How did you nest when you were pregnant?

I am 3 days away from my due date and I can’t seem to sit still, although my body is telling me…REST…my mind is saying…SEW!!!

I have been resting and I have been reading a lot of Lisa Lutz The Spellman Files (I am on #3 of 4 of the series in one week) but I have managed some time to finish up a few lingering projects.  You know the ones that will bother you if you don’t finish them up right that second because the thought is in your head…

I got rid of all the burlap in my kitchen…           

Now I have matching curtains….                 

This is what it looked like when I took the burlap down…

This has only been up since June 2010…what the heck??? I will say it again I am not a fan of burlap anymore. 

Then I did some experimenting with my Silhouette… (Love that thing) I cut a stencil using Freezer Paper!!! Do you know how exciting it is to have a machine that will cut a stencil for you???  It makes life so much easier. 

TIP:  Tape the paper to the cutting board so it doesn’t curl up and do NOT use that sticky board…wax and sticky does not mix (take my word)

Here is my first stencil!                                            

Here is the C stenciled on the pillow with fabric paint.  Although, I will confess I did move the stencil while it was wet and and got some black on the fabric and tried to conceal it with white paint…FAIL

So I added a little flower thingy to hide it.  Yes, I will remove this pillow when she moves into her bed, but it looks pretty in there right now.                 

Then I found another pillow that was in need of some redesign…

Ta-da!! New and improved!!                      

I have been up to much, much more that I will share this week!  So apparently the CLEANING bug does not hit me when I am in the nesting stage just sewing!!  To each there own I guess!!  What did you do while you were in the nesting stage???

Sophisticated Baby Nursery

I am happy to say, “Cailyn’s area is DONE!” There is still some accessorizing that could be done, but that can be added as we go. I say area because this is half of the bonus room and soon will be divided with a curtain in-between, but since she will probably not be sleeping here for a month I am not too worried about it.

Here it is…A sophisticated Baby Nursery for Baby Cailyn.

(I am thinking I need to do something with that green wipe holder…it seems to stick out like a sore thumb!)

Her bedding…

A new pillow has been added. I just made this pillow at 39 weeks. The longer she stays put the more “stuff” or accessorizes I can make. I am so excited to say the monogram was made with my new Silhouette! Love that thing!!

Her trunk…initially for my son but works perfectly in Cailyn’s room.(Plus, her room does not have a closet so it is critical we have lots of storage. I didn’t add too many decorations I wanted to leave space for other stickers and what not's. (once again thanks Silhouette!!)

The one element I am super proud of is the awning my hubby (hubby was the carpenter) and I made for over her window. It was a labor of love, and I love the end results.

Here is a side view before the drapes were added.

This room was 100% Homemade!! Every single detail was homemade. Even the tie backs. It really captures the essence of this room. Since I stitched everything. It is antique wooden thread spools painted, wooded beads, and crystal beads for a little bling. Love it!

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

Blessings!! From Maridith

American Girl Doll Clothes- Tutorial 2 of 2

Does your daughter have an American Girl Doll and you don’t want to break the bank making her clothes?? I have made a pattern and tutorial to share with you!
Here is the 2nd tutorial on how to make a shirt! The patterns are free!

Yesterday I showed you how to make the pants.

PATTERNS ARE HERE

Required Material: Fleece, matching thread, velcro dots, scissors, pattern
How to make a Doll Shirt…
1. Cut the pieces as indicated on the pattern. There are 2 pages!
2. Sew the shoulder seam of the shirt pattern. (DO NOT SEW THE SIDE SEAMS)
3. As indicated on the pattern sew the back seam to the notch with a 1/4” seam.

4. On the backside turn the back seam open and stitch with a top stitch. This is the opening for the dolls head.

5. Open up the shirt with side seams unsewn and lay the sleeve right sides together and stitch. Because you are working with fleece it is stretchy and will move with the curves.

6. Hem the sleeves with a 1/2” hem

6. Pin the sleeve (right sides together) and the side seam. Stitch 1/4” seam (easiest sleeve technique out there)

7. Turn under the neck hole and top stitch and hem the bottom with a 1/2” top stitch

8. On the back side add velcro and stitch on. I don’t have a picture of it but I used Scotch Velcro Dots from the Office Supply Section. They work wonderfully on doll clothes
YOU ARE DONE!!
How to make a Winter Hat… (Pattern above)
1. Cut out material as indicated on the pattern
2. Sew (right sides together) the top of the hat and band

3. Stitch the band and top together. Matching side seams.
4. Fold the band in half with wrong sides together. Making sure you cover your stich line in the back.

