ZooTZmomma

2010-08-22T08:29:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Daddy! I miss You!

Today would have been my daddy's 63rd birthday and I woke up this morning missing him. Dad's newest grandbaby was born this week on the 18th of August, weighing 5 lb 5 oz. and 19.5 inches long. He almost made it until grandpa's birthday! We named him Tristan and decided that his middle name should be David, after his grandpa. I hope that my daddy can see Tristan from heaven and watch over his namesake from there. My other hope is that Tristan David will learn to treat people with respect no matter what walk of life they are from, something that my daddy always managed to do here on earth.

Love you daddy!

2010-06-24T09:56:00.005-04:00

New Blog!

I have fallen down on my blogging yet again! But I have a good reason this time I promise. I have started a new blog called "Sewing for my Baby boy!" and it is all about sewing for the little guys in your life. That's right we found out on the 11 th of this month that we are expecting a little boy again! And we are so super excited! I don't know what it is about sewing for little boys, but I really think it's the best!

I am determined to sew everything that our little one will need for his wardrobe for at least the first 365 days of life. I thought at first it might be a little too big for me to handle, but now that I have started, I am enjoying my sewing more than ever.

If you would like to follow my new blog here is the link.

http://sewingformybabyboy.blogspot.com/

I hope to have lots of tutorials and some suggestions for lots of little boy sewing! In the meantime here is a little pic of our "little boy". Yes, he has no name. Hopefully something will stick very soon!

2010-02-08T08:58:00.003-05:00

Itty Bitty Sewing, Sew Much Fun!

Oh, I am falling down on the blogging! I have so many ideas dancing around in my head, but haven't found my way back to the sewing machines!

I do have an excuse though! We finally saved up enough to buy some furniture for our home! How long have we lived here you ask? Well, June 8 will be 2 years. Sadly our downstairs has sat furniture-less for all of that time. It has been quite comical because the kids friends always ask if we are moving out! I never knew that 2 living rooms and a dining room would be so hard to fill up. We believe in the not buying something unless you can pay for it with cash. Not that we don't have debt, we just don't want anymore.

Wednesday is delivery day and I couldn't be more excited. I purchased a set for what I call my fancy living room and a set for the lived in family room. The fancy one will have a new couch, loveseat, 2 end tables and a coffee table. I also purchased a new big rug and 2 really cool lamps for the room. The lived in one will now have a huge sectional, just what we needed. I have disliked the thought, because I think they look a little sloppy, but with our growing family I think it was the only smart option. Everyone will have their own spot now to watch tv and most seats will recline, which my hubby thinks will be heavenly after a long day of work! Haven't found the perfect rug for that room, but hopefully it will find me soon!

Next up on my to do list, is to find the perfect fabric for curtains. A big job considering two of the windows are over 100" wide. I know it will happen though! I also need to start looking at the thrifts for some chairs to recover for the dining room table. I have an older table that I repainted that I think will work perfectly, but no chairs! And then my rooms will look naked still, because I have no artwork to hang. I am hoping to take some pics of the kids and maybe do a sepia look to take up some space. I have seen this in a home before and it was really cool looking. Now to make them all 3 agree that it is a good idea!

Here are just a couple of sets that I sewed up in the past month. First I was feeling like the new baby would be a boy, so I did this little 2 pc set. Sadly the tee is a smaller fit than the pants, so I will have to redo a little bit.

And then I felt like no, this baby is a girl. So I sewed this 2 pc set up and added my first diaper. Lots of fun, but I can't say I am overjoyed at sewing up a bunch of these!

I will have to share some pictures when everything arrives and I get set up a little. It will be so different to walk into our house and see furniture! I can not wait!

2010-01-27T07:52:00.006-05:00

Another Bag for Me!

I just couldn't help myself after finishing the 1st one. I thought I would have another go at it just for fun. I have had this fabric sitting around for at least a year and I loved it, just didn't know what to do with it. So I made it a bag and I think it turned out very pretty with it's punches of color!

Made from the same download as the previous one and with my same measurements. I made both a little smaller, cutting my pcs. at about 13" x 17" and the corners about 5" x 6" instead of the bigger ones.

Today I think I need to make something I can sell. I love bags, but sadly they do not bring in the money that they once did.

I have a new focus, baby clothes! Yes, I am baking my 4th little one. Once the baby arrives, sometime around the 1st of Sept., we will have a total of 5 kids, wowzers! My husbands daughter will be 22 by then, and our other 3 will be 16,14 and 7. What a grand range. It's a good thing they say little people keep you young, we are going to need it!

I am going to give the cloth diapers a chance this go around, so I am super anxious to get started. I have already ordered a few supplies, just waiting on them to make their way here to get started. I have heard once you start you can't get enough of their fluffy goodness. Time will tell!

2010-01-25T23:35:00.003-05:00

Summer in the City Tote Bag

I have been hoarding this fabric for well over a year now. I just adore every piece of the Summer in the City line by Moda. The colors do just scream summer! I finally decided this weekend to cut into my precious stash and make a bag for myself!

I found a tute at studio e fabrics for the Flourish Bag. I love the fabrics they chose for their sample and I thought it would look just as great with the Summer fabrics. I think it took me most of the day to decide which fabrics to use where. Really! I just stood there admiring them all spread out for the longest time. In the end, I used some of the floral ones and polka dots, saving my precious birds for another time. I really like how it turned out and I can't wait to make another.

