Look back

Three years ago I wrote down this following wish list in my blog.

Here comes my wish list:
Local scrapbook store membership (may get this for birthday)
circle punch
Corner punch
black and brown pens
Bronze color box
mod podge
3D glue dots
Double sided tapes
Foam stamps
Acrylic paint and brushes
Sewing machine

and lots of ribbon, lots of paper!

Well, I got most of the things in the last three years. Probably it's because nothing on my wish list is super expensive. The sewing machine was the only big ticket item, it turned out well worth the price. Because I developed another new hobby, sewing.
The only thing I never got was the scrapbooking store membership. I guess I don't even want one now. It's not because I can't afford it or I can't justify the cost, it's more due to lack of time.
With two kids, many hobbies, I really couldn't splurge a big chunk of time on scrapbooking, it's too time consuming. But I will still do small scrapbooking projects here and there. I definitely need to whip up an album for Olivia. She grows too fast.

Now here comes my new wish list. I bet I will get most of the things in this list in the next three years.

Hobby room for sewing, scrapbooking and doll collecting (long shot, not expecting in the next 5 years)
American girl Kit doll and her bed, desk, chair, and a couple outfits (I know I want them all, but we'll see how many I can find)

American girl Felicity doll and her bed, her horse Penny, and a couple outfits (Same as Kit, but easier because I already have a couple)

American girl Chrissa's sewing machine.

I also like Samantha, Nellie, Josefina, but I can live without them.

A trip to American girl place, (I'm so looking forward to this).


I know this list will cost more than 100 times what I wished 3 years ago, but it's nothing wrong to wish. I don't have to have everything I wished for.

Weekend sewing

I have to say I love this book, even lots people gave it not-so-good reviews, I still love it. I think it might because I never follow a pattern without altering anything, I never shop fabric base on pattern, I usually use pattern as an inspiration.
So far I have used the summer blouse pattern, baby pants pattern, and flower girl dress pattern.
The summer blouse pattern is my favorite, I made it into a sleep dress with short sleeves, perfect for summer. The fabric I chose was bought by my mom for Sophia's bedding. It's very cheap, thin, small pink flower vague prints, but it's soft and very shabby chic look and 100% cotton. I figure Sophia doesn't need more bedding, and this big piece of fabric is enough for pajamas for our whole family. It turned out very cute with polka dots bias tape, and very comfortable. I just love it and can't wait to make more versions of this pattern.
The baby pants pattern is a little too big for my baby, my baby is a peanut. She's 18 months old, I used 12 month pattern, worked well. I also added a cargo pocket to make it cute. The fabric is my favorite among all I have used this summer. It's linen blend with pink and red flower print. It's thicker than cotton, but drapes well and so easy to work with.
I used the same linen blend print fabric for a flower dress for Sophia to match. I didn't follow the pattern at all, I just used one of her dresses as guide and made my own pattern, it was super good. Of course I added a little patch pocket on the dress for Sophia to carry small toys or tissue. This finished dress is very versatile, she can wear it along on a hot day, or wear a Tee shirt under on a not-so-hot day, or add legging on a chilly day. But right now she wears it as a pajama dress coz it's too comfortable to take off at night time.

My new addiction --Calico critters

So cute. Furniture, made by Melissa and Doug, finished by me.

A corner of our home

Here are some pictures of our playroom. Another wall was finished today. Frame group were made about a year ago. I got frames from Ikea, download some kids friendly pictures from screen saver website, made mats with bright color card stocks.
Here is a list of costs:
Frames: $8 each x6 = $48
Pictures: free download, prints for $1.2
Bright color card stocks: $2
ABC shelves: $20
Carebear toy: $4
Hello kitty backpack: $12
123 canvas bag: material $10 + mommy stayed up two nights to make it
Wooden bike: $40
Total = about $140


And the close up of newly made 123 bag, holds lots of puzzle bags.

Toy storage (2)

Since we're getting more and more toys, storage is becoming an issue now. Just like those scrapbookers, I think we can make storage into an art.
Puzzles, we like puzzles, fun and educational, but we don't like stacks of big boxes, take too much precious space. So I made these puzzles in a bag. (Sophia picked out the fabric. I should have gotten more of that number fabric, we're almost out of them.)

A cute toy storage

My mom inspired me using these plastic jars for tiny toys, like polly pockets, great for my foam stamps, too. Some beautiful paper and mod podge makes them very cute.

Spring cleaning

has started. This is a view of my fabric cabinet.

