Birthday Bunting

Because my oldest is ten now and I'm still on a bunting-sewing tear.

Lovely Little Moments

A box of vintage bias tape given to me. I'm dreaming up more sewing projects than I can possibly accomplish : : The professor's latest find, a midcentury mod magazine holder. He keeps it on his side of the bed : : Lots of happy play at home, with friends, and with Lego friends : : Making banana muffins : : My snacky girl. Her hair, the way it grows and the color, it's out of control.
Here's wishing you a summer weekend full of lovely little moments.

Buntings for Baby

I've been on a bit of a bunting-sewing craze lately. I made these for my newest nephew's nursery. The cute little guy arrived yesterday... our own little 7/11 slurpee!

Just Ducky

I was poking around in the thrift store one morning, while still pregnant with Sister, when I came across the most delightful appliqued vintage crib sheet. I took it home for the mere cost of 49 cents, smiling and knowing that eventually it would find a place in her room. It's taken me nearly two years to figure out exactly what I wanted to do with it, but a pillowcase for her little baby pillow has turned about to be just ducky. Sister says, "Quack!"

Life, Lately

We've settled into an easy-going, summer rhythm. The easy-going part... that is the beauty of summer.


There have been swimming lessons... a lot of swimming lessons. My reluctant swimmer has made so much progress!


We've enjoyed simple meals and time to play with our friends...


Friends that are human and non-human. {The professor and I agree, the best kind of dog to have right now is one that lives on the other side of the fence!}


Sometimes I sit on the bench in the shade of the oak tree and...


...watch Sister climb. Then I rescue the little girl who fancies herself stuck whilst standing on a table top... or a picnic basket... or a shelf... or a step ladder... or a chair.


She is always climbing.


Of course, housekeeping never ends.


The professor has had a heavy teaching load but he's finding time to prep the boys for an adventure coming later this summer!


Legos are a part of daily life.


And, speaking of ducks... I'm plotting a little sewing project.


We do a bit of daily schoolwork.


Yes, I'm one of those moms... but then we stay up late reading books.


And, there are more messes and fingerprints than I care to publicly acknowledge!


Next week I'm looking forward to capturing the colors of summer, finishing swimming lessons, driving Big Brother to camp, and, hopefully, doing a bit of sewing.

Meredith's Denim Tote

At last count there were eight pairs of holes-in-the-knees jeans at our house. "Surely there is something I can do with them," I thought. Pondering the need for a delightful yet inexpensive birthday party gift, I lopped off the leg of one pair, just below the knee, and made a pint-sized tote for our little friend, Meredith, who celebrated her fifth birthday today.

I trimmed the bag with rescued, vintage lace and some ribbon from my stash. For just $5 we filled it with little things that young girls love... fruit flavored lip balm, Hello Kitty bandaids, palest pink fingernail polish, a fun toothbrush, and a pair colorful socks {each item was $1 or less at Target}.
Simple and delightful. When it comes to a bag of happy treats what's not to love?!

Onesie Dress

I'm still recycling my 1980's-era Laura Ashley dress. This time I used some of the fabric to sew a skirt onto a basic white onesie creating a tiny, comfortable summer dress for Baby Sister.

Cuing off the touches of pink in the floral design I added a strip of pink hand-crocheted lace {a thoughtful gift from Val} at the empire waist. The bit of lace is just long enough to be knotted neatly in the back creating a darling sash.

While I love the dress, it doesn't do justice to the lace. However, I'm certain Val will delight in knowing that her gift is being enjoyed, so I carefully basted the dainty trim onto the dress by hand. When Baby Sister grows out of this dress I can easily remove the lace and use it on another girly project.

Tiny Dresses I've Made

I've been sewing for a year and a half yet I still can't bring myself to buy fabric {unless it's an inexpensive remnant}. The wonderful thing about sewing for a baby or child is that so little fabric is required and a perfect fit isn't totally necessary... a beginner's dream.

Remember back in 1987 when everyone had to have a Laura Ashley dress? Well, I had one and my mom saved it. Twenty-three years later the dress was, of course, dated, but the fabric was still beautiful so I cut it up and made a dress for Baby Sister.

Baby has quite a stash of little day gowns and smocked dresses {many of which were mine... again, my mom saved them} but she needed some cool, summery, knit dresses. I used two retired jersey knit crib sheets and Rae's itty bitty baby dress pattern to create this sweet blue and white sundress.

I was so happy with the result that I repeated it, this time using a friend's old knit shirt that was on its way to the thrift store along with more of the retired blue crib sheet. I think Baby Sister will look as sweet and cool as an ice cream cone dressed in it this summer!

And, I've got plans for more because these simple little onesie dresses are too cute to ignore!

Saturday Solitude

This morning dawned breezy, bright, and beautiful... a perfect spring day. Forget yard work, the professor and Grandaddy quickly decided to whisk the boys off to a nearby air show. Being on the verge of delivery the idea of spending all day walking around on a tarmac didn't sound too pleasant so I opted to stay home and move at a slower pace.

I love Saturdays when projects are underway and the kitchen door slams as dirty boys run in and out, but today I'm enjoying the solitude. Oh, what to do with myself?! First, a long, hot shower {just because I can} and some sewing... there are buttonholes to finish and tiny dresses to begin. If I get antsy {but, really, how could I with glorious morning light pouring in through the windows?} there's an estate sale that has caught my interest and a big consignment sale that holds plenty of promise. Maybe I'll even take myself out to lunch.

Yes, the solitude is welcome. Today it's just me and Baby, and she doesn't have many demands {yet}!

