Shop Update

This past week, I've gotten three custom orders for the shop - so happy!!

I've also added some new stuff, including some funky crocheted granny square slippers, a cute little girl scarf (or big girl scarf...your pick), a sherbet-inspired little girl hat, another nursing cover, and - thanks to my friend Jaicy's idea - a "feminine products pouch." Haha I love that idea!

So anyway, thanks for all the orders - and keep 'em coming!

The Pillowcase Dress

Here's my first attempt at a pillowcase dress:







(Yes, with matching head band - I had extra fabric!)



I had read about pillowcase dresses a while ago and was finally in the mood to try one. I followed the general idea from this page.

Technically, this is my SECOND attempt. The first one came out fine, but GIGANTIC on little Lily - guess that's what happens if you wing it and don't actually hold anything up to your child - so I immediately started on a new one for her that came out quite nice.

Maybe she can wear this one now, and by the time she fits the HUGE version, our second little girl will fit this one ;)

Hmm, maybe I'll make a few of these cute little dresses for my shop the next time I get a spare moment to myself...

Updates in the Shop

I've been on a hat crocheting kick - can't you tell? And I finally got some of my headbands posted...just like the ones in last year's give-away.



I'm pretty happy that now there's a good mix of baby and adult stuff. More stuff to come!

New Stuff for Sale at Etsy

It's been a while since I've talked about the shop, but I figure I'd better start promoting it now that people have started their Christmas shopping! Three new things in the shop are a set of coasters, a coffee sleeve, and a Boppy slipcover - all featuring a really cool apples & pears print of which I wish I had 10 more yards. (The matching nursing cover is already gone!)



Coming soon: Headbands, hats, and lots of crocheted goodies. I may even get out my Christmas prints and start whipping up something festive!

(Don't forget, you can always get to the shop or preview its contents in the right-hand column of this blog - or just go there: http://hestermania.etsy.com)

The Shop is Open for Business!

I finally did it - I finally opened my Etsy shop!

http://hestermania.etsy.com



Go and take a look and spend, spend, spend. ;) Tell everyone you know! More items added regularly. Custom orders gladly accepted.

A special thanks to Aunt Ilse and Hazel for being my wonderful first purchasers!!!

PS A link to the shop with gallery thumbnails will now be available in my sidebar -->

My First Commissioned Sewing Project

Boppy slipcover for a newborn named Benjamin:







Matching crayon pouch for his four-year-old sister:





Thanks for the order (and the love), Jen!

Happy Birthday, Kirsten

This weekend, my niece Kirsten celebrated her 3rd birthday. For her present, I made her an apron, since she is a big fan of helping her mom cook/bake, and they got her a lovely kitchen set for Christmas.

Looks like it fits, with room to grow!



I knew that material was perfect for her the moment I saw it.



Of course it could not be from me without corduroy somewhere (the pocket). I really enjoyed adding the lace trim around the top and the blue ribbon ties across the waist. My biggest mistake was accidentally sewing the waist tie onto the underside of the pocket (oops - how did that ribbon get down there?).



A quick snip and that was fixed. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised with how this turned out, and foresee many apron adventures in my future ;)

(Her party had a Greek theme, and here's a shot of the cake I brought:



I'm looking forward to the comments to see who gets the joke first...hehe.)

Give-Away Day

I am so excited to participate in "Give-Away Day" sponsored by Sew, Mama, Sew. The rule was that items offered have to be handmade (or used to make handmade items), so I was wondering...what on earth could I make??

Headbands!
That's right, everyone who leaves a comment will be entered to win this set of four headbands made with my wonderful new sewing machine.

I couldn't decide which blue one to include, so you'll just get both. I have been wearing headbands like these ever since I cut my hair short, and I like them a lot. They are all closed with a stretchy hair tie, which is way simpler than sewing in elastic...not that I've ever sewn in elastic.



(Click on either headband photo to enlarge.)

These patterns are pretty cute, with tiny flowers, stars, and hearts. The blue headband with little yellow flowers makes me think of duckies...and Ikea. The darker blue headband is the same fabric as the Boppy slipcover I made for Joshua. (Hi, Jen and Joshua! - feel free to enter if you want a headband to match your slipcover, hehe.)



So if you'd like these, just leave a comment and I'll pick a winner by the weekend. Please make sure to include your e-mail address or blog URL so I have some way to reach you (U.S. entrants only).



(Here's a shot of my little pumpkin and me wearing the paisley headband I made.)

Also...*drumroll please* I'm thinking of opening an Etsy shop, where I'll sell random little stuff like this. People can even choose their own fabric. I have a lot of ideas (though not a lot of time!) and have wanted to open a shop for a while. It might still be a while before I have enough things, but feel free to send your comments or ideas (or extra fabric...hehe) in the meantime.

And if you want some headbands, but don't win the giveaway, you can always commission them from me. ;)

Enjoy!!

So I've Been Sewing...

It only took me 8 months, but I finally got up the nerve to really try out my new sewing machine. Within the last couple of weeks, I have fixed Lily's flannel PJ pants, and have made two Boppy covers, three headbands, one nursing cover (thanks, Lori, for providing the material, the boning, and the know-how...and for sewing some of it whilst I attended to the babes), and am working on a patchwork pillow cover.

That may not sound like a lot, but for me, it's HUGE. I haven't really sewn since HOME EC in middle school. Heart-shaped pillow, anyone?

I am gathering patterns, material, and other "notions" (haha) so I can have a sewing stockpile to help me on my way. Last week, my mom and I went to a big church garage sale, and I filled a brown shopping bag with as much fabric as I could for $5. Believe me when I tell you I packed every last inch of that bag with every kind of fabric I could stuff in there. It was filled to overflowing, but still just $5!

I am very happy with the patterns I've been finding online (what's up next? I want to try this skirt for Lily - see some samples and this sock monkey), and I get a free ePattern courtesy of Money Saving Mom if I mention that Sense and Sensibility Patterns now offers e-patterns. Gotta love free.

I'll try to post pictures of my accomplishments when I get the chance (but not all of them, b/c something is a gift that has yet to be sent out - shoot!) and I have dreams of opening an Etsy store some day. But I still have a lot more learning to do first!

Sewing / Quilting Room Inspiration

So I recently mentioned I got a sewing machine and was attempting to begin a Boppy slipcover of my very own? Well, look at this beautiful sewing/ quilting room I came across online. It makes me want to ORGANIZE! And sort by color!

And, you know, sew.

Of course, we don't have an entire extra room to dedicate to crafty projects or supply storage, but a girl can dream...

Sewing Machine

For my birthday, Ryan bought me a sewing machine.

Now before you get all, "Woman, go sew me something and cook my food" on me, I want to mention that this was MY idea - I ASKED for a sewing machine. (It was on my garage sale list, remember?) And Ryan - happy to oblige - did TONS of research online before we hit a quilting shop to look at their machines with his parents, who actually know something about the subject firsthand. (Us? Not so much.)

[Brit, this place would have left you drooling for months. You seriously need to check it out next time you come east to visit family. It's an easy drive from AC.]

We ended up bringing home a Bernina. I have more details about the machine downstairs, but am too lazy to go down and get them right now. It's a beautiful machine with lots of fancy features that are a little overwhelming for the virtually novice sewer that I am.

But I have lots of ideas for things I want to make and for things that need to be fixed. I went online last night and found a homemade pattern for Boppy slipcovers and other baby goodies that I'm itching to try.

So what has inspired the newfound domestic diva in me? Am I nesting? Will this phase last long? We shall see...