Spring to Finish.

I did not meet this goal by 5/31 but I am still working on it!

Over at the Tallgrass Prairie Studio blog the challenge is on to get some uncompleted projects finished. So here is my list of items I would like to complete (I may add on to this as I go)

1. My knit tote - it is about - complete 7/6

2. American girl doll purple outfit - cut out, Shirt sewn

3. American girl Kirsten school dress - cut out

4. recycled purse - cut out, 3/4 done

5. Skirt for Jo from old dress - Complete 6/28

6. 5 pages in Tim's Scrapbook - Complete 6/4

I will reward myself with yarn for my next knitting project.

SarahAnn's Easter Dress

I wanted something a little more grown up for SarahAnn this year and I pictured a long dress with a regency era feel to it. I love how it turned out! I used the Miss Madeline Pattern increased by about 1 inch in diameter and made it longer. I also made the waist band about 5/8th of an inch wide and used 1/2 inch elastic. To give it the regency era feel I made the waist empire height.

You can see here how sheer the fabric is if you look at the sleeves. I lined the body of the dress for modesty. The ribbon can be removed for more casual wear.

A close up of the rolled hem and the lining fabric. SarahAnn is well pleased with the dress. I will take photos of both the girl's in their dresses tomorrow. (the ribbon really does match better than these pics show)

Josephine's Easter Dress

I cut out this dress last summer for Josephine but just now got around to sewing it. It is a size 8 from this pattern - Simplicity 2628 . Good thing this pattern runs big or I do not think it would have fit her. I love the fun patterns and colors on it. I made a few changes to the original pattern. Below are some details with photos.

I did not really like the bottom band on the sleeve and I was worried it might be to tight on Jo's arm. So I finished the bottom of the sleeve with elastic gathers.

I am not a fan of putting in zippers so I changed the back to have a button opening with 5 small buttons. I really like how cute it is.
at the bottom I added a ruffled trimmed I made from one of the fabrics. I just did a tight zig zag over the edges and then gathered it down the center and zig zagged it onto the dress.
I made a cute little flower pin using the flower tutorial from "Pink Paper Peppermints" blog. I made mine double layered with a self made fabric covered button.
I really like it and will post some pics of Josephine wearing it after Easter. Next up is SarahAnn's dress.

Miss Molly has a new dress

I have been in a sewing mood lately. This week I created this set for Sammi's Molly. A little 40's dress and and Apron.  The Apron pattern came from www.youcanmakethis.com I altered it slightly to have button holes and buttons under the arms rather than tacking them together. The lining of the apron is white with small blue paisley. You can reverse the apron so the paisley side is out - but it does not have the pockets.

When I was creating Sammi's Easter dress for Molly I thought of this idea with the 2 color bodice and white piping.  I think it really turned out pretty. It looks like the military inspired fashioned popular in Molly's historical time - 1944.  The little cupcake she is holding is made from sculpey - My boys, Tim and Seth made a set of 6 of them for the girls for Christmas. in person they have glittery sprinkles on them.

Up next is a new dress for Jo's doll Kirsten.

Just a quick post to share some dresses I made for my girls dolls for Easter.

For Molly I made a cute 1940's dress with a sweet feedsack reproduction print. She had just returned from the doll hospital with a new wig and refreshed face paint.

For Kirsten I made a spring prarie dress perfect for a pioneer girl in Minnesota. Soft pink rose buds on a cream background, a light muslin wrap and a new bonnet.  She is ready for school or church.

Poetry Friday - For Erica

 My friend Erica is a wonderful writer and can inspire you with her words. On fridays on her blog - These Three Remain - she does poetry friday.  So in honor of her I have written a poem.

2 things you should know

 1. I do not enjoy writing (but reading is great)

 2. I am not good at writing anything other than non fiction papers.

For Erica 

A seam was sewn

Betwixt the two

Connecting thoughts

Deepening understanding

Encouraging sorority

 I wrote my poem using a form called an ABC poem. basically it is a 5 line poem expressing an idea or image. And every line begins with the next letter alphabetically from the first letter of the first line. You do not have to start with A - but I did :D  this took me a long time to write. I tried hard to choose the right words. Alas it is not very good. 

Free table runner pattern!

Please head on over to the Threads of Conversation blog and get a free pattern for an adorable table runner pattern! Leave her a comment and let her know you would like the pattern.

Handmade Gifts Part 1:

Josephine and I began her gift making today.  She is making snowman pillowcases for her siblings and Mommy and Daddy (yes I realize I am helping make my own gift).  We used a flannel top sheet to cut them from. This way we only need to make the wide hem at the opening on some of them. She did a great Job sewing and even did some of the seams all on her own. We will do the rest of them over the next few weeks.