I did change the dimensions on my bag a little, the tute one just seemed a little big for my taste. I'm glad that I did so, because it still turned out plenty big enough! I also decided to do a braided belt instead of the tie one that they chose and added a magnetic closure to the inside. Oh and I changed the pockets on the inside too. I prefer mine up a little higher and I decided to just put them on the one side. Oh and I made my handles a little longer, cutting them at 26" for length.

2010-01-15T09:34:00.004-05:00

My Sewing Slump!

Yes, I know that we all get them, but I really dislike a sewing slump! I love creating things and yet, my brain seems so bogged down!

Yesterday, I decided that in anticipation of Sewing Mamas Stash Game for February, I would clean my sewing room, top to bottom! I just knew that the juices would start flowing if everything were organized and pretty again! Not that it was a total disaster area, but things were definitely out of sorts.

I started by emptying out 2 big rubbermaid totes full of fabric that had accumulated in my corner. Most were ones that I was hoping to sell soon, but unfinished projects were also there, along with some books and things. After dumping things out I had a big mess on my hands. Including the dust bunnies that had happily made their home in my very neglected corner!

Luckily, my daughter had decided she no longer wanted a shelf of mine in her room, so I now had an organizing solution! This shelf system now holds my etsy offerings, my unfinished projects, fabrics that are being used at the moment, and those that I would like to purge soon. Please forgive my sad blue chair I purchased at goodwill over a year ago, with the intent on taking it home and recovering it, showing it's true potential. Well sadly it's great potential is still in hiding!

And then we move onto my Rocketeer desk, which couldn't really be seen before I started. It now has my 3 drawer serger thread station and this huge tote of scraps that still need to be gone through. Why must I save all of my scraps? I just have this fear that if I unload them, I will need them for something useful. That would be sad! So here they sit, but I really need a prettier solution, this thing is just ugly and clashes with the decor!!

Most of my fabrics have been folded and stashed away on their shelves. I tried to do a little bit of organizing, but I think I missed a few cubes. Have to get to that later on!

I do have a horrible hideous pile of denims sitting on top that will not fit anywhere! I did at least refold them so they look a litte prettier than when they were just thrown up there!

And that brings me to my buckets of storage on top. I promised myself that I would recover the striped ones so they would "pop" a little and improve the look of my shelving. Well no pop yet, it's still on my to-do list!

And then here are my other machines, sitting here begging to be used! I did at least wipe everything down and remove the lint from behind them. I can't believe how much gets stuck back there!

I hope that this will help anyone else that is in the middle of a sewing slump. I really do think that the more organized your space is the more you will accomplish and the happier it will make you feel! I am off now to find something to cut out! I can only hope that by the time the stash game starts in February my space will still be clean!

2010-01-03T15:07:00.003-05:00

The New Year has Arrived!

All the decorations have came down, the trees put away, the Nutcrackers safely wrapped and stored, my house feels so empty! The blog has returned to it's usual state, but I have the feeling it will change very soon. I feel the need to play with PSP sometime this week.

We had a very merry Christmas this year. Time was well spent with family and friends, life couldn't have been any better. We spent Christmas Eve with my mom and luckily Santa found Noah's letter and redirected the children's presents and stocking stuffers to grandma's house! He could not have been more relieved!

I haven't sewn much, but was tempted this weekend and tried an idea that I had been playing with. I took a couple of thrifted tees and turned them into a newborn gown and beanie. Oh, it is so cute and cozy! I see more of these in the future for my ZooTZ store. The only thing not recycled is the blue rib knit.
Now I am off to sew some tees for Noah. He desperately needs long sleeved tees, we don't have much use for them in FL. But we are supposed to have a very cold spell this week. He has requested skater style tees, so we will see how I do!

I wish everyone the best of things to come for the New Year! May You and Yours be truly blessed this year!

2009-12-20T21:20:00.004-05:00

A Tropical Christmas!

My favorite girl cousin came to visit me this past week. She and I went thrifting together which was a lot of fun! I was lucky enough to score a Christmas tree for only $10!!! The box was marked around 200! What luck!

We dragged it home and I immediately began assembling, it took about 6 hrs, but I am proud to say all the pieces were there, more luck! I stared long and hard at it the next day before deciding that this would be my "Tropical Christmas Tree"! I mean after all we are in Florida!

I have been hoarding the perfect fabric, "Kris Kringle in Paradise", a really great print from Michael Miller. The 2 prints have been sitting on my shelves marinating for years and I finally had the perfect thing to use them for, more luck!!

I found a tute on the internet and went to work on Saturday, cutting and measuring, binding and sewing, took me all day, but I am so happy with the end result! Super festive and it really brought my tree together once it was on.

I went out with my mom and found some beautiful ornaments, get this, they were called "tropical!" more luck! They are wonderful and I can't wait to search for more. I'm sure it will take years before I am really satisfied, but the wait will be worth it in the end I hope. Oh and if you would like to try the tute, I found it here. There were lots of great tuturials there.

http://sew4home.com/projects/fabric-art-a-accents/390-citrus-holiday-simply-quilted-patchwork-tree-skirt

Small warning though, the middle looks really wonky before cutting the center out. If I were going to do it again, I believe I would sew 2 petals together, four times and then assemble the pairs. I think that would help.

I plan on giving the elf stockings a go tomorrow! Hope everyone is having a little Holiday fun!

2009-12-14T18:24:00.003-05:00

Lots Going on...

Sew much going on lately! I am in the midst of my holiday sewing. I have so many things I would like to get done in the next week, only time will tell how many I will accomplish!

