Saturday, March 31, 2012

linen emroidered top


 I love love love most anything hand-embroidered...and whenever I see it at thrift stores, yard sales, etc, I cant help but pick it up, even if I have no immediate use for it. I just know how long it probably took that person to stitch every little design on cotton or linen (for-e-ver). So anyway, I feel like I have to rescue most every piece of hand-embroidery I find from being thrown into the wasteland.
 I know how to embroider things myself, but haven't taken much time lately to create anything elaborate with it. So anyway...back to this project...
I had this table runner that I picked up in a grab bag at the thrift store a few months ago and wanted to do something with it. Now while the colors are one of the things I loved about it, it didn't quite fit anywhere in my house. I got the idea that this would make a beautiful, detailed top for my little one & got to work. I made a few quick measurements & created the band & arm straps. Then I gathered the table runner to fit that measurement & sewed it together. I added the buttons as a decorative detail & got some good practice using the button hole attachment on my new sewing machine for the button on the back. I used all vintage buttons from my grandmother's and my husband's grandmother's stashes & it suits the top perfectly. I didn't get a great shot of the embroidery up close, but the black lines, the colorful flowers & the leaves are all intricately hand-stitched on ecru linen with a hand-crocheted scalloped trim. B-E-A-U-TIFUL.
The top is a little loose on Tatum, but that's not usually a problem for long around here. These kids grow like weeds, so it'll probably be great come summertime.
Easy breezy little top that will be perfect for hot summer days...







Friday, March 30, 2012

did you burp?

With the new baby coming soon (less than 3 weeks till my due date!) I thought it appropriate to whip up a couple dozen burp cloths for a boy and a girl. These little babies are a simple project that even beginner sewers can tackle & are quickly completed during a nap time.
They are super absorbent, colorful & practical; making them a great baby gift to keep on hand.
Pick whatever cotton fabrics you'd like, minky even works on these & get sewing! Just a few straight lines gets you great results. And of course, if you'd rather not sew, let me know & I'll get you a few from my stash!
Many more baby-related posts to come...I can't help it...I've got baby on the brain!





Wednesday, March 28, 2012

those were the [pioneer] days...

Just when you thought this blog couldn't get any more random...

The Pioneer Ensemble
I wanted to share a little project I completed a few weeks or so ago for a little girl from my church. She is in the third grade and they were having a pioneer day, thus the need for this costume.
This was a really fun & kind-of tricky project to work on. Lots and Lots of detailing went into it...ruffles, zippers, pleats & hems, which takes time and thought :) I forced myself to use a pattern (for the bonnet & dress at least, I just winged the apron) and it turned out great. I chose "pioneer-ish fabrics like 100% cotton & unbleached muslin to help it look more authentic.
All-in-all, it made me want to curl up on my couch and re-read the entire Little House On The Prairie series like I had when I was a little girl.



Tuesday, March 27, 2012

hats for summer

 Where has the time gone? It's been a while since I've posted again, but that is once again because there have been so many projects going lately! So keep checking back 'cause over the next few days my plan is to share a bunch of handmade goodies with all ya'll!
These little girl hats were a find I picked up at Ross the other day for a few bucks. I really didn't love the bow they had on them...it was pink & green camo (just not my style), so I decided to add just a little sparkle to each of them  & call it a day. I plan on keeping one for Tatum & the other will most likely end up as a gift. I am suspecting they'll get plenty of use throughout this summer on trips to the pool & the beach.
Ahhhh...I can almost feel that warm sunshine now...almost.
 Come quickly summer.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

t-shirt round-up

Just finished off a bunch of shirts for a couple custom orders...
I loved this project because the order was for a "few embellished shirts".
I had the creative freedom to do with them what I wanted...which is so fun.
I really enjoy taking something simple & comfy like a t-shirt and making it into something unique & special...all the while keeping it comfy & easy to wear for the little girls receiving them!
If you'd like a shirt or two for your little one let me know!





















magic doll detangler

This post might top the random chart for this blog, but I thought it might be some useful info for all ya'll out there that have dolls in your house with hair that looks like this:

We braided Rapunzel's hair in an attempt to keep it lookin' nice, but clearly, it still gets gross & tangled. So I stumbled upon a trick for this little problem...magic doll detangler.

Wanna know the trick?
Mix 1/3 fabric softener with 2/3 water in a spray bottle.
Soak your dolls hair.
Comb out using a brush made for extensions (there are no balls at the ends of the bristles & it will pull out less hair).
Trim the bottom a bit & you're good to go (until next time!) 

FROM THIS:

 TO THIS:

Seriously? Anyone else notice my spelling error above? I was thinking something didn't quite look right on that label.  MAJIC? How about MAGIC? What a dork. I'm going to go ahead and blame that on pregnancy brain...'cause it certainly isn't doing my college degree any justice.