Sweet memories...

I was recently asked, by a friend, if I would make a T shirt blanket for her son. I have never done anything like this before, and don't consider myself "crafty", but said "yes". She's a good friend and has been through many changes in her life this year. I wanted to do something special for her.

The blanket is for her son who went off to college this year. We met, and she gave me a blanket of her son's to use as the backing, and 2 bags of T shirts!I went home and pondered...what have I gotten myself into!  This was to be a blanket of memories, not only for her son, but for her as well, and I decided to continue onward with the project....

When the time was right, I began. I sorted through the T shirts, sizing from toddler through adult (he's 18 years old now). How do I do this? How do I get started? I looked up online "T shirt blankets" and had an idea of how they are made. Squares, all the same size, kind of boring actually! And I thought of my friend...and how I know she is, and boring is not in her vocabulary! I was faced with a project involving different sized shirts, and lots of memories....I took a picture of all the shirts...then the creative process took over.

Let me mention that I  have a dog. Let me mention that she has two dogs.

My dog was by my side during the entire construction of this blanket. In fact, I caught her resting her head and paws on it. She knew it was special; for someone special....

When I delivered it, at first one of her dogs didn't take to me very well, didn't even come near me, was very protective of the home....until i presented her "mom" with the blanket. Both of her dogs immediately snuggled into it....I couldn't get over it! They could smell "their boy"who they have missed while away at school....then the dog that barked at me, came over to me, and gave me kisses, and let me pet her...that was really something special to me. She knew I created something for someone she loves...

Finished blanket!

Showing the backing of the blanket with the finished blanket

I folded over the blanket, to finish the edges

Grandmother's Gift

Contacted early in the summer by a grandmother, excited by the idea of using her own wedding dress to make a christening outfit for her upcoming great grandchild!
We met, and she brought her gown, which had been stored in a box with only tissue paper to protect it.
 

Satin with lace overlay on the top, lace sleeves and a (kind of funky!) light and airy tulle skirt with appliques, over a satin skirt. No train.

Photos brought were of a romper (for a boy) and ideas of making a detachable skirt. Maybe using buttons to attach to the romper.

Being busy still with prom gowns and the wedding dresses beginning to come in for alterations, this project was put aside for over a month. Late August I finally got started, and in mid-September Betty was able to come see my progress. She was pleasantly surprised and loved the romper. We decided it would be better to have a separate dress, for a girl, given I had (just) enough fabric left to do so. Little cap sleeves and a bonnet to top it off!










  Christening was in November for a baby boy....the first to wear the romper!


Update October 26, 2015:
I used just about every inch of fabric and lace, and lots of the buttons and loops for accents. I also incorporated the cording from the waistline of the gown, around the bonnet and at the collar of the romper. See more photos here!
                                       

Keeping things in balance!

How do you…?

*Manage your time…most importantly
*Have enough time to do your work, love what you do, and still have time for YOU!
*Keep a healthy balance in your life

Recently having become overwhelmed by the responsiveness of potential customers and having to turn some away, because I just didn’t have enough time, made me sit back and think about this, unfortunate, but good!, dilemma I have been faced with. “How am I going to get it all done, done well, on time, and still have time to do other activities that I enjoy?” 

We all need that ME time. Time to do nothing, go for a cup of coffee with a friend, exercise, listen to music, dance, read, play with your dog, spend time with your family!