When I was little, Tacky the Penguin was one of my favorite books! So of course it was one that absolutely had to be added to my daughter's library. (that happens to you all, right? lol) So when Polly emailed me about the Read Along series she was planning, I jumped right on board and started thinking of possible books. Tacky the Penguin … [Read more...]
Chrysathemum top
March 24, 2011 By 67 Comments
Or, Dahlia top...or whatever those big flowers are called. I'm no gardener! I can barely keep our house plants alive. Anywho...I made this cute top after having it saved to my flickr favorites since forEVER. I basically copied this adorable top, only added some little puffy cap sleeves. This little miss is turning into quite the model. She works … [Read more...]
ric rac dress tutorial
March 22, 2011 By 24 Comments
Here's how I transformed the Rachel wrap pattern into this retro ric rac dress! You'll need: fabric (I used about 1.5 yards for my 2 year old, with leftovers. You need a lot of yardage for the pleats) ric rac (I used under 2 yards) buttons 1/4" elastic (or smaller, I used a scrap) thread Rachel wrap pattern Printable version of this … [Read more...]
ric rac dress for Charlotte
March 21, 2011 By 36 Comments
Well, I had some of that lovely fabric leftover from Sadie's dress, so of course I had to make a little matchy-matchy dress for little sis Charlotte! I made it slightly similar (the sleeves and buttons) but a different style at least. It's basically a Charlotte dress with a Circle skirt attached. Pretty straight-forward! The headband is a tee … [Read more...]
the Lucky dress
March 19, 2011 By 35 Comments
Did you all guess that this was my project over on One Month to Win It this last week? Sadie's hair is a bit recognizable I guess. lol!Wish me more luck for this next week-the competition dropped down to 6-and 3 will be voted off next week-yikes! I still need to get some pics of my project too, and it's cloudy and rainy here. Grrr. oh well!I loved … [Read more...]
a new robot pal and giveaway!
March 18, 2011 By 98 Comments
Hello everyone!Meet Mommy the Robot. (that's what Sadie named her....she seems to think I am a robot...lol) Isn't she cute? So stylin' with her cute mary janes and coordinating limbs. Say, would you like to be able to make a robot just like her? Cause you're in luck. ;) Chris from Pickup Some Creativity created the pattern that I used for … [Read more...]
the ric rac dress
March 17, 2011 By 32 Comments
Oh my gosh I love this top pic. What a nerd. She is SOO my child. ANYways, here is another dress I made. Shocker, right? Who 'da thunk it? Jess, sewing a dress? Whaa? Ok, ok. The simple truth is, I just can't get enough of making little dresses for my Sadester! Can you blame me? She gets so excited about a new one and looks so darn cute in … [Read more...]
guest post for I Heart Naptime
March 14, 2011 By 38 Comments
It wasn't supposed to go up til Wednesday, but is up early! So, head over to I Heart Naptime today for my whale softie tutorial and free pattern! Hope you have a whale of a good time. har har. Yeah I'm lame so what?Here is the full tutorial, now posted on my blog! I also love softies. They were some of the first sewing projects I made for … [Read more...]
Dress A Girl pleated pillowcase dress
March 12, 2011 By 16 Comments
When Vanessa first contacted me about her Dress a Girl Around the World sew along, I was so excited to participate. What a great charity-and browsing through the website made me so excited to sew up a dress (or two or three!) for a darling little girl somewhere!So here's my take on a pillowcase dress-with a pleated trim and sash. :D … [Read more...]
The Nae Nae Apron tutorial
March 7, 2011 By 33 Comments
Welcome to Tie One on Me week here on Craftiness is not Optional and At Second Street! Get ready for some apron inspiration this week. :D When I thought about what I wanted for my apron, I knew it had to have some pleats. I love me a good pleat. ;) And it had to tie in a bow. and be teal and red to match my kitchen. Ok, so I didn't really think … [Read more...]