~~~SEWING my way to POFQ ~ American Girl outfits & Custom Park Bags! ~~~

[aboveH20]

We bought our house in VB before the market skyrocket and we too refinanced to a 15 year loan! I think we have 6 more years on it -- possibly 7. But our house in NK we bought at the height of the market. We paid $510 for it and put at least $30K into it as we finished the basement and did some landscaping (which the tenants haven't maintained well). The realtor has it listed for $429 now but we need to sell it and will be happy to just be able to pay off our mortgage there. When all is said and done I figure we'll have lost at least $150K. My kids may now never go to college.

Ouch.

Would you like the name of my son's Navy recruiter?

I got an rsvp from the final mom today at 1:32pm. Party started at 4pm! DH took the call and said go make another shirt. I just pulled it out of the dryer 5 mins ago and ironed it so now ds has one on to match all the other kids -- they all put them on immediately so apparently liked them.

Hooray that they all liked them.

What are diamonds?

Cue the music . . . "Diamonds are the Yankees best friend."

My dh got helicopter dropped onto a ship once -- you know, dangling from a rope. It was a memorable experience, but a stone, not a diamond.

Note to your kids and D~'s daughter: They say Navy sailors have the best stories to tell in bars years later.

I'm battling a migraine. . . it's been a day. . . I feel like such a negative nelly lately

I was hoping to be able to cut out all the rest of my BG stuff tonight ... instead I'll be eating dinner and trying to go to bed to get rid of this lovely migraine.

No fun!

First - This bag took me about an hour longer than I expected it would - so I am posting and then running out the door for the day... ACK!!!

I know... I've been very cryptic about this bag. I've always wanted to do something Test Track themed - and well - I thought it would make the perfect messenger for our Epcot park days.

Front:

D~

It looks magnificerous! Once again, the fabrics, the zippers, the pockets, and of course the one of a kind D~ applique.

<------ D~ on a practice run to the airport

 

[miprender]

First - This bag took me about an hour longer than I expected it would - so I am posting and then running out the door for the day... ACK!!!

I know... I've been very cryptic about this bag. I've always wanted to do something Test Track themed - and well - I thought it would make the perfect messenger for our Epcot park days.

Front:

Side:

D~

OMG L♥ve it! I'm sad that TT will be closed when we go in the summer.

I got an rsvp from the final mom today at 1:32pm. Party started at 4pm! DH took the call and said go make another shirt. I just pulled it out of the dryer 5 mins ago and ironed it so now ds has one on to match all the other kids -- they all put them on immediately so apparently liked them.

Thank goodness you were able to make another one but that is just annoying.

I'm battling a migraine. . . it's been a day. . . I feel like such a negative nelly lately

.

Hope you feel better.

 

[WDWCP96]

I know I say this with every bag you create but I love it. Your creativity amazes me as well as your sewing abilities. I was so proud of myself for learning how to do a zipper last week and then my machine decided to die on me

 

[DMGeurts]

I posted this 2 hours ago - but it didn't post because I was over my photo limit, so I had to go back and take out all the smilies... Sorry.

I probably could of read through 110 pages of the thread, but too excited at your adorable AG outfits so I thought I would just ask here! I am checking on the price of the Jasmine outfit! It is so cute & would be perfect for my little girl!!

Thanks so much!

Welcome! I am glad you like my AG outfits (I confess I haven't made any in months...). I hope you'll continue to follow along in my PTR.

I KNOW that applique! Love it!

Nini

Thanks Nini... Not sure that I love it... Every time I look at it, it seems off, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

I carried the bag yesterday, and I think I would like to put stiffer stabilizer on one part of it the next time I make it...

wow D~ your creativity is just amazing


just had a thought, you are going to have a carry on filled with all your bags you are making for the parks you are going to be getting lots of business after you get back from everyone seeing them in the parks! better bring lots of business cards

Thanks Lisa!

ROFL... I was thinking yesterday, how in the world am I going to get all these bags to Disney. So far, none of them are the same size - so I could use the Russian nesting doll theory... First the Toy Story Carry-on, then the Test Track bag, then the Donald UPB... I can just see airport security trying to go through my bags...

