CELEBRATE!

We have had a week of celebrating 'baby girl' turning 3 - the same age as her mommy. We went out to eat and she got some new stickers... She got her own custom dress (based again on this tutorial)... a new sun bonnett - I used an infant hat and made four rows of gathering with elastic thread in a desperate attempt to make it fit... ...and a custom i-spy bag. Her best friends even got new clothes for her party we had at home. Spoiled rotten, I think.

progress...

I seem to have been in a sewing/crafting funk for a couple weeks, but I am making progress with a new project this evening! It's nice to be back at the sewing machine.

tiny little flowers

I saw these adorable crocheted flowers and challenged myself to learn to crochet. They are not perfect (or anywhere near!) but I am pleased with my growing collection of tiny little flowers. {i love the helping hands when i take pics. makes me happy!}

Farmers' Market highlights

Between Audrey and myself, we have four little girls to keep entertained at the Farmers' Market for six hours every Friday. Today the highlight was the ice somebody dumped out on the grass (from clean containers - we checked!). The girls had a blast!
However, silly mommy forgot sunscreen on them and they are fried this evening. Sorry girls!

party planning

I snatched this handy rotary blade from my mom a while back, and hadn't found a use for it until I ran across this tutorial for a birthday banner. With a party coming up this weekend, I was excited to use it!

out of necessity

I love to sew clothes, quilts, etc., but sometimes the most rewarding things I make are out of necessity. Bug fell off the couch onto a chair two days ago, and after 48 hours of guarding the arm, we took her to the clinic. It looks like a slight break, and will heal on its own {yeah for that!}. However, she has to wear this sling in the meantime. To help with the comfort, I made a minky strap cover. Simple, but here's how I did it:

Measure from the front where the strap attaches to the back, and add 1/2". For the second measurement, double the width of the strap and add 3/4". I cut my piece 12 x 5".

Fold over short ends towards wrong side of fabric by 3/8" and topstitch. Fold with right sides together and sew long side together. Turn inside out... and have one happy {and compliant} girl!

another one...

I seem to get stuck making multiples of things! As much as I loved the camera strap I made, I found myself wanting a wrist strap as well. I had a beautiful scrap of pink fabric I used, and it was just what I was hoping for.

Fabric Shopping

Since my mom owns a quilt shop, "fabric shopping" is picking out new lines of fabric for the upcoming seasons. I always look forward to this day, especially when it's the Moda Fabric rep on her way! It's also nice to have my little helpers... love those crocodiles!

new love

I found an awesome blog {Create and Delegate} over the weekend and have been drooling at months and months of blog posts... I love finding a new inspiration site! I fell in love with this dress...and had to immediately make my own. I opted to gather the top just because of the print shirt I chose. I would have pleated it otherwise. This is what I came up with: Off to explore the world we love... I originally intended it to be a birthday gift for Moo, but I tried it on her for fit and she wouldn't take it off. I will take that as a success!

{new dresses}

Both of the girls have gotten significantly taller in the last few months, and we were down to really casual {and short!} church clothes. Inspired by some dresses at Target, I snagged two clearance shirts, yard of fabric and got to work {I am such a sucker for matching them}. I almost made a tutorial, and then I found this great one, which is exactly what I did so I'll save myself the trouble and just link you there!