drawstring waist tutorial

Our neighbor has this perfect wooden fence...I never thought to stick Sadie in front of it for our photo shoots, but I love it! There were some people looking at the house for sale across the street, they probably thought I was a weirdo, posing my daughter in front of a fence. If they'd only known it was for a blog! Then they really would have thought I was cool strange.

Couldn't help but throw this pouty one in there. She sure knows how to work it!

annnd...

You know I love me a good tutorial, so here's how to make a quick and easy drawstring waist for a peasant shirt.

Click below for more! 

silly girl

When I get Sadie up from her nap, I usually lay Charlotte down on her toddler bed while changing her Majesty's pooeyness.


After THAT fun tradition is over, Sadie loves sitting next to her and chatting it up.


The other day, I went to grab something from the other room, and came back to a guilty look.

"What are you doing?" I asked, thinking she was probably doing something she wasn't supposed to.

She said,"Go 'way, Mommy!"

and then pointed to the door to get the message across.

Isn't she psychotic-looking cute?

She wanted some alone time with Charlotte....apparently to maul her....

...rub her belly for luck....

...and give her a good old fashioned licking Eskimo kiss!

bear with me...

...as I try and make it through the next few weeks.

I'm going to make my mom attempt to make this fabric:

into a version of this dress:

(I don't remember where I found this image, sorry! if you do, let me know)

It's going to be Sadie's flower girl dress for my sister's wedding. Only with a dark teal fabric for the waist. (Joanna, do you like it?) I also want to make Charlotte a dress, so here's hoping there's enough material left to do something simple for her.

Also on my to do list:

*hem my bridesmaid dress

*go shopping for lingerie to embarrass Joanna with party stuff

*throw Sadie's birthday party (which has it's very own large to do list)

*get my sister and her soon to be hubby a thoughtful, awesome gift. (ok, it'll probably be a gift card. that way, THEY can do the thinking...see how lazy smart I am?)

*finish the planning/shopping/setting up for my sister's bridal shower

*throw said shower

*revel in glory of shower not going down in flames

*help with Joanna and Cody's wedding

*write a memorable and awesome wedding toast

*go to Joanna and Cody's wedding, dance booty off at reception. (assuming kidlets will let me)

*attempt a 12 hour drive to Utah with two kidlets

*attempt said trip in an RV with the rest of my family....for 6 days. (ok, we will be renting a car once we get there, but still)

*attempt to keep my sanity somewhat intact.

So, posting may be spotty in the coming weeks, because as you can see, August is a BUSY month for us. I can't wait though!

Also, I've had some emails saying people have been using my tutorials. SAH-weet! Can I just say that gives me a big ol' cheesy grin every time I get one of those emails? I just wanted to remind ya'll that I have a flickr group, and if you want to upload pictures of your projects there, well, that'd be just nifty.

There's a linky button on the right side bar, or if you're lazy like me...here ya go.

i'm a bit obsessive...

...when it comes to sewing these dolly clothes. I just couldn't help myself! They are soo easy and quick to sew up. Plus, it's a great way to use up my random scraps and fat quarters! I found this awesome pattern (printable on the bottom of the post), and went to town!

Some skirts, denim shorts, shirts...

...and dresses galore! I cannot get enough of the mini version I made of the Ice Cream Social Dress. Agh! too cute! My eyes! Here are my favs on her dolly:

agh! love it. and finally able to use this awesome fabric!

I adjusted the bodice piece from the pattern and made a shirt out of it, with a few fabric flowers stitched to the top. I love this top because it goes with other shorts and skirts. A dolly's gotta have options!

I love the simplicity of this one, and the little band of white (twill tape)

I heart the pieced look of this little sundress, and I was finally able to use up some teeny tiny scraps from this quilt. (which, hasn't gotten finished, btw...someday)



The best part of all this craziness? Sadie really loves the clothes! She's been having the best time dressing them up. (well, making me do it...which I really don't mind, haha) This is the most excited she's gotten about something I've made her, which of course, makes me want to make a gajillion dolly clothes. Good thing I have a lot of scraps!


P.S. I'm pretty sure this doll dresses WAY better than I do. Just sayin...

How do I do it?

I get asked this question sometimes, or some form of it...How do you do it? Sew....blog....blow your nose....(well, not that last one)

PLEASE don't assume I, in any way, shape, or form, have it "all together". It's all smoke and mirrors folks! Blogs tend to show the best of people's lives...which isn't bad, you just don't see the mess covering my dresser top or the dishes in the kitchen waiting to be loaded. I do enjoy my hobbies immensely, so here's how I make time for them.

