My Weblog

Fall Sweater Refashion

I decided to add a ruffle to an old sweater this week.  Can you guess where I got my inspiration?  This is a beautiful tree we pass each morning on our way to school.  I LOVE the gold leaves every fall.  The smelly Ginko berries that fall from it... not so much.  

It was simple.  I saw a similar one  in Anthropology a while back. I wanted it so bad but I couldn't convince myself to buy it.  I couldn't buy it because I knew it would be so easy to make myself.

Before

After!  Simple and cute!  I cut into an old T-shirt that is the same beautiful gold I am seeing every morning!  Every year I am in awe when the leaves change.  Fall  colors are so amazing!

We didn't get color like this in the North West where I grew up.  Everything was green, and stayed green all year.  Not a bad thing, just different.

 

I made the ruffle go all the way around the hood of the sweater and all the way back down the other side.  I love it.  It looks cute on.  Your going to have to take my word for it.  If I were to show you I would have to rely on the photography skills of an 8 year old.
 

There is lot's to do this week.  We are starting our "project Night" where my kids and I will make Christmas gifts for their friends and family one night a week.  I will post a few of our latest masterpieces soon.  
Happy Monday!

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:)

Play Clothes Part Three- Appliqued shirts & onesies

I did these applique shirts and onesies the other night.  They give a boring T-shirt some personality.   I just wonder how long they'll stay white.

Our little Alice is showing her personality more and more.  She's obsessed with rolling over and has the most infectious laugh. 

Well, I have a busy weekend planned.  My daughters "real birthday" is on Saturday.  She is making big plans for a family celebration.  I also have a BIG street fair.  Wish me luck!

Bubbles, Sewing And Naps! Oh my!

Well, we were stuck in the house  for most of last week.  Both of my older girls were sick.  So far nobody else had it.  We were all getting  a little stir crazy by the end of it so I let them spend some time in the park.  

The weather was beautiful!  The "bubble guy" was there selling his bubbles to the families in the playground.  I use to get annoyed because I didn't want the kids asking me to buy it for them.  If we want bubbles we can go to the store!  I discovered that once they learn that I am not going to buy it for them it's not so bad.  He had my kids entertained for at least an hour.

So close yet so far

 Yes!  Come to papa!

When they got home all three of them took a two hour nap.  That NEVER happens and will NEVER happen again so I decided to take advantage of it.  Did I sleep?  Oh nooooooooooo!  Of course not!  I made this instead!

   

It's the "Easter" dress that didn't get finished in time.  It went on to become the "Mothers Day" dress that just couldn't find time for.  Finally it came together as the "yes! All three of them are sleeping!  Sew as fast as you can!" dress.  I used a Portobello Pixie pattern .  It's such a great, simple dress.  It practically sewed itself.  The pattern booklet came with great illustrations and photos.

I let her choose the fabric. This can be a little risky but I think she did a pretty good job.  We went to a local fabric store (Brooklyn Mercantile).  I just couldn't do a trip into Manhattan at that time (Alice was around 8 weeks old).  She was so serious about the whole process.  She would hold fabrics up in the light and say "I really think these work together mommy".  or "Hmmm...not so much".

 

There is shirring around the neck, bodice and sleeves.

 

 A very girly ruffle around the bottom.

It just kinda makes ya wanna dance.

Well,  I am a little scared to be me this weekend.  I decided to knock out both big girls birthday parties in the same day.  Just get them both over with. No. they wouldn't go for a "double" birthday party.  That would make mommies life  easier.  Instead we are having one in the morning at the park and another in our apartment in the evening.  So far all the boys have RSVP yes.  Let's hope I'm alive on Monday!

summer dress=winter skirt

When the weather changed this year I was soooo sad to see these sweet little smocked dresses be put in storage.  My daughter showed me a way they can wear them all year long.  Just tuck the straps in, pull them down to your waist, and they are great skirts!  I am embarrassed that it didn't even occur to me.  I'll just blame it on the pregnancy.  That seems to be the theme these days:)

I am feeling like I need to do some shopping for baby this week.  Here is my list of most important things:

Car Seat

sling

cradle/moses basket

a warm bunting

Stroller

diaper bag

Wish me luck!

Happy New Year!

Wow! Long time no post!  I think this pregnancy is getting the best of me!  I only have about a month left.  I cannot believe it!  Time fly's when your completely lethargic.  We have been tossing around names and getting use to the "idea" of this little girl joining our family but I have not done anything as far as preparing for her arrival.  We need to organize a few things, buy a few things and I need to get some good naps in.  

We had a great Christmas and New Years Eve.  I may just have to post some belated photo's.  This is a girl who still has not sent out her Holiday cards.  Sad...I know.  I am still sending them out because they are too beautiful not to.  I don't care if everyone thinks I'm a loser. 

This is a little dress I made for my seven year old.  Its the Sugar City Simple Servant Frock pattern.  It was really fun and very simple to make.  I chose colors that "I" love but look quite pukey on my little girl.  I still love it.  I will definitely be making this one again.

I just finished a project for my four year old and her doll.  Matching outfits!  Yep, I'm a loser.

New pants

I have got to put more effort into these post titles.  They truly suck.  I have been sewing like a made woman lately.  I am due in February so I feel like I should be making Valentines, birthday and Easter dresses for all three of my girls :) now because there will not be much time for sewing for a while after the baby is born.  This pattern is simplicity 4206.  I have made it a few times and I think I am getting the hang of the whole pants thing.  Of course, my four year old is asking for a pair now.  She is getting so big (there is a two pound difference between them!) she could probably just borrow her sisters pants.  Speaking of getting big, I Seriously wish they had these in adult maternity sizes.  They look so comfy.  

I have a pretty crazy week ahead of me (isn't every week like that?)  I have some hair clip orders to get ready and I need to get ready for a Holiday Craft Fair I got myself into.  Fun stuff.

He would kill me but I just can't help myself.

Dad had a short business trip this week.  My four year old just hates it when he is gone.  Even if it's just for a day or two.   She asks for him off and on all day.  When he comes home she just can't contain herself.  When I walked around the corner that night this is what I walked in on.  I just love watching them love each other.

I just bought my third pair of Saltwater sandles the other day.  They were a randome purchase.  I was upset about something and I needed to cheer myself up.  The yellow did it.  Don't look at my feet. Just look at my shoes.  I need a pedicure soooooo bad.  I made the skirt the other night.  I love the fabric and I wanted something for a change.  It's a simple one with an elastic waist.  I feel like it need something.  Maybe I will add some pockets.  Hmmm. I'm off to Fire Island for the next few days with my older daughter.  I hope to have  a few adventures to share when we get back!

Baby Shower Gifts

A few little cuties are about to be born.  What do you dress a newborn in in the middle of July?  Next to nothing!  I decided to applique a few onesies for these little New Yorkers.  I hope to get the time and energy to make a few baby shoes to go with them.