Just Because They're Cute

Oh, Boy!

This kid already knows too well how to use this thing!  I have to be careful when I use my IPad because anytime Charlie sees it he thinks he needs to play on it.  He knows exactly how to get to the games and lately has discovered Facebook.  So if you discover a strange post from me, you can give credit to this little smarty pants.    

Project Pea Coat

A while ago Maegen offered to make Alaina a pea coat.  Alaina picked out this red floral.  Between Maegen's other projects and school she didn't get around to it.  But that's ok.  I really enjoyed making this for Alaina.  I was pleasantly surprised how easily it went together.    

 I used bias tape around the sleeves which initially was to make doing the sleeves easier, but also added a little detail that turned out super cute.  

 I used one of my specialty stitches for the top stitch. 

 Close up of the sleeve.  

Alaina absolutely loves it and Carson has asked for one now, which means I'll just "have" to make one for Charlie as well.  Dang it!  ;)

Garden

This year were doing a garden!  When we lived in Nampa we did a garden and I loved all the fresh produce!  Last fall Tony came home with a bunch of seeds his boss had picked up from a convention.  Tony's work is going to start marketing these garden boxes soon.  They/we set these up for our use.  They even provided the dirt and drip system.  All I have to do is plant, water, and weed it.  Oh, and also take a lot of pictures so they can use them in their catalog for this product.  I have to admit that I'm a bit nervous about doing a garden in such a cold climate.  Maybe we'll strike it big and get the plant protectors that Tony's work does too!  I don't know, that might be pushing it.  Anyway I'm excited!       

 The first of 3 boxes, ready for planting.

The other two boxes.  One with a drip system, ready for planting.  I probably wont plant for awhile.  Heck it's still freezing overnight.  

Project Toddler Backpack

So, when my kids get about Charlie's age I'll buy a toddler backpack to use as the diaper bag and make them carry it around.  Well, with living in Rexburg the choices were pretty limited.  So I bought some fabric to make him one.  Shortly after buying the fabric (which I got on Clearance) my sewing machine broke.  After purchasing my new machine (Hooray!) I started on it.  I used a free tutorial online, but had to tweak their pattern a few times and if I were to make it again I'd probably tweak it some more.  But I feel like for a first attempt it turned out pretty good.  

 The front.  I would add a pocket on the front, but quite frankly I was ready to be done with this project and move on to my pile of other projects that are pilling up.  

 A close up on the straps.  My new machine has all these really cool stitches and had an excuse to use one, so I did.  

 My new machine can also do monograms.     

 The back.  I had to redo these straps at least 3 times before I could get it right.  

It's more preschool sized than toddler sized, but Charlie loves it and for all intents and purposes this project is done.