tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27993145262030655022026-09-06T22:28:50.988-07:00Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-14572748481795864232018-11-28T09:31:00.001-08:002018-11-28T09:35:05.728-08:00

Having two girls fairly close in age to each other means that if I make one girl something I usually end up making the other a variation of the same thing. It works out well for me because I'm able to use the same pattern for both, although different sizes, and sewing two of the same thing really doesn't take me much more time than sewing just one. It ends up being pretty efficient. For

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-53429569014842260932018-10-05T19:42:00.001-07:002018-10-05T19:45:43.151-07:00

I put myself out there recently and applied to be a pattern tester, and I am so glad I did! The people in the sewing community are so kind and supportive. I loved seeing everyone's take on the same pattern. This is Coffee and Thread's new pattern the Lana Kids Top and Dress.  (If you like being matchy matchy with your little one, she has an adult version too!)  I love

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-71573801682683175942018-10-04T21:47:00.002-07:002018-10-04T21:48:42.973-07:00

I haven't been in this space for years. I think I'd like to come back. Everything has changed so much and I have no idea what I'm doing anymore, but I think I'm ready. In the past few years, I purchased my first home, had a fourth baby (a boy named Atticus), renovated my fixer upper home, and just lived life. My oldest is now in junior high, and the baby is four! I haven't stopped sewing, just

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-43636536981884310042012-05-28T22:20:00.000-07:002012-05-28T22:20:38.587-07:00

Finally, here is the Teagan-sized version of Maddie's skirt. (How's that for posting? Four posts in two days. I've been holding out on you guys. Don't get used to it. Feast or famine 'round these parts.) It's still a circle skirt gathered with a casing and ribbon down one side to reveal a ruffled underskirt, but this time I'll give you a few links to some tutorials for similar skirts so

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-17074351584507509802012-05-28T21:37:00.000-07:002012-05-28T22:22:56.398-07:00

I was about to post pictures of a Teagan-sized version of this skirt and realized I had never posted about this one. This is my adorable niece, Madison, and this is a belated posting of her belated birthday present. I'm never quite sure what to say when I post. I guess I get typing tied...it's like getting tongue tied but digitally. Get it? Digitally? Like finger-digits and digitally

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-82282672248699687912012-05-28T11:35:00.002-07:002012-05-28T21:46:35.354-07:00

My mother's copy of Counting Rhymes illustrated by Sharon Kane is on long term loan at my house. (You haven't missed it have you Mom?) It has these adorable illustrations of toddlers and babies that I just can't get enough of. Cute kids in cute clothes? I just can't help myself. I particularly fell in love with this outfit and had to make one for Teagan. The skirt is basically a

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-60728709800241614332012-05-27T15:45:00.001-07:002012-05-28T22:23:16.571-07:00

Last summer my Mother-in-Law introduced me to Alma Jane's, a gem of a vintage store in La Grande, Oregon. The owner created the store in the memory of her mother, Alma Jane. If you ever drive through Eastern Oregon, I definitely recommend making a stop there. Great finds and very reasonable prices. My favorite part: a whole room of vintage sewing supplies and patterns where we discovered

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-78581658129120454022012-05-04T15:39:00.003-07:002012-05-04T15:41:17.833-07:00

May the Fourth... ...be with you.

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-74544914486151351682012-04-26T15:40:00.002-07:002012-04-26T15:50:00.478-07:00

I started this little dress during Project Run and Play's June Bug Dress refashion challenge last season.  I don't know what I was thinking when I thought I could participate in a sew-along before Penny was sleeping through the night. I guess all that sleep deprivation affected my judgement. Funny, it's a very easy to follow tutorial (two big thumbs up!), but when you are

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-73711249733346587892012-03-14T22:14:00.001-07:002012-03-14T22:16:55.098-07:00

I got a few shots of Teagan in her Tinker Bell Halloween costume...in February, and now I'm posting them...in March. Right on track. Ha! Seems like I'm always playing "catch up" these days. Having a new baby in the house gives me a free pass, right? For this one I used Simplicity pattern 4949, but I would not recommend it unless your child is shaped like Winnie the Pooh, or you like a LOT

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-32645535820039667402012-03-04T08:04:00.000-08:002012-03-04T08:04:43.337-08:00

I seriously thought I was going to have a boy. When the ultrasound technician announced "girl," I had to ask her if she was sure.  She was. I was blindsided. Wow. A girl. Not that I wasn't thrilled. I was. I was just completely caught off guard, and it took me a while to process it all. All I could think about was that I was going to have/get to design another blessing dress. Funny, the

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-33354527680448970442012-03-03T20:28:00.001-08:002012-03-03T21:06:13.413-08:00

I've been away kissing this little face: Penelope Olivia12 Dec. 20117lbs. 3 oz.

