New Curtains

I finally finished our new bedroom curtains. While these are not the "greatest" pics, but it's one of the projects I've been working in that isn't a Christmas gift. Yay-something I can show you. They are made from a really thick, warm fabric-perfect for our giant, super old, drafty window this winter.  I got the fabric on clearance with an extra 50% off coupon, so they were a great price too!

As an after throught, I almost cleaned my dresser off, but ehhh, that's how it looks so "normally", that's how it stayed. I have 4 kids & a house to clean and a business to run, what can I say?

Enjoy your day!

tip of the day

To keep fabric from unraveling and making a crazy, string web in your washer {and losing less of the fabric, esp. on short cuts} serge the cut ends before washing. Only takes a few extra minutes, but the result is oh so nice. I think I love my serger more than my husband today.

new shirts

I finally got a serger!! Ohhh serger, how I love you.I have no idea how I ever sewed without one before this! Let's just say while I love you sewing machine, it will never be exclusive again. The first thing I made was a few new shirts for the boys. I love how they turned out. They are all from the same pattern, but each unique in it's own way.

I'm loving the babies little Easter shirt. I had the most trouble with that one. I hate when nothing actually went wrong, things just aren't working out. Seams needed pulled. It started with a regular collar. I tore that out after it went wrong and added the hood. It's far from perfect, but I love it just the same.

The other two shirts were sewn in moments it seemed. Not really, but after all the trouble with Bink's shirt, the older boys together took less time. They have been wearing them not stop, which makes for a happy mama. I have four girls shirts on the to do list now. One for Miss {M} and a few Easter gifts... which hopefully get made prior to Easter. haha.

New Pants

Baby {J} , is one big boy! I have a few baby sewing books that I've been eyeing since my pregnancy. I convinced myself to wait until we knew whether we had a son or daughter to start "really" sewing for him or her.

Well, at 3 months old, [yes, he turned 3 months over the weekend-time is flying] he is already in size 12-month clothes. [yikes!] Many of the baby patterns in books only go up to a size 12, or 18 month size. [blah-for people whose babies come out around the 9-10lb range!] I figured I better get going if I wanted to use a few of the patterns. These are the first pants I made specifically for {J}-many, many to follow. He has a matching dog shirt that didn't make it into these pictures. These pants are made from a pattern in the Amy Butler book, Little Stitches. I'm going to try and make one of the fun hats in the book, while his head is small enough to fit.

The new Anna Marie Horner book, is great because the sizes for babes, goes to 24m. I'm looking forward to making the little jacket in the book, and a few pairs of the quick Change trousers. I made a pair already [yes-super easy!], but they are still too large and will be winter pants.

May the next 3 months, be just as wonderful as the first 3 with you baby!

Some new capes

Little {L} asked for his own cape the other day. He was watching his big brother run around with his. About 20 minutes later, he had his very own. He picked this fun circus fabric because it had zebra's, his current favorite. I love caps for little kids! It allows them to be villains, hero's, a fairy princess-whatever they can image!

The kids decided to play villains, with Little {L} growing and chasing the other kids through the house. Lots of fun & laughter!

Some Sewing

New dresses for Miss {M} & Mama. I love the cute print on her dress fabric. I picked this up about a year ago. Originally it was going to be a birthday dress...then Christmas....and now a summer dress. Sometimes, time just gets away from us! She loves it and I'm happy too. It's nice and twirly, which my little girl is a fan of.

I made a smocked dress for myself too. It's a little too big, so it's been hanging in my closet after only wearing it once. I need to take out some fabric and move the straps. I need thick straps on things right now to cover up nursing bra straps--hate those little snaps showing through.

I'm working on some fun upcycled & new t-shirts for the boys right now. Hopefully I can get them finished this weekend. Little {L} is waiting very patiently for his new skulls hoodie, t-shirt. I'll share those when they are complete!

For Baby

I finally did some sewing for the baby last week. I finished a cute little kimono from the pattern in Weekend Sewing, and a little sweater shirt inspired by that pattern. I love how they turned out. The little bird fabric is organic fabric from Cloud9-ahhh, pure love! I've been saving this fabric for the perfect baby gift to our upcoming addition. It will be perfect whether the baby comes out a boy or girl. I'm taking this one to the hospital with me.

The pink and green bunny shirt is wishful thinking. I'm hoping for a baby girl this time, but if she is actually a he, I'm sure this will make a lovely baby gift in the near future. This is the first time I've been pregnant, and no one else I know is! No friends, or family. What's up guys? :D

The pattern in the book is really easy to follow, and can be sewn up in a flash. Making the bias tape is the longest step. I try to keep a bunch here, so if you have a nice "stock", these are incredibly fast. What I don't like about the pattern is the kimono ties on the inside, as well as the outside. Not super comfy for a new babe. I am going to make a few more, but alter the pattern to use a snap for the inside closure.

Placemats

Yesterday afternoon, I decided I needed another "gift" idea for Valentine's Day. Typically as a family we aren't really into the "holiday". This year, I really want to make it special for the kids. They have been so understanding and helpful lately, to a pregnant mama too tired to do very much! We don't travel out the house often these days and I am physically unable to do some of the fun stuff they are used to.
They never complain about it and actually have shown me so much compassion it's breaking my heart! I want them to have a fabulous day where they understand just how much we love them!