Absolutely Fabulous. Just simply adore this bag. LOVE LOVE LOVE

Thanks Chiara... I figured you might like this one. When I first saw the fabric, I thought of little J - and I just envisioned a cute little boy outfit made with this.

How adorable! I love it! Thanks for letting me see the back!

Thanks... And you're welcome... I will make sure to always take pics of the back for you Liddy.

The bag is just great! You will definatly will need those buisness cards when you where it to Epcot.

Thanks Corrine! I should have had some business cards with me yesterday... Oh well.

[

I just had to tell you Lidian that I have had a rough night, followed by a rough day. (The baby has a double ear infection) But just that one simple comment you made, well it just cracked me up. (but than it might just be the lack of sleep.)

Sorry about the little guy's ear infection... That is something my girls have never had (either of them), but I am told that I had them constantly when I was little. I hope he is feeling better soon.

Great bag. I love coming to your PTR because it inspires me (but since I am not talented in the sewing dept...I feel the need to just shop. hahaha)

ROFL... Thanks Deb! If it makes you feel any better, your TR leaves me with this insane urge to go to WDW... I think you make out better in the long run.

Seriously, though, I do get inspired, and I will now go put together the shelf that I bought for the bottom of the hall closet and move the hanging bar up six inches using dry wall anchors and all.

I am handy, just not with a sewing machine. (My mom tried to teach me...she's amazing.)

Oooh - see you are crafty... I just look at stuff online, then I drag DH to the computer and beg him to make it for me.

Just saw this and thought it might be cute for an AK bag...it is on the tiles in Jambo House at AKL...

Here's a zebra so you can wear comfortable shoes...

I totally love these - and I just might have to use them for my AK bag (if I make it)... I love the zebra one!!! He's so cute! Thanks so much for sharing and inspiring!

We bought our house in VB before the market skyrocket and we too refinanced to a 15 year loan! I think we have 6 more years on it -- possibly 7. But our house in NK we bought at the height of the market. We paid $510 for it and put at least $30K into it as we finished the basement and did some landscaping (which the tenants haven't maintained well). The realtor has it listed for $429 now but we need to sell it and will be happy to just be able to pay off our mortgage there. When all is said and done I figure we'll have lost at least $150K. My kids may now never go to college.

I know how you feel, we purchased our house in the height of the market... We will live here until we die.

I got an rsvp from the final mom today at 1:32pm. Party started at 4pm! DH took the call and said go make another shirt. I just pulled it out of the dryer 5 mins ago and ironed it so now ds has one on to match all the other kids -- they all put them on immediately so apparently liked them.

Glad they liked the shirts - so sad that it took the mom so long to respond (the first word that popped into my head was "inconsiderate"). I would love to see pictures of this party - it sounds so adorable. I found the sweetest camping fabric at my local boutique fabric store last summer - I wanted it sooo bad, but I had no idea what to make with it... I will see if I can find a pic... http://www.needlecraftinc.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/gallery.cgi?Category=1627&View=All&v=1

What are diamonds?

I had a dream about them the other night... Specifically the diamond in my engagement ring...

Fabulous! I love seeing all the pockets. I like the interior fabric too. Just adorable.


That is cute! That would make a great applique! Get sewing D!

Thanks! Don'tcha think I work hard enough????

LOVE LOVE the Test Track bag!!!! It's even better than I'd imagined!!!!

Thanks!!! I thought of you and your boys too when I was making this - this fabric would make adorable outfits!

Really like those Lion King ideas for an AK bag too!

I was thinking the same thing!

I'm battling a migraine. . . it's been a day. . . I feel like such a negative nelly lately

I am so sorry -I hope it's gone by now... You are NOT a negative nelly.

I was hoping to be able to cut out all the rest of my BG stuff tonight ... instead I'll be eating dinner and trying to go to bed to get rid of this lovely migraine.

YOu can work on your BG stuff later - take care of yourself first.

Love the bag! It is awesome!

Thanks!

Love the Test Track bag!

