Baby Shower Gifts.

My first sewing projects in, um, F O R E V E R.
All of these projects were pretty simple and turned out really cute. I love the fabric. The parents aren't finding out the baby's sex and I'm kind of glad because if I knew it was a boy or a girl, I probably would have gone for a gender specific fabric. This is pretty gender neutral without being a blatant, "I don't know what the sex of the baby is so here is something yellow and green" gift.
The blanket & bib are from Bend-the-Rules Sewing.
The kimono is from here. The last one I made was quite awhile ago!

Me Smart.

So, I bought this capri/bermunda shorts pattern that I've been eyeing up for almost a year.

Bought super cheap fabric at Jomar; this way, if it was a huge failure, I wouldn't feel bad.

They come together super fast. Just under an hour. (Not including cutting or the blind hemming which I did by hand.)

(Please pardon what looks to be a camel toe, but is not; also, pay no attention to the dirty mirror or the mess of toys behind me.)


I wanted to include back pockets because well, let's face it, my ass needs pockets. BUT OF COURSE, I forgot to put the pockets on and didn't realize I skipped that part until they were assembled. I did my best to put the pockets where I thought they should be. Heh. The pockets look like flower pots and my butt cheeks look like big puffy dimpled potatoes.


NEXT TIME (and there will be a next time!) I will use less elastic on the back, and remember to put the pockets on prior to assembly.

Easy pattern. Two thumbs and flat misshapen butt cheeks up.

FOUR.

My daughter turned four years old on the 8th. If you want to watch time fly, have a kid. Seriously. *sigh*
She had a birthday party at Bounce U which was super fun for everyone, even the adults!

(yes, that's me on a slide.)

I made her a birthday cake that really disappointed me, but everyone else seemed to like it. I get frustrated when my ideas do not come to fruition and therefore the end result is a huge disappointment. I did, however, like how the little chocolate characters turned out. The cake was delicious too... chocolate cake with vanilla frosting.


I made her a birthday banner based on Alicia Paulson's idea, but I made little pockets on the back of the flag pieces so that the name pieces can slide off and on and therefore be personalized for other people's birthday as well.


For her actual birthday, we spent the day doing fun traditional Philly things including a horse and carriage ride (first time for all of us!), light show, and a visit to the Dicken's Village topped off with a visit to Santa. She confessed to me later, "I told Santa I was good so he would bring me presents." Ever the politician, my daughter. Ooh, we also had lunch at Sabrina's.



Family came over for a pizza dinner (her request) and I made yellow cake with cream cheese frosting. She did not like the cake. At all! It was ok to me. It was a bit rough and had more of a pound cake texture. I feel this may be due to the fact that I used regular flour instead of cake flour. It was also in the fridge because I made the cake a day and a half ahead of time and didn't want to leave the cream cheese frosting out.




Overall, a great few days. My daughter is pretty awesome.

Family Tree.

I made a family tree from "Stitched in Time" for my husband for our 8th anniversary. In October. Yeah, I'm a little slow posting.

I usually cannot stand hand sewing, mainly because I feel like I suck at it. This was different. I enjoyed it and found myself getting into the same zen state I get into when I knit. A welcomed and unexpected treat!

I'm really happy with how it turned out. I think it's cute.

October 23. Welcome!

I made this banner a couple weeks ago. I finally took a picture of it. It's based on Alicia Paulson's birthday banner in her book "Stitched in Time." I made a welcome sign because I just wanted to do a practice banner before I made one for Abby's birthday. It's a quick, simple sew. The most time-consuming and tedious part was cutting out the letters. I blame that on the fact that I couldn't find the straight edge and had to use my rotary cutter.

The bias tape that I used was too narrow (that was a pain in the butt too), but I knew that going in. I just wanted to use up some of my stash and the colors worked well. Also, everything (except the thread and the fabric used for the letters "L" and "M") were thrift finds!

Last night I finished up a hand sewing (yes, I said hand sewing) project from this book. No pictures yet because I'm giving it to my husband for our 8th anniversary.

An Awesome Thrifty Find!

During work on Saturday, I hit up Impact!

No cool sewing notions. No nice fabric. Crappy, fugly patterns. Before leaving, I decided to check out the books. I've gotten cool books from there before including a like-new Sunbeam mixer manual from the 1950s.

I was so excited when I saw this book peeking out from underneath torn up craft magazines. I quickly grabbed it and dashed to the counter. I didn't want anyone to intercept my ninety-six cent purchase!


