Memorial Weekend 2012

We had the best time this past weekend hosting a family picnic for a group of our friends. I kept it simple by asking the families to bring their own picnic sandwiches and a side to share with the group. I made up a yummy chocolate sheet cake and peach cobbler for dessert. Easy and fun! We had lots of water fun set up for the kiddos.

Hey, aren’t these two a little young for playing footsie?!?

Omie made a last minute visit which added to the fun.

The giant slip-n-slide made another appearance, and Avery showed no fear heading down the hill. She even added new spin moves to the mix.

Some of the dads had just as much fun as the kids.

Todd certainly was one of them.

Good Times!!!

Seven Months

Check me out! This is the longest I’ve held this tripod pose to date. I’m working on those muscles and getting ready to sit up. I’m back to my great sleeping habits, because Mom and Dad finally realized I just love to be swaddled. Wrap me up tight, and I won’t put up a fight! I love to roll around and suck on my toes. Doc says I’m pretty average size wise (26.5 in, 58% and 17 lbs 3 oz, 57%). Check out my fuzzy head too!

Mom here:  Avery just had to get in on this little photo session, so I thought I would share. Tandy is wearing the first dress I ever sewed for Avery. It is going to be fun to pull out the oldies and see the progression all over again!

Slice of Summer

Here is just a slice of a summer day at home with us.

A little play time on the floor in Tandy’s room.

Shadow Dancing.

Coloring.

Exersauce-ing

Princess / Rock Star show.

Sidewalk painting courtesy of this tutorial.

Toe chomping.

More sidewalk painting.

Followed by Chutes & Ladders with meals, quiet time, nursing, and book reading all thrown in. Despite all this, I was still asked at least 6 times, “What can I do now?” I’m really looking forward to the day when these two can entertain each other for at least a few hours of the day! Signing off for a little me time!

This n That

Now that Project Run & Play and Mother’s Morning Out are over, I’ve stepped back from my sewing machine quite a bit, so I pulled this photo out of the archives. This applique I managed to sew up in the midst of PR&P for my nephew who turned two. I used the vintage camera applique pattern available from Lil Blue Boo. Now he can sport a camera like his Mommy!

My friend is working up some great invites (more on these later!) for Avery’s birthday party in exchange for a pretty twirly skirt for her daughter. Oh, how I love these fabrics by Dena Designs! The pattern is the Evelyn Apron Skirt by Jona G of Fabritopia. 

Instead of fabric and pins, I’ll be playing with glitter and glue tonight!

Project Run & Play Sew Along–Week 6

I’ve officially had the most frustrating week sewing ever. After the high of last week’s outfit, I just crashed. It started with an outfit for Tandy in which I was working as a pattern tester for a designer. Nothing was really working for me. Then over half way through, I tried it on Tandy, and it was just too small. I don’t usually give up in the middle of a project, but this one I did.

With the wind blown out of my sails, I started my Project Run & Play outfit for this week. The finale is supposed to be a design based on your signature style. I was trying to tackle the challenge and Avery’s birthday outfit all in one. As far as how this fits with my signature style, I would say it’s all about the ruffles. I also love to try out new styles and techniques. This outfit is a combination of knit and quilting cotton which are my favorite mediums to work with. I’m not going to say these results are a complete failure, but I was hoping for something a bit better. It just wasn’t my week.

I read about this technique for fabric ribbon dying over on Pinterest, and knew I would end up applying it to clothing. Here are my dip-dyed bias strips ready to lay out to dry. I bought a four pack of fabric paint, so the orange and purple are hand mixed.

I used the petti romper pattern by Snazziedrawers. The rainbow look is meant to go with Avery’s request for a unicorn birthday party this year.

The ruffles ended up a little stiff even though the package of paint ensured it would not be. I’m in love with this rainbow fold over elastic from Fabric Hound. The sequin flower is actually one of Avery’s hair clips I grabbed on the way out the door.

I may not be super thrilled with these results, but I’m beyond excited that I completed each of the Project Run & Play challenge weeks. I tried new things and got creative in new ways. The challenge of completing each outfit, getting it photographed, and then posting for all of you pushed me as well. (Especially this week, since Avery’s Mother’s Morning Out class has ended for the year. Insert sad face here!) Be sure to check out the final contestant’s outfits tomorrow and the other sew along participants for this last week of submissions.

Project Run & Play Sew Along–Week 5

The challenge this week was to design something inspired from the movies. I hope you can tell from these results how much fun I had with this challenge!

Hilly Holbrook from The Help isn’t exactly an inspiring character herself, but her period sense of style is. I started with two patterns for reference, but by the end I had basically drafted my own. Jennifer Paganelli’s Poodle fabric absolutely MADE this dress!

The bodice was the main feature I wanted to replicate with the round neckline, gathered front, and pink bows.

It was easy enough to find the perfect background for pictures here in North Mississippi just hours away from the filming location.

I was running out of fabric, but I thought the back wouldn’t be complete without a big bow. Sandi Henderson’s vintage dot made the perfect coordinate. These vintage rose buttons on the back make my day.

Thank you Project Run & Play for helping to push my sewing to new levels.

Project Run and Play Sew Along–Week 4

This was yet another tricky week for me. Pick a color and design an outfit around that single color. This is so not my style!! Avery needed something to go with these fun flip flops Omie sent her, so I opted for a sunny yellow. To make things interesting I knew I would have to add different elements and textures.

The fabric is from the Simply Sweet line and the super sweet pattern is called Vintage Natalie by Sew Beautiful. The fabrics came from Marie Madeline Studio, but I don’t think they have them in stock anymore. The pattern came from a somewhat local shop, Heirlooms Forever. I love, love the square neck and flat front with gathered sides!

I added bias striped piping in the princess seams. The piping fabric is from a line called Dolly Dresses. Ric rac and vintage buttons bring in more of the textures. I wish I had a better close up of these cute buttons I scored at Warrenton.

We were actually headed to take pictures in front of a bookstore on the square when we passed by a new shop called Yellow Lovebirds. I couldn’t believe my luck!