Monday 29 July 2013

Lavender & Blue : two more days


Only two more days to enjoy our Christmas in July SALE with 15% off all items in our shop!

braided headband

This post is to brag about my mom...

Braided Headband

...and the gorgeous things she makes (even though she won't admit how talented she is)...

Braided Headband

...like these adorable braided headbands....

Crocheted Market Bags

...and these great crocheted market bags...

Crocheted Market Bags

...or beach bags because the sand falls right through.

Sunshine Makings

You can find both these beautiful creations and more in our Etsy shop: Sunshine Makings.

Use coupon code CIJUK10 for 15% off until the end of July...that's only two more days of great deals!


I'm linking up to some of these fabulous parties!

Sunday 21 July 2013

Childhood Memories Found in a Box


Before coming to visit my family in California, my daughter had been very curious about the toys I played with as a child. So, I told her we would find some this summer. The first week here, we dug into the storage shed and pulled out all my plastic containers of stuff that is waiting for us to return to America. We did find some old toys, and some memories...like my Home Economics award from 8th grade! At the time, I remember feeling embarassed that I received the award...it was kind of nerdy, but so was I. Now, of course, I'm proud to say that I earned and 8th grade Home Ec Outstanding Student of the Year. ;-)


We found cross-stitched wall decorations that I had hanging in my room as a little girl. I don't remember who made this one...perhaps my mom or a friend of hers.


This is my first and only finished cross-stitch project, probably done when I was 8 or 9 and into gymnastics. No awards for gymnastics since I was too scared to do a back walk over, let alone attempt a flip!


My favorite discoveries were my old barbie dolls...and their creative wardrobes. Yes, this one is wearing an original, hand-sewn outfit. I remember clearly sitting in the living room with fabric, needle and thread, creating these stunning outfits for my precious barbies.


I remember playing with my barbie dolls for hours...they went skiing, they got married. Check out these great outfits that my mom crocheted for me back in the day. Who wouldn't love a bright pink ski suit? Although now it reminds me more of a footed onesie.


I thought my little girl was going to be super excited about my old barbies and she was until she discovered this little baby kewpie doll. My mom also crocheted this adorable ensemble. It's a baby sleep sack and cradle that turns into a bag to carry the baby around.


My daughter had the best time caring for her little baby. And, to be honest, I'd rather her still love her baby dolls for a few more years before she gets into barbies, so it was just perfect.



I'm linking up to some of these fabulous parties!

Etsy Treasury - stop & smell the flowers

I made this treasury for the sos team weekly challenge - flowers - and loved making it. I'd love for you to stop by my shop - sunshinemakings.etsy.com - and take a look at our sale. Everything is 15% off for the month of July...just over a week until the sale ends! 


Sweet Flower, (original wate...
$18

Czech Bead Glass Leaf Beads,...
$1.6

Ceramic Flower Earrings Rou...
$12

Butterfly Lace Ceramic 3D Mo...
$5

Sale, Free shipping, Flower ...
$15

CIJ SALE Aquamarine Swarovsk...
$10

25 large vintage medallion p...
$4.25

Newborn Girl Photo Prop Pink...
$5.99

Cherry blossoms tree of life...
$10

Vintage Glass Vase Green Squ...
$25

Lace Earrings Orange and Gra...
$20

Cotton Candy Pink Summer Rom...
$62

Summer Clutch Purse Floral R...
$18

Peach Linen Burlap Ruffle Zi...
$23

Glass Vase, Small Vase, Glas...
$27.5

iphone case 4 4s 5 pink flor...
$25.95

Friday 12 July 2013

Christmas in July (2)



christmas coffee cup sleeve

I finally had a chance to get the pictures together of a few more things my mom and I have made for Christmas in July. Since I love coffee and really don't like to waste the cardboard cup sleeves, we made some Christmas cup sleeves.

christmas coffee cup sleeve

My mom made these adorable beaded Christmas trees and appliqued them to the red cozy. Festive, right? (It feels a little strange to be festive one day and at the beach that same afternoon, but it's made it easier for me to read Christmas books to my little girl who likes them all year long.)

