Other Creative Endeavours

I often joke about having crafting ADD. It is not meant to offend anyone, just a way to explain that I like to try many many different kinds of crafts. I've dabbled in embroidery, scrapbooking, home decor of many types, sewing, print design, jewelry making and more. This month I've had the pleasure of working at my computer doing some design for a friend. After our family photo shoot this summer, I created a watermark to put on the photos for posting on the internet. Twila saw what I did and asked me to help her with her business card. Without further ado:

(as always, click on the image to enlarge it)

Just in case you wanted to know, that flourish is 7 different images put together! I don't know how real designers work, but in order to be able to manipulate the color and size of the flourish, I found several wing ding fonts and tried out each letter of the alphabet until I found the ones I wanted. I then rotated, twisted, shrunk or stretched until the shape came out right. The good news, Twila, is that this is a one of a kind original just for you!

Abigail's New Toys

It's Boxing Day here and Abigail finally gets to play with her new toys!

(sheer concentration!)

(enjoying the view from her new chair)

(a very happy little girl)

We Interrupt these Christmas posts...

I was reminded that I still haven't posted about Abigail's trunk! My sister generously handed down this family heirloom to my daughter and my parents shipped it from Edmonton and all of them filled it!

(this is me excitedly waiting to open the trunk)

( Abigail's trunk with Betty's on top)

(balloons left over from David's birthday)

I was so busy unpacking the goodies, that I don't have a lot of pictures, but I can certainly tell you what was in it! First of all, have I told you that my family has been collecting costumes for Abby's future tickle trunk? The trunk is full of costumes and accessories! What a treasure, indeed! Anyway, in the trunk was some great costumes including a gorilla suit, a baby lamb, a magician's cape and hat and several fun hats including a cowboy hat that belonged to Abigail's cousin, Ethan. So much fun. Also in the trunk was a smaller steamer trunk, which my dad picked up for me at a garage sale. I'm thinking that it will be Betty Bunny's tickle trunk (Abigail's stuffed bunny from Grandma Ang). Betty already has several outfits and accessories herself.

Did you see the fabric that I made Abigail's pj's and shirt out of? Well, my sister sent yards and yards of it! I squealed with delight and immediately made a list of things (in my head) of what I want to make with it. I've made a few things for Abigail, but I have a pattern for me that I think I want to try next.

Then there was old cassette tapes that we will convert to DVD when we get the technology, including a recording of me and my sister at the ages of 5 and 3 years old. There were also some other great memories included like my mom's tambourine (all three of us learned tambourine years ago). Abigail is going to love that! This post is a long time over due and with it my public gratitude. My appologies! I am so grateful and we are looking forward to all the imaginings that will take place in Abby's bedroom!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If God had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. When you want to talk, He'll listen. He could live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. And that Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem? Face it, friend, He's crazy about you!" - Max Lucado

From our family to yours...

The Rest are a Surprise

Here's the last Christmas present that I can share here until next week as the rest are surprises. David knows about this as I had him try it on to make sure I got the sleeve lengths correct etc. This housecoat was a request from David and I was quite happy to comply. Now I want one, too. I'll have to work on that in the new year.

More Christmas Presents

You know those foam chairs with licensed characters on them? Well, I was given one for Abigail with the lovely Dora on it. I am not anti-Dora, just so you know, I just thought that this striped fabric would look way cuter... and it does! A little stitch ripping, tracing and sewing and it's like new.

Don't these kimono pj's look adorable on Abigail? I love how she looks likes she's in a kung fu stance here. Too funny! These were fairly simple, it shouldn't have taken me as long as it did, but they're done now and they fit!

Here's Abigail modeling her new Christmas top. I did have to adjust the strap length a little, but I think it's adorable!

Don't look too closely at the back, the check panel doesn't match up (I'm terrible at cutting a straight line) and next time I'll put more pleats in I like how the two are so close in the back.

And here is the layered daytime ensemble. I love it!

One to play in

Abigail has some very pretty and some very fancy Christmas dresses/outfits. All of which are very nice. I wanted her to have something festive that she could play in. This little number was originally going to be a dress, but through a happy accident it's now a shirt. She can wear it over a long sleeved onesie paired with blue jeans and stay warm. I'll try to get pictures of her wearing it. The dress tutorial can be found here.

Cutivity! (Cute - Creativity)

Well after losing a week of creative time to tonsillitis, I've made it up with some intense sewing time. It will be fun sharing my projects as I can. First up is Abigail's doll. I used this pattern again from Emily of Inside a Black Apple. I accessorized her a bit with a little lacy dress, knee-high socks and mary jane shoes. I love her!

(close up of her shoe)

We've been elved!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

For Those of You not on Facebook

this one is too cute not to share. David and I decorated the Christmas tree etc. while Abigail was napping and this is her initial response.