Fall Wreath

So I wanted a fall wreath, not Halloween. I scored a good deal on a huge pack of paper that included fall, Halloween, and Christmas papers. I got a straw wreath with a 40% off coupon and got started. I cut 10 pieces of paper into strips, they were anywhere from 1/4" up to 1/2" wide. I curled them around my fingers about 4 times, stuck a straight pin in them and pushed it into the wreath. Then I repeated that about 200 times. I picked a cute "Jack-Be-Little" pumpkin from the garden and hung it on my wall. (I planted these pumpkins specifically because I want to decorate with them every year but I refuse to buy them from the store.)

I think I'll make a few more for some other holidays!

Hugest puffy quilt so far

So "hugest" probably isn't a word, but this blanket I made was sure HUGE! A client ordered a full size puffy quilt for her little girls new big girl bed. It was pretty much like making 4 crib size quilts and then attaching them together. I have to say that it looks amazing and so comfy! I also know why I don't want to make many more of them that big. They are so heavy and hard to finish off because the end product pulls so much on my machine. But, I propped it up on some chairs and the table next to me and pushed through the heavy part. It's beautiful and I hope the lucky little girl in North Carolina likes it as much as I did!

Here's a picture of my little guy breaking it in for me. He loves to lay down on them but I shoo him away quick so no grubbies get on the new quilt!
They also ordered a valance and curtain panels to match. The valance is so cute in the horse and boot fabric from Riley Blake. The panels are bright pink with a large brown band at the bottom and they are lined to block out almost all light. I used a really heavy duty lining that is a virtual light and heat barrier.
The bed skirt seemed like miles and miles of fabric all gathered up to create a really full skirt. The brown band at the bottom is a miniature of the brown band on the curtain panels. It turned out so cute!

Love this blue and brown!

Here is the surprise for my SIL (hope she's slow to read my blog!) because I couldn't wait to post it! I used all scraps from making her baby set to make her a matching puffy quilt. I loved working with these fabrics again and I love when there are different textures mixed into the same quilt. There is a medium weight fabric, a minky fabric, and a cotton. I love the piping around the edge and I think I'll start making more of my quilts with a piping edge. This could be used as a play mat, a throw quilt on the end of a bed, a quilt to snuggle on cold Wyoming nights (for our 7-8 month winters!), or even a throw rug on the ground in front of a crib. I can't believe I got it ready for her baby shower which is in 5 days. Now to finish the valances and her baby's room is done, well not the painting but that's not my department!






Matches this:

Urban Zoologie Owl- another favorite fabric!

I've had the chance to work with more fun fabric recently! I'm making a baby bedding set for a gal in New York City! All the way from little ole' Wyoming. It's turned out so fun and comfy and she did a great job picking fabrics! I've learned a few things along the way too, like 2 thick layers of batting plus two layers of minky fabric do NOT fit in my sewing machine. And, you need to use extra pins on super stretchy fabric. Everything went fairly smoothly though and I'm hoping the orders will keep rolling in because it's so much fun staying home and getting to work with fabrics that are so cute.

The double sided minky, plus piping crib skirt sitting on top of the crib sheet (Urban Zoologie Cream Owl) on top of a cotton cream and orange single pleat crib skirt.

The side view of the crib bumper and sheet.

The pillow, blanket, bumper, sheet and skirt.

The minky backed blanket.

More baby's room stuff

So I'm busy working on the rest of my SIL's baby room stuff. It gets more fun the more I work on it thanks to the fun fabrics! Can you believe I don't have a crib to set the stuff up in and take pictures? After 6 kids, we got rid of the crib and have a mattress waiting for the toddler bed. So my kitchen table had to act as the crib.

I have a removable boppy cover:


A blue checkered minky sheet (my new favorite fabric) on top of a striped and blue and brown, 3 pleated crib skirt:


The whole ensemble (so far):

Last I am making the crib bumper (introducing 2 new coordinating fabrics that haven't been seen yet!) and 2 basket liners. Depending on the left over fabric we may come up with a valance or curtains. And I may throw in a surprise... shhhhh.

Complete baby bedding sets available at my etsy shop!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/OnceUponaChildhood?ref=si_shop

I've been waiting...

To make something out of this fabric! I know this "chevron" fabric is trendy right now and I know a million people have made pillows from it. I've been dying to get my hands on some and my SIL gave me the perfect chance. I'm making her baby's room stuff and this is the pillow for her rocking chair. I love it!


I'm thinking that a big stack of these pillows in all different colors would be great for a craft fair right before Christmas. What do you think? Would you buy one for an easy present that anyone would love? How much would you pay? What color do you want?

Also, her diaper stacker. Excuse the nasty dresser that it is hanging from. And I need to spend some more time with the iron but then it'll look great! Can't wait to meet my new little nephew and also to get the rest of the baby bedding done.

Bar-b-q Chicken Salad

So awhile back I was on a "Whole Foods" kick, just cooking more nutritious meals for my family out of whole foods and avoiding all processed foods. Summer came and I lost track if I was doing better with our meals but I came across this dinner idea and now I'm back to thinking about it! I LOVE COLOR in my food. I can't stand when there is only one color on the plate. This salad is beautiful on a white plate!

I make dinner for 8 so this is the amount of stuff I used:

Cut up your 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken and cook it in a small amount of oil.
Toss with 1 cup of bbq sauce (if you made this homemade it would be healthier! I bought mine).
Lay on a bed of lettuce.
Mix up a relish of corn, black beans, and tomatoes. I used 6 roma tomatoes, 2 cans of corn, and about 1 1/2 cups of black beans.
Top the chicken with the relish.
Sprinkle with shredded cheese and crushed up tortilla chips.
Garnish with sour cream or ranch and salsa.

YUMMMMMM!!!!
Add a side of stir-fry'd summer squash and steamed green beans and you have a great "Whole Foods" dinner from the garden!