Farm Themed -

Quiet / Activity Book

A friend of mine told me she wanted an activity book for her little boy. I misunderstood and thought she wanted me to make her one. So, I began making a farm themed quiet book. Later on, I learned that my friend actually wanted to work on the book with me. So, my sister, Tressa, helped me with the quiet book and she gave it to her friend as a baby shower gift.

In case you were wondering, yes, it was already pointed out to us that the door is backwards!

This is more evidence that my make believe world is better equipped for left-handed people like me.

I never did get a picture of the inside of the barn. It had cute stall doors with pockets to hold animal

cutouts glued onto popsicle sticks. They were adorable, good job Tress!!

Every farm needs a tractor. This tractor has interchangeable tractor bodies, for color variety.

Having grown-up with horses, we just couldn't have a farm without one. 

I used embroidery floss and tied off each strand for the hair.

Button-on sheep skins!

A little cat and mouse game!

Let's go fishing!

This page was inspired by Krista! Thanks!!! Copying is the greatest form of flattery, right?

We used a skewer for the fishing pole with a magnet on the end.

Then, we put paperclips inside the little fishies.

Lastly, we needed a farmer!

Party Favors

Bridal Shower - Holiday Themed

I hosted a Couple's First Holidays bridal shower for my sister-in-law. In the party planning stages, I ran across a cute party favor idea. However, I totally underestimated the amount of time it would take me to make them. I was in it way too deep and my husband was helping, but recognized I could use some professional assistance. So, I called for back up. Thankfully Tressa and Krista were willing to come over and save me. Thank you!!!

The shoe template is from Skip to my Lou, and the links are below.
Shoe template: http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/witchshoe.pdf
Lining template: http://www.skiptomylou.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/witchshoeinside.pdf

Ballerina Party Tutus

My posts lately are sporadic and almost non-existent. I will try to be better! That aside, for Katelyn's Birthday Party this year, she picked a ballerina theme and I made tutus for all of the girls. Although it wasn't anything original, they absolutely LOVED them.

I made 13 tutus, and my fingers were pretty sore. The night before the party, I set everything up and a big smile was on my face as I looked over all of the "fluff." At that moment, Ammon looked over at me and said, "Jenna, you know I don't let you do this kind of stuff for Katelyn. I let you do it because I like to watch you get so excited." He is absolutely right! I get VERY excited when I get to be a part of something that makes someone else excited! It was a lot of work, but the excitement on these little girls' faces made it all worthwhile for me!!!

I wish I had taken a picture of the tutus all lined up before the girls put them on. But, they are plenty cute with the little dancers in them! None of the tutus were exactly the same, but I didn't get a picture of all of them. Here are some of the ones I captured!

Pocahontas Costume for Brooklyn

My super-cute, former neighbor, Lindsay, is a very talented photographer.
You can check out just how amazing she is HERE!

I would just like to start this post by saying Lindsay is an incredible person. I will never forget how welcoming and kind she has been to me, especially when we first moved into the neighborhood. It is always an adjustment to move into a new area and Lindsay was the first person to come up to me at church and introduce herself. She told me about her children and even asked if she could sit by me. Lindsay, you have a beautiful smile and a fantastic laugh. I don't think I have ever told you how much that first encounter meant to me...thank you!

Then, you surprised me one day at Taste and Trade (a lunch gathering with other mothers and children in the neighborhood where we exchange food and recipes) when you invited your sister. She recognized me and we discovered that we all attended the same high school together. I am sad to see you guys move, but happy for you too! I have thoroughly enjoyed our friendship!!! Thanks for being such an awesome person.

Needless to say, when Lindsay asked me if I would sew a Pocahontas costume for her daughter, Brooklyn, I couldn't have been more happy to do it. Not just because Brooklyn is the perfect model for Pocahontas! I didn't get to see Brooklyn in her costume, but I hope it was everything she wanted it to be.

Here are some pictures of my standby model, who is much too tall for the costume. But, she was available and cute nonetheless.

