I Finally Made Something For Me!!

Okay, so I've been sewing now for 6 months.  Time sure does fly.  But I've not made anything for myself yet.  So today, as I was looking at etsy for ideas (we have a family photo shoot in two weeks) I saw this shirt and thought, I could do that!  It isn't going to be what I wear to the photo shoot, because it just doesn't match the other outfits, but I'm happy that I finally did something for me.  All it took was an old shirt that I already had and some remnants of material I found in my sewing drawers. 

The Concept

My Own Design

with a little POP of color

And this is one I made for a friend's birthday!

Then later today, I decided I needed a half apron.  I've been wanting one for ages, and never feel like dishing out the $20 (I'm sure they are worth it, but when it comes to buying {anything} for myself, I usually go clearance rack)  So I had some cute material just laying around for when I was inspired, and took advantage of it!

 

I think its charming.  A perfect hostess apron.  

As always, if you like what you see on my blog, I sell custom orders through my etsy shop!!

New Tutorial

I just started testing sewing tutorials from Amanda at Tenderfeet Stitches, and went shopping for material with Briana a couple of days ago.  Since I'm a new tester for her awesome tutorials, I was to make a dress in the size of my 'model' and share the pictures.  Like Briana minds that!  Ha! 

I let Briana pick the color of the dress, and she surprised me by saying "Pink"!  So we went to that section at Joann's and started searching.  I had really wanted her to get this delicate pink eyelet fabric and pair it with white trim, but I have to say, what she picked certainly looks pretty. 

And it is such a fun twirling dress!

She is just so sweet! {looking} 

As you can see, it is a little bit big on her still...

I think it's going to be perfect for summer gatherings and picnics this year!

{Love}

Thanks again Amanda for giving this {pattern hating} mama another wonderful tutorial!

Sibling Set

My sister loves the Laura Gunn fabric I used for Briana's Easter dress, so I made coordinating outfits for her kids too! 

Her oldest daughter loves blue, so the same denim color was perfect. 

Laura Gunn

But her other daughter is more into pink, so I looked around and found this Joel Dewberry print that was similar, but more her cup of tea. 

Joel Dewberry

And for the lil man, we decided to get something fun, that coordinates with both of these fabrics.  We selected this Ann Kelle print.  So cute!

Ann Kelle

I can't wait to show you pictures of what the kids look like in their dresses and tie tee!!  But here is what they ended up looking like on hangers!

Ella's Dress

Delaney's Dress

Ben's Shirt

the sibling set

Contact me through my etsy shop if you like any of these outfits and would like to set up a custom order!

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As promised, here is how the dresses and tie tee turned out on my adorable nieces and nephew!!



Mushrooms and Owls and Squirrels, Oh My!

We have started transitioning Charlie into his crib at night.  Oh, so much fun.  {sigh} 

He seems to really enjoy looking at his mobile above his changing table, so we thought a mobile over his crib would work well to keep him entertained enough... 

I looked on etsy (of course) because I'm not too into "commercial" ideas these days.  {more power to those WAHM's!!!}  And I got some ideas that I liked... 

Love Chirp Flutter

Tree Limb

Whimsical Butterfly

Wreath

I took some ideas from all of those pictures.  From the first, I took the fun shapes (obviously not hearts and other 'too girly' things as my husband would say)  {wink}

From the second, I took the different layering of fun paper.  (although a bird would probably look really cool too...)

From the third picture, I took the many (many) cut outs.

And finally, from the fourth, I took the idea of wrapping the wreath in yarn. 

So I had a game plan and the materials.  I had my sister cut the shapes for me because she has a really cool Cricut and that makes life easier!  I bought a wreath form, jewelry thread (the clear kind) and yarn from Joann's and the paper from Hobby Lobby. 

First I wrapped the yarn around the wreath from...

Next I took the shapes we cut and started gluing.  This definitely was what takes the longest.  But it was well worth it.  {I hope}



Here are the prints I chose for the front/back

I glued one side first totally, then on the other side, before gluing, I placed the clear string in between papers, instead of putting a hole in each, I just glued it to the paper. 

Then I tied the string at different levels on the wreath and {presto!} was done!!

We used the 3'' cut on the Cricut

It's done!

