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".