I am suddenly super into using up my scraps. I am a HUGE scrap hoarder!! I save every little bit of everything. These place mats were made using up some of my saved treasures. I really love that they encompass many of my favorite prints that are long used up!

I wanted each one to be unique, as each of my children have their very own special personalities. The pink is for Miss {M}, who no matter how much I try loves pink more than any other color! She is the epitome of girlie! The blue is for Mr{D}. He likes blue and is a fan of several of the fabrics used in his. Little {L} gets the orange place mat. The little blond boy with the cat reminds me of him...except in real life, he's be pulling her tail.

-Back view-

Weekend

I've got a date with my studio this weekend! Lots of work to get finished and just as much that needs started. Although as far as "dates" go, I'll gladly take this one.

Between making gifts for {D} & {M}'s upcoming birthday's and getting ready for the show I have lined up [I'm not even going to get into Christmas gift making] I have my work cut out for me this fall.

Busy isn't a bad thing, with the right scheduling I'll be fine. The unfortunate thing right now is having a house full of sick kids, and a mama that woke up with a sore throat today. No fun at all! Truthfully, I'm looking forward to a little piece and time to myself this weekend. Just the whirr of the sewing machine...if I sew fast enough it will drown out the crying and yelling the kids do in the other room. "Why is Mama sewing again? When will she be done Daddy? MAMAAAAA!!!!!Followed with my husband asking me some silly question every ten minutes in hopes that I will just come out of the studio and resume my role as mother.

So lovely Fabric, it's date. I'll meet you in the studio bright & early for some sewing and cleaning. What are your weekend plans?

A small peak into my studio

With the studio starting to come together, I'd thought I'd share a glimmer of what's happening inside the Kunklebaby space. I've been working on some colorful new blankets. [I'll debut a bunch of new stuff at the Westerville show next month]

My curtains and a print from Art and Ghosts. I am SO in love with this artist. I have two of her pieces in my studio. Her work is beautiful, very detailed with a dream like quality.

New fabric covered bulletin board.

Quilt pieces--these two are some of my most favorite work so far.

Meow-kitties getting ready for the show. I'll have a whole litter waiting to be adopted at the show. Although if these two don't find new homes, my kids have called dibs already. I found that awesome glass jar at a yard sale for $1! Score!

Buttons and thread. That doll was mine when I was a wee one. It's from either Mexico or El Salvador [I don't remember]. It's cool and I love that I still have it.

My dress form and a print from YumiYumi- another Columbus artist. Her work is awesome and she is so nice too! I got to meet her at Tiny Canary last year.

Bits and pieces on another yard sale find. A Kromex serving tray-made in Cleveland, Ohio, my home town. It was only $2 and still had the cool, vintage box

Some books for inspirations and patterns.

Hope you like getting a peak at my work space. I spend so much time in here, I cannot wait until everything is done!

sew-sew-sew

We have been working on some fun new gifts. The kids made these for their grandmother. {D} made an embroidered carrot [above] and a little hand sewn pouch to keep necklaces.

{M} was hard at work on a ladybug. Embroidering with the children is really rewarding. It's something that they can work on for an afternoon and finish. They can draw their own patterns to follow or just do something free hand. Whatever they are in the mood for. I help them thread the needle and with little things along the way, if they ask. They are super proud of their work and I am super proud of the! It helps with hand-eye coordination and with sitting still. Sometimes it's hard for little one's to be quite and still for long-in any situation.

I enjoy the peaceful, quite time together. We sit and chat- {m} often sits on my lap while working. The kids have this amazing desire to learn and know everything. They ask the most interesting questions when quietly working.

Finished! It will now to be sewn into a pillow.

Journals

I've been working on some new journals/notebooks. I love giving these as gifts.
They can be personalized to the individual! Kids like to use them to create their very own drawing books. Adults can use them from anything to actual journal to writing grocery and to do lists in them. I always have a few extras on my desk.

Start by selecting paper of your choice. You can use patterned cardstock, or use plain and decorate with stamps and stickers. I also like to use little bits of cool stuff I have laying around, like old card fronts or cool pictures I saved.

Select paper for the inside. This can be anything you choose-plain computer paper, lined, scrap, recycled, junk mail. ANYTHING! Cut them to size to match the cover. Fold your inside and outside papers in the center.

Next you want to stitch them together. Select a long stitch on your machine and follow the crease you made when folding.

Your Done!!

For an extra fun touch, I made a pocket envelope from an old book above. A great way to use books that have seen better days, but still have usable pages. Frame them, make boxes with them, or envelopes. Fun and green.

ENJOY!

Happy Friday!

After a L-O-N-G week, I was struck this afternoon with the need to create something for me. I've been putting off so many projects that I want, and started feeling uninspired to do the others. I've had plans to make a few new throw pillows for awhile. The pillows our couch came with were SO hideous! They have been stored in the attic for 2 years now. I started thinking that they would make a perfect pillow form, for some washable, removable covers.

The last time I made pillows, I cut, sewed, stuffed and sealed them....cut to a week later and the kids had food, marker and god only knows all over them. I decided then, it was the last time I make pillows that cannot be washed-for a house with 3 kids under 5!!

These are paired with upcycled sheets for backing, making the total cost only a few dollars for each!!! They only take about 15 minutes to make also [a good thing because that's about the only time I can find lately]. Below is the back of the larger pillow. When I get a chance, I'll add a few button closures.

Here is one of my brooch's shown by the new pillow and my purse.