I've learned since having Sadie and Charlotte, that dropping a project when baby needs me, is OK...I used to get frustrated when they'd interrupt my sewing time, but let's face it, I am a mommy and wife first and foremost! There will be time to finish that project/blog post later! Having a dedicated craft room has been wonderful, I can just shut the door and hide the mess-er-project from Sadie's grubby hands. I know not everyone is able to have a room, but even a closet or cupboard to stash away what you're working on, and then pull it out when you have a spare second, is great! I used to scrapbook on a teeny tiny corner desk. Now, that was fun.

I have unofficial days for cleaning tasks; laundry, floors, bathroom etc..mostly for upkeep. I like to do the weekly, heavier cleaning on Monday mornings. I take about 2 hours (I pop in a movie for Sadie....so sue me!) and work up a sweat cleaning and organizing the house. (also a good workout) That way, I feel like I have a good start to the week and can lightly clean/de-clutter as the week goes on. In no way is my house spotless, but I feel like I have a pretty good excuse for a few dust bunnies with a 2 year old and 5 week old. (this does exclude my craft room, though...haha!) I also usually plan my meals out for the week on Sunday or Monday, and go my grocery shopping on Tuesdays. That way, I know what I'm making ahead of time, which saves me from late afternoon, what-are-we-having-for-dinner-itis. Nasty disease.

As I've learned from my mistakes, and sewed more (and more, and more...), I've learned tricks to speed up the process. For instance, if I know I'll be making more than one of an item (lately, doll clothes), I'll make them assembly line style-cut out, then sew the parts together. I also don't like wasting time, so I've learned to be a quick sewer. Just practice, I guess!

For those of you who have young kids, you know how precious nap time is. Sadie's been pulling 2-3 hour naps (SOOO nice), so I have a nice chunk in the middle of the day in which to get my sewing fix. Charlotte usually naps around the same time, sometimes waking up to eat in the middle. Of course, that will probably change as she gets older, but for now it's nice! I usually try to keep a running list in my head of things I'm working on and have a plan of attack once nap time rolls around...so that way I'm not wasting precious time figuring out what to work on. (which does happen! don't get me wrong) I also like to watch my tv shows on my computer, which is in my craft room, while sewing...multi-tasking at it's best! (Well, maybe not best, but Arrested Development is pretty dang funny!)

Why do I sew/craft? It (quite literally) keeps me sane. There's something almost magical about a finished dress sitting where fabric was just mere hours ago, and knowing that I made it with my own two hands. Well, me and the sewing machine. It's very satisfying. I've always loved being creative and making things. So it's not only worth it, it's essential to me. My hands get antsy if I'm away from the sewing machine for too long. ;) It makes me happy to make my daughters long lasting things to wear and play with (hopefully), that will someday possibly become cherished family toys. (also, hopefully) Well, I can dream, can't I?


Now, how do you make time for your hobbies? Any tricks/tips?

CSN Giveaway winner!

Without further ado....the winner of the $80 gift certificate to CSN stores is....

Meg from Motherhood Unedited! Congrats Meg, I'll be contacting you soon with info!

I wish I could give every single one of you gift certificates! Truly. Anyways, have an awesome weekend! We're going to see Toy Story 3 tomorrow, with both the littles. Wish us luck, although we've already been to two movies at the theater since Charlotte was born. (those older movies they play in the summer) She did great, as did Sadie! Off to watch Toy Story 1 to get her caught up. ;)

And, since I literally can't post without a picture...(haha)....here's what our evenings have looked like lately:



hanging out in the playroom, Rory catching up on his magazines, Sadie "playing" (aka bugging) Charlotte, me checking my email and listening to Pandora on my phone. (Disney music channel, of course!)

Happy Friday!


oh, and this one is too cute to not post. ;) love those cheekies. (from my phone, sorry about the quality!)

I've been making doll clothes galore...look for that post on Monday!

seatbelt covers tutorial

I just love these car seat strap covers. I made Sadie a pair a long time ago, but I wasn't happy with how they were made, so I re-did them. They're the perfect way to eliminate red marks on your little one's neck! and stylish too.

