More PJ’s

Yes, I just LOVE sewing PJ’s.  It is such a quick and easy project and I really love matching a top with embroidery!  How fun!  I made a set each for my 2 daughters-girls can never have enough PJ’s.

I saw these men’s PJ bottoms(yes, men’s) on super clearance and I just knew that Lauren would really like the lip fabric.  So I bought it and cut them up and used my go-to pattern for PJ bottoms for her.

Notice the men’s fly on them!

The “girled up” version PJ’s

I reused the drawstring, redid the waistband, and added red gingham cuffs for fun!

I purchased a shirt and embellished it with a lip applique(sorry, I do not remember where this came from) and added a red gingham bow!

Scraps leftover!

For Sierra, her PJ’s were much easier.  I purchase the PJ bottoms as she loves the peace, love, happiness, theme!  I purchased the tshirt and just embellished it with embroidery that matched the theme!

I  gave them their PJ sets along with the “READ” bags and a book for Valentine’s Day and they loved it.  They are both “saving” their PJ’s for this weekend.  We are traveling up to Northern Arizona for the holiday weekend.  We are possibly going to receive 12” of snow!  Yes, snow!  For us desert dwellers, this will sure be a treat!  I will be taking pictures for sure, as playing in the snow is a rare event for us!  Should be fun!

Enjoy your weekend!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day filled with sweets and chocolate!

My daughters did not want your ordinary boxed Valentines to share with their friends, so Mommy to the rescue!  Their idea was big chocolate chip cookies to delight their friends!  I made 2 batches of chocolate chip cookies, yes from scratch…

We then placed them in these goodie bags I found at the dollar store.  How fun are these?

Off to school, to be handed out to their special friends!

Bake something for your special someone.  Home-baked truly is from the heart.

Read Bag!

When I saw this bag posted on sewforum.com I knew I had to make them for my 2 daughters.  They are both avid readers, as myself!  We frequent Barnes and Noble or the library and this bag would be so adorable to “tote” around carrying the latest novel.  It is just large enough to fit a magazine, too.  Perfect.

My oldest daughter and I both received e-readers for Christmas.  I LOVE my e-reader as does she.  My DD said to me, “Mommy, I love the e-reader, but there is just something about the feel and smell of a good book(hard copy)”  Can a mother be SO proud!  In a world where everything is computerized, I think this is an awesome thought for her age group.  (As it is my feeling, too, about a “real” book in my hands).  Her e-reader can fit in this bag, too!

I chose fabrics that my 2 DD’s would like and they coordinate with their lunch bags that I made them, too!

Remember, these…..

Read Bags!

This is the inside of the bag.  It is difficult to get a good photo!  This little pocket is for your library card or gift card, too! 

The embroidery file is a free download from http://www.dzgns.com/products/*/*/8096

You can scroll down on that page and see the awesome tote bags that the creator made!  These are such timeless bags-LOVE her choices of fabric!

Now, go READ!!

 

The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe-Really!

I am sure most of us have been spending more time indoors lately due to the cold(yes, cold in AZ) or snow!  Lots of snow from what I have seen in most states on TV-especially the Northeast! 

It has been unusually cold here in AZ.  We have been waking up to below freezing temps in the 20’s!  The high the other day was in the low 40’s.  This is SO not fun for me!  Although I have found ways to make it fun by sewing and baking!  I wanted to share with you this AMAZING chocolate chip cookie recipe.

I read through the recipe and found it well, “different”.  Melt the butter completely for a cookie recipe… Hmmmm.  I think this is why I filed it away in my recipe book a few months ago.  After baking these cookies, I kick myself for not baking these sooner, like the day after the recipe was posted.

Look at these yummy, soft, amazing cookies.  Trust me-your inner child will be calling you after one bite of these cookies.  Straight to the fridge for a glass of cold milk.

Go ahead-Bake and stay warm!  Then…. Indulge!

Here is the recipe!

http://www.howdoesshe.com/perfect-chocolate-chip-cookies

My New Putting-on-makeup Chair

This is definitely one of those projects I have been SO wanting to do but  procrastinating about it because I could not find the “perfect” chair or fabric.  Not my fault   I also knew that this was probably going to be a hair-pulling project as it requires much precision and LOTS of luck!  Hmmm….

I have searched for years for the perfect Parsons chair.  They were always too bulky, fabric that did not match my décor or way too pricey.  I can sew one myself-so naïve, I am….

This is my old, cannot wait to get-rid-of, ugly but served it’s purpose, kind of, chair.   Pure ugliness.   Get my point?

When I finally gave up my years of searching for a Parsons chair, I needed to find the “perfect” chair form.  It did not have to be pretty but clean and the lines and size I needed.  I did purchase a pattern to make a Parsons chair cover and I followed the guidelines the pattern suggested.  Ok. Easy. Right?

Here is the chair I found that fit the criteria.

Ugly, southwestern chair.  The chair was the perfect size, nice comfy cushion, and just needed a piece of wood across the top so my fabric would not droop.  My husband, Mr. JJ, graciously helped me with that.  It is the piece that is on top that is a different color than the rest of the chair.   The chair will be draped with beige paisley home décor fabric, I promise! 

Work in progress!

Let’s just say the so-called pattern did not fit.  It was way too small, so I had to create my own pattern for 3 of the 5 pieces it called for.  It honestly would have been a piece of cake to construct had the pattern and the chair fit.  Seriously, I reached a point where I was this close, really, to throwing away the half sewn pattern pieces and chair out the window or door.  Is that the garbage truck I hear?

Ready for the reveal!  Here she is!

Isn’t she pretty?  What chair can do without a pillow?  I figured since I went this far(2 1/2 days worth) why not make a matching and monogrammed pillow?  Just in case someone in my household is not sure who  the chair owner is….  Mine.

Different Views!

When I finally completed this chair, I asked Mr. JJ if he could bring it upstairs.  We were watching TV that night as I was hand-sewing those Large side buttons on.  He grunted slightly but I had told him I have been waiting years for this chair….

I am SO pleased at how this turned out.  Yes, there are a few sins but I was able to tackle them in the best way I could.  I LOVE how it “dresses” up the Master Bathroom.  Such a pretty chair to put my makeup on or get ready for the day!  I shall confess.  You know the old vanity chair I hated and couldn’t wait to throw out?  It still resides in my closet.

My new chair IS too pretty to sit on or possibly get makeup on.  I’m hopeless.