Monday, December 3, 2012

Halloween antics...

(this was supposed to be posted at the beginning of November.)


My friend Kim asked me to help her with Halloween costumes for her family this year. She is one of the most put-together people I know- she always has a plan, and it's always fabulous. And she always asks me for help with plenty of time to work my magic!

In October- her daughter's 2nd birthday and her due date with her little boy was happening. So the costumes needed to be EASY and cute.

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Tada! Movie treats!



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For Leah, I embellished a long sleeve white tee with a red M&M, made a cute little sequined headband and a very fluffy red tutu. I used this tutorial for the tutu.



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For Charlie and Kim, I made a popcorn box cover for her bjorn. Then he wore a white hat that had popcorn glued to it. How cute is that? I totally loved making these!



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Since I am a perfectionist... I went all out. She got the idea from this lady. I tried to keep it simple, I really did, but I think it's easier to make something look EXATLY like what you want, rather than guessing and just using any old font and whathaveyou.

I'm not dissing anyone, I promise! Let me explain.

I am not a pattern maker. I am a patter user, I love them. Once I get a design down, I can modify the shit out of it to get it to be exactly what I want. But starting from scratch is not my thing.

So I tried to just make shit up, printing a font off the computer that sort of looked right. But I needed it to look perfect.

I used regular old craft felt, sold by the yard at Joann's, and I used Heat 'n Bond to attach the felt pieces together.

I found some popcorn boxes on etsy. I figured out how wide it needed to be in order to cover the carrier. I took a box into a copy shop (actually 2, those people are kinda on the dumb side) to get the image blown up huge.

Then I simply measured the stripes, cut them out, and ironed them on.

I made a few copies of the "popcorn" part, and in layers, made it out of felt. I tried it on the carrier.

Then I added the sides, the bottom, and the velcro. Done.



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I made a simple white cover using this tutorial. Then I glued the velcro to the outside of the cover, and to the inside of the popcorn box. That way there was no silly contraption holding the box to the carrier, it could be taken off/on easily, and it was sturdy enough to handle a wiggly baby and an active mama without falling off.


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I think it turned out perfectly. Like above my expectations. I love it when that happens!

I also love brand new chunky babies! Hi Charlie!!



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Little Leah in her costume.



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All business here! And yes, it was so nice on Halloween in Utah this year that her dad is wearing shorts and flip flops. I hear it was in the 70's, which is unheard of. 

Growing up- it was most always snowy, and we had to wear a sweatsuit under our costumes, and our coats over them.


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Ah yes, here we go. My M&M costume from 1990. All of us in coordinating sweatshirt/sweatpants. My mom made that giant M&M out of cardboard, batting, and felt. Man, that thing was heavy! But I loved it. And how cute is little Lindsay Loo as a bee? Of course Nick rocks as Michelangelo.

Cowabunga! 

Monday, November 26, 2012

hawaii

Back in September, we got to go to Hawaii for 4 days. Danny's boss was living there, and since they were moving back to San Fran they decided to do one last "business" trip. Did you know that direct flights from San Fran to Kauai are only $150? Kinda makes me wanna book a trip asap.... if only hotels were that reasonable!


Before we went, I ordered one of those Skyrest Pillows. Yes, that ridiculous blow-up pillow thats in all of the Sky Mall magazines. You know, the one with the photo of that totally dorky guy in a hawaiian shirt snoozing away.

It's awesome, by the way. Danny was SO embarrassed that I had brought it- but I like to sleep on long flights. And yes, I think 6 hours is a long flight.




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I prefer the window seat. I love looking at the tiny world going by. But this flight was all just clouds and endless blue.


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Kauai.



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We stayed in a cute little beach cottage. It was a 5 minute walk to the beach.



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It was full of wicker furniture and denim curtains.



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This is the backyard...



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...complete with palm trees.



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We immediately went out to explore the beach.



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We could walk into "downtown" Hanalei to the grocery store or restaurants. We walked past some Poi fields and lush scenery.


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On our second day, we all took a boat trip around Hanalei bay. It took us past where the road ends, and the only way to get to any of it is either by hiking or by boat.



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All of the water was this gorgeous aquamarine color.



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The boat ride quickly rocked little Star to sleep.



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One of the many sea caves. The guide told us it was a great place to take a photo- so we handed off the camera to get a shot of Danny and I, but it looks awful. Maybe he was joking?



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Another cave.

We stopped for an hour or so and had lunch and went snorkeling. Usually I am wary of water, especially the ocean, and have never had an interest in snorkeling. But for whatever reason, it sounded fun, so I did it. I had an awesome mask, and a pool noodle. Floating in the warm water was so relaxing! I'm totally doing it during our next tropical vacation!



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Mindy and Star.



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The next day we all took it easy, and in the evening we went swimming one last time in the ocean.



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The lighting was fantastic and the water was perfect.



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I love how the sky goes from blue to orange to red.



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This is North Beach, famous for it's giant waves.



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Matt teaches Danny how to surf.



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We were sad to leave, it was such a short trip- and so relaxing!




Friday, November 23, 2012

prince charming quilt and pillow

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Months ago, I made a quilt for myself using my favorite fabric designer Tula Pink's Prince Charming fabric. After I sent the quilt off to be quilted in Utah, I made this awesome Cathedral Window pillow to go with it.

(you can make one too- Cathedral Window Pillow)



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Isn't is gorgeous????


It was hard and painstaking. But totally worth it!



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(front)

I love making quilts on point, even if it totally wastes fabric by having to fussy cut each and every square! Besides, then I have lots of scraps to make pillows with!



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(back)



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Tula is known for "hiding" images in her work.



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The frog prince.



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I love this simple silhouette. It reminds me of carefree summer days spend in the backyard.



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And as always- the quilting turned out amazingly.



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This might be my favorite print of the entire collection. I used to hate the colors navy and coral. Now I totally love them. I kinda wish I had used it for the back instead of the green...



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Here is the label. Totally non-traditional as is typically me. (quilt labels are supposed to list the name of the quilt pattern, who made the pattern, who sewed the quilt, who quilted the quilt, and the date.)



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But I just wanted to give credit to Tula- she inspires me with every new collection she makes. By now, she has 3 more collections....

How many quilts does one need in their lifetime? 

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

baby henry

(I intended this post to go up the first week of September.) (hahahaha)

Introducing...


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Henry Douglas Robins. 11 days old.



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Have I mentioned how amazing it is to be an auntie and get to cuddle and take millions of photos and and and??



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Newborn grin...



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Older brother watching over "his baby" with his trusty flashlight...



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There are ways that these brother are so alike, and then there are the times where they couldn't be more different!



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Ok, seriously? These two were meant for each other!



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You know what I do when I'm having a bad day? 

I look through these photos. Then I feel like all is right in the world and nothing can stop me!



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Classic newborn move.

My crazy arms just jolted me awake...



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...I hate it when that happens!


Seconds later...


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...peaceful again.



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Oh Henry, I love you.