. . . and the crickets go chirp chirp chirp

WOW!
I really DO suck at this blogging thing :/ Its been Months since I last posted. Tsk tsk. . . why didnt anyone yell at me?!?!

The good news is that it means I have been BUSY. Which is AWESOME and crazy at the same time! I have been trying to keep caught up all while coming up with new and exciting things. As of late I have been pouring my heart and soul into Halloween costumes and working on things for my wonderfully amazing and talented friend Kristin with Kirra's boutique she makes the most adorable tutu sets! We have pooled our talents and come up with some really cute things for Halloween
Bumble bee bloomers
lady bug set
rrainbow brite/clown bloomers
ladybug bloomer set
obumble bee set

I've also been trying to come up with a winter line so far I have Pea coats, for boys and girls, bubble hem holiday dresses, and ruffle pant sets (not that these are new just making them for winter with heavier fabrics). The pea coats are BEYOND adorable!!! I want to make one for me!

A boy creation!


Gianna's Fancy new coat!! with satin lining!!
Loving the collar!
Yes she is THAT cute!
I am going to make more of an effort to post! I promise! Feel free to email me or stalk me on my fan page and yell at me to post! haha
happy crafting

Drum Roll Please. . . .

The winner of her very own Lovable Ruffle Fluff bloomers is. . . . Jen Nolan!!
Congrats lucky lady! I will be in contact soon so we can work out the details.

For the mommy

I found an awesome tutorial on making couture style ruffled onesies over at ...love Maegan and I fell in love! I had all the intentions of making Gianna one of these onesies, I went to the fabric store and found this perfect thin jersey knit with polka dots, got a pack of plain white onesies, and then. . . . I found the cutest tanks at Target and thought hmmmm. . . I could make the Mama something! It was a HIT! I first started off making the 'flowers/ruffles' all the way across the front of the tank, which while cute on the hanger, was not so flattering on. Then I though 'Hey! what if I just take some of them off and make it like a corsage' BRILLIANT!!! I can't believe how cute it turned out and how many compliments I have gotten on my simple (not so quick) embelishment.



I also have been busy making super CUTE things for customers and friends. I have completed another Ruffle Fluff romper which turned out KILLAH! Or as Carly said 'STUPID CUTE!' I do tend to amaze myself at times.


A recent project I have worked on was for a GREAT cause, The Blanket Fairy over on Facebook is an AMAZING woman who helps families and kids FIGHTING childhood cancer. The birth club that I am apart of adopted a family as a part of her Christmas in July project she put together. The family we adopted has twin girls which only one is fighting cancer, we wanted make sure they got something that they could play together so we are planning to buy them a kitchen and all the accessories that go with it! I made them matching REVERSIBLE aprons. I hope they love them.
Last but not least by any means is the little something I whipped up for Ms. Peeper. Nothing says summer like watermelon and RUFFLE!

oh BOY!

Do you have a little monster that you love? I do, Marcelo is my little man. He is amazing, smart, opinionated, and funny (like his mommy) and I always feel bad that I can never find very many projects to make for him. Although recently I found 3 amazingly cute and relatively easy projects just for my BOY!

bath time puppet monster

terry cloth bath/swimming hooded robe

shorts!

All 3 projects turned out great and they were all really easy . . . which is always a great plus! I can't wait to try the shorts on him tomorrow!
Happy Crafting

Are you ready?

For a giveaway?
I think it is time. I have done a give away on Facebook but I think its time for a blog-away!

What are you going to be winning? How does an adorable pair of Ruffle fluff bloomers in your choice of colors?
How do you enter? Easy! Leave me a comment telling me where your Lovable little one will wear her bloomers! How fun!
Just a reminder of how ADORABLE these bloomers are here are some of the newest ones I've created and are for sale at my Etsy shop

New items on Etsy

By popular demand I have started listing my Ruffle Fluff bloomers on my Etsy I will be making ready to ship items too for those who don't want to wait to get your hot little hands on these adorable ruffles! For now though I will be taking custom orders for them in sizes ranging from 0-3 up to 2T (I hope to be able to make them in NB and bigger sizes soon). I also want to make some cute little ones for the boys. . . without ruffles of course but still just as cute and once I master the hat pattern I would love to make diaper cover and hat sets! OMG how cute would that be??

