It's Cool to be a Follower

We teach kids to be a leader not a follower but today's lesson is just the opposite: FOLLOW ME, PEOPLE!

Jennifer from All Things Belle made a fantastic point in a post last week: blogs with Facebook pages tend to get more traffic. I'm not overly concerned about the number of visitors I get - okay I'm honestly not even a tiny bit concerned - but I thought that a FB page would help save all of you fabulous (8 billion plus) followers time popping over here to find out that YET AGAIN I have not posted anything new. LIKE me on FB and if your settings are so that posts on the pages you LIKE show up in your feed you'll see my updates on your News Feed when you log in.

Once I open the shop up again (I think I will in June but we'll see how things are rolling at that time) I think the FB page will really come in handy.

Thanks, Jennifer for motivating me to make a page and for adding another online TO DO to my list.

Something for Moi!

I bought this grey fabric almost two years ago with the plan to make something fabulous with it. Mission accomplished.

I love love LOVE our new diaper bag! The inside is lined with a thin blue vinyl which can be wiped out easily in case of spills - there are five elasticized pockets in there too. Two large pockets are found on the front (see the bottom left photo) and another two are on the outer sides of the bag; finally there is a zippered pocket on the back of the bag that is large enough for a cell phone and a wallet. The strap is adjustable so that it will work for me and Mike too. I think I'll make a travel change pad in grey and blue to match, and maybe some burp cloths too.

I've admired bits made with the reverse applique technique (cutting a hole in your exterior fabric and stitching a pretty fabric in behind to peek through) for ages now but I owe a special thanks to Smidgebox for inspiring the circle on the exterior of my bag - I love her peek-a-boo circles! Check out her blog and definitely check out her shop!

Nesting is in full effect. I can't wait to show you what we've done with the nursery!

The Kitchen Crew

As promised: a shot of the Princesses in their matching aprons.

Neve's little ruffled jean skirt poking out the bottom of her apron (she's the second girl from the right) gave me an idea for the next apron I make; I think I'll shorten it a bit and add a ruffle to the bottom.

Thanks to my bro for snapping this pic and getting permission from the girls' parents for me to use this shot.

Pink & Green

An order that was supposed to be delivered to a friend today but baby brain got the best of me - again - and I forgot to bring it with me to our lunch date. Looks like it will be going out in the post tomorrow.

A Tanya ZipIt


And some personalized bean bags for Princess Olivia.

I hope you like the finished products, Lisa!

Aprons for the China Dolls

Four china dolls (my niece and her little friends) are getting together this weekend to celebrate their birthdays. My mom and dad ordered matching aprons for the princesses' birthday gifts and this is one of the reversible aprons I whipped up:



Each apron has different buttons and one has polka dot waist ties but other than those minor details they are pretty much identical. I hope the little ladies like their pretty kitchen gear! I'll post pictures if I am able to get permission from their parents.

Reversible Apron

My dad has been waiting for this apron for a ridiculously long period of time. Thanks for being patient Dad!!

I should probably clarify, although Dad has a soft side he hasn't been waiting for a pink and purple Hannah Montana/cupcake apron to model himself, the apron is for his grandbaby (my niece) Neve.

I decided to make the apron reversible just in case Hannah Montana does something to piss Neve off; don't want the entire thing going to waste just because the Pop Princess does something unforgivable.


The neck strap can be fastened on the front or the back since there are cute buttons on both sides. I love this cupcake bling and have been looking for a good excuse to make use of it.

Another little something I will likely make more of to add to the shop. Sorry Hannah fans, I don't have any more of the printed fabric on hand but if you REALLY want one I can hunt for some online.

Boob Shield

Like the idea of breastfeeding but not into public displays of your girls? Slip a 'hooter hider' around your neck and still have a clear view of your little peanut while they eat.

I know, I know, a woman shouldn't have to worry about how other people feel about breastfeeding and she should be proud to show her tatters to the world but personally I would prefer to have my girls hidden when the time comes for Smidge to latch.

I had thought about buying a Bebe au Lait nursing cover but figured it would be easy to make one for myself and cheaper too. Turned out I was right on both accounts.

Two D-rings hold the neck strap in place and allow me to adjust the length. This cover is about the same size as the Bebe au Lait cover and has a piece of flexible boning sewn into the neck so that it gapes, giving me full view of my future babe while hiding him from onlookers.


Mike says I look a bit like a funky zebra but I like the way mama zebras think so I'm taking it as a compliment. My massage therapist told me yesterday that zebra mamas shield their newborn's eyes from everything but mama's stripes for the first few days after birth so that the baby can memorize mom's pattern of stripes. I have every intention of locking down the house and hogging Smidge (yes I'll share with Mike) for the first few days after he arrives home (never mind the honeymoon, we're having a babymoon) so maybe I am part zebra.

photo credit: Samjhana Moon

Interested in your own cover? I'm planning on making some and putting them in the shop but feel free to email me if you're interested in one sooner than later: ginghamskies@gmail.com

Little Bits for Little Men

I whipped up a few appliqued onesies this weekend. The first was an order for a little man named Nicholas.


