Sweet Cousin Gift

On our last long road trip Bailey was just 4 and not yet reading. I picked out some of her favorite books to bring with us. Before we left I used a very simple recording program to record myself reading the books. I put the tracks on CD and Bailey was able to "read" her books in the car. (I get car sick easily. She doesn't.)

For Christmas I thought it would be fun to give my niece Maile a couple books with a CD of Bailey reading the books to her. I made a little felt case to put the books and the CD in.

It would have been much, much easier if I had used a flat little Golden Book

but Bailey REALLY wanted Maile to have this one of these. (We're suckers for Sandra Boynton. She makes us laugh.)

It came out better than expected and it sounds like Maile likes it.

Chloe is now three.

(Yes, I realize there are four candles on the cake.

We add an extra one to grow on.)

I made her cute little cupcake shirt from and old purple t shirt she grew out of

and followed this tutorial from Grace Violet.

It was super easy.

I made a matching skirt

using the tutorial over at

The Polka Dot Chair

Melissa really has the cutest ideas

and a very lovely etsy store.

Her sweet little birthday crown

tutorial was found here.

This one is super cute, too.

And now for the sad news.

My fantastic sewing machine broke.

Don't ever sew sticky back velcro even if the box says you can sew it.

THE BOX IS LYING!

I started this little doll quilt for Chloe a few weeks ago.

It is now put together and patiently waiting to be quilted.

But I live on an island.

In the middle of the ocean.

With a very rude sewing repairman who has no

sense of urgency in the matter.

I am contemplating two courses of action:

1. I could bribe him.

Probably the most effective route but will cost me something.

On top of the arm and leg he's going to charge me to fix the machine.

2. I could call him every half hour until it's finished.

Definitely the cheaper route.

And more fulfilling (in a vindictive sort of way)

But then if he refuses to fix it...oh, let's not go there.

Until then Dana has lent me her machine.

(She is on a knitting kick)

Thank God for good friends!