2012 Photography Challenge

I'll be trying something new this year! Actually, I'll be trying many new things this year, but I'm referring particularly to a photography challenge called the 313 Project 2012 - where you take a picture every day of the year, minus Sundays. That adds up to 313 days and consequently 313 pictures! You can read more about it here at the blog of our friends who are hosting it: 4 His Glory-The 313 Project 2012.
I won't be able to post my picture every day, but I'll be trying my best to take one every day and share them all in one big post at the end of the week.

May you all have a Blessed New Year!

Tutorial Tuesday: Plush Angry Birds

This Christmas, I decided to make many of my gifts. Not knowing what to do for my brother who has everything, I spent some time thinking about it before I came up with this brilliant idea, based on a tutorial I'd read on a craft blog I follow several months prior: Angry Birds! I made him the red angry bird and the pig, weighted with a beanbag in the bottom so they could be paperweights.

I used the Angry Birds Plushies tutorial from Obsessively Stitching and loved the way it turned out. After making the red angry bird, I had the concept down and made the pig without its tutorial. But if sewing doesn't come so intuitively to you, the tutorials are very well written and easy to follow, with pictures for each step. I haven't made any of the other birds, but I'm sure they'd turn out very well. I really didn't make any diversions from the tutorial except adding the black tail to the bird and not adding a crown or helmet to the pig.

 Here's red angry bird, looking so very angry!

And the pig, looking a little boggly-eyed.

I think this was my funnest gift I've ever made, and even funnier his reaction when he opened it!

If you ever do try this tutorial, and if you'd like to share, I'd love to see how your angry birds come out!

Some Doll Clothes

I've been having fun sewing up some doll dresses for the Shoppe lately! Here are some pictures of the four currently finished:

Summer Tiered Jumper

Red, White, and Blue Summer Jumper

Green Velvet Medieval Gown

Red Silk Medieval Gown

"The Quilt" - Part 1

I'm starting my first quilt. For a number of reasons, I haven't been able to get into quilting before, but I've been motivated to start it since I have all the parts, acquired from a neighbor's yard sale last year for a song. It hasn't been named yet, so I'm calling it "The Quilt" until I find a name for it.

I'm having a hard time deciding how to start it, but I started by seam-ripping the three partly done pillow shams. There are enough pre-cut squares for the fourth. Putting them all together, it will make a nice sized lap quilt.

The quilt is a hunting/forest/lodge in the woods theme with four different fabrics for the front, shown in the above picture, and one lighter beige for the back.

This will be the last post here with pictures for a few weeks because my camera is currently back where it came from receiving some servicing under the warranty. In the meantime, I'll be blogging over at our family blog, catching up on all the traveling, family reunions, and other fun things that have been going on in our life these past few months!

Aedan Chase

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot with a handsome 2-week-old little man, Aedan Chase. He was so easy, and so far, the most cooperative of all my babies - he slept! And when he was awake, he was happy.

I love this face - he just woke up and was not so sure about all this.

Aedan means 'Little Fire' - it looks like this little man will be a valiant warrior on fire for Christ when he grows up. :)

Calling all Crocheters - Round the Second

Thank you to all of you blog readers who volunteered last time to test my first batch of crochet patterns! Your help was very timely and much appreciated. Those four patterns are now for sale in Tiny Tiptoes Boutique and have been selling to happy customers!

I'm excited to announce that it's time for round 2 of pattern testing! I have two more beginner crochet patterns ready to roll:

Newborn Frog Hat Photo Prop

Comes in sizes Newborn-3 Months and 3-6 Months. You will need to have a basic knowledge of Sc, Hdc, and Sl St to complete this pattern.

Newborn Giraffe Hat Photo Prop

Comes in sizes Newborn-3 Months and 3-6 Months. You will need to have a basic knowledge of Sc, Hdc, and Sl St to complete this pattern. Bow is not included. :)

Same as last time, if you would like to crochet either of these patterns, leave me a comment here with your email address (comments with email addresses will not be published), or email me at tinytiptoesboutiqueATgmailDOTcom with your choice of pattern(s), and I'll email you the PDF copy. I would like to have your comments/suggestions on the pattern back within two weeks, but I am more than happy to allow for other things coming up. :) At the end, I'll send you a final, completed copy of the pattern as a 'thank you' for testing! Looking forward to hearing from you!

