today i love

These fabric covered buttons from Aimoobaroo. These little critters would look so cute on my little critter.

caramel baby & child

Loving these looks from Caramel Baby & Child.

today i love

this tea dress. i must be on a flower kick.

new summer dresses

A couple of new handmade dresses added to the shop this week. I think I was inspired by all the wildflowers growing on the slope in our backyard. Tonight husband and I sat outside on a blanket as the sun set and the flowers smelled so delicious! I love summertime.

favorite things swap

I don't know about you, but giving and receiving surprise packages in the mail sounds like a great idea to me! Head on over to According to Kelly to sign up for her Favorite Things Swap. I just did!

(via ambrosia girl)

weekly wrap (inspiration)

I hope everyone has a happy, happy weekend! I am leaving you with some images I loved this week. I hope they inspire you. Enjoy yourselves!

p.s. I'll have some new handmade dresses to show you on Monday!

p.p.s. Oh, and I really, really want a little kitten like the one below.


oh joy! ::


anthropologie bedding spotted on design*sponge ::


poppytalk ::


paper tissue ::


wren handmade ::


scissor variations ::


embroidered headboard tutorial on design*sponge ::

happy day

My birthday was lovely. We put the baby to bed and husband took me out to dinner at Pizzeria 712. If you're local and haven't been there, run, don't walk. Then we went to the theater to see Star Trek which I enjoyed. It got out so late that by the time we got home I wasn't even thinking about the banana cream pie he had made for me earlier (I don't care for birthday cake). But husband wanted to make sure I got my birthday wish, so he surprised me by bringing the pie up to our bedroom with candles lit, singing to me. It was very sweet. He is the best, I loooove him!

today i am one year older

I am 26 today... TWENTY-SIX! I'm not going to lie - its a bit weird. I still feel like I'm twenty. Husband is taking me out tonight so I better go get dolled up!

(image)

new in the shop

I added some new clothes to the shop! I especially LOVE the mint green smocked dress. It is the sweetest little thing.

fabric find {nani iro}

I adore the dreamy watercolor prints of the Nani Iro fabric collection. They are so beautiful and the colors are perfect for a summer frock.



And I wouldn't mind pursuing through their pretty pattern book either...

(images from nani iro)

lemon meringue pie

(photo from here because mine was eaten before I thought to snap a photo!)

For Father's Day I made husband his ultimate favorite - Lemon Meringue Pie. It was my first attempt and it turned out to be quite delicious! I don't really care for it myself, but this time (maybe because I was eating the fruits of my labor) it seemed to grow on me. The recipe is from my mother-in-law, try it out!

Pie Crust:

5 C. flour
2 tsp. salt
1 and 3/4 C. butter (3 1/2 cubes)
1/2 C. cold water
1 T. vinegar
1 egg, beaten

Cut butter into flour and salt. Mix water, vinegar, and egg. Add dry ingredients to liquid. Makes 5 single 9-inch pie shells.

Filling:

2 1/4 C. cold water
2 C. sugar
1/2 C. cornstarch
2 T. butter
3/4 C. fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
lemon zest from 1 lemon (opt.)
5 egg yolks (save whites for meringue)
1/4 C. milk

In a 3 qt. saucepan combine the water, sugar, cornstarch, and butter. Boil until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and the egg yolks beaten with the milk. Cook until thickened again, stirring constantly. Cool slightly and pour into a cooled 9-inch pie shell (I found that it made enough for two pie shells).

Meringue:

3-4 egg whites
1/2 C. sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tartar (opt.)
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix ingredients together and beat until it is glossy and forms stiff peaks. Spread on top of the filling. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 7 minutes, until meringue is golden brown. Cool, eat, and enjoy!


And, the little miss did end up giving her daddy a coupon tie. But, she didn't want to hand it over when the time came - it was too yummy!

weekly wrap (to do)

Happy Friday! I have a pretty jam packed weekend coming up full of fixing-up-the-house projects, and time spent with usually out-of-town family. And if I find a spare-hour-or-two I'll be making one of these fun DIYers...

How to make Cakie's scrap fabric necklaces via smaller.

Ruffle headband tutorial on Heart of Light via Craft Gossip.

