Makings of a Snuggly

I'm pretty much an expert at waiting until the last minute to start making something for a gift.

Here's what I'm working on today for Darcy's Easter basket:



I'm using the free embroidery pattern Helen Dardik shared with her readers last year.



I thought it would make for a cute snuggly.

Are you making something special or did you find a sweet handmade lovely for your little one's Easter basket?

xoxo
Amy

Fruity Cutie!

I'm so glad you all liked the cupcake topper tutorial. I felt silly posting it, since it's so easy, but that seemed to be a good thing! Yay!

I hope you're all smiling because it's Friday. But just in case you need a little mid-morning pick me up, Harper says, "Oh, hai!"



It's fun having a model for onesies now. I used Danielle's Kawaii Cute Fruits pattern set for this project. I actually enlarged the pattern just a bit, used a Sulky iron-on transfer pen, (Which you can now get here, through Sublime Stitching!) and transferred the image directly on to a piece of red felt.



I know I've shown several projects with embroidered felt patches before, and I'm just curious, would anyone be interested in an embroidered onesie or felt patch tutorial? Sometimes jersey material can be tricky to deal with, and I thought it might be nice to share some tips.

I have another project idea for Danielle's fruit patterns, but I need to work out a few of the kinks first.

While you're at it, be sure to check out Danielle's Eame's inspired coat rack tutorial!



What a great weekend project this would be. I love the colors she used!

Also, she's hosting a giveaway on her blog, so be sure to try your luck with that. Since I'm on the creative team now, I don't feel right about entering, but I would love for you to win!

Another great weekend project to consider? How about a crib mobile made from fabric dots?!




I'm kind of crazy in love with this project, made by Jaime of "Sew She Sews". Her blog and her Flickr stream are so inspiring, you should take a look.

I hope you all have a great weekend, and I'll see you next week!

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

Cupcake Toppers

Today's project is so easy, it's ridonkulous. Let's be honest, I'm not sure it's even worth posting about. But it's so cute, I can't help myself.

Easter is pretty much all about the bunny and the celebration of Spring here at our house. So when I found a vintage copy of The Golden Egg Book by Margaret Wise Brown at a yard sale last Summer, for only $1.00, I had a cute attack and knew I wanted to do something with the wonderful illustrations by Leonard Weisgard.

Cupcake toppers were the obvious answer.

Supplies:
Print out of images on cardstock.
White label stickers
Toothpicks



Cut out the images:



Attach a toothpick to the backside of each image, using a white label sticker:



Blam. You just made a cupcake topper:



Army of cuteness:



See what I mean? So easy. I originally started this project with the intention of sharing the cupcake topper file with you. But after considering the legalities and not knowing if I would be violating any copyright issues, I've decided not to share. Which really bums me out. So if anyone can shed some light on this issue, I would love to know about it.

Otherwise, I hope you're inspired and make some adorable cupcake toppers for your Spring or Easter celebration.

xoxo
Amy

Bird Helping Bird

Last month I went to a "craft social" at a local business and spent some time visiting with my pal Jemellia.

I adore this lady. She is funny, refreshing, and crazy talented. She told me she would be attending Funky Finds Spring Fling, which has already taken place, and asked if I would make a credit card sign for her. The obvious answer was yes, so we decided to do a little trade, because I wanted one of her adorable toddler skirts for Darcy. I was *this* close to being selfish and trading for a gorgeous apron.

After brainstorming via text messaging, we decided a cross stitched pillow would be perfect for craft shows.

I should mention that Jemellia and our other friend Robin often team up at craft shows, operating under 2 Birds in a Pod. When they do this, you are hit with 2 times the amount of pretty, so you'd better have your pocketbook ready.

Jemellia & I met for dinner, to do our little trade, and of course I wasn't finished. At the last minute, I decided to add a little bit more to the design, had to go to my tattoo appointment, and ended up finishing the last bit of stitching at the dinner table.

She took the finished piece home and transformed it in to a pillow.









She even created a pocket on the backside of the pillow to hold their business cards. Brilliant!



She loved her item, and I loved mine. Darcy gave her skirt a big hug when she saw it, and she said she felt like a princess.