Thanks Karen!!

Ouch.

Would you like the name of my son's Navy recruiter?

You've been saying that a lot lately... Are you getting kickbacks???

Note to your kids and D~'s daughter: They say Navy sailors have the best stories to tell in bars years later.

Great...

It looks magnificerous! Once again, the fabrics, the zippers, the pockets, and of course the one of a kind D~ applique.

<------ D~ on a practice run to the airport

Thanks Cheryl! I've been practicing that drive for months... Not much longer and I will start spending the night.

OMG L♥ve it! I'm sad that TT will be closed when we go in the summer.

Thanks Michelle! Oh no... That is really horrible! I know we have some awful closures too... Like BTMRR (so sad, it's only ever been open once while we were there).

I know I say this with every bag you create but I love it. Your creativity amazes me as well as your sewing abilities. I was so proud of myself for learning how to do a zipper last week and then my machine decided to die on me

Thanks!!! ACK!!! So sorry about your machine! Is it repairable? That's awesome about learning how to do zippers - they are much easier than I thought they would be.

Well, as you can all see, I finished my TT bag yesterday. Then I went shopping. I went to Kohls to look for the t-shirts that Marianne did our Pixie Dust with, and they were out of the colors in the sized that I need (and they didn't have red at all). I did find the girls a couple of shirts to applique in the jr. section though - not super thick material, but I compared it to the ones Marianne used, and they are very similar - so I think they will work. I also found 2 (maybe 3, can't remember) denim skirts for myself, so that should take care of my customs, as long as they don't resemble a belt on me. I was also looking for sunglasses - but I just can't pay $20+ for a pair, yet (I don't want to bring my expensive ones to Disney). I spent $50 total at Kohls, and got the girls 3 tshirts, myself a swim tankini top (that I am afraid to try on) and 2 or 3 denim skirts. I think I did OK.

Then, we went to JoAnn's... I got the fabric I needed for V's Goofy Icecream dress, and a few notions... I was looking specifically for orange fabric with white dots - I am afraid that's gone the way of the blue with white dot fabric. They still had the brown, red and pink... Such a shame.

After that, we went to Mill End Textiles - which is basically fabric seconds. I've seen the blue dot there before, so I was hoping to find the orange... No luck. I think I might have barely enough in my stash to do what I need, but that's it. They had a teeny tiny bit of the blue - which I purchased, but it was about a half yard - so not much at all. Also got some good prices on ric rac and some ribbon.

I am really excited to start on V's Goofy items - I really love working with him as inspiration, because there is just so much you can do.

I would love to make a Mickey dress for Allison - but I don't think she would wear it. Maybe I will ask her????

D~

 

[sjs314]

That Test Track bag is amazing, I wish I had your talent for sewing.

 

[DMGeurts]

Since Liddy did a photo in her PTR about Mickey being a bit frisky - I thought I would copy her (yes, I did say that) and do my own...

First, a reminder... Here is our calendar for our 2008 trip... This occured on our DHS day...

I am pretty sure that I vaguely touched on this story in the telling of our 2008 trip, but I am too lazy to go back and read it all - so I will just bore all of you with it again.

When we took this trip - I was a smart girl! Since my camera takes Lith-ion batteries, I didn't only bring one spare, but I brought 2! (See... I am smart). On the exact opposite realm of smartness - I only brought one charger... See the problem, one charger? Three batteries???

Yah - so right as we are riding through The Great Movie ride, my last battery dies. D~ was so upset!

So, at this point in time - I decided that we would take full advantage of our Photopass CD - because D~ was gonna get pictures!

Josh and Allison took off to ride ToT and RnR - V and I went in search of characters... We found a few - but the best was Scorcer Mickey...

There was no line - we had Mickey all to ourselves.

So, like the good park tourists we are, we got in the (non-existant) line and waited our turn.

I kindly asked the Photopass photographer to take lot of pictures, see - my camera just died.

So, we are standing there - and I hear V giggling... Just as I was about to turn my head to tell her to smile...

And then I am thinking to myself... "OK, Mickey is tickling my daughter... Is this OK?"