Charlie's view


I'm really hopeful that he likes looking at it when he is in his crib.  I'm so pleased with what it adds to his nursery also.  I might embellish it some more, but y'all know I'll update pictures if I do!!  {smile}

Calling All Toy Story Fans

I'm going to go out on a limb right now and say my kids are like most kids these days...obsessed with anything to do with Toy Story.  Imagine that!  {hehe}

So when Brayden decided in a split second that he wanted a Toy Story birthday party (yes, I've started planning his June birthday party already) I started searching the world wide web.  I came across some really cute shirts on etsy that I used for inspiration for my latest project.  Mine aren't complete yet (figured I had a little time to finish them-ha!)...I haven't decided what I'm going to use for the Sheriff's badge yet on mine.  And I also liked the idea of a red tutu to go with the Jesse shirt I made for Briana, but again, lots of time to decide!

If you would like a shirt like this one please visit my shop for a custom order!

First I started by finding plain yellow shirts.  This was more difficult that I thought it was going to be!!

At first I only saw the romper (so cute isn't it!!?), but then with a little more searching I found the other two shirts too.  {yay!}  I guess I should have ironed them before taking pics...

Next, I cut out muslin for the pattern of the vest.  I wanted to line them because the boys vests aren't fully sewn in.  I think it's adorable!

Then I cut out the cow fabric, and sewed them together and turned them right side out.  Then, before finishing the tops, to add a more authentic cowboy touch, I hand stitched some thick black thread into the sides.

Closer look

Then I pinned them into the shirts and in Briana's I sewed the whole thing in.  But in the boy's, I only did the sides and tops, so they "hang" a little when whey sit.  It's cute!!

I love them!!!  I'm thinking Charlie will need a whole new outfit by the time Brayden's party comes around.  Its a 9 month outfit!  I really thought it would be okay.  Nope.  {sigh}

What I'm thinking about adding should be pretty easy.  Maybe a red tutu for Briana, or some leg warmers with red "tutu" trim and a jean skirt...  {hmmmm} 

For Brayden he definitely needs a red bandanna and a Sheriff's badge...maybe just a Sheriff's badge for Charlie's.  No choking hazards for my baby!  

Trust me, there will be (lots) more posted about his birthday party.  Since we didn't go all out for Briana's 6th birthday, I feel like I'm making up for lost time! 



The lovely Miss Briana

So I bought this material for a dress to make for my daughter a few weeks ago.  I saw it at the store and immediately envisioned what I was going to create with it.  This is by far my favorite "creation" to date!!! 

I still can't believe sometimes, that I actually can make dresses.  I know I'm not a pro yet and have soooo very much to learn, but I'm also so proud of what I've accomplished in just 6 months. 

As always, anything you see on my blog I can sell at my etsy shop!! 

Here is my darling little girl modeling once again...

This is such a cute 'twirling' dress!!  I love using all that extra fabric now.  I had my original tutorial from a website that told me how to make the pillowcase dresses, but I think this way is so sweet!  It takes {a lot} longer, but the finished product is {way} cuter!!!

I actually broke my needle yesterday when I was putting the last few stitches in this dress, so today I couldn't sew.  But tomorrow I will put the new needles in and see where it takes me!





Hello, Kitty

I can't believe how long its been since I blogged!!!  Almost 2 weeks!  Well, my kids are on Spring Break so we've been very busy!! 

I've had a few orders on my etsy shop (stuff you've already seen) so I've not had too much to talk about!

I did have a friend commission me to make a dress for her cousin though...  Briana modeled it for me because they are both 6 and I just wanted to make sure my measurements were correct... 

When she first contacted me about a Hello Kitty themed dress I thought for sure I'd have a huge variety to chose from.  Not so much the case in the States!  I tried Esty and found a BUNCH from Japan, but with everything going on there that wasn't a possibility.  Bummer too because they had the prettiest material!! 

We will fast forward a bit...  I found some material that my client liked and then matched it up with a striped fabric for the body of the dress.  Briana loved it so much she didn't want me to sell it...sorry dear. 

And as you can see it's fully lined with muslin.  I've decided to line all my dresses until at least I get a serger.  Hopefully that is soon! 

I am working on a bunch of dresses right now, and one new style.  Hopefully it turns out great!  {and hopefully it doesn't take me another 2 weeks to post again!}