Summer PJ's {Kids Clothes Week}

If you sew for your kids, you probably already know this week is Kids Clothes Week. It's a challenge to spend at least an hour a day on sewing for your kids before the next season. It's such a great motivator to get things done, especially when you follow what everyone else is making. I wish I had time to make some amazing outfits, but for now, I'm thrilled to just get summer PJ's done.

Pretty soon my girls aren't going to be able to wear their long flannel pj's anymore. Summer nights can be brutal in our old, tall house, even with central air. They would be good with a giant, old t-shirt, but I like to have at least one cute pair of pj's for them.

As usual they were matching. I made all the pants, repurposed one of my old T's for Lydia and simply embellished the tanks for the other two. I know my limits.

They waited patiently all week to finally wear them to bed.

In addition to the pj's I also refashion some shorts for Jefferson and a skirt for Clair. Sorry no pictures. If you want to see what other mom's are making you can check out the blog HERE, or the flicker group HERE or search the hashtag #kidsclothesweek.

Library Reading Nook {a HGTV Home Fabric review}

When I was asked to review the new line of HGTV Home Fabrics from JoAnn's, I couldn't say yes fast enough. As soon as I saw the fun bold print they sent me, I knew what I was going to do with it. 

It's a project I've had on my bucket list for years, and was thrilled to finally get it done. 

I have a real library in my house. It is charming but TINY. Like seven feet by seven feet, you probably have a closet bigger than my library, tiny.

Despite being tiny, it has a 10ft ceiling with shelves running the whole way up. It may be full of old books, that no one wants to read, but it's still one of my favorite things about my house. 

Sandwiched between to bookcases on one of the walls is a bench, that has been begging for a cushion and some pillows. 

So I conquered my fear of pipping and zippers and finally gave this space the justice it deserves. 

This fabric turned out to be perfect for the space for two big reasons. One, it's super durable. I'm pretty sure it can handle all five of my kids. Second, It combines the neutral colors I have in the rest of my house with a fun pop of color, so the kids are drawn to it. 

In fact the kids can't get enough of it.  

Once I put in the cushion and pillows I knew we needed something on the wall. Since a frame would be in the way, I went with vinyl and this fun saying. I don't think kids can hear their loved enough. 

A big thanks to HGTV and JoAnn's for helping me get this done. You have to check out all the gorgeous prints and patterns they released.

Right now through May 4th, all HGTV fabrics are 50% off AND you can also use the following coupon with your purchase, for extra savings.

a Matchy Match Easter

I got away with another year of matching dresses for Easter.

I wasn't planning on it, but fell in love with this rainbow seersucker. The next thing I knew I was buying five yards of it.

Lydia's dress was a nightmare. I have a hard time drafting my own sleeve patterns so I decided to use a vintage pattern. The pattern had the cutest pictures on the front, but didn't sew up anything like the pictures. I think it will be the last time I use a vintage pattern. I had to unpick, recut and resew it several times to get the fit I wanted.

Kate's dress started out as Clairs, but became Kate's when I realized the bodice fit her better than Clair. This may be one of the only benefits of sewing for more than one girl.

Clair's dress was my favorite and by far the easiest to make. She loved the way it twirled.

They loved being different but still matching.

I wanted so badly to make ties for the boys but simply didn't have time. I barely got the dresses done, sewing a zipper in late the night before.

I'm sure we look super cheesy to many, but I can't help myself. I blame my mom.

I'm linking to Girl Inspired and Here

A Royal Birthday

 My baby girl turned 4. It was a bitter sweet birthday for me. She chose Disney's newest princess, Sofia the First, as a theme.  Even though I'm not a big fan of the whole disney princess thing, I've tried to embrace it over the last 8 or so year for the sake of my girls. During my preparations, I realized that this would probably be the last time I did a princess themed party. I thought I would be thrilled and I am, but a small part of me was sad that I've reached the end of a phase.  

I shouldn't really call our little celebration a party. We simply had a family dinner and cake, but it was perfect. 

My little princess, I think she looks just like Sofia.

I decorated the house the night before so she would be surprised when she woke up. My husband thinks I'm crazy when I decorate for a small family dinner, but I love making things magical.

I was so excited about this Sofia bunting, she didn't even notice it with all the balloons on the floor. 

I usually make a special outfit for birthdays. I debated on making a real sofia dress or a simple dress she  could wear to church and school. I went with a Sofia-inspired dress. While I was sewing it up, she kept telling me I was making it all wrong and it didn't look like Sofia's. I was worried, but turns out she loves it and won't take off. 

There has been a lot of twirling. 

The Crown Jewels

The Cake

I love how it turned out. I'm so grateful to my sister who showed up and helped decorate. As always, I had way more on my plate than I planned, and it wouldn't have been finished on time without her. 

I used Wilton Sugar Sheets for the flowers. I got mine at Walmart. I'm a big fan. In fact, I've used them with my Silhouette before too.

I love the tufting and pearls on the top layer. 

Lucky for me we live by a Disney store, I used the sofia from a figure set for the topper.  

I think I'll enjoy every last moment of her being a princess before it ends.

Linking to {You Inspired}, {Make It Wear It}

V-Day attire

I decided to keep our Valentines attire simple this year. My older daughter requested a shirt to wear with jeans. She is over skirts and dresses (sad, I know). I figured making pleasant blouses would be a quick easy project. 

Unfortunately, I also decided to use fabric I had on hand. When I went through my stash, I fell in love with this vintage dotted swiss fabric.  It turned my simple project into more work than I wanted. The blouses only took about 30 minutes each to make, but I ended up making knit undershirts that took more time, Grrr. I was hoping to use white undershirts we had on hand, but they just didn't look right.  

In the end, I love the look. I think it was worth it?  

I'm loving the matching headband.  

This one was having a hard time not untying here bow, probably not the best shirt for a toddler. 

Hope you all have a Happy Valentines Day! 

The Emma Dress

I made something yesterday.
My friend Jess, at craftiness is not optional, did a sew-along for this super cute Emma Dress last week. I wasn't feeling well, and had to put it off until yesterday.  Jess has the tutorial split up into 3 days, but I was able to finish it up in a couple of hours. Lucky for me, our daughters wear the same size, so I was able to print her pattern and save myself some work.  

I love the off-center bodice.

 Not to mention the collar and ric-rac.

I was worried it was a little too yellow, but it really brings a ray of sunshine to a cold January day. 

Best of all she loves it.

I was at a meeting yesterday and left all the fabric and supplies laying around the dinning room table. When I came home, my husband said my girls were talking about how much they loved the fabric and how much they love it when mom sews for them, and soon there was a fight over who was getting a new dress. Ha, I love it. I think I just go the motivation to make something for valentines.

Clair's Christmas Dress

As usual I insisted my girls have matching dresses for the Holidays. I know it's a sickness. The fact that I couldn't find three that matched, in all the right sizes, didn't stop me either. I had NO choice but to make Clair's.  

Kate on the left is showing the original dress purchased for her and big sister Lydia. Clair on the right is wearing her copy-cat dress made by me. Although I couldn't find the exact same materials, I think it's a pretty good match. 

She loves it and declares herself a princess every time she wears it. 

I was quite proud of myself, making my own pattern and once again using an invisible zipper. 

Okay, I took my first leap and went with non-traditional colors for a Christmas dress. Maybe next year I can take another leap and get them dresses that don't match. 

On another side note, I found it interesting that I really didn't save much money making the dress myself. Luckily I got all my fabric at 50% off plus and extra 20%. In the end I spent $16 on supplies and the original dress cost $25. I would have gladly paid ten dollars and saved myself the time.