Wild Kratts Update

So first there was the "Vest" and 5 "Discs" all created for my little Teo's Birthday Party.   You can find the whole post here.  Since then there have been a few more requests for costumes.  This has brought about 5 more discs and a belted carry pouch.  I got tired of discs all around the house and tons of Ziplocs wasted, thus the pouch. Anyway, the most recent request was for a lil' boy down in Texas for his Halloween costume.  I'm a bit of a sucker for happy little boys and Halloween, so I agreed to make him a vest, pouch and 10 discs. 
Sweatshirt material was chosen due to location and durability.  To be honest I like it more than fleece for there's less lint/fuzz collection while it's being worn.   So I purchased a black sweatshirt, lopped of the sleeves, neck line, and bottom ribbed band.  Out of the excess sleeve I made the "Disc Pouch".

 A belt slides through a back fold so it can easily be worn or taken off. There's a bit of Velcro sewn in the pouch opening to keep all the discs from falling out while running around.  The "Oak Tree" disc pictured is good for when you need the child to stand still!  I love creative play, hee, hee.

Onto gloves.  I'd been thinking about them for quite awhile.  The idea bouncing around in my head just waiting to come out.  And then I looked at the sleeves I had just cut off and BAM... I saw how to make the Gloves.  A pair of thin black knit gloves, the cuffs from the sweatshirt cut at an angle, felt pieces, bias tape, and a whole lot of hand sewing ... ta da!   O.K. the down side was all the hand sewing.  Only the bias tape trim was machine sewn.  All the other pieces were too small to fit on my machine.

I was pleased with the results so I sent this pair with the rest of the costume to Texas as a little extra surprise.  They really do complete the look of a Wild Kratt.  I've been told the little boy who received this "Creature Power Suit" wore it all day and even slept in the gloves! 
And that brings a big smile to my face.

Paper Studio ATC Swap

Paper Studio held a Halloween ATC Swap this month and since I adore this spooky holiday I was pretty excited about it!  Here's a picture of the creative madness in full swing.  May Arts ribbon, variety of torn Bazzill cardstocks, Color Box chalk inks, Crystal Lacquer, tape runner and Fiskars circle squeeze punches in a couple different sizes.

I find this close-up of eyeballs wonderfully silly.  I get kind of giggly looking at it... not very creepy of me I know.

Here's my ATC batch of 8 titled "Mummy".  In honor of last years costume, which I had a great time in!

I love quirky, classic Halloween spookiness.  It's my favorite holiday.  And candy... I also like Halloween candy!

Cascading Ruffle Skirt

About a month ago, when there was still green leaves on the trees, I made this skirt for one of Ruby's lil' friends.  I found the tutorial from Ashley over at Lil Blue Boo here. 

I made mine using a bunch of unloved t-shirts.  I did stray from the pattern a little by adding an adjustable waistband.  Ruby's a peanut and it's hard to guess her friend's "sizes" these days.

This is a pretty quick skirt to make with lots of twirl power impact.

And now I'd like to ask all of you to put Ashley in your prayers as she's battling some serious health issues.  I've never met or spoken to her but I've been reading her blog for 2 years and I know she's quite an amazing woman with a generous spirit. 
So pray for her please, this world needs more people like her in it.

More Cards... Again

Here are a few cards I made about a month ago for Paper Studio.  I love the "Autumn Splendor" paper collection by We R Memory Keepers.  Love , love, love.

Since we've started "card ingredient" lists I'm happy to say I'll always remember what I used in the making department.  I simply have to take a picture!

Here's the other card using "Autumn Splendor".  I have to say this is one of my all time favorites.  I love the inking and colors.

Here's the same card but with the flip side of the paper.

And the ingredients list.

I've a chipboard book to post next using this paper collection to come.  Fall at it's finest.

Sometimes There's An Actual Sign

I've been over doing it for over a month.  It snowballed as follows:
School started.
 I picked up an extra cleaning gig.
 I volunteered to be Ruby's Faith Formation Teacher.
Our wonderful neighbor and dear friend lost a battle with cancer.
I made 50+ headbands among other items for selling/gifts.
Started the computer/photo work for my Etsy shop.
And I'm still doing my usual "work" and "homework" and "life" stuff.

And thus I haven't been blogging.  When there's been time I just want to sit or sleep.  Now do not worry for I've been doing family bonding/fun stuff too.  In fact that's also why the Blog has been so lonely.  I feel like I need to spend time with my peanuts.  We've had some wonderful weather lately and I just want to play with them.  They're growing so fast I don't want them ever to say, "Mom was working or sewing all the time."

 Yesterday I came across this sign. I'm taking it to heart.

My list and schedule are nicely meshed, finally.  Room for fun and sewing.  Room for children and work.  And especially room for me.  It's hard to say "No" to special requests but I'm doing it gently.  And I'm happy to report that my Etsy shop is not too far away! 

I'm pacing myself.  Stay tuned...