Easter goodie bag

I just made this easter goodie bag for a 5 year old boy. I know that Easter bunny brings basket, but I thought a basket is not as useful as a canvas bag, which can be used as a library bag or beach bag in the coming summer.
Since I don't have lots of boy fabric, I used some neutral colors, dark colors at handle and bottom, cruise cotton print inside the bag, felt "1, 2,3" at the front. A simple and practical canvas bag I made in one night.
What's inside? I've never met this boy but I know him a lot because his mom talks about him all the time. Here are goodies in there, Dr Seuss book, Elmo balls, Spider man tops, Leapfrog DVDs, and a girl toy, littlest pet shop. It's cool to have a girl toy for a boy.

Made to match

I can't stop

One more thing was made, a set of fleece blanket and pillow, made out of cute farm animal fabric. This fabric is truly adorable. Sophia claimed it was her blanket when she first saw the fabric. Now I'm still hesitating if I should save this for baby or just give it to Sophia. Maybe I'll go some more fabric shopping and make a new set.

I felt like nesting these days, I'm sure I will make lots of new things before the baby is here.

Gymboree knock-off

I love Gymboree cupcake line so much, they're yummy. But I can't justify to pay $15 for a cupcake.
So I spent half an hour using some felt scraps and a 50 cents Christmas shirt to make a Gymboree knock-off.

Before: 50 cents Christmas shirt

After: Gymboree knock-off cupcake shirt

Original Gymboree cupcake shirt

Kid-Tough Camera

Sophia loves to take pictures with camera. She wants to use mommy's camera because daddy's is way too heavy. In order to save mine from dropping and greasy hands, I bought Sophia a Dora Camera for her birthday. However, after trying it out, we all hate it. Not only because the picture quality is not as good as a phone camera, but also the flash hurts everyone's eyes. Sure I returned it. Sophia is still addicted to taking pictures, she can play with a paper camera from a magazine insert. Last night she even took pictures with a sock hanger.
So I decided to make one for her birthday. Yes, I made a camera this morning, out of felt and buttons. It turned out very cute, and is perfect size for her dog camera bag. It will stand dropping and abusing. I think Sophia doesn't care if she can download the pictures from the camera. All she cares is everyone smiles at her camera when she says "Cheese".

Donation

I'm going to donate this handmade set for my company's annual children's hospital raffle.
The set includes an oversized baby/Toddler blanket, bib, burp cloth, and a baby card made by me.
I hope it will raise some money for children's hospital.

Finally! My shop is running!

I just started my shop today at Etsy today. I will try to upload all my handmade stuff by the end of this week. It definitely needs lots of work, lots of learning.
Check it out and bookmark it!

Just made something for home

This is a little entry area in our garage. Wzg made the bench 3 months ago. I spent an afternoon today to finish it up a cushion. I like the clean looking of the whole thing, should have done this long time ago. It's a quite easy job.
My next plan is to make something for the holiday. Maybe some fabric ornaments? Stuffed Christmas tree? More felt toys for Sophia's stockings? I'll see.

If you have a boy...

you will love this cushion cover I made. The front fabric is cut from a curtain made by Ralph Lauren, back fabric is thick navy linen, and ribbon ties are from baby Gap, all my favorites go into this cute cushion cover.
It's made for the coming up sample sale. Here is a sneak peek...

Shallow box + Apples

Since last week I have addicted to shallow box frames. I looked everywhere for good looking, good size and good price shallow box frames. Ikea has a good selection, I like their square ones, 5.5''x5.5" and 9"x9" ones are good size, but the quality isn't great, I passed. Target has some random ones on clearance, but most of them are premade which I don't like. Eventually I bought a 8"x10" simple white frame with very shallow box space to display all the apples I made during TV time every night.
I'll keep looking for shallow box frames while shopping. Hopefully I can find one as nice as the one I found last year. I fill it with some random memories during the year, will update with some new things soon.

ETA: I just found a vintage shallow box at local thrift store yesterday for less than $4, I'll show it after some TLC.

My favorite colors

I love bright colors Orange, yellow and red.
Here are what I spent a fortune on today, in my favorite colors.
And this is a sneak peek of what I made last night, in my favorite colors
This is a corner of our house this afternoon, which has many cheerful colors.

Good night, sweet dream, see you tomorrow.

This line has been Sophia's bed time routine, but I haven't said this for more than 2 weeks. She started to hate going to bed by herself and insisted going to bed with mommy. I don't know if it's because she's smarter and understands fear, or she sleeps too much during the day, or ??? Who knows.
I made this blanket for Sophia to bring to daycare for nap, the old one is too small. She does grow even we don't realize seeing her everyday.

Ready for a tea party

Sophia used to have a set of plastic table and chairs made by step2. The table and chairs are foldable, durable, easy to clean, but the look is way too far from a tea party. Luckily we found a set of handmade wood table and chair set at a garage sale for only $10. With some fresh white paint and a set of hand made table cloth and chair cushions it looks about ready for a tea party. However the first thing Sophia wanted to have on her table was playdough.