Obsessively Stitching

Upgrade Your Dollar Store Valentines!

2018-02-13T15:17:00.002-07:00

Hello! Today I want to share a quick and FUN project with you!
UPGRADED dollar store Valentines!

My daughter and I have been playing around with valentines this year to send to grandmas and cousins and friends. We took some valentines we purchased at the dollar store this year (plus some from past years!) and... well... did this with them!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

I definitely consider it an improvement!!
Here are a few more!

And, my personal favorite!

Ha ha ha!! Enjoy! And if you make your own, share them with the hashtag #upgradedvalentine !

National Chocolate Day!

2013-07-07T15:52:00.000-06:00

How did I not know about this holiday until this morning??

I discovered this post from Events to Celebrate, talking about the chocolate day and brownies and frosting and.... well, this happened:

Of course I had to get my dollies involved. :o)

She is one of my tiniest girls... a little over 4" (11 cm) tall. I found the teeny tiny KitchenAid mixer at an online shop... isn't it darling? It's just like my human-sized one!

Here's another girl enjoying the finished product:

She is 11" (28 cm) tall. She's one of my favorite girls, and I am doing a 365 project with her this year... a new photo of her every single day!

Anyway, that is all! I am still sewing, still creating, and busy busy busy with life!

Now I am off to eat some protein to try to counteract my sugar shakes and head off the sugar coma... Totally worth it, though! :oD

What you see versus what is really there

2013-02-12T15:48:00.001-07:00

What I might show you:

What else is also there:

:oD

Crocheted Gingerbread House Ornaments

2012-12-20T12:14:00.000-07:00

Ooooh!! A dear bloggy friend, Ursula, has recently started a new site, and she has posted a free pattern to crochet these ADORABLE little gingerbread house tags/ornaments! I haven't crocheted anything in a couple of decades, but these just might push me to give it a try! Look at the little icing icicles! :oD

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season and wrapping up the year with good memories and strengthened family and friendship ties.

♥ All the best to you and yours this season, and the coming year!! ♥

UPDATED HULA HOOP DOME TENT LINK

2012-12-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

Click photo below for original tutorial!

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL SIZE FILE

CLICK HERE FOR THE SMALL (NEEDS TO BE ENLARGED 365%) FILE

Dolly Closet!

2012-12-10T13:32:00.001-07:00

Still alive!

2012-09-30T19:54:00.002-06:00

Yes, I am still here! I've been working on a project that involves the most amazing vintage fabrics... in the tiniest of pieces! I can't wait to show you more! :o)

In the meantime, in order to ensure this is not a pictureless post...
Here's a random dolly picture:

SUPER EASY Lalaloopsy Pajamas!

2012-08-22T09:21:00.001-06:00

Last night I whipped up these little jammies for JellyBean's Lalaloopsy doll. Looks complicated, right? IT'S NOT! It took me about 30 minutes, start to finish -- and the thing I spent the most time on was...

...pinning!

Please see my original Baby Clothes to Doll Clothes tutorial! :oD :oD

(Now I am itching to make MORE!)

Sewing Room Reorganization, Part I

2012-08-17T12:18:00.005-06:00

I've been working (and reworking) my sewing room for ages. I've had a vision for a long time, and I am finally achieving the look and the level of organization I want! Today I wanted to show you a few of the more aesthetic areas of the room -- and soon I will share more of the storage solutions.

My display shelf has moved and evolved. I love tiny things... which you already know!... but I also love oversized objects! Here I have the collage I made ages ago, some favorite vintage sewing books, two vintage mini sewing machines, huge clothespins, scissors and pincushion, and my little set of spool dolls made by my dear friend mitch. (She has an etsy shop!)

I recently purchased an EXPEDIT shelf from Ikea -- the biggest one! -- and this display is up on top of it.

Speaking of my Expedit shelf... Those little cube shapes are perfect for dolly bedrooms/display rooms! :oD Obviously they are still a work in progress, but I am liking them so far!

This view doesn't look like much... up above is the 4" picture ledge I've had up there for ages. Down below I used to have a vintage-style clock, which has since bit the dust -- but since there was still a nail, I stuck this little green bench up there. It's the perfect spot for my little Takara petites! I don't think it is a permanent solution, but it's making me happy right now!

I always have lots of little photos, drawings, business cards, Moo cards, snippets, etc. that I enjoy keeping for memories' sake. I decided to take some poster tack and start arranging them around my closet doors. I really love the organic shape it is taking... and I am constantly adding more goodies!

