Score!

Syd and I headed to Joanne's a few days ago to stock up on some notions and interfacing (gotta love their 50% off sales - and if you didn't know about their VIP program, you should check it out! If you can prove that you're a legit crafting company - show some tax forms, etc. - you can get a card that gives you an extra 15% off *everything* - even sale items!).

Anyways, b/c we don't get to Joanne's very often, and Syd was in a fantastic shopping mood, we decided to browse for a bit and see if anything struck our fancy. Low-and-behold, we stumbled across some Robert Kaufman and Alexander Henry prints! I couldn't believe it... They didn't have a huge selection, but just enough to make my day :) I had been eyeing a few of the prints online for a while, but hadn't bought any (I need more fabric like we need more snow....). It's nice to now have a few new things to add to the collection!

The first print (starting on the left) is one that just makes me smile :) Will be perfect for some cute dresses and kiddie aprons. The second one I was introduced to by ANGRY CHICKEN in this post and was immediately smitten with the fabric. The third one... well, I've been on the hunt for some cute cherry fabric and this is one of the best that I've found yet! There's some cute baby corduroy with cherries on it, but I just can't make myself get it... that's like signing up for a few more months of winter!




Alexander Henry Blue "Apples and Pears"



Alexander Henry "Sunny Side"



Robert Kaufman Blue Cherries (Fruit Basket Collection)


As for what's up next on the project line, I have a few more baby gifts to finish up, a bag for Cathy in Canada (I'll be making a patchwork one like this, but with pink/green Lotus fabrics - I can't wait to see how it turns out!), and for little 'ol me, I'm going to at last make the Madison Bag (Downtown Purse) from AB's Cherry Wall Flower and Cherry Full Moon Polka Dot). I've been itching to make it since I saw the new Madison Bag pattern cover a few months ago - perfect for spring!





Hope everyone had a fantastic Easter! It was pretty quiet here - Syd had a belly bug and I was under the weather a bit as well, so we took advantage of the free HBO that Direct TV had over the weekend. Perfect timing :)

PS: Almost forgot to mention that Erin from DIAPER DAISY received my wetbags over the weekend and posted them yesterday on her site! If you've ever thought about trying cloth diapers, her site gives lots of info about the benefits of cloth, and she's super helpful with finding ones that will work for you. We recently tried the Happy Heinies and love them. Also check out the BABY LEGS - Syd has some pink ones now and they are adorable (and make diaper changes a snap). There are so many clever moms out there :)

YUM!!!!!!

I keep seeing this lemon pound cake recipe in magazines lately, so I had to try it - it's OUTSTANDING!!! Looking for something to bring to Easter dinner? This is perfect :) I used a mini loaf pan to make individual little cakes.

Happy Easter everyone!

PS: We had our first ultrasound yesterday and everything looks great! 7 more weeks 'til we find out if Syd will have a baby brother or sister!

Bunny Beanie and Baby Booties

How cute is this?!? Click here for the link to the free pattern :) (size 3-6 months)

I did a search for other free baby patterns and found these too:

Baby Booties

Snow, Skirts and Salmon

This is what I woke up to this morning.....






And this is yahoo's lovely weather report:

Detailed Local Forecast

Today: A wintry mix this morning will give way to a rain and sleet mix for the afternoon. High 37F. Winds ESE at 15 to 25 mph.

Tonight: Windy with rain and sleet early with precipitation changing to heavy snow overnight. Low 31F. Winds E at 20 to 30 mph. Snow accumulating 5 to 8 inches.

Tomorrow: Flurries and a few snow showers throughout the day. High 37F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of snow 30%.

Urgh!..... and I really thought that spring was here! I've been thinking too much about making skirts... that's the problem... I'm anxiously awaiting my shipment of AB's new Barcelona Skirts pattern - I love the apron overlay! This pattern looks like it's full of fun projects for spring (if it ever decides to come...) I just posted a pre-order on Ebay. Unfortunately this pattern is priced higher than her other ones (due to large pattern pieces) but I think it'll be worth it!

Other news: Erin at Diaper Daisy will soon be carrying my wetbags! I love how they turned out :) I always get asked the question: what is a wetbag? Basically, it's a zippered pouch that has a waterproof lining inside. Unlike bags lined with vinyl, these can be machine dried - just throw them in the wash with the rest of your dirties and you're all set. They are great for wet bathing suits, dirty play clothes, carrying odd and ends... the options are limitless! I'm planning on making some design changes to give some more versatility to the bags (straps, etc.), and offering custom embroidery on them (perfect for kids!).




And after working with the gorgeous SAKURA material (by R. Kaufman), I couldn't resist making a onesie for Syd with some leftover scraps). I think she needs a coordinating pair of wide leg pants or a little belt to match. It's such fun having a little girl!




One last thing before we head out and brave the snow - I have to share a terrific recipe we tried last night (I actually used aluminum foil because I didn't have parchment paper). Side with some rice pilaf and it's incredible! CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO ENLARGE IT.

Etsuko Fuyura fabric is in!