***Just be sure they are not too long to interfere with the chest clasp on your car seat. Safety first.

Click below for more! 

baby doll dresses

Sadie's baby dolls "needed" some new dresses...aren't they cute? I used this tutorial/free pattern, and sewed them up during the girls nap time. They have been nice enough to nap at the same time lately! Isn't that wonderful of them?

I made a quick matching headband for the orange one...agh! I think this may become a new obsession. That's not weird, right?

And they're reversible! awesome. Two dresses in one. Although in hindsight I should have swapped the fabrics so the dollies could coordinate. You know, call each other up on the play phone,"Which dress are you wearing today? The orange? oK!"

What, you didn't do that in elementary school? I did! (with my pals Jenny and Jennifer...we were the three J's, and had the coolest clothes...er....)

the back. Ooh, scandalous, you can see her diaper!

I'm on the lookout for more doll clothing tutorials, so if you know of any good ones, let me know!

'nana

Sadie has a banana every morning for breakfast-so this felt food was sure to be a hit with her. Sure enough, she tried to eat it right away.

(cue me: Sadie...stop eating the felt, please.)

I made up the pattern, and i just love the peel, it's removable, of course. You gotta be able to peel your banana! I also just HAD to make some cute little banana slices. (that, and I was stuck with Charlotte sleeping on my lap during Sadie's nap with nothing but ivory felt within reach)

Sorry about the barrage of felt food lately. I've sewn a few things other than food, but haven't gotten any good pictures yet. It's much harder with two kids to do that, I'm finding out!

would you like fries with that?

To all the vegetarians out there; look away...

I couldn't help but make a hamburger for Sadie's kitchen. She only recently started liking hamburgers, but only at In 'n Out. (YUMM) Everyone has their opinion on their burgers. Rory is not a fan. (and yet I still married him...)

For those of you who don't have one of those nearby, I am truly, heartfeltfully, sorry.


Anyways, this was pretty simple felt food to make, mostly circles sewn and stuffed...I did some french knots on the top of the burger bun for the sesame seeds...haha! love it.


My FAVORITE part is the grill marks! agh! I sewed some 1/4 inch strips of black felt to my brown circle first. easy peasy, but so flippin' cute.

I haven't quite figured out how to make french fries yet, but this hamburger needs some fries by its side. It's lonely. So lonely...

Maybe I need some fries. (yummy...with ranch dip)....



Well, what's this? A french fry tutorial?! wow. It came from out of nowhere!

sah-weet!

For these fat-free, carb-free (taste-free), french fries, you'll need:

cream colored felt
matching or white thread
fabric glue
rotary blade and quilting ruler are very handy

Cut your felt into strips 3/4 inch x 9 inches

Fold in thirds, about three inches per section.

Using your fabric glue (or hot glue would work too), dab a thin strip of glue in between the layers..make sure to stay away from the edges, as you'll sew them later.

If you look REEEALY closely, you can see the glue.

smoosh together! The glue is to keep the layers from shifting too much while you sew them together.

Trim the edges of your "fries" so that they are angled. Don't they look like cute steak fries?


Then, sew around the edges with a 1/8 inch seam. tada!


You have some adorable french fries.


Not complete without a bag!

Featured on One Pretty Thing!

***If you have used any of my tutorials, I'd love if you'd add a quick pic to my flicker group! Thanks!***

one month

gee whiskers...time goes so fast when you have kids! (the typical mommy chant)

with the second baby, it's even faster! Zoom! (that's time flying past me)

At one month old, Charlotte's not doing much besides, eat, sleep, and mess her diapers. She is starting to be awake more and alert when she is awake, which is fun. She was laying on Rory's chest last night, and lifted her head up to stare at him, for a good couple of minutes. So she's a little strong girl. She's also been starting to pull some 4 hour blocks of sleeping time at night-YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO.

Sadie loves to "hold" Charlotte.


She loved when Charlotte grabbed onto her finger! (her arm is fine, BTW, we-Rory-gave her a band aid during church to keep her quiet. lol)

Why so grumpy, Miss? Of course I forgot her cute headband for our quick photo shoot. grr.

outtakes

sometimes our little photo shoots don't go as planned...and I get gems like these:

"zombie Sadie"

"the licker"

"the pouter"

"the cry baby"

Don't worry, she was crying because she wanted to get off the chair...not because I was forcing her to pose. Well, I guess putting her on the chair and pointing a camera at her is the same thing...oh well. The point is, she survived. ;)