My First Blog Award

I received my first blog award recently from my friend Emmaline! You can see the original post here at her blog. Thank you Emma! And now, I get to share 5 new blogs I admire. That might be hard to pick just five!

The goal of the award is to spotlight up and coming bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers. The rules of the award are:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun! 
  
1. Anna-Rebekah Portraits My friend Anna-Rebekah is a wonderful photographer and has a gift for portraits, and as I've just gotten my new dSLR camera, I've learned so much from her.


2. The Lady's Resource Blog Miss Virginia writes a fascinating blog on historical costuming and shares so many inspirational crafting links and tutorials.

3. Little Love's Designs Blog As a shameless confession, I love browsing fellow crafters/Etsy sellers websites and blogs for inspiration, and Mandy's of Little Love's Designs is one of my favorites!

4. End of the Matter My friend Shiloh writes a delightfully amusing blog on their family, her crafting, and her cute little siblings!

5. Gabrielle's Atelier A friend of mine, met through a sewing forum, writes a lovely blog on her etsy shop, crafts, and beautiful photography.

Thomas

Look at this handsome little man, Thomas, I got to photograph this week! He loved his plastic cups, pacifier, and the camera!

Recent Sewing Projects

Yes, I have been sewing lately as well, and I'd like to introduce you to my most recent sewing projects - hippos!

It all started with a find of some great priced yellow minkee dot fabric and this cute fellow, named Happy the Hippo. His body and head are in yellow minkee dot fleece, his ears and snout are fleece, and his footpads are matching yellow satin. I love that big green ribbon and the irresistible smile! He's currently for sale in the Boutique.

His sister, Henrietta Hippo, second in the line of Hippos, has a pink minkee dot body, pink fleece snout and ears, and pink satin footpads. I love the cute embroidered touch on her footpads and that smart black and white bow! She too is currently for sale in the Boutique!

These are her twin sisters. I love the way they turned out! I made them as baby gifts for new twin baby girls at our church. They are miniature versions of Henrietta Hippo, measuring about an inch smaller all around. I added matching black and white polka dot bows with overlayed pink and purple ribbon so the mother can tell them apart. :)

This cute fellow is the second yellow hippo I made for another friend's baby shower. Because we didn't know the gender ahead of time, I made a layered pink and blue bow and I love how it turned out! As it turned out, I even got to photograph the sweet little girl I made this for - Perpetua!

Another friend at the baby shower saw the above hippo and commissioned me to make one for her baby, along with a blue teddy bear hat for the winter. I made sweet little Nathaniel's hippo with blue minkee dot, fleece, and satin with a coordinating bright yellow ribbon with blue and green polka dots.

Aren't they cute? 3 little hippos, all in a row...

Giraffes

We recently attended the baby shower of a friend who likes giraffes. We bought her giraffe diaper bag from her registry list and decided to add some smaller giraffe-themed baby gifts.

Mommy knitted a cotton bib as she does for all the babies at church. Only this one was made a little differently. She added a brown border, crocheted brown spots, and brown tail tips to the ends of the ties.

One of my sisters knitted her a giraffe. She made it as a variation off the knitted ponies she makes by elongating the neck and legs and adding spots and cute little horns at the top.

I decided to try a new hat idea I've had in mind for some time and I'm considering writing up the pattern to add to the Boutique. Anyone interested in a pdf pattern for a giraffe hat?

Perpetua Faith

Last week, I had the opportunity to do another newborn photo shoot, this time with beautiful, 1-week-old Perpetua Faith. What a beautiful name for a beautiful little girl! She looked just like one of those realistic-looking baby dolls when she slept, only the best part was that she was the real thing! :)

Apparently, she was suspicious and thought I needed some looking-over

Well, I guess I passed the test, and, with a huge yawn...

she went back to sleep.

