Sewing/Crafts
Trying to Impress Big Tex at the Texas State Fair
Fall is coming soon, and here in Dallas, fall brings the Texas State Fair! Last year, Allen submitted a Lego project in the Creative Arts Competition at the fair, and he was so excited to receive an honorable mention ribbon. He enjoyed participating so much that Samantha and I decided to join in this year, too.
Allen’s following up last year’s submission with another Lego construction. During our study of Texas state history last year, Allen especially enjoyed learning about the Alamo so he decided to recreate it for this year’s fair! Can you see Davey Crockett in his coon-skin cap standing in the entryway?
Samantha taught herself to knit this year, and now she’s always got some project on her knitting needles. She decided on this very cute beret for her state fair submission.
This was her first project knit in the round on circular needles. She did such a great job!
And, then there are my projects. I actually considered whether or not I wanted to share mine, but in the end, I decided that since the fair is actually a few months away, you’ll probably forget that I posted these by then. If I do well, I’ll remind you. If I don’t, then we’ll just forget I ever mentioned sewing something for the fair. Sound good?
I’ve been holding onto this cotton knit Texas-themed fabric for years now, just waiting for the right project. What could be a better use for it than the Texas State Fair? In the Children’s Clothing category, I’m submitting this color-blocked and appliqued Charlie Tee. It’s a size 4T, so Jamie can wear it when the fair is over.
In the Infant Clothing category, I’m turning in this embroidered Jamie Jumper in size 18 months. This one’s my favorite of the two. I’m really excited about Charlie getting to wear it this fall. It’s a little big now, so I hope it fits!
We’re delivering all our projects to the fairgrounds tomorrow. The kids will be on pins and needles waiting for the judging. The results should come around the middle of next month.
Pillowcases 5 & 6 and a Couple of Quilt Blocks
Pillowcases numbers 5 and 6 are all done. 34 to go! These two sport some of my favorite Michael Miller prints.
And, I’m finally caught up on quilt blocks for the Fresh Comfort Quilting Bee. Bibi send us these adorable prints and asked us to sew up Dutchman’s Puzzle Blocks.
Of course, I had to make a matching one for myself, too!
40 Years, 40 Days, 40 Pillowcases
In 40 days, I’ll be *gulp* 40 years old! I was checking out the Crafthope blog a few days ago and discovered that they’re participating in ConKerr Cancer’s Miles of Pillowcase Smiles project. ConKerr Cancer organizes sewists around the country who sew bright and cheery handmade pillowcases for children who are seriously ill. It just so happens that the deadline for this project is September 15th–my 40th birthday. So, I’ve set a goal for myself to sew 40 pillowcases for ConKerr Cancer in the next 40 days.
I finished up my first four pillowcases today. They were so quick and easy! I’m sure there are zillions of tutorials online for pillowcases, but I thought I’d put together one to show my method. I timed myself to see exactly how long one pillowcase takes. Including cutting out the fabric, the total time was 9 1/2 minutes! You do need a serger to use this tutorial. (If you don’t have a serger, check out the ConKerr Cancer website for a tutorial using your sewing machine.) Just click for The 9 1/2 Minute Pillowcase Tutorial.
If one pillowcase only takes 9 1/2 minutes, surely you have time to sew up one or two, too! If you do, I’d love to see them!
The Photo Contest: Baby Steps Entries
Entries in the Baby Steps Category of the 2010 Fishsticks Designs Photo Contest. Just click the thumbnail to see the full size photo:
Sitting on My Own Smiles! A Precious Gift Baby Sydney
Ooga Booga All Girly The First Days Checking My Email
On Her Feet Dressed for Tea What’s on My Head? Baby Mushroom
The first round of voting will begin Thursday, August 5th at 10 a. m. central and end Friday, August 6th at 10 a. m. central.
The Photo Contest: On My Own Entries
Entries in the On My Own Category of the 2010 Fishsticks Designs Photo Contest. Just click the thumbnail to see the full size photo:
Sweet Birthday Girl Gwen the christmas rosemary wheelbarrow
pumpkin patch voracious reader big boy T Stella’s dress
Hi, from Stella! Lunchtime yet? Bombs! My new tee!
Prepared for Vacation Showing Off Cruis’n the Cul De Sac
Simon’s Ollie Caitlyn’s New Tee She Likes It!
wild pajama party Pajamas! Daydreaming in Our Garden
Woops! cheesyalanapinkgirlystripe webheartdress bluestripeyalana
The first round of voting will begin Thursday, August 5th at 10 a. m. central and end Friday, August 6th at 10 a. m. central.