This book is just so beautiful. It's in great condition, the directions are clear, the artwork is perfectly late-forties. I'm in love with this book. I keep perusing it and touching it. I want a glass case for it. (Half-kidding.)

The copyright is 1949. I scanned a few pages.


Tips on refashioning:


Hats! I love these hats!


And I just love the sketches!

Shrug.

Inspired by a post on wardrobe refashion (sorry, don't feel like finding the actual post!), and following the ridiculously simple directions here, I made a shrug from an old-shirt.

Ew. I need to clean the mirror.


I hate it.

I believe this is because:
1. The shirt isn't big enough. I think if the t-shirt were larger, it would look better.
2. The pattern on the t-shirt is off-putting.
3. I used pink (ew!) binding as the drawstring.
4. It accentuates my boobs too much.

In conclusion:
I will definitely try this again because it's too damn easy not to! Very little effort is involved. I will try a bulkier, solid-colored shirt. I will find/make a drawstring in a color that I actually like.
~
I started to knit myself a simple sweater. I casted on and knitted a few rows. George the cat had other plans. I have yet to start over.

(Not so) Tiny Dancer.

My daughter starts dance class on Saturday. She has everything she needs: ballet slippers, tap shoes, a leotard, and stockings. All she needed was a cute little bag to carry her shoes in.
That was my job!

I sketched a ballet shoe and her initial. I then transferred it to thrifted fabric (used the taping to window technique) and then embroidered the design and then constructed a simple tote. I am quite please with how it turned out.

Added bonus: everything (except the thread to sew the bag together) was purchased at a thrift store!

A Wearable Top for Me!

This is a very easy pattern. I'm ashamed to say that it took me a bit longer than it should have. I made a version of this top before, but didn't like how it turned out, mainly due to the type of fabric. Like the last time, the top is a smaller size than the bottom. I am a true pear-shape!

This time, I used a regular knit fabric that I bought at a thrift store about a year ago. It's bright pink. Nothing I'd ordinarily wear, nor buy. BUT, it was like $1 for 2 yards. How could I not buy it? I'm glad I did because I really like the way it turned out.



Ordinarily, I would have added several inches to the bottom. I like my shirts long. I forgot this time, so I just compensated by adding some split panels at the bottom. I don't think it looks too bad. (Yes, I know there's lots of stray threads that need to be clipped.)

I am a bit bummed, however, that the washable ink that I used to mark pattern points did not thoroughly wash out. That is really disappointing, but I'm still wearing this shirt, dammit!


PS. I also would like to mention that today is September 1st. This marks the start of my two-month refashion pledge. That means, no shopping for *new* clothes! All clothing must be thrifted and/or refashioned. I'm excited!

ETA: I didn't hem the bottom, just used the overlock stitch on my machine.

PPS. Happy 6th anniversary to my awesome friends HLM & CPM.

Refashioned.

The other day I cleaned out and organized my daughter's closet. I donated most of her clothes, but decided to attempt a wearable refashion on a few pieces.

Two long sleeve shirts to make into short sleeve shirts and 1 dress that she wore (and loved) at her birthday party last year. It's long sleeve, and kind of tight now at the top.

The shirt were easy. Simply cut the sleeves. I didn't even hem them, just used an overlock stitch. I really like how it turned out. I put on some sparkly iron-on hearts on one shirt, and an applique (that cut off of another of her shirts that was stained beyond salvation) on the other.

If the child would stay still for more than 1.5 seconds, the photos would be better.

I simply detached the top of the dress from the bottom and added an elastic waistband. Voila! A skirt that she loves.

PS. I'm pretty sure my blog is one-year old today.

Abby's Apron.

I made this during the winter and never took pictures of it. The fabric was purchased at a thrift store. I love the little applique pocket.

Hats Off!

I made a hat. It was pretty easy. Fairly quick. I used all the proper things: canvas fabric, hair canvas for the lining. I never used hair canvas before. It serves its purpose, but I think next time, I'll just use a medium-to-heavy weight interfacing. The hair canvas kinda made me itchy. And plus, ew, it's got HAIR in it.

The hat was made for my sister, at her request to resemble the hat Samantha wore in the SATC movie. The only resemblance, really, is that it is black and white. I couldn't find a similar fabric design, and, since this was my first hat-making experience, I didn't want to alter the pattern and make the brim any wider that the pattern called for.


I intend to make myself a hat too. I'll even embellish mine with some ribbon. SNAZZY!