Mornin' everyone! Great news! The Japanese fabrics are in! (well, about half of them!) Gorgeous textiles... wow!!!!! Last night 2 rather large and heavy boxes arrived, filled with lots and lots of Etsuko Fuyura. All fabrics are 100% cotton and 43 - 44" wide. They are a heavier canvas / home dec. weight fabric - perfect for bags and home projects. I am still waiting on the lady bug fabric and a couple others from her lines; the Lecien and Trefle fabrics should be in next week.

I have a ton of scanning to do, but here's a sneak peak at the goodies. (I'm going to list only a few on EBAY, and the rest on my website - my EBAY fees have been CRAZY lately - their fees keep going up and up and up.....)

If anyone is interested in placing orders before I get to list these (which I think will take me a bit), feel free to drop me a line at: kristen@monkeyfootdesigns.com with your order and I'll send a PayPal invoice over. The retail price per yard of these fabrics is ~$18.50, but I'm offering them to you all at $17.

From her newest collection: (Largest bird measures 4" high and 3 1/2" wide):

(Full Width Pic:) (the picture is small - it just shows how the pattern repeats across the fabric)



JG-95200-200A



JG-95200-200B


JG-95200-200C



From her last collection:

JG-95000-501A



The next 3 are long panels (The dark leaves from bottom selvage are 14" high. The light leaves from the bottom selvage are 7" high. The spider hangs 14 and 1/2" from top selvage. Top selvage has strip of white polka dots, each dot is 3/8"):

JG-95000-503A




JG-95000-503B





JG-95000-503C





For the next 4 prints, the dove measures 2.25" x 1.'" Each flower measures about 4" in diameter:

JG-95000-502A


JG-95000-502B




JG-95000-502C




JG-95000-502D




My favorites! (Each bird is 1 3/4", pattern repeats 3 times from selvage to selvage):

Here's a link to my post in Jan. that shows pics of a knitting needle case I made with this fabric)

JG-95010-10A


JG-95010-10C

Need some new craft ideas?

Hello everyone! At last my cold is gone!!! YIPPEEE!!! This has been a really frustrating one, only in that it lingered forever and really got in the way of some orders and projects that I need to get done. I'm slowly getting caught up, but I'm still feeling a bit frustrated. Wah.

While I was sick, I picked up some new (to me) reads to add to my sewing library - I figure if I can't do any projects, I might as well read about some and get my TO DO list updated a bit. A big (and pleasant surprise) was the newest BETTER HOME AND GARDEN'S "Quilts and More" magazine that I snatched at the grocery store. I was lured in by the picture at the upper right corner (I love seeing fabrics from designers that I love!!!) and figured I'd pick it up. I'm not a big quilt person, but there are some neat quilt ideas in here, and a TON of other fun ideas:



This one is for a table runner - I'd love to adapt it to make placemats. FUN!!!




Some fun spring-time aprons:




A quilt project that actually interests me.... (FreshCut, LOTUS, hmmmmm)



A fun gift!




Another great idea - I've been wanting to play with felt for a while now...



Who knew such fun was lurking at the grocery store?!

I also received Cynthia Treen's LAST MINUTE FABRIC GIFTS a few days ago. I've had this one on my Amazon wish list for a while now and decided to splurge the big $12 or so when I ordered a few copies of my favorite book to give to babies. The projects in the book are divided by the amount of time they take. There's some quirky projects, but some I'd definitely like to try.

This one reminds me something that Tara might like: (it's a bag made from a coat sleeve)




And check out this Bunny!!!!! She gives you instructions to make the bunny and the cute garden mat that it sits on.



My last fun find is from Walmart (of all places!). I went to get some interfacing for my belts and stumbled on some super fun smocked fabric! JoAnne's has some as well (my sister-in-law, Sue, made an adorable dress for Sydney with some fabric from there) but being as how I have to drive 40 minutes to the nearest one.... Walmart won :) Here's the fabric and ribbon I picked up (purple for Jordan, strawberries for Syd):



And here's the little project sheet/instructions that they had displayed with it:

(FRONT)



(BACK)



I have to run now, but I'll post more later!

PS: Three new Amy Butler patterns are in and posted in my EBAY store!

PPS: Just received my new business cards, hang tags and clothing labels from Dianna Wright! I love them!

Bird Diapers?

Random entry here.... so, as you all know, I'm a mom of a 1 year old.... as a mom I deal with diapers and poop all day (like so many of you do). I was doing a random search one day for diaper pouches and came across this gem: It's a bird "flight pouch", aka bird diaper pouch. Who knew something like this was around?!

Hoddie's Patterns are listed!

Good morning everyone! Well, we're snowed in... again.... The good thing is that I'll be able to get lots done today! I just posted the 5 Hoodie's Colllection patterns in my EBAY store - I love them :) Here's some close-up pics:

Reversible Skirt Apron:



Bean Bag:



Messenger Bag:



Kinchaku Bag (Reversible):



Triangle Bag (has hidden outer pockets!):

PS...

Just a quick note before I head to bed - I received HOODIE'S Patterns today!!!!! I'll get them scanned and online this weekend. They look just so darned cute :)

PS: I've gotten a few questions about whether this pregnancy was planned - crazily enough, it was! We hoped to have the kids close together in age, so we're psyched! It'll be tough I'm sure, but worth it :)