This and That

I know it has been ages since I've sat down and written a blog post, but November is "Birthday Month" at my house.  My two sons and my husband all have birthdays this month...and we are getting a wee bit tired of birthday cake!  I have been creating...not as much as I would like to be, but I have been in my craft room nonetheless.

I create sewing lists for myself (not that I get to all of it), but it at least helps to put all these ideas running through my head on a tangible list.  A shopping cart cover for my baby girl has been at the top of that list for quite a while, so I felt relieved to finally be able to cross that off the list!  I shudder to think what wretched germs are on the handle of a shopping cart, and I do have a baby that likes to put her mouth on everything...eeww!

I tried to be discreet when taking a picture of my baby in the middle of Target, so I wheeled her into the card aisle!  I think she likes her new comfy ride!  I'd like it to...It is a Kwik Sew pattern, and it has a thick layer of quilt batting sandwiched in between the pink polka dot fabric and the lime green gingham.

This outdoor shot did not turn out so hot, but people were looking at me like I was a weirdo!  Afterall, I was taking a picture of a Target shopping cart!

I've also been busy making school spirit shirts for some Elementary teachers that wanted something a little different than the cheapo shirts that the school gives out.

 

And, last but not least, I have some European market totes that needed sprucing up.  I sold the "Boutique" market tote that I shared in an earlier post, as well as the black one with the French dot monogramming.  I found this cute ribbon at JoAnn's, and I thought it would look great on my brown tote.  This ribbon is a little wider than what I normally use, but I still thought it looked pretty...

Eventually, I will get started on the Christmas sewing... YIKES!  I get so stressed when someone tells me exactly how many days until Christmas!!!

Keep Your Fingers Cool and Your Coffee Hot!

How many times has the guy (or gal) at Starbucks handed you a cup of coffee, apologized to you for running out of cardboard coffee sleeves, and then stood there staring at you while you howled in pain and tried frantically to pull your shirt sleeve down to hold your cup?! ...or does stuff like that just happen to me?  Now, I will be ready!  I made a bunch of these today (My husband wants one too!), and I listed a few on Etsy.  I do think these would make nice stocking stuffers for spouses or for teenagers.  In my day, teenagers did not like coffee, but now I think it must be a "cool" thing.  None of us could have ever afforded coffee shop coffee anyway.  Babysitters must get paid more these days!

I like this coffee sleeve more than the ones with buttons just out of personal preference.  For one thing, I am a klutz.  I will scald myself for sure if I have to hold hot coffee while trying to fiddle with buttons on a coffee sleeve.  This one slides on just like the cardboard sleeves.  It fits the 16 and 20 ounce cups.  You just slide it on and then up until it is on the cup snugly, and you are good to go. 

Here is the other fabric I have that I am itching to turn into cute little coffee sleeves!

...And lets not forget the hot tea drinkers!!!


Fave Crafts Blog Hop

The Infamous Pillowcase Dress...

I know millions of these dresses have been made....(Actually, it's the very first thing I learned to sew), but I can't help it...I still love them!  I learned to sew when my 8 year old daughter was 3.  I now have another baby girl, and it has been soooo much fun sewing for an itty bitty girl!  I decided on a pillowcase dress because this dress is limited to October, and I kind of got a late start.  She can wear it next year as a tunic top with leggings (I like it with leggings this year too!).  My oldest daughter has gotten as many as three years out of her pillowcase dresses!  I can't wait to see her in it, but it isn't worth waking her up from her nap...almost, but not quite!

A New Spin on the European Market Tote

I'm trying something new with the collapsible market tote.  Many of them have the ribbon tied on them, and I offer those too, but a friend of mine gave me this idea...

What do you think???  A cute initial monogrammed on the corner would make it complete.



Howdy Partner!

I know my post title is corny, but I couldn't help it!  This little cowboy set makes me hear, "Rollin', rollin', rollin'...Keep those dawgies rollin'!"  Maybe it is the fall break with four kids at home that is starting to mess with my brain a little... Anyway, I had to share!  I tried this bib pattern by "Precious Patterns," and I love it!  it solves the problem of baby food on the shoulders!  I don't know about your kids, but every single one of mine have always turned their faces away when they see me coming with a washcloth. Clean clothes end up instantly messy with something green or orange all over the shoulder.  Not anymore!  Now, if I can just keep it off mine.  My baby always waits to sneeze after a mouthful of pureed something or other...

