A Sweet Little Dress...

I started this little dress a few weeks back after noticing that Juliet really doesn't have many dresses - and she loves herself some dresses. I used this Oliver + S pattern and loved how simple the instructions were, much different than say any other large commercial pattern out there. Here's how it turned out:I hope it fits her!

Who Needs Anthropologie??

Ok, it's time to admit that I've had a problem with coveting this shower curtain from Anthropologie for some time:
And much to my glee as I was perusing a sewing blog this morning, I discovered this tutorial that shows people who don't want to fork over $118 how to make it yourself!! Yay! Apparently I need to be investing in a ruffle foot for my sewing machine, so I won't tear my hair out.

It feels like Christmas came a little early for me =). The only drawback? How much will all those yards of fabric cost??

Slouchy Book Bag

Sometimes I get inspired by sewing blogs and really think I can dive into a project like this: But then I see the materials needed and get really scared:
What the heck?! I am an admitted sewing junkie with almost every gadget available, but I don't even have the slightest idea what at least two of the above tools are. Perhaps I should rummage through my husband's garage today....

So Excited About...

I can't wait for the arrival of this book: Oliver + S is such a fun company for patterns - I own a few and I admit I was lured in by the marketing. Included in each pattern is paper doll clothes. It just brings me back to my childhood days...

Of course I pre-ordered this book and I should expect it in the mail today or tomorrow. Yay! I just finished a bag and am ready for my next sewing project (although I have yet to make myself a bag, which I desperately need).

Potholders.

Yes, I have started on Christmas presents. Currently I am sewing potholders that I learned to make from an online class call "Home Ec". I paid an arm and a leg for it, but I figure if I make enough Christmas presents, it will have paid for itself. Right? So, here they are: It was my first stab at quilting and I ended up serging the edges for a funky twist. I heart my serger. I have about five more sets to make, then I'm onto hankies, aprons, bags, etc. And if you know you are getting a gift from me and have a suggestion, I will take it!

Tee for Two Pattern

I just recently placed an order from Pink Chalk Fabrics (my favorite online fabric shop) and much to my checking account's demise, my order included these two items:I can't wait to make these super easy, ragged edge T-shirt patterns. The great thing is that they go from size 6 months up to 7 years and can be for a boy or a girl. The reviews are great for this pattern, and I will share when I complete one of these bad boys.
I swear by this Finnish fashion/pattern magazine. Who knew Finland had it so together in the children's fashion department? Each magazine includes all of the patterns shown on the glossy pages. They go by centimeters instead of inches, but I am working on getting used to the conversions.

Have a great weekend!

Opal Owl.

As soon as my friend asked me to make a couple sets of burp cloths, I knew what fabric I would be making a beeline for: I so enjoyed picking out fabric for each gender from this collection. I did the pink/brown fabric as shown below and also chose the green/blue fabric in the bottom row of the collage for the boy burp cloths (not pictured).
I loved experimenting with a chocolate colored zigzag stitch.
Hopefully these will be put to good use!

Hats.

I spent some time sewing this hat for Juliet: But most of the time she chooses to wear this mucky thing:
And insists on wearing it around the yard while playing:

A Dress for Juliet

With all boys gone from the house for about a day and a half, I had a bit of time to sew this cute little dress/shorts combo for Juliet. I love making girl clothes!

I used this pattern (which is labeled "easy", which does not equate to "fast"):I took some hasty pictures tonight during Juliet's overtired mode, so I apologize for the blurry action shots.
I love the pants!
The back was interesting - I'm not sure I would have ever made a pattern with a swoop back that doesn't meet up, but it turned out alright.

Inspiration

Just like other areas of sewing, quilting has taken a fresh, trendy turn in the last few years. I admire them from afar, treating quilting like an insurmountable mountain that I may never summit. But, this quilting book may just be the ticket for a season of self-taught quilting skills. Or it may just be a wonderful book for inspiration. Either way, I'm sure it will find it's way to my library sooner than later =).

