Get Crafty! Make a patriotic firework handprint pillow

For the 4th of July weekend, Sandra, Bryan and Sarah Wesley Cooper invited us to stay at their family's house on the Spring River.  Bryan's mom, "Queenie", is so good to us and always showers us with goodies every time we see her.  So we decided to treat her to a special home made pillow that will remind her of our weekend together and the sweet little girls, too :)

To make a handprint pillow, you will need about 1/2 yard of interior design fabric, a 20" by 20" pillow form (or whatever size pillow you want to make),  about 6 sheets of felt, different colors, thread, pins, scissors, and your sewing machine!

Starting my pillow for Queenie!  First, trace your tiny's handprints.  I used Stella's and her bestie, Sarah Wesley's, little handprints to make the firework shape.  I then pinned the handprints to three colors of felt and cut them out.  I cut out 12 handprints total.  I wanted to make a 20" by 20" pillow, so I also  had about a half of a yard of linen home decorator fabric to use.  

Pin all of the handprints in a firework shape onto your  20" by 20" piece of fabric...

... and start stitching around the handprints!  This might take a little while, but is much easier than it looks.    Just be patient!  

See, if you look close, it's not perfect, but it's cute!

For the back of the pillow, I wanted to make an overlapping flap to make the cover easy to put on and take off the pillow.  So, using your selvage edges, cut two rectangles that overlap about 4"  to make a 20" by 20" square to match the front.   Now, pin the front to the back, right sides together.  Stitch all the way around the square, trim corners, and turn inside out.  Voila!  Pillowcase!  Don't forget your pillow insert.  I like down filled, because they squish up so cute!

Here is the back view with the pillow flap...

... and here is the front!  I monogrammed the date on the front to commemorate the Fourth of July weekend!

Stella loves to pose!  Hope you love your pillow,  Queenie!

the baby shower

 YUM!

 Lynne, Dawn, me, Cameron, Taylor, Sandra, and Jennifer

 Stella and her "Cece"

representing his hometown in a one-of-a-kind onesie!

 runaway tissue

 tiny Hogs fan already!

 the best Pendleton blanket ever!

 the girls got us a Maclaren stroller!

 Anya and Stella, into their jellybeans

bump watch with Ginny Lauren and Sarah!

Saturday, June 25th was my baby shower at my parents' house in Rogers.  My sweet sister, Cameron, and my besties Taylor, Sandra, Dawn, Lynne and Jennifer hosted it for me.  It was absolutely gorgeous and looked like something straight out of a magazine!  They had a "lemon" theme, but they also integrated in a lot of vintage and outdoorsy things.   They know me too well!  There were so many sweet little babies at the party, and there were so many pregnant girls too.  Everyone was joking that you better not drink the water at the shower!  One of my prego friends, Sarah Gill, took all of these amazing pictures for me.  It was so nice to relax and not have to worry about pictures!  Thanks, Sarah!  I had so much fun and I got stocked up on everything I will need when my sweet boy arrives.   Stella had fun running around with Anya, and helping momma rip into some gifts.  Her brother "gave" her a tiny crown necklace from Bella Jack's so she would feel special too.  We had such a windy day that some of the tissue paper took flight!  Sorry, neighbors ;) 

I had the best day thanks to my wonderful family and friends!  I feel so lucky and blessed to have so many amazing people in my life!  I love you all so much :)

Let's catch up!

Here are a few pictures from the past few months.  I just looked at the blog and realized it has been over a YEAR since I did a blog post!  Shame on me.  I am going to try to do better so I can document the new little one's journey just like I did with Stella.

So, what's new?  Stella is now 4.  My little tiny "queen bee" is growing up fast!  She is still in preschool and loves to swim, dress up, and play with her barbies and ponies.  We are expecting our second child, a BOY, on August 8th.  I am about 33 weeks now, and this little man is very, VERY active!  He gets really excited when people rub my belly.  I think he wants to show off his dance moves!   We really can't wait to meet him.  Stella always kisses my belly and asks, "How's that baby brother going?"  He's great, sweet girl :)  She also makes funny faces at my belly and then asks,  "is my brother laughing?"  So cute!

We have decided on a name for our little boy.... but we are waiting to tell everyone until he is born!  Most everyone understands and can't wait to find out.  But I have gotten a hard time from a few people!  It was more of Taylor's idea to keep it a surprise, because I get so excited to tell everyone.  Now that we have waited, I am really looking forward to the big reveal :)

So far, our summer has been VERY low key.  Taylor says he loves when I am pregnant because I am at his speed... hanging out at home and going to bed early!  Don't worry though, I will be back to my social self before long.  I think there is a margarita somewhere on Dickson St.  with my name on it!  :)  The only thing I haven't gotten into is turning duck calls.  Keep me away from the heavy machinery... I am WAY too klutzy!  I know Taylor loves to get out there and make them, but I think a lot of it has to do with being out in his garage/shop with some peace and quiet (a.k.a.  away from the girls for awhile!!)  The finished duck calls are just a bonus!   I will post some pictures of his handiwork soon.  

I will try my best to keep this going, but if I slack off.... blame it on my pregnant brain! 

xoxo

Taylor

Stella's hands...

Yes, that's blue polish! Aren't tiny hands the sweetest? xoxo

Sew what?

I am obsessed with sewing lately! I especially love making tiny little things for Stella. I just got a new sewing machine and serger and barely know how to use them. I am used to my old seventies Kenmore! Luckily they are super easy to use. My friend Lynne is showing me how to sew a canopy and pillows for Stella's new big girl bed... and she is amazing! I will post pictures as soon as it is all done. I can't wait!

Bowling!

It's Monday... The hairdresser holiday! I spent most of the day sewing and Taylor was in the garage building me a new sewing table (he really wanted an excuse to use his new Kreg jig, whatever that is!) So to reward ourselves for such a 'rough' day, we decided to go bowling. Grammy and Grandpa met us there, too! Stella beat me by about 40 points... She is a natural! We rounded out the day with fried chicken at Neal's. A perfect Monday!