It's been awhile....But I have a surprise so read to the end!

I've been neglecting my poor blog. I'll admit, it's laziness and a lack of documenting the things that I've been making lately. Honestly, I haven't made nearly enough in my absence here; I wish I had a better reason.

There are a few things that I've been obsessing over lately, though, that might surprise y'all. Tutorials like this one from Make it-Love it!

Or pinning things like this:

I actually made one of these:

Maybe, by now, you're starting to see a reoccurring theme with these things? Well that's because of something extra special that I've been keeping under wraps for the past 6 months!

I'm having a brand new baby boy this July!!!!!

It's so exciting to be able to share with y'all finally. My husband and I couldn't be more thrilled to have another son and are anxious to welcome him this summer :)! There's going to be another little firecracker in our family!!

God is SO good!

I've gone to Zion Lutheran Church all my life, literally since I was born. There have been many times when I thought I needed to explore different churches and I did. There were even some times that I thought I didn't need church at all and missed many services. Only in the recent years have I realized that life is SO MUCH better with God in it. I'm no preacher, I'm not the most righteous person, I've made more mistakes than I can even count and I'm a very sinful person. The reason for this post isn't to try and display how wonderful I am, it's about God and how amazing he is and how he is here for anyone who needs him.

http://www.jeanierhoades.com/song-for-a-sunday-for-the-sunday/cross/

Our pastor, David Sawhill, preached this Sunday about how much the Christian faith is under attack. It's so true, the only place that I feel like I can be open about my faith is at church and that's not the way it should be. It's becoming more of an "uncool" thing to be a christian and go to church and live in the way that God intended. The world is such a tempting place with so many things that tell us that we can do everything on our own and that God is nothing but something silly and made up, but the truth of the matter is that once a person has truly found their faith in Jesus, their life and outlook is changed forever.

Address: 5050 East Sam Houston Pkwy S, Pasadena, TX 77505
Phone:(281) 991-8600

It's such a hard thing to put into words how incredible the Lord is and how difficult it can be sometimes to declare that you are his and that you believe. If you're not a believer, I'm not trying to make you feel guilty, quite the opposite; I'm trying to invite you to meet my savior who's grace is never ending and who's mercy is given to even most undeserving.

http://drpegonline.com/2013/04/get-your-praise-on-with-guest-host-kay-franklin/

To the Christians reading this post. We've got to stand together and fight for our Lord Jesus. I'm not talking about physically fighting, but just declaring that you are saved by the Grace of Jesus and that you believe. It's time to stop being flippant and quiet about our faith, because everyone that would choose to deny or to attempt to sway your beliefs is doing exactly that if you don't speak up and tell them that no matter what God is your creator and Jesus is your savior!


Our songs today at church were so touching and always fill my spirit; we sang:

*In the Secret by Andy Park
*All Who are Thirsty by Brenton Brown & Glenn Roberston
*Lead Me To The Cross by Brooke Fraser
*Eagles Wings by Reuben Morgan
*Blessings by Laura Story
*10,000 Reasons by Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman
*Above All by Lenny LeBlanc & Paul Baloche
*All of Creation by MERCYME

~Allison

Lots to Share Part 2

As you might've seen already, I've been up to a lot and just haven't really made the time to share all of it on the blog. Here are a few other things that I've whipped up recently.

I mentioned a few months ago on Facebook that I had bought some business cards and then completely forgot to share what they looked like! I love how colorful they are and they fit your wallet easily, unlike some of the newer index card size business cards I've seen floating around.

sorry, phone pic

I've been wanting to do this for awhile now. I had the idea to make a quilt out of my daughters receiving blankets after seeing so many "memory" quilts. This turned into a toddler quilt, because, well frankly, I got tired of cutting and piecing after it was toddler sized. Luckily, she loves her new blanket and it's really the perfect size to fit her bed without having a lot left over to bunch up at the foot.

I tell her to smile and this is what I get! lol

Did you check out With Sunshine through my last post? Then I'm sure you probably saw the mommy and me infinity scarves. They're precious, right? Well, the model doesn't hurt the cuteness factor either. These are really the perfect thing to wear with your little girl on a chilly day. It's such a cute and not so "in your face" way to match.

If you haven't popped over to With Sunshine, you better hurry. The season clearance sale will be ending on the 24th!! Only a few days left to get such a deep discount!


