1st Birthday Photo Shoot

I was bound and determined to get everyone to somewhat "match" each other for our upcoming photo session for Lorelai's 1st year pictures.  I had a super cute dirndl in pink, green, and white that my parents brought her from Germany all picked out. But, try and find cute coordinating clothes for the rest of the family in the fall fashion season.
Oops!

So, Plan B.  Make the kids outfits.  I had gotten this flower pattern 50% off and had plans to make it into a dress for Lorelai anyway.  And then found this cute oval Cheerio fabric for a shirt for Gabriel and...phew! They matched!!!!  :)

We'll start with Gabriel...

Sewing boys clothes is much harder.  There are a lot of details that can really mess up the fit of the outfit if done incorrectly.

I love this oval Cheerio print.  Wish I could remember who it's by.  It was an impulse buy so I didn't really pay attention.  The pattern is by Heidi & Finn on Etsy.  I love the detail down the front of the shirt where it buttons up.  Subtle, but nice.

This shirt had lots of fun detail.  The epaulette on the sleeve.  And a pocket on the front.  

 And now for sweet little Lorelai -

I adore this squared off neckline.  This pattern was the Elsie pattern from Sew Sweet Patterns, also on Etsy.

I chose a button closure for the back.  Yeah...I need to find different shoes before her pictures.

I just love the little ruffled caps on the arm opening.  I decided to accent with a bit of the fabric from Gabriel's shirt.  I also added some top stitching around the arm openings and the neckline.  The pattern didn't call for it, but I thought it added a little something extra.

Sorry for the 1960's vintage feel of this, but with concrete as the background I just had to do something to make it softer.  It's hard to get a good picture of a brand new walker who is getting used to shoes... in the grass...on a hill.

Of course myself and my husband will be in the pictures as well.  I didn't make our outfits, but I did happen upon a GREAT shirt checkered (in the same Goldenrod yellow) to match the kids.  And then of course this is what my husband will be wearing.

I kid!  I kid!  He has a nice modern plaid in white, navy, and yellow to wear.  :)

I must say...despite some rough patches while doing Gabriel's shirt (which has more to do with my being VERY new to garment construction) I am just thrilled with the final results.

Happy Crafting!

Birthday Shirt - Check!

Don't you just love when you try something new and you can be pleased with the results?  I have never appliqued before, and working with jersey scares the bejeezes out of me sometimes.  When my son was turning one I ordered him a special birthday shirt with a cupcake just like this one (only his was rocket ship icing).  His said "Birthday Boy" above the cupcake, and had his name embroidered on the "icing" portion.  I wanted my daughter to have something similar, but I wanted to make it.  I don't think I can pull off the lettering, but I can definitely  make the cupcake.  :)

To be honest this was my second attempt.  The first attempt was good enough, but it was on a pink t-shirt and I ended up just not liking it as much.  Anyway, I'm tickled pink with how well this turned out. And I hope someday when my kids are going through their "Growing Up" boxes that my daughter doesn't slam me for not having her name on her shirt...and that my son doesn't slam me for buying his instead of making it.  Although...if they're anything like me they probably will remind me of it over and over again.  ;)

Happy Crafting!

Reverse Knot Dress - Check!

The shop is finally officially closed to custom orders until 2012.  Phew!  Who knew I would get so much fabulous custom work so quickly.  I have been busy from May until now working on customs.  Unfortunately, that means I haven't been able to work on anything for my own family.  But, with my daughter's first birthday coming up in (GASP!) 11 days, Halloween, and Christmas looming before us I need to get busy!

I started off by making my very first "outfit" for my daughter.  I picked up this cute Reverse Knot Dress PDF pattern, from Kissing Kumquats on Etsy, back when she was just an itty bitty thing (relatively speaking).  And now I FINALLY had time to make it!  It's turned out so darling.  It was my first time gathering so I had some issues with that, but practice will only make me better.  And I want to know how the lady from Kissing Kumquats makes her bows so pretty!!!  Maybe if I ask her she'll tell me, or do a guest post to teach all of us how to tie a pretty bow.  Mine just looks like a thumbless monkey did it.  ;)

Sadly little Miss Teethy McTeetherson was in no mood to be photographed - outside, minus the paci, or minus the treasured Lady Bug Girl doll.  So, I do what I can to keep the little people happy.

Coming up...I finished her tutu as well.  (Now if I can just get her to wear it.)  Another dress for Lorelai, a shirt for my son, an applique birthday shirt, and more birthday fun.  11 days!!!  OH MY GOODNESS!!!