Oops, look at that look of utter suspicion...

Doesn't she just look like a doll, only far sweeter?

You can see lots more pictures from this session in my Photobucket album for Perpetua Faith L!

Calling All Crocheters!

When I crochet, I rarely follow a pattern. The result is many of my original creations for newborn photo props and other kid's fashions for which I've decided to sell the PDF patterns in the Boutique.

And here's where I need your help: I need pattern testers! Is anyone here a beginner crocheter who would like to get a little more practice and get some free patterns in the bargain? All these patterns are written for beginners but will be fun for even experienced crocheters. Keep reading for the pattern descriptions and requirements!

Coffee Stripe Earflap Hat

You will need to have a basic knowledge of Half Double Crochets (hdc), Slip Stitch (sl st), and Single crochet (sc) to follow this pattern. Comes in size newborn-3 months only.

Frilly Flower Sunhat

You will need to have a basic knowledge of Half Double Crochets (hdc), Slip Stitch (sl st), and Single crochet (sc) to follow this pattern. Comes in sizes Newborn-3 months, 3-6 months, and 6-9 months with measurements through 18 months.

Ribbon Bow Newsboy Cap

You will need to have a basic knowledge of Half Double Crochets (hdc) and Slip Stitch (sl st) to follow this pattern. Comes in sizes Newborn-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, and 12-18 months.

Button Strap Newsboy Cap

You will need to have a basic knowledge of Half Double Crochets (hdc), Single Crochet (sc), and Slip Stitch (sl st) to follow this pattern. Comes in sizes Newborn-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, and 12-18 months. You will be doing a special stitch called crocheting around the post, but I explain that in the pattern.

Here is what I'll need from you:

-Contact me by leaving a comment on this post with your email address, or email me at: tinytiptoesboutiqueATgmailDOTcom.

-Let me know which pattern(s) you would like to try and what sizes you think you will be making. I will need to hear back from you with your thoughts within two weeks.

-What I need to know: Is the pattern written clearly and concisely? Is there a better way I could explain anything? Do I tell anything in a confusing way which would be hard for beginners? Are there any mistakes/confusions/typos? Does the pattern need more or less pictures or a different layout? And any other thoughts you have on the pattern will be appreciated!

-And when I hear from you, I'll email you the PDF copies of the pattern(s) of your choice and look forward to hearing your comments! I would also love to see pictures of your creations! If I get enough, I'll post a credit post with pictures of your creations once the patterns are all tested.

Baby Benjamin

On Tuesday, I had the exciting opportunity of doing my first photo shoot for the Boutique - and with a precious little 1 1/2 week-old little boy, Benjamin. He is one example of a life saved from abortion because his mother courageously stood up for what is right, and this handsome little man is the precious reward!

~Hmm...I need to keep an eye on you there...something's going on~

And We're Back!

 Hooray! We're back!

I'm back from a short hiatus due to a neighborhood-wide internet loss, and I have lots of exciting pictures and some mini tutorials I'll be sharing this next week. Thank you for your patience!

A New Camera

I have a confession to make.

Not only have I been blogging less lately because of the business of life, but also because my three-year-old canon point and shoot camera died a few months ago. I'd been using other family cameras in the meantime, but haven't liked any of them.

But, as an answer to prayer, my two Etsy shops have been busy these past few months and paid for my new camera.
 It's a Canon Eos Digital Rebel XS, recommended by a friend. The price for all the features I get are perfect and I'm enjoying photography with a dslr! Here are some random photos from the past few days since I've my camera has arrived. These are all completely un-edited - straight from the camera! :)

I have an obsession with photographing food and making it look mouthwatering-ly scrumptious! Pictures are of Summer Tomato Salad, Cheese Biscuits, and Watermelon, a few of our favorite summer dishes!

We had the opportunity to babysit sweet Rachel and her older sister and brother for a few hours last week. She was a little shy at first but soon warmed up and enjoyed her time. Rachel will be a big sister to twin sisters soon and I'm excited about the opportunity to photograph them!

The table loaded with sweet goodies at a recent baby shower

Brothers!