Just some things I've been working on

I've got this new fascination with making purses.  It's so fun and so rewarding.

Then I turned 40 last month!  I know I can't believe it either.  My awesome friends put together a birthday party for me, and my very special friend Staci, had everyone make owls quilt squares.  I am just itching to put them together.  It's going to make a very cute something!

It's been a great 2012 so far!  I am so blessed to have so many people in my life that love me.  Thank you!

Jenn's Baby Shower

I have been having so much fun making cute things for Jenn's little baby.  He will come into this world on March 15th.  Big brother Cameron wants to name the baby Kevin, only time will tell.  I made these adorable embroidery hoop art for the babies wall.  A little to something to brighten things up!

We also made terrariums for the babies room.  

We had an awesome turnout, over 30 people showed up.  Jenn went home with just about anything she could possibly need for her new bundle of joy.

Good friend Sierra made this beautiful cake for the shower.  It was so yummy!

Cinderella

Come on guys, I'm trying to get some work done here!

I started making Christmas presents today.  

I know, I'm a little late in the game.

This is what I had to put up with!  Josie is worse then the kids!

Finally I finish my project.  I fold it up all nice and neat and put it on the table.  I'm not gone five minutes and this is what I come back too!  Junie has fluffed up the blanket all nice and neat and decided it's time to lay down.

Oh yeah, that yawn means she's in for the long haul.

Some pictures of the creations we'll be making!

Quilt Parade ~ Sewing Classes for November - January

Quilt Parade ~ Sewing Classes by Jeni Allen

Open Craft Night:  Bring a snack to share or donate $5

Tuesday, November 29, 7-9.

Thursday, December 8, 7-9

Thursday, January 12, 7-9

Thursday, January 26, 7-9

Join us as we get together and make magic! Bring your work(s) in progress and hang out with us as we craft together. Great inspiriation provided! Open to 16+. 

Introduction to Sewing ~ Pillowcase $20

Saturday, December 10, 10-12

This two hour class will give you the foundation to master sewing! You will learn the basics of machine sewing, including threading the machine and bobbin, using different stitch settings, and adjusting tensions and stitch lengths. You will make a quick and easy pillowcase!

Supplies Needed

2/3 yd main fabric and 1/3 yd coordinating fabric

Introduction to Sewing ~ Reversible Tote Bag $20

Tuesday, December 20, 1-3 

Intro to sewing will show you that your sewing machine IS your friend! You will learn the in's and out's of a sewing machine, basic stitches, and make this SUPER easy reversible tote bag. See? Told you it was easy!

Supplies Needed: 

1/2 Yard Fabric for Outside of Bag 

1/2 Yard of Coordinating Fabric for Lining 

1/2 Yard of Canvas for Interfacing

Pajama Pants $25

Saturday, November 19, 10-12:30; 

Tuesday, December 6, 1-3.

Sew a pair of Pajama pants! Make cozy pajama pants for you or for a gift. Pajama pants are perfect for bumming around the house all winter long!

Supplies needed

2 7/8 yds fabric (we suggest a cozy flannel!), 1 yard of trim for bottom, and 1" elastic to waist measurment.

Ultra Soft Baby Blanket $20

December 17, 10-12 

Minkee is my favorite soft fabric for the back of this blanket; so warm and snuggly! Fleece is a close second. Takes no time at all to whip out right before a baby shower!

Supplies Needed: 

1 Yard Fabric for Top 

3/4 Yard Minkee for Back      Basic sewing skills required.

Intro to Quilting:  $25

Saturday, December 3  10-12. 

In Intro To Quilting, we will make a miniature quilt, fondly called a Mug Rug (perfect for a latte and muffin - yum!). The skills that you learn in this class are the same for making any size quilt; just on a smaller scale for time!

Supplies provided.

Sugar Loaf Pouch, $35

Tuesday, January 17, 10-1

These are perfect for cosmetics, sewing notions, cell phone, etc. Clips to your handbag or stroller!  Basic sewing skills required.

Supplies Provided.

A Line Skirt $30

Tuesday, December 13, 10-1

Make an adorable A-line skirt with a fitted waist and zipper. This skirt is easy-breezy and looks flattering on everyone! Basic sewing skills required.

Supplies Needed

2 yds fabric, 7” zipper, matching thread, 1 package of matching double fold bias tape.

Kaftan Blouse  $40

Saturday, January 7, 10-3 ~  break provided for lunch

This easy to wear and flattering top will look great over jeans. This is a great class to expand your sewing knowledge to garment construction. Sewing skills required.