All of my custom orders were sent out last week, boy that is a good feeling! I love sewing for other people, but I really cherish the little bit of time that I get to sew for those closest to me.

I made a tee today that my little guy claimed right away. Truth be told I was sewing for my etsy shop, but luckily this one was his size and Star Wars, with Clones! His favorite thing at the moment!

I have sewn 3 crazy log cabin blocks this past weekend in Arcadia. I am hoping to make a bench seat with them next week. Just need to find time to go the fabric store and select that perfect solid to help me along! Here is a little sneak peek of them so far. This line has to be one of my favorites ever.

Noah and I took a little break yesterday from house chores to try our hand at candy making. We are hoping to do a new batch this week to give to all of his teachers and helpers at school. Just need to go to the store and find something cute to put the candy in. I was inspired by the http://www.yourhomebasedmom.com/ blog. She made so much yummy looking Reindeer Bark, that Noah and I just couldn't help trying some too! We used the white bark and added it to pretzels and m&ms, yummo! Then we drizzled some chocolate bark over the top. It was really quite good, but the next batch needs more pretzels!

Well I am off to cut out more tees for the shop and hopefully sew something for my mom. I have things planned out to sew for all 3 kids, I need more time I think! I leave you tonight with this yummy close up, yyyyuuuummm, can't you just taste it???

2009-11-28T19:25:00.006-05:00

So Much to Do!!

Time to write my list, and it's not the Naughty or Nice one! I have so many ideas and projects that I would like to get sewn for family and friends this holiday season. It seems like my time is getting away from me! Hopefully I can organize my thoughts onto paper and schedule some time each day to work on them.

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday. Mine was spent with family and it was so nice and relaxing. Ate way too much food, but it was well worth the tummy ache!! I have given the blog a little facelift too for the upcoming holiday season!

I have put a few tees in my esty store this past week, but I have quite a few more cut out. Hoping to have a Cyber Monday sale this week!

Here are just a few pics of last weeks tees!

My mom celebrated a birthday in November. I had just a few minutes one afternoon to whip her up some coasters using my favorite Arcadia fabric by Moda. I love how they turned out. I also gave her a coupon clutch made from Objects of Desire by Moda. I hope it will be well used!
Stay tuned for some more fun sewing this week! I will also be putting my Beanie Pattern into my esty shop this week! It's a lot of fun to sew and a great way to use up your knit scraps!!

Oops, 1 more tee to show. This one just added tonight. My last holiday one for the year!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=35506563

2009-11-23T17:42:00.003-05:00

Super Hero Custom Sets Flying OUT the Door!

Short post today. I have so much left to do before Christmas and so little time. Lots that I would love to accomplish before then. I am down to 2 more custom orders, yahoo for me! Then I would love to stock up my etsy store for the Christmas shoppers!

I really enjoy sewing on special sets that little guys love to wear. There is so much time involved in each of these, but I think they turned out cute! They were a special request from a mom that has a 2 yr old that just LOVES Batman, Superman and the Joker! I had a lot of fun creating these, but I hope he will have more fun wearing them.

Here are a few pics of the sets before I wrapped them up and sent them on their way.

2009-11-13T08:52:00.004-05:00

Christmas Time....

is just around the corner! Unbelievable, this year has really flew by! My kids are already asking how many more days until Christmas, how many?? Little do they know that Santa could use the most he can get!

I have so much to get done this week and today is Friday, yikes! We are having a garage sale tommorrow and there is so much to still do to prepare. I have so many kids books that mine have outgrown or don't read. Sew much fabric too!! Why is it so hard for me to let go of my fabric, even when I know that I am not going to use it??

To make things easier for us, I decided to have hubby pull out all the Christmas decorations so we can find our way around the garage. I can't wait to decorate! I think it may be the earliest I have ever started, but I am excited! I just love Christmas!

Earlier this week I found this on the side of the road, much to my teenage daughter's dismay I couldn't resist loading it into the car. Great post to come, but here is a sneak of the before!

Last night I loaded up my store with some upcycled Christmas tees to put me in the Spirit. I sang the Grinch song all day long while I sewed much to everyone's dismay!! That's okay when I pull out my Rat Pack holiday CD they will appreciate it even more!

Here are a few pics of tees. I think this first one is the only one left in the store!

2009-11-06T11:40:00.002-05:00

ZooTZ Facebook FAN page!

I finally figured out how to do a FAN page over on FB. I would love for you to become a fan. I will be posting fun contests as well as sneak peeks and listings for my store and ebay. Just hop right over and Click Become a Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/ZooTZ/177482377413?v=wall

2009-11-06T09:30:00.002-05:00

Drumroll. If you please Animal.......

And the winner is.........................................................Di!!!

The random generator selected your post as the one to receive my FMF tote and some goodies inside! Please post in the comment section and I will send you an email!

Thanks to everyone who left a Happy comment. I have read and reread them when I needed a little pick me up during the day. It's nice to know that we all find happiness even when times are tough.

Just a little update on the job front, my hubby did receive an offer! Yeah. He is headed to his 2nd job interview today at a different place that promises better benefits and salary than his 1st offer. Please keep him in your thoughts. He has really had it rough these couple of months and I know a good job offer would really help to boost his esteem. We don't need much, just the ability to pay bills on time.

And I wanted to also say a special thank you to the men and women who put their lives on the line everyday to keep our country a safe place and to their families. The sacrifices you make, so that my family can lay their heads down at night and dream sweet dreams, is something that I can ever repay. My heart goes out to all of those in Fort Hood. I pray that you will find comfort and peace in the days ahead, I just can't imagine the pain.