The finished project and the proud seamstress!

close up of the name tag.  She used staz-on ink and stamped the names on seam tape then zigzagged them on and sewed on a button.  Yeah Jo!

Handmade Ornaments

every year I make ornaments for my Nieces and Nephews and Great Nieces and Nephews. This year that meant 17!  I made 14 stars and 3 birds (for those who got stars last year) scroll down for info on the patterns for them.

Peppermint stars! they are so cute!  I will be wrapping them in white tissue paper and putting little white tags with star mints on them and the recipients name. I got the pattern from the Allsorts blog. You have plenty of time to make some of these cuties while watching Christmas movies!

and I made 3 adorable little birdies.  I am in love with them.  I got the pattern in the book

"Last Minute Patchwork + quilted gifts" by Joelle Hoverson.   Check out the authors blog as well  - The Purl Bee

Somewhere over the rainbow...

there are cute little kiddies all dressed up!   Sammi, Jo and Seth decided to be Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man for Haloween.  We already had the Dorothy dress but we needed the shoes and the other costumes.  So I got busy!  I think they look very cute.  You can go to the Picasa Zoo Boo album to see more pics and details on the c0stumes.

Have a Happy Halloween.

Meet Kirsten!

  "Kirsten Larson must leave all she’s ever known to come with her family to the New World. They settle on the Minnesota frontier, where people don’t speak her language or understand her traditions. Yet in time, Kirsten discovers the richness of her new land—and the true meaning of home."

 I won this adorable American Girl doll for Jo on ebay this week. When she came she only had a little shift to wear. In the image below you can see how she came in the lower left corner.  the top 2 images are how she looks new and the pattern I used to make her new clothes. the lower right pic is a close up the original accessories you can buy from the AG store. I wanted to try to match her original outfit as close as possible with what I had on hand.

 

And here she is After with her new clothes.  I think I did pretty good!  her bonnet is a bit small but Jo likes it and that is what matters!  Notice the little handkerchief in her pocket. I made it out of bleached muslin and hand embroidered the details to match the original.  scroll down for pattern details. Josephine loves her and she even learned to tie a bow in 2 tries using her apron!

Details:
Dress - Butterick 4699 view F
Apron - Modified Butterick 4699 view F
handkerchief - Butterick 4699 and added hand embroidery
bonnet - resized from this tutorial -http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1978-07-01/Make-Your-Own-Sunbonnet-in-Less-Than-Two-Hours.aspx

Fabric, yummy, Fabric!

I went to Joann's today and got some fabric for several projects. I also got some fabric and trims I ordered through a coop buy as well.  I have lots of fun things to make!   But the first thing is a SMOCK for me!  Over at the Sew, Mama, Sew blog they had a fabulous smock sew-a-long with videos even!  You should go make one too! I got some great ticking stripe in yellow, cream and hints of red to make mine with - I am binding it with red bias tape.  So excited!  I will post a pic when I am done.  

links if you wanna play along:

Written Smock Directions

1st Video with pattern

2nd videos

3rd videos

TIME TO SEW

  I have spent time sewing this past week with my friend Erica and on my own.  We got these wonderful patterns from Parksbird Patterns. They are great instruction based patterns with step by step pics and cutting instructions for several styles of dresses, pants, under things, crafty items even juice box crafts.    Any way I made the pillowcase dress for Jo and  shorter version for SarahAnn. I got the pillowcases for .69 at the thrift store - don't you love the fab retro prints?  I added some little ball fringe to Jo's dress (the yellow one).  I also made a white peasant dress for Jo using a flat sheet with a lace trim. she is wearing it under her pillowcase dress here.  Then I used the parksbird pattern to make SarahAnn a pair of Denim Capris with  floral cuffs made from the extra fabric from the pillowcase I used for her top.   I also made Seth a pair of shorts from 2 pirate bandanas- but have not got a pic yet.  Then finally I made myself a cute little summer top - but have not taken any pics.  I am really enjoying sewing - be on the look out for more projects!

Trick Or Treat!

 here are my little trick or treaters. 

Sammi was a Cheerleader - I made her outfit. 

Josephine was a princess - you can not see it well in this pic but I added ribbons and gems and flowers and beads to this plain white dress I got second hand.  

Seth  was a fallen piece of the night sky - all his idea!  so creative.  We glued glow in the dark stars and planets to his cloak from last years costume and even had a few on his face.  

 Sammi had to go home after a few houses with an upset tummy, but Seth and Jo went to quite a few houses and got loaded down with goodies!  we of course filled up Sammi's bucket from our own trick or treat stash.  

Hope your Halloween was super spooky and fun!