Thanks, Kathryn Ivy.

Last summer I made Abby a summerlin dress. It was very cute, but quickly became misshapen courtesy of the yarn and her incessant need to pull and tug on the straps. It was pointed out that I should probably change the yarn I was using. So, last week, I finally got my butt to Rosie's and picked up the recommended Rowan "Calmer" yarn. Very pretty. Very soft. Very unlikely it will be stretched out of shape (due to the quality of yarn and the child being another year older.)

The fabric was purchased at a thrift store awhile ago. I was drawn to it because it reminded me of sheets my parents used to have when I was little. Freaky 70s flower patterns rock. (Or so I tell myself to make myself seem cool and not outdated.)

Father's Day!

First off, I have to apologize for the mish-mash organization of the photos...it's just not working out today, but I have faith that you'll be able to figure out what pics go with what. ;)

My husband is an amazing Daddy. He's patient, fun, tolerant, and loving. We had a wonderful day at a zoo preceded by breakfast and presents. (Abby decorated his chair with crepe paper.)
For breakfast, I adapted Paula Deen's french toast casserole. I made this once before, but followed the recipe. I like my version much better. Sorry, Paula! I decreased the fat a lot, and really, it could be decreased much more and still be delicious.

For dessert I made a simple, but much loved Fruit Pizza. Seriously, this is the easier recipe ever. It's not even really a recipe! A roll of Pillsbury sugar cookie dough, a small container of cool-whip (use fat-free for less guilt), 8 oz. cream cheese (I use 1/3 less fat) and mixed fruit of choice. I just used strawberries. Let the cookie dough and cream cheese come to room temperature, let the cool whip sit in the fridge so it's no longer frozen.
Shape the cookie dough into one big cookie and bake. Blend cream cheese & cool whip (oh, I add a bit of confectioner's sugar and vanilla). Once cookie cools, spread cream cheese/cool whip combo on cookie. Layer the fruit. The end.

Father's Day Gift:
I made a pillow with some a little swatch I purchased from Spoonflower. It's a drawing Abby did of "Daddy."







French Toast Casserole (adapted from Paula Deen)
1 loaf of Italian bread
4 large eggs
2 cups of fat-free half and half
1 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
dash of salt
Praline topping (recipe follows)

Slice bread into 1-inch each. Arrange slices in 9 by 13-inch flat baking dish sprayed with Baker's Joy (or something similar). In a large bowl, combine the eggs, FF half-and-half, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and beat. Pour mixture over the bread slices, making sure all are covered evenly with the milk-egg mixture. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spread Praline Topping evenly over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. Serve with maple syrup.(I skip the maple syrup b/c it's sweet enough, IMO.)

Praline Topping
1 stick of butter (probably could use 1/2 stick)
1/2c packed brown sugar
2 tbsp light corn syrup
1/2 tsp cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg

Combine all ingredients & blend well.

Pink.

If you know me, you know that pink is not my color of choice. Actually, it's probably my least favorite color. That being said, and not surprisingly, my daughter loves the color.
She picked out the color of her room. She helped me select the fabric for the valances. She is all girl. Here is her room in all of its pepto-bismol glory.
I also made her a quilt from remnants from the knot dress. It was coming along beautifully until it was actually time to quilt it. It's kind of a a mish-mash of lines, Xs, and Ys. I should take a quilting class.

Kitchen Curtains.

Found the beautiful fabric from this etsy shop. Used "Bend the Rules Sewing" to make the curtains.

I didn't use twill tape as the book suggests, instead, I just cut up some pieces of the fabric so the tabs would match. I used about 4 yards of fabric, with maybe an almost-fat-quarter left over. Once my kitchen is totally complete, there will be more photos.

Knot Dress.

So, a few months ago a friend of mine asked me to make her daughter a knot dress. I looked at the dress an immediately purchased the pattern. It is adorable!
A couple weeks ago, she sent me the fabric. I wanted to make Abby a dress first to see how everything worked together, how the pattern read, etc. Oh. My. God.

This dress is adorable! So cute! Very easy to follow, excellent fit, and very versatile.
I purchased fabric from etsy from 44th Street Fabric mainly because the fabric was pink (by request from Abby) and because coordinating yardage was sold together. Very awesome! The shop was fantastic, super fast shipping and free fat quarters.

Abby wore the dress yesterday and loved it. There is a small hole in the back...the seam wasn't sewn together properly; I need to fix that, other than that, a ton of compliments! I plan to make many more of these.