Z. Daisy Blog

Promise Kept

A few months ago I made a pool bag for my oldest daughter.  After I made hers, my younger daughter decided she wanted one too, of course.  I promised I would make her one, but wasn't sure when time would permit.  She certainly didn't forget my promise and reminded every chance she got.  I started working on it a few months ago and finally finished it up today.  Phew!  The warm summer days and trips to the pool have certainly been good motivation.   Here's a list of her requests:

1) Lots of pink.  CHECK.
2) Cupcake.  CHECK.
3) Butterly.  (Reverse side.) CHECK.
4) Ruffles.  CHECK.

I took a very deep breathe after this little project was done.  No mother enjoys having an unkept promise hanging over head.  I love making things for her though because she is the best appreciator.  She is always so proud and goes on and on about how much she loves it.  That's always good motivation too. =) 

I do have a little cupcake applique pattern to post.  I'll try to do that in the next few days.  Who knows, maybe you have a little one who's requested a cupcake with a cherry on top too!  Oh to be 6 again and only dream of pink, cupcakes, butterflies and ruffles.  Very sweet.

Doodling

Do you ever start little projects without an end goal in mind?  I feel like I've been doing that a lot lately - just doing something on the whim without any big picture in mind.  (This is very unlike me!) Maybe eventually all the little pieces will come together to make something great.  We'll just have to see where all the mini inspirations lead.  This weekend I spent some time doodling - I am no artist, but it's fun to draw simple flowing things like flowers and branches.  If I had to add human life, it would definitely be a stick person. For some reason, I decided to hand embroider one of my doodles and this is what I ended up with.  There wasn't enough time to do the whole thing, so maybe I'll be adding to it later - depending on my whim that day. =) 

A lot of my motivation has been my oldest daughter, she's 8.  She has a strong interest in designing, sewing, and all things creative.  So maybe subconsciously I'm doing this for her to show her another outlet for the things she enjoys.  I'm constantly finding her in my sewing/laundry room going through my pile of scap fabrics putting little things together.  She'll lay it all out (without sewing it together) and then draw little pictures of her design in her sketchbook.  It's the cutest thing.  She's dying to use my sewing maching, but we're sticking to sewing by hand for now.  She'll thank me later, right. ;) Off to enjoy another beautiful summer day - wishing you lots of fun on your next creative whim.

Lorri

Decorating Fun...

Okay - some of you remember the awesome "Rock Star Banner" that Lorri made a few months ago...are you ready to see it's new home? She made it for my daughter's birthday and it was great on the Hannah Montana stage at the party but now it has a permanent home in Abby's room. After much deliberation...we have put up posters, banners and all of the things that a 7 year old girl loves!

The canvas next to it was painted by Abby's very talented grandfather. Her room is not big...but it is filled with beautiful hand-made things from people she loves. As for Will, my 4 (almost 5) year old son, he has a hand-painted Bears room that he loves. My husband went all out creating a great space for Will to have football dreams. We also received this wonderful print to canvas picture of Will for his room from http://quivercreations.com/. I had trouble photographing it well but it is really a great and not too pricey gift!

Email us and let us know your how you decorated your children's rooms! We love to see how creative people are when it comes to creating a wonderful space for their children.

Apron Swap

Anybody else out there still working on their apron for the Summer Fun Apron Swap?  I just finished mine yesterday and thought I'd share it will you all before I sent it off in the mail.  The mailing deadline is June 6th and I can't believe I actually have it done a few days early! 
These are two of the prints from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern Collection.  I just love her prints!  Anyway, I'm really hoping the recipient likes it!  It's really hard to make something for someone you've never even seen before - I guess that's what makes it so fun too.  I'll be sure to post pics of the one I receive next week.  Bye for now!
Lorri

Birthday Bonanza: Rock Star Banner

It's finally here - the "Rock Star" party banner tutorial!  Check it out under the "Free Stuff" link in the left column.  When following the tutorial, the banner has the letter appliques on one side and then is blank on the other making the banner completely reversible.  And if it's reversible that means there are more uses!  I made this for Brooke's daughter's birthday party and she plans to use it as room decor afterwards.  It would also be a great accent for store windows and displays.  Be creative and definitely share with us what you make!

P.S.  There's still time to sign-up for our Earth Day Giveaway!  See the post below and don't be shy!

Earth Day Giveaway - Reusable Party Favor Pails!

Happy Earth Day!  To celebrate we're giving away 3 sets of our Reusable Party Favor Pails from our April Birthday Bonanza!  Entering to win is easy - simply leave a comment on this post and you will automatically be entered to win.  All we need is your e-mail address and comment to count you in. The 3 lucky winners will be announced April 28th.  So go enter now, don't be shy!  You don't want to miss out on this great prize! 
P.S.  These make great crayon caddies too!

Sprucing up!

It's finally feeling like spring here in Chicagoland and I'm loving it!  I've been anxiously awaiting the chance to enjoy early mornings and late nights on our porch.  We live on a park and it can be busy during the day, but early in the morning and late at night it is very peaceful.  So, what's my big spruce up?  Every porch needs some comfy pillows and a warm blanket for ultimate enjoyment - so that was my little project this weekend.  Finally used some great Amy Butler fabric that's been sitting on my shelf for awhile and love how it all turned out.  I'm going to have to work on some good porch shots - maybe once all the flowers are planted.  For now, here's my sprucing for the porch - without the porch. =)

Birthday Bonanza: Reusable Party Favor Pails!

Are you searching for the perfect party favor?  Well, you've come to the right spot!  Here is a unique and fun idea for your next birthday party.  These are made from some galvanized pails we sell in our Ebay Store, but you could also find galvanized pails at your local craft and garden stores.  We've decoupaged these with some fun scrapbooking paper to coordinate with our upcoming "Hannah Montana Rock Star" party.  Of course we filled ours with everything sparkley for the girls, but the options are endless when it comes to filling these up.  Art supplies, crayons, bouncy balls, little cars, stickers, hair accessories, jewelry,  marbles, baseball cards, and candy are just a few ideas to get started.  The other great thing about these pails is that they're totally reusable!  They're great little storage containers and crayon caddies for the kids once the party dust settles.  You won't be finding these gems in the trash a few days after the party - so you can feel good about giving something fun that is also functional and friendly for the environment.  So put your creative mind to work and get going!  We can't wait to see how your party favor pails turn out!  If you're not up for making your own, stay tuned as some of these will be part of our big Birthday Bonanza Giveaway next week!

 

Birthday Bonanza: The Perfect Top!

Every birthday girl needs the perfect top, right?  My daughter will be 6 this month and we're working on some special birthday attire.  I snagged this pattern on Etsy  yesterday and made the top this afternoon.  It is a really simple pattern if you're looking for a quick party top.  I'm sure you all recognize Heather Bailey's Freshcut fabrics.  They're the perfect combo of sweetness for my sweet girl.
   

Birthday Bonanza - All Dolled Up Craft

The Birthday Bonanza is under way!  Up first is the "All Dolled Up" craft idea.  I just found these at Joann Fabrics last week and bought them for my girls.   As you can see in the picture, they were a huge hit!  At the store, they're located in the Summer Camps / Seasonal craft section and you get 8 wooden dolls, along with markers, glitter glue, and sparkles, for $7.99.  Not bad for a birthday craft!  I can't find them online, so be sure to get to your local store soon!  These would be great for a
Hannah Montana Party!