I have been eyeing all of the reusable snack bags out there and decided to give it a try.  Besides fighting with the slippery nylon interior, these were addictive to make.  I think I'll make some for my older kids to use in their lunchboxes.  Plastic bags can get expensive when you use them as much as we do...probably not so good for the environment either.  This pattern can be found at the "Woobie Shop."  The pattern is for three different sizes of bags.  The one shown here is the smallest bag.  It's a good size for those little "Puffs" or "Cheerios."

 This set would be great for a little boy, and I just listed it on Etsy in my shop.  :)

Indulge Yourself!!!

"Spa Pillows," "Therapy Bags," whatever you want to call them, they are Heavenly!...And they have just been listed on Etsy! They come in sets of two, so you can plop one on your neck and tuck one behind your back if you choose. :) They are a generous 8"x 10" sizes bags, and I've used coordinating prints to make them fun!

You will be glad they are sold in sets of two...we've only had one in this house, and we fight over it!

Spa/ Therapy Pillows

Here is a little peek at what I've been up to lately!  I have 40 pounds of "Clean Feed Deer Corn" on my sewing room floor!!!  If there were security cameras recording me at Wal-Mart the day I purchased this bag, then there is going to be a good laugh at the company Christmas party!  I struggled trying to get that thing under my cart (my only available space since I still have a baby in an infant seat taking up the whole cart!).  I left in a sweat, but I was on a mission  to get this corn!

I've made wheat pillows before, but recently, I came across a site on the Internet that talked about how much better the corn feed bags were.  It was actually written by a nurse that got her corn bags/ pillows FDA approved for use in the hospital (she worked on the physical rehab floor).  Corn feed is safer.  I had no idea that the wheat pillows that I had been making could actually explode in the microwave.  I'm sure the kids would enjoy that show, but I sure wouldn't want to clean up that mess!  It also has the risk of fire when the small grains dry out.  Flax seed can also explode, and it is expensive.  So, this is how I ended up with 40 pounds of corn!

After making these, I microwaved each one three times for three minutes each (allowing it to cool completely between each zap).  Seeing as they stay hot for so long, it took me quite a while!  Doing this before giving them away, or selling them, helps to extract the natural moistures in the corn.  Now my bags are ready to go!  They can be used hot, or they can be stored in the freezer and used as a drip-free ice pack.  I'm going to make small ones to keep in the freezer for my kids.  They constantly are bumping their noggins!!!  Sooooo many uses for these thing.  I'm going to make some flannel ones in fun prints for the kids.  I think they would love to have a warm bag tucked in by their feet when the weather gets cooler.  ...and maybe a neck wrap...hmmmmm

I've made the 8"x10" size with a removable slipcover for washing.  I still have LOTS of corn, so I better get busy.  Honestly, a deer jumped out in front of my car the other night... Do you think I smell like corn???

 

Let's Get Physical!

My little boy, Aidan, is in kindergarten this year.  For a fundraiser, the children ran laps around the school, and sponsors could either pledge per lap or give a flat donation.  Aidan's little legs ran him around the entire school thirteen times!  To gear up for this big day, we had to record all of the different forms of physical activity that he did each day.  He also had to create a self-portrait of himself out of the gingerbread"ish" form that was sent home.  It was supposed to be what he looks like when he exercises.  Are you ready for this?  Here ya go....

Sweatband, sunglasses, muscle shirt...LOL!  I was cracking up!  My husband thought it looked a little like Richard Simmons, but I would have had to find some curlier yarn for that!  I had to share... I thought it was so cute!

We're Gonna Rock Around the Clock Tonight...

I'll have to say, while making this custom towel for a little girl that "likes purple and puppies" I felt like grabbing a coke float and dance around the floor.  Doesn't this towel remind you of a poodle skirt?  I was unable to find a girly looking ribbon with puppies on it, so this idea came to mind instead...

I appliqued the dog and sewed on the ric rac leash to the back of the towel.  There is still a little stabilizer on the towel. I've got to clean up this little pooch before I ship her off to her new home!

All of my kids have these, and their ages range from six months to eight years old.  They love them, and I love how I can wrap my youngest two up and carry them to their rooms without ending up looking like I am the one that had the bath!

Sew Bananas Is On Facebook!!!

If you have been following my blog, "Little Monkeys," then you probably know that I also have an Etsy store, "Sew Bananas Boutique."  Well, I've added Sew Bananas Boutique to Facebook...might as well, everybody else in the world is on Facebook!  I'd love to have you join my Facebook site!!!! 

For the Boys...