~Allison

LOTS to Share Part 1

As you know, it's been very quiet around here, there's been so many things I've been working on that I'll do my best to share everything in a short sweet post or two! And maybe, if you can hang in there with me, I'll share a tutorial with you guys!

A month ago (gees), I made this penguin shirt for my little cousin for her birthday. She's absolutely obsessed with penguins and she thought it would be funny if the penguin had a monocle, bow tie and top hat. Well, when I started drawing out the design, I realized that it looked like Mr.Penguin from Batman hah! Her penguin was a freezer paper stencil and a little fabric bow, that's it, super easy and she loves it.

If you follow along on Facebook, you've seen that I've been adding some fall items to With Sunshine and that there's a really great clearance sale going on right now. Be sure to go and check it out before it's over on September 24th!

With the colder weather approaching, I've been stitching up some comfy infinity scarves! I really like these plaid scarves that I just added to With Sunshine, the flannel material is really soft and comfortable.

I've been thinking over this for a while and decided to include a military discount for all of the items in my shop. With everything they do for this country, I believe they deserve some recognition and some thanks. Here's my little thank you to everyone who's serving actively, reserved or veteran.

So, you might recognize this dress if you've ever visited my etsy shop. It's the same design as my newborn peasant dress, only this is a size 4t. I mentioned, some time ago, that I'd be offering these little gems in larger sizes and finally got a few made! Now, I've got to get the other sizes up. Unlike the newborn dresses, I'll only be offering the dresses shown in the pictures and not the variations that I chose to offer to begin with.

I'll be sharing more, very soon, so check back to see other pretties!

~Allison

Pretty Zig zag tunic for a birthday girl!

I've been dying to make another zig zag tunic since I pattern tested it earlier this year, so when I realized my cousins baby girl was about to turn one, I got to work! The sleeves were long sleeved and since we live in Houston, the weather doesn't get even remotely chilly until November, I decided to shorten them.

She's so precious, a lovely happy baby, so I chose a bright pink fabric to go with her bright personality and used fun yellow buttons.

 

I love the way it turned out and so did her momma, her exact words were "Yay, a new church dress!"
For anyone wanting to make one of your own, the zig zag pattern is available for sale at See Kate Sew.
Check back in the next few days, because I've got some good things I've been working on!
 
~ Allison

Lots of Undocumented Sewing & A little rambling

I've been bad lately, neglecting my poor blog and just living life like everyone else. There's been a lot of turmoil in my personal life that's really been hard for me to deal with and that's also stunted my desire to share on the blog for fear that I might say too much (I'm really bad about over-sharing) and make things worse.

Some things I've made though, well I got two precious aprons made for my mother and daughter for my mom's birthday. She's been begging me to make her and Addy matching aprons since Addy always wants to cook with her so that was her birthday present.

My coming soon nephew, Lawson James, had a baby shower in his honor this past weekend and I made a few things for him. A little taggy blanket (I shared that on the Facebook Page) and a onesie that I hand stamped "rock star" and appliqued 2 stars to, one blue and one green.

I've been feeling the need lately to come up with some new things, but just haven't had the energy or creative inspiration that I usually can find. It's so draining trying to find something that you know is right in front of you but you just CANT SEE. My picture taking has been terrible this month, honestly, my husband has been taking more pictures lately than I have. It's just shameful, I know, but it's true ;).

Have you ever seen the movie How does she do it? My favorite part of the entire movie is when her husband tells his friend, after being asked what she does, that his wife is a juggler. It's just so sweet and true about so many women. I've got to tell you, I'm an awful juggler, literally and figuratively. I've always tried and never quite got it right.

If you've made it this far, God bless you, if you stopped way up at the top, I don't blame you. I just want to say one last thing, thank you to anyone who reads these silly posts on this silly blog. I try my best to share things that I think other people would like to see and sometimes I feel good about it, other times, well not so much, but the fact that there are people that come and visit this blog at all makes it worth my time and effort; so thanks!

~Allison

P.S. Sorry I know that was painfully random.

Something's Fishy Infinity Scarf

See the little fish? I love this fabric! I made this infinity scarf last night while I was working on some shorts (I hit a creative block with them and needed a break).

 The scarf is made with the softest sky blue fishy fabric and is lightweight enough to wear if you live in an area with mild weather.
 

The best part for me is that it fits both my daughter and myself lol! That doesn't happen very often, considering the fact that she's only 2&1/2.

