T-Shirt Dress

My daughter is tiny.  She's gonna turn 4 in August and weighs around 26lbs (I think).  Her waste is 19", which not so very shockingly, is the same waste measurement of my other daughter, (black lips from yesterday) who is 20 months old.  So, I have made yet another dress for this little missy because it is difficult to find clothes that fit her well.

A while back, I was browsing through the tutorials at Make it--Love it, and found a great repurposing tutorial.  You take an old t-shirt (child's size that already fits the child) that may or may not have a rip, stain, or something else that has ruined said shirt...and turn it into a dress. 

Enter the t-shirt dress

I did not have a ruined shirt on hand because I had thrifted them all as I find them :( So, I was at Walmart one day and found this t-shirt for cheap. 

I messed up in the fabric cutting and made the skirt part a bit shorter than I had wanted, so to compensate for that mishap, I started the skirt part at more the natural waste area as opposed to an empire waste which is what Make it--Love it did.  I love the skirt fabric!!

**doncha love the snow boots?  Last night we told her to go put on her shoes so we could take a walk.  These are what she had one when she arrived at the door**

The sash also really makes this dress.  Without it, it would be a bit frumpy, and too big.  Which is what we're trying to avoid here!  When the sash is tied, it cinches in the waste, and you can't even tell because there are so many pleates.  So, what have you been working on this week?  I've got something in the works for myself, so come back in a few days to see what that is :)

No, we don't let her wear black lipstick...

Have you ever wondered what happens when a baby sucks on a marker?

and mouth opened..

Let her alone for two minutes and this is what happens...or I find her on the kitchen table emptying out the straws container.  She makes my life interesting!

Men's Dress Shirt = Little Girls Summer Dress

For me, there is no better compliment than my husband telling me when I get home from work that

 "that dress looks really cute on her."

A while back I stumbled across Made's tutorial for turning a men's button down dress shirt into a little girls dress.  I thought it was a great idea and so began a quest to find the right shirt for the job. 

Enter:

the shirt.

NOT the greatest photo...it was a rainy day, but what's new around here?? 

So, here's a closeup of the colors and print.

And here's what it turned into...

(while she's an adorable model --I am biased-- she hates doing it, so it's difficult to get a good smiling photo!)

So, I told her to play :)

The elasticized belt...er, fau belt.

...the bodice up close...

And a pouty face :(

I love it :) My husband thought it was cute too.  What do you think? 

Custom Order Eden Handbag

You like bags, right?  Well, here's another custom order I recently had that was for a little girl.  And hmmm, her favorite color?  Hot Pink :)

So, for those of you who are not aware, this style bag is my Eden Handbag. 

And once again, if you seamstresses would like to try your hand at this bag, a free pattern can be found here.  If you are new to sewing bags...or even just new to sewing, trying out tutorials for little bags like this will really help your skills grow.  The first time I saw this tutorial, I thought...blah!  Not a chance I could ever do something like that!  And with a zippered closure!!!  Nevah!!  About a year later, I came across the tute again, read through it again, and wondered what it was that I hadn't understood before. 

So, what I'm saying is, the internet can be your best friend if you use it right :) Is there a part of sewing that you'd like to learn?  Comment and let me know.

So, since this was a custom order, the customer only wanted 2 slide pockets inside the bag and the normal zipper closure. 

A peak inside...

This handbag has 2 oval metal rings.  Would you like to know where I got them?  Yardsale bags.  It's a GREAT way to recycle, make your bag look more professional, AND saves you money at the same time.

I love the simple fabric flower!  I think it adds a nice little touch to a fairly simple bag.

This bag is a great size for pre-teens and teenagers.  If I didn't have children and the need to carry around diapers and wipes was younger, I would totally carry one of these!  

So I need some imput from you, my readers.  Would you like to see more bags (my specialty) or would you enjoy a variety of things?  I have NOT abandoned my Touring Tuesday and Organize Your Life series.  Life has happened in the form of sickness, and has kept me from blogging much the last 2 weeks.  But, I do plan to keep those two series around.  What kinds of things do you enjoy?

Custom Order-- Backpack Diaper Bag

About 5 weeks ago, a lady contacted me via Etsy to ask the size of my backpack purses.  After some convo-ing back and forth, she decided she wanted a larger version of it, with a couple added pockets.  So, without further ado, here is the backpack diaper bag I created for her based off of my Around Town Backpack. 

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For those of you who are seamstresses and would like to try out this pattern yourself, the pattern is FREE on Heart of Mary's blog and can be found here. 

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The front and back measurements on the original bag are 10 1/2"x11"...which is the basic purse size.  My customer wants to use this bag for a diaper bag/carry all bag this summer.  So, that means sippy cups, change of clothes, diapers, wipes, and well, you name it.  So, I added 2" to each measurement on ALL the bag pieces. 

It closes with a magnetic snap on the flap and a drawstring with slider closure.

The completed measurements are roughly 12"x12 1/2"x6 1/2". It is actually, QUITE roomy.