I know I've been posting one thing after another for baby girls, but that's only because I have a baby girl right now!  I sure haven't meant to slight the boys, especially since I have two little boys myself!  Here is an infant seat cover for a little fella made out of Michael Miller "Bandana Patchwork" and "Horseshoe" print.  My intentions were to use the "Little Cowpoke" material, but I learned that this was one of those cases that you needed a 1/2 yard more of the fabric for a one directional print...hmmmm, shoulda paid attention to that one!  So, I will be making some infant and toddler (with crumb catcher) bibs out of the cute cowboy fabric instead.  I've been saving that fabric since my 2 year old son was born (I made his bedding set out of it).  It would have made a cute infant seat cover... (Do you hear the violins?)

I love the "patchwork" look...

Here is a close-up of the little horseshoes.  Giddy up Cowboy!

I made Velcro handles on this one instead of the ties...

Thanks for looking! 

Little Bit Modern...Little Bit Retro...

I know this Alexander Henry fabric has been around for awhile, and I've seen it used as aprons, skirts, dresses, kitchen towels, etc. etc. etc!  I still love it though, and I decided to use it for some baby items.  I love the modern look of the apples and pears, but I also LOVE ric rac and decided to add a little vintage feel with polka dots and ric rac.  Do you think it works as a cute set?  I'm pretty happy with it, and most definitely will be making my own little Isabella a set of her own!

I also love how soft and cuddly chenille fabric is for baby items.  I backed the bibs with it.  I don't like the mess it makes all over my sewing room, however!  I made another pink and brown bib for my baby and let her use it before giving it a good wash in the washing machine.  When I took it off of her, she looked like she had "Grandma Beads!"  Do only Southerners know what that is, or is that a universal thing?  Ha!  I also was pulling some of the fuzz out of her mouth, so I definitely suggest washing any bibs made with chenille before putting them on your baby!  No one likes eating fuzz...yuck!

I do love ric rac and use it whenever I can.  I decided to do three rows here because it looked a bit "Christmasy" when I only used the apple green on the red.  Adding the pink rows helped that out a bit.

This burp cloth is a little different than the ones I usually make with the band of fabric along the bottom.  I like doing it this way when I have some cute fabric I want to showcase.  This way is pretty easy.  Just sew a strip down the middle and you're done!  Now that I've upload these pictures, I notice that a few chenille fuzzies made their way onto this burp cloth...

I've got to get busy making something for boys...don't meant to be slighting the fellas!  I've got two boys and think boys are great!  I think my 5 year old, Aidan probably gets the most excited (out of all my children) when I make something for him.  Doesn't it warm your heart when your children appreciate what you do for them?  ...just makes you want to do more, doesn't it?

Crash Boom Bang!!!

After a looooooong six days, I finally have internet again!!!  We had a terrible thunderstorm, and my husband and I both sat straight up in bed after it sounded like someone shot a shotgun in our bedroom.  The whole room lit up, and Seth said that he felt like he had just had an x-ray...hee hee!  At least one of us had a good night's sleep!  Why is it that when I tiptoe through the room, she wakes up over a creak in the floor, but thunder loud enough to shake the house didn't disturb her one bit?! 

Before the lightning knocked us in to "Little House on the Prairie," I opened my Etsy store!  So, Sew Bananas Boutique is ready for business.  I don't have much listed yet (funny, four kids and no t.v. doesn't leave much playtime for mommy), but it is a start.  I have a car seat tent listed for a baby girl, and I listed the European Market Totes that some of you inquired about.  I am working on bibs right now (all different styles) and I will sew up some more car seat tents after that.  I also bought some fabric for making 18" doll ballerina costumes and clothes (perfect for upcoming Christmas presents!).  I'm trying to whip up a few hair bows as well (Hannah keeps claiming them all for herself...little heifer!).  Check out my store if you get a chance (Etsy button is the little monkey on the top left corner of my blog).  For those of you that sell on Etsy, I am always looking for helpful bits of feedback. 

I'm so glad to be back!!!

Little Prince???

OK...How bad is this?!  My sweet little princess is wearing her brother's bib that says, "Little Prince."  She has a mom that sews, so what is up?  I felt bad every time that I rummaged through the drawer and had to pick through all the boy bibs.  It was time...

I grabbed a good sized bib and traced around it to make a pattern.  I used some soft, absorbent chenille for the backing and away I went...

"Oh Mommy!  For Me?!"

"Wow!  It even has my initial on it!"

"OK...Let's test it out."

"Amazing!  Not a drop on me!"

"Thanks Mommy!"

I've got many more cut out and ready to go.  I think Isabella has forgiven me for insulting her with the "Prince" bib.  No more boy bibs for her!  We even have a new one for lunchtime!

Kindergarten Time!

