a repurposed dress for the bean

(with way too many pictures cause she's just too cute!)




The bottom half is a top I'd had for awhile but never really wore and the top half was made from a red Christmas camisole I never wore due to the sparkly candy canes on the front. And I'm dreadful and remembering to take before pictures.





It's so soft and comfy so she likes wearing it which is a wonderful plus!



The ruffles were fun and so easy to make, I think I'll be doing a lot more detail stuff like that in future projects.





The back has a gathered section and I love how it flows and hangs.




Thanks for looking, more re-purposing of old clothing into new soon to come!

Life is keeping us busy these days. But I wanted to share this with you all cause I think it's adorable!



A family friend passed on a ton of girl clothes for our Gwennie bean and in the bag were a couple pairs of shoes. Gwen immediately spied these pink boots and has since worn them every day! We had already noticed her love of shoes after taking her to Payless to pick out some winter shoes. But this just confirms it, things like shoes and purses...it truly is just ingrained in us as women to love them! even when we're 1 1/2 and can't hardly talk yet. :)
So thanks Lily for sharing your pretty pink boots with Gwen, she loves them!

recent projects...

I recently made a much needed trip to the fabric store in order to make Gabriel's cape, seen in the previous birthday post. I also picked up some patterns and some fabric and notions to work on some other projects. here are the two I finished so far.



I'd been wanting to make Gwen some jammies and finally got around to it. I had some trial and error with the pattern but it was good because I learned several new things and now next time I'll be prepared! I've learned that in sewing you can't get discouraged if you have to pick out your stitches and start over.

The button holes were completely new to me and rather fun to make! And just so you know, when I told her I was going to take her picture she promptly went and got the stool to stand on and then posed as you see here in the photos. such a difference between boys and girls! :)

I look forward to using the pattern again though as it has a lot of options and variations of P.J. ensembles.

My next project was to use the vintage fabric my mom gave me for Christmas. I've been wanting to make a cute apron for awhile now and thought this fabric would be perfect. plus there's enough of it to make something else as well! :)


I used trimmings I already had which was fun, and it has lovely deep pockets which I love! bonus...I got to try my hand at button holes again and they turned out even better on this than Gwen's night gown. For those of you who might be wondering, my sewing machine is old and doesn't do button holes.

A little something for the chilly days ahead...

Recently my Mom crocheted a darling baby sweater and posted pictures on her blog, G-babies and Other Wonderments (you should go check it out!) The post was in Oct. I believe. Anyway, she was a dear and shared it with my little Gwennie bean.



So as was requested I took pictures and am posting them so she can see her handiwork on her youngest G-baby.



Thankfully despite the sunny appearance of the photos it is actually quite chilly today so she didn't mind wearing it about. :) The weather down here can't seem to make up it's mind about being hot or cold! it was 86 on Sat, freezing cold and raining on Sunday, weird!



But back to the sweater, I love it, so thanks for sharing mom. :) It's fun to dress my kids in things like this, they're unique and made with love!

continued costume progress

Due to my sewing machine's lack of a zipper foot i have had to put Gwen's dress on hold till a trip to the fabric store again. (where hopefully i'll be able to find a zipper foot that will attach to my old machine!) In the mean time, as mentioned, we were keeping out eye on some "ruby slippers" for sale on Ebay. Well they ended up passing our $ limit so I went with plan B. Make my own!

I started with these shoes which we had bought for my sisters wedding. I figured that she hasn't worn them since and will just grow out of them soon anyway so I might as well put them to good use right! :)



After a quick trip to Michaels today and thanks to Martha Stewart, I was equipped with the necessary tools...red glitter and glitter glue.



And so, you have a home made version of ruby red slippers! I did them rather quickly this afternoon and need to go back after they've fully dried to do some touch up work and make sure all the excess glitter is removed but all in all i think they turned out quite nicely!

Here is a little peek at what I've been busy with lately, Gwen's costume!
can you guess who she's going to be?

I still have some work to do obviously but most of it is done
below are some more detailed pictures of the sleeves and the band on the skirt.

We are working to secure a pair of Red glittery shoes from ebay to round the look out. add a little basket and a doggy and she'll be good to go!

baby apron

Well yesterday I was in a sewing mood but since it's been awhile since i've really made anything I decided a little project would be best.

And so, you get a baby sized apron! :)
It was fun to figure out how I was going to piece it all together with the ruffles and straps etc...I put snaps on the straps so i can adjust them easily. in fact even though it fits perfect i have to redo the snaps already because it rides up her belly and then the straps fall down...
Can't wait till she starts walking! Now I just have to find a pattern and make her a white dress to go with it!

catching up with life...

Well, summer has been busy and fun,
We have been enjoying the pool,

Gwen enjoys the water as well but is pictured here taking a beverage break...

Otherwise it's just been lots of playing in diapers due to hot days and no air conditioning!

Early morning breakfasts....

new summer shoes,

All that good stuff!

babylegs and a dress form....

These are called "Babylegs"
I have always thought the idea was cool and was actually going to purchase some online soon.
Then last night at Target i noticed that they had some!
So that was fun! :)

But this was even more fun!

I was up at my sister's this last weekend doing wedding things,
and by chance it came up in conversation that i enjoy sewing and costumes etc...
Well the lady of the house mentioned that she had an old dress form she'd bought at and antique store years ago that she no longer wanted.
So she gave it to me!!!!
It's so cute and so old! I love it and am looking forward to finding fun things to display on it. :)

recycle

So today I decided to make something with an old sweater of mine. It was an interesting process but I enjoyed having to think it through and figure it out. :) so here is the finished product!
and here is dear Gwendolyn, with her daddy, wearing her new hat; I hadn't done the mittens yet.
We will be making a trip up to my parents soon and they have snow so I figured it was something she will need for cold weather.
And I've always wanted to make something out of that sweater!
It was a favorite in high school but got some stains and a couple little holes in it. I'm glad i decided to hang on to it. :)
By the way, the quote for today is one of my beloved's favorites.