The "skyler romper"

I found a page with all sorts of patterns for my sewing machine to try out!  I signed up to become a pattern tester for the site's "Skyler Romper".  The pattern is from Pixie Dust Patterns, and so simple and easy to follow!

Olivia was my sweet model today and she knows how to put on the charm when the camera comes out!

Smocking

I have purchased smocked dresses before and I just adore them!  But not the $60 price tag!  I had been wanting to learn to smock for a long time and I finally got the nerve to try it!

It was a little bit harder than I thought and now looking back I can understand the $60 price tag for a hand smocked item (if not more!)  But the fact that machines are pumping out hundreds of smocked dress/shirts in a few hours makes me love my little piece of "almost" perfect smocked piece I was able to make myself ;)

Tidal Sun Set

Psst....  I have never been a fan of purple.  My pale skin just doesn't "do" purple well.  However, my green eyes are always drawn to the color.

With such fair skin- I never really purchased or looked for clothes (or fabrics) with much purple in them.

However- When I saw the yellows and oranges, and PURPLE in this fabric I thought- well, I could give it a try!

(dont worry!)  She has shorts on underneath!

Comfy Chairs!

Seren calls this top her "comfy chairs" although she doesn't understand why I do not want her to to actually SIT on the top.  ;)

Although I adore the "comfy chairs", I think my favorite part is the polka dots and the ric rac at the bottom and the fact that Seren LOVE it too!

Day Dream Banana Cream

Sometimes I just grab a few fabrics that I love the color of, but no idea what I am going to do with it.  And to be honest- I do this 90% off the time I purchase fabric.  Needless to say I have tubs, and tubs, (and tubs!) of random fabrics that are just waiting to be used.

Today I finished a beautiful yellow/cream/grey outfit.  With a slight touch of light blue.  Oh it came out so cute.  And the best part?  Seren looks great in yellow!

A little peacock is to arrive in a few weeks!

My niece will be making her big arrival in a few weeks.  And lucky me, her mommy is a photographer!  ;)
I did a peacock costume for Seren's Halloween costume last year.  I searched for such a long time to find the "correct" friendly feathers to use.  After Halloween was over, I just couldn't imagine getting rid of them.  As each feather was glued together, one by one!  So when I knew I had a niece on the way, who's last name meant "peacock"- that I had the PERFECT gift to give!

I re-made a shorter version of the peacock tail and of course a matching headband!  Now- I have no baby on hand to show you, but below will give you some idea of the cuteness what will follow in a few weeks.  Hopefully when the peacock arrives, her mommy will share some (a bunch!) of photos!  :)

Golf anyone?

I'm on a plaid kick.

I love making ruffled pants, and to be honest- I just cant wait til the fall.

Not only is it my favorite time of the year, it is also when my daughter can start wearing pants again!

SO, I am stocking up!

The holidays are truly just around the corner and this year I am so excited about my fabrics and my ever increasing knowledge and learning.

I made these three (along with a shiny purple plaid) that my husband thinks are golfing pants.

NO WAY.  Plaid will be in the fall... regardless if anyone else knows it :)


Anyone needing some ruffle pants?!

And the nursery is done

Months ago my cousin in law asked me if I would be willing to custom make her soon to be baby girl's bedding for her nursery.  Not only was I excited, but also so very honored.

What a beautiful (inside and out) family I received when I married my husband.  Most wives and mother in laws do not get alone.  However- I dearly respect and love my MIL.  My sister in laws are wonderfully  amazing and the rest of my husband's family is so welcoming and loving.  I am not sure where my husband came from some times- but I know he has a truly lovely family behind him.  And I am very blessed and lucky to call them MY family.

When I found out his cousin and her husband were pregnant- I couldn't be more excited!  my cousin in law and her husband will make great parents!  I am so happy to be a little part of it.

So- you know the saying, "blood, sweat, and tears?"  Well in this case- I had all three.

I loved every moment making these pieces, from the pillows, the quilt, the bed skirt, and curtain... it was all a challenge.  A journey almost.  This was my first time doing something of this scale.  No patterns were used- just measurements that were given.

Curtain

Bed Skirt

Crochet Fox and Crocheted Peacock by the wonderful Jaime D. Designs!

Born a GEEK

My husband enjoys playing video games and working on computers (much more than I'd like him too at times!)

I knew Seren would grow up to enjoy them too.  Of course you've seen the mario and starwars, and there is already a request for zelda.


Matthew (husband) was cleaning out his closet and as throwing away old shirts.  He came across his GEEK SQUAD shirt from when he took a second job to work at Best Buy (computer department of course!).  And instead of throwing it away- I took one look and knew I could spruce it up!

This is a pillow case style dress.  At first I didn't think it would be something I would want to do (personal taste).  However- after making this one I think I am in love  :)  

Pink Lemonade Lounge dress

So the name may be a little strange.  But take a look at this dress!

I had just gotten a new pattern and since the last pattern (THE On Parade dress) really kicked my rear end, I was a little worried on how complicated the pattern would needlessly be.

To my surprise- didn't even need to read the instructions.   The pieces fit together perfectly.  And besides- I hate reading directions.

I began with the fabrics with Seren in mind, however to play it safe I went a size larger.  I played it a little too safe so this dress is much too big for her now.  