I recently (before vacation) made the cutest twirl skirt EVER! I seriously cant believe how cute it turned out and I want to make one for myself!


Happy Crafting

Back , , , like a heart attack!

Vacations have a funny way of making you wish they would never end and wish you were at home in your nice cozy bed all at the same time! The hubs and I went on a trip to Minnesota to visit the family and go to my best friend's wedding. . . with out the kids! As much as we felt we earned and needed the break I couldn't help but feel immensely guilty about leaving my babies at home and relaxing, sleeping in, and doing what I want to do without being on the little people schedule. I had no idea that I would miss sewing so much! SERIOUSLY! I can't believe how addicted I am and how many times I thought to myself 'man I wish I had my sewing machine here' . . . does that make me pitiful? hahaha if so I'm ok with that.
I can't wait to start on some new projects and get some new items listed on Etsy . . . yes I know I have been slacking HORRIBLY. I am still looking for someone to design a website for me (that doesn't charge an arm and a leg) but until then I will stick with my Etsy and Facebook.

Pattern making

I made my second pattern of all time. . . my first one based on an idea with nothing to copy except a picture of something similar! I cannot believe that I pulled it off and it only took 2 tries.
Last night I started trying to come up with a romper that I could put ruffles on the butt and still look adorable! The first attempt . . . well let us just say . . . not good! I tried to use the pattern I had for a 'bubble romper' basically a pillowcase dress made into a romper, Very cute, but didn't make for a cute ruffle romper. After 3 attempts of sewing and ripping apart and re-sewing, I decided to call it a night and go to bed, as soon as I got into bed the proverbial light bulb turned on! I had to get back up to draw a picture of my idea or I probably would have forgotten by the morning! When I woke up this morning I could not WAIT for nap time! As soon as it came I got busy!
I would like to share with you the final result.

pleated neck

cris-cross back and ruffles

My little beauty

A well deserved break.

I decided to take the weekend 'off' and relax and enjoy a BBQ with some great friends. Now I am finding it hard to get back into the saddle. I am going to blame the weather. Its gloomy and dreary out and I just feel like laying on the couch watching Law and Order. . . or something equally as awesome. I have however been busy snapping pictures of things for my Facebook page and Etsy shop in hopes of getting some of my 'inventory' sold since the husband keeps complaining about how 'messy' my sewing room is. Although I have tried to explain to him it is NOT messy because I know EXACTLY where everything is and it is part of my creative process! He unfortunately doesn't seem to understand. Eh. . . what can you do? I have almost finished the large order of bloomers and swing tops and hope top be able to ship it out by the end of the week! I am so excited about all of these items. I cannot wait to see pictures of the ADORABLE little girl wearing them!
Happy crafting

Sew sew sew your boat. . .

Oops I mean bloomers! I have been working a big bloomer project for a customer, every pair of bloomers I make is cuter than the last ones! I really don't think I could pick a favorite! I was up until 3:30 Am this morning working away, while rocking out to the Madonna station on Pandora Radio. So far this is what I have made.

Turquoise with black and white giraffe ruffles

Black bloomers with purple and cow print ruffles

As promised I am posting pictures of the 'Brandi special' bloomers for Ms. Brooklyn! I love these fancy pants and am planning on making her a matching swing top! She will be ready to celebrate the 4th in style.

The adorable bow I made to match

back side

Front side

I am trying to come up with a cute name for my bloomers. . . I like Fancy pants or maybe frilly tushy. Eh maybe not so much on the last one. . . but I love the word TUSHY. . . its so cute! hmmm. . . Cute Tushy?

