Book Bag

Hello!

My last post was ages ago! Got too busy with the holidays, and some health issues.
Anyways, I decided to post a little something today.

This is the book bag I made for Brenda.
She loves to go to the library, and it was time for her to have her own bag. It has a pocket to put her library card. She just loves it!

Here is the detail of the embroidery. The pattern is from the WeeWonderfulls Book Club Stitchettes.
It's such a sweet set of nine designs, you buy the pdf and print at home.
I wanted to stitch this girl for Brenda so badly!  A perfect design for a book bag, don't you think?
I had a piece of turquoise corduroy laying around that was just the right amount for the job. So, what can be better? A gift made only using things that I already had.
Brenda wears it very proudly, she gets lots of compliments from the library ladies.
So, kind of crazy posting about  a Christmas present in February, but better late than never.

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Ana Paula.

A couple of new projects: St. Patrick's Subway Art and Primary Theme

Hello!
I got the flu. Not fun.
I want to share a couple of speedy projects I made recently.

First this St.Patrick's Subway Art.  The frame is from Ikea. I got the subway art for free here .
You can find lots more here and here .

My second project is this year's Primary theme. I made it for Brenda's room.
At my church, the Sunday School for kids 3 - 11 is called Primary.
Every year we have a theme. This year is "I know the scriptures are true".
Valerie, from Occasionally Crafty made this cute printable. You can get it here .
My frame is from the 99 cents store. I made the roses using scraps .
Flamingo toes has a good tutorial for the roses and another lovely project here .
Very easy and fun projects! Now, I need to work on the hard ones.
Thanks for stopping by!

Ana Paula

Give me a Kiss Valentine Cross Stitch

One more cross stitch finish.
This is "Give me a kiss" from San Man Originals. It was a fun and kick stitch.
When I first saw this cute fabric at Joann, I thought it was perfect for this design.
It was my first finish as a little pillow like this, and I really like it.
I have a couple more valentine projects to finish until Monday,  including a skirt for Brenda using this same fabric. She loves to dress up for any holiday. Valentine's Day is a cool one.
Little girls are so much fun, and I enjoy make things for mine.
Thanks for the visit!

Valentine Mini Cakes and Valentine Kitchen

Today I made some mini chocolate cakes using this nordic ware pan my mother-in-law gave me for Christmas.

They are valentine gifts for some ladies from my church.

I just dusted them with sugar and Brenda decorated with the valentine sprinkles.  My sweetie loves them.

Do you know any little girl that does not love sprinkles? I don't. Very Fancy Nancy.

Now, this is a little corner of my kitchen.
We live in a  apartment with a small kitchen. Not enough storage.
I got this shelf at Michael's and painted it white. I like to put this set of canisters there. The empty canister usually holds cookies. I have a different set on the counter for flour, sugar and such.

I made the cross stitch pot holders and the grocery bag holder modeled after a clothespin bag. I also made the cherry print apron.
The cross stitch dish towel I made about 9 years ago in Brazil. My Mom made the crochet border.

I have several other dish towels from that time. It is a very popular cross stitch item there.
When  we went back some time ago, I got several dish towels and table runners. They all have the part for the stitched design in aida.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Ana Paula

 

New Cross Stitch Pillow

This is the year for getting things done.
I had this cross stitch piece maybe for 3 years now. I also had the Mary Rose fabric and the lace, all  waiting to be made into a pillow for Brenda. It finally happened.  I am very happy!
I love this design from Precious Moments/Gloria&Pat .
This is called We are all Precious in His Sight.

She is lovely, isn't she? And the saying is beautiful.
Just perfect for my little girl's room.
I am working on a couple of new projects right now. I wish I had more hours on my day.
Thanks for visiting!
Ana Paula 

Race day party and new followers!

Hi!
Saturday we went to one of  the Children's Tumor Foundation local events.
The Children's Tumor Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) medical foundation, dedicated to improving the health and well being of individuals and families affected by the neurofibromatoses (NF).

What is Neurofibromatosis?
Neurofibromatosis encompasses a set of distinct genetic disorders that causes tumors to grow along various types of nerves.  NF can also affect the development of non-nervous tissues such as bones and skin. Neurofibromatosis causes tumors to grow anywhere on or in the body.

My little girl has Neurofibromatosis 1, as some of you may know.
She has no tumors. We pray everyday about that. But she has bone deformity, or pseudoarthrosis on her right leg. This means that her tibia was very week, and as she started walking the bone could not handle her weight anymore. She broke her leg two times. It was a very difficult time for us.
At  two and a half years old she had a surgery to correct her leg.
We have no NF history on our family. Brenda's condition comes from a "spontaneous mutation".
To make a long story short, she now is 6 and a half years old, and has a pretty "normal" life.
She wears a brace to protect her leg, and has some  restrictions that are very difficult for a first grader.
She can't run or jump, go on the slide, swing or monkey bars. The risk of breaking her leg still there.
Many days she comes home from school and tells me that nobody wanted to play with her. It breaks my heart. I try to make her understand how the other kids like her but also like to run and jump.
The school  makes special adjustments for her on PE classes and other activities.
So, we have a little china doll, she is beautiful and we love her.
We don't know what the future will bring. She has a "mild" case. But things can change. NF can bring many issues. We trust the Lord and she is on His hands.