2009-11-01T19:57:00.004-05:00

Halloween Fun!

All treats no tricks this Halloween! I hope everyone else had as great a day as we did!

The kids and I decided we needed to carve a pumpkin or two for the big night. We had lots of fun. I thought my 6 yr old would really get into the scraping of the guts, WRONG! He was a big baby about it and my 13 yr old daughter loved it! I must admit they make me a little squeamish!

We made another round of yummy mummies to snack on all weekend, yummo!

The kids had a few friends over for the big night and all in all we had a great time. Our neighborhood is a huge trick or treat stop, and I gave out over 7 JUMBO bags of Halloween candy. Ran out around 8:20! Next year I need to buy more!

Here are a few pics of the kids and their friends all ready to go out. Mine are Wonderwoman, Batman and the Joker(nurse). My mom made Dustin's Joker nurse costume and he couldn't have been more pleased. He said that it was the best ever. He received lots of compliments and was truly over the moon with himself.

2009-10-30T08:11:00.005-04:00

Still Sewing and sewing and sewing....

I have been sewing just no posting.

Halloween is just a day away! Luckily this year I picked up the younger 2 kiddos a costume at the goodwill store. Noah is going as Batman and Skylar a very cute Wonderwoman. Dustin decided that he did want to trick or treat this year after much going back and forth. He is 15 and couldn't decide whether it was still legal or not, LOL. I told him as long as he dressed up I didn't have a problem with it. So he decided just 2 days ago that he wanted to be the Joker(heath ledger version), but in a nurses dress, not the suit. So I headed to the store and bought the needed materials and took the bag to my mom's. I know, not a good sewing mama, but I have orders and grandma is a better seamstress than I! So she is making a costume today, she is the best mother in the world!

I did squeak out some yummy mummy cupcakes for Noah's class yesterday. These were so easy to make and Noah said everyone in his 1st grade class loved them. Noah couldn't wait to tell me that his teacher snuck two! Must have been yummy!

I promised the other kids that we would make some later today for the weekend. Can't have too much chocolate tempation can we?

Earlier this week I finally put together a PDF pattern for my beanie hats. They are so easy and fun to make. Noah truly loves having lots of beanies for winter. Even my 2 oldest feel the need for a few new beanies! This will be in my etsy oliomomma store soon. I decided after finishing it that I wanted to add the adult size too, so I need to redraw the pattern. The next day, I ironed all of my Arcadia prints by Moda and washed up a piece of lovely linen. I am going to see how many things I can get out of 1 yd of linen and scraps of my beloved Arcadia. So far I have 2 patchwork sets of coasters almost finished and I am thinking of starting a bag this weekend. Stay tuned! So many ideas!

Yesterday I decided to tackle my pile of tees that I have been collecting from the thrift store! I managed to get 9 tees/beanies cut out and sewed up 3 of them and put them in my zootz shop. 1 already sold, but 2 remain!

I have so many cute tee fronts and I can't wait to finish the rest today. This one is my favorite. I think because it was made with a power ranger knit that was printed the year my first son was born. Don't think that qualifies for vintage, but it is old!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33509158

Then 2 Batman Lego tees, one for the smaller guy and one for the little bit bigger guy! The big guy one already sold, but the little one remains. I just love the colors, these are always so much fun to make!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=33509514

And of course, all the time in between has been spent on custom orders and time with my kids and hubby. My husband is hopefully starting a new job on Monday. He was already to go last week when they realized he hadn't been given a portion of the paperwork, so that was finished and now he waits. My fingers are crossed and prayers have been said. If you believe in the power of positive thinking, we could use some.

My happy give-a-way has 5 days left! I have enjoyed reading what makes everyone happy. I think it's wonderful that people make us happy. All those little moments we cherish are usually with the ones we love. Well fabric too, but that is a given! I will announce the winner on Nov. 5! Still plenty of time to comment on the Happy post and let me know what makes you happy!

Hope everyone has a great and safe Halloween!

2009-10-21T18:09:00.002-04:00

J. O. B. !!

I just had to come back and post again tonight. I am enjoying every one's comments immensely. The little things and places that we find happiness in are truly inspiring!

My husband got a call today. He has a job!!! He starts Monday and there won't be a pay cut. I am so excited and beyond relieved. I would have never dreamed that I could make the bills this month on my own, it was a lesson in patience and perseverance. I just hope I don't have to do it again anytime soon!

2009-10-21T08:50:00.006-04:00

Happiness Is.....

Waking up to a brand new day ahead. Having a family to share it with and friends to laugh out loud with. Hitting the snooze on the alarm clock just that one time. Seeing your children smile. Holding someone's hand that you care about. Listening to someone tell about the old days. Just feeling the sunshine on your face.

Someone asked the question, "Are you Happy?" on a forum that I belong to, just the other day. It made be stop and think for a minute about what happiness truly is. Do we make our own happiness? Or are we born with a certain personality, certain traits that determine whether you will be happy or not?

I have come to the conclusion, at least for me, that I am responsible for my own happiness. Sure, there will be sad days ahead, life as we know it couldn't exist without rough times. But, I have decided that with the exception of those few days, I will be happy.

