Christmas Projects

This year I gave a lot of gifts I made for Christmas. Since my 4 year old is so into puppets right now and his biggest request was for puppets for Christmas, a wonderful lady taught me how to make the handpuppets you see above. My son was thrilled. The puppets you see above are Pinnochio, Dude, and Caillou. Then with all the other charmer totes my 7 year old saw me making over the last few months, he made a last minute request for one. The bottom picture is his tote for using when we go on trips.

More New Charmer Totes!

Yes, I have been sewing in my new area and I love it! In fact, I have been so busy I haven't been able to post and alot of what I have been making is for Christmas gifts so I didn't want the pictures on here. I will post pictures of those things after Christmas. So here are a couple of pictures of my newest patterns in charmer totes.

My New Sewing Room!

For our 10 year anniversary gift Dan has given me my sewing room! He put the storage units in the room, built the counter for my machines, and put in the shelf above the counter! I had my cutting table already, but now everything is in the space open well lit space! I can even set up my ironing board and iron. It is in our basement and it has been made clear that it is off limits to the boys. With the gate at the top of the stairs it will be free from Oliver who is now walking and getting into anything he can.

Slings Are Dad Friendly Too!

Here is my brother with his 2 month old daughter using the sling I made him.

Gender Neutral Bag

A friend ordered a bag as a baby gifts and wanted one that was gender neutral. Here is what I came up with. I think it would also make a great bag for spring! I made 2 and so one is still available!

Wouldn't You Love To Be A Teacher?

These are the bags that I am making that make great gifts for teachers.

It's That Time Of The Year!

I got a phone call last week requesting a car seat cover. When I got off the phone I realized that it was that time of the year as the weather is changing. Here are two girl ones I made in the last couple of days with matching ribbon blankets. I have a couple of boy fabrics that I plan on making up next. These car seat covers are so nice as they are easy to use and you don't have to worry about them blowing off or holding them on like you do when you lay a blanket over. Last winter, Oliver loved having his little ribbon blanket with him to play with and suck on. Now he sleeps with a larger ribbon blanket I made him and it is his item of comfort.

New Charmer Totes!

Having a girl or boy? Here are two charmer totes to give you a choice. Or maybe you just love one of these for yourself? I have to tell you that I love the fabrics on both of these!

New Swaddling Blankets & Burp Pads

New Big Bag

Toddler Boy Bag

Dog Tote

This is a reversible tote bag that is pieced together with 4 pockets. The pattern uses 6 fat quarters.

The Latest And Greatest Slings!

Last week I scored some of my greatest sling fabric yet. I was so excited to get them sewn up. Here they are!

My Big Pink Bag!

Here is my new big pink bag! I love it and enjoyed making it so much that I made 2. There are 2 pockets on the inside. It is a nice roomy bag, measuring 18"w, 13 1/2"h and 9" d. The other one is going to be a gift and am anxious to make more of these. This was totally a new project for me.

Oliver's Towel

Here is a towel that I personalized for Oliver this past Friday. My plan is to make one for each of the boys and then make monogrammed towels for Dan and I.

Prayer Shawl

Four years ago, towards the end of my pregnancy with Elton, my mother in law taught me how to crochet scarves. Last week she helped me learn how to make prayer shawls. This is my first one. I am already half through my second one and am loving making them in the evenings when the boys are in bed.

My Newest Sling!

I was busy sewing this newest sling for a mom at my boys school yesterday and am so happy with how it turned out. I love the pattern on this fabric.

Car Seat Cover

This is a matching car seat cover and ribbon blanket I made for Oliver. For any of us that deal with cold winters or weather at some point during the year these car seat covers are wonderful. It is also much safer than putting a heavy jacket on a baby or blankets under car seat straps. Anything thick that goes under a baby's car seat straps compromises the function of the car seat if there is a crash because the straps must be lengthened with the thickness and baby can come loose in a crash. The car seat cover makes it so much easier than draping a blanket over the seat when out of the vehicle and keeps baby nicely covered when sleeping when out doing errands.

Ring Slings

Here are some of the ring slings I have made. I just started making them in January after I saw a local store selling them for $90-$125!! When I got online and checked it out, that is what a name brand ring sling will cost to buy. With Caleb and Elton I used a Baby Bjorn carrier. I liked it, but found that it really pulled on my neck and shoulders. I just discovered slings right before I had Oliver and was eager to try one out. Now I have to say I am a sling junkie. I started with a pouch sling. Pouch slings are wonderful, but have to be measured for and fitted very carefully. The ring slings provide more adaptability for size and can be worn by more than one wearer.

Slings can be used from newborn up to a toddler that is 35 pounds. Newborns can be placed in the sling in a cradle hold or breastfeeding position. As baby grows you can switch to tummy to tummy hold, kangaroo, and at about 6 months of age a hip carry position (that is the position Oliver is in in these pictures). I am finding the slings to be so much more comfortable and versatile than my Baby Bjorn. Usually I can sell them for $40 if I can get the right price on fabric. I custom order the sling rings which are tested to hold 250lbs. I am amazed at how many I have sold so far!