Why?

Why do I continue to try to make pie crust when it always turns out like this?  I will tell you why, because people like my mother-in-law are constantly telling me how easy it is and they can't image why anyone would ever buy one.  Well, not anymore, I promised myself I would never make another homemade pie crust again.

Homemade Gifts- A necklace for Mom

This year I tried to make as many Christmas gifts as possible.  Here is a necklace I made for my mom out of things I had in my craft stash...vintage buttons, yoyos from past projects, beads, lace, and bits from old necklaces.  I knew I was keeping that stuff for a reason.  

I Love New York (For a day or two)

I recently got the amazing opportunity to spend a weekend alone with my husband... and in New York city...less than a block from the garment district. 

Shopping at Purl in Soho.

Rick Rack at a trim shop in the garment district.

I bought this stash at The City Quilter. 

Too mature???

As I was cutting this I thought the silloutte is pretty mature, the fabric is mature.  A mini dress with picture collar in gray? Not what I would usually picture for children's wear.  I was majorly questioning my design decisions.  I probably wouldn't have even finished it, but it was so simple to sew, it only took me an hour.  The verdict is... I love it!   I want one for me and I think it's fabulous on her as well. 

Okay, I realize that picture taking is a big part of blogging, but I am still getting the hang of it.  When your model is 18 months old, there are additional challenges.  Sophia didn't want to cooperate this morning.

Sophia's new dress and capris

This is more fabric that I recieved at my baby shower.  Thanks Noelle!

Miss Sophia was not about to give up that pacifier this morning. 

I finished 3 sleeveless dresses for Sophia just in time for Fall!  I guess she will be wearing long sleeves inderneath because I'm not going to let her outgrow them without getting lots of wear.  This dress I patterned and cut last May and just now finished.

Sundress

I bought the shear floral fabric from a thrift store.  It was a little cafe curtain, and I was waiting for the perfect use for it.  Then I ordered the gold Joel Dewberry fabric for some pillows.  But when it came, I didn't like it for the pillows, but I think it is lovely with the curtain fabric for this dress.

Right now I am into the apron look, so I did an open slit down the back.

Mom's Yo-Yo Quilt

I made this quilt for my mom this last Christmas.  After making all the yo-yos, I sewed them on by hand.  I think that gives it a really antique, one of a kind look.  I rooted through my fabrics and used almost all leftovers from other projects.  The hardest decision was what color to make the background.  In the end, I picked a manilla, kind of plain color.  This helps it to look antique, and lets the fabrics stand out.

I really like the way the back has the graphic design of the circles, with the hand sewn imperfect stiches. 

Egyptian inspired top

It's been too long since I made myself something, so I whipped up this little number.  The unique detail is the pleated neckline.  I never would have been able to do this before I got a baby lock machine to finish the edges.

April Fools dress

I designed this dress for an April Fool's day fashion show.  Every designer was asked to design one dress with "fool" being the theme.  I went in the direction of a court jester and this is what I came up with.

Simple Silhouettes

These dresses have simple silhouettes so the fabric can be the star of the show.

Sophia's New Birdie Shirt

The easiest way to make a quick outfit for girls...buy a plain t-shirt (thrift stores), iron on a cutout using stitch wizard (I zig zag the edges) and make a simple skirt to match.  For the skirt...Cut out a rectangle, sew an elastic casing around the wasit, and a ruffle on the bottom.  For this skirt I added some ribbon just above the ruffles and some pockets. 

I was trying to get some light for the pictures and discovered that Sophia loves playing at the front door and looking out.  She was squeeling with delight.  In the end I took her outside in 40 degree weather with just her little outfit on.  She didn't seam to mind.  I think she is just as anxious to get some fresh air as the rest of us.  Spring has to come eventually!

Birdie Pillow for Baby

It's true that babies are always chewing more on the tags of toys, than playing with the toy itself.  Sophia is no exception.  So I enlisted my boys to help me make this pillow for her.  James picked out the ribbon and fabric (with a little guidance) and ironed on the circles.  Luke stuffed it.  Sophia loves it.

Inspired by Fireflies

I love the Chasing Fireflies catalog, but I am not about to spend $100 or more on a dress that will only fit my daughter for a year.  So here are a couple of dresses that were inspired by dresses from the catalog.  I wish I had a model for them.  Halters don't always look so great on the hanger, but you get the idea. 

Dress #1

The detail I loved on the dress from the catalog was the wrap around sash that ties in back and ends with flowers. 

This is the original from Chasing Fireflies.

(I opted not to do the big honkin' flower in front.)

Dress #2

The detail I wanted to imitate on this dress was the look of an apron, with all the ruffles peeking out in back.  The ruffle fabric is a vintage table cloth.

The original from Chasing Fireflies

Lego Cake

This may be the first sucess shaped birthday I've ever done.  Thanks to my friend Alexis on advice like freeze the cake before you cut and always do a crumb coat.  James wanted vanilla, strawberry and chocolate.  6 years old...I can't believe it!

Paisley Top

If you haven't noticed I like lots of details.  I designed this top to look like a tank with a little shrug over it.  I trimmed it with lace and did rows of pintucks down the front.

Silk, Suede, and Appliques

This dress (on the right) is silk.  The appliques I cut out from scraps of a print, which I zig zagged on.  (I don't have the patience to hand sew anything.)   The dark turquoise is real suede.   Click on "Sari to see it Go" to see more of the dress on the left.

Floral Top and Dupioni Skirt

Black and Blue and Punk all over

Reversible Purse

I made this reversible purse out of Amy Butler home decor fabric.  For the straps I used some think cording.  I matched the the pleats to make a leaf design similar to my girls dress "pleated with precision".

I love my Boys, too!

I love designing girls dresses, but I love my boys, too!  Here are some projects I have made for them.  This Christmas I made them monster shirts.  They are really into their "ugly dolls" and they were excited to get these.  I bought a bunch of used tees.  To make them a little more interesting, I bought one short sleeve, and one long sleeve for each.  And then cut the sleeves, collar, and hem off of the long tees and sewed them onto the short sleeve tees.  I also bought extra tees to cut up for the monsters. All together I spent $8.

When we gave James and Luke bunkbeds, I made two of these pirate ship appliqued pillows.  I made this quilt based off a Pottery Barn quilt I saw at a friends house.

Sophia's Room

Here are some pics of Sophia's room.  I bought her bedding at Target and then I made lots of accessories.   The curtain was super easy.  I just bought a window panel and some trim and tied it up.  I cut a little fabric off the bottom of the curtain to use on the pillow.  I dressed up the $5 secondhand rocking chair with a little cushion that ties to the spindles.    

I made a new lining for this laundry basket which had a denim lining when I had it in my son's room.  I purchased the hanging rack unfinished, painted it, and added a ruffle to the bottom.  I wanted a place to display all the cute dresses I'll be making.  And I painted her name (below).  The "A" I covered in fabric like the $40 letters at Anthropologie.  A little tricky, but it turned out nice.