details

I started a March - photo a day and one of the photos to be taken was "something I made" and I took these of the glass beads I had hand sewn onto this blue dress of Alice's.

I think these are so beautiful. 

Her new apron

Miss K grew out of her apron and needed a new one. It had to be full length to provide enough coverage for activities from helping me knead dough to watercolor painting. I used pink twill ribbon for the ties and made the side ties long enough to wrap around her and be tied in the front. 

I made this right before Thanksgiving… last year. Yep. But, it's ok. It still fits her and she wore it again today while watercolor painting. 

She is sugar and spice, for sure!

classic Kate dress

I made this dress for Kate because all of the dresses that I could find at the store in her size just seemed too short. I wanted to make a dress that was longer, classic, and beautiful. I found the embroidered linen on sale and it was the perfect amount. I added some crochet lace and eyelet lace along the bottom hem and then lined the dress. 

I added little loops out of ribbon on the side so that I can add any ribbon or trim to tie on the dress and switch it out any time I want. 

I really love the sweet innocence of this dress. 

Kate's new dress

I had a need to do some fun and carefree sewing {sewing whatever suited my fancy and wasn't on my to-do list}. 

I had had this fabric sitting around for a new dress for Kate for quite some time now. 

The skirt is a bubble skirt that is perfect for my twirling-loving girl.

I really enjoy just whipping up a dress for the girls and seeing how they turn out. I never really know until I'm done. :)

recently {instagram style}

Todd's lunch note in honor of him starting to read the Magic Tree House books for school.

I finally made a doll for this naked baby doll.

Alice's new full length dress

Tacking crocheted lace onto Alice's dress

some children books from the library

homemade cinnamon rolls

homemade honey white bread

the best chocolate chip cookie recipe I've found

SO close to being done with this embroidery

my animal trainer

Remember the costume that I needed to make for the school circus with just a few days notice & Kate's birthday coming up? Well, I did manage to finish it on time. It turned out quite well.

I mainly kept his animal trainer costume to the vest & wrist cuffs. I did sew gold trim to the sides of black church pants that I picked up at the consignment store, but that was it. 

I love the military style buttons down the front. I feel that they give his costume more of a commanding presence. 

He sure seems to like it.

And those wrist cuffs.

They scream circus.

Love this pose.

I was having fun editing this one & now feel like it should say "Announcing the magnificent animal trainer, TODD!"

See what I mean about those wrist cuffs?

I had so much fun making this that I'm seriously considering making the kids Halloween costumes. {Yes. I did just say Halloween costumes.} Well, as long as it's something cool and has character. That's the trick to me being motivated.

Alice's blessing dress

Alice turns 10 months old today and so I decided that it was about time to finally post about her blessing dress. I did buy a pattern a long time ago, yes... but I never opened it. I decided to just wing it like I usually do. I did find an old basic pattern for a sleeve and made that work. It was my first successful time doing sleeves. Even though it's risky to just wing it, it's how I love to sew. And I LOVE how this turned out. It has that classic period look to it and is full of details.

I made it longer than her legs so that when you held her in your arms the length draped over your arm.

                               

In the left photo you can see the tiny white eyelet lace that I hand stitched onto her sleeve. Also, a close-up of the crocheted lace on the gathered empire waist. 

In the right photo you can see the little flower stitch around the neckline. You can also see the sweet puckered top of the sleeves.

The sleeves are the only things not lined.

I chose 3 flat buttons that would be as comfortable for Alice as could be.

You can see the crocheted lace also on the back. It didn't quite meet up perfectly, but I don't mind so much. 

 

You can see the lining in the left picture. As silly as it sounds, I actually felt more capable in lining the dress than making a pair of bloomers {since I had never done bloomers before}, and she needed something. After spending all the time making the dress I was not going to have the pattern on her diaper show through the light fabric. No way.

On the right you can see how much I loved that crocheted lace. Combining the crocheted lace with the eyelet lace on the bottom of the gown really gave it that look I was going for.

Hooray! And now that I've finally posted about her blessing dress I can tuck it away in her special container for her to keep.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing it. 

Easter/Birthday Dress

I'm behind on posting about some of the things that I've made. One special thing is Kate's Easter and Birthday dress. We celebrated her birthday 5 days early on Easter weekend since all of the family would be around. I made this cute number for her. I think it's just perfect for my 3 year old playing princess on these warm summer days.

I sewed the white ribbon across the front so that it would stay put with all of her wiggles. I love the look that the square neckline gives to the dress.

I trimmed the ribbon so that when tied in a sweet little bow it would end just about at the hem. I love the contrast of colors between the white ribbon, buttons, & trim and the pinkish red of the dress.

The length of the dress is perfect for her running everywhere and the hot weather.

The dress isn't lined. I didn't want to spend the time to do it and as long as no one does a really close examination of it I don't think it's obvious. Well, at least no one has mentioned it. :)

I'm so happy that she likes it.

3T apron

Kate had a birthday party to go to yesterday for her friends {twins}. This was one of those tight paycheck times so I looked around to figure out what I could make from what I had. I had just enough bias tape to go around both aprons and be used for the ties and neck straps. I love the bright pop of color that the bias tape brings to the aprons.

Apple Orchard Tunic {part 2}

Remember the Apple Orchard Tunic that I made way back when Kate was a baby? I had it pulled it out to try on Alice and Kate found it... so we tried it on her and Ta Da!

Upcycled Ruffle Skirt

I picked up an adult ruffle skirt at the thrift store.

I was thinking how Kate would love a

purple

ruffle-y

skirt.

I'm loving how this turned out.

It's perfect for these warm Spring days.

And I was right!

She loves her purple ruffle-y skirt.