today

The kids and I were running some errands, and stopped by the thrift store on our way through town. I missed bag sale day Saturday, but still scored a couple shirts, a princess dress, and some misc. things the girls threw in the cart. Because apparently we NEEDED a banana slicer. As I was leaving, I overheard Ellen, one of our favorite employees say to her friend "I can't wait to see what she makes with those! She just makes the cutest things for her girls... you should see the dress (Moo) was in last time!"
It totally made my day! Thanks, Ellen!

oh what a day

Once a year we drive through Yellowstone National Park with Nick's family. I always look forward to it, even though it is usually 12+ hours in the car with little kids. Yesterday we started in the car at 7:00 am and got home a little after midnight, most of the day spent driving. It's somehow still fun. So, I took the day off sewing - which, by the way, was harder to do than it sounds! - and we had a blast! We saw three bears, a handful of elk, lots of Bison (mommies & babies to bug's delight) but the highlight? Moo loved this rabbit! I even snagged a family picture-wish the kids had even looked at the camera, but it's fun to document this time in our life just as it is.
... and now back to sewing!

burning the midnight oil

What do you do at midnight? Tonight after work (I get off after 12:30 am) I finally got around to finishing my craft vendor apron. It's a good thing my kids aren't early risers :) I started with a belt from the thrift store and some leftover tank fabric, and this is what I got: What do you think? It needs a little tweaking, but the size is just about right and it will work for this week. The ribbon belt goes around the back and there are d-rings so it stays on. Maybe I'll sell something, eh? I can only hope!

Update: I sold stuff! Enough to cover the entrance fee we had to pay for the summer, so anything on top of this is bonus! Okay, I guess I should say after the money I have spent on fabric, labels, elastic, etc. it will be a bonus, but right now it's just nice to have sold my items!

big ideas!

I had great ideas of making a craft vendor apron, sewing more tank tops, and cleaning my house today. I should not have made those plans. Instead, my sister asked me to watch her four 'big kids', (thanks Aunt Fish for helping!) and Bug ended up with a nasty rash and off to the doctor's office we went. Luckily, it's the same rash she gets every spring and it's not really serious... sun reaction maybe? So we painted, played wii, ate nachos and ice cream, went on a walk... it was a great day even if I got nothing accomplished before work!... and now you can all see how pathetic my house is decorated. One wreath. I have no idea where to start, and we have lived here for three years. The big catch? I can only use thumb tacks, no nails. Ugh. Any ideas?

{cupcake}

We love cupcakes at our house almost as much as polka dots... which is why I wasn't surprised when Bug picked out a cupcake shirt when we saw it at the thrift store this weekend. I let her pick through all my knits and this is what we came up with! She is so proud of designing one just like mommy, and so am I!

friday farmers' market

My friend Audrey wanted to do a craft booth at our local Farmers' Market, and I totally invited myself to do the booth with her. So this is what I have been working on for weeks and weeks... although it doesn't look like much inventory, I swear it is a lot of sewing!
As this was my first 'craft show', I was pretty nervous. Is it better to have a large inventory of a couple things? Or a small inventory of a lot of things? Since I am sharing the booth with two of my friends who each supplied their own items, I figured a larger inventory of a couple things would be good to start with. What do you think? Audrey made the awesome bows, and her husband made the stand. It looks great! Labels: I know I already showed you these, but they still make me giddy, so bear with me. I didn't want to look too much like... a beginner. I want to look polished. I have been happy with my tags, although I am wondering about satin instead next time. I still have quite a few to go through before I order more, but this first batch is wonderful. Size tags: I am so in love with the size tags I got! They are from an awesome etsy seller, angiecherryhi. She was great to communicate with and it really is an awesome product. I will stick with these for sure! I think the combination of the tags makes me a little more 'legit.' Hang tags: I searched several places online to find this font that was used on my labels. I want to have a cohesive look as far as the name goes. It only took an hour to find! I paired it with a fun heart and had some hang tags! The back of the tag on the 'upcycled' clothes has information on being green, etc. and was the right move I think. I just printed them out myself. Size dividers: I also found these on etsy! Totally in love with that site. Paper Party Design Co. is who I bought them through, and again, great to work with! She made these custom for me and they look great. I want another set so I have one for the closet in the sewing room and one for the Farmers Market. I also made a couple sets of two burp cloths and a couple taggie blankets

