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!

Easter

Finally! Here's AA's Easter dress! She was only able to wear her smock for the Easter Egg Hunt, because I had to add buttons so she could get both arms through! Silly beginner mistake. Next time I make this style dress, which I plan to, I need to remember to add enough fabric for buttons! This worked out, but I had to squeeze it on her. No tears, but I still felt half-way bad. She was able to wear it to her daddy's family party Easter night. I think it was a hit! Silly mommy didn't take a picture of her in her white dress though; I am pretty sure her Aunt Daisy Jane did, so I need to ask her for a copy. Enjoy!

Spring Smock and Booties

Here's a little pair of booties and a smock I made for AA last weekend! I love dressing her in just a smock and a diaper cover. Since we use cloth diapers, I can often coordinate her diapers with her outfits and omit the cover.  These smocks are great because they are reversible. If she gets anything on it, I just turn it inside out and VOILA! A new outfit!

Back of booties. I got a little impatient when I added the ribbon. My lines aren't perfect! But not bad for a first try!

Front of booties

I use fabric paint for traction.

Front

It's reversible!

This is the back. It's fun to pick bright ribbons!

A New Adventure

Wow... A blog! I'm so new at this, but that makes it exciting; a new ADVENTURE. Let's begin: My name is Brittany and I am blessed and thrilled to say that I get to stay-at-home with my daughter Alice Ann. She makes everyday, well... Interesting. AA is almost nine months old and at the stage where she is curious about everything. I named this blog "Adventures with Alice Ann" because when people ask me about the baby, I usually respond, "She's very adventurous!" She is quite literally interested in every detail in her surroundings. I know, I know... Every baby is; however, she is my one and only and I now am experiencing it for the first time and am absolutely thrilled on a daily, often hourly, basis. Question: Brittany, why blog????? Answer: I just woke this morning and thought I'd give it a shot. My husband bought me a new sewing/embroidering machine a couple weeks ago and it has really inspired me to be creative, actively creative that is. I've always been the creative sort: love to draw and paint, garden, design houses and landscape, cook and bake... Heck! I even enjoy cleaning and organizing. Is my house a perfect example of organization and hospital-worthy sanitation?? No, I actually have a messy side; usually the messy side shows itself during my creative times. So here I am, a stay-at-home mom that likes to be creative and has a fantastic new toy to play with! I started making clothes. First, skirts and dresses for me, then dresses, shoes, and smocks for AA (Alice Ann). I've embroidered a few things: hats for my niece and nephews, husbands shirts, and a jacket of mine. I discovered, there are so many creative people posting things online: some selling, some sharing, some teaching, A LOT learning. I want to join in! So here I go! Joining in. I hope you enjoy!