I used the techniques found on The Cottage Home blog. She has so many great tutorials including one for infinity scarves.

 Of course, like most things I do, I didn't follow her instructions exactly, just used the same end closing technique. 

I love my new scarf, and my daughter loves it too. I have a feeling I'll be making A LOT more infinity scarves.

~ Allison

June!

How is it already June?! This month my biggest princess will be turning 5. It's mindblowing that this little girl will be schoolage in 2 very short weeks!

 I showed you guys a few pictures of fabric a while back and said I was playing catch up. Well, I'm still working on 2 of those projects(slowly but surely), but I completed one that I've been trying to finish since last year! Lol procrastination is a dear friend of mine, we're starting to cut ties though, thankfully.

This is the Christmas table runner my Aunt requested last year that I started and got cut out and partially appliqued. It sat for a couple months untouched, and then I just finished it, all at once.

It's a relief to have it done now I can give it to her and it's one less unfinished project laying around begging me to work on it :p. Oh did I mention that I made it reversible? Because I totally did and, of course, gave myself twice the work that I really needed to, haha.

At least she enjoys receiving her Christmas decor in the blazing summer.

Isn't my Aunt beautiful? Can you believe that she has 3 grown kids?! Love her so much!

 ~Allison

What's new?

Well not much around here has been happening, as far as sewing. I've been so crazy busy with the kiddos and just life; my poor Etsy shop and blog have been a little bit neglected. I've been squeezing in a little bit of sewing here and there, but not as much as I typically do. For whatever reason, I've just been completely wiped out at the end of the day.

We've been trying to take the kids to more activities now that they're out of the tiny infant stage, so we went to the Zoo last weekend, the park a few times during the week,

 

 and Saturday the little ones got to see their big sister at her dance recital, followed by a water slide party with their cousins!

It makes me tired just thinking about it all again.

I think both me and my husband need a break from all the activity, we need to get back to our normal routine.

Look at that sexy man!

Overall, even with being tired, we're feeling very blessed to have our family safe and sound. The tragic events that happened in Oklahoma today has reminded me how fragile life can be and how much we need to appreciate the ones we love. My heart goes out to all those who've lost in the Tornado's and I pray that help and relief come to them quickly.

~Allison

Had to add this one last cute photo!

Playing Catch Up

I was doing the Kids Clothes Week Challenge last week and actually fulfilled the challenge of sewing children's clothing for at least 1hr per day the entire week. Posting, unfortunately, didn't happen every day though :/. I ended up hosting family at the last minute, so I was too busy to post. Them coming did, however, help me finish the challenge because their three little girls got three pretty new skirts out of being in the right place on the right week! Plus, I just really wanted to make their precious faces some new skirts.

This week I've been playing a bit of catch up. I've had some half finished projects I've been putting off for awhile because at some point or another I either got stuck or put out on them. Now that I've been sewing kids clothes for an entire week, everything else look extremely appealing; well for right now at least.

I'm so bad there are projects that have been neglected from as far back as Christmas, Yikes! There are a few things that I'll be posting about that I'm adding to With Sunshine, my shop on Etsy, that are new and very cute!

Sorry phone pics, my camera is getting cleaned!

As I finish these poor put aside projects, I'll post them for everyone to see :).

~Allison

Good Gracious

It's really easy to not blog. When you're just living life and not documenting everything, it's easy. I'll be honest, I've been really lazy lately with my shop and the blog and Facebook and pinterest and twitter. It's been a break that I really shouldn't have taken because I'm not an established blogger or shop owner and that's not something you can just stop and start without looking unreliable.

So, I'm here to say that I'll be here every week at least a couple times a week. I'm not going to commit to every day just for the simple fact that I have to be there for my kids more than my blog or business right now while they're still young.

 
Another thing I've been thinking in is starting to take my merchandise to craft fairs and shows. It's been a real leap for me to even get my etsy up and running, but now that I'm there branching out to the real world doesn't seem so intimidating.

My kids have been growing like weeds. The boy is finally starting to say words other than just bah, gah, mama and dada. He's been saying hi and no and yay, even Addy :) and of course grandma which isn't surprising considering what a big grandma's boy he's becoming.

The girls are so fun right now, they like to put on concerts and dance recitals for us. Popular songs include Mary had a little lamb, twinkle twinkle, ABC song, and old Mac Donald. And of course every dance recital is entirely ballet, because they're both ballerina princesses.

~Allison