Baby Gifts Modeled (Caution. . . Adorable babies ahead. . .)

Fair warning. . . 

You can't handle the cuteness. I'm dying over here.

 You've got to love it when a Momma loves her shower gifts so much that within a week she's given you photos of the outfits in action. . . and recruited helpers for the things that were too big.

Hello sweet little baby toes! I barely even see that bright skirt I'm so overwhelmed with the urge to kiss those toes. 

 And then there is this.
Heaven help us, does she not look like an angel?

This is exactly how I envisioned this dress in my head. I am so glad I got to see it on a model.

I really have no words for this one.

A big Awwwww. . . is all I can muster.

There is nothing sweeter than ruffles on a baby's bottom. . . Except maybe those curled up tootsies. . . Or that sweet sleepy face. . .

Thank you ladies so much for sharing your sweet girls with us! It is so gratifying to see something you've made actually in use and even more, to know it's appreciated.

~Lindsay

Christmas nightgown. . . err. . . dress. . .

I am hopeless.

Really. . . how many Christmas dresses does one girl need?

In my defense, however, this one started out with the intention of being a Christmas nightgown made of the scraps of Christmas fabric I had laying around.

As I worked on it, it became clear to me that this was way too cute to be slept in.

Plus, the quilters cotton is just too stiff to be comfortable for snoozing.

Or so I thought.

It didn't stop the Bug from falling asleep halfway through Christmas Eve service.

The pattern is the Little Lizard King's Elizabeth Claire dress with the long sleeve option.

I love the bell effect created with the elastic halfway down the sleeve.

The skirt is less full because I was working with small amounts of fabric.  I should have pieced more in because it did not meet the Bug's twirl requirement.

In my defense, I thought I was sewing a nightgown and it just morphed into a dress. Twirling is less important in a nightgown.

I hope you all had a very blessed Christmas.

I'll be playing catch up here this week, posting gifts that were made and couldn't be shared, plus the real Christmas Day dress. . . yes there is another one. . .

~Lindsay

Happy Halloween!

Literally not more than 24 hrs after posting about Dorothy I had two wonderfully artsy friends e-mail me edited yellow brick road photos!

So cool.

The Bug's eyes got so wide when she saw these.

She is fully convinced that she is Dorothy when she wears that dress, and no wonder.

I am always so amazed at my talented friends! 

Speaking of which. . . Little Red Riding Hood's momma, a photographer, took some photos in the woods and they are amazing.  Just like a vintage storybook.

Prepare for photo overload.

Aren't they just the cutest, sweetest things?

I hope these two get to trick or treat a bit tonight. They live out East and are currently without power.

I think Little Red and her sweet wolf of a big brother would still be cute in snow boots!

Thanks to Catherine, Ally and Staci for your awesomeness in sharing your amazing talent with me!

~Lindsay

Our little princess. . . well, maybe not this year

For MONTHS the Bug has been telling me she wanted to be Princess Ariel for Trick or Treat.

Which is great because she already has a Princess Ariel dress. . . no last minute costume making stress this year!! Woo hoo!!

Until last weekend, when she informed me she was going to be Dorothy.

Sigh. . .

And she knows me so well that she knows I will almost never turn down a sewing challenge.

Had I a clue about PhotoShop I would have made that road yellow.

You'll just have to use your imagination.

Perhaps a yellow brick wall will do??

I'm not sure what's up with the pose. I think maybe she's calling Glenda or something.

I used the Elizabeth Claire pattern from Little Lizard King as my starting point for the dress since it's a quick, easy sew.

I added the rectangular apron top and straps on my own.  I also added the bias cut band around the waist as a cute little accent.  Just 'cause I was getting cocky with my pattern ad libbing self.

This dress is super roomy and should be a good addition to the dress up bin for years to come.

It's nice, too, because we can add a long sleeved shirt underneath for warmth.

And please note the bias cut band around the hem. It's all in the little details.

I think she likes it.

Hopefully, she likes it enough to actually go door to door this year.

Time will tell if we get the shy Bug or the outgoing Bug Monday night.

And if you've been around a while, you might notice. . . Dorothy is actually a repeat costume for the Bug.

Aunt Michelle made her this supremely adorable dress when she was two.

Hello squishy baby cheeks!! I love you!

That year, she followed the yellow leaf road.

Too cute for words really. 

I love it. And I"m a tiny bit glad our little princess opted out of a princess dress this year because their was no way I was going to top Cinderella.

~Lindsay

A Dress and Cape for Little Red

This pretty little thing needed a Red Riding Hood cape for Halloween.

I told her momma I'd be happy to make her one, figuring I could just wing it, right?

But then I saw on facebook that Little Lizard King was working on a cape pattern.

And she asked me to test the pattern. Perfect!

Is it not perfectly adorable? I love how it just about touches the floor and the way the hood poufs out just a bit down around her neck.

She is just lovely.

And like every single LLK pdf pattern I've used (and I've used quite a few) the directions are clear and easy to follow. This cape is a quick sew and it would make a great project for a beginning seamstress.  Just imagine the possibilities for Halloween costumes and dress up bins! A simple change of the fabric and this could be a princess cape. . . leave off the hood and it could work for your little super hero. . . Dracula? . . . piece of cake!  You've got Trick or Treat in the bag this year!

Never one to leave well enough alone, I also made Little Red a dress.  This is another LLK pattern, the Elizabeth Claire dress this time. 

I think it is so cute and fun the way you can combine so many different fabrics.  And this dress kind of has a little bit of a vintage vibe while still remaining modern.

Just a quick picture of the dress inside out. . . In kids apparel I like to use French seams like this where ever possible. I just think it looks so much cleaner and it's got to feel better up against their skin.

I can't wait to see her in it.

I think these two are going to bring home big candy trick or treat night.

~Lindsay

Crafting Hope

Our sewing group met again last week. 

This month we sewed little dresses and bandanna shorts for Haiti.

Since last time I posted that super cute photo of Jessica (to her chagrin) this month I give you a photo of myself. 

I gave my camera to the grand-daughter