The foundation has a car that is every year at the 24 hours of  Daytona for their Racing for Research program.
Saturday, the local chapter had a party here at the  Los Angeles area.

The raffle table. See my Valentine's Basket there?

Brenda, Kelly ( the Foundation's representative at the Los Angeles office) and Ray, another NF hero.

Brenda and Ray helping with the raffle.

Some of the kids making bubbles.

The race is over and it was a success, but the "race" against NF is everyday.
Next year the car will be at the 24 hours of Daytona again, and we will be fundraising  for this and other events through out the year. One day they will find a cure.

Now, the swap party!
Amy, from Petal picking designs is following me...and I am following her.
She has many darling projects on her blog.

Jordan, from Military spouse house is a very creative lady. Many great ideas on her blog.
She is following me, and I am following her now.

That's how the party works: I follow you,  you follow me.

Here is the link for the Swap party again. Please join us.








Thanks for stopping by.

Ana Paula

My January ornament

Well, it is a very easy one. But it is cute.
This is "Le roi des rennes". I made some changes, leaving out a crown and a bow on his neck.
I have no idea who the designer is.
I had it on my freebies folder, but there is no designer name anywhere. I am sorry.
Thanks for stopping by.
Ana Paula.

Followers swap Party

Hi! I am excited about The Homemaker on a dime Party!
I am joining again this week. I have found some great blogs because of this.
It is a great way to get new followers and find new blogs to follow. 
If you don't know about her great idea yet, please take a look and join us!
Here is the link:









So... let the fun begin!
I found Jaymee at Crafty Hearts, Warm Home,  and she has some cool stuff on her blog. You need to stop by and see her DIY wedding  and her many other ideas.

I also found Jenn from Our Blessed Life and she has a beautiful blog and a beautiful family.

Enjoy the party, ladies!

Recycled denim blanket

Hello!
Things are slow around here. I am organizing. That's my New Year's resolution.
But,  I will have a cross stitch finish to share soon and a couple of other little projects.
Anyways, I hope that after all this organizing I will be able to make all the stuff  I have planned for the year.
I ordered some cross stitch patterns, and can't wait to start something new. And work on the old ones too. :)

Since I don't have any cross stitch to show you, I decided to share this denim blanket I made using old pants.
It is a very simple one, using big blocks, I even used parts with pockets. It's a very fun blanket!
The seams were clipped to make the "rag quit style". I used red tag denim from Joann for the back.
We use this for picnics and I always get lots of compliments. People stop by to take a look.
So, just an idea for recycling all those jeans you have around the house. Now, I am collecting  old jeans for a new project. Recycled denim is so much fun. Thanks for stopping by.

More Handmade Gifts and Christmas Decor

Hi! This is a huge picture heavy post!
Christmas is almost here and I am still finishing some gifts.
I made these bags for my nieces.

They are " In Cahoots" from Quilts and more  winter 2010.
You can find the free pattern at the "All people quilt"  website  here .
I made them on the girls favorite colors. Each one is also getting a gift card and a Barbie dress that I have to make yet. Just a simple velvet black dress and a crochet wrap made from furry yarn (Fun Fur leftovers).  They are ages 9 and 11 and had Barbie clothes on their wish lists.
Now some Christmas decor.
We live in a small two bedrooms apartment, what means not lots of space. But we do the best we can with what we have.
The Tree. This is the first year we have a big one. I need to make more cross stitch ornaments. This is a serious new year's resolution.

Some of my favorite ornaments.

One of my  crochet snowflakes from e-bay. I just love them.

Our first Christmas together from Boyd's Bears and our first Christmas as a family from Hallmark

One of my Bearington bears ornaments. The little tired Santa I got many years ago in Brazil, my homeland. One of my favorites.

This little fireplace ornament is very precious to me, also from Brazil from many years ago.

This is from the same batch from Brazil. I got them at Mesbla, a store that closed several years ago.

This is ginger, from Bearington bears. I also have her brother, cookie.

A school bus ornament to celebrate the first year Brenda takes the bus to school.
We also have annual picture ornaments of Brenda. A fun way to document her growth.
Now some other Christmas decorations.

Bearington bears carolers. So sweet!

Cross stitch Santa bell pull. I made this but I don't know who is the designer.

I made this when I still lived in Brazil.

I got this Precious Moments "May your Christmas be decorated"  cross stitch on e-bay.
The Gloria & Pat  website has this and many more free cross stitch patterns .  Just click on the pictures.

Part of my bookcase and my Boyd's bear nativity.

From San Francisco Music Box.

Snow globe from Hallmark.

I love this house.

My darling gingerbread doll.

Sleigh ride plate from Royal Albert. Another e-bay find.

Redwork Baby Jesus ornament.

My girl's room.

Redwork wall hanging. Pattern from the  Gooseberry Patch Christmas Book number 4. I made this about 6 years ago.

 Cross Stitch Christmas pillow. I got the finished cross stitch on e-bay and made it into a pillow.

I made the cross stitch in Brazil. It is a Santa alphabet that you can find at Patterns online
Later I turned it into a pillow. Feliz Natal is Merry Christmas in Portuguese, my native language.

Last picture. Brenda's Christmas stocking. This cross stitch design is from  the Cherished Teddies for the holidays book. She has the matching resin ornament.
Hope you enjoyed  my long post.
I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas.

Ana Paula