Belatedly introducing my handsome nephew, Tanner!!!

My brother, Aaron and his wife, Kirsten, are now parents of a very handsome little boy!

We have been super excited for them!

When Tanner was born, Katelyn wanted to go see him sooooo much. But, rules are rules, and the hospital wasn't going to let her in the unit no matter how hard Aaron tried. So, we had to wait a few days to meet Tanner. While we were waiting, Katelyn helped me make a little present for him. She wanted to be very involved, so I picked a project she could work a lot on. It is not anything fancy, but we were able to work on it together and we had a lot of fun. 

Bear with me...another paper craft!

Lions...

and Elephants...

And Giraffes...

Oh, My!!!

The Power of an Example

I enjoy my attempts at being an astute observer of children and the way they think.
I find their thought processes fascinating & their innocence refreshing. In all honesty, I am totally enthralled in their presence.
On occasion, I am also reminded of the power of an example and exactly what that means to a child.

One such occasion occurred yesterday afternoon. After finishing up some of my church-related responsibilities, I came home and saw a invitation lying on the kitchen counter for a Young Women Recognition night that very evening. I am not particularly familiar with the etiquette of this celebration, but, I felt given the time restraint, a homemade card would be appropriate. I took some motrin to relieve my migraine and laid down to think. My creative juices work best when I ponder general ideas, then go work on the project until details come into place. It might sound strange, but I usually don't know what the project will actually look like until I am almost finished with it.
Well, my adorable little girl came and sat next to me. She could tell I was pondering, and asked me what I was thinking about. I explained, and she offered some good advice. We both journeyed downstairs to retrieve the limited paper crafting supplies that I own. Because I don't make many paper projects and I don't participate in a "card club," I really don't have very much paper or craft making supplies. On the other hand, I give away bags and bins of fabric since I have loads of that!! I brought my things upstairs & set to work. I was trying to be creative, and quickly get this card made so I could have things cleaned up before my hubby finished with his meetings. As usual, K.S. begged to help. I gave her some odds & ends to help out with including folding paper like an accordion. I didn't realize until later, that I probably insulted her since she felt her skills were underutilized. She is quite crafty, but I was impatient. I got about halfway through my project & she disappeared into her bedroom, where she has her own crafty area. She would come out and watch me, then go to her room and copy what I had done.

Here is the result! (please note, I never professed to be paper craft savvy)

Since she understood it was a congratulatory card, she drew herself as a baby in a car seat.

My understanding was she meant to congratulate her parents for her arrival!

I can't even express how much I love this kid!!!

My favorite part was when we sat down together on the couch afterward, and she looked up at me with her gorgeous eyes and said, "Mom, I made a reproduction!"

Wow! What an awesome, awe-inspiring, and scary job it is to be a parent.

Definitely not to be taken lightly!!

FINALLY!!! Right????

Yes, some members of my family have pointed out to me that I have not updated my blog for some time. I am aware of this issue. Although, I have sewn some items, I haven't had time to finish any of them yet. Luckily, one of my wonderful friends, Lindsey, has given me the opportunity to make a blessing outfit for the newest edition to her family. Malachi looks like such a sweet baby, and I couldn't resist!! Given this great opportunity, I finally have an update for everyone. So, Tressa & Krista, you can thank Lindsey!   ; )

Here is the romper I made for Malachi's blessing outfit.

 

 

I had a difficult time finding a matching onesie, so I dyed one using Rit dye.

Lindsey is from Astoria, Oregon, so I thought I would use a bit of an ocean theme.

The pleats were just for fun!

I love little side pockets, so Malachi needed one!

Hope you like the romper Lindsey!

Although I will continue to sew, and post my projects and tutorials, I have decided to go back to school. Therefore, please be patient with me as I strive to meet all of life's demands.

I love my sewing hobby; but as you can see, my projects will be less frequent!

As always, if you have an idea for a project or tutorial, please let me know!!