Taking a Crafty Break

I get on kicks - sewing kicks, crocheting kicks, blogging kicks, cleaning kicks...you know what I mean. It seems that when a kick has kicked in, I am unable to focus on anything else. I try to remain well-balanced with a little of everything each week but something new has come into my life and well, its kicked me in the butt. Photoshop has entered and all else, it seems, has exited. Not sure how long this kick will last but I'm going to ride it out for a while. So I'm not creating much in the way of clothing or accessories but I am creating some cool images and bloggy bling!

Art Smocks

Here was our problem.

More paint on the child than on the paper. But we love to paint.

Here is the solution. Art smocks made of wipe-able oil cloth. Good for painting, cooking, water table play or any other messy endeavor.

Pockets to hold all of those necessary supplies...or whatever else strikes your fancy.

The clothes are looking good. Mission accomplished!

I used a shirt pattern that I had for the basic shape. The oil cloth is a bit scratchy at the edges so I bound it with bias tape. It goes over the head and ties with ribbon at the sides.

Gotta Give a Shout Out...

To a great mama-crafter. Amber is a kindred spirit in that she is a work-at-home mommy of 2 and she loves to craft. What makes her even more special is that her first love is crochet...a woman after my own heart! I found Amber through Etsy.I was looking for some fun leggings for my girls. So much of their fall wardrobe is going to include leggings, at least that's what I have in my head. Thankfully, I came across Knotty Legs. I have already purchased 4 pair and I am pretty sure that I will need some more. The girls love to wear them and mommy loves the way they look.





Amber makes more than Knotty Legs. All of her items are absolutely adorable! If you are looking for some unique and things for your kiddos this fall, stop by Knotty Baby Wear!

Another FAB Tutorial!

Do you ever have this problem?

Those great hooded towels that you get for your baby shower just get too small. When taking 3 kids out of the bath, the hood is really handy for keeping them warm as they wait patiently for their turn to get dressed but the towel hardly gets the drying job done.

Problem solved. A full sized, warm and cuddly towel with a hood. (The girls are sleeping so Sammy agreed to model the pink towel.)

Check out that full coverage. No more chilly toddlers around my house!


I owe it all to Skip to My Lou's fantastic tutorial. I am telling you, I have basically learned to sew using tutorials. What did we do before the internet?

So here's a very grateful shout out to all you generous people out there who take the time to show us how to do stuff. Hopefully someday I will come up with something worthy of a tutorial so I can give back for all I have gained.

How Could I Forget?

My pretty pink cereal bowls. They are the perfect size for my kidlets. Bought these lovelies from the Goodwill. I love the Goodwill!

Thrifting in My Own Back Yard

I was on my way home this morning when I noticed that a bunch of houses in my neighborhood were having garage sales. I don't garage sale as much as I should. I have the idea in my head that they are all selling stuff I don't need, like baby paraphernalia. I have so much baby stuff, I could outfit and army of babies.

I ventured out there despite my skepticism and low and behold, I found these.

A little pink Pyrex for the bargain price of $6. These are so expensive at the flea market so I was psyched!
And this adorable sheet. Just right for re-purposing into some adorable new baby gift like a burpie or blanket.

Starting In On Fall-Wear

Even though I feel like it can't possibly be close to fall, the reality is it is - whether I'm ready or not. Instead of clinging to the light fabrics of summer, I have decided to jump into fall weights for the girls. I am really excited because I have a few ideas swirling around this old head of mine. This first piece has been haunting me, day and night. "Come, make me" it has beckeoned at all hours. I got a couple of hours to sew today. This is what I came up with.

The downside to this skirt is that it is dry clean only. It will have to be reserved for special occasions.
The fabric is a home decor fabric but I just love it. I bought it to make diaper pouches and then this little skirt with tulle peeking out came to me. I spent hours contemplating the best way to get the tulle on there without making the skirt itchy to wear. I ended up gathering the tulle, folding it into the hem and stitching it down. For a first attempt, I think it looks pretty good.
The outfit will include a funky long sleeved T, a fun pair of leggings (stripes perhaps) and maybe a pair of pink high top converse. Perfect!

Pay no mind to the fact that Ella looks like she was in a boxing match. She was...with the coffee table. Let's just say the table won.

I Am in Love With...

These bud vases! I bought these from the thrift store for a craft project that hasn't happened yet. A few weeks ago we were having people over so I grabbed the vases and cut a few lilies from the yard and I had a lovely centerpiece for the table. You don't have to have a big bunch of flowers to make a pretty display. Even one flower per vase is lovely.

Today I looked out and saw that some lilacs had bloomed. I went out and cut just a few and voila,

Blog My Blog

I picked up this idea from my good friend Angie. I can see that quite a few people stop by here and I am hoping that you ALL play along with me so I know who you are.

Taking direction from Kailani of An Island Life, here’s how it works:

1. I start with a question/phrase.

2. The first commenter answers that question and leaves a new question for the next visitor to answer. It could be a general question, fill in the blank sentence, a “tell me about a time when,” etc.

3. The next commenter answers the new question and provides a question for the following visitor (i.e., the third commenter).

Your question can be crafty...or not. Any good question will do. Thanks for playing along and to all you lurkers out there - Come out, come out wherever you are!

What is the most important lesson you hope to teach your kids?

Love Repurposing

I like to use vintage/thrifted materials for so many reasons.

1. It's cheap so I don't feel so bad giving something new a go (Unless the material is something really special since I can't replace it or buy more).


2. It's totally unique. No one else is going to have anything like it.


3. The thrill of the hunt is almost as exciting as making the finished product. There is no better feeling than finding a beautiful table cloth or bed sheet, paying very little for it and making something new.


4. It is good for the environment and that makes me feel good:)

So you may remember my first trip to the flea market this year. I picked up some vintage linens. I have been holding on to this table cloth because I really loved it and wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it. Today I made these:

I think I need to take up the hem a bit more. I used a pair of Sam's pants as the pattern. I think this fabric is so adorable though.

Second Outift: Complete

I always talk about how daunting it is to have to make 2 of everything to have a completed outfit for my girls. I am proud to report that within a week of completing the first apron top/bloomer outfit, the second is finished and prete a porter. I made it just in time for my husband's family reunion. Phewwww!

Twirly Girl

We celebrated Gretchen's fourth birthday yesterday. She is my hubby's cousin's daughter. I made her a tutu and she loved it! She actually loved it so much that she was upset that she had to take it off for the car ride home. Melts my heart!

Princess Gretchen.

Twirling away.

Beautiful girl.

The birthday girl was perfectly dressed for a little game of Ring-Around-the-Rosy!