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Happy Halloween "Brooklyn Style"

The stoops adorned with pumpkins!

 

The perfect colored t-shirt and pants, a little freezer paper stencil, and an appliqued "swipe" and you've got yourself a "Metro Card"! 

  

This year she moved from a "cute" costume to "scary".  I'm a little freaked out by this photo.  It doesn't even look like my kid!  I made this one using a Simplicity Wicked Witch Of The West pattern.  It was a little more involved than I would normally like for a Halloween costume but it turned out great.  I think if Edward and Bella had a baby vampire she would look like this!

 

This "Super Girl" costume was bought at the last minute after a tragic incident with a backward applique, a HUGE iron burn on the front of the pants and a mom having a melt down at 1:00 AM the night before...but we won't get into that.  I was worried she would be mad that she didn't get a home made costume but she could care less.  She marched in the Halloween Parade with a swagger like no other Super Girl. Casually ready to take on the world.

After Tick Or Treating at every Brownstone in the neighborhood

 

A parade

and a self induced belly ache we all collapsed.  Now, on to Thanks Giving;)

So Busy

I cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted!  Summer vacation came and went.  We had a blast with cousins, aunts uncles, and grandma.  We spent a week at the Oregon Coast.  This is something we look forward to every year.  We had some much needed time with our little family.  I thought once my girls started school I would have some more time on my hands but I forgot something.  I have this little 8 month old (I cannot believe she is 8 months).  She is keeping me pretty busy. Little miss Alice is sitting up (not crawling yet), eating solids, and has been experimenting with her "voice". She growls, she screams, she squeals, and she has the most infectious hearty laugh you will ever hear. 

Ok, now for the school kids.  I now have a third grader.  I cannot believe it.  She started school this year in a simple little dress I made for her (starting at 9:00 the night before).  It is simple A line dress with a big honkin ruffle down the middle.  Frankly, I want one just like it.  I'm not sure I could pull it off so I just made one for my daughter.  

It was getting late so I just made the same dress for my Kindergartner and added an eyelet trim.  I was worried that she would feel cheated but I lucked out.  She was so excited the morning that school started.  She already knows the teacher she has because her sister had her.  There was no anxiety (until the third week).  She was just so happy and soooooooooooo ready to be a "big kid".

 

 And off they went with their arms  around each other.  I hope they always take care of each other this way.

Fall has been CRAZY so far.  We have been selling appliqued T-Shirts and onesies at street fairs and markets in Brooklyn and Manhattan.  We are also working on a web site.  Very fun stuff but crazy busy.  Things look like they might slow down for a few weeks before the holidays.  We are planning to go to a pumpkin patch this weekend and do a photo shoot for the website.  I also plan to go fabric shopping in Manhattan, in the rain, ALL BY MYSELF!

A Vacation Means That A Family Goes Away For A Rest Accompanied By A Mother Who See's That The Others Get IT.

This is a simple Pillowcase dress I made a while back.  I love these because they are great sundress at first.  Then, as you child grows it works as a tunic.  They are also nice in the winter with a long sleeve T-Shirt.  This is the third season she has been able to use this.  It's very easy to make.  There are great tutorials all over the internet.

We are off on our yearly vacation to the Northwest tomorrow.  I am so ready for some fun with cousins, grandma, aunts, uncles.  My kids have been asking "how many more days till grandmas?" first thing every morning.  As much as I love this city, August is my least favorite month.  I cant wait for two weeks of:

The Oregon Coast, BBQ's, bare feet, Evergreen trees, Portland, Cousin camp, pine cones, chatting with my family, salt water taffy, campfires, oh the list goes on.  First, there must be an airplane ride.  This year we are armed with 10 mini journals (made by me) each, stickers, colored pencils, Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, Highlights magazine, a word search book, and of course daddy's laptop stocked with movies.  I think we will be fine.