Today would have been my grandmother's 81st Birthday. Sadly Grandma passed away in January of '98, but it really does feel just like yesterday. I can still hear her laugh, it was infectious and funny. I can remember watching Steel Magnolias with her one day, and the laughs were plentiful. She was an amazing woman and her heart so big. I miss her, but I am thankful that I had the time with her that I did. She was always around; every birthday, every special moment, everytime that you needed an ear to listen. So instead of being sad, I can be happy today that I had her in my life for those 23 years. It was a priviledge!

So what will make me happy today?

My kids. Above is a picture taken when we were on vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC, years ago. We had the best time and when I think back I remember this picture of all 3 kids in the biggest chair they had ever seen. Pure happiness.

This morning my 6 yr old son begged me to tickle the bottom of his feet. I think this was merely a ploy to stay in bed a few more minutes before getting dressed for school. Well, it worked!

My 13 yr old daughter managed to get out of bed on the first wake up call, get dressed and make breakfast for herself. Giving me just another few minutes to hit the snooze.

My 15 yr old son woke himself up(this part is miraculous!) and gave me the nicest smile when I dropped him off at the bus stop!

My husband, whom has been out of work for the last month, just left for an interview. He is waiting to hear back today on an offer from an interview this past Monday.

My mug. Yes, I know it is silly. My mom bought 2 of these for me a few weeks ago, no occasion, just because, I think she paid $1 each. They are apple green with painted white dots and were made in Spain. I'm not sure why it makes me happy to drink my hot tea from this cup, but it does! A few pictures here, because well my camera makes me happy too!

My curtains. As I sat drinking my hot tea and eating my cinnamon peanut butter toast(yummy!) this morning, I was reminded of how happy my cafe style curtains make me! I made them from a Michael Miller 50's Kitchen print. I haven't gotten around to the top curtain or the matching placemats, but these rather plain curtains make me happy just the same.

My scraps. I have the biggest tote full of scraps. I went through it the other day to give Noah's teacher a big bag full for her Kindergarten class to use. I put everything away, except for these scraps that remained on my cutting table. They just make me happy, not sure why.
My selvedges. I have to be honest and say that I have sadly been throwing these away for years! Oh, the horror! Not until I read all the great things that can be done with them here, http://vintagericrac.blogspot.com/2008/10/big-selvedge-project.html ,

did I realize their true potential. I have yet, to sew any up. But one day, oh one day, what fun they will be.So many things to be thankful for and it's only 9:30 in the morning!

I think my happiness should be spread around! I am going to do my first blog give away in honor of my Grandma, Clara Nell.

I have thought about it, for just a few minutes and decided my Scalloped Fancy Flea Market tote would be the appropriate gift. I had it for sale in my etsy shop, but it would make me happiest to just give it away. My first love of sewing was tote bags. My favorite line of fabric ever, Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt. And it even has a vintage button for the center of the flower, and vintage makes me smile too! I will even throw some things into the bag that make me smile and hopefully you too.

So just leave me a comment on my blog about who or what makes you happy. It can be the smallest thing. It can be silly or sweet. Just whatever puts a smile on your face. I will let you know in 2 weeks who the winner is.

2009-10-14T20:21:00.002-04:00

Sew Much sewing!

I have been sewing a lot lately, just no posting! Some for customs, some for Noah, some for Ebay! I really need to get moving and put some more things in my Etsy stores. I plan on doing that early next week.

Here are a couple of tees that were repurposed and already sent to their new owner! These were repurposed from tees that featured a front and back, so I will be adding 2 tees to my store that are very similar to these!

Here is a fun set that I put on ebay earlier. A cute OOAK 3 pc set repurposed from a spidey tee. I added matching pants and a beanie. I love how this turned out and I hope someone else will too!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260491474041&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

I have sewn about 3 new pairs of shorts for Noah for school, but no pics. I can't believe it is October and we are still over 90 during the day! Yuck!!

2009-10-01T23:14:00.002-04:00

Gotham City!!

This was a fun one! Batman is looking out over the city from his view from the Batcave. Suddenly a light flashes into the sky lighting up the night in Gotham City! The bat signal! Time to jump in the Batmobile and save the world!!!!

Okay, well maybe not all of that, but close! This super sweet 2 pc set is available over on ebay(or feebay as I call it lately). Custom set available from a size 2T up to a boys 8!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260485166176&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

2009-09-27T18:27:00.004-04:00

Lots of Sewing this Weekend!

My kids have all taken turns this week coming down with the flu. Thankfully, they were tested and it wasn't the bad one, but it was pretty horrible just the same! My 13 yr old came down with it last Sunday, the 6 yr old early Thursday morning and my 15 yr old last Thursday night. I am busy being a nurse maid and trying my best to clean and disinfect everything!! I am the worst mama when I am sick, so I try really hard to avoid it!

Everyone was feeling a little better yesterday so I was able to really get to sewing. It felt great. First up was to finish a set that needed to be sent off. I sold the tee and then was asked to do some pants, I couldn't resist a beanie too. Love the way it turned out, hopefully the momma will too! Here is a little peeksie!

This afternoon I decided to sew up a couple of upcycled tees. I have found so many great tees that I can't wait to breathe new life into. First up was the Incredibles. This one was actually a tee that Skylar wore and outgrew. I paired it with some fun knits and wahla! cute raglan ready to wear, about a 5/6.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31647805

And Batman! This one is cool! Sized it about a 2T/3T and added some of my precious Batman knit to the sleeves. They are both available in my etsy store for purchase!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31648427

Now off to cook dinner, my natives are restless!! Have a great week!

2009-09-26T14:11:00.002-04:00

My First PDF Pattern!

