Nighty Night

28 weeks along. That means I've officially entered my third trimester. What?! Doesn't seem like it has been that long. I'm starting to get a tiny bit achy by the end of the day, but I'm still very much enjoying pregnancy.

I spent a couple hours on Tuesday night this week working on this fun project. I can't remember how I ran across it, but I got the idea here and instantly fell in love with it.

It didn't take long until I was off to goodwill in search for a couple t-shirts. I'm not sure how I ended up with two music related shirts . . . that wasn't intentional. But, it's okay because I think there will be more where these came from . . . I won't be able to help myself. So fast, so easy and so dang cute!

Looking forward to seeing him wearing these!

Nesting

Moving on to project number two for the nursery . . . While in town, Mom helped me finish the crib bumper - I needed serious help - and she created a crib skirt to match the recliner.

The idea for the bumper came from a long weekend phone conversation I had with Em a few months back. The design is loosely based on some bedding I saw at Pottery Barn Kids - oh how I love that set. Unfortunately, my paycheck doesn't agree. So, we invented our own version cause that's what we do.

Now, before you scroll down to look at all of the pictures and then blurt out something like "could this be the most boring nursery ever?" or "doesn't this child need some stimulation?" just hear me out, okay?

For the big pieces of the nursery (i.e. recliner, crib bumper, crib skirt, curtains) I wanted to go super neutral because just in case Jesse and I enjoy this child-rearing thing (the jury is still out - I don't want to get all presumptuous) and we have any more children I don't want to remake these large, time-consuming items . . . while chasing a child around my house. So keep that in mind, and give me a little grace. Cause, I could totally pull this stuff back out for a girl's nursery if I needed to, right?

So, here's the final product (you may need to click on the pictures to see it closer).



Oh, how I love the way it turned out. So clean, so modern. Mmmmm.


I very loosely used a pattern from Amy Butler's Little Stitches. Her pattern helped with the measurements and it gave me the idea of the pockets (see those on the ends). The rest I just sort of made up, which isn't difficult for a bumper.

The part that got difficult for me was the binding. Oh, the binding. I had no idea how to do it, and I needed to put binding all the way around the edges to secure it all together. Boy was it a disaster before my Mom came in to rescue me! I was so lost! She took over and used my sewing machine to bind it, and she did a beautiful job, as always.


To finish it we attached the velcro, which I'm loving. I like it so much better than ties. It's so clean and simple. Ahhh. Just the way I like it.

Alright, from here on out I promise we'll get more exciting with the nursery stuff. Thanks for bearing with me through the boring world of brown, light tan, white, khaki, etc. I love it so far, but that's probably because I've got the bigger picture in my head.

I've got a crib quilt in the works. Plus, a mobile and some wall decor lingering in my head somewhere. It's all itching to be made . . . must find time!

The First (and Last) Recliner

My Mom came into town a couple weeks ago. Actually, just in time to celebrate my birthday with me. It was a real treat! I got to have her all to myself for nearly a whole week, and it was so good, and so refreshing. I loved it.

We planned this trip knowing I was going to need her help around the house to prepare for this little nugget who arrives in May, so we planned for her to come and manage a couple of BIG projects that were over my head.

I have a knack of overworking her when she comes to town, and I didn't let her down this time either. Poor thing.

Here's the first of the projects - before Mom worked her magic.


It's a super comfy recliner that we got from Jesse's parents. They conveniently decided a couple of months ago that they didn't want it in their living room any longer. Score one for the nursery!

It's going to be a little big for our tiny nursery space, BUT it is a perfect size chair for my 6'2" husband. So, I'm making a very strategic decision to accept an oversized chair for the nursery (rather than a small, cute one that would look better, but surely cramp his back/neck) so that he can sit in comfort while holding a screaming child at 3 AM. Because that's what's really important, right? Husband's comfort trumps cutesy nursery at 3 AM.

Well, over the course of 2.5 days Mom wracked her brain, cut, sewed, wracked her brain some more and sewed some more - wrestling with it until it was done. Here it is. Just gorgeous!


I went with a very neutral color - "light tan" is what they call it I think. I bought 12 yards online from Hancock Fabrics - great quality and fast shipping, by the way. I figure once we're done with it in the nursery I'll be able to bring it into any other living space in the house (course that would require us to move . . . as there is no where else to put it at our current place), but the concept is still true.

Anyway, Mom worked REALLY hard on this project (did I say that already?). So much so that she passionately vowed that she would never recover another recliner. Hmmm . . . I don't blame her.

She covered each piece of the chair separately, so I can remove and wash the pieces as necessary. Isn't that amazing?

She's really good. I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. Thanks, Mom!

A Purse for Em

I get the privilege of sharing my birthday with one of my very favorite people. It sounds a little weird coming from someone who shares her exact same DNA, but I could go on and on about her. She is fun-loving, instantly lovable, kind, generous, incredibly competent, responsible, joyful and she always gives others the benefit of the doubt (including me). I love her with my whole heart and I can't imagine my life without her.

Every year I think . . . this is the year that I will be able to put together a package and send it just in time for our birthday . . . and every year (for some reason or another) I fail. How is that possible? Thankfully, this year (and maybe for the first time) she also sent a gift to me late too. Whew.


For several months, I had intended to make a purse for her, but I just hadn't decided on a pattern, that is, until I came across this one. I think it's perfect for her. Just dainty enough and just practical enough.


