Duuuuum dum, duh dum

Just finished up a little flower girl dress for a custom order...the mom & bride were looking for something pretty specific, & after looking around, they really didn't find anything the loved, so that's where I came in :)
Like usual, I used a bit of a pattern for the dress, but mostly just winged it to create the look they wanted. I used a basic satin and topped it with a pretty lace for the top of the dress. Then I added at least 5 yards of tulle to the bottom, with a couple yards of netting sandwiched in between the layers of tulle to add some stiffness & fullness. I then took some scraps of chiffon & satin and created the belt for a little contrast. The belt is made from the same material as the bridesmaids' dresses, so the wee little flower girl will coordinate with them! I then created hand ruffled flowers from fabric using a little heat from a candle. I hand sewed them together and embellished using a mix of crystals, metal beads, etc to add a bit of sparkle. Overall, it was a fun project & I can't wait to see the little lady wear it!

This ones for the boys....

Finishing up a few last minute projects and orders this week. The shop will be closed for the next month or so...it'll say I'm "on vacation" ...but I can assure you, we will NOT be on vacation! :) instead, we're packing up our little family (that has too much stuff) and movin to beautiful Colorado. I'll keep you posted on how things go, in the meanwhile, enjoy a few photos from this week...I've got to keep packing. 1husband, 1 crafter, 3 kids + 8 years in this house = lots and lots of junk... My yard sale pile is growing rapidly. :)

Darling, Darling.

Exciting new sewing project I want to share with you....
reversible fabric neck cowls....
These little accessories are made from velveteen, fur, and cotton fabrics in fun, fashionable prints!
grab a few for your little girl or yourself, makes a great unique gift!
These little gems are just $15 and are available for a limited time only. Get 'em while they last.
Email me if you want one. Or two. Or, you know.

Where'd I get those amazing photos with the lighted backdrop? Oh, thats from my uber-talented Friend Amy VanDyk. Yep, shes a creative one.

kindergarten pillow cases

 Whipped up a few pillowcases for a niece of mine who is headed off to kindergarten...

these are sure to add some interest to the highly-boring "rest time" :)

 

patchwork bag

This bag was an early birthday gift for my niece who is turning 9 in a few weeks.

It is slightly wider than the other tote bags I've made in the past...I figured she could use it for more things if it were slightly larger. I used a variety of scrap fabrics, pieced them together, added some interfacing for sturdiness & some triple reinforced handles for durability. I embellished the bag with a silk flower and a few sporadic buttons in various colors...

and there you have it...a personal, handmade birthday gift that she loved!

oilcoth bags

I completed a few oilcloth zippered pouches recently & sent them off to my cousin as part of a very belated birthday gift. I can't seem to have enough of these little bags. They are perfect for the summer to throw in a beach bag or diaper bag, and great to throw toiletries in so they don't leak all over my suitcase! They are easily rinsed out in the sink & reused over & over again! 

t-shirt refashions...

After being pregnant for what seems like the past  four years straight, my closet was a disaster. I've been pregnant, than post-pregnant, almost my regular size, then pregnant again...and so on. You get the picture. So my closet was in dire need of a good cleaning-out.

During this process I found a few items stained, with holes, stretched out, or just not fitting right that all had one thing in common: plenty of detail. I am a big advocate of donating to thrift stores, but I knew I wanted a few of these pieces to refashion into items for my girls.

 So combine detailed garments with simple sewing & this is what you get:

FROM THIS stained & stretched out JCrew shirt:

TO THIS simple ruffled onesie for my sweet baby:

FROM THIS interesting sequined sweater from Forever21 (what was I thinking? this is not my style! luckily I remember I paid less than $6 for it):

 TO THIS ruffled onesie again for Gwen:

 FROM THIS Foever21 top that I never wore b/c I could never find the right tank for underneath:

PLUS THIS cropped top from Anthropologie (someone else's hand-me-down, given to me):

 it had great embroidery on the front:

 TO THIS little tank dress for my 3 year old:

Now you go! Find something in your closet that you're not wearing, and re-purpose it!

Super simple & easy! (and not to mention practically free!)



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.