Before I put my apron swap package in the mail to my polka dot apron swap partner (see post below) I wanted to include a card with her surprises and introduce myself. This is one of my favorite apron stamps and lends itself well to paper piecing. The apron stamp is by Lockhart Stamp company and the sentiment stamp (Queen for a Day) is from Anna Griffin.
I've been seeing handmade bows on garments, headbands and apron pockets in books and magazines so I decided that this polka dot pretty could use a big bow on the pocket too. I don't know why, but it reminds me of Lucille Ball or at least something that I Love Lucy would wear.
I wanted to include a little something extra for my secret partner to coordinate with her apron so I made her this matching hot pad. The top of the hot pad has pockets in which you put your thumb in on one side and your fingers through the other and then just pinch the pot handle or pan.
See how it works?
Each participant is also to include a cookbook of any type you'd like. I am sending my partner a special cookie cookbook. I must say that I've glanced through it and I may have to go back and get my own copy of it. There are some yummy looking cookie recipes in it.
So tomorrow I'll wrap up and mail all of this polka dot pretty goodness to my secret partner. I hope she'll enjoy it.
Cheers!
Jennifer
This is Noah's first collar. I did have a bowtie attached to it but my husband is not happy about adorning our dogs with "frou-frou"! So, here is the collar, sans bow tie.
Collars are the easiest and fastest things to create. All you need is the hardware which includes the clasp, size adjuster slide and tag piece. I liked this blue dog bone fabric for a newborne pup.
I had hoped to get some adorable photos of Noah modeling his new collar. Noah has informed me that he has no desire to be a collar model and would not hold still for photos.
Try as I might to get my sweet little bear to pose, he just wouldn't cooperate.
Finally, Noah said, "I'm outta here!" and waddled off to see what the other dogs were doing.
OK...the above photo is just because he IS so stinkin' C+U+T+E!! You can't see the collar but it is under all of that soft puppy fluff!
Now let's get to the "bottom" of things. When you take your dogs for a walk, you want to be a good citizen and responsible pet owner. Yes, that's right. You MUST pick up the dog's ... ahem..."droppings", "deposits", "biscuits" .... ok, let's be blunt! You MUST pick up the dog's POO! But how many times have you been out on a walk and have forgotten to take along bags for the collection process?
I designed this simple to use "Poo bag holder" to attach to the leash and make carrying bags with you easy to get to and a supply available at every pit stop!
This little dispenser bag clips to the leash handle or to your belt loop or buttonhole...whatever is most convenient for you. I find it easiest to keep it clipped to the leash handle and then it is always ready to go when you are ready for you walks.
The bag is about 6 inches long in total so it isn't real big or cumbersome but it will hold about 6 or 7 plastic grocery sacks. Just pull one at a time from the bottom and you're ready to clean up after your pooch.
I have some more projects for the pooches that I've been working on. Perhaps if there is interest after displaying my wares, I may set up an etsy shop if anyone is interested in purchasing haute couture dog accessories.
What do you think?
Time to walk my dogs. See you soon!
Noah is 8 weeks old and is the sweetest, most cuddly little bear.
He looks so serious in these photos but he is the mushy-est, most huggleable Newf pup ever!
I just had to introduce Noah to my dear blog friends. You'll be seeing a lot more of him, as well as his big brother Gabriel and big sister Paige who are also Newfoundland dogs. I've been sewing a lot lately and I have some dog related items that have been a lot of fun to make for my pups so I'll share those with you later.
Now come on...isn't Noah just about the most precious puppy ever? I think so.
Cheers!
Jennifer
Mother's Day always falls at the time my lilacs are blooming so I thought this Serendipity Stamps set, titled Butterfly Bush, was just right for creating a card for mom.
Cheers!
Jennifer
These sweet dresses hanging on the clothesline is such a nastolgic image and I think it makes a sweet Mother's Day card. This stamp set is from Serendipity Stamps and this cling set is simply titled Three Dresses.
I stamped the dresses twice and cut out the second set and popped them up on foam tape to add dimension and the appearance of hanging on the line.
While this card doesn't actually wish a "Happy Mother's Day" in the sentiment, I think this sweet quote by Samuel Butler (which is also one of the stamps included in this Serendipity Stamps cling set) is perfect for remembering mom and thanking her for all she did. The sentiment reads, "How dear to this heart are the scenes from my childhood." Above is the inside of my Mother's Day card.
I LOVE how my bag turned out. It is so "spring-y" and fresh!
While it is a small bag, it has enough room for a pocket compartment. I used magnetic snaps for the closure. I had never inserted magnetic snaps before making this bag. They are so EASY to attach. I'm going to be using them on everything from now on!
See the buttons? I made covered buttons from the butterfly fabric. How sweet!
Since this bag was so fast to make and I had scraps from the lining, bag and upper left over, I decided to whip up a little zippy pouch. I think the zipper needs a butterfly charm on the pull tab. I'm going to see if I can find one for it.
And who doesn't need to keep a package of tissues handy in their purse? I made this tissue holder/cover in about 30 minutes from start to finish. It took me 30 minutes because I do everything slowly. I KNOW you can make one in 15 minutes. I'm so pokey!
See below? The tissue hold is just simply made like an envelope in which the package of pocket tissues are inserted through the back and you "dispense" clean tissues through the slit on top.
Here is the complete set. I'm so proud of it.
I made this set for someone special. I hope she'll like it!
Brrrr...our weather has turned cold again. We've been spoiled with spring-like warmth but I think March is definitely going to go out like a lion before we will see more sunshine and warmth to help some spring bulbs to bloom. Have a wonderful weekend!
Jennifer
Has Spring Sprung where you live? It sure is trying to here. We don't have any crocus blooming yet but I'm watching for them soon. 
Have you made any postcards lately? This was a lot of fun to do...why not give it a try too?
Cheers!
Jennifer
Daffodils are one of my very favorite spring flowers and I know this bouquet will be among my favorites to use for a variety of occasions.
Card Recipe:
I hope you are enjoying a sunny new week!
Cheers!
Jennifer
Here is another view with the neckline fastened. I used velcro dots for the closure and backed the bib with terry cloth.
We are having dinner tonight with the very special one year old I frequently refer to. (Paul's granddaughter, Alexis). I am bringing cupcakes for dessert and since I know the icing on them is going to be messy I thought perhaps Alexis might need a special bib to catch the crumbs and save her outfit.
I used one of The Pioneer Woman's cupcake recipes from her blog and if you'd like to make these yummy Yellow Cupcakes with Sticky Chocolate Icing you can find the recipe HERE. (yes, I admit I ate one ... ok two!!)
Until later.....
Jennifer
If you go to the sites linked (above) you can read about what the LDS Humanitarian Service projects in detail. Heather is sending 10 infant kits. Each infant kit will include a layette gown, booties, receiving blankets, diapers, diaper pins, soap and zip lock bags. I chose to make layette gowns.
Each gown is made of 100% cotton knit and 100% cotton ribbing. They are very simple patterns and worked up quickly.
There are so many times when I feel helpless to assist others who are so very greatly in need of basic items for survival and comfort. This project gives the opportunity to reach out and help others and I am glad that Heather brought the LDS Humanitarian Service Projects to our attention.