Now... if only there were any shoppers! Seriously, only a dozen people walked by in the 6 hours we sat there. I live in Driggs, people. It supposedly picks up and gets busier through the summmer. I sure hope so!

{ladybugs & polka.dots}

The girls and I had the car today (rarely happens, but I love it when it does!) and stopped by the thrift store. Moo immediately fell in love with a really ugly naked baby doll, Bug found a Littlest Pet Shop accessory, and I found a one-piece dress that is too small for my girls. So I got to thinking... I haven't played around with exposed serged seams... maybe it's time? So we scored it for $1, left the naked baby and came home to sew. The back is a solid red shirt, the same as the waistband. It was really quick to sew, I think I might be making more of these this summer! On the downside, Bug said we didn't need to keep it (aka, I WILL NOT WEAR IT!) so maybe it's destined for Moo. I guess I need to remember to ask her what fabrics she will and will not wear BEFORE I start. Just a thought.
It was nice to do some 'fun sewing' instead of my big project... I can't wait for Friday!

leftovers

I was cleaning up after making Moo's dress... and I realized just how big the sleeves from the shirt were. So, I wound up my bobbin and made a 9m dress for my little brother's baby girl. It fits her perfect, I just need to make a pair of bloomers or something because it's more of a tunic. But that works out better for crawling anyway, right?

I have been at my machine for hours and hours the last couple days working on a big project, and I can't wait to show you! I am giddy excited about it. I should be done by next Friday... for a while anyway!

{tolerable}

This tank was another score from the 'bag day' at the thrift store. It had a funny stain on the tummy (looks worse in 'real light') and I wasn't sure what to do with it.

I decided on just a couple of ruffle strips down the center towards the stain, in a yellow polka dot. When I asked Nick if he liked it, he said it was 'tolerable.' I guess that's good? Or is it destined to be a jammie top?

today...

-another rainy day. I am so ready for spring to come and stay.
-thinking about potty training. She loves to sit and sing, but that's all that happens. Maybe another month or two...

-loving that Moo talks so much. Today while she saw Bug and I getting ready for church, she said "Are you ready? Okay. Clothes, shoes, jacket, go! I go too! Jacket, Mama! I go!" She does not want to be left behind.

-drooling over a fabric purchase I made... Can't decide between a ticker tape quilt, squares like the bird quilt, or small baby blanket size projects. I love the fabric and am so happy to have my hands on a little bit!

-wishing I didn't have to work again today. Somehow my shifts all got bunched together and I have only had enough time to clean the house, but no crafting. Next week looks much better for sewing!

what can you get with $.20?

A new summer dress! The awesome thrift store by my house has a monthly 'bag sale' and all the clothing you can fit into a grocery bag is $4, or garbage bag for $8. I finally made it for this month's, and fit 20 items of clothing into one small bag... score! So each item cost me .20! This was a super budget-friendly summer dress.

I used Disney's idea for using a dress shirt with elastic thread, and the biased tape arm holes from Dana. I also found this great idea to make a casing at the top before you start shirring and run elastic through it... genius! It only had one pocket, I was too lazy to make a matching one, but it works, right?

The girls and I had a great time driving the back roads of Driggs to look for a building to take pictures next to. We settled on a funny building behind Pendl's and it worked great, but I wish my model was more interested in modeling and less interested in running away from me.

Bug did not want to be left out, so I took a couple shots of her, too. I can't believe she has already outgrown this dress!