The Photo Contest: Friends & Family Entries
Entries in the Friends & Family Category of the 2010 Fishsticks Designs Photo Contest. Just click the thumbnail to see the full size photo:
trying for both smiling Brotherly Love Hanging Around
Snack Time Did We Take the Picture Yet? Snuggly Brother
The first round of voting will begin Thursday, August 5th at 10 a. m. central and end Friday, August 6th at 10 a. m. central.
Week 2 Drawing and Big Kid Charlie Tees
A little late, but finally done . . . the drawing for Giveaway #2. Allen got to draw this time, wearing his new Charlie Tee Hoodie:
And the winner is . . .
Lisa! Congratulations! I’ll email you and get your information so I can drop your prize in the mail.
Lisa and about a dozen other moms are testing out the Charlie Tee in sizes 5 to 14 this week. (The testers for sizes 12 months to 5T finished up last week.) Here are a few pictures that I’ve taken of the different variations on my big kids.
The Basic Tee in Stripes:
The Ringer Tee:
The Colorblock Tee:
The Basic Tee in Solid:
And, of course, there’s the hoodie which Allen is wearing in the top picture. The pattern should be all finished and ready for sale within the next two weeks!
The 2010 Fishsticks Designs Photo Contest
Are you ready to get started? I’m so excited about this contest! I hope you will all submit lots of pictures! We’ve had fun snapping pictures the last few weeks on our vacation and here at home.
I’ve had lots of great prizes donated by some amazing work-at-home moms . . . fabric, tags, handmade soap, patterns, even a custom-made cloth diaper. There will be prizes for several category winners that will be voted on by readers, as well as weekly randomly-drawn prizes.
I’ve set up a flickr group for you to add your pictures of the clothing and bags that you’ve made with Fishsticks Designs patterns: Flickr Group. You can start adding pictures right away, and you can add any pictures that you’d like of your creations to the group. Please give your picture a title before adding it to the group, ie A Kiss for Baby Brother orPeek-a-boo in the Walnut Tree. If you’d like for your photograph to be included in the contest, post to the flickr group, then send me an email at fishsticksdesigns@gmail.com. By submitting your photo and emailing me, you agree to allow me to publish your picture on my blog, my website and/or my store.
Pictures should include at least one item sewn from a Fishsticks Designs pattern. Alterations to the pattern are acceptable, as long as the item is still recognizeable as the original. The item does not have to be sewn by you in order to enter, but if another sewist made the item, please let me know in your email. Please limit submissions to two pictures of the same sewn item. (Except for the total entry limit, there’s no limit on how many pictures you can submit of one child, just pick your favorite two of each outfit.) Items should be modeled, but faces do not have to be shown. Each entrant may submit a total of six photographs.
Pictures must be your original work. You must obtain and submit to me written permission to use the image of any child who is not your own. For the protection of the children in the photographs, modeled pictures of the Little Fishies Undies pattern will be discluded.
I’m looking more for good quality, gorgeous photographs that show creativity than for perfect sewing skills. Composition of the photograph is important. Try following your children around with the camera while they play rather than posing them against a wall.
Winners will be chosen in three separate categories: Baby Steps (pictures of little ones age 12 months and younger), On My Own (individual shots of children over 1 year) and Friends & Family (group photographs). Finalists will be chosen by a panel of judges. Winners will be chosen by popular vote.
Submissions will be accepted through July 31st. Finalists will be posted and voting will take place during Photo Contest Week August 1-7, 2010. Random prize drawings will be held once a week during the contest period beginning this Friday, July 9.
Vacation Fun and a Photo Contest Update!
The Fishsticks Designs Photo Contest plans are coming along well. I sewed up this stack of Patrick Curved Raglans for my youngest four before leaving home last weekend. I’m working on getting some fun pictures while we’re traveling.
We’re having a grand time on vacation. We spent yesterday afternoon roaming around downtown Mayberry (officially Mount Airy, NC).
Waiting for a famous pork chop sandwich at Snappy Lunch:
A few kids in Opie’s Candy Store:
A game of checkers . . .
. . . after a visit with Andy.
When we finished downtown, we hunted down a couple of letterboxes before heading back to some well-deserved air conditioning.
This morning, we drove up to the mountains of West Virginia where we’re visiting Ray’s hometown for a few days before we head back home to Texas this weekend.
Baby Simeon in the Little One Layette
Is he not adorable? Simeon is the little guy that I sewed and knitted a shower gift for a few months ago. He’s such a big boy already. Here he’s modeling one of the soakers that I knit for him with a lap-tee that his mom, Michelle, sewed for him using my Little One Layette pattern.
And, here are a few pictures of him as a newborn wearing a gown that his mom made for him also from the LOL pattern. I love the cute little feet sticking out!