My Odd Child.

Juliet really wanted to spend some time in these ear muffs yesterday - she loves being adorned with shoes, headbands, etc. I love having a girl!I've been busy sewing stuff (I just finished a pair of knit pajama pants for Samuel), so I haven't had much time on the World Wide Web, hence the lack of blogging. I'll try to be better!

Pillowcase Dress

I have just completed this fun little dress from this Simplicity pattern.I actually picked up this Amy Butler fabric as a remnant (read: super cheap) and it was a perfect piece for this dress. I hope the recipient likes it!
One of these days I need to start making my baby girl some clothes!

Boy Time.

We had these two sweet boys over to our house one afternoon this week and what a blessing that was!! They not only entertained my boys, but Juliet as well. I was able to do some sewing while everyone was watching a movie.

They chose Monsters v. Aliens to watch: Juliet sat in John's lap and played, very contentedly for quite a while.

She also played by herself - which really doesn't happen often enough.

I tried to skip Jude's nap (well, I didn't try, it just sort of worked out that way) but by 5 p.m., I layed him on the couch for a rest and he snoozed for awhile.

Juliet now climbs up the stairs and recently started walking herself back down (even though she doesn't do that much walking - even on flat surfaces).

And here's my current project - a dress for Juliet. We'll see if it gets done in time for Easter. Don't you just love that fabric?!

Quirky things about my kids currently:

Samuel likes to tell-all to other people. Meaning all the embarrassing things not meant for the general public to hear, he tells.

Jude chooses random times to throw fits - he states that he can't get up, convulses on the ground a bit and screams. Weird. We are choosing to ignore it because really, the shorter this tantrum season is, the better.

Juliet likes to eat dead bugs. Or at least give them a taste. She also slaps both sides of her head with her palms, Rainman-style. But only when she's bored in the car.

I speak the truth when I say that there are no dull moments around here.

An Apron and Some Cute Kids

At last, I finished my Mom's Christmas gift - this apron. I love the material and have enough to make another one. Samuel took this picture - interesting angle! More often than not, I give all the kids a bath at once. Samuel can't wait for the baby to get out and Jude usually just is in his own world. And Juliet? Well, she terrorizes everyone and everything.

I just had to post this picture because I love the thunder thighs! And cankles.

They were fighting over the warm stream of water in this one. Sometimes raising kids is truly exhausting.

This morning after asking Jude if he was ready to apologize to Samuel for stealing a toy he said "No. I 'm going to stay in my time out forever." Hmm. I'm not sure where he gets that strong will from.

A couple of weeks ago during a crazy outing full of errands, I said to Samuel "Samuel. We have to go to one more Michael's just to pick up a magazine." And he asked "Mama? Does Michael's have a drive thru?"

For the baby book, Juliet now says "Papa" , does a bit of cruising and plays "peek-a-boo" when I change her diaper. She is 11 months adjusted and growing so fast!

So Therapeutic...

Finally I am making the burp cloths I have promised to a friend, oh, about a month ago. Now that the sicknesses have died down, I am trying to get back on track with making baby and Christmas gifts. This particular burp cloth is going to a missionary mama in Kirghistan. Cool, huh?

I could wallpaper my house in this fabric. I love it.

Crafty Things

I've been meaning to try my hand at these sweet little headbands since I read about them on Mindy's blog. That and my sweet (and sick!) baby girl is sprouting hair at a snail's pace.
I couldn't locate my hot glue gun, so I used needle & thread for everything. These could get quite addictive.

Addictive for me, that is. Not so much for Juliet.

She doesn't love them.

Operation Apron: Complete

Ok, so Samuel was the photographer for this picture, but you get the idea. Unfortunately, you can't see the pleating on the bodice and apron panel, but they are there, along with the curved pockets. I do love how it turned out and hopefully the recipient will as well!