Can you HELP?

2012-08-07T10:55:00.004-06:00

I am in desperate need of some YELLOW baby corduroy. (21 wale corduroy is what I am looking for!) I cannot find it in any stores, or online. Is there anyone who has some stashed away that could spare a little? I am looking for 1/3 yard, but would be fine with 1/4 or even 1/8 -- or even less!

Please contact me if you can help me out.
I don't know where else to look! :o)

THANKS A MILLION!
Hope you're enjoying the end of your summer -- my kiddos are back to school in TWO WEEKS. I can't believe it!!

Lalaloopsy Bunk Bed!

2012-08-03T12:52:00.003-06:00

I have to tell you a cute little story!

My kiddos got a little spending money from their grandparents. When we went to the toy store to have the kids scope things out and try to decide how to spend their money, we ended up starting on the Lego aisle. Now, usually JellyBean joins in the fun when it comes to Legos. This time she sort of stood there thinking for a minute, then said, "Mom? Let's go look at FUN stuff!!"

I told her to show me where the FUN stuff aisle was, and she led me straight to the Lalaloopsies! I had no idea she had been eyeing them, and was loving them!

Needless to say, we came home with one, whom she affectionately named Tire. She has beautiful pearly white hair. She is darling! I had no idea they were so cute! Well... I wanted to get in on the fun too (HOORAY for something fun we can play together!) so we went back a few days later and picked up my pink-haired girl. My daughter named her Sunday! :o)

JellyBean got this darling bunkbed from her aunt on her first birthday. It has been used to sleep many different stuffed friends and dollies, but sadly had never had any mattresses or cute bedding. (Cringe!) Finally JellyBean insisted that the Lala girlies have something cute to sleep on. So it was off to the fabric store!

We found three coordinating prints in two different colors, as well as 1" thick high density foam to make the mattresses. When I got home and cut the mattresses to size, I discovered there was just enough left over to make pillows -- yay!

I then made each bed a little matching blanket. Perfect!

Now Sunday and Tire can sleep in style after their many, many tea parties and snacks on their cute thrifted dolly table!

An Unexpected Burst of Energy

2012-07-18T12:51:00.002-06:00

I've been in a sewing funk. Finally last week I had a huge burst of energy and sewed up a gazillion (okay, not THAT many!) items for my doll clothes etsy shop, Stitchwhipped. Of course, my hubs was out of town for a week, and I don't sleep well when he's gone... so I am sure that had a lot to do with how much I accomplished, ha ha!

I've been working on western-themed wear in three different dolly sizes. It's been so much fun!

Leonore really got into the modeling gig. She is an 11" Blythe doll with a Licca body.

The 8" Middie Blythes (Lexy, Matilda, and Nora) modeled some top-and-skirt sets.

And of course we must not forget the tiny 4" Petite Blythe girlies!

Hooray for sewing -- and hooray for happily playing kiddos who allow it now and then! :oD

Leaves for Little Caterpillar Friends

2012-07-02T12:46:00.002-06:00

Here's a quick little five-minute project!

My daughter JellyBean has two stuffed caterpillars, purchased at the dollar store, that are very special. They like to do all sorts of things with her -- eat, sleep, play dollhouse, etc. Recently JellyBean decided that they needed "blankies" of their very own. Here is what I came up with:

Ta-Da! A cute leaf, complete with zig-zaggy edges and a hole for the caterpillars to climb through -- and they are big enough to wrap the caterpillars in when it's bedtime!

I simply started with two sheets of green craft felt (around 35 cents each at a craft store!) placed in a double layer for strength, and cut out a basic leaf shape, keeping as much of the surface area as I could. I sewed around the edge, then free-motion sewed veins and a stem on the leaf. (Of course you could do this with a straight stitch too -- with a little stopping, turning, etc.) Then I cut a template for the hole from a scrap piece of felt. Felt was the key, because it stuck right to the leaf! I sewed around the felt circle (not on it of course), and simply cut just inside my stitching line. I used pinking shears for the bumpy leaf edges.

And then of course I had to repeat for Mrs. Caterpillar's leaf! This one turned out smaller because my other two pieces of felt were not quite full-size.

Mrs. and Mr. Caterpillar (and JellyBean of course!) are very pleased with their new caterpillar blankies -- that double as lunch! :o)

Dolly fun this afternoon!