(Digital frame is from the fabric covered button kit by Kitschy Digitals.)

After this trade, and over the weekend, I decided crafting for profit just isn't for me. I am much happier making things as gifts, for my home, or for trades. Don't get me wrong, I admire those who can find the drive to craft for profit, and maintain an online shop and do craft shows throughout the year. But right now, that's just not for me.

Perhaps when the girls are older and in school I might change my mind, but for now crafting for bliss is what I love.

xoxo
Amy

Easy Makeover

Happy Monday and happy spring! I am so happy it's officially spring, and from the look of our forecast this week, it will feel like it outside. Saturday was the first day of spring this year, but we actually had another snowstorm here in Oklahoma. We ended up with about 4 inches on Saturday, but thanks to the sunshine and warmer temperatures today, it's pretty much all melted.

In celebration of Spring, I have a few project ideas to share with you this week. Sunshine + coffee = creative fuel.

Today's project is so quick and easy but it adds such a pretty touch to a completed embroidered wall hanging.

You might remember, I shared this photo a couple of posts back, when I was "dreaming of spring."



(By the way, thank you Denise of Craft Gossip for sharing this with your readers. You're always so kind!)

I think the little blue bird is just lovely the way it is, but I got an idea over the weekend to incorporate one of the Woodgrain picture frames from Kitschy Digitals.

After a little resizing, and playing with the colors in photoshop, I printed my picture frame out on to cardstock, cut it out and glued it on top of the embroidery hoop.

What do you think?



I just love the charm it adds to the finished piece.

Here's another completed project:



If you're interested in trying this for your embroidery projects too, you can find the "Woodgrain Frames" digital kit here.

xoxo
Amy

Extra! Extra!

Are you guys familiar with Danielle Thompson of Kitschy Digitals? You are? Yeah, she's pretty amazing, and I've had a wee bit of a crush on her and her amazing work for a while now.

Recently she had a call for submissions for her Creative Team, and I got a spot! My friend Dana and I are on the roster for embroidery!



I don't know squat about digital scrapbooking, but I wish I did! It's so cute and inspiring! I'm seriously thinking about taking this class for beginners, offered by Jessica Sprague.

If you are lucky enough to know a thing or two about digital scrapbooking, be sure to pick up Danielle's newest kit for only ONE BUCK!

Vintage cameras, yay!




Even if you're like me, and don't know anything about it, except that you like it, get it anyway. IT'S ONE BUCK. But only for today, so don't miss out!

She also has the vintage cameras available as embroidery patterns.



Yeah, she's easy to love, isn't she?

Be sure to take a look at her other embroidery patterns and get totally crushed out on those too.

Hugs & Stitches,
Amy

Thumbelina

Just a quick little post to share a picture of my newest tattoo! I told Dave I wanted a tattoo of Harper in a thimble, since she's our tiny Thumbelina baby.

Once again, he's exceeded my expectations and amazed me.



I love how the two tattoos play off of each other:



Eventually, I'd like to get the watercolor portrait of Darcy that Dave painted as a tattoo.



Chicago friends: Dave will be guest spotting at Deluxe Tattoos at the end of April. I hope you can make plans to visit him! I'll be sure to post the exact dates once I know for sure when he will be there. But if you think you might be interested, I recommend contacting him soon, as he tends to book quickly.

Now for a little stitching! I made this for Dave after the triceratops tattoo as a thank you / tip.



Some of you may be thinking, "Wha?" This is a play on the popular phrase, "All your base are belong to us." If this still doesn't make sense, click here for a more detailed explanation.

This sign is a huge hit and I've been convinced to make more of these. So if your tattooist is a hipster geek, I'll have more of these in my Etsy shop soon.

xoxo
Amy

Dreaming of Spring

Today it's beautiful and full of sunshine. A sure sign that Spring is just weeks away.





I love you, Winter, but I'm ready for longer days, shorter nights, lots of sunshine, getting my hands dirty, having a house full of open windows, leaves on trees, homegrown food, birdsongs, and picnics. These are just a few of the things I love about the upcoming change in seasons.

Who else is ready for Spring?

xoxo
Amy