A Little Scarlet O'Hara Upcycle Project

Mother's Day Gift for Maw Maw (Mr. Mudpie's step-mom)

"Maw Maw" is an avid baker.  She is known for her beautiful cakes and her mean biscuits.  BUT, I think her true specialty is the little confections she gives all of us kids every year at Christmas.  All year, I look forward to receiving the bucket of yumminess from her.  Fudge, cookies, bon-bons, and my favorite..... chocolate covered cherries.  They are to die for.  So, an apron was only fitting.  You really can't have too many aprons.... they're like kitchen towels.  You can always use more. 

She likes wearing a specific style of apron, that is very different from the type of aprons I have made before.  She likes simple - I like girly ones that accentuate "the lovelies" as Mr. Mudpie calls them.  (Did I make you blush just then?!) 

Here's where the upcycle comes in:  When I picked out a window treatment for my kitchen window, the valance I wanted came with a set of 2 panels, which I didn't need.  Becky suggested a long time ago that they would make great aprons.  Perfect! 

I cut the curtain panel down, sewed a pocket and added some double fold binding, made from stash fabric.  It was a perfect gift for her, and I think she would be proud that I made it with materials on hand. 
Before (a lonely set of curtain panels): 

After (a cute, functional apron for Maw Maw to wear while making me goodies cooking dinner): 

Like this apron?  An identical one will be appearing in my about-to-open Etsy shop very soon! 

Burp Cloths, Bibs and Binkies... oh my!

Ok, so maybe just burp cloths!  Our family friend Chip, aka "Uncle Trip" is expecting a baby this spring.   They are having a boy, so I thought a little something to honor dad would be nice.  Chip is a non-active U.S. Marine.  Mr. Mudpie and I found some Marine Corps fabric tonight and thought it would make some great manly burp cloths for those father and son outings.

Let me tell you ladies.... having the hubs pick out fabric with me was quite a nice suprise!  It may have lasted all of 5 minutes, and we may have had 2 sugared up kids with us, but it was one of those moments that made me very happy.  What can I say.... the way to my heart is through a bolt of fabric. 

I think I may make some bibs with the rest of the Marine Corp fabric. They'll be backed with terry cloth, so they can be used to wipe down the baby at the end of the meal. Those were always my favorite bibs with my kids!

Homemade Gifts Recap: Camera Cases

Mr. Mudpie's mom joined the digital camera world a few months ago finally!  She received a cute little pink point and shoot camera for her birthday, but was carrying it around in this old, beat up, hideous case.  I mean seriously ugly!  I take that back, the first little bit she crammed it into a travel tissue holder that Taylor sewed for her... then she switched to the hideous outdated case.   I knew she wanted a case to match her camera, so I made this:

I was testing out the case at TJ's Thanksgiving Parade at his preschool to see if it functioned good and Angel saw it.  She wanted one for her preggo sister to match the nautical themed diaper bag, so I made this one:

Now, have I made one for myself?  Nope.  And I really need one too.  My poor (currently having issues, hence the horrible photos lately) camera has no case.  It just takes it's chances every time it gets flung into the deep abyss I like to call my purse. 

**** I used a tutorial on another blog to create these, but lost the link when my laptop went to the shop.  If anyone knows what blog it was on, please post so I can give credit. 

Instant Craft Gratification

I've mentioned before that I have a fairly short attention span and therefore enjoy instant gratification when it comes to crafting.  Making crayon rolls is *without a doubt* one of my favorite quickie projects! 

I had promised a crayon roll for Christmas to Taylor's friend, Evelyn. ooooops! Sorry Evelyn! Taylor actually asked me to make one for Evelyn months ago and picked out the fabric herself, long before it was even requested.

This little guy is my favorite part of the whole thing.  :)

Enjoy it Miss Evelyn!

When a friend has a crappy day....

.... make them an owl pillow. lol That's actually what I did tonight. My friend Becky had one of those "the dryer just broke, there goes the Christmas money" kind of days. In true housework-procrastination mode, I whipped up a little owl throw pillow for her. She has an even more obsessive love of owls than I do, so this should be a perfect little gift.

The pattern is in the current issue of Better Homes & Garden Quilts. Start to finish, it took about 4 hours. Not too shabby considering it involved tons of tiny pieces, applique AND embroidery. Finished pillow measures about 9"x7". I forgot to take a picture of the back, but it's the same embroidered fabric that is used for the tree trunk. Best part of this project: All fabric from the stash! Love when that happens!

I really really want to make one of these for myself!

"You're a hoot!"