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-28156254177497826502011-10-11T19:52:00.000-07:002011-10-11T19:57:26.922-07:00

Why is it that men are so hard to craft/sew for? Other than the occasional mending job and the annual Halloween costume, Will gets nothing from all my crafty endeavors...except a hefty bill. Sorry Honey. Recently, however, I ran across a great tutorial for something I knew Will could use. An iPad case: The tutorial I used was actually for a laptop sleeve, but it could be easily adapted for any

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-42067961147923081142011-09-15T13:36:00.000-07:002011-09-15T13:38:05.679-07:00

So uh, this isn't a very substantial project, but I wanted to share it anyway. Now that I know I'm having another girl, I've allowed myself to be taken over by the "pink side" and recently made this little girly headband. It's nice knowing that these things will be well-used by both my girls. It makes me feel so much better about spending so much time and resources creating. Not that I was about

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-74292237387308994662011-09-09T21:28:00.000-07:002011-09-09T21:32:37.761-07:00

Even though I periodically disappear from the blog-o-sphere, I rarely stop creating for more than a few days at a time. The things I create are not always substantial and not always documented, but I've usually got something in the works. I have quite a few things in the works at the same time usually...a few too many right now. Half-finished projects are hiding all over my house. I'm just never

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-51487886275991676322011-08-01T21:05:00.000-07:002011-08-01T21:05:09.371-07:00

Being that we find out the gender of this baby in two days, I should probably officially announce that: Baby number three is due in December!

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-54477038100181635332011-04-26T12:48:00.000-07:002011-05-01T10:16:23.582-07:00

Before I begin, I just want to say: Thank you. Thank you to all you bloggers and blog readers out there.  I feel so goofy as I write this, but I really mean it. If it weren't for you all, I wouldn't have started sewing so avidly again. I wouldn't be constantly inspired. (I wouldn't have a "to make" list a mile long. :) I wouldn't have your lovely comments cheering me on.  Thank you.

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-1312139277838410882011-04-04T21:39:00.000-07:002011-04-04T21:45:53.849-07:00

I do sew for myself every once in a while. When I saw this FREE pattern on Burda Style, I decided "once in a while" started now. The fit of the pattern was spot on, and the directions were fairly easy to follow. I squeezed it out of just over a yard of stretch gray denim from "The Stash." (Something that takes up so much space in my house ought to be capitalized.) The only change I made was

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-77162626212647193712011-03-26T20:22:00.000-07:002011-04-04T21:48:59.762-07:00

I finally sat down and finished the shirt I started for the Boy Challenge at Project Toddler Runway with Shwin and Shwin.  Funny, it's been sitting in my "to finish" box for over a month just needing sleeves sewn on and a few buttons, most of which I completed while the kids ate breakfast. For the love of procrastination! Argh. Ah well. It's done now, and I am so pleased! (So is Liam!)

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-8837965289310627552011-03-17T16:36:00.000-07:002011-04-04T21:49:48.262-07:00

Lots of crafting, not so much of the doing the hair and all, so...here's another dummy picture of another accessory.  This bow belt was made using the fabulous tutorial by Tilly.  The only thing I did differently (to save a bit of time) was to use quilt binding. It was just the right width and already pressed. I'm most proud of the cost of this outfit. I got the shirt off the

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-68702724451740039812011-03-17T16:19:00.000-07:002011-04-04T21:49:18.650-07:00

I'm sure you've seen many of the "What I'm Wearing" posts.  Well, this is a "What I could be wearing, if I'd bothered to shower, put on make-up, and do my hair" post. So...you get to see my recent creation on my dressmaker's dummy. Just a simple ribbon belt to dress up an outfit: I just sewed a pant hook to a grosgrain ribbon, and made a couple of flowers to clip on. Simple.   I

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-22509256497204182642011-02-21T16:38:00.000-08:002011-04-04T21:53:56.040-07:00

I don't know how she did it, but somehow my sister weaseled me into painting a portrait of her as a child this Christmas. In actuality, she commissioned me to paint it as a Christmas gift to herself, but how she got me to agree, I'll never know. Man, she's good. I think she must have asked me just after Halloween before the holiday rush when I was feeling all ambitious...and naive. (Don't

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-61427543668587825092011-02-20T20:54:00.000-08:002011-02-20T21:06:31.539-08:00

I'm still working my way through the Shwin and Shwin Project Toddler Runway challenges. I've had so much fun playing along! Here is my look inspired by the jean challenge. (Don't worry, I haven't skipped the boys challenge. I'm halfway through but have had a few unexpected delays. If all goes well, it could be my favorite.) Just a little jumper made out of chambray and photographed on a poster

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-14224050649689038092011-02-13T20:06:00.000-08:002011-02-13T20:06:39.193-08:00

I've been waiting for this all year! "Celebrate the Boy" with Made by Rae and Dana Made It starts this week! Yay! In anticipation for the beginning of this momentous occasion, here are a few shots of a couple of shirts I made for Liam this Christmas.   See, I do make things for my little guy sometimes. Not just cloth napkins. I even got a thumbs up.   Liam is very into Star

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2799314526203065502.post-10928075258489809212011-02-07T22:44:00.000-08:002011-02-11T22:08:34.233-08:00

Here's my next installment inspired by the Project Toddler Runway challenges. This one was for the Sequins, Feathers, and Fur, Oh My! challenge. (If there is a big enough response, I'll make a tutorial for the skirt.) So, uh, where are the sequins? Well, I totally would have been voted off the show for not adhering to the theme. This outfit was just one of those outfits that just kept

Refugee Crafterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02770267181715711714noreply@blogger.com12