This is the view from patio where we grill every night.  I know.  Don't hate me:)

Nature!  Here we come!

 

 I'll be back at the end of August!

T-SHIRT REFASHION

Oh my!  This was so addicting!  I have seen these projects all over the internet and just gave it a try the other day.  I love the way it turned out.  This is my tutorial.  Pay attention because it's a pretty complex project. 

Get a t-shirt.  Cut off the arms.  Cut out a scoop neck.  Cut off the bottom.  Make one long ruffle.  Sew it on.  Done!  (Should I submit this to whip up?)  If anyone asks you tell them that you bought it at JCrew or Anthropology.  

We have some Coney Island plans this weekend.  I love that discusting stinky place. 

New Dish Towels.

Last summer when I went to visit my mother she taught me how to embroider.  I haven't had much time for it this year but I really enjoyed it.  A while back I made a few dish towels.  They were very simple to do.  There's something about pretty dish towels that make this mundane daily chore a little easier.  I made six of them.  Three of them are currently being used as "doll blankets" (why do I even try). 

 

Heading off to this place today with three kiddo's in tow.  It means a a subway ride, carrying stroller and groceries up and down a flight of stairs and managing a five and eight year old.  I think I can.  I think I can. Wish me luck!

My Little Book Worm

I made a new rule this summer and it's working out great.  If she wants to watch television or play on the computer I'm fine with it.  First she must put in an equal amount of time reading.  If she wants to watch a show for an hour, she has to read for an hour first.  So far it's really working.  She is reading longer chapter books (she was overwhelmed by them before).  There's nothin like a little incentive!

I may have to take a different approach with my sweet middle child:)

I still cannot get enough of these salt waters.  I just bought the green but I will not show them until I have a pedicure.  I was given one for mothers day but I still haven't had time.  Pathetic, I know.  Hopefully before vacation!

I could just eat these little feet.

I have been pretty busy with week and have a few new projects to share.  I just need to take pictures. 

Play Clothes: Part Five

I have been sewing so much for her older sisters that I feel guilty for not making much for Alice.  She deserves some handmade love.  I love this fabric.  I found it in the fabric district last year on sale.  I thought it was perfect for a little shirred sun dress.

The photo doesn't show the dress very well.  This girl cannot stop kicking her feet and putting them in her mouth long enough to get a good shot.

This shirt was made from Simplicity 4206.  I think I have this pattern memorized at this point. 

This poor baby cannot get a nap this summer with her sisters around.  I wonder if there is a way to turn letting her sleep into a "fun" game for her sisters.  Any suggestions? They don't want to do anything these days unless it's "fun".  I'm off to try to get them to clean up their room.  Wish me luck.

Play Clothes- Part Four

We have spent most of our summer in the park here in Brooklyn.  Hitting the playgrounds, the zoo, the carousel, the Botanical Gardens etc.  I am exhausted but we really are enjoying our summer.  This is a little sun shirt and shorts I made up last night.  I have always wanted to try an inverted pleat.  The shirt is suppose to be gathered instead.  I'm quite happy with how it turned out.  They both could use some more shorts, shirts, and skirts.  OK, maybe they don't really "need" them but I really want to make them.  I have now idea how these clothes are getting done with a new baby.  I think the key for me now is to stick to simple patterns that can be finished in one evening.  Anything more complicated than that just wont get finished.

This was going to be a bubble dress but we decided to lose the bubble part.  I had a feeling she would not like the elastic.  I ended up cutting it out.  I bought the fabric (which I love) at Brooklyn Merchantile. 

I'm off to make a few pair of shorts for the girls.  I think little miss Alice could use some handmade clothes from mom too:)

A Tale Of Revenge!

I know you love me and I love you too.  I know your only 5 and still learning how to be gentle with me.  I can only be patient with you for so long.  What on earth gave you the impression I would enjoy this?


That's it Lucy!  Your goin down!

I cant wait till she gets teeth:)