I went and got my serger on Tuesday, yes, it is still in the box.
1. because I am so busy right now I don't have time to play with it and
2. because I am a little intimidated by it.
I would really love to be able to use it on my current projects but I also don't want to get myself overwhelmed with trying to figure out the setting and threading. So it will stay nice and cozy in its box, but the most important thing is . . . it's home!

My baby is home.

Happy Crafting

Thinking about a give-away

Tell me what you would like to win from Moi. . .

More wishes. . .

I have some more lovely things to add to my forever growing wish list.
I want a bias tape machine and a Cricut.
I know some of you may say. . . a Cricut!?! but why?
because it would be PERFECT for making appliques! I would love to be able to applique names and initials onto things without it taking me 3 years to cut them out! (yes that's me being overly dramatic again) plus cute lil cupcakes or ice cream cones (not that they require a lot of effort to cut out but it would be easier!)

As for the bias tape maker. . .I have never really worked with bias tape in the past but with my recent project (swing tops with ruffles on the bottom) I would love to be able to line the edges . . . for example a hot pink swing top with a zebra print ruffle would look killer with zebra lined around the neck and sleeves!

In adding to my 'wish list' I would like to be able to take something off of it . . . say a SERGER!!! Yes that is right! My wonderful amazing mommy has offered to buy me a serger! As I have said in the past . . . I know really nothing about sergers except for the fact that I WANT ONE . . .and it would make sewing easier. I have found a Juno by Janome at Hancock fabrics on sale for $199! (hopefully it is still on sale) I have looked up reviews on it and it seems to be highly rated! WOO HOO for me!
Happy Crafting

What NOT to do. . .

I recently realized that as much as I love hot glue. . . it is not always the best adhesive for every project. Back in March I was getting ready for a craft show and, as my luck would have it, My sewing machine started acting like a punk 4 days before the show. Which, thankfully, I had all my main sewing done I just needed to finish making pacifier clips. Being the brilliant resourceful woman that I am, thought, 'what else can I use?' AH-Ha! Hot glue! At the time it was the perfect solution. Looking back I now realize. . . maybe not so good. I made one for Gianna, since she loves to chuck her chupy to the opposite side of her car seat, where you can reach. If you know anything about Bakersfield, you know its HOT HOT HOT! Combine hot car with hot glue. You get the idea. I Although the situation could have been worse . . . I could have actually sold them to people and then they'd have a mini hot glue mess AND a broken pacifier clip. Thankfully no one bought any of them. Let this be a lesson to us all. . . hot glue, while amazing and VERY versatile. . . is not always your friend.

and the beat goes on. . .

Last night, at mid-night, I finished the last surprise pair of bloomers! I can hardly contain my excitement, they turned out SO much more awesome than I had visioned. I really don't know how I am going to wait the 3 or so days it takes for USPS to deliver them so I can share the pictures with you all. ARGH!

I also finished making Marcelo's vest! It is adorable. I used this super easy pattern from Burdastyle I made it reversible and instead of buttons (I am still terrified of doing buttons and button holes on my machine) I used snaps, which I immediately regretted since my snap pliers apparently hate me! I tried to get pictures of Marcelo wearing the vest but he wouldn't cooperate and kept wanting to take the vest off. I bet it they were bloomers he'd fight me to take them off! I am sure there will be plenty of opportunities since he will be wearing for Mother's day. Speaking of which I still need to finish GG's dress.



Yesterday I went to the fabric store and got a bunch of really cute material so that I can make up some dresses, skirts, bloomers and swing tops to list on my Etsy site. I hope they will be popular over there and I can 'reinvest' my profits. Especially since I have decided that I want a Cricut. Why? Because I want to be able to make appliques! Plus you can use it for all kinds of fun things like, scrap booking, card making, wall vinyls, glass etching and more! Wow! I have been watching the infomercial WAY too much!
Happy Crafting

In Da Hood. . .

I am going to be attempting to make another pattern soon. This time for a Hooded bath/beach robe. Marcelo got a hooded ducky robe from my nephew and it is the CUTEST thing EVER!! It got passed down to Gianna, along with most of the unisex items that we have. I love this little robe so much and both times my kids have grown out of it I get a little sad. This is the only robe I have found like this and even Google cant seem to find any like it. . . so what do you do when you can't find what you want? You MAKE it! With the help of my Mother in law of course!