I picked up the Amy Butler print at a local quilt shop, and I'm so happy with the way it turned out. I used a pretty stiff pellon/interfacing to help the purse keep shape. For some reason, though, the only kind of interfacing I could find was REALLY stiff. My mom and I laughed and laughed as I forced it through my machine - I think she was actually just in shock. And, then we laughed again as I attempted to turn it inside out when it was completed. Let's just say it took a lot of muscle and some bizarre contortions to make it work.

Course, it wasn't until I was finished that I realized I sewed the handle on inside out. Ugh! The navy blue on the outside of the handle really should be the lining, but after all that effort my mom and I collectively decided (or somehow just convinced ourselves) it looked just as good on the outside. So, shhhh, don't tell anyone.

Happy birthday to you, Em. I love you.

It's A Boy

Well, my belly is growing more than ever recently. Thankfully there is a little person in there that is causing all this growth, otherwise I would be alarmed! I'm 22 weeks along now and still feeling great. (Yes, I know how lucky I am!)

I wasn't sure whether I would post these here or not cause Jesse and I agreed we aren't the types to waive our ultrasound pictures all over the known universe. But, I'm pretty sure at least my Mom and sisters will want to see them. So, here are the first pictures we have of this little nugget.


Aren't those feet just too cute? I couldn't stop crying during the ultrasound . . . I'm such a crybaby when it comes to anything sentimental these days. It was such a wonderful experience. I told the technician that I wished I could do it everyday, and I really think I meant it.

So, we found out that our little human (as I like to so lovingly call it) is a boy! We are so thrilled. Now, we would have been thrilled to have a girl, too, so don't get me wrong. But, I have had an inkling all along that it was a boy. It seemed like every time I thought about the baby it was a boy, and it seemed that boys names were the primary ones we were discussing. So, finding out kinda felt like confirmation in a way.

I love this feeling of knowing, though. I wasn't sure I was going to be excited about knowing the gender cause I'm a huge sucker for surprises. But, knowing that I'm carrying a little boy seems to give him more of an identity and it makes the anticipation so much greater. I'm loving it.

Well, the nursery decor and accumulation of baby "supplies" is in full gear. The storage space is quickly dwindling, and I hear it's going to get worse before it gets better. I'm dreaming up plans for the nursery, and they are starting to come together.

The first project was the dresser. I had been searching for a long time for the perfect dresser. We have a very small room for the nursery, so it had to be just the right size. And, it had to be cute, you know? Finally, I found a really old one at goodwill for only $35. The drawers are a bit wonky - I'm not sure it was even worth 35 dollars, but I bought it anyway. Somehow I couldn't resist.

It took a lot of wood putty, sanding and paint to bring it up to snuff. But, I think I did it.

Okay, sorry for the lack of effort in the "after" shot. The dresser is still in the garage, and it was really cold outside - it's Iowa in January, give me a break. I made the best of my lazy effort. You'll see more of it when the nursery starts coming together, I promise.

More Pillows

My mother-in-law bought this gorgeous Vera Wang bedding this year. I love it. It's a bunch of rich, silky goodness. So, for Christmas she asked me to make her some throw pillows that will go with the set.

The bedding speaks for itself, so I decided to go with some pretty simple designs to complement it.

I found this brown floral in the remnant bin at Hobby Lobby. It turned out to be a perfect accent.

I added some "stripes" (you may have to click on the image to see them), which mimicked the design of the pillow shams that came with the set.


I ended up making three white covers just in case she didn't like the brown floral. But, the brown turned out so pretty that I partially wish I could have made three of those!

Anyway, she opened them on Christmas, and she loves them! I think she's trying to figure out how I can make more pillows for her . . . the living room next? Don't tell Jesse. We all know how he feels about too many pillows.

Merry Christmas!

I hope y'all enjoyed Christmas. The weather was a bit nasty around here, and although I would have loved to be with my family, I'm very thankful to not have had to travel (farther than 10 minutes to the in-laws) this year. That made for a perfect day to sit around, relax, open gifts, eat cookies and drink coffee though. Yay!

So, here's what Santa's elves (i.e. me) cooked up for the darling niece and nephew this year:

For Marsh - a reversible superhero cape and mask


One side is a lightning bolt with the letter "M", and the other is the same skull and crossbones that I used here. Amazingly, he is still into pirates after all this time!

I used the cape pattern from The Long Thread again. Though, this time I replaced the entire collar with some binding that can just be tied in the front. I like the look much better than the awkward bunching that the velcro was causing before. I sort-of made up the eye mask - I hope it fits. It's red on one side and black on the other, so he can match it with either side of the cape.

I can't be sure he's even into this kind of thing, but hopefully he likes it!

You will see below that Jane received a drawstring bag for her toys, so I made one for Marshall too.


For Jane - blocks made from Amy Butler's Little Stitches


I ended up making 8 different blocks that are about 4 inches big. Half of them have bells tucked inside for a little fun that's not too obnoxious, and the other half have ribbons attached. Hopefully, she will find some entertainment in the "tags."


The pattern comes with directions to make a drawstring bag to store them. I had fun with it by adding extra fabrics and ribbons. I love the way it turned out.

Well, those were the big projects of the season. I sure had fun making them, and I hope the kids enjoy them. The only other project was pillows for my mother-in-law. I'll post those soon.