.:new dresses:.

I have been saving this Amy Butler fabric for a couple of years, waiting for the right

project to inspire me to cut into it.

I used a vintage pattern from the 60's for the first dress and then made one to coordinate for my younger daughter in a more simple style.

I wish I had more time and creativity to do this more often. I know that they won't

be excited to wear my projects for much longer=)

::a "tiny" party::

Martha Stewart is a good woman.

I picked up one of her party kits at Michael's on clearance last year and had almost forgotten about it sitting in my basement gathering dust.

One of my daughters turned five last week so we pulled it out a few days before her party and I was so glad we did.

The theme was a "tiny" party which worked out great for my tiny girl and a few of her friends that were invited with tiny invitations.

When they first arrived, they had some tiny playtime with polly pockets and a dollhouse and colored pictures on tiny pieces of paper. Then they played a few tiny games like sardines and birdie, birdie, mouse (the tiny animals they thought of in lieu of ducks or a goose).

Then, they had a tiny lunch with tiny plates, cups, and forks. We served mini pizzas, tater tots, baby carrots, grapes, baby goldfish, stick pretzels, and mini marshmallows.

We finished things off with some tiny cupcakes, tiny party hats, and goodie boxes to send home.

She opened a few presents and then they all got on the bus together, headed for kindergarten. It was very simple, the girls had a great time, and there was minimal stress and clean up afterwards. I'm not sure if it was the lack of a character to plan around or the novelty of something different but I actually enjoyed the planning AND the execution of everything. And, that doesn't happen very often.

Thank you, Martha.

.::Bake Sale::.

My projects have been few and far between this summer, with the kids all at home and needing my complete attention.  So, I have to take the few opportunities I can find, and run with them.  My son's baseball team hosted a tournament this past weekend and as a fundraiser, a few of us crazy moms decided to host a bake sale.  And, really........can you have a bake sale without matching aprons for the help??  I didn't think so.  

Halle modeled for us while Amy (visiting from Spain!!) got her photo/crafty fix behind the camera.   Oh, the fun we would have and the time we would waste if she were here all the time.

  

Work it, girl.

The lovely ladies before the big sale, and the big rain, and the lack of customers.........

They made up for it by going mobile......and for good reason.  Could you resist these gals and a box of donuts??  

C {squared}

My neighbor has boy/girl twins who just turned one a couple of days ago.  I refer to them as C-squared:)  I have been wanting to do something like this for them for a while and their mom and I finally put our heads together and came up with these shirts.  I used a blanket stitch around the edges for a change because I am a bit tired of the zigzag stitch and fighting with puckering/tension issues.  I like how they turned out AND I get to watch and see how they hold up after going through the wash a few times.  

b is for bella

What is it about 1st graders and their teachers? My daugher, Emma, absolutely adores her teacher and hangs on every last word that she speaks. Her teacher has a 1 year old daughter named Bella and Emma has been begging me to make her something all year. Telling me that her teacher had "requested" certain things (me knowing that Emma had graciously offered my services on a daily basis). So, last night when I realized that it was the last opportunity to fulfill her wish, at 12:30 am no less, I pulled out my fabric and started thinking.

Luckily I had a spare white t-shirt and some big ideas.  What started out as a simple applique quickly turned into a three hour project with ruffle pants to complete her look.  Why is it that all the good ideas come in the twilight hours?  Anyhow, I snapped a few pictures this morning just to make sure that it all wasn't a dream, and then sent off a very happy 7-year-old girl to her last day of 1st grade.  It was a long night but I have to take advantage of this limited time I have before she doesn't think I'm cool anymore.  

I haven't had much time for the last few weeks to sit down at my sewing machine.  Luckily, a good friend had a birthday and so I had an excuse to use this fabric I have been saving for a while.  It seems like aprons are all I have time to make lately but I have big ambitions to get some fun dresses/skirts done for my girls in the near future.  I didn't use a pattern for this one, just inspiration from a party an amazing friend threw for her daughter (she made aprons for all the little girls)  

sewing lessons

I have great memories of my mom patiently teaching me to sew.  We had a big family so I know that her time was very limited but I am so glad that I learned the basics of quilting, window treatments, embroidery, following a pattern, and sewing.  Aside from those skills, I think the most valuable thing I learned was to have a desire to create in my own way.  I find it very satisfying to see a project through from the vision inside my head, all the way to completion.  Most of the time, my finished product isn't exactly what I had pictured but I learn something new every time I try.  

 

My 7-year-old daughter has been begging me for her own sewing lessons lately and I have a hard time finding quiet moments to teach her.  I am not ready to let her have free reign over my precious Bernina so I have not been sure where to start.  A good friend suggested letting her draw a picture on some fabric and then putting it into a hoop to learn embroidery.  We tried it out yesterday and she was in heaven.  It kept her occupied for a long time and she has big plans for future designs.   I really want my girls to enjoy being creative and to develop an attitude of wanting to figure out how to do something on their own rather than just buying it off of the shelf.  (Even if it is cheaper and quicker to do so)