Happy Crafting!

Baby Boy Crib Skirt

I finished Laurel's crib skirt the other day for her baby boy.  I really need to find another solution for photographing crib skirts.  Apparently my daughter's is an odd height so everything is too long or too short on it.  Frustrating!  My Mother-in-law and I thought we had another idea figured out, but it was a no go.  :(  Bummer.  Oh well, I think it turned out really cute.  I need to iron those pleats, but I hope Laurel is pleased.

She also decided to add an envelope pillow sham with her remaining fabric.

"Once Upon A Time" Quilt

Lauren's little girl's twin bed quilt is finally COMPLETE!!!  :)  And it turned out just lovely.  Everything I would want for my own darling girl.  (I've considered saying there was a horrible accident and so I won't be listing it so I could keep it for myself.  ;) )  You can see the Etsy listing here.

I think the binding really makes this quilt.  Lauren's daughter's favorite color is purple.  But, the Tula Pink line we used was all olive, pink, and white.  To add in purple I found a great dot that had the white, green, and two shades of purple (light & dark).  Then I found a soft lavender to match the lavender dot.  :)  But, it still seemed out of place.  Then voila...I found this amazing bold purple for the binding and it all made sense.

The backing is actually a flat bed sheet.  Yep.  A bed sheet.  It's cost effective and leaves you without any seams in your backing making for a more resilient quilt.  And since this is going on a toddler's twin bed you can bet this is going to get some loving.  :)

I just fell in love with this "Prince Charming" fabric line.  I love the ornate nature of it.  And Lauren chose a simple block pattern that reminded her of her childhood.  To make the two balance each other out better I created a free motion quilting design of creeping vines, hearts, and flowers.  I'm really pleased with how it turned out.  6 hours of quilting on this bad boy!

And here you have it.  One "charming" quilt for a lovely little girl.

Tutorial: Easy Peasy Rosette Headband

You know all of those cool flowery headbands you see little girls wearing anymore? I'm sure you have especially if you frequent any craft blogs that feature children's items. And I'm sure you've noticed that there are about 6,000 different ways to make all of those flowers. While the thought of making one doesn't frighten me at all I just haven't gotten around to it. Until I saw a way to cheat with rosette ribbon (by the yard) at Hobby Lobby. It was so great. A satin row of rosettes stitched onto tulle. And they had it in multiple colors. So, my brain went to work and I took my kids all over Hobby Lobby gathering supplies.

Supplies: Rosette ribbon (I got 1/2 yd. = 18 in., but didn't use all of it. To use all of it would cover the entire headband if you want to go that route), a headband, thread that matches your rosettes, beads (I bought green tear drop shaped ones for leaves and crystal ones to add a little pizzazz), needle, and hot glue gun/sticks

Begin by taking a single strand of thread and knotting it at one end. Then pass your needle and thread through the tulle and grab a bit of the satin as well, to anchor it, a few times. Make sure to keep all of your knot at the back of the ribbon.

Once you have your thread anchored decide how frequently you want your green "leafy" gems and stitch them on. I did mine at the top right and bottom left of each flower. Make sure to anchor your gems on with a few stitches so that they don't come off easily and become a choking hazard for your little one if they should pull it off. If you will notice this ribbon is all stretched out and in-between each rosette there is some extra satin (it's in the shape of a heart but you can't really tell that). I wanted more fullness so...

I gathered the rosettes together on the back by stitching a few times from the top of one flower to the next and pulling tightly to make it gather. I did this at the top of each rosette pair and at the bottom.

Now when you flip it over it looks like this. Much fuller and more attractive don't you think?

I went back and added a bit more bling since this is basically a photo prop. Use the same technique as you did for the tear drop "petals" to secure each bead. I grouped mine in threes but each bead is secured individually.

After you have your beads all secured and everything as you like it secure the ribbon to the headband using hot glue. And then once it has cooled off try it on your kiddo to see how it looks:

Pardon the drool. She's teething. lol I would change the headband to a light pink if I could do it again. Just so it blended more. But, the outfit she will be wearing this with is a dirndl from Germany that her Grandparents bought her, and it is pink, green, and white. Hence the creamy white headband. And while she looks all rosey posey above...

Yeah...little miss teether didn't think it was all fun and games like mom did.

P.S.  This tutorial is also my posting this week on The Disciples of Etsy if you want to hop on over there and check that fab blog out.  :)

Happy crafting!