Christmas Potholders

We also made some Christmas potholder sets from a vintage pattern my mom has in an old crochet pattern book. I love the red, white, and festive variegated colors of this set.


Christmas in July Potholders

We also made one with Christmas crocheted Christmas trees stitched onto the white potholders. Aren't they cute! I'll be making quite a few of these to hopefully sell at a couple holiday fayres and fetes. And I'm sure we'll come up with even more festive crochet items. 

If you would like any of these, you can find them in my Etsy shop, Sunshine Makings
15% off for the month of July!

Happy Christmas in July!


I'm linking up to some of these fabulous parties!

Sunday 7 July 2013

Baby Boy Baby Shower


Here is a peek into the baby boy baby shower that my mom and I gave my sister. It was so special for us all to be together to celebrate my sister and her soon-to-be baby boy! The decorations were all shades of blue and boy-ish. I made a cloth diaper cake (tutorial here) that was full of blankets, burp cloths, baby towels and wash cloths.


We used a navy blue sheet for a table cloth and gathered the ends with ribbon and toy cars and trucks. I loved how it looked!


We spent a jet-lagged evening with me teaching my mom, sister, sis-in-law, and niece how to fold muslin roses (tutorial here) for our outdoor centerpieces. I was so out of it that I had to follow my own tutorial to teach them. With everyone's help, we each made a couple and got them done quickly. We stuck chopsticks wrapped with floral tape in the center of the roses to create stems. The floral tape was perfect in its look and also had just enough stick so that the cloth roses didn't slide down the chopsticks. We stuck the chopsticks in foam to hold them in place in our little pots.


I always love hanging onesies...


...so we bought some cute baby boy ones in different shades of blue and hung them in front of the windows to add a little bit of decorations to the living room.


We used the large cloth baby blocks that my mom and I made as centerpieces for the food and drinks tables...ABC on one, XYZ on the other. Which brings us to the delicious food...



My mom made cloth napkins to match the table cloths. We had an assortment of finger appetizers since the shower was at a time between lunch and dinner. Some of my favorites were the cheese platter, marinated olives, and our own version of caprese salad: My sis-in-law took small tomatoes, sliced basil leaves, and a cubes of mozzarella and stuck them on toothpicks. A drizzle of oil and they were ready to eat. (Thank you, Candace!) Then there were the sweets...


We melted white chocolate chips to dip our freshly picked strawberries that we had gathered the day before at Carlsbad Strawberry Company. I had seen these rice krispy treats on Pinterest and had to give them a try. They were so easy and cute with the blue frosting and white sprinkles. Our final sweets were cupcakes (coconut, carrot, chocolate, and vanilla) from Sugar Blossom Bake Shop - yum! They were delicious and we conserved a little bit of time and energy by ordering them and supporting our favorite local bakery. We have a lovely day celebrating a lovely lady! 



I'm linking up to these fabulous parties!

Saturday 6 July 2013

Free Crochet Pattern for a Chevron Baby Blanket

chevron baby blanket free crochet pattern

It's a little bit later than I had planned, but I've finally had a chance to put up my free pattern for a  chevron baby blanket

chevron baby blanket free crochet pattern

It is an easy free crochet pattern and is good for all levels. You can do it in any color combination and it would even look great as solid colored baby blanket.

chevron baby blanket free crochet pattern

The finished size is 27" x 30 1/2" (67 x 77cm) but you can also adjust it to be larger or smaller.

If you would like one of these blankets without having to make your own, they are available here in my Etsy shop, Sunshine Makings.


If you make one of these wavy chevron baby blankets, I'd love any feedback, good or bad. 
Enjoy!


I'm linking up to these fabulous parties!



Truly Lovely    Gingerly MadeDaisy Cottage Designs
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