While Mickey is chasing her around the room... I am telling the photographer to snap away - don't want to miss this, ya know?

Mickey tickled her all the way to the floor (no photos of her on the floor.. )

When he was all done, Mickey gave her a hug and sent her on her way... By then, there was a line...

So, Scorcer Mickey is probably our favorite character - he was so playful!

D~

 

[cogero]

Thanks for the link to the Are we there yet fabric and I am going to look for the Test track bag fabric those will make cute shorts.

 

[DMGeurts]

That Test Track bag is amazing, I wish I had your talent for sewing.

Thanks so much! Lots of practice... LOL

Thanks for the link to the Are we there yet fabric and I am going to look for the Test track bag fabric those will make cute shorts.

Chiara here's the link for the Test Track fabric the name is "Going Places" by South Seas imports... http://www.etsy.com/listing/8683497...=US&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_facet=supplies

D~

 

[mommy2mrb]

can just see the TSA agent pulling one bag out of another, out of another, out of another....with this look


what great photos of Mickey and V...love when the characters play!
hmm, D~ needs a tickle session with Donald

Megan had a similar experience with Duffy in April...no lines, so her danced with her

looks like you had a great weekend of deals and shopping...hope you can find some orange and blue dot material! can't wait to see what you make!

how about a "hidden mickey" dress for Allison?

 

[sjs314]

I guess Mickey is a touchy feely type of guy

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

Oh I miss Mickey! I wish I was planning another trip right now!

Love the photo's!

 

[mphalens]

Hey - even if you did a nesting bag set up for the plane, it'd still be considered your personal item, so you could still have a larger bag for carry-on Just pack your purse items in the Donald UPB

I think you should do a Meghan peasant for A . . . black top, red skirt (maybe make it more of a half circle instead of the straighter meghan skirt?), maybe the two white ovals like I did on her shirt? or a white ribbon or something as a sash? Or if she'd do Minnie make it with the red & white Minnie dot with the dots that are almost "quarter" size that they sell at Jo-Anns ??? She could totally rock that look

I did not cut anything out this afternoon - but we did get Phalen & his friend, Catie, to take their birthday cake pictures . . . I'll share the two finalists with y'all We're ordering a sheet cake from BJs where they put a picture on it - hence the need for a pic of the two of them ... They're having a joint party at the gym in the bounce/inflatable room

 

[DMGeurts]

can just see the TSA agent pulling one bag out of another, out of another, out of another....with this look

ROFL - I know - right??? Not sure I could pull it off. I know that I am putting my Donald UPB inside my carry on - not sure if it will go into my backpack full of clothes or if it will go in my TS bag...

what great photos of Mickey and V...love when the characters play!
hmm, D~ needs a tickle session with Donald

ROFLMAO!!!! Yes, I just spit my coffee all over my computer monitor... But you are sooo right Lisa.

Megan had a similar experience with Duffy in April...no lines, so her danced with her

Awww....

looks like you had a great weekend of deals and shopping...hope you can find some orange and blue dot material! can't wait to see what you make!

how about a "hidden mickey" dress for Allison?

I do have just enough orange dot fabric to do what I was thinking for one of V's outfits - barely.

I was thinking about a hidden Mickey dress for Allison - I need to find the right pattern though, and time. LOL

I guess Mickey is a touchy feely type of guy

Yah - I was a bit weirded out there, and then I just wanted pictures... I guess, if Mickey does it, it's OK???

Oh I miss Mickey! I wish I was planning another trip right now!

Love the photo's!

I know, I wish you were planning another trip too... I know, for a fact, even though I say it - I won't get to go back to WDW after this, for quite some time... It's looking like 2014 for my BFF, her dd and my girls. We've been planning a sweet 16 trip for a few years...

Hey - even if you did a nesting bag set up for the plane, it'd still be considered your personal item, so you could still have a larger bag for carry-on Just pack your purse items in the Donald UPB

This is exactly what I was thinking.

