i make stuff

woodland themed playroom - the tree stump pillows.

how about this lucky little guy?
His loving momma asked me to sew a few pillows for his amazing woodland themed playroom. I'm completely envious of the beautiful tree bookshelf behind him, made by Scott from Woodcurve.

on another front.. the house building is coming along. I've been designing and planning things that will make it home (hence my absense from blogging).
A wonderful creative space for me and the kids is in the works.. so when we're home & settled I'll be back to posting more often.
So hang on for now. I'll check in every now & then. Thanks for stopping by!

the ladybug girl - halloween 2011

She wanted to be ladybug girl. And she’s working on taking flight.

For the wings, first I cut out the shape/size from cardboard that I eventually wanted them to be.  Then lined it with batting, using a hot glue gun to keep the batting in place on the cardboard. Next, I stuffed the wings in-between the batting and the cardboard with poly-fil. Once the wings were stuffed, I stitched the quilting cotton & knit jersey front & back. I attached the elastic straps by cutting through the fabric and cardboard and gluing them where I imagined her shoulders would be.

For the tutu, I used 8 yards of red tule and assembled the skirt using this technique. The leotard is actually the same one she wore last year with her cupcake costume.. I just dyed it black & I added fancy red spots..

We've been having fun with this costume for weeks now!  Check back tomorrow and I'll share with you the little guy's costume!

the red riding cape

I've been sewing capes.. for three special little ladies.








a sweet fall cape.. want to make one? I used a pattern from little things to sew.

arrrr.. pirate octopi

last weekend we went to a pirate party.. which of course call for some kind pirate gear. what's cuter thank an octopus pirate? maybe my little ones. 

after Zaya's play mat.. I'm completely obsessed with heat n bond.. i see many appliques in my future.. I'll admit to it now. hope you are all having a happy week!

the Comfy Yoga Hoodie and the beach

we just returned from a nice week away at the beach.. before leaving i threw together a couple yoga hoodies for the kids, pattern via Heidi and Finn. I was only able to get photos of the little man wearing his.. but you get the idea.


I used jersey knits for both the lining & main fabric.. completely reversible.. and yes.. very comfy. I think we'll get a ton of wear out of this..


the kids had a blast at the beach.. playing in the sand at every opportunity..






 

it was a trip of firsts.. our first cheesy carnival experience at funland..


cyra's first time really enjoying the rides..



cyra's first carnival prize won.


our first real experience at a candy store.. and we walked out with one tiny pack of smarties.. such a success.



it was a great trip.. smiles all around.. I'm working on some fun projects to share.. but for now back to laundry & unpacking. see you soon!

long summer days... the ruffle pant & doll carrier

we've been busy... drawing, baking, sewing.. and of course playing..
I made cyra a few pairs of the ruffle cropped pants.. the perfect summer play pant.. a pattern from Sandi Henderson..
this particular pair.. got a special treatment of an applique.


oh my sweet daughter.. within 20 mins of her putting these on.. she took scissors to the fabric.. my first reaction was to be terribly upset.. her response was "but mommy, I wanted to see my skin.. just like you" 
then I realized that I have been living in my old torn up jeans these past few weeks.. so I guess you could say.. this was our first collaboration sewing project.. now they are even more adorable! 
 
this project led to another.. she asked me to make her the "bear carrier" in Oliver + S Little Things to Sew.. she picked the fabric & buttons from my stash.. and voila.. I adore this book.. such sweet projects..



i have a few more things in the works... now if only I can figure out a way to get an entire day to lock myself in the sewing room... i guess they'll have to wait.. cause summer won't.


hope you are soaking up everyday... 
 
 

pants for the little guy

just made these adorable pants for the little guy.. i made my own pattern using a pair of older pants that he had grown out of.. isn't this the most adorable bottom??



simple and totally cute.. (the pants and the little man)
want to learn how to draw your own patterns? MADE has a great tutorial..

a special dress

cyra's last day of school was today.. it's been a year of growing.. and my little is not so little anymore.. she started last august a tiny two and half year old.. still very much a toddler.. and today when I look at her I see a beautiful little girl with a big personality. 

while putting her to bed last night she asked me to make her a special dress..
lately she has been really excited to wear something i've made for her.. of course i'm loving it.. so after our bedtime routine I started sewing.



I used a t-shirt that fits her well for measurements, traced the top for my pattern and the bottom was a wide rectangle that I gathered and pinned onto the top..to attach both fabrics.  what I adore about this dress is the contrast in fabrics.. the top is a jersy knit by michael miller and the bottom is a quilting weight cotton. The dress took about an hour to make.. simple and quick.

we wore our new dress and had a great last day of school..