The power of influence

Our kids were incredibly quiet last Sunday morning and I thought surely they were watching tv or playing on itouches; nope. I walked into my sewing room and found this. My 7 year old took it upon herself to get a t-shirt, the felt, scissors and pins to create her own. She was looking for the embroidery thread to sew (by hand) the heart on but couldn't find a needle.
Had I not interrupted her, she would have finished this all by herself.
Mom, if you are reading this, your influence made a lasting impression upon which I now have passed on to Jane.
Invade you need a gift idea- there are hello kitty sewing machines- hint, hint!

To make or not to make...

Looking back at photos this morning, I realize I should give myself more credit for the things I have done and worry less about what I can't get done.

Jane's birthday was Monday and the cake mix never made it out of the box. (yes, I buy the mix with the pudding and use real butter) The personal touch is my buttercream frosting and decorating!
Last year-cute cupcakes. This year bought from Sweet & Sassy!
Last year- chalkboard spray painted pumpkins. This year a variety of different shapes, colors & textures.
Last year- made treats for kids classes. This year- sweet husband made, AND, decorated, cupcakes for Quinn's Halloween Party at school.

The memories all strong, the moments all special and thankful that I can let go and simply let things be.

Happy Halloween Weekend!

Label me

Adding an initial to a shirt makes it more personal, says it belongs to someone, gives it a little more style. Maybe the south is influencing my projects. It is here after all that you can monogram, and people do, just about anything. One babysitter said she had monogrammed seasonal sheets for college. Yes, college.
We are in the thick of birthday season and these shirts have been a hit among the young girls. So I grabbed my bunch of solid t's from Target and am working through the stash.
Then last weekend we saw this cute striped hoodie which Quinn thought was perfect for his friend Lucy. I couldn't agree more.
These are fast & simple projects; the girls had picked up the needle and thread to help out while their attention lasts. Then the neighbors ride by on their bikes and the project is dropped leaving me to the peacefulness of my sewing room and the noises of happy kids outside.
Good for a gift, a new addition to their "boring" wardrobe or a great way to show spirit for your team.
Have a happy football weekend!

hey hey there's a birthday!

There is something about little girls and cute clothes, 

they go hand in hand right?

So when my daughter's friends have birthdays, it's time to sew.

 hooray for Helen

Monogrammed skirt tutorial

 

Brooke in blue

Genuinely Jane- she loves them all!

There's one tomorrow and it's Jane's friend, better sew!

These boots are made for Walkin'

There's something about boots that give us attitude, confidence, a little kick to our step.

Toby Keith sings "And the best that you can hope for is to die with your boots on" I have some friends who would argue that "the best you can hope for is to die with your Laboutin's on!" But here in the south, it's all about the boots. 

Joey & Rory's song Boots starts out "started out just nails and leather. built to last and made for weather. can't think of nothin' better than what i'm wearin' on my feet".  And later "they're a part of me" which after you've broken them in, kicked them around, and lived in them, they are the next best thing to your favorite pair of jeans and ladies, you know what I am talkin' about!
 

While I was looking for pictures of things I've made, I noticed how many pictures I have of things I love; my kids in boots!

Bake me a Cake!

 It's always someone's birthday around here and I am pretty well known for getting inspired at the last minute.

We don't really do "birthday parties" for the kids. But we do have a special family birthday dinner. It has become a tradition and the pressure is on now that I've made a few cakes.

They know they'll get their special cake. I have five days to figure it out and four to make a plan...plenty of time!

Brooke's 8th; favorite color-blue

Gluten free sponge cake...Ah-mazaing!

Birthday waffles on a school morning birthday

Someone loves Hello Kitty in our house.

Avid Vandy Fan here

 

Loved this idea, peace cupcakes.

 

 

Sunflowers in Heaven

Sweet Sunflowers. 

 

Janie, our youngest, painted this sunflower at her preschool when she was three years old. She had two lovely teachers, one originally from Belgium and one from Ireland. The kids were given the opportunity to create and the freedom to express. 