I just listed my first PDF pattern available in my oliomomma etsy shop. This fun pattern will show you how to make your very own scrappy coupon clutch. I think it would also make a cute makeup pouch for your purse. Either way it's a great way to get rid of some scraps and have fun in the process!

Available in my etsy store here:

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31580260

2009-09-23T11:48:00.003-04:00

Scrappy Coupon Clutch!

I am the world's worst at using coupons! Not because I don't cut them out, but because I can't for the life of me get them to the grocery store! In the past I have used the paper accordian file type, but found it to be way too bulky for my purse. I have also tried the plastic ones, but it ripped not too long after I purchased it. So the other day I decided to draft a pattern to make a fabric coupon clutch. I love the way it turned out and I think it could be extremely addicting too! Best of all, I am now proud to pull my coupon clutch out of my purse and use it at the grocery store! It doesn't take up too much room either, so I can just leave it in after grocery shopping.

I tried my hand at my first attempt at writing a pattern and turning it into a PDF. I have 3 mommas testing it out for me, and I hope to start offering it up in my etsy oliomomma store by sometime next week.

Here is a little peek at the first 2 that I did. This first one is up in my etsy store now for purchase.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31406005

2009-09-16T21:04:00.003-04:00

Upcycling Tees!

Oh these are cool! So I decided to join the growing trend of designers rescuing old tees and turning them into something cool and useful! Beats adding them to the already overflowing landfills. I hope to eventually use all recycled tees for them, but until I get a stash going I have old and new.

My first one was a Halloween scooby doo tee. Perfect for this time of year.

Tonight I listed another one on etsy. This one features a School House Rock front and I just love it! What great memories it brings back of Saturday mornings. I can't wait to find more tees to upcycle!!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=31060416

2009-09-09T20:59:00.003-04:00

Superheroes to the Rescue!!

Just listed another fun Fall set on ebay. This one features everyone's favorite Superheroes! Fun to wear and super cool too. Great for hanging out or a Halloween party. I will only be recreating this one time, so don't miss out! Noah sure had a fun time modeling this one. Fly on over to ebay and check it out!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260474905093&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

2009-09-08T21:42:00.005-04:00

Retro Robomatic Listed!

I have a new listing up tonight over on ebay! This set was so much fun to do and I am so sad to see this material go bye bye. One of my favorite lines ever created, Robomatic by Kaufman. I just love the colors, the whimsical robot characters and how they all blend so well together. This set took about 4 days to create, simply because I couldn't decide which characters I liked best and what would showcase them the best. After all of the indecisions I love the finished product!

Sadly I only have enough for 1 more set! This is my first Fall set of what I hope will be many. Believe it or not I have another set ready to go tommorrow night, whew, I am on a roll!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260474452218&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Sophie of sophies*beads made the most adorable, coolest robot necklace to match my set. I will be sure to link to it when she lists, but for now here is a peek!

2009-09-03T15:32:00.002-04:00

Great Pumpkin Necklace!

Oh, isn't this the cutest?

My friend Sophie from Sophie's Beads has made this adorable necklace to match my Great Pumpkin tee. Isn't it just the coolest? Super cute and super great for the Fall season. I don't know how she does it! I have tried my hand at polymer clay before and let's just say it isn't my thing. I will leave it to the profressionals!

Be sure to check it out on ebay here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130328846746&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

2009-08-31T20:25:00.002-04:00

The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown!!

My favorite cartoon around Halloween as a child was always It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. I think it may still be my favorite as an adult!

I couldn't resist making this fun, one of a kind tee. Sized about a 2T/3T, it's loaded with details! I just love all the pumpkins and leaves, the colors, the letter on the back that Linus writes to the Great Pumpkin!

I hope you will check it out!!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260470674467&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

2009-08-30T18:20:00.002-04:00

Arcadia Wallet/Clutch Listed!

Oh I just love this one! I tried again and this time it may be a winner. I thought it was a good enough one to put up in my oliomomma shop on etsy.

Made from a range of Arcadia fabrics from Moda, this one is so sweet and useful too! I redid the drivers license window, it worked this time! There is so much room for cash, cards and change too!

Be sure to check it out in my etsy shop!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30128566

2009-08-18T17:37:00.009-04:00

My Creative Space!

And by that I mean my sewing studio where I create things, because goodness knows I haven't gotten it fixed up too creatively. I tried to but I'm afraid I like organization and all of the things that I think up, may get in the way of that.

First let me say, that I thank God everyday for my creative place and a home in which to keep it! All of my married life(this one and the practice run before it) has been spent in apartments. We were given a great opportunity last year to purchase a home and we jumped right in. Our home had sat vacant for months and hadn't been taken care of properly before that, so we just started it all over!

I can still remember walking in and saying okay, just tear it all out. So my creative space was a shell of what once was and what could be. Here is a picture after the carpet(if you could call it that) came out, oh and the baseboards came off. Told you blank slate!

A fresh coat of beautiful pale robins egg blue paint, some new baseboards, a new wood floor, and a couple of shelves later and I had this.

The whole process was actually a lot of fun, a lot of sweat and work, but fun. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something or that it can't be done on a budget. This was my first time installing bookshelves, installing wood floors, baseboards and counters! After I finished I felt like I could conquer the world!

The floors I carried throughout our 1st floor, but I searched the internet and found an amazing deal, really the bulk of the cost is in the install and well let's just say "sweat equity" works for those on a budget! The shelving is actually 3 premade bookshelves from Kmart. I found them at the bargain price of $35 each!! Reduced from about $100 each. Can't beat that for a wall full of storage! And the counters, a Martha Stewart farm table that I bought at Kmart, reduced from $200 something to $35!!! I brought it to my grandfather's workshop and we sawed it lengthwise to make 2 counters, which I then bolted to the walls. Pretty cool, huh?