In this photo I added 2 pairs of my girls jeans (size 2 and size 3), a handful of diapers, and a full pack of wipes. 

 

Shouldn't there be a baby hand in all pictures?

Of course someone wearing it to give you an idea of the size.

The bag comes with an inside zipper pocket and 2 outside slide pockets.  Per the customer, I added two inside slide pockets.

And, as luck would have it, the slide pockets fit sippy cups and bottles nicely! :)

OH yes, there is a handle on top for easy grab and go and the straps are adjustable.

One of my favorite features is the accent fabric on the outside slide pockets.  I LOVED the fabric this customer chose!  BOLD is me :) LOL 

It's been a while since I've done a bag posting!  I missed it. :(

Give a holler and let me know what you think!

"For where your treasure is...

...there will your heart be also."

I have been MIA this week...

for a very good reason. 

I had  Strep Throat.


Apparently, it is uncommon in adults...which is probably why I was in so much pain.  OH MY WORD!!!  Have you had Strep as an adult?  What was your experience with it?  Last Tuesday morning, I woke up feeling fine, but by about 10am, I began aching...my neck, shoulders and back.  Then the left side of my neck/throat began to feel sore.  Not inside, outside.  Around 4, a slight fever began...so I took ibp.  Yeah.  It wore off around 2am...and I wasn't myself again un Saturday night!  But, I am back...and feeling oh so much better!!

Moving on...

"For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." 

Our ladies tea is done, and now I'm moving on to crafts for VBS.  We've got days 1, 3, 4,  and 5 figured out, but day 2 has got me stumped!  The above verse is the night verse and the weeks theme is Gold Rush.  So, we're trying to come up with a craft that incorporates BOTH themes in one craft.

I found this picture...





But there's nothing about it that is useful...which we like to incorporate into our crafts.  Not to mention it would be a costly craft to make for 80 kids! 

So, anybody got any creative ideas?? 

Ladies Tea: What I wore...a vintage inspired birdcage veil!!

Don't ask me when, how...why...where......

the thought entered my head that I would make a birdcage veil to wear to this Ladies Tea being held at my church.  I've known for a few months that there would be a prize for the BEST hat during the Tea so I knew I wanted something different and with a vintage feel.  I LOVE a good modern-vintage look :) 

So, what do you do when you don't know how to make something? 

GOOGLE IT!!

So, I googled it and found this great tutorial.  It can be found here in case one of you creative little ladies would like to make your own sometime. 

Remember my Coastal Curtsy Skirt?  I knew it was going to be a part of my modern-vintage outfit!

I added a cute ruffle cardigan with one of the coral satin sashes I made to match my girls' Easter dresses for a pop of color.  Underneath is a peach colored cami. 

Of course, the most important part...

the birdcage veil!!

I purchased a silk gardenia (I think) in a cream color and a brown-ish feather bunch-thingy that're used in floral arrangements. 

A SIDE NOTE: I love Picnik.com!!  Have you tried it?  I just recently purchased the year membership which has allowed me to do even more with my photos, but even if you use the free membership, it is still amazing!  I highly recomend it for photoshopping your pictures :)

So, what are your thoughts?  I'm trying to decided if I can wear this another time...?  When?  I refused to go to Walmart with it on...as it was, I had a few stares as I drove myself to church!  It kinda was funny. 

If you're interested in making one yourself, I purchased my netting from this shop on etsy.  She's well priced and offers good shipping rates. 

If you'd like one of these veils but don't sew??  I've got enough netting to make a couple more and would be willing to custom make one for you IF you are so inclined!  Feel free to contact me via email.  These things make some seriously dramatic wedding veils!!  Kinda wish I'd known about them when I got married! 

Ladies Tea: Part 2

Each table was decorated by a different individual, so therefore each had it's own character and charm.  I REALLY like this aspect of the decorating because it adds an element of uniqueness that you don't get if the same people do all the tables.  My favorite part of all the tables: the centerpiece. 

I love this wooden birdcage!  Inside the cage were 3 aqua ball jars in graduated sizes.  There were yellow and white carnations in the jars.

This centerpiece was made up of 7 different small vases that sat atop a pedestal cake dish.  I believe she said she purchased each of these little vases at the local thrift store and then arranged a single rose in each vase.  It made for a very eclectic look and I love it!

A simple fresh bouquet of roses...that was then gifted to a very special lady at the end of the tea.  (I <3 purple roses!)

As I understand it, this tea set was passed down from her grandmother...it's a beautiful complete set of china.  Makes sense: if you aren't using the teapot to serve, use it for the centerpiece!

A beautiful silk flower arrangement that went well with the china on the table.  I love the pitcher that it sets in!

This is another great idea.  She used the soup toureen that matches her china and made a gorgeous flower arrangement in it.  Then she placed silver candlesticks on either end...this was a very elegant table.

This was the only picture I had of this centerpiece but you get the idea.  I've never seen one of these before but this is a hanky holder.  What a unique idea!!