I kept those pieces knowing that someday I would find a place. And then one of those teachers passed away this last year. I get choked up thinking about her because of her wonderful presence and the so many gifts of love that she passed along to both kids and families.

Sophie, this one is for you. 

  

My friend had leftover primer and bright pink glossy paint.

I couldn't have picked it better, thank you Bayh!

I primed it with spray primer and used a brush for the pink.

I probably did three coats to get the right result.

Jane made a King and  Queen for her bed, the artist is very much alive in her!

The room was inspired by a talented blogger & interior designer, Shannon Berry. I love reading about her projects and they always leave me inspired. And a huge thank you to you Shannon for being helpful and sharing your ideas.
Shannon Berry Designs


This lampshade project will complete the room but I need to paint the lamp, then find a shade it will work  on, chose of a color...I also need to make a slipcover for that chair with a quilt hanging over it. And by the way, my mom made that for Janie when she was born, and it's a favorite. My mom is an amazing quilter, maybe a feature post for that one!
http://shannonberrey.com/_blog/Shannon_Berrey_Design_Blog/post/DIY_monogram_lampshade/

There are more things to be done but since the room does not look as "put together" as I'd like it and I have these photos, I may as well push pusblish and revisit once things get completed...

Pillow Talk

I have been intending on making pillow covers for oh, about 4 years now.
I have purchased fabric, promised my husband that I'd change them, promised myself that I would sew them and have been staring at the fabrics for years now.

Then I found blogs where I have found tutorials abound and they have taught me how to do the things I was intimidated by on my sewing machine.
Zippered pillow covers like this one on Prudent Baby;
How to sew a zipper in a pillow

And another great one for a hidden zipper on Freshly Picked blog;
Hidden Zipper in a pillow
And then a friend gave me a Potter Barn drape panel that propelled me to begin.
And voila, I have completed my project and am so relieved!

J Crew - thank you

I bought a white J Crew "belle" skirt last year and it has been a favorite summer staple. The problem is that this year, they didn't make the exact skirt and the closest style was made from a much heavier fabric. Doesn't work for this gal in the humid south.

I met a fellow sewing mom, Liza, who came to our kids swim practice to sell tank tops she makes for the team mom's; adorable!
She saw my skirt and asked if it was jcrew, but of course! She said she made it in seersucker and that it was easy to re-create...a challenge was born!

 Due to cutting after 11pm with only 1 yard, I made some mistakes. Notice the waistband is vertical although I kind of like it!

 My 6 year old insisted on capturing the outfit on film...I am not always willing!

Next- brown seersucker and my son's pick, orange seersucker. 

This time longer and will try my best at creating a tutorial.

You look good in my shirt...

I have always had an affinity towards men's shirting fabric and thought it would translate well into children's clothes. When my kids were young I took my husband's monogrammed shirts and made pajama bottoms for them. I re-sized the pocket and made it a back pocket on the pants. They lasted through three kids. I must have pictures somewhere.

I did a stint for a custom woman's shirt designer and got spoiled looking at fine french and italian fabrics; luxury.

I found a great blog, Made by Dana, when I first stumbled on blogs and haven't turned back since. 

This tutorial was my inspiration for some new dresses re-fashioned from men's shirts. My husband passes along some wonderful fabrics and gets to see his girls wearing his patterns. 

http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-shirt-dress.html

 The first go at it

 Ideas are coming...

Dress number two. This time I used a two inch grosgrain ribbon instead of making the waistband with contrasting fabric. Seemed quicker and I like the pop.

 I made one for a friends daughter for Father's Day with her husbands high school shirt.

Men just can't seem to let those memories go so what a great way to keep them!

 Then I had the idea to do a skirt which is a knock off from one of my daughter's favorite mini boden skirts.

Took me a bit longer without a pattern but it came out great!

I wonder what else I can make?!?