2012-06-30T21:31:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to share this quick photo from a fun little meet I had with a few dolly friends this afternoon. Hooray for Blythe!

(No, these are not all MY girlies!)

:o)

A Little Wallhouse Dollhouse

2012-06-26T10:21:00.004-06:00

Today I have a quick little project to share....

It's a Wallhouse Dollhouse! :o)

I found this darling little shelf at a thrift store last week for $3. Score!! There was no backing on it, but I knew I wanted to hang it on the wall in my sewing room for some of my dollies to hang out in. My solution? A dollar store posterboard and some scrap pieces of scrapbook paper! I simply traced the shapes of the rooms directly onto my posterboard, cut scrapbook paper to fit each space, and used my spray adhesive to attach them directly to the posterboard. Then I attached the posterboard directly to the back of the shelf with a stapler. Easy!

I gathered some little dollhouse furnishings I've started collecting, and some accessories from my stash of "tiny things," and the girls were all set up!

The kitchen is one of my favorite rooms... but obviously I need to work on that window. So far all they can see is their wallpaper, ha ha! I'm thinking I will take a photo and slip it in there. :o)

A dear friend in Spain sent me a little set with these chairs, sofa, and coffee table. It's perfect for the shorter "rooms" where nobody can stand up... Two lovely hangouts to sit and read books!
Recognize that frame in the upper room? It's another one of my past Dollar Store Crafts tutorials! :o)

I also adore their library/study. The little books are from Hobby Lobby, and I had the little animal trinkets in my stash of goodies. They make great figurines!

The only room that needs work is this upper attic/loft area. There is too much empty space! Do I add a round window? Add a support across the diamond for a new "floor" area? It's a tricky space!

My kiddos are having fun finding Lego accessories that work for the dollies, as well as rearranging things in the space here and there. It's been so much fun!

I have been working on other dollhouse-type areas, and will share soon! :o)

A Handful of Happy!

2012-06-22T08:48:00.004-06:00

I am still alive! We've had a couple crazy summer weeks so far, with one more to go. The kiddos are taking swimming lessons and art classes, all in the same couple weeks -- so we are go, go, go all day!

I really will be back with my promised project soon!

In the meantime... Enjoy this little photo of my latest favorite dollies!
(I customized the majority of them. If you are interested: click on the photo for more info about them!)

Crazy sky + upcoming project!

2012-06-06T15:20:00.001-06:00

There's a ring around the sun today!

Also -- unrelated -- can you believe it? I am working on a project to share!! I was hoping to post this week, but am down with strep. :o(

I will be back to share next week!!

A Little Bit About Me

2012-05-25T07:00:00.000-06:00

(Photo by my five-year-old son!)

Here are 20 random facts about yours truly! :o)

1. I truly dislike being the center of attention, and am always so much happier to be on the sidelines. I do not like being in charge of large groups, or talking to large groups. I do far better with one-on-one conversations rather than group settings. I enjoy my privacy and like my own company.

2. I cannot imagine life without a kitty... although it is more than likely that my current kitty will forever be my Only Cat. We have had her for almost nine years, but my husband developed an allergy to her only recently. We still have Kitty because I love her, and because my husband loves me. We have found many ways to help manage my husband's allergy, but one of them is that Kitty can't sleep in our room anymore. I will be absolutely crushed when she passes away, and I can't stand thinking about it. I've told her she needs to live for another good 30+ years......

3. I am unable to sleep a) with my hair touching my face or neck b) without my specific pillows (which do travel with me) and c) without my stupid mouth guard. I am a nighttime jaw-clencher! :o(

4. I prefer to eat hot foods HOT. As in almost to the point of scalding. If it's supposed to be hot, it just tastes soooo much better *H*O*T*!

5. I have had multiple random ~strangers~ ask me if I've had plastic surgery on my nose. I have not. What does this mean? That my nose is exceptionally desirable, or that I look like the victim of a botched nose job??

6. My husband is an amazing and incredible man. (See #2!) We met at work, and spent every waking hour together until we were married... after which we spent every waking and sleeping hour together until my first child was born and I quit my job. It was a very difficult transition to go from being with him 24/7, to being apart for 8 hours a day. I still love it when he comes home on his lunch breaks -- and wish we could still be together all day, every day!

