Friends!

Friends are wonderful. I am lucky to have lots of great ones. These past couple of weeks have been full of fun random get togethers. Either out in the neighborhood, or at a home, some good times have been had.

Today was a great example of one of those times. My friend Kelly invited a few of us over for a craft day. It was the perfect rainy Portland day for one. We all brought a snack. Mine was a dish I had seen on television last week, and have been dying for an opportunity to make. It was guacamole with blue cheese, quite tasty.

I was able to finish up a couple of friends for Abe. This bear pattern is fun to make, and easy to change up. I have yet to name these two fellows, or decide who they will end up with. For now, they will be hanging out here.

I also finished up a couple of toys for Betty & Iszel. (Those would be my two crazy cats.) I put cat nip in with the stuffing. Next time I may add some krinkly plastic bags for added sound effects.

idea sources

Recently, I bought the book "One Yard Wonders." It is full of very cool projects that use a yard or less of fabric. (That is where I found little Abe's pattern.) Yesterday, I tried my hand at a new laptop sleeve.

The one I had made years ago has sadly seen better days. I decided to use a bunch of scraps of my favorite fabrics I have saved over time.

I save a lot of random stuff. Including a huge old tack board I've had since I was a kid. It was really big, and haggard looking. I cut out a piece and covered it in this festive green fabric.

projects projects projects

Recently I changed jobs at work and now have the wonderful schedule of day-only shifts. This is the first time in over three years that I haven't had to work in the evenings. It has been awesome so far. Partly because I can see my friends more, and partly because I have more motivation to work on craft projects.
I had yet another baby shower this weekend. Which I am happy for, since it gives me the opportunity to make more things:) The husband of this latest baby is into sci-fi and robots, so when I saw this rocket fabric it seemed a perfect fit.

The burbing blankets are a fun, and easy gift.

The next picture is a diaper/wipes holder.  It is lined, and has a velcro tab to close at the flap. Think this will come in handy when they are out and about.

I also made this bib out of a cute sock monkey print flannel.

The shower was great, and the projects turned out pretty good I think.

Abe the Bear

A good friend of mine from high school has the cutest little girl! Unfortunately, they live more than two hours away on the Oregon Coast, so I don't see them as often as I would like to. Last week, we had a mini-reunion in Salem with several of my best friends. I found this pattern for the cutest little bear and decided to make it for Josie.

I had never made a stuffed animal before. Surprisingly, it was pretty easy. It sort of looks like a creature from outer space, and I think it sort of frightened the little kid at first. She didn't seem too into it, but then there were a lot of new faces around poking at her. I think the bear turned out pretty cute. It will definitely be a project I'll make again, when the babies my friends are hanging get a bit older.