My sweet Aidan starts kindergarten on Monday.  I try to share in his excitement as he carries around his new Star Wars backpack or shows his daddy his new Mario Cart (a Wii thing) lunchbox.  He visited his new teacher and saw the classroom last Tuesday night, and he keeps asking, "When can I go back to that kindergarten?"  He's excited and eagerly waits the day that he gets to go to kindergarten and stay all day.  I try to join in the excitement, but instead I want to cry!  He is second born in a line of four.  Does that matter...NO!  They are ALL "my favorite."  Each one brings a special uniqueness to our family.  Hannah returns to school as a third grader.  I'll miss our "girl chats" and her laughter that I've heard all summer (She's just discovered "I Love Lucy.").  Aidan will go all day right along with her.  I'll miss his funny stories that he always seems to have right at lunch time.  I won't get to share lunch time with him during the week for a while.  Do I sound like I am sending them off to college?  Well, it kind of feels that way!  

When you go to kindergarten all day, you have to have nap time at school.  The teacher said to cover the nap mats and bring a blanket .  So, to make it extra special, I covered Aidan's nap mat with Toy Story fabric that I found at Fabric.com (a place that I frequent too much) and bought him a matching blanket at Target.  I made and attached a pillowcase to the mat cover so that it would be easy to put away, but it also makes the mat a little longer.  This is good because the extra thick Kindermats are a few inches shorter than the basic Kindermat...not very comfy when your legs are hanging over and are elevated two inches off the ground. 

He seemed thrilled with it, but so did his  2 year old little brother, Jack (not shown in the picture because he was having a fit and saying, "My cowboy!" (a.k.a. Woody).

Aidan will have a locker (pretty cool, huh?), and they will keep their nap items in a laundry bag.  I picked this up at Target too, and I embroidered his name on it.

This picture gives you an idea of just how much this bag will hold!  I think Aidan could fit in there as well!

Maybe, I could fit in that bag...I don't think anyone would know I was there.  Do you think I could get away with it?  ;)

It's a Blog Party!

Come join the fun by visiting "Making Friends Monday!"  It's a great way to visit fun blogs that you might not know about and to generate visitors to your own blog!  Check it out here.

2:30 a.m. Sewing Project...

It's not very bright of me to be up until 2:30 a.m. sewing, and even more dumb of me to post about it at 2:45 a.m....especially when I have four children that are early risers!  Oh well, it's not like I have much time for stuff like this during the day with a two year old and a four month old needing A LOT of attention!  I'm sure there are others of you out there that do the same thing...right?

This is a little reversible dress that I made for my baby girl.  The dress whipped up in no time.

This is the back view.  It is an open back which shows off the ruffly diaper cover that I made.  The flip side of the dress is the tiny flower print that is on the hens.  It's cute, and I meant to take a picture, but I forgot...and my eyes are starting to lose their vision...

I love the ruffled diaper cover, but it most certainly did not whip up as fast as the dress!  Sewing those tiny leg holes was a pain in the...well, nevermind.

I would have loved to have taken a picture of it on my little model, but she is fast asleep.  Did I mention what time it is???  Oh well, I'm going to take my dry, scratchy eyes and go to bed!  Good night...

Have You Seen These?

I love these European market totes!  The first time I ever saw one was after the birth of my daughter.  A friend from my Sunday school class brought us a meal, and she carried it in one of these.  She had her initial on hers too (but without the ribbon), and I really thought it was cute.  Then, I saw one in Paula Deen's magazine, and I thought, "I need one of those!"  In case you haven't seen these, they are completely collapsible.  They fold up flat once you take out the little plastic thingies that go in the little "pockets" for support.  I monogrammed mine with the "French Dot" embroidery alphabet found here, and then I added the ribbon tie.  Now I'm ready for the next potluck or picnic.  I'm sure there are a million uses for this thing!

...Another Car Seat Tent

What do you do when you make something to sell, but you really want to keep it???  I need to make a boy seat cover next...I don't have a boy baby anymore.  :)  My camera does not take great pictures, so just imagine the beautiful colors that are in this fairy fabric. 

Nice chlorine bucket in the background, huh?!  I'll have to get some better shots before listing this!

This one is made like the one that I made for my own baby.  I used sturdy fabric ties.  I like them because they look girly but are much more durable than ribbons/ bows.  For boys, I'll either make velcro or button straps.

Looking at this picture, I realize just how bad I need that Canon Rebel my friend tells me about!!!  She has one, and I have camera envy...LOL!  You'll have to imagine bubblegum pinks, soft yellows, robin's egg blue, and mint greens...

The underside...  I love that pink!

Anyway, that is a little sneak peek on what I've been working on for the shop!  I will use sef-control by not keeping this for Isabella, but...I really want to keep it!