The second I made as a gift for my sweet little friend Clarke aka Cheeks. I love the flyaway alien with the C balloon.

Baby baby baby on the brain.

Big Mac for Wee Michael

Mini Michael wanted a new bag for all of his dance gear. Joanne and I decided that a bag similar to the Baby Ben would suit his needs.


His initials adorn the front.

Two magnetic snaps and a large flap will keep his gear safe inside

Pockets to hold four pairs of dance shoes and a large middle section for whatever else he needs. There's also a 7" zippered pocket that's hidden by the shoes.

Similar to the Baby Ben this bag is lined with nylon so that it will easily wipe clean. This style has a few less pockets (Michael didn't need them) and rather than using a heavy canvas for the outside we went with a heavy vinyl - again super easy to clean and really durable.

Hopefully the little man likes the bag! We'll be presenting it to him today at his 9th birthday party! Happy Birthday Michael!!

Baby Blankie for Baby Mac

Jessy and Colin's little guy will be arriving in about a month. Colin is a bike fanatic so I couldn't leave this fabric on the shelf when I spotted it a few months ago.

The minky has a dark green base to it which compliments the camo cotton perfectly. I have enough of both the cotton and minky left over to make a similar blankie for Smidge - lucky baby!

Sewtally Awesome

Yes and sewtally cheesy.

Special orders for Miss. Kimber!!

A birdie bag made with fabric of her choice which I luuuuv



A set of napkins which I considered telling her I had lost in order to keep for myself


And another set of sweet napkins made for her sis' Christmas prezzie.

Oh it feels good to sew again!

Mermaid Sushi

A new design by Gingham Skies: reusable double sided cloth napkins!

These puppies are 10 x 12" when unfolded and sport a funky sushi print on one side with mermaids, octopi and sea turtles on the other.




Hop over to my etsy shop for more details or send me an email with a custom order request: ginghamskies@gmail.com

Lovely Labels

Remember Wynn is an awesome etsy shop that I highly recommend you check out. I absolutely adore my vanilla ice cream coloured custom labels! I also ordered a custom guitar pick for a friend but the photo of the pick didn't turn out so you'll just have to trust me when I say it looks stellar! I intend to order an additional pick to act as a Christmas gift topper for my nephew. Excellent prices, fabulous service and speedy delivery: this is a shop I will definitely order from again.

Blow Off the Dust

I've finally blown off the dust and started up the machine. More goodies hitting the shop soon but I've started things off with this super sweet crayon roll-up.

Welcome to the World Baby Ben

Introducing my latest creation: Baby Ben.

This fabulous diaper bag is fully lined with waterproof nylon making it super easy to clean.

Baby Ben has an adjustable shoulder strap, two side pockets including a holster for a blackberry, two flat front pockets, one huge zip pocket on the back and 5 elasticized interior pockets.



Thanks to Kendra and the real life baby Ben for this custom order! I'm loving this design and can't wait to make another.

Gingham Skies New Style

I'm excited to announce that I have some new vegan designs in the works. Tess will be hitting the shop today:


Anyone planning on working with vinyl? Let me save you a world of frustration: buy a teflon foot for your sewing machine!

Here's Tess in pink. This little lady will be sold in the shop at a significant discount - she was one of my first attempts at Tess therefore she has a few minor issues with less than perfect top stitching and an off-centre interior pocket.

Mushrooms and Snails and Tiny Pig Tails

I had a request for some teeny tiny Lola's for some teeny tiny girls for Christmas and I am really pleased with the results. I found this super cute fabric at Above All Fabric and was thrilled with the super quick delivery and friendly service; be sure to check out the selection at this Etsy shop if you're looking for some fabulous fabric.

I hope the little ladies like this tiny Lola as much as I do!

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE!

HO HO HO! Time for another givewaway!


Leave me a Christmas related comment: fav memory/tradition/joke WHATEVER on this post and you'll be entered in my draw to win a ZipIt similar to this one.

The contest closes on December 25th. Be sure to leave me some sort of contact info (email or link to your blog) so that I can contact you if you're the lucky winner!

And the WINNER is...

Congratulations to Melanie from Whimsical Creations who is the lucky winner of the alien stocking! With the huge number of entries (all TWO, hee hee) I figured writing names on slips of paper was the easiest way to take care of the draw and Whimsical was the name pulled.

Thanks for entering the contest. I'll be posting another giveaway VERY soon but will be leaving this one open longer to give more people a chance to enter.

Ania's the New Girl On the Block

This hot mama was created thanks to a special order. I just love this purple fabric and the black velvet bow is always a winner. I plan to sew a few more Ania's over the holidays... after I get going on the mini-Lola's that have been ordered. If only there were more hours in the day!