5. Stitch in the ditch on the outside. This means you are stitching were the two pieces of material are joined.

6. The point on this hat will stick straight up. Figure where you want it to lay

7. Stitch down (a little over kill on the needle but it was threaded so I used it!)

I think the best part of these American Girl Dolls is when your daughter can match their dolls!! I made this winter hat for Lawson years ago (which is why I had leftover material) Oh I love being able to make something homemade for my little girl!!
I hope you enjoy!! If you make this pattern I would love your feedback and pictures!
If you have any questions please feel free to email me at maridithdesigns(@)gmail.com

American Girl Doll Clothes- Tutorial 1 of 2

My daughter received an American Girl Doll for Christmas and 1 outfit (from Target’s My Generation Collection) and that was all that was in Santa’s Budget.  I knew I would make her doll’s clothes at some point in time; however, the pressure was on to make her doll “Lanie” winter clothes when my daughter saw she could take Lanie out for “Free Skate” after Ice Skating lessons!   That was all the motivation I needed to get busy!
I used my College Pattern Making Skills (very rusty) and got to work.   As a bonus it cost me $0 because it was Strictly Homemade!!  I made the pattern and had the material. It doesn’t take much to make this!

It turned out well enough I thought I would share with you my patterns and instructions.  I will do this in two series, the pants and the shirt.  I have also included in there the hat!  Just click on the link and you will be able to print out the pattern.

NEW LINK TO PATTERNS!!! CLICK HERE

Required Material: Fleece, matching thread, 1/4” elastic or smaller, scissors, pattern
1. Cut 2 of the pattern pieces
2. The pants pattern wraps around the leg and only has one seam on the inside.  Stitch together with a 1/4” seam…as seen below

3. Turn inside out one of the pants legs and stick inside the other pants legs with right sides together.  It will look like this….and stitch together with a 1/4'” seam

4. At this point you can try on the pants for a fitting.  Turn under 1/2” at the top (leaving a 1'” hole for the elastic) for elastic and 1/2 hem on the pants.  Stitch.

5. Measure the elastic needed by wrapping around dolls waist add 1”  Draw through by putting a saftey pin on one end.

6. Tie or sew the elastic together.  Stitch your hole on the waist band closed.

7. You are done! Try on your doll’s new pants!

Here is a very happy 5 year old with her American Girl Doll dressed for the Ice!  We now have ice skating shoes thanks to a generous Grammy as well!!

Shirt and hat tutorial here!!!

I have Twin Slipcovers now…

I am over-the-moon to announce I have slipcovered both of my wingback chairs!!!                              

On my last birthday, December 30, 2009 I received from my mom and dad 15 yds of material to reupholster 2 wingback chairs they had given me.  In June of 2010, I finished my FIRST Slipcover!  It was a true accomplishment for me!  As proud as I was of my slipcovered wingback chair the job was not done and the unfinished wingback chair loomed over me!  I moved the unfinished wingback chair into my room, then into the bonus room turned baby room, but it still didn’t get done!!

I knew to complete Cailyn’s room and be completely satisfied with her room I needed to finish the wingback chair to move it back to the living room.  UGH!

At 37 weeks pregnant I got busy!  Nothing like waiting until the last minute! (I think I like the pressure???)  However, I knew if I didn’t finish the slipcover it would be probably another year before it got done!    

I am so proud to say they are both done 1 year and 1 month from receiving this material!!! Whatever your motivation is to get a project done a party, a baby….at least it gets done!!

Here is the back!                                                                  

I am now trying to work on placement of my wingback chairs.  As my hubby says it is musical furniture at our house so for now this is the placement…but I am sure it will change!!                            

Now that the wingback chairs are done, baby Cailyn is allowed to come home!!

Guest Post & Gifts from the Heart Linky Party

So, I will introduce myself. Hi, I'm Lauren, from Our Little Half Acre. I am Maridith's wonderful sister (I can say that because I'm writing it). Since Maridith is about to have her baby anytime I thought I'd help her out and guest post on her Gifts from the Heart Blogging Day. A little disclaimer: I am in no way shape or form as talented as my sister. She amazes me and I feel lucky that I get to be the receiving end of this talent.

A year ago I delivered my first child, a beautiful girl named McKenna. Her first week I started taking pictures of her with a sign that corresponded with her age. I thought it would be fun to look back and see how much she had grown.

And here it is. This was my 1st Birthday gift to my baby girl. I found these frames at Michael's back in November and at that moment I knew exactly what I should do with McKenna's photos. These were 40% off and I was armed with an additional 25% all framing coupon so I though it was a steal!

I thought this would be a special birthday gift for McKenna. I always enjoy looking at pictures of me when I was a baby and I think she will enjoy this when she gets a little older.

I give y'all permission to use this idea, because to tell you the truth I got the idea for the sign pictures from another blog way before I had McKenna.

Now it's your turn what do you have up your sleeves this month?

Thank you to my fabulous sister for Guest Posting!! You are the best & don’t I have the cutest niece??

I would love for you to link up any gifts you have made or crafts!!! Anything Homemade… The link will be open until Jan 28