No Power

Yesterday we had no Power from 9 am till 5:30 pm then it was flickering till 8:30pm
around 1 we packed up and headed to the Library to get a break from the HOT townhouse. I cut out and brought along a little hand sewing project. I was so surprised about how quick it went together! I made a little Wee Bunny (see other people's versions here) She is a bit ragged in the shapping byt my 5 yr old loves her. (free pattern by Hillary Lang at WeeWonderfuls.com)

Happy 4th of July!

Layout made with Kim Hill's Bang Goes the 4th kit at CGessentials

For us July 4th is all about traditions and family, flags and red white and blue. This morning we went to the Parade - it was soo hot but I always love going. We Always have donuts for breakfast while we wait for the parade to start. One of my favorite traditions is to dress the kids up in patriotic clothes. This year I took it a step further and dressed my girls doll's to match. My good friend Peggy sent me Jo's adorable red gingham dress and then I sewed a similar one for her doll - notice the tiny fabric "yo-yo" with the little blue button. For Sammi I had made her new Molly doll this cute red , white and blue outfit last month. Then I made a cute matching top for Sammi - a skirt is in the works but not quite finished. I think they look adorable.

SO now all you TTS ladies - Tell me about a tradition you like to do to celebrate. It does not have to be for the 4th of July it can be any celebration. Be sure to post a link in the Thread at TTS.

Molly revisited



Here she is Miss Molly all dressed and hair done. I read a great article on restoring her hair www.justmagicdolls.com I used Simplicity pattern #4347 to make her cute little skirt, blouse and vest. Sammi is so happy with her. It was fun to do some sewing again and to see how excited she was for me to finish. We already have other items planned to make for her - next project is some under things LOL.

Meet Molly!



I am so excited! I won the American Girl Molly doll on ebay on Friday. Sammi has been wanting her since Nov. But I just could not pay full price. The doll I won is nakie and her hair needs brushed (she is the one in the pic on the bottom left) but is in very good condition. I of course had to buy the glasses and shoes with knee socks too - from ebay for a great price. (the middle and right pic on the bottom). "Lively and patriotic, she is the star of her story. Molly dreams of performing as “Miss Victory“ to show her support during World War Two" that is her description from the American Girl site. (the photo on the top right is how the doll comes new)

Well of course Sammi's doll needs clothes and period clothes of course! So Sammie and I ran out to Joann's and got 2 patterns and some fabric on Saturday. (large photo) This will be our girlie project this week. I am so excited to share this with her. I have been a huge doll fan since I was little. My Mom would make me dolls and doll clothes and let me use her scraps to make clothes. Sammi on the other hand is not much of a doll person. She has a few she likes but does not play with them much. I was so happy when she actually asked for a doll! I hope we have a really great time playing with Molly! (cause you know she is as much for me as she is for Sammie)

Teacher Gifts:

So it is that time of year. Tomorrow is my children's last day of school before the Holiday break. So of course I just finished the teacher/secretary gifts tonight hehe. I do really love making special things for the teachers and I hope they enjoy them. For the secretaries and Seth's class room helper I stamped up these little die cut treat boxes and filled them with Hershey kisses (cherry cordial and mint chocolate flavor) YUM. I used this great little CTMH stamp set called "So Sweet Seasons" LOVE it. (If you wanna get one email Peggy - peggyg@ptd.net) you can't see it in the pick but the blue box has "brrrr" stamped all over it in a slightly darker shade of blue.


For SarahAnn's Teacher SHE made this cute felt tissue packet holder with her teacher's initial. And I picked up 2 large size refill packs of tissues (2nd graders go through alot)


And for Timothy's Teacher I made these note cards. I sorta um wanna keep them for me :D
they are creased at the top of the card rather than the side. I totally stole the idea from a book called "Vintage Paper Crafts" by Anna Corba - awesome book and I will do a post just about it ;) But I got to play with all my yummy vintagy looking paper supplies and I used 5 different stamps sets.


For Seth's Teacher ( Kindergarten ) I made a plastic grocery bag holder. She is always in need of them and has them under her sink in the class right now and I thought she could use one of these simple organizing tools. I stuffed it full of sacks and wrapped it but forgot to take a pic so if you go to this link you can see a similar one but mine is made in cute retro kitty print. Maybe I can snap a pic of it in the class room if she uses it ;) Ok so there you go all my handy work for this week.

Seth is Stylin in the jeans Mom made for him! I made these form a pair of Tims old Jeans. I cut off the legs and used them to create these. i also used the pockets, a belt loop and the LEVI tag from the original pair. Love how cute they turned out!
Sewing makes me pretty happy. It is fun to create cute unique things for my kids. My Mom use to to do the same for me :D