more bags

I am back again, but to share something this time instead of pestering you all for ideas. :)  I finished the bags for my older children last week, but didn't get a chance to take photos.  They had to use them right away so they aren't quite as crisp as they were when I finished them, but they are being put lovingly to use and that's more important any way.

My daughter chose a pretty pink fabric for the handles and lining and a burgundy floral pattern with some pretty pink flowers for the outside fabric.  I used Amy's Easy Fat Quarter Bag tutorial again for both bags.

It's hard to believe she is 8 already.  She's my tomboy who still loves pink and some girly things, but she can definitely keep up with the boys.  I guess that comes from being surrounded by brothers.  Although I've never really been too girly and I have 3 sisters.  So, who knows . . .

My oldest son loves ambulances, fire trucks, police cards, helicopters, etc.  Pretty much anything with flashing lights and sirens.  This fabric I found was perfect for him.  We paired it with a navy blue for the straps and the lining is the same as the outer fabric.

He's already 10 years old and growing up so quickly.  He was still excited about his bag, though.  I love seeing how they are all excited to use them.

J had to sneak in the photo with his bag again so he wouldn't feel left out.  lol

And Baby T had to help with photos again, too.  Not sure what it is about hanging the bags on a door knob to snap a photo of them, but it makes them irresistible.  :)

Hope you all have a great weekend!  We are off to go camping!
Niki

new love

I went to an estate sale recently and came across an antique sewing machine.  I didn't really know anything about it so I came home and researched it a little bit.  It turns out the machine was a Singer Featherweight 221.    It seemed to be in pretty good condition.  So, I went back up to the estate sale and talked to the family more about it.  The owner's kids told me they only ever remembered her using it 4 times.  Long story short, it came home with me that day.

Isn't it so pretty!?!?  It's in beautiful shape.  It has a few light scratches, but nothing too major.  The decals are all pretty sharp with only a light rub in one spot.  My husband oiled it, polished it, and checked the wiring.  I got a kit from April 1930's to give it a tune up.  I researched the serial number and it was made in February 1952.

Yesterday, I figured out how to thread the top stitched and the fill the bobbin.  I also figured out how to adjust the tension on the bobbin and the machine.  It's all a learning experience for me because I haven't sewn that much before except on cards.

I've been wanting to do some sewing and learn how to quilt for quite a while now.  Finding this beauty was just the push I needed.  I took my kiddos to the fabric store last week and they each picked out a couple fat quarters to create some bags and some other fabric for pillowcases.   They want to learn, too, especially my daughter so I thought pillowcases would be a good place to start.

Today, I sewed my first project on the machine.  It sews like a dream!  I'm a perfectionist and a novice when it comes to sewing so I love that I can control the speed so easily.  I've never used my larger machine that much because it sews too quickly for me.  I used Amy's Easy Fat Quarter Bag Tutorial to create this bag with some fat quarters my middle son chose at the fabric store.  Her tutorial was really easy to follow and I love how it turned out!

This was the fabric that J picked.   I tried to talk him into another color/design for the inside, but he loved the green and that's all he wanted. :)

(He's getting to be such a big boy.  We celebrated his 4th birthday the end of June.  Where does time go?!  He is seriously one of the sweetest little boys ever.)

I think he really likes it.  lol  It's filled with trains now and the older two are anxiously awaiting their bags.  I wasn't able to get started on their bags.  I had a little one needing me.

The littlest one really wanted to help when I was taking a few photos.  He reallllly wanted that bag!  He's crawling and standing by things and into everything! lol  It's amazing how quickly they grow and change.

I love his little pudgy legs and arms.  It's so cute seeing a tiny, little person standing up and he's so proud of himself.

I may be a tad more than impartial, but that little adorable face just makes me happy.  He is such a cutie and such a blessing (like all of our children have been).  I'm really trying to soak in every minute of the baby years.  They go by so quickly.

Have a great week!
Niki

baby update

Hi Everyone!  It's been a while since I posted.  We welcomed a little boy not long after I posted on my birthday last month.  He actually missed being born on my birthday by a mere 25 minutes. :)  My labor went very quickly and he is happy and healthy.  Everyone is very happy to have him home with us.  Things have been really busy this past month and I finally uploaded photos to the computer yesterday.

 

He is a very happy baby, but likes to be held a lot so I haven't been finding much time for stamping.  (I have a couple cards I made before he was born plus a few I've started that I'll share when I get a chance.)

 

Big sister and big brothers are very excited to have a new little brother. :)

 

And one more photo since he is actually awake sometimes. :)  I hope everyone is having a great fall!

Niki

I can't find what I'm looking for

Warning: just a silly post for pretty much no reason *smile*
Occasionally, someone will ask to see my craft space, but I never seem to get around to sharing photos.  Today, I finally had the chance to sit down to work on a card and I can't find what I'm looking for.  I wonder why?

ha ha The real reason I never get around to sharing photos of my craft space!  What a mess!  I really should be too embarrassed to post this photo. lol  I'm one of those crafters that cleans up her space only to have it buried again after working on a couple new projects. *wink*  (No sneak peeks of new products for all you PTI detectives as I don't have new release stuff yet.  But there is a sneak peek of one of the new products I plan to carry in my etsy store, but good luck finding it! *wink*)

My favorite things: the photos of my kiddos and the cards that they have made for me.  My daughter drew the person (me) on the white card for me and my son made the frog and bunny cards for me.  Sadly, I really need to sit down and edit photos that I've taken since the baby was born.  I have lots of photos of him, but don't have any printed yet.  Here's one of my favorite recent photos:

My husband took this photo of the kids and I last month when the baby turned 2 months.  He'll be 3 months on Tuesday!  I don't know where the time goes . . .
I'll be back tonight with my Stampavie post.  Have a great afternoon (or night or morning depending upon where you are)!
Niki

it's a boy!

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick post to introduce our new little boy.  He was born on Monday afternoon.  He weighed in at 8 lbs 8 oz and was 21 inches long.  My labor and delivery went very quickly (3 hours!) without any major complications like I had with our older son and daughter.  (I have a history of postpartum hemorrhaging with both our other two children.)

He is very healthy and doing great.  We were able to bring him home
Tuesday evening.  He is the sweetest little thing and we all love him
so much.  It's amazing how quickly you can't live without them.  We are both doing great.  I'm tired, of course, but recovering well and adjusting to getting up every couple hours to nurse and change diapers.  My husband has someone else driving our truck this week so he could be home to help with the new little one and our older children.

Big brother and big sister are very proud of their new little brother.  We have a checkup tomorrow morning with the doctor, but he is doing great and such a wonderful addition to our family.  We have have been so blessed.  I am so blessed to have these three wonderful babies and my wonderful husband.

Thank you so much to everyone for the well wishes before he was born!  Have a wonderful weekend!
Niki