Another Recycled Jean Project

We have an old couch pillow that has seen better days. I made the cover years ago, pre-children, and the hand-quilting is almost non-existent now. This is the new and improved couch pillow made entirely from scraps and old jeans. The children all like it better, and so do I.

Sewing Distractions

It all started with the pillowcase that I made Megan for her birthday. 

We found fabric from the new Star Wars movie at Christmas time, so I got some. 

We sent the pillowcase in a birthday package last month.

But then I had leftover scraps, so I made a couple of luggage tags.

And, why not make a couple of quilted potholders as well?

I used black jean fabric for the back, since I love to repurpose jeans 

and happen to have a collection of old jeans that I moved all the way 

from Yuma (because I hadn't finished all my jean projects yet).

I also cut 168 circles out of the jeans to make another scrap quilt using this tutorial.

I really should get my sewing space properly set up in our bedroom so I don't keep overtaking the kitchen table with my projects.

Christmas Pillowcase Preview

Wendy H. showed April how to make these super cute pillowcases with hidden seams around the contrasting bands (see here for a good tutorial, although the dimensions were slightly different). Once she started making them, it almost became an addiction and we ended up with several fun presents for family and friends.

Space motif for a boy in our Primary who is undergoing chemotherapy treatments for leukemia;

we put together a care package and thought a pillowcase would be fun.

This was one of Erin's birthday presents. Owls, of course!

 

We made these for Carla S. who lets us ride her horses.

These are for some of Erin's friends.

Megan made this for her friend, Amelia, who likes dragons.

These are for the cousins, Scott and Dean.

We love the bright colors!

And, for our herp-loving friends: snake skin and lizard skin fabric.

Kevin got lizard skin pillowcases for his birthday, and April is kicking herself 

for not buying the whole bolt of fabric--it's no longer available.

It's a good thing we always are behind on our blog posts or else the surprise would be ruined for those who might see this before Christmas.

Zach's Birthday

Zach is like our 5th child. He is over at our house a lot, except he doesn't sleep here. Oh, wait...I guess he sometimes does. Anyway, a few months ago he commented on a couple of things he'd like for his birthday: a painting of a chameleon, and a towel with a chameleon. (Remember he has a pet one.) So we complied. Megan painted him a chameleon, and April sewed one onto a towel. He was VERY happy with his birthday presents.

Welcome to March!

Neighbor Wedding

Zach's older brother got married this week in the San Diego Temple. The reception was held outside in the Price's back yard, which is possible to do in March if you live in Yuma. 

Zach greeted guests as they arrived.

The Happy Couple:

Ryan and Michal

They fed us dinner! We sat with our friends, the Horrocks family, who are fellow USU Alumni.

Humanitarian Aid Projects

This time our ward focused on making preemie baby quilts and baby bibs to donate. The quilts are very small, measuring only 18" X 18". April and Megan made 8 of them using scraps of fabric from our fabric stash.

 Dallin's New Hobby

Kiki is a very patient kitty. Dallin's new favorite activity is to carry her around the house like this.

 

Sewing Lessons

The children have been asking for sewing lessons. We sort of started last fall, but then something interrupted us. Today we decided to go ahead and make a project: pincushions! Erin liked the owl pattern that Mom found, so we made some today. We dispensed with the long, gangly legs, since owls do not have long legs. Erin, our resident owl expert, knows things like that.

These are much cuter pincushions than the generic tomato pincushion that Mom has had for 20+ years.
Ian hasn't quite finished his yet, but here are Dallin's (made by Mom as a demo) and Erin's owls.
Dallin will not be using his as a pincushion--his is strictly a stuffed toy.