‘Tango’ Turns Six!

I started writing a post about a birthday banner I made, but I got myself off on a little tangent and started rambling about my little birthday boy!

So, let me try again.  I will try to stay focused!  Today I want to talk about another birthday.  The birthday of one of the sweetest little girls I know, ‘Tango’. 

Her mom is a good friend of mine and she asked if I could make a banner for the birthday girl- absolutely!  I had wanted to make a flag banner, but never had, so this little project benefited us both!

With our project in mind, the two of us headed to the fabric store and picked out three fabrics her mom loved.  Why three?  No reason really, she just picked the patterns she loved.  Then, we raided my fabric stash to find other fabrics with colors and patterns that would work with the other three fabric selections.  We ended up with seven different fabrics.

Together we chose the order the various fabrics should go, the color ribbon that should be used to ‘tie’ the flag banner together, the preferred size of the triangles for the banner, and whether or not it should have her name on the flags.   Once some decisions were made (which tends to take a little longer when only half of the conversation is really about the sewing project!), I got to work. 

Miss Tango woke up on her special day to the banner hanging up in the dining room and a little birthday ‘tea party’ complete with fancy china and cupcakes!   So fun!  I’m thinking I want to wake up at Tango’s house on MY birthday!   

I hear the banner is now proudly hung in Tango’s room.  Makes me smile knowing that HankOrange can add a little color and fun to her room.  Sometimes the simple things are most rewarding. 

Happy 6^th Birthday Miss ‘Tango’!

Birthday Boy!

My little man just turned three.  THREE!  I can hardly believe three years have gone by! 

You might be thinking this post is going to be about the decorations I made for his party, or the shirt I made for the birthday boy.  But it is not.  I did not make any decorations for his party, or anything special for him to wear. 

Nothing.  Not one thing.

 

Not for lack trying; I had plenty of ideas.  I even had an awesome idea for a birthday shirt for him to wear.  Which, I must say, I was excited about creating!  But he didn’t share in my excitement.  So, I didn’t even bother. 

When I asked him about it (which I did several times hoping he would change his mind) his response was ‘I not wear that Mommy’… and I knew it was true.  He wears what he wants to wear.   He is somewhat strong willed!  And, for me, it is just not worth the battle. (My Mother likes to tell me it is ‘pay backs’… HA!)

Oh well.  Saved me some time.   Time that I used to make a special banner for a birthday girl who I know will (and does) appreciate it!

But, I wouldn’t trade my little man and his opinionated self for anything.  His little smile and his contagious laugh can brighten even the worst of days.  The last three years could be described as a roller coaster, but one thing that was a constant was my little man and his big blue eyes and smiling (most of the time) face!  L.O.V.E his sweet face!

He turned three the day after Thanksgiving.  And for him, I am thankful.  I often hear women say how much they love being a mother, and I couldn’t agree more.  Sure, he has his own opinions, but don’t we all?  I know I do.  I want my little man to be who he is.  And, if that means he doesn’t want anything to do with the things I make, then I am okay with it.  I wouldn’t trade it for the world.  It has become a joke among some friends that every other kids loves what I make except my own.  Oh well.  He is my son and I love him more than words can express! 

Happy #3 Henry James!

Running Headbands

As you probably know by now, I’m a runner.  Actually, a better term for me might be a ‘jogger.’   Either way, when I’m exercising, the last thing I want to worry about is my hair and whether or not it is going to stay out of my face.  I am not a fan of hair in my face, especially when running. 

These non-slip headbands, however, are great for other times of the day too- not just during exercise.  Throw on a headband if you don’t have time to fix your hair in the morning.  

Enough of what I think of the headbands!  I will share with you some feedback I’ve gotten from some happy-HankOrange-headband-wearing ladies! :) 

“I Love my running headband!  It is fashionable AND functional!  I look great while I'm at the gym and also it looks great for an errand afterwards!  The color is super fun and stylish!" 

Jamie, Tennessee

“This headband does a great job at staying in place.  I wear it when I work out and I rarely have to adjust it.  I have also recieved quite a few compliments on it when I wear it out and about.  Even when I do not have time to tame my hair the band still makes me feel sassy.” 

Cassey, California           

“Love the colors and how it STAYS IN PLACE!!!”

Rachel, Colorado

“There is not a day that goes by now that I don't wear some sort of headband, whether it is for my run/workout, or for my daily life as a mom.  Thanks to HankOrange, I now have multiple options to get me through my days.  HankOrange creates stylish and fun options that stay in better than any others I have worn in the past.  I wear them out of function but love them because they make me look better and feel fashionable when I am on the go.  You will get hooked after your first one!”

Allison, Oregon

Don’t you think you want one?  Get yours here!

New ‘Allison’ Clutch/Wristlet

Another product born out of a request from a friend!  

 

My good friend Allison asked me if I could make a wristlet/ wallet that she could easily throw into her diaper bag.  Being a busy mom of three, she is constantly on the go and wanted something that could hold all the ‘essentials’ but also small enough to slide into her diaper bag.  

I have actually made a clutch type purse before, but I wasn’t totally thrilled with the outcome.  I thought I could come up with a new and improved version!   

So, I accepted the challenge!   

And, the ‘Allison’ wristlet was born!   

I think it turned out really cute!  I’ve made a few so far.  I liked it so much I even made one for myself!  Thanks for the great suggestion Aly, AND trusting that I could create exactly what you wanted!

 

You like this?  You can get yours here!

 

Another Angry Bird!

I've added another 'angry bird' to the collection.  After purchasing a red Angry Bird shirt for her son, a customer asked if I could make a blue angry bird onesie for her baby.
My response? Of course!  I can try that!  So, here is what I came up with.

I love the idea of the two brothers being angry birds :) 

Angry Birds

The boys at my house (husband and son) have a slight addiction.    And by ‘slight’ I mean when the two of them are together, they are usually found feeding this addiction of theirs. 

What is their addiction?  Angry Birds, a game they play on the iphone.

I don’t really understand the game, and honestly, I don’t even care to understand it.  I’m not one who finds much entertainment in video games.  I have my own addictions (see fabric addiction post) so I guess I shouldn’t complain. 

I do, however, think it is funny that my three year old son can beat my husband!

A friend of mine made an ‘angry bird’ pumpkin and that gave me an idea.  Maybe I could make my little man a shirt?!   Knowing how excited my son gets about Angry Birds, I figured he’d love it.  He did love the shirt - for about five minutes.  He was thrilled when he saw it, but he refuses to wear it.  Typical!   

I guess I will just let the boys play their game.  And I will do what I do.  And I will make Angry Bird shirts for those who will actually appreciate them!  

Sweatshirt re-do

Occasionally I look at other crafty blogs-- Sometimes for ideas and inspiration and sometimes just to see what others are doing.  I am repeatedly impressed by the creativity I observe on various blogs and often I see tutorials I want to try.  Often, however, I don’t.  I have a list of “I should try this” ideas, but the list “to-try” keeps getting longer, while the list of “did-try” remains about the same…short.

I did, however, try out a tutorial this past week.  I saw this “sweatshirt liposuction” tutorial on this blog: See Kate Sew.  Super fun blog, by the way! 

I loved what Kate did to the oversized sweatshirt and I wanted to try it!   So, I headed off to the local Goodwill and found myself a sweatshirt that looked like a good candidate for the ‘re-do.’

Here is the sweatshirt I found:

 I liked the design on the back!

And the what it looks like now:

I think next time I will try to find a sweatshirt that is much bigger to begin with, but I think this one turned out cute!  And, I have worn it just about everyday here since the temperature has been dropping!