7. Despite #6, I also value and appreciate alone time! Hubs has "book club" (read: video game night) once a week, when I shut myself into my sewing room with Netflix and sew into the wee hours of the morning. I love and look forward to these consecutive hours of uninterrupted-by-kiddos sewing!

8. "I'm afraid I'm just not very good at... confrontations!" (movie quote!) Really, though -- My philosophy for life is "Live and Let Live." Or perhaps more descriptive: "Leave Me Alone." HA!

9. My husband and I had a discussion about movies, and how to describe what my favorite style of movies is. He is very observant, and came up with a fantastic description that I just couldn't put my finger on by myself... I like comedies, but not ones where they are blatantly TRYING to be funny. No slapstick; no bodily function jokes. Those are a dime a dozen. But maybe not necessarily intellectual comedies, either. Hmmmm.... How to describe? I love movies where everyone is being extremely serious...ly funny! Okay, a short list of examples: Napoleon Dynamite, The 'Burbs, Mystery Men, Joe Versus the Volcano, Three Amigos, Doctor Horrible, The Hudsucker Proxy, UHF, Amelie, Strictly Ballroom, and so on. So... What exactly IS that movie category?? And, can anyone give me suggestions for other good ones? :oD

10. I have three brothers and two sisters. My brothers all live out of state, and rather far away... but my sisters both live within two hours of me. My brothers are some of the most HI-LARIOUS people I know. Example: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z2aZtoeEuw But they also used to drive my sister and I ~i~n~s~a~n~e~ with their incessant gooning allllllll night long in their bedroom next to ours.

11. My mom and dad still live at the home I grew up in. My husband's parents still live in the home he grew up in. When we built our home we built it with the intent to live here FOREVER. :o)

12. I don't drink alcohol. Never have. Never will.

13. I detest wearing socks, but if I must wear them they neither match each other nor what I am wearing.

14. I tend to collect things obsessively... but only small things. (No, my house does not look like an episode of Hoarders.) It seems to be cyclical, though -- often corresponding with seasons. I tend to have Seasonal Affective Disorder, and a touch of OCD. I have random collections such as: matchbox-size cars from the movie Cars, tiny stuffed animals (Only Hearts Pets and Whimzy Pets), LPS Blythes of course, etc. It's always toys. :o)

15. Speaking of OCD... I cannot touch raw meat. I hate to smell like cooked/cooking food. I detest all restaurants that serve fajitas -- the ones they bring out still sizzling on a little pan -- because there is no hope of NOT smelling like it when you leave. There are a great many restaurants that have been blacklisted by me for that reason. My "smell like food" abhorrence makes cooking at home a little difficult, but I have ways of managing. :o)

16. I hate swimming. HATE IT. That is one of the reasons all my kids are taking swimming lessons... I don't want THEM to hate it.

17. I also detest seafood of every kind. I am a landlubber. I guess that comes from living nowhere near open waters. (And I don't think lakes count!)

18. We have eleven aspen trees planted in a little grove around the end of our house where our bedroom and bathroom are. I love opening the blinds and watching the leaves in the wind... and especially love opening the windows at night to listen to the breeze rustle through the leaves. I can't wait until the trees are just a little bit bigger so I can hang a big ol' hammock out there -- same as my grandpa used to have!

19. I loooove garden tomatoes, and we plant three tomato plants every year -- one cherry, one early fruit-bearing, and one later fruit-bearing. But I am the only one in the family who eats them!! :oD

20. I hate feet. Mine, yours, anybody's. Keep 'em away from me!!

Teeny Tears -- itty bitty diapers

2012-05-23T09:36:00.000-06:00

Looking for a service project?

Earlier this month the women's organization in my church designated a night to service projects. One of the projects we worked on was in coordination with Teeny Tears, a small charitable organization that is dedicated to helping grieving loved ones of little angel babies who are stillborn, or born too early to survive. Even preemie diapers are far too large for these little darlings. Teeny Tears' goal is to diaper wee little bottoms of these sweet angel babies so their parents and loved ones can hold and say goodbye to them, and then, if they wish, keep the tiny diapers as a little keepsake.

You can find and download patterns for these little diapers in two different sizes at the Teeny Tears blog. Megan of Teeny Tears will even help you locate hospitals in your area that have a need for diaper donations. If you've had a little angel baby of your own, you can even donate the diapers in your angel's name.

They are easy to make and can be put together very quickly. What a wonderful and beautiful way to share love and help soothe the aching hearts of families who go home from the hospital with aching and empty arms.

