Gemma in her Minnie Mouse Dress!

These pictures were actually taken in October when Kim, Jacob, Brandi and baby Gemma came to visit me in Kentucky and I just never got around to posting them.  I must say that she is a MUCH better model then my stuffed monkey! 

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens . . .

Now that I have finished Derek's safari quilt (don't worry, there will be pictures of the finished product up soon!) I decided that it was time to make one for myself.  I wasn't able to settle on a pattern because there are just so many things that I love and that is why I decided to make a "my favorite things quilt".  It is going to be a combination of patchwork, applique and embroidery using my favorite fabrics, patterns and designs.  The first two squares are an applique teacup, and pair of owls holding hands (or wings, rather). I finished them up this weekend because really, who studies for finals anyway? Hehe.   The owls are in an 18" square and the teacup is in a 10" square.  One of my favorite parts of this quilt design is that it will be made up of all different sized squares that are fit together with different patchwork strips and borders to add to the quirky, eclectic feel :)

Beauty and the Beast

From time to time, someone decides to start and advocacy thing on facebook thought either status updates or default photos.  The new facebook "thing" is to change your profile picture to your favorite childhood cartoon character in awareness of child abuse.  I decided to search for the perfect photo of Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast and came up with so many.  So, you, Blogger, get to see all my other options :)  I've always thought of Belle as "my" character because she longs for adventure, loves to read, loves to dance, sees the good in people, and talks to household objects.  And I just had to add that last picture because I am pretty positive that is the face my boyfriend makes every time I make him go ballroom dancing with me, hehe. 

Come away with me

I am 100% certain that I would go wherever he ask me to go. 

"Forget them, Wendy. Forget them all. Come with me where you'll never, never have to worry about grown up things again"

My very own Madeleine Mini Bloomers!

While finishing my quilt, I looked up some sewing information and stumbled across this pattern for a little pair of ruffly shorts called Madeleine Mini Bloomers.  The pattern was free online (just print it out and tape it together!) and looked simple enough.  Plus I thought they were so adorable that I just had to make a pair!        

When I was in florida in May, Ma Bea gave me this fantastic fabric she found for $1/yard and I absolutely adore it.  Notice the tiny hearts in between the stripes?

  

The shorts take less than a yard and less than an hour to make.  The waistband is two rows of elastic.  The original pattern called for 1/4 in, but I only had 1/2 inch.  I think with the smaller elastic it might have been more ruffly and delicate, but the 1/2 inch makes them super comfortable and snug, while still having a nice feminine ruffle and shape.

Another aspect of the pattern that I tweaked is the legs.  The pattern uses ribbon to cinch the legs (the ribbon goes through a casing and out of two buttonholes), but I didn't want to have to mess with ribbons and ties, so I simply used more of my elastic.  Using elastic makes bows completely optional and I have been playing around with where I want them positioned.  What do you think?  Waist only?  Legs only?  All or none?

I love them to bits, though part of me feels like I need to just stick them in my hope chest (wink) and make myself a pair of slightly longer shorts out of some bright cupcake fabric to wear around my house for now.  hehe :)  If you are interested in making a pair of your own (which I highly recommend!), you can check out the pattern here Free pattern - Madeleine Mini Bloomers