Baby Girl's Quilt

Every pretty baby girl needs a quilt. 

Baby Greta's quilt is based on this pattern... with just a few modifications (namely being about 6x bigger) I made the blocks as instructed, then sashed it with 3 1/2" strips all around. My very favorite part is the aqua binding...

Crib sheets are the simplest thing ever to make. Here are some very easy to follow instructions - and it makes the quilt seem extra special to have matching sheets! What I {L-O-V-E} about homemade sheets is that you can choose a fabric that is high quality and very very soft. Sometimes store bought crib sheets are like sandpaper... and what baby wants that?

(10 weeks!)

Greta loves her quilt!

<3 AmberLou

sharing at a few of these parties... :)

4th of July Duds: Cottage Home Sew-Along Reveal

I love, love, love Mz. I's new outfit.

I was hesitant about making this pattern, since the XS size was 2T-3T, and my little girl comfortably fits into 18m, but it was really easy to modify the pattern. When cutting out the top, I measured one of Mz. I's shirts whose length I liked, and adjusted the length of the cut piece. The width I figured would be fine - the design is 
more blouse-y than fitted. 

I love it!

The shorts were basically the same - I measured an existing pair that she had and modified the pattern slightly. I shortened the waist 
and legs, and brought the seams in about 1/2" to accommodate 
her tiny legs.

Love, love {L-O-V-E} the shorts! 
(and the little bows!)

(and this little bow, you can only see when she 
shows off her belly button!)

When listing the fabric requirements for this pattern, Lindsay promised there would be enough leftover for whatever accessories we wanted to make.

Mz. I has a serious love affair with hats. 
So I made her a newsboy girl(?) cap. 

I. Just. Love it!


Did I mention that this pattern, while complicated looking, was really quite simple?


Thank you Lindsay, for hosting this great sew-along!

<3 AmberLou

Hey! I'm one of the five finalists! Please go vote for this outfit here! 

sharing at some of these great parties!

Cottage Home Sew-Along

Have you seen the little girl's sew-along that Lindsay at The Cottage Home is hosting this week?

We're making this. 

My friend Kim and I are doing this together... 

I've got my fabric

and of course, my muse, Mz. I

I'll post the finished outfit next week! 

{SO} excited to get started!

<3 AmberLou

Patriotic Paint Chip Banner

I saw the cutest banner in Better Homes and Garden, July issue and just had to make one. I asked myself, "Self, why make it and then not share it's cuteness with all of our faithful followers." So I am...

Here are the paint chips - I didn't end up using them all.


I thought I could improve and make it cuter with things like these...


But in the end...simpler was so much better.


In the magazine they display this along the edge of a 4th of July decorated table.Mine will be going on Amanda's fireplace mantle, but the shorter version will be above my front door (but it is too dark for a picture now).

This only cost the price of the yarn, $1. Easy and a great way to add a splash of color to any party.
Happy Independence Day America!
~jan

Linking to some of these parties.
Linked to...http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2011/06/show-me-what-ya-got-30.html

More Dinosaurs...

I came across this pattern while looking for a fun 
homemade baby gift idea.

littleblackteapot.blogspot.com

So sweet! 

I made one of these little guys for a friend's baby shower. 


My son stole it and took this picture with his dinosaur toys.

My little girl stole it from him, and wouldn't give it up.

So I made her a pink one. 

My 5 year old wanted one. 

He wanted it to be really big, and he wanted to stuff it himself.

He did. For about two minutes, before he got bored and graciously allowed me to finish it.

Since then I've made a few more...

I am SET for a few upcoming birthday gifts!

My son informed me that this is a LONG-NECK, not a STEGOSAURUS, so it shouldn't have spikes. 

He's the dino expert. 

Then he told me I should make a stegosaurus.

So I did.

(I just tapered the pattern to a kind of point instead of making the neck swoop up)

I made this stegosaurus for another friend-with-baby, and made the spikes ribbon taggies. 

