Curtain Call

Bi-fold closet doors for boys are not cool. They fall off the track without even trying and if extra effort is required, why use them?
So when I spied a fabric sale off the side if the road in Belle Meade- I instinctively knew I might find something for who knows what purpose.
And one project down, personalized closet curtains.
One pair of Ikea khaki drapes, gold wool felt (the sale), black felt, steam n' seam and thread.
Voila- curtains they like, and use!

Oh Baby

Co-hosting a baby shower with a group of ladies this week and got inspired by Dana (Dana Made It) with burp cloths and a cute seersucker dress. And done before mid-night!

Baby pillowcase dress tutorial

Burp cloth tutorial

Spring Fever

The sewing machine has been calling my name and this project has been on my to do list for ever.
I did my best to replicate my favorite girls skirt from Hilly Chrisp.
Will take photos on round two and attempt a tutorial.
Ordering striped grosgrain for the final touches and a twirlin' we go!

It's a wrap!

Long ago I had a microfiber hair towel that is ideal for post showered hair and, the towel stayed put. Thanks to a fellow blogger I found a great hair wrap tutorial on Skip to my Lou.

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2008/09/04/towel-wrap-for-your-hair/

I adjusted the size for my 9 year old daughter who likes to wrap her hair while she dresses after her shower and snuggles in bed to read a book. (And, avoid the mom with the hair dryer!)

20 minutes max- we will be making more of these.
I used a $4 towel from Target so this is a very inexpensive alternative to the $20 hair wraps...turns out smaller towel wraps will make two but on the second I didn't have a finished edge so I made my own.

Brooke's hair wrap

Jane's wrap and her favorite towel

 

I drew the pattern with a washable marker. Now I know that it could have been smaller for a child's size. These measurements are on the tutorial.

 

After cutting, this started as 36" for for my daughter, it only needed to be 28-30" across and about 4" less tall from the left.

I have yards of the hairband elastic which I cut to 7" but could have just been 5"

And my favorite part, the serger. Less than a minute and the finishing edges are done. Thank you Jessica our babysitter who went to fashion design school and loaned me this and gave me some great tips. I need one of these.

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!