Pay It Forward

Yesterday, Janelle from threadsoffriendship.blogspot.com did pay it forward, and I was one of the people who signed up first! Now its my turn to do it here!

So, how does this work? Well, for the first 3 people who will post a comment to this post, I will make you a lovely handmade gift each. But, you have to have a blog yourself, and be willing to pass the 'Pay It Forward' concept on. So you will then have to put it on your blog and make three gifts for other people. Let's spread some happiness and have some fun! So the rules state that I have 365 days (ample time!) to make a gift in. I'm more than happy to send something internationally - so everyone can be involved!!

What better way for everyone to join hands around the globe and share our crafty goodness!!!

So, who wants me to make them something - then you go and get to pass it on?

PS

Check back tomorrow for something exciting!

Handkerchiefs and beautiful children

I had to take a break from the rag dolls because I need to put their faces on before I sew the bodies together. I need to get some fabric paint to do this. I tried something fun tonight that I have been waiting to do. I made the handkerchiefs that Grosgrain did a tutorial for. I would put a link, but I don't know how to do that. This is the first time I have ever used a zig-zag stitch. It was fun! The trick is to not watch the needle! I had to concentrate on just keeping the fabric straight going under the presser foot.

A few tips:
1. Use a stiffer fabric. All of my fabrics were cotton, but some of them were a little stiffer than others. The not stiff ones bunched up a little under the zig-zag stitch.
2. It would be best to use a darker fabric. Even though the stitches are in a contrasting color, the not straightness of my hem was much more noticeable on the fabrics with the white backgrounds!
3. Backstitching is hard with the zig-zag. It can bunch up your material and make it get caught in your machine. Be careful!

Here are my three hankies that I made tonight:


Mine are 8 x 8. She calls for 12 x 12, but because I was not thinking, I told the lady I needed a quarter of a yard. Aren't they cute little fabrics?!

In other news, I have cute children. I am not sure if you noticed this from all of the pictures that from all of the pictures that I put on here so I am just letting you know. They are the best!



That little Pilly. Don't you just want to maul her and kiss those cute chubby cheeks right off of her face! I know I do. I would probably get a lot more done during the day if I didn't spend so much time cuddling this baby. She turned 10 months old Monday. I have to savor this babyness while I can!



Isn't this little Pnut beautiful?! She has such delicate little features. And such a fun personality! Well, you don't know that, but she does. She doesn't let me kiss her all the time like Pillster so I treasure the love that I can get from her:)

Also, I think that I would get a lot more work done if all of you people would stop having such awesome blogs. They distract me when I am supposed to be typing. One of the hazards of working from home I guess. I certainly don't want you to stop having your great blogs!

Simplify Giveaway

http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/simplify/

She is giving away a quilt. You get to pick the pattern. So cute!

Arms and Legs

So all the arms and legs are stuffed now. Now comes the hard part. I haven't quite figured out the instructions yet so...hopefully they turn out alright. Joel said that he hopes the girls don't end up with finger warmers:)

What I Have Had to Resort to

To keep her from waking up her sister from nap, I have to put the gate across the hallway now. This is ridiculous. If I don't have it there, she crawls back the hall with frequent checks to see if I am looking. If I tell her no, she smiles and crawls a little faster. If I get up to get her, she makes a last burst to get to the door and at least smack it with her hand before I get to her. So now since she cannot get back the hall, she is standing at the gate yelling. Maybe that will wake Pnut up. Next, look for a picture of a baby with duct tape across her mouth:)

I think I may have been more firm with Pnut when she was little.

Doll Progress

This is where we stand now. I have two arms and two legs sewn, and the two arms are stuffed. It is hard to stuff those things! They are tiny, and doll stuffing doesn't really just roll right up and slide in. But it is progress, and I have hope again for these dolls! They will be fun if they turn out right:)