Banana Split... Sans Ice Cream

2012-05-18T10:12:00.003-06:00

I don't know if it's weird or genius. I was looking for a little something sweet a couple nights ago, and we had ALL the makings for a delicious banana split... except the ice cream. So I did it anyway! Ha ha!

Hope everyone is headed for a great weekend! We are on the countdown... One more week of school until summer break!

Cute Little Bee

2012-05-15T14:45:00.000-06:00

A few days ago my friend Kara of Simplistically Sassy asked in passing if I had ever made a stuffed bee. Well, it turns out -- I have! Almost three years ago my son Buzz was DYING for a little bee of his own, and I made him the one in this old post. And, I happened to know where it was to show it to Kara -- AND, I remembered how I'd made it!

Well, Kara is sharing her version of the bee on her blog today as part of a post about an inexpensive Winnie the Pooh themed birthday party. She had lots of great ideas for her son's celebration -- you should check it out! :o)

Brought to you by the Letter X

2012-04-30T15:04:00.003-06:00

My son's preschool class has a cooking project once a week on Mondays. It is always related to the letter they are learning, and moms rotate through being in charge each week. This week it was my turn, and you'll never guess the SUPER easy letter I was assigned.... X!

Well, I'm always up for a challenge, anyway!

My youngest and I wandered through the aisles of the grocery store this morning, looking for something suitable for Letter X. Here is what we found:

And what on earth did we make with all that??

Here it is!

An X-Ray Cookie!!
I let each student decide whether their x-ray would have a broken bone or a healthy bone. You'll never guess what the majority of the kids chose... yep, broken!

These would also be fun treats to cheer up a child who has just broken a bone and gotten a cast -- or to celebrate cast removal!

Spoonflower Squares WINNER!

2012-02-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

We have a winner for the Spoonflower I-Spy Squares by Crafterhours!

Random.org says....

Who is....
I'll be sending you an email, Lucy!

Thanks so much everyone for entering the giveaway -- and don't forget that you can use the discount code "ISPYCARE" for 20% off a Spoonflower I-Spy Square assortment of your own over at the Crafterhours shop! :o)

Spoonflower I-Spy by Crafterhours - AND a giveaway!!

2012-02-13T06:31:00.001-07:00

Ooooh, I am so excited to share this!!

Remember how Susan at Crafterhours headed up not one, but TWO Spoonflower I-Spy Swaps? Who DOESN'T love Spoonflower fabrics? Who DOESN'T love I-Spy? It's a match made in heaven!!

Well guess what!!! Susan has taken a giant leap and created not one but TWO assortments of Spoonflower fabric I-Spy squares... available now in the brand spankin' new Crafterhours shop!

And guess what... She chose lil' old ME to do a review on one of the sets...
and... I get to give away a set here on my bloggy! :oD
AND... I have a discount code for all my readers!! :oD :oD

Behold the beautiful packaging of the set called Alloy....

My favorite part of the packaging? Little itty bitty thumbnails showing each and every one of the 56 squares! :o)

Now to show you my family's absolute favorites from the assortment....

I love the tiny cards and giraffes, Buzz loves the daggers and pencils, JellyBean loves the donuts and mac 'n cheese (or MACKIES, as we call them!), and Mr. S adores the guinea pigs and gnomes. :o)

If you want to see photos of every single square in the Alloy assortment, you can check out this post on Crafterhours.

There is also another assortment available, called Eden. Check out the fabrics at this link!

* * * * *

Now for the fun part! :o)

Crafterhours is offering a 20% discount on all orders in the Crafterhours shop through this Friday the 17th! Simply use the code "ISPYCARE" at checkout!

ALSO -- you've got a chance to win your choice of either the Alloy or Eden assortments here on my bloggy! All you need to do is leave a comment here including your email address. That's it! I will pick a random winner Wednesday morning (the 15th) at 8AM!

!!!!YAY FOR I-SPY!!!!

Pillow Sighting!!

2012-02-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I stopped by my favorite local quilt shop, and guess what I saw when I walked in the door!

A darling pink pillow made from my pattern in Fabric by Fabric One Yard Wonders!!
Tee hee!
I was super excited and grabbed a quick phone pic, then went on with my fabric shopping.

I was all set to have my fabric cut, and guess what I saw by the cutting counter....

Another pillow made from my pattern, plus the book opened to the page with my project!

It totally made my day! :o)