halloween prep

I'm getting really excited for Halloween! Last year the Little Miss was the cutest wind-up doll, Husband was an army guy, and I threw on a 70's dress last minute.

This year we are coordinating costumes. I am starting to gather clothes and props and need to sew at least one item. Any guesses?

Are you getting excited for the holiday season? What are you going to be for Halloween?

found scrap quilt

I found this baby quilt at the thrift store almost a year ago, but recently unearthed it from the pile of blankets in the nursery. There are so many great prints it's impossible for me to choose a favorite. I don't know if I'd have the patience to embroider each and every piece like this, but isn't it beautiful? I feel like it was made with love and each print has it's own story that I wish I knew. 

It's a great idea for a way to use up all those scraps of fabric that are too big to throw away, but too little to be really useful. I thought that I'd start a 'scrap bag' for each of my (future) kids and eventually make a quilt like this out of all the fabric I sewed for them growing up. Then I would know the stories and be able to cuddle in it with my grandchildren and tell them what their parents were like... is it too early to think about that?

weekend shop update

Hello! These clothes and more added to the shop this weekend. 

Today I got out all of the clothes I've been hoarding away for the holidays and they made me all sorts of giddy - I'd forgotten what cute outfits I'd stashed! It was like discovering them all over again and I am excited to add them to the shop soon. There are several items in particular that I know I'll have a hard time parting with...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

the circus

We went to the circus last night. I really enjoyed the acrobatics and feats of incredible strength - not so much the animals acts, although the elephants were pretty cute (I'm not going to be joining peta on the corner protesting but the tigers looked seriously sad and broken).

The Little Miss' experience is summed up quite well by the expressions of worry, wonderment, and joy in these pictures. She exclaimed things like, "Lights! Fireworks! Trains!" all night, and when the trampoline act started (see below) she got out of her seat and danced harder than I've ever seen her dance. It was hilarious.

They really did some amazing stunts that even had Husband and I floored, but overall I left with some mixed feelings about the circus. Do you like it?

baby bump: week 16

This morning the Little Miss and I got to hear the baby's heartbeat. I wish I could listen to it everyday. I am 16 weeks along so I figured I better start documenting my baby bump. I am pretty much exactly as big as I was my first time around at this point (although I started showing a lot earlier). Last night I felt the first little flutters of life inside me and I am convinced there are few things that can top those tiny kicks.

So this week is starting out pretty good.

p.s. the Little Miss is on the mend, thank you for your well wishes!

(source)

Last night was rough.

The Little Miss got a tummy bug so none of us got a restful nights sleep. I felt so bad for her. And for Husband who had to get up early for work. Today she has a 100 degree fever and wants nothing to do with food and everything to do with lounging on the couch and watching her new obsession, The Cat in the Hat.

I am pretty tired, but in a strange way I appreciate these not so glamorous moments in mothering. Because even though I had to wash her down three separate times last night and do two extra loads of laundry today, I also got to rock her to sleep in the middle of a quiet night and snuggle with her all morning. And those moments, whether good or bad, are what solidify my love for her.

So glad it's Friday. If the Little Miss is feeling better I have a date with Husband to look forward too (and an Indian food craving to satisfy). Hope your weekend is lovely!

the musn't spoil your frock smock

Up until this weekend I was still using the bibs I made for the Little Miss when she started eating solids at 6 months old. Needless to say they were too small and barely covering her chest - food was getting all over her clothes. So I bought some laminated cotton fabric thinking I would make her some bigger ones. And what would you know but Danielle emailed me to try out her new Musn't Spoil Your Frock Smock pattern. Perfect timing? I think so!

This pattern is great! It doesn't take very long and you know there is no food (or paint, markers, etc.) getting past these smocks. The most challenging part for me was working with the laminated fabric and clear plastic vinyl which were materials I had never sewn before. I found using a longer stitch on the vinyl helped a ton and that I didn't really need to iron the laminated fabric bias tape which saved time. All in all I would definitely make this smock again (which I did as you can see).

And here is the smock in action, catching all of the yogurt that didn't make it into her mouth. Just wipe it clean and it's ready for another use. We have also advanced her to a booster seat at the table - in her words she is a "super girl" now (big girl). I totally agree.

Find the pattern here or wait to see it in in the upcoming book, "Fabric Extravaganza: One Yard Wonders".

shop update

Hello! This week I am working a lot more than usual to help out my mom while she basks in the sun at Lake Powell (lucky duck) so I'll be MIA for the next couple of days. However, I did manage to list these items in the shop before I plan to crash in bed (once the publish button is clicked). This time around I didn't plan any kind of 'theme' - it was just coincidence they were all red white and blue!

I do have a sewing project that I worked on over the weekend to share, but it will have to wait until I can take some pictures... until then!

h+s kids

It makes me super happy to find new homes for my vintage items so they can be used and loved again, and I especially love it when people share photos with me! This cute little guy looked so dapper for his baptism day, don't you think? I'm so glad his shoes from hart + sew could be worn on his special day. Thanks for sharing Heather!

thrifty fashion finds

Ever since the Little Miss grew out of the clothes she received as gifts when she was born I have mainly dressed her in thrift store finds. Since she is growing so fast it makes more sense to me to save money this way, but also there are some really cute and unique clothes to be found at thrift stores (and the thrill of a good find can't be beat)!

This is not to say that I have never bought her new clothes (whether handmade or store-bought) because I have and still will, but that I am trying to be more conscious of how I am using my resources (read: I'd like to own a house someday). This past week I was especially tempted to splurge. The clothes were really cute, but I am so glad I put them back and quickly left - mostly because she didn't really need them.

So, in an effort to renew my thrifty spirit and not feel like I want slash need to buy her an entire new fall wardrobe from Crewcuts I am going to be putting together some thrifted outfits (with handmade and vintage thrown in) and posting them for continued inspiration to stay the thrifty course - for myself and hopefully for you too.

The outfit pictured:

Yellow Polka-Dot Cardigan - $1
Mint Shirt - $2
Gap Skinny Jeans - $3
Circo Ballet Flats (still currently sold at Target) - $2
Flower Hair Clip - gift
Grand Total = $8

I would love for you to join in if you'd like, leave a link in the comments to your thrifty fashion finds (it doesn't have to be 100% thrifted)!

(Did I use enough parentheses?)

smooch

Can't get enough of her kisses. I hope she doesn't grow up and become embarrassed to give her momma a smooch every day.

plaid jumper

I haven't sewed anything since this. Then yesterday it was like all the energy I have been lacking got zapped back into my body. I took a shower, blow-dried my hair, did the dishes, made lunch, went on three errands, cooked dinner, folded the laundry, and started a sewing project. Goodbye first trimester!


The top of this dress was a vintage jumper that needed some tlc. I just took the stretched out skirt off and replaced it. Call it lazy or maybe genius because half the work was done for me (I'm getting back into the swing of things slowly - ha). I've used this plaid fabric before, but she has already grown out of that dress.


I already have another dress idea brewing in my head which makes me happy. I have been feeling so uninspired that its nice to have some creative thoughts flowing again.

Enjoy your Labor Day weekend!

my picture book of songs

(On her birthday with her Aunt Heather)

As promised, here is a closer look at the music book the Little Miss got for her birthday. She loves flipping through it and looking at all the colorful cute pictures while I try to pick out the tunes to the songs (I'm not very good and we don't have a piano).

My mom told me she remembers my Grandmother teaching children to sing using this book. It was written by three women during the WW2 era with the purpose to help make children happy in the midst of their fathers going off to war and their mothers having to work. We really love its gorgeous illustrations and fun songs and think it was the perfect gift!

Does it make you happy?