Ok.  This next table/centerpiece was set by a SEVENETH grader.  (Way to go girlie!  She's in my youth group and I love her to death!)  This was all her idea...she placed this china doll on one side in the basket, then on the other (not pictured) is a small jewelry box with pearls spilling out.  She did a great job!

This was unofficially the "Michigan" table...see?  Blue.  Gold.  So, I know more about these pieces since they belong to me.  The flower arrangement was a gift from my Mom when I was on hospital bedrest with my first child.  I remember my vision was so blurred from the drugs they had me on, that I didn't know the flowers were fake until I had been there for 2 or 3 weeks!!  I just thought they were some hardy flowers!!  LOL  The granitewear teapots on either end have a story themselves which is too long. :) They sit in my blue and yellow kitchen. 

Another matching teapot to the china...with backyard lilac and roses.  This table smelled gOOd!

I just have to share one more thing from today...

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!  I had a great day...

My husband surprised me with this

I think it's gorgeous and he did a great job.  Endorfinn makes really cute bird's next rings as well so head on over to see everything she's got!

Then, just as we were heading out to church, my little man walked out with a beaUtiful wrist corsage.  (yes, he obviously had help from his daddy because he is 6) But he was proud as punch when I made over how pretty it was and wore it to church.  I just adore that little boy.  I also got some very sweet cards from my girls...then lunch, yes, completely made by my husband (and cleaned up!)  Yeah, he's pretty awesome. 

So, how was your Mother's Day?  Did you call your Mom?  Did your kids call you?  Are you a new mom?  Please, do share!

Ladies Tea: Part 1

I've been busy the past couple of weeks getting ready for this...

This year we hosted a Ladies Tea at our church, complete with fine china, silverware, center pieces, and teacups!

A friend of mine and I were in charge of the decorations, so I figured why not show what we did to you, all of my readers? 

These are the flower balls we hung from the center of the tule swags.  We hung them at graduated lengths from strips of tule. 

There are 2 large bulletin boards in this room that we needed to decorate.  Here's what we did...

butcher paper flowers and tissue paper flowers. 

Yes.  We made them all my hand.  Time consuming but not difficult.

This is one of the 2 large flower arrangements from our wedding.  The tea service belonged to my grandmother.  In fact, it was a wedding gift to her and my grandfather back in 1948 only she never used it because the teapot spout had a chip in it when she opened it.  :( 

When I was in highschool, she gifted this set to me knowing I was becoming a collector.  That gold??  Actually 24k gold...no.  Seriously Grandma??  I kid not. 

This arrangement was on the alter table at the front of the auditorium.

If you'd like to know how we did anything you see, please ask!  I'll be sharing more tomorrow on the individual tables that were all decorated by individuals.  They were pretty gorgeous!!

Meet Ally and Kaitlyn...a Touring Tuesday Tutorial!!

Today, I'm going to share with you one of my Touring Tuesday Tutorials with you.  I had decided that some finger puppets would make a good addition to our road trip bag o surprises so I did some research and got nada...at least for little people finger puppets that is. 

I would like you to meet...

Ally

and Kaitlyn...

These are the names my little girl gave her new finger puppets!!  I love it!

Meet Ally and Kaitlyn: a Finger Puppet Tutorial

Materials:
Felt scraps (white or cream, 2 other colors for the dress, yellow/black/brown for hair)
Scissors
Glue gun
Floss
Pattern  GET PATTERN HERE!
Step 1:
Using the cream/white felt…

Lay your pattern on the fold and cut 2 pattern pieces.

Using the 2 other felt colors for the dresses…

Using one of the pattern pieces you just cut as a guide, lay it on top of one of the dress colors and cut out your first dress. Do the same with the second dress color to cut out the second dress.

Using the yellow felt…
Cut out the hair pieces by laying the head of one of the cream felt pieces on top of the yellow felt. Cut out a shape the same as the head. Free hand cut the hair to look like this.

Place the two body pieces together...

Handstitch using a running stitch around the edge of the puppet, leaving the bottom open.

Completely stitched...

Handstitch eyes and a mouth through both layers.  If you so desire, you can do this step before you stitch the body pieces together.  This is just an added step that I didn't think was needful.

I chose a solid green felt so I decided to stitch buttons down the front.  Notice I did not do this on the pink/white polka dot felt.

Attach your shirts to the body...one on one side, and one on the other.

Let's attach the hair to one side...beginning with the crown of the head, dab a small amount of hot glue and attach to the head.

Snag one of the pigtails...put another dab of glue...and attach pigtail. 

Repeat process with second pigtail...then place your "bows" over the seams of where the pigtails and the crown meet.

Repeat the steps to attach the hair on the other side.

Put in a little baggy and wait until your next road trip...hand it out as a little surprise, or...

let the little one with the skinny fingers give her a try right now :) It wouldn't take much to make this pattern into a boy...just straighten the sides of the dress a bit...make them boy colors and get rid of the pig tails.

PS.  We do know a Kaitlyn...but I am completely baffled as to where she came up with Ally!