The curtains I made after searching high and low for that perfect fabric. I knew that I wanted retro, and I wasn't sure about matching the colors of my walls. I drove like an hour away to a mill store and there it was! More money than I have ever paid for fabric to make curtains, but I think it was so worth it!!

A few months after my creative space makeover, I added "Norda". Norda is my Singer 500A Rocketeer Slantomatic Sewing machine. Oh, how I love her! I found her on Craigslist and drove 2 hrs one way to pick her up! The woman I purchased her from was over 80 years old and still worked as a secretary. Can you believe it? She was the sweetest little lady, so I named my first vintage machine after it's previous owner. That way I won't forget where this part of history came from. Doesn't she look like she was just meant to be in front of my funky curtains?? And yes, that is Flea Market Fancy on my stool that I sit my butt on! Ha! I know it clashes with my curtains, but I wanted it in my space. I am thinking of redoing the stool and adding that piece to my wall somehow.

And then there is "Rosey", my Atlas Deluxe. I "thought" when I bought her off of Ebay that she was light pink and I was "told" that she worked. Well she arrived and is a little rosier, thus the name and doesn't work really well. But like I said in a previous post, she makes great eye candy on top of my shelves!!

I uncovered this treasure last week. It had gotten misplaced in a box of fabric that I had stored away. This was the first Little Quilt that I ever finished and handstitched. I was about 17 and I gave it to my grandmother, Clara, my source of inspiration to start sewing in the first place. After she passed my grandfather made sure that I got it back. So today I hung it in my creative space so that I can think of her while I sew. I can't believe she has been gone 11 years already, seems like yesterday.

And that is my Creative Space! My little slice of a Heaven on Earth!

2009-08-17T13:25:00.002-04:00

Lorraine

I have been so good lately. Really I have. I have gotten my daily viewing of Craigslist down to maybe once a month. I have told myself, I do not need another sewing machine. My last ebay purchase resulted in an atlas that while lovely and PINK doesn't sew well. At least it looks nice on my top shelf of my studio though right?
So yesterday morning, I woke up early, don't know why I did it, but I searched craigslist. And there was a Singer 503A to go with my 500A. Beautiful and in great condition! It had only been listed 2 hours earlier, so I emailed and waited and waited. Woke up this morning to an email that I could call and come pick her up. Tons of people emailed, but I was the first request!! Yeah me!!!
The lady was so nice. The machine had been left to her by her mother in law. Said she tried to sew once, but the person that was trying to teach her almost pulled her hair out. Her mother in law was named Lorraine. So Lorraine now sits at my kitchen table. Oh, she is lovely. Sews a beautiful stitch, she has cams and lots of feet, even her manual. She is a beauty and she is mine. I am on cloud 9!

2009-08-16T17:58:00.004-04:00

Scalloped Tote Bag

Yes, I should be making something to put on for auction. Yes, I have launches coming up that need to be sewn for. Yes, there is housework that needs doing. And yes, the kids are hungry, probably should go start dinner.

Instead I find myself wanting to post my newest bag. I found a pieced outside for the bag already in my stash this past week, it was hiding from me. I did quite a few of these years ago when Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt came out. It has to be one of my favorite lines ever created and sadly I am down to scraps. I self drafted this pattern specifically for this line of fabrics. I got the inspiration from a seashell and it's shape. I call it my Scrappy Scalloped Tote Bag. I am in the process of making a pattern available in PDF format, but I am slow.

Anyway, here is the bag. I will probably put it up for sale in my etsy shop for mommas. I think I still have one upstairs with very close to the same fabrics. I did do the inside a little different this time, instead of my expandable pockets on each side, I added a zipper pocket. Much bigger and things can't fall out.

Without further ado...

You can find this tote listed in my etsy oLiOmomma store

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29406146

2009-08-13T11:05:00.005-04:00

Try, try, Again!

Looks like I will have to! I self drafted a purse a few weeks ago, ended up much smaller than I intended. Why is it that they always look so big before you sew them up? The purse is designed to be fully reversible, but I didn't have any magnets on hand to try. It still turned out cute I think. One of my favorite lines by Anna Marie Horner, Good Folks.

So, I decided to try my hand at modifying one of my favorite tutes online. The quilted wallet by That Darn Kat(link in my list of blogs). I have made one of these before and I love mine, but I wanted a few changes. I added a zipper to the outside of the wallet, changed the flap on mine and added a place for my drivers license. After many calculations, turns out they weren't so calculated, LOL. Underestimated the drivers license part, so back to the drawing board again!

Not a total waste though. I have a good online friend that needed some cheering up so I sent both along to her. I hope she will get some use out of them. She has a very sunny disposition and the colors remind me so much of her.

I will have to try my hand at these again soon, next time with snippets, or maybe recess fabrics!

I added quite a few yards of hard to find Painting Red Rhinos fabric in my Etsy Store last night! These prints are lots of fun because you can dye them without changing the look of the prints. Very cool!

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5175172

Off to sew!

2009-08-11T17:49:00.006-04:00

A Little Custom Sewing

Posting this in an attempt to keep myself on track! I love when things go out quickly, as I'm sure my customers do too! I can't say that I am the world's best at a schedule. My husband will tell you that I am definitely not. I love to go with the flow, but that and work don't usually mix.