Casual Clutch

I'm small but I have enough room for keys, phone, and wallet essentials. I look great with jeans and boots. Take me out with friends, haul me to the gym, or stuff me in a purse, I don't care. I'm a casual kind of girl. I'm a casual clutch.

*pattern and inspiration from Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol

Gifts for Baby and Sister

It all started on Christmas Day when my mom toted a bag full of vintage table linens into my house. After the flurry of presents and food, when the Christmas afternoon lull came over the house, we sat on the floor and sorted through napkins, tablecloths, and placemats -- items that belonged to and were made by my grandmothers and great-grandmother.

My mother is one of the most resourceful people I know {one day I will show you the beautiful dresses that she made for my two sisters and me using fancy cotton slips, embroidered tea towels, and placemats!}. As we sorted the ideas started flowing... "Christian, wouldn't this napkin make a pretty collar... If you added ribbon here you'd have a pretty little bib... Oh look, you could make this napkin into a little bonnet, fold it just like a handkerchief bonnet."

We were both in need of some special baby gifts so on that afternoon we put our heads together and devised a plan. My mom and her ideas were the inspiration; I executed and embellished them.

Last week I visited one of my dearest childhood friends and delivered a napkin turned into a baby bonnet for her newborn baby girl {big sister was delighted with the crocheted placemat bonnet that I showed you few weeks ago}.

And for both sisters, napkins made into fancy bibs, I call them country club bibs because they're not at all practical although quite pretty for church, Sunday dinner, or fancy styled teething. If she wishes, my friend can easily convert the bibs to collars by removing the ribbon, folding them in half, cutting a slit up the back middle, as well as a neck hole, and adding binding.

For two beautiful girls who are precious gifts from God, items lovingly made from Bunny and me.

A Versatile Towel Mat

Last week, while the boys were ill, I had more time than usual to sew. Using extra white hand towels {my mom keeps me well stocked} and fabric from my stash, I had fun whipping up a handful of colorful, terry cloth towel mats. My inspiration came from Soule Mama and Darby's dish mat tutorial, although I ended up creating a process of my own.

In the kitchen my towel mat adds a fun splash of color and is a great place for wet dishes to air dry. This fabric absolutely makes me happy.

I made several to give as baby gifts. They can be used as a diaper changing mat easily stowed in the diaper bag, a lap pad and play mat, or as an oversized burpee. Whatever the use these cheery towel mats are easy and fun to put together and they make wonderful homemade gifts.

In Your Easter Bonnet...

"If the knitter is wearythe baby will have no new bonnet."

However, if the "knitter" isn't really much of a knitter {oh, how I've tried} and if the "knitter" happens to have some of Great-Grandma Cooky's crocheted placemats lying around... then baby will have a new bonnet indeed!

And, the new bonnet will be feminine and fancy with a touch of tatting salvaged from threadbare, vintage pillowcases.

Georgia's crocheted placemat bib was fun to create and give to a friend this summer. The placemat bonnet... well, I'm smitten all over again. It's perfect for a certain Little Miss who I know will be full of fun and dressed with a touch of fancy this spring.

Holiday A-line

Honestly, the amount of satisfaction that I find in making a gift from materials that I already have on hand is more than slightly absurd. What can I say? Yes, I'm easily thrilled.

This evening I plan to venture out for a baby shower celebrating a baby girl who is due to arrive shortly before Christmas. Using fabric leftover from last year's holiday sewing I put this little holiday a-line jumper together over the weekend. Seeing that it's sized for a 12-month old, it will be perfect for her to wear next Christmas.

Chloe's Burpie and Bib

For tomorrow's baby shower.

Georgia's Crocheted Placemat Bib

The last time that I was at my parents' house my mom and I dug through a chest full of vintage table linens, most of which belonged to my grandmother and great aunt. Among the treasure trove of white cotton, linen, and lace was a set of placemats that were crocheted by Grandma Cooky, my great-grandmother. Sadly, they were shrunken, misshapen, and would no longer lay flat after the hot water washing and machine drying that they received somewhere along the way. Last month my mother suggested that I repurpose them...


And so, I present a crocheted placemat turned into baby bib, made for little miss Georgia, my friend Joy's newest little blessing.


Once I figured out what I was doing the bib was really quite easy to make. I used one of our old bibs as a pattern for cutting the neck hole and then lined it with a soft lavender knit that beautifully enhances the texture and vintage charm of the crocheted handwork.


Oh, and it's reversible for double the duty... teething can be a messy endeavor!

A Flower on My Shoulder

I've been in a sewing frenzy lately. I'm pretty sure it's my coping mechanism. A major kitchen renovation can do that to a girl.

The kitchen sink may not be functional, and sure, I'm washing dishes in the bathroom, but at least I've got a flower on my shoulder to brighten my day!

This world wide web of ours is overflowing with inspiration... occasionally I stumble upon an idea so special that it sparks love at first sight. I was smitten the I first time met the corsage tee and knew in an instant that I would create one {or two, or three} for myself.

Did you know J. Crew sells a similar shirt for $29.50? On sale it's marked down to $19.99, but I was able to make mine for free using a stack of neglected v-neck tees that were languishing in the chest of drawers. Overlooked wardrobe staples transformed into summery color and flair at no cost... I love it!

Look at me {minus part of my head} feeling cute and a little sassy with just a dash of pink flamingo Florida kitsch stirred in for good measure. Yes, a flower on my shoulder makes me happy... Demolished kitchen, you haven't beaten me yet!