I just LOVE this pattern! 

Go print it! Her directions are super easy to follow, it takes just a scrap of fabric (stash-buster!) and the kids love this guy! If you've been wanting to try out some three dimensional projects, this is a great one to learn on!

<3 AmberLou

sharing at some of these parties...

Banana Pancakes

I love pancakes! I make them just about every weekend. Last weekend I made them twice. Sunday I made huckleberry pecan pancakes, which were to die for. Saturday I made BANANA PANCAKES! I found a low-cal healthy recipe I really wanted to try and they were so good I decided to share them with you. I also loved the idea of these pancakes because my oldest son, who is serving an LDS mission, plays the guitar and THIS song by Jack Johnson was one of the first he learned to play.
Banana Pancakes

1/4 c whole wheat flour
1/4 c ripe banana, mashed
3 T Egg Beaters (I used 1 egg white instead)
1 T skim milk (or more if the batter is too thick)
1/4 t baking powder
1/4 t vanilla
1 packet Equal or other artifical sweetener
dash salt
dash cinnamon
dash nutmeg


Combine all the dry ingredients. Combine all the wet ingredients. Mix together. This is a thickish batter; it won’t be as thin as regular pancake batter. Cook 5 pancakes on a hot griddle.
(I added 1Tbl. of finely chopped pecans for a crunchy kick!)

This recipe came from 400 Calories or Less Everyday Meals for Everyday Living 1 serving = 185 calories per serving
Aileen has several recipes on her website I can't wait to try. Give her a look-see. Enjoy! ~jan

I love participating in THESE linky parties! AND

Thanks Ladies!

The Big Boy Post

My big boy, who is turning 5 next month recently moved out of his toddler bed into a Big Boy Bed!

Of course this occasion calls for a quilt!

I really liked Amanda Jean's Round and Round Quilt, 

but I admit I hate cutting tiny things, so I modified it and made my squares 3" instead of 2".

I also used really {manly} colors. (Cause it's for a big boy!)


My favorite bit, by {far} is the pieced binding. It makes me happy to look at it.

Mr. E and I are both super happy with how it turned out.

<3 AmberLou

Facing Anxieties

I like to think that I Fear No Craft! (Because I am very {brave}, you see.)

I admit I have been a tiny bit apprehensive (not scared!) about a few aspects of quilting. Pinwheels and free-motion quilting. They just look scary intimidating!

I decided to combine them into one project, and get over it. 

Ms. Amanda's little girl had a birthday recently, and I made a little doll quilt for her with this pattern. 


This pattern ends up being 18x18, and I made it entirely out of scraps. 

Pinwheels? Piece o' cake. Free-motion quilting? So fun! 

I will be doing both of these again very soon, and now I'm looking for something else that frightens bothers me to try out! 

My daughter tries out the quilt... guaranteed to keep even the chilliest of dollies cozy!

<3 AmberLou

Imagination and inspiration! Thanks!

Due to my complete immune system breakdown, I have not finished my sewing projects. So today I am featuring some great ideas I have seen in bloggerland[and don't have the energy to replicate]. I am always amazed by the incredible imagination and talent people have acquired.

I am in love with these valentine bags!Find them at http://tencowchick.com/2011/01/15/valentine-chair-backers/


These 'Love Trees' prove trees are not just for Christmas! So chic! Check them out at
http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2011/01/love-treestutorial.html


This is one of those super cute crafts that you say to yourself, "why didn't I think of that?" I am on a quest a find cupcake liners [one more thing to hoard] So glad you shared. Find the tutorial here...http://brandyscrafts.blogspot.com/2011/01/simple-valentines-day-topiary.html



Love. Love. Love... this subway art! I lived in New Orleans as a nanny back in 1984 and this inspired work brought back such memories. Thanks! You can find it here...
http://www.bigdandme.com/2011/01/kelly-b-day-gift/


Have a FABULOUS Thursday!
~jan