She is my Sugar Baby!

Do you see that cute little girl in the middle of my fancy collage?  That is my Sugar Baby!  My first born child.  She stole my heart from the very moment I saw her grainy little peanut image on the ultrasound screen at 7 weeks.

A couple of weeks ago, inspired by Anna Maria Horner, I had the urge to hand embroider something.  It started out as the band of a skirt...then the skirt grew into a dress.  In my head, hand embroidery takes FOREVER.  I was quickly taken into the rhythm of the process though, and before I knew it, the border around the skirt was finished.  Mind you, it wasn't very intricate.  It was alot of fun to put this together with little pink touches here and there....like the facing on the collar and the inside of the bottom hem. 

Now, if I could just remember to snap a picture of her wearing her newest "pretty"!

New Jammies Anyone?

I am pretty caught up in the recycle/upcycle "movement". (makes it sound important)  For years, every time I would pack up and give clothes away, I find myself thinking about how else I could use each item.  But I never actually DID anything with the thoughts.  Enter a slightly "older"/"wiser" version of myself.  This version has spent a lot  some time with the loverly blog world and the much loved and addicting Pinterest.  You know where this is leading?.........

 Yessireeee...and upcyle project.
This is one of daddy's shirts that has finally, given up the gusto.  It has some holes in the armpits and along some side seams.  Honestly, this shirt is at least 6 years old and has seen ALOT of wear.  It happens to be a favorite and I was kinda sad to see it thrown out.  As I was lovingly petting it, saying goodbye, I realized that the body of the shirt was the right size for some...

JAMMIES!!!!

Using a pattern I had traced from one of Sugar Baby's tops, I cut up Daddy's shirt.  It was a super, easy project. 

A couple of seams, some scraps for ribbing, a little ruffle.....

and the finished product is quite fitting for my little sweetie,

who just happens to be a Daddy's girl!

What a fun use for those well worn, soft wonderful shirts.  I love the thought of my kids, sleeping all cuddled up in their Daddy's shirts.

Well, I'm off to chop up something else! 

Wish me luck  *wink*

I wear my heart on my sleeve.....

Yep, I told you so!

I bet you are wondering what this is all about?  Well, I am gaining a brand new niece in November and of course that means I've been attempting to create some baby goodies.  This is a gown my two kiddos colored and drew on with fabric markers and crayons....you should have seen their faces.... 

 "You WANT us to write on the fabric? 

 Is this a trick?

  Will we get in trouble for this?

  Are you SURE? 

 Mom??"

The hot pink sleeves and ribbing are from an old shirt of mine.  The kids created the custom fabric for the gown and ...... instant fashion sensation!  I am thankful that my sister in law will totally LOVE that my kids made this for their new baby E.

This next one is made with eyelet and pink flannel.  Soft and cuddly.  The eyelet spent a former life as a curtain....I imagine she will see more love as a baby gown!

I cut out four gowns from this pattern.  I had never used it before and I learned a valuable lesson that kinda seems like a no-brainer but nonetheless: always sew the pattern at least once before cutting out a stack.  I found that I am not really fond of this pattern...so you will see that no two gowns are alike.  I tried a couple different techniques to see if I can salvage the pattern.....jury is still out on that!  But at least it gave me a jumping off point...right?

This next little gown was cut from a blouse of mine that I loved but it not longer fits.  I love pin tucks and insertion lace and all the goodness known as "heirloom" sewing.  So I held on to the blouse for a couple of years.  Now, I am so glad I did.  This is a quick way to make an adorable gown!

I really love giving hand made gifts. And I love crocheted baby blankets.  And I love to crochet.....just not so much, baby blankets.  You see....unless the project is something that grows quickly, crocheting looses my attention quickly.  I am an instant-gratification-kind-a-girl, I guess.  Welcome to my new favorite crochet project: a baby bunting!  All the fun and coziness of a baby blanket and the quickness necessary to keep me plugging away at it!

 I hope Baby E feels a hug and kiss from her Aunt Kellie when she is snuggled in, warm and cozy.  Oh, I so wish I lived close enough to hold that little sweetie when she arrives.......