Summer fun!

Summer photo challenge!

The RESULTS...storybook swap!

I was involved in another sewing swap called "Storybook swap". I had one idea of what I wanted to do but it wasn't much sewing so I switched gears once I found out who my swap partner was and her two children. The kids are close in age between my 3 so it was easy to figure out styles I just didn't have much older style knit fabric yet. Here's the peasant style nightgown I made for the oldest daughter J, I couldn't find any coordinating fabric to match these tulip cupcakes I think is what you would refer to this pattern. Every color I tried was off a shade too much, sorry I'm a perfectionist and that includes finding the perfect matching color.
I'm sending along this book as well since she is at a higher reading level, I figured a chapter book by one of my favorite authors would be nice.
The mom asked for no pjs but I wanted to make her something that comes from my heart and hands...a beautiful knit scarf I made her.
For the son, this was fun to make and finding the right book was difficult. I had one in mind the entire time but it is OOP and costly so I have probably read about 20 cowboy books to the kids the last few weeks from the library to find just the right book. This is a super silly book but with such a great story line about friendship and courage. I made the younger brother flannel pj bottoms with a RTW long sleeved t shirt that I appliqued the fabric to it.
Here's the whole package...I sent along the woven cotton fabric as well for her to make summer pjs for her son that matches the flannel. The kids also received 2 hand knit face wash cloths from me and I found these really cool straws that are filled with cookies and cream that you place in your milk to change the flavor.

Hope everyone enjoys the treats!

Kids swap sent out!

Okay, everything is ready to be mailed out for sorting in my big swap I did for the "Holiday celebrations in July" swap. Here's the kids items... I know I showed this one earlier but I just love it...I made 6 of these little flower fairy kits to send out.
I made two girl toddler knit hats in bright colors.
Than I worked on some boy items...knit hat that fits up to 4 years and the other hat can be worn up to 6 years.

I can't wait to get my box for the swap to see what everyone else made.

You say it's YOUR BiRtHdAy!

Sweetpea celebrates her 9th birthday today! Being that she is such an exceptional young lady that is very mature for her age and takes great care for others hubby decided she deserved a very nice gift! Yep, that's an Ipod that plays music and movies she is holding in her hand. She is very excited by this gift and has been very good at taking care of it. We were visiting my folks this week so we gave it to her the day we got there so she had something to enjoy while we were at the hotel for 2 days. The kids really enjoyed the swimming pool but I think I'm watered logged!

Happy 9th Birthday sweetpea! You are growing up to be a such a beautiful young lady inside and out. I love you!

Sunday children's church...

Here's what I've got planned for this Sunday for the toddler nursery (2 to 3 year olds). The worksheet has been in the cabinet for awhile and it's fairly simple with following the dotted line across the sheet to the animal the tracks match. As I was reading over the bottom part of the worksheet, it mentioned making flashcards to match tracks to animals. Since these kids are quite young I made this up for the kids. I found the alphabet animal pictures at homeschool.about.com than I drew footprints to match them on one long sheet of paper that the kids will glue on first to the flip book. They will color the animal pictures than glue the picture to the front flap that matches the footprints from underneath.

Here's what I made for women's swap!

I joined a swap on a sewing forum called "Holiday Celebrations in July" to get a head start on my Christmas buying list. Fortunately I don't have to sew everything so I did my favorite knitted pieces as well. This is a new idea for me...lavender drawer/laundry sachets. I purchased lavender seeds at etsy in bulk, than I went ahead and sewed up 12 little cotton woven pouches to hold the lavender. The ladies can either place one in a drawer to freshen up linens or pjs, OR you can put on pouch in the dryer while drying linens for a nice lavender scent.
I made these beaded serving spoon and pie server set. Super quick and a lovely gift!
I still need to clean up the tails on these knitted dish cloths but I made sets of 3.
This scarf is super soft and in great colors for fall and winter! I did the basketweave pattern.
My always favorite and never fail knit hats in great neutral colors for either men or women or even teens to enjoy!

Hope the swappers like the goodies I made. I also made a pair of cotton woven pj capri bottoms but forgot to take a photo with my new serger!