Gianna

Marcelo

Today I started and finished the cart/high chair cover. It is adorable! I found some multicolored polka dot minky. . . I am obsessed with dots right now! As soon as I get a chance I will take pictures of it in action.

Just an update! I have officially decided on what the 3rd pair of bloomers will be and I am SO excited to get started!
On an unrelated note I found a pattern for a toddler boys vest! It looks SO easy. 3 pattern pieces. . . seriously!
Ok now I am rambling. . . Happy crafting xoxo

Getting closer

Attempt #2 at hat making . . . argh! Today's hat turned out 50x better than the last one but it was still pretty pathetic. Although if you don't look too closely it's not that bad hahaha. I just cannot seem to figure out how to attach the top of the hat! Who knew it would be so difficult.

Gianna wanted in on the action

hamming it up

It's dance-y dance time!

I also finished another pair or bloomers for Ms. Brooklyn, which my lovely assistant was more than happy to model for me. I know I am so mean, but he loves it! Say what you will about what I could be doing to his 'manhood' but real men wear ruffles and zebra print haha!

I have one more pair to make but I cant make up my mind what I want to do! Plus I need to go get some more elastic! Those little packages are SO deceiving they look like they have a ton in there but really it like a yard. Grr. . .not that I am complaining about a trip to the fabric store. Since the last pair will be a surprise I am not going to post pictures until she get the package. I have so many idea for what I want to do it is killing me!

I plan to start on a cart/highchair cover this week for Gianna. I have had the pattern since M was little but I was so intimidated by patterns at the time I never even took it out of the package to read the instructions. I plan on making one side minky and the other flannel or fleece. The pattern looks SUPER easy and fast to make. If it is as easy to make as it looks I will be adding some to my Etsy page for sale!

RRRRRRRRuffles!

Saturday I got my fancy new ruffler foot. I am so excited to put this bad mam-a-jamma to work. I played with it a little bit last night and it was pretty awesome but a little bit intimidating. There are so many variables that you can adjust to make the ruffles or pleats bigger or smaller or deeper or fuller! It is crazy but SO FUN! It is going to make sewing ruffles to much easier and faster. I ordered it on ebay for $16 (plus $2 for S&H) and I really cant believe how fast it got here. My only (semi) complaint is that it only ruffles the edge of a fabric. . . say I want to put a ruffled stitch down the middle of a strip of fabric. . . Nope can't do it because there is a little metal guide thing-y blocking the fabric from going in any deeper than just that much. Bummer. . . but that's ok it won't stop me from using it and putting unnecessary ruffles on everything.

This weekend I also made myself a pillowcase dress, which turned out pretty darn cute! I do think that it needs a lining under it though since the fabric I found (an adorable polka dot pattern) is kind of thin and see through. Now I just need to do Gianna's. Once I get them both done I will make Julio take pictures of our super cute matchy-ness (not a real word but it works). I still need to figure something out to make for Marcelo for Mother's day. I want to make a vest or something for him but I am scared of buttons and button holes . . . eek! I found a pattern for a hat but I don't know how to get it to go together properly so I am still working on that in between projects.

I really wish I could create and craft full time. I LOVE making things for people (plus the fabric store is my nirvana). There is something about making things with your hands that just fills me up inside. I don't know if I could describe it but its magical. It is always different and exciting and interesting. If ever you get bored with what you are working on you put it down and pick up something else. That simple. I love it. xoxo

Happy crafting!

SUCCESS!

Today was a great day for 2 reasons.

1. I found zebra print fabric! Not only in cotton but SATIN as well!!!
2. I successfully made my first pattern! YES, I, Brandi Gonzalez, Made a workable, wearable, pattern.
For what you might ask? For the CUTEST open back swing top/smock EVER. Do you get the sense that I am REALLY proud of myself? If not, well, I am!

A little back story. I was introduced to this website by a friend, http://www.rufflebutts.com/ , which has the cutest bloomers and swing tops. Which incidentally my mom used to dress me in little swing tops and bloomers almost exactly like the ones on their site. So of course Gianna HAS to have some! After scoping out the site and realizing I just can't afford to pay 30 bucks for a infant top that she is going to grow out of in 3 months, I set out to find a pattern for them. I searched high and low, Google-d until I could Google no more, alas I could not find a pattern that would produce a type of top I was looking for. Then it hit me! Why don't I email them and see if they sell the pattern? NEGATIVE! Back to the drawing board. . . I started thinking about how hard could it possibly be to make this top? What if I order one from the clearance rack and make my own pattern template from it? BINGO! I ordered one for 10 bucks in a size 3T . . . all they had left but no matter I just needed it for tracing. 20 minutes, 6 pieces of paper, and 8 pieces of tape later. . . I had a pattern. I put the kids down for nap and got busy! Now to share with you the final result. Drum roll please. . . . . . . . . . .

My lovely assistant

The ensemble

Bloomers

Back

Front

side ruffles

So So SO SOOOOo cute! I can't wait until next week when we are getting the family pictures done! Gianna is going to have so many cute things to change into.

Now I just need to figure out how to 'size' my pattern and how to get it put on adobe so I can share it will all of you! If any of you know how to work that kind of stuff PLEASE HELP!

A kid in the candy store. . .

Any day that results in a trip the the fabric store is a good day. Add to that marking off some items on my wish list = A FANTASTIC day! Today I made a trip to Joann's with my 3 coupons, one for 50% and two for 40% off. I headed straight for the scissor aisle to pick out a new pair of pinking shears, but instead found a rotary cutter and a pinking shear attachment. I also found a clear ruler (I think that its for quilting) which will be perfect for cutting straight edges and a 2 pack of fabric markers! WOO HOO for coupons! What I didn't find at Joann's was zebra print fabric. I asked the sales clerk (who is HILARIOUS and I love going to Joann's when he's working) who said 'I just don't understand why that crap is so popular! It comes in and its sold out a few days after!' haha Then he also reminded me its prom time and a lot of the kids/parents make their own dresses and accessories! Grr. . . Damn prom kids!

Today I got to see my friend's daughter in the pillowcase dress I made for her! I tried to get a few pictures but she was a non-willing participant! She looked ABSOLUTELY adorable! I have an order of ruffle bloomers I am going to be working on this weekend and I can hardly wait to get them done and post pictures of them! I wish I could hand deliver them to Ms. Brooklyn so I could take some pictures of her cute lil tushy in them, but her mom has promised to get some super cute ones for me. Until then Happy crafting.

Me want COOKIES!

I have been craving cookies the last week, maybe not so much the eating off the cookies but the smell and the act of baking the cookies. Tonight after we put the kiddos to bed i got busy baking. Much to my dismay I realized we were out of chocolate chips. ARGH! Good thing I had a gigantic Hershey's bar that I chopped up into chucks AND a bag of Reese's peanut butter chips! I don't know about you but I think that may be better than plain old chocolate chip cookies any day! (Nothing against the originals) As I am typing this the first batch has finished and can I be the first to say YUMMMMM! I am so impressed with myself I think I will share my scrum-diddly-umptious recipe with all of you!

1-1/4 cup granulated sugar
1-1/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup butter (or margarine *gag*) softened
1/2 cup shortening
1 tbsp vanilla
2 eggs
4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1 tbs salt
2 cups chocolate chips (or one 12 oz bag)
2 cups peanut butter chips (or one 12 ox bag)

heat oven to 350. Beat sugars, butter, shortening, vanilla, and eggs in a large bowl with a spoon. Stir in flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir in chips.
Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto an un-greased cookie sheet.
Bake 12-15 minutes or until light brown. cool slightly remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.

Why bake when you have cookie dough?

ready for the oven

The LONGEST 13 minutes EVER!

Finished product!

I promise, this recipe will NOT disappoint!