-we are ready!-

The kids' costumes are ready!  I have been dying to make the cape in the Oliver and S book, Little Things to Sew, and Halloween was the perfect excuse.  Luckily, Felicity really does like the story of Little Red Riding Hood and was easily sold on the idea.  I used some Kona Red for the outside and a pink gingham flannel for the inside.  I made the smaller size, and the whole thing went together very well.   

However, you can't have a Little Red without the Big Bad Wolf, can you?  I was just going to buy a wolf costume, but by the time I started looking the cheapest I could find was $40 (that was cute, anyway).  Call me cheap, but I didn't want to spend that much for something he would only wear once or twice.  So I found this idea on Martha Stewart.  Simple, easy- perfect!  I bought the little gray hoodie and some felt all for under $10.

It took me only an hour this afternoon to cut out the templates from the felt and glue them all on.  That is my kind of costume making.  I do think my favorite part is his claws. 

The only part I actually had to sew was his tail, which is made out of more felt.  I just attached it to the top of his pants with a big safety pin.

I tried to get a picture of Little Red and the Wolf together.  However, the Wolf was distracted by that basket full of yummy treats.  Then he dove right in and attacked!

His attempts were foiled!  Chocolate is not good for wolves.

We tried to convince Juliana to be Grandma, but she didn't go for it.  She wanted to be the beautiful Rapunzel, and I have to admit that if I was six I would want to be Rapunzel too.

All three munchkins together.  (I have no idea what Juliana's foot and twist thing is about.)

The Wolf spots those yummy candies once more!

Hope you all have a safe and wonderful Halloween!

Linking up to Amylouwho's Sew and Tell!

-zip pocket pouch-

What can I say...I really am a sucker for Keyka Lou's patterns.  She came out with this new pattern for a Zip Pocket Pouch.

It was the zipper that sold me.  I have been using this Basic Wallet for awhile now to keep just a couple of cards and some cash, but I always run into problems when I get change.  This definitely fixes that problem!

 I found this cute little key fabric at Peapod Fabrics last time we were up in San Francisco.  It was just about a fat quarter size.  Perfect for this little wallet.  I don't know who designed it, but it is from Windham Fabrics.  From the inside I used a notebook paper fabric by Basic Grey.  I think I probably should have switched out my bobbin thread for something lighter because I think the navy blue is a little harsh on the lighter fabric.  Ah well...

This was a quick and easy sew!  I also love that this pattern comes in three sizes.  I think I might make a tall one for a cell phone case.  The sewing took as long as the cutting, and I think I have found my new teacher/ secretary gift for Christmas this year.  Keyka Lou is offering 20% off her patterns through the 24th with code "zippocket", if you are interested in making one of these for yourself!

I also finished my pillow for the Pillow Talk Swap!  It was a good sewing weekend.  I will be back later to show more!

-habitat-

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for my dad!  He is now out of the hospital and while he still has a ways to 100%, he seems to be heading in the right direction!

Our modern quilt guild had a Habitat quilt challenge.  We were given six fat eighths of Jay McCarroll's line, Habitat, and told to make a small quilt.  I will just say this once (I know there are some Habitat lovers out there.), but I don't like this line. at. all.  Plus, jewel tones aren't really my thing either.  Now I do like certain prints, but for some reason the line as a whole seems too busy to me.  I guess I am more of a soft colors and pretty florals girl.  (My mom is always commenting on how many florals I have in my stash.)  

So I decided to cut the fabric up into small pieces.  I knew I wanted something that spread out these prints and was modern, since these fabrics are definitely more abstract.  I found this pattern, Scattered Showers, by Kate Conklin and knew it was exactly what I was looking for.

This pattern came together so fast!  It was fun.  I would highly recommend it.  It took me only a couple hours Thursday and Friday to cut and sew half the blocks, and then Saturday I put the quilt top together.  I have to go buy some fabric this week for the back, but I hope to have this one complete by the end of the week!

It was so much fun to sit down and really sew for good chunks of time.  With the pregnancy I have just been so dead by the end of the day that all I can do is sit in a chair and watch a movie.  During the day this little man has been demanding my attention.  Don't let these little chocolate brown eyes and messy face fool you- he is trouble.  

what a week!

Last week was such a crazy time.  At the beginning of the week my dad ended up in the hospital suddenly and unexpectedly.  He thought he had the stomach flu, and being a doctor himself did not want to go to the ER.  However, it turned out he had a severe kidney infection.  It took awhile for the antibiotics to kick in, and I had plans to go to the Sewing Summit.  However, I didn't want to leave while words like "kidney failure" were being thrown around.  However, Thursday he felt much better, and my parents said they still would like me to go.  He, however, is still in the hospital for severe leg pain on his left side.  So, please say a little prayer for him and the doctors to figure out what is going on.

I was so lucky to be able to attend The Sewing Summit though!  We flew out Thursday afternoon.  I can't remember the last time I flew without kids, and that by itself felt so luxurious.  No juggling of billions of snacks, toys, strollers, and car seats.  I got to fly out and room with Christy, who I know from our modern quilt guild.

The next morning I accidentally set my alarm for 7:30 PM instead of AM.  Whoops!  I startled out of bed, whipped on some clothes, and went to join in on the shop hop!  All the shops were great.  I found something at every store, and it was so much fun to share in all the excitement with people who are so crazy about fabric. ;0)

This is what I ended up with! I picked out some Little Apples for some skirts for the girls, some boy Children At Play (in case this new baby is a boy), and couple of other fun prints.

That night I joined in on the dinner held by Dana of Old Red Barn Co, who was super nice.  She gave us all these lovely little handmade wallets and super cute sewing machine necklaces.  Saturday was full of classes. I took Dana's blogging class the next day, and I loved her message of just being yourself and staying true to that.  Then I took Gertie's handstitching class.  I definitely learned a lot about different handstitches and found it helpful shown in person.  Gertie had her own little group of cute, vintage clothing sewers, and they were all so cute in their beautiful handmade clothes.  Then I took Susan's (of Freshly Picked) zipper class.  She showed us how to do zippered pouches.  Big Cartel was there filming her class, so I might even be on film. ;0)  The last class was mini quilts by Amanda of Ms. McPorkchop.  This girl was just as bubbly and fun as she seems, and I think she charmed the pants off everyone she met.  I definitely heard the words "mini quilt" from so many people after her class.

I participated in two swaps!  Kati hosted a Rainbow Charm Swap.  Don't they all look great?  I am thinking of using these for my rainbow obsessed daughter.  Any pattern ideas?!

I also participated in Kaelin's Fat Quarter Swap.  I am loving those old Amy Butler Charm fat quarters especially.

Sunday we had two more classes.  Vanessa of V and Co. had a fun photography class.  She taught us all how to lose two inches from our thighs.  Who knew what a little butt lift could do?!?  Then I took Erin's low key home decor panel, where everyone got to join in and give ideas on how to incorporate their sewing into their homes.  

Overall, the whole weekend was a wonderful experience.  Amy and Erin clearly put so much work into this all, and they should be so proud of themselves for hosting such a great event.  We got HUGE swag bags full of fabric, patterns, batting, and more.  I met sooooo many nice and inspiring people.  I admit I felt like a shy little school girl around some people.  I got to meet so many people who have been my swap partner in swaps, and someone who is my swap partner for the current round of the Pillow Talk Swap (although she doesn't know it yet. ;0p), and so many people whose blogs I have been following.  

It was lovely meeting all of you!!!!!!

P.S.  I slept for 12 straight hours last night!!  Was anyone else as exhausted as I was?!  My husband was impressed.

xoxo