For baby C...

My friend at work had her baby Cleas, and while I normally don't post anything that I haven't gifted to the couple yet, I'm not sure when I'll actually get to go visit the baby--so I am breaking the rules and posting photos of the jacket I made for him.

It's actually my first jacket for a baby boy (there have been many girls!), but I used the same pattern (that I love) and made it fit for baby C.

Welcoming baby A...

My dear friends K & M just welcomed their beautiful baby girl to the world 3 days ago!  I swung by the hospital to see the little one, and gifted her parents with this...(I have been waiting for a long time to post, in fear that they'd see the post somehow before they got the gift). : )  I didn't actually see K & M open the box, so hopefully they like this little outfit...

Soft turtle print cotton voile (double-layered) found in Japan...

...became a little v-neck dress for baby A.

exposed hand stitching for snaps

a little turtle applique to bring a smile to K. : )

Felt applique decorative pillow!

This is long overdue--I had already "given" the downstairs tour when I whipped this pillow up one morning.  I was feeling the extra urgency of heading back to work after my sabbatical, so I needed to make every morning count.  This little project was super quick, and it made use of a small remnant piece from over a decade ago.  I love to not waste anything, so it was a double win. : )

Without further ado, here are some photos of the stages of making this pillow, in hopes that it can show you just how simple it is to make something like this.  Feeling inspired yet?  Go make something beautiful for your home!

1. Start by cutting out the appliqué 

2. Then cut a 2" strip of fabric, fold in half and gather (make sure the length is about 2x as much as the circumference of the circle)

 3. Sew both cover circles right sides together, sandwiching the gathered strip. Leave a 3" opening for the pillow stuffing.

4. turn inside out, and iron!

5. Place stuffing or pillow form inside.  Pin opening closed.

 6. Carefully run the opening through the machine to stitch shut. 

And that's it!  Enjoy what you have just made. : )  It's so simple and fun!

Home Sweet Home, part ii! Complete 1st floor house tour (in progress of course)

Hello there!  Thank you for bearing with me as I post (once again) about the house update.  To be honest, I hadn't given a "house tour" before because I never was home alone as I am now to clear away all the clutter to do proper photos to show you.  Of course, this is my house in progress, so please be kind as not all the walls have decorations yet.  That will come someday, hopefully soon!  

I thought I would take you through the house from the front entrance.  Note the new window seating we put in, mentioned in my last entry.  Also note the decades old Ethan Allen chairs Hubby inherited from a nice old lady back in LA.  They look fine in the photo, but definitely could use a reupholstering job someday.  Not by me though.  I'll happily pay someone, thankyouverymuch!

From the doorway, you keep going, and then you get a peak of the newly redone family room (yay!)

 Ok, before we move into the family room, let's take a look at what's to the right when you're facing the dark console (still debating if we should make it a lighter color...it's the dining room!  I love the light coming in from the French doors during the day.  I never get to enjoy that till I took the time off. hehe.

 Then June's little toy piano (hiding just to the left of the side table (that I put there for now for lack of better place...).  The newly scrubbed out fireplace too, which doesn't have any decor in it yet.

 June's giraffe rocker (courtesy of my friend Amy), and now we're back at the window seat.

Heading over now to the family room, which you have seen before.  But notice the eye-sore of a bookshelf is now replaced with this beautiful piece from Crate & Barrel which I had been wanting since over a year ago.  Hubby finally said I could get it, since I wouldn't stop nagging about how ugly the other one was.  Besides, now he's really making good use of the shelf space.  double-win!! 

 Another shot of the family room.  That's right, I just can't get enough of this fireplace which warms my heart. hee hee. ;)

 A closer look at this C&B beauty.  Believe or not, it cost us the same as an IKEA piece I was looking at...and not even close really, in quality.

Now...the 1-yr new kitchen view from the family room (finally clean for the shoot!)

 And then view from the dining room, which we saw earlier.  Love the amount of light coming in...

Ok, the only room you should probably take a peak at is my VERY in progress sewing room.  

Nothing to really beam about (yet), but can I just say that I made the magnetic chalkboard AND the button magnets on it?  Yes, I used some tools, took an old vanity mirror apart, and made this chalkboard.  I was SO proud.  And then I drew my logo on it.  It's my JJ Design studio!

The antique shelf of antique threads and buttons in the first pic is a find from hubby's grandma's old house.  It had spider egg sacs all over it, actually, when I pleaded with Hubby to take it home with us.  He was extremely grossed out, but I think my pleading worked!  I refreshed parts of the paint, and it's looking great! 

Also, I don't think I ever shared my sewing nook with anyone, partly b/c it's always a mess.  But this little closet nook was already in the room when we moved in, so I looked high and low for a desk that would fit perfectly (since we're NOT handy people)...and found it on Overstock.com!!  It is the perfect size.  It literally couldn't have been 1/8" wider.  It just fit.  Then Hubby and the dad-in-law helped to put up some shelves for me.  I love the shelving, just wish it was more organized.  

Ok, I think that's all I have to share right now for the downstairs of our house.  Upstairs will have to be another time.  Maybe when I take another sabbatical I'll get to cleaning up and decorating up there too.  Although you have seen plenty of Baby J's room from last year, and also her bathroom.  So I guess we just have the master, master bath, and the guest room left!  I promise I'll get it out one of these days...

Thanks for reading through all this!  Hope to see you again soon!