laughing???) !

Have a great Saturday ladies, I will talk to you again tomorrow! And don't forget to comment "yay" or "nay" for a tute!  

Thanks for reading, you guys are the sweetest :)

xoxo, Dorian