So now the tough decision....do I sell it or pack it away for later....  

For Baby "Brother"

My sister is getting ready (can you ever be "ready") for her second child. 

I am very excited to say it's a boy.  For those of you who have read Seren's blog know I could have sworn I was having a boy (or a koi-fish...ek!) and have my fingers crossed I'll get a boy myself one day.

But for now, I will be getting a nephew.  And I had a little birdie (my mother) tell me that my sister and her husband was wanting to get mario bed sheets or at least a mario (video game) theme for the baby (who has remained name-less for the time being)

Seeing how it is rare to find Super Mario themed (anything)- Well....I have a sewing machine, it's an embroidery machine, and of course there are mario designs for purchase.

Well:

Left the quilt open to add the name and dob when he arrives (on botton yellow square)

A little taggie with "crinkle"

Couldnt forget matching bow for big sister!

Name and DOB to be embriodered on bottom yellow square

I have to say my darling husband informed me very quickly that these designs were not Super Mario, that in fact they were fron Mario World.  Ok, ok I get it, her is a "gamer".  But thanks to him, I was able to figure out the perfect way to create a boarder for it ;)


Now if only I can get it finished before baby comes!

And the "saga" continues

Since I was purchasing princesses and girly designs to embroid, I came across the Mario brothers designs and a few other "manly" designs.  My husband giggled (as manly as a man could giggle) a little when I said I found Star Wars.  Although he said if I found Zelda (video game) or Star Trek, he would be thrilled.  But Star Wars was "awesome too"

I had found Star Wars themed fabric a while ago and tucked it away for later.  And later has come.  Matthew (husband) has helped me throughout the project (all except for the actually "work") and I know he will be proud to dress her and even take her out on a date to show it off.  GO Hubby!

Front view

notice the metal front band!!!  Fancy stuff!

The back.  LOVE the way it turned out!

Water color dolphins

My sweet and dear facebook friend (yes, I said it!)  who has been by my side since I began my business adventure two years ago- asked me to create a special outfit for her daughter's 3rd birthday.  OF COURSE I was more than thrilled and went right away to research some fabrics.

She showed me her theme (dolphins) and it was more of a realistic theme than a cutesy one.  Which is hard to find fabric for.  However, not hard enough for me  ;)

I love the "sleeves" and the blend of colors.  A perfect outfit for the hot (and humid!) Florida weather.

First Knit

One of my favorite websites online was having a huge sale.  Which of course is hard for me to pass up, regardless if I "NEED" anything.  So I went with some knit fabrics.  Knits are wonderful for children's clothes, mainly because of how soft, smooth, and stretching the material is.  No need for buttons with knit!  The problem with knit (big problem) is that it moves and hard to sew straight.  Yes, this was very true.  And even cutting out the pattern was tough.  BUT I think I did pretty well for the first time, and even learned a trick or two (or ten!) for the next time!

Here it is: 

The top is knit, the belt and skirt cotton ;)



I am very proud of this, mainly because I did it 100%.  From start to finish, my little vision ;)

On Parade, THE dress

A new pattern was due.

I adore the little knot dressed my mother and I had been working on for the longest time.  However, for this fabric I knew I needed something with sleeves.  And I must say, I think I went in a little over my head on this one.

I started work on and left work over a dozen times with the pattern.  I must say after making the (THE) dress I re-did the pattern to make it easier (on me), and I have to say, it isnt as hard as I thought it would be to re-make (of course with my new and improved pattern!).

Michael Miller is one of my favorite (right up there with Alexander Hengry) fabric designers.  And I fell inlove with his "Children at play" collection.  The balloons, the old fashion style clothing, the wagon, bunny, and elephant...what is not to love.  I love everything about it.... everything expect that I cant seem to find more of the fabric!  EK!


A special thanks to my sweet friend Justin who was patient (a 2 year old with balloons on a windy day?) enough and snapped some amazing pictures of my sweet little Seren in her Parade dress.

Little Miss Scarlett

What an honor I have been given to create a beautiful quilt for the soon to be baby Scarlett.

Her theme?

Red and White.  What a bold contrast with even bolder patterns.  This is my first quilt, and so lots of mistakes and nerves will be tested.  But will all be completely worth it in the end.

And hey, why not add in a crib skirt, curtains, a hand full of pillows, and some room decor while we are at it?


Here is a beautiful toy fox and peacock created by Jaime D Designs (so very talented!!!)

She's got the whole world wrapped around her

While at JoAnns, I came across a map pattern fabric.  So needless to say I knew I needed to create an educational blanket out of it!  Someone will know her continents and states before first grade  (OK ok, it is really so I will finally learn them all!)  ;)

Where does all the time go?

Between being a mom, a wife, a small business owner, and of course an avid Days of Our Lives watcher (where are the bon-bons?!)- I have decided to start a new project:  sewing.

Shaking your head yet?  For those who know me- I have too many creative ideas pouring out my ears and I wish I had enough time to do it all (besides the cleaning part)!

Not ready to start up another venue of business yet, but ready to start working.

To not bore friends and family who follow me on Facebook- here is a little blog to keep up with the creative (and not so) creative products of my ideas.

Enjoy!