Just finished up 2 pokemon tees for a custom order. I like how they turned out, but I can't say pokemon are my favorite things to do! Too many little pieces on these creatures! I hope the momma and her boys will enjoy them!
My monster tee sold and the momma requested a pair of shorts, why o why didn't I think of that? I think they turned out so cute. I used a pattern that is for wovens, but used knit instead. I even fussy cutted the monster pockets so they would peek out. It was alot of fun and I see more of these shorts in my future!

Well I am off to spend sometime with hubby and our youngest. The 2 older kids are away at their dads for a couple of days and it sure seems quiet in here! Hopefully tommorrow I will get to sew a new set! I have so many ideas popping around in this big head of mine!

2009-08-05T18:37:00.002-04:00

New Monster Tee!

Just listed this fun OOAK Little Monster tee this afternoon. Cute and perfect for anyday or Halloween! Back to my sewing studio now, to create something else!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260458910703&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling

2009-08-03T21:26:00.004-04:00

Green Lantern Tee OOAK 5/6

Join me as I Tee off for Back to School over on Ebay! I will be listing as many tees as humanly possible for the next 3 weeks! Superhero tees, rock and roll tees, skully tees, you name it! Some will be OOAK ready to ship tees and others will be for a custom size.

I listed this superhero Green Lantern tee earlier tonight. Perfect for the first day of school!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260458064414&_trkparms=tab%3DSelling

2009-08-02T09:04:00.006-04:00

One Month Today

My daddy passed away exactly one month ago today. I awoke this morning feeling very sad and wondering if the statement "time heals all wounds" is really true. Last week when I thought of our memories together, no tears; this morning, they will not stop. I guess when someone loses someone close to them, each month, year, holiday; brings it all back. At least most of the memories are good ones filled with laughter; there are a few of his rantings, he did think he had to be the boss.

Here is a picture I came across of daddy and me when I was just a toddler. Boy my daddy looks young. And here we are on my wedding day about 25 yrs later. Daddy was pretty sick here with diabetes, but he insisted on walking me down the isle.

I feel better after typing this all out. I think the tears will dry up too. After all, this day is not going to be all sad. We are going over to my grand-daddys for lunch today, he is turning 80 tomorrow. I can't imagine being alive on this earth for 80 years, but I am so glad that he is. He has always been there for me with a shoulder to lean on and a listening ear; the kind of wisdom that will offer sound advice and a heart that never judges. Yes, my grand-daddy is a true gentlemen in every since of the word.

I hope that you have a great Sunday. Please take time to hug someone you love, call someone you haven't talked to in a while or just spend an extra minute listening. I think you will be glad you did.

2009-07-31T12:51:00.002-04:00

New OOAK Guitar Tee 5/6/7

I couldn't resist just one more tee for the MAX Back to the Future Launch! I know I'm a little late, but I just loved all the knits in this one! This one is ready to ship and fits about a 5/6/7 boys. Noah is a solid 6 and this one fits him well.

Check it out here!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260456437005&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

2009-07-30T17:35:00.002-04:00

New Listing Up! Mario Old Skool Style!

I decided to go ahead and list the Mario tee as a custom. You can find the auction for it here.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260456072425&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Please don't forget to stop by my ME page and sign up for my mailing list if you haven't already. I don't want anyone to miss out on the fun contest going on!

I am busy sewing away today and will have a new OOAK tee up for tomorrow!

2009-07-30T07:59:00.006-04:00

Mario Tee! Fun!

Each month I try and run something special for the ladies on my mailing list. The last one that I held, the winner received a special custom tee made by me! This momma gave me several things that her little boy really liked and I decided out of the list that Mario would be fun to do. So here is the end product! I mixed embroideries and appliques for a fun 3D look. I call it Old Skool Mario!

If you would like to get into the next contest, just sign up on my mailing list located on the bottom of my ME page for Ebay. You never know who will be next!

http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=*zootz*

2009-07-23T23:11:00.009-04:00

New Listing Up!

I have a fun new custom listing up tonight for all of the Pokemon lovers! Boutique MAX is going Back to the Future and you are all invited over to Ebay to check it out! We have a fun contest going too! Can you match these sweet faces with our designers and guests?? Take a careful look and I bet you will see some of our sweet children's faces shining through!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=260452255107

I hope everyone is having a great night! I am headed upstairs to watch a movie with the older kids! Good night and good luck!

2009-07-16T09:59:00.012-04:00

My First Post!

I can't believe that I have waited an entire year to post my first entry! It was one of those things that I kept saying I will get to it, and just never did.

In light of my daddy's passing a couple of weeks ago, I have decided that it is best NOT to put off today and I will begin to LIVE in the moment. So I write this with what at times has been a heavy heart, but today, well today I feel good. I feel inspired to sew something new, create something with the two hands that God gifted me with and hopefully see a smile or two on my children's faces and hear their laughter filling our home. Yes today is going to be a good day.

I can't wait to begin this new journey. I hope to pick up old friends along the way and make many new ones. I know this is going to be a lot of fun!

Now my free time is up. I can hear my youngest coming down the stairs, we always have snuggle time before the older kids are awake. I think it may be my favorite part of the day. I dread the day he no longer fits in my lap, hopefully I can squeeze in at least another year.

I will finish off this first post of mine with a pic of some flowers I brought in out of my garden this morning. I don't know why I don't do this more often. Just a few flowers, but they seem to brighten my day when I walk by them.