Supplies Needed

3yds fabric, matching thread.

How to sign up for classes:

Please call or email Jeni Allen

303-731-3912 or 720-227-4713

craigandjeni@gmail.com

Last weekend I went to Donna's house in Utah.  Last Saturday marked the three year anniversary of her beautiful son Calvin, being killed.  Donna has a famous neighbor, some of you know her as Petite Elephant.  She's wonderful.  She wrote the most beautiful post about it.  I'm sharing it with you, enjoy.  Go and give them both some love.  Somehow my awesome sister does walk around breathing everyday.  She's so strong.  The strongest person I know. . . well, I guess she ties with her husband there.  They are both so awesome and their younger boys are growing up beautifully.


We let 16 paper lanterns off at his grave at 8:25.  Exactly the time on the death certificate.  We let 16 lanterns off because Calvin would have been 16 right now.  A beautiful way to celebrate his life.  Lots of friends and family showed up to celebrate Calvin's epic life.  RIP Calvin.  I love you.

remembering Calvin

by ALLISON on OCTOBER 18, 2011 in FAMILY, FAMILY_REMEMBERING · 2 COMMENTS

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Today’s post is a serious one, about remembering Calvin.  Three years ago on Saturday I received a horrible phone call from my dear friend Donna telling me her oldest son Calvin had been killed in a car accident.  The whole thing was a nightmare, and I still don’t know how Donna walks around breathing every day.  Calvin was an adorable, handsome, sweet, gifted 14-year-old who died too soon.

Calvin’s accident was just that; something tragic, an avoidable accident.  Calvin hated seat belts, and on a family road trip took his off to get more comfortable.  Everyone else in the car wearing a seat belt escaped with “superficial” injuries.

This is the part where I use this platform to stand up on a soapbox for a minute.  I can’t tell you how many times a day/week I see kids sitting on their parents lap, driving around town, on the freeway {!}, and  in the carpool lane.

The seat belts in your car are there for you to be protected, please don’t be complacent about the safety of your children.  The grief and heartache that can be avoided is immeasurable; you can take a simple precaution and WEAR your seat belt all the time, always.

Donna has been working with the Zero Fatalities campaign in Utah, along with other families who’ve endured similar tragedies.  She’s received a small measure of comfort educating the public, hopefully reaching youth who will listen to her advice. 

Please listen.

On Saturday to commemorate his death, his family went to the cemetery where he’s buried and set off 14 colorful paper lanterns into the night sky.  It was a beautiful remembrance of a beautiful boy.

– Donna wrote a sweet post about Calvin if you’d like to read it.  There’s music on her blog, so mute your speakers if you’re at work. –

{photo by Yang Tee Mon}

Sweet Sixteen

I can't believe it.  It seems like just yesterday that I was coming home from the hospital with a precious baby girl.  Now that little girl is 16!  I know everyone said the time would fly, but I had no idea how quickly.  It's not that we haven't done anything in the last 16 years.  Alyssa has lived in seven states, two different countries and 15 different homes.  That's a lot, even for someone grown up!

We had a party for her last Friday.  She had quite a few friends come.

I had so much fun making Alyssa's John Deere cake!

Alyssa's friends giving her her "dating survival kit".

Check out that cute tablecloth I made from farm fabric and muslin!

We had quite the spread.  Fruit tray, veggie tray, chips, ham, chicken and egg salad sandwiches, and Alyssa's personal favorite, cinnamon rolls.

It all seems a little crazy.  I can't believe she has grown up so much, is a full two inches taller than me and is going to be driving soon.  She goes and gets her drivers permit after school today.  Before I know it she'll be going away.  It was hard enough to let her turn 16, I don't know about this college thing.  Hopefully she won't want to go far away.  I'd like to keep my sweet Alyssa close to home.

Wordless Wednesday

Gypsy Romance - Three Tiered Skirt

I recently planned a day of fabric shopping with some of my friends.  We had a great time.  I went into the trip with a plan.  I wanted to buy fabric to make the Gypsy Romance - Three Tiered Skirt, found here.

I didn't find exactly the same fabric, but I found some great stuff.  I found "Bohemian Soul Collection" and "Dreaming in French Collection".  I put the skirt together in this order.  I love how it turned out.  Now I'm not quite the skinny minny in the picture above, but I love how it turned out!  I was lucky enough to find a great shop called "Fabric Bliss" in the artsy district on Santa Fe.

More pictures to follow! I finished it this weekend and it's beautiful!