Going Sew Crazy

Costumes & swaps AKA I've been busy

So apparently, the upside of not having a working computer during the day is that I am WAY MORE productive! I mailed out 8 swap packages this week because I had loads of time to finish them. (Yes, I said 8, I have just discovered the wonderful-ness that is Swap-Bot) I also finished the girls' costumes.

They are medieval princesses. That was the theme for our church's fall fest. They both won the costume contest for their age groups. I also received a lot of compliments. We went to 2 fall fests today. One at P's school and then at church. It was a wonderful, exhausting day. But since I am running out of time, they will also wear these on Wednesday.

They had lots of fun stuff to do today.

Like stone throwing:

(I actually won the women's division stone throwing contest :))

and Archery:

(Kelsey wasn't really digging the games, hence no pics of her)

I have been itching to start on Christmas stuff. I am still looking for some advent calendar inspiration and working on a garland for this swap:

It's coming along really well. I have been taking pics along the way, and I plan on doing a tutorial for it. It has been fairly easy to put together and I thought I would share. I'll get some pics and hopefully the tutorial up this week. Check here for some garland inspiration.

I received a fantastic swap today:

and sent this one out:

The kitty pattern is from this book.

 

Have a great day ya'll!

 

Magnificent Mushrooms

Magnificent Mushrooms
Originally uploaded by GoingSewCrazy

We've been at the zoo all day and I wanted to post something :) Stay tuned next week for my crazed sewing of halloween costumes and clothes....

Swappy Stuff and Fire King!!!!

Ugh! My PC is down and the only computer time I have been getting is at night when Brice brings the laptop home. To compensate I have been taking an inordinate amount of pictures. So...get ready for a pic heavy post.

The clothes I was working on turned out badly. I seem to go through a funk every once in a while where I can't sew anything right. To get over this, I have to go smaller and it seems to work itself out. I joined the Sweet Pea Swap at Ellia's site and with all this extra time I have finished up early..I think? Anyway, I made this little guy:

and I also tried my hand at gift tags. I found this older Alice in Wonderland book at the thrift store and had to have it because the illustrations were wonderful. Since this is a Something Old, Something New themed swap I thought it would be perfect to try it out with gift tags, which I have been wanting to try.

and here is the whole thing ready to go. I really hope she likes it...

I have also expanded my Fire King collection thanks to thrifting and Grandma. These are some recent faves...

Fire King Jadite Batter Bowl...belonged to my great-great grandmother

Fire King Jadite Jane Ray Saucers and I think Restaurantware mug. Belonged to my great-grandmother.

Hazel Atlas Sugar Cup and Creamer. Via thrifting.

Fire King Azurite Charm Cup and Saucer. Via thrifting.

And some extra pics that I just liked...

New embroidery floss on old wooden spools...for the above mentioned swap.

and Kelsey with her well loved (and very dirty) puppy. She's had it since she was 6 months old and is just now getting to where she will leave him at home. She is also cuddled up in a quilt made by my great-grandma when she was 13. She was napping good.

I hope my PC gets fixed soon. Until then, have a great day ya'll!

Mmmm...almost fall

Still working on Paige's clothes, but I do have something yummy to share....

The girls and I decided to make caramel apples after school. I gave them a rubber mallet to crush the peanuts and let them open the caramels. They had a ball. (They are easily amused) But, this is what we ended up with...

We are patiently trying to wait until after dinner to dig in.

I also received my October Coloriffic Swap-O-Rama. I got a fabulous package from Beth. Thanks so much!

All in all, a very good day!

Have a great day ya'll!

Reminiscing...

Every year about this time we usually take a trip to the mountains. It's so pretty up there, and I am really sad we won't get a chance to go this year. Maybe we will go later, but like I said, now is the most beautiful time to go. I found these pics from 2 years ago and had forgot how much fun we had feeding these ducks and geese and I wanted to share.

The geese were every where and would just about eat out of your hand.

Just look at those curls! I would kill for her hair. She was 3 here, probably my favorite age. They seem so stuck between baby and kid , I just love it. I am starting to notice Kelsey start into it.

And speaking of, look at my baby! She has gotten sooo big! I think it's about time for another one.

Have a great day ya'll!

Halloween Happiness

Halloween Happiness
Originally uploaded by GoingSewCrazy

I am hard at work on some clothes for Paige today, so I thought I would post some of my flickr favorites for Halloween. Enjoy!

Cupcakes without Calories and a Thriftscore!

Look at these yummy little Halloween cupcakes I have been working on for a swap:

Aren't they cute! I'm gonna have to whip up some Christmas ones! If you're hankering to make one of your own check this out :) and her blog with free patterns!

I went to get my hair done today. Wow, if that doesn't sound southern I don't know what does. Anyway, my daddy agreed to watch Kelsey a little extra so I could hit up the thrift store, and I am SOO glad I did! Here's what I got:

Fabric

Cute Velvet Pumpkin

Handmade Stockings (LOVE the elves)

A fantastic tablecloth that will become an apron.

and buttons galore! I had a fantastic time!

And I wanted to share my new obsession with you...

Fire King Jadeite! So pretty! My grandma gave me this bowl, and now I must have more!!!

Have a great day ya'll!

Blame it on the rain.

After my last post it FINALLY rained. It rained for a whole week and I couldn't bring myself to do anything but sit around and enjoy it. The sound, the coolness, I would say the feel, but when I opened the door to smell it and maybe step out into it, I saw my older neighbor out in it in his boxers and that just ruined it for me. I am sorry I have been absent, but this month has been a roller coaster. After the rain, my dad had a cancer scare, my great aunt died, and my grandmother was put in the hospital for complications from ovarian cancer. We seem to have months like this every couple of years. You know those months that every bad thing that can happen will happen.Two years ago we had a close friend of ours pass away, my grandmother found out about her cancer, another friend passed away, and my dog that I had since I was 6 died. These kinds of months are spirit breaking. I am a Christian, I believe in God, and I don't know how I would make it through without the faith that everything is working out just like it should be. Our Sunday school teacher sang this song not long at at church. Perfect in every way for anyone who has ever gone through one of those months.

Now on to the small amount of craftiness I have accomplished in the past month. I have been doing a fair amount of crocheting while watching the new TV shows or the baseball. I am addicted to baseball playoffs, and I can't wait until they start Wednesday :) My girls like them too, can ya tell?

Anyway, Paige had picture day at school and I made her this:

Just a simple lengthened and shirred peasant top. Notice how straight her hair is? Of course it wouldn't curl on picture day. I had to straighten it :)

This is my October Coloriffic Swap o Rama package.

And last but not least, a medieval costume. I still have to make Pay's and both of their cone hats, but this is for the fall festival at church.  I also still have to make a pirate and  Minnie Mouse costume so I better get my rear in gear.

Made from an Ottobre dress pattern, just lenghtened.

Have a great day ya'll! It's nice to be back blogging :)