Learn how to do needle felting with Ola Smith via Craft Gossip.

Make a Do-Si-Do Book via The Storque.

Have a great weekend!

free lovelies

As you can probably tell by now I have three main loves in my life (not counting husband) - motherhood, sewing, and pretty much anything vintage. Therefore, when I saw these Betsy McCall paper dolls on Mer Mag - I fell hard.









Get yours here!

check it out...

sew :: inspired

I am loving these feminine belts. Sometimes I want a little flower and bow adornment but not in the form of a bouquet on top of my head. I think putting it on a belt is perfect and would be a fun project to do yourself!


1. Ban.do
2. Urban Outfitters
3. Anthropologie
4. J. Crew

and the winner is...

Thanks to everyone who left such nice comments about the bubble jumper giveaway! I wish I could make one for each and every one of you! Check back for another fun giveaway next month!

And a big congrats to BRI who won! I'll be getting in touch with you soon - can't wait to start sewing!

NEW additions to the shop!

I'm excited to now offer vintage children's clothing along with my handmade items in the shop! Check them out here!



I'll be adding new items weekly!

nursery art

Barking Bird Art

Bold & Noble

The Yumi Yumi Shop

Mae, Charmed I'm Sure spotted on Love it A Lot

weekly wrap (to do)

I'm so glad it's Friday! And, finally, a weekend without plans...seems like its been forever since I could do whatever I wanted - I am itching to get sewing again! And guess what, I've sold two items in my shop! I can hardly believe it! So a trip to the post office has now been happily added to my non-existent plans. Are you doing anything fun? Here are some projects if you are feeling crafty...

Isn't this Made by Rae Buttercup Bag so cute! Get the pattern here.

Iron-on "Ruffle" Shirt how-to and lace panel template from Martha.

This Knot Trivet found on Design*Sponge could be used in so many ways!

DIY Cake Stand tutorial at Tangarang - I really want to do this one!

Learn how to make a Birdcage Wedding Veil at Once Wed (and check out the cutest vintage circus themed wedding while you're at it).

have a happy weekend!

free lovelies

So many lovely finds this week! Thanks to those who share their talent with us all!

More labels than you will ever need here, here, here, here, and here!
Cupcake Petal Box here!
You Are Invited invitation here!
Sunshine giftwrap here!
Adorable little gift tags here!

(pictures credited to source linked)

another giveaway!

Is this not the cutest baby bonnet you have ever seen? Enter to win it here! (I am thinking a bubble jumper made out of those birds to match would be simply adorable! )

announcing... giveaways!

I've decided to liven things up around here by starting a monthly giveaway! Now that my shop is open and all the start-up preparation is over and done with (phew!) I am feeling good and want to celebrate! The giveaways could be anything - you'll just have to be surprised! To begin with I wanted to start things off by making something especially for one of you!

This month I am giving away a size 12-24 months bubble jumper!

Below is an example of a bubble jumper I have made (this one is for sale in the shop). The winner can help me choose the color/style! Even if you don't have kids, it would make a great present or baby shower gift.

Just leave a comment to enter, and if you want to pass the word along feel free! I'll announce the winner next Wednesday!

Good luck!

fabric find { umbrella prints }

I've always thought it would be lovely to work in a little fabric shop. To be surrounded by beautiful prints all day, and be inspired by what people are making with them. Maybe when I am older and all my children are out of the house I can fulfill my dream (I swear all the ladies at my favorite local store are grandmothers) but until then I can collect my favorite finds here and play pretend fabric shop with the little miss at home.

I discovered this week's find via mint, and you can check out Umbrella Prints hand screen printed fabrics at their shop, here!

new this week!

New in the shop this week... Bow jumper with large front pleat, and pink horses bubble jumper! You can find them here.

sew :: inspired

Show your tanks some love and add a little flair this summer!

1 + 2: Lace & Layering - Hende via Bliss
3: Rows of Ruffles - J. Crew
4: Flirty Fringe - ModCloth
5: Go Big or Go Home - Urban Outfitters

tweet!

I just put this bubble jumper in the shop! You can see it here.

handmade ties

I'd never thought of making a tie before, but now the purl bee's tutorial has me wondering if I have any scrap fabric the husband would like to wear around his neck...