For a Birthday Girl

Our family was invited to a birthday party for a little girl in our neighborhood, and I don't know the family that well. What I do know is the little girl is always dressed in very cute girly outfits, so this is what I came up with for her gift:

Do you ever second guess yourself when making a gift for someone? I do. Every. Single. Time.

I don't remember what line this fabric came from, because I've had it so long and only have scraps left. I wish I had purchased more of the cherry fabric as I do love it so very much and have used it for several projects. Maybe this should be a lesson to me when buying a fabric I love: Buy a few yards.

I made the fabric flower based on this tutorial from Wise Craft.

I am linking up to this link party:

Banned Books Week, Sept 25 - Oct 2

I just read a post on a friend's blog about her commitment to writing. She is also going to read all of Ernest Hemingway's works, which got me thinking, "How many of his works have I read?"

So I started looking for a list of his works, when I was reminded that later this month is Banned Books Week. (Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms and The Sun Also Rises have been challenged or banned, as have some of his other works.) I had seen something at the library advertising this earlier this week, and thought, "I should read some of the books on the list they have." Instead of allowing this to be a passing thought, I have made a list of banned/challenged classics I would like to read.

Banning books is a slippery slope. It seems to me that most people try to have books banned in order to protect children. Instead of attempting to ban books, have an open and honest discussion with your children about why you think a book is inappropriate for them to read. It is the job of the parents to teach them. Dictating what a child can and can't do doesn't work anyway.

To learn more about banned/challenged books go HERE. If you want to read one of the most frequently challenged books of 2009, most of you will be able to find it on your very own bookshelf. The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer was #5 on the list.

If you don't like to read, get an audio book. I love audio books and frequently listen to them in the car or on my iPod.

I am going to try to read classics that I haven't read before. I am going to start with Ulysses by James Joyce. What are you going to read? Leave a comment.

What to do when it's too quiet?

This is the first week of school. I don't like it. With my little-girl-who-isn't-so-little-anymore in Kindergarten, I have found myself counting down the hours until I can go pick her up. This also makes me realize, I like my house full of people and noise (even though the noise part makes me crazy sometimes). At least I have my new little man who will eventually start filling the house with noise and activity. But until then...

I have a few sewing projects I am working on. I am only going to show you one today. The others will make appearances as they are completed.

I am particularly pleased with this BOM I am doing. It's Tonga Nature by Wing and a Prayer Design. This is the first month and I waited to start my block because I was worried that it was way beyond my skill level. To my surprise, this block came together nicely. Future blocks may be more challenging. And the fabrics are bold, beautiful batiks.

Matching PJ's - Sort of

OK, so this is only 1/2 of the matching PJ's. Since I am going to be away from home for a few days having a baby, I made matching PJ's for my daughter and I. I thought it would be fun for us to wear matching PJ's while I am in the hospital.

Mine just aren't as cute due to the fact they aren't little like my daughter's, so you only get a picture of her PJ's. You may or may not have noticed I make my daughter a lot of PJ's. They're fun, easy and best of all she loves them and tells me so.