Mother's Day

For Mother's Day, I made my mother a bag and a bracelet with her and AA's birthstones and a locket with AA's photo. They were both born in July... Lucky girls with ruby birthstones! Also, I made my mother-in-law a tote bag for her dance gear and a clip with both her and AA's birthstones for her to clip onto her key chain!

Derby Day!

The past two years, we have hosted a Derby Party. We decided not to have one this year since it was our first year with AA and didn't think she would appreciate not being able to stay up late and party. She is a very social person and hates to go to bed when she knows a party is going on.

Although we love hosting the party, Honey and I had to admit that it was nice not having to spend all morning prepping. We had a casual morning. AA has been teething and for the first time since she was a few months old , she's been a bit off her game; meaning, she's been rather odd, fussyish, awkward... Just not herself! And for the first time in a long time, I actually feel tired... Why does she all of a sudden want a 3:00 am bottle?! Why can't she decide whether or not she wants to nap?!.

Honey was great this morning and took care of AA this morning so I could get a little extra sleep. When I got up, we went on a walk as a family. Worn out by the walk, AA went down for a short nap. I took advantage of this time and made Honey a bow tie be had been asking for. Then during her afternoon nap, I figured out my new serger and made a skirt out of, get this, an old bed sheet that belonged to Honey's grandmother. When AA woke up, we played outside in the garage. While honey and AA were wandering around the driveway, I made her Derby hat! We had a great time with friends at Lime Street and came home and I started working on a bow tie for our friend, Da (that's what Honey calls him, his Da(d)). Here are some pictures of what I worked on today! Hope you enjoy. 😄

Flowers! Flowers! Flowers!

I started making felt flowers several weeks ago, but went on a hiatus. I wasn't completely happy with them because my cutting wasn't perfect. Problem solved! For my birthday, Honey spoiled me: he gave me a Go! Baby fabric cutter and dies, a rotary cutter and mat, and get this.... A serger!! Needless to say, I was ecstatic! I haven't used my serger yet because I have been OBSESSED with the fabric cutter.

During AA's afternoon nap today, I started making flowers and I finished most of them after dinner. I put most on barrette clips, because I think they are really versatile. Also, I made a couple headbands.

Hope you enjoy!

💋

I just love this picture and had to share!

Circle skirt

Here is my first attempt at a circle skirt. I want to make more! This is a 3/4 circle. I added two pleats in the front and raised the left side to show off the petticoat. I would like to make some more petticoats. My mother-in-law gave me some old chiffon window curtains I plan to use to make a million things... Because that's how much fabric there is! I figured I could make pretty flowers and ruffles and fluffy petticoats! Ok, I have officially started to ramble. Here are a few pictures of the skirt. Don't tell Honey, but I think I need a new photographer (shhhhh!). :)

My first MAJOR oops-turned-awesome

SOOO, I was embroidering Phillip's shirts, like I mentioned in my prior post, and everything was going great. I was putting a purple B on a purple and white pin stripe non-iron shirt. I went to take it off the loom when I finished and... OOOPPS! I accidentally sewed a sleeve under the B. Honey wasn't too thrilled; however, I was actually surprised that he wasn't toooo upset. This was a nice Joseph Banks shirt and one of the few purple shirts in his closet.

The next day, I was browsing Pinterest and came across a tutorial to take a men's dress shirt and refashion it to a maternity top. I'm not preggers, but still thought it was a cute idea so I gave it a shot. I cut off the sleeves and the collar, shirred around the waist to cinch it, made a ruffle out of white cotton fabric and added the ruffle around the neck and down the front opening of the shirt. It was my first time shirring, so I know I can do better.

I wouldn't wear this without a cardigan because the sleeve holes are too big. I guess I could make adjustments... Hmmmm ideas. I also made a headband with a pretty flower and Phillip a bow tie (he's on a bow tie and wild pants kick). He didn't feel like modeling tonight, so I will save the bow tie for another post. Sorry for the fuzzy photos... Enjoy!

Love the texture ruffles add. 

Joseph Banks now makes women's clothes! hehe

See, the shirring could be better.....

lil' flower

Embroidering Phillip's Dress Shirts

My husband, Phillip, has been a great sport by letting me embroider some of his dress shirts. He made me practice with some "It's ok if you mess-up this shirt" shirts before I could touch his nice ones. We had a lot of fun deciding what to embroider, what color thread to use, where to place it, and how big/small it should be. I think I made him a little nervous... Here are a few!

left sleeve

pocket

pocket

Seersucker Dress

Here is my favorite Alice Ann dress yet! Unfortunately, AA seemed pretty tired the day she wore it, so I didn't get the best pictures of her in it. Oh, I was so pleased when I finished it! I purchased the book Cute Clothes for Kids by Bob Merrett. Both seersucker dress and Niece R's dress came from his patterns. I embroidered an "A" on the seersucker dress for a little personalized touch! I have some extra fabric so I plan to make my husband a bow tie and my cousin's son A a little romper... Should be cute!

Front

front embroidery

back (love the shoulder ties)

AA on the move!

visiting Poppa's!

It has been awhile since my last entry; which is a shame, because I have done a lot since the 12th! Perhaps my being busy is the reason I haven't posted? I'd like to think so, but it's not... Oh well! Since I have been busy at work on my sewing machine and with my glue gun, I will probably have daily entries the rest of this week and into the next!

 AA and I have been really active lately. During the week, we go on daily walks with my sister-in-law (who is beautifully expecting) and my precious Nephew J. We usually get pretty close to three miles, yesterday reaching around 4 1/2 miles!!! Our neighborhood is great to walk in. It has lots of big ol' trees and winding streets. We try to go on all the hilly roads we can find so we can feel the burn. We love walking to the library or to my middle brother's house to play with adorable Nephew C and pretty Niece R. Niece R is the oldest of the Cousin Crew and is happy to be the leader of the pack, treating each of the "babies" as her own sweet little ones.

 I made Niece R a dress last week! I finally used a pattern. I came to the conclusion that I should actually "learn" how to sew apparel correctly rather than teaching myself by winging it. I still added my own embellishments and did several things my own way. I really like how it turned out. To me, the most exciting part of the experience was having R try it on... IT ACTUALLY FIT! It wasn't perfect by any means, but heading closer and closer in that direction (still faaaarrrrrr from it, of course). I am trying to work on my finishing details. I also made AA a little tunic/dress/top. Here are a few pictures of AA and R playing in their new clothes; hope you enjoy!

First attempt at smocking!

I started this dress on Monday during AA's afternoon nap. We took a trip to Hobby Lobby and came across this pretty green fabric for $3.00 in the back by the zippers. I could tell AA really liked it by her "ga ga ga da da dadda da da"! (OK completely messing around with that last statement.) We stopped off at Gram Kittty's for a quick visit before heading home for sleepy time.  She's really getting on a great sleep schedule.

Back to the dress... I decided to try smocking. I think little girls are just adorable in smocked dresses.  I had to do the bodice twice because the first shot was far from the bullseye.  The second time around was closer, but definitely not perfect. Close enough, so I went with it. It was really fun to make; although, sometimes frustrating dealing with all the extra thread. I really appreciate all of the smocked dresses AA already has in her closet after this experience!