I think you should do a Meghan peasant for A . . . black top, red skirt (maybe make it more of a half circle instead of the straighter meghan skirt?), maybe the two white ovals like I did on her shirt? or a white ribbon or something as a sash? Or if she'd do Minnie make it with the red & white Minnie dot with the dots that are almost "quarter" size that they sell at Jo-Anns ??? She could totally rock that look

I will have to go look up the Meghan peasant... I can't remember what it looks like. But yes, I was thinking some sort of skirt with the white/yellow ovals... GMTA! And I do have some of the red dot fabric laying around.

I did not cut anything out this afternoon - but we did get Phalen & his friend, Catie, to take their birthday cake pictures . . . I'll share the two finalists with y'all We're ordering a sheet cake from BJs where they put a picture on it - hence the need for a pic of the two of them ... They're having a joint party at the gym in the bounce/inflatable room

Love these pictures! I would have such a hard time deciding... They are so cute! And I just love Pha with his hats.

Soooo, I resized the Goofy dress pattern yesterday... And I made most of the Goofy dress - it's turning out adorable. Victoria tried it on and it just fits. It was a bit irritating around the collar - so I had to upsize it again and now I need to remake it. It should go really fast, because I spent hours up sizing it yesterday, plus I was almost able to complete it, so the next part should be a breeze. I just hope I have enough of the black dot fabric left. I am going to cut out that pattern piece today before work, so I can obsess over it all day.

I've also determined that the Icecream dress would make the perfect Donald dress... but not for me.

Next on my list, after I finish the Goofy dress for V, is a Goofy skirt for V. Then I need to start appliqueing some T-shirts.

We have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us...

Josh goes in to the hospital for surgery on his neck on Friday. He is supposed to be staying for 1-2 nights... We have been fortunate, and this is a first for us. I have serious issues with me being "put under" - not sure how well I will do with him?

The following Tuesday, our new furniture is being delivered. So, I need to go around our crappy sectional and hand sew all the popped seams - I will probably do one cushion per day, as there are a lot of popped seams. If I don't sew all these seams, the furniture store won't take our old furniture with them, and with Josh just having surgery - there is no way we can haul it anywhere on our own (he will be on light duty for 10 weeks after he goes back to work) - we just don't have the room to store it here. So, I am praying they can take it.

I am off of work a few days next week to care for Josh - he should be able to function by about Wednesday though, so I didn't take the whole week off.

So, after I get these few items sewn, I might have to put my sewing for the trip on a back burner until our house goes back to normal.

Oh, but trip packing news ahead...​

The girls have managed to find all the pieces to their swimsuits (which is sometimes impossible after winter)... So that's one less thing to worry about. Whoot!

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

ROFL - I know - right??? Not sure I could pull it off. I know that I am putting my Donald UPB inside my carry on - not sure if it will go into my backpack full of clothes or if it will go in my TS bag...




ROFLMAO!!!! Yes, I just spit my coffee all over my computer monitor... But you are sooo right Lisa.



Awww....



I do have just enough orange dot fabric to do what I was thinking for one of V's outfits - barely.

I was thinking about a hidden Mickey dress for Allison - I need to find the right pattern though, and time. LOL



Yah - I was a bit weirded out there, and then I just wanted pictures... I guess, if Mickey does it, it's OK???



I know, I wish you were planning another trip too... I know, for a fact, even though I say it - I won't get to go back to WDW after this, for quite some time... It's looking like 2014 for my BFF, her dd and my girls. We've been planning a sweet 16 trip for a few years...



This is exactly what I was thinking.




I will have to go look up the Meghan peasant... I can't remember what it looks like. But yes, I was thinking some sort of skirt with the white/yellow ovals... GMTA! And I do have some of the red dot fabric laying around.




Love these pictures! I would have such a hard time deciding... They are so cute! And I just love Pha with his hats.

Soooo, I resized the Goofy dress pattern yesterday... And I made most of the Goofy dress - it's turning out adorable. Victoria tried it on and it just fits. It was a bit irritating around the collar - so I had to upsize it again and now I need to remake it. It should go really fast, because I spent hours up sizing it yesterday, plus I was almost able to complete it, so the next part should be a breeze. I just hope I have enough of the black dot fabric left. I am going to cut out that pattern piece today before work, so I can obsess over it all day.

I've also determined that the Icecream dress would make the perfect Donald dress... but not for me.

Next on my list, after I finish the Goofy dress for V, is a Goofy skirt for V. Then I need to start appliqueing some T-shirts.

We have a busy couple of weeks ahead of us...

Josh goes in to the hospital for surgery on his neck on Friday. He is supposed to be staying for 1-2 nights... We have been fortunate, and this is a first for us. I have serious issues with me being "put under" - not sure how well I will do with him?

The following Tuesday, our new furniture is being delivered. So, I need to go around our crappy sectional and hand sew all the popped seams - I will probably do one cushion per day, as there are a lot of popped seams. If I don't sew all these seams, the furniture store won't take our old furniture with them, and with Josh just having surgery - there is no way we can haul it anywhere on our own (he will be on light duty for 10 weeks after he goes back to work) - we just don't have the room to store it here. So, I am praying they can take it.

I am off of work a few days next week to care for Josh - he should be able to function by about Wednesday though, so I didn't take the whole week off.

So, after I get these few items sewn, I might have to put my sewing for the trip on a back burner until our house goes back to normal.

Oh, but trip packing news ahead...​

The girls have managed to find all the pieces to their swimsuits (which is sometimes impossible after winter)... So that's one less thing to worry about. Whoot!

D~

Sorry...didn't realize Josh was having neck surgery...may I be nosey and ask what kind? I had neck fusion surgery a little over a year ago... not fun.


We will be remembering him in our prayers..


Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

Duplicate post...boards are acting so strange today!

 

[DMGeurts]

Nini - I can't remember the medical term - I think it starts with an "f"??? The surgery is actually a result from an injury in Iraq - TMI ahead... They are opening up his spinal canal, and dremeling out part of the bone cavity there - I think they are doing that to two of his vertebrae???? I try not to pay too much attention, because it grosses me out and freaks me out. It's possible that he could have some paralysis for a few days after - but the surgery as a whole is quite safe????

I haven't talked on the boards at all about this surgery, so I am not surprised that you didn't know. Thank you for keeping him in your prayers. <3

D~

 

[cogero]

D~ I am sending huge prayers your way. Hope the surgery is a Success and Josh recovers quickly.

 

[Lidian]

Nini - I can't remember the medical term - I think it starts with an "f"??? The surgery is actually a result from an injury in Iraq - TMI ahead... They are opening up his spinal canal, and dremeling out part of the bone cavity there - I think they are doing that to two of his vertebrae???? I try not to pay too much attention, because it grosses me out and freaks me out. It's possible that he could have some paralysis for a few days after - but the surgery as a whole is quite safe????

I haven't talked on the boards at all about this surgery, so I am not surprised that you didn't know. Thank you for keeping him in your prayers. <3

D~

Oh goodness. I'll be praying for him and your family. Keep us posted on how awesome the surgery goes and how quickly he recovers!

 

[NiniMorris]

Nini - I can't remember the medical term - I think it starts with an "f"??? The surgery is actually a result from an injury in Iraq - TMI ahead... They are opening up his spinal canal, and dremeling out part of the bone cavity there - I think they are doing that to two of his vertebrae???? I try not to pay too much attention, because it grosses me out and freaks me out. It's possible that he could have some paralysis for a few days after - but the surgery as a whole is quite safe????

I haven't talked on the boards at all about this surgery, so I am not surprised that you didn't know. Thank you for keeping him in your prayers. <3

D~

Mine was a Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion. (or ACDF for short) Mine involved three vertebrae...I know he is going to be fine. Will be remembering him in our prayers...


Nini

 

[NiniMorris]

Third time I have tried to post something ...



D~ That sounds very similar to part of what they did to me. Mine was called Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Fusion (or ACDF for short). NOT fun! Of course, my husband tells me it couldn't have been all that bad...I went to Disney 10 weeks later!


He is in our prayers!


NIni