School's Out for SUMMER!!!!

It is done.  No more.  OVER.   Yep.  School that is.  We are officially out for Summer break and Mama is super happy!  Now I am sure this will only last for about a week before the fighting starts and the "I'm bored!" starts.  But I will at least enjoy this first blissful week.

The teacher gifts were a HUGE hit.  Remember these?

All three teachers loved them!!  It always cracks me up at how surprised people are to knnow that I sew.  Seriously, I generally show up at parties half the time in t-shirts, track pants or athletic clothes and a ponytail.  Not to mention sport stuff I see them at.  I have never really been a girly girl.  So I think they are surprised to see what I make.  Even a non-girly girl can love pretty fabrics.  LOL!

I also managed to finished the hot pads.  The tutorial was super easy to follow.  But let me just say I am not a fan of binding and it is definitely not my strongest skill.  Thank goodness the gift recipients aren't perfectionists like me.  Cause they were far from perfect.  They loved them and that is all I can ask for!

Each got a pair.

The teacher who got these fell in LOVE with Patty's Hummingbird fabric.  Her room is done in lime/black so she wanted info on where she could buy more to decorate her room for next year.  When I walked into the room the hot pads were hanging on the wall.  She told me they were too pretty to use and she was going to frame them for her room.  I almost blushed.  And anyone who knows me knows that I don't embarass easy.  So all in all, the teacher gifts were a big hit!

I have TONS of pictures from the kids' last week activities and hope to get them edited and posted very soon.  It was a lot of fun but one that ran me ragged.  On the very last day I hit three schools all before 9:00 a.m.  Yep.  I am SUPER MOM!  :D

Hope everyone is enjoying their Summer break so far!

And the Sewing Machine Hums.....

We had an unexpected free weekend this past weekend thanks to some nasty thunderstorms canceling Baylee's softball tournament.  I love softball (yall all know that) but I am not gonna lie......I was THRILLED.  Our schedule has been so crazy over the last few months that we ALL welcomed the break.  The competitor in me was a little bummed at first.  But it only lasted like 5 minutes.  :)

I took advantage and caught up on some personal sewing.  Troy was fantastic and pretty much let me hole up in my sewing room while he took care of everything else.  And by everything I mean laundry, kids, food and everything in between.  He isn't perfect (and I guess I should grudgingly admit that I am not either) but he was pretty dang close this weekend!  Thanks babe.

What did I sew?  Well between the three kids we have 6 teachers.  I made these for the kids' homeroom teachers.

I finished up matching key fobs yesterday to go with the bags.  I really do hope they like them.

Now what to do for Baylee's other 3 teachers......

I sent out a tweet on Twitter asking for some inspiration.  I *try* to do handmade gifts every chance I get.  My good friend, Tracy, said she did hot pads for her kids' teachers and they were a huge hit.  She even supplied me with a link to a fabulous tutorial (thanks Tracy!!!).  So I picked up all the supplies I needed and these are on my list for this week.  I am not sure which fabrics yet.  What are you favorites right now?? 

{picture credit: Sew4Home}

I also managed to finally get my sister-in-law's birthday present made (uhhhhh, her birthday was in February.....).

It includes a new option....the cinch strap.

I know, I know! What a SLACKER I am. I am sorry Jenn! I really hope it was worth the wait?

I have updated my Flickr Photostream with recent products.  Whew.  That took me a long time.  I really need to be better about updating that on a regular basis.  For those not familiar with Flickr...it is kind of a journal or gallery of pictures.  So any time you want to see different products of mine (or personal pictures), you can check there.  Most of my Flickr photostream consists of work stuff though and personal projects. 

After that was all done, I re-stocked my website with new products, added new options to existing inventory for more personal customization and re-listed some faves.

A very busy, but oh so productive and relaxing weekend for me.  I need more of those.

To come....lots of pictures from the kids' end of the year parties and activities.  I always take a ton of pictures so it will take me a little while to get those all edited and up on the blog.  I also have some CAYUTE pics of the kittens.  Are yall tired of seeing them yet?  They are now 6 weeks old.

Til next time....enjoy your week!