SEVEN

Every birthday since J turned 3, I've made him a t-shirt with his new age on it. We've had simple number shirts, a space shuttle shirt, a big dipper shirt, and a mars rover shirt. All of those were made with printable iron-ons paper. Printable iron-on paper requires an ink jet printer. I've never actually owned an ink jet printer, most copy centers won't print on it, so I am always hitting up friends to use their printers. This requires advanced planning, which is not really my thing.

This year, we really mixed things up (crazy!) with a DIY freezer paper stencil shirt. I might be the last girl on the internet to try out freezer paper stenciling. I'll spare you the tutorial, there must be hundreds out there. I used Dana's, because it very clear, and specific. It worked like a charm. The t-shirt is purchased, the paint is from the craft store, and I used the Ariel Rounded font for both the words and the numbers.

When I opened my "birthday" folder on the computer, I saw J3, J4, J5, J6, J7...Yikes. No L to be found (though in my defense she often gets a birthday dress). This stencil is so easy, I made her one too.

Linking up with more font inspired projects at Baste & Gather.

Tutus for Two

The best kind of present is one you don't have to share. A second tutu and wand for a cousin turning four. Made with scraps of the Ikea fabric, that I can't seem to get enough of, and tulle from Jack B. on Fabric Row. The wands are the Ikea fabric and wool felt.

Check out Small Fry today for some really lovely Pixie Bonnet pictures.

New Year Wishes

Wishing you a New Year filled with opportunities for cozy knitting. Enter WISH2013 at checkout and get 10% off all the knitting patterns in the shop. Sale ends at midnight, Friday, December 4th.

I made this little get up for my December birthday girl. 

What is on your 2013 to-do list?

Five

We have been celebrating 5 for so long, J is in danger of turning 6 before we're finished, and 7 before I post about it. If you were involved in any of our many celebrations, thank you. We're so blessed to have such awesome family and friends, willing to let us totally monopolize their weekends.

How about my mom's solar system cake? That little space shuttle kills me. She made a Yoda cake a few years ago, which may be the best she's ever decorated. This one is giving it a run for its money. The whole thing is exactly what J asked for. If I'd known we'd still be space crazy a year later, I would have held a few tricks back last year.

I made a  less than awesome birthday t-shirt (which seems to have become a tradition, L has already given the specs for her's) but haven't been motivated enough to photograph it. Maybe I'll add it later.

Family Party

One good space shuttle party deserves another. My mother worked her cake decorating magic to match the t-shirt I made a few weeks ago.
I reused the friend party cupcake toppers in my standard balloon centerpiece.
Now that we have thoroughly celebrated the milestone, we can get on with the business of being 4.

Four

J turned 4 last week. I tried hard to keep the celebration manageable. Just a few friends at the playground with snacks and cupcakes. Of course, it rained and we couldn't play, so I got some last minute bubbles and play dough. Had I remembered to bring my camera, I would show you the face painting and finished cupcakes, but...at least its the only thing I forgot. I guess a homemade t-shirt and cupcake toppers is only manageable compared to last year's last minute home made pinata.
I found the space shuttle image online, and added color in Photoshop, then printed it out on some fancy schmancy iron on paper from Michael's.

Two

More birthday sewing. My sweet little niece got a toy kitchen for her second birthday, and you certainly can't serve up pretend feasts with out an apron.

Fabric: Joann Quilter's Prints, my stash tends toward little boy cottons, and I didn't have time for shipping.

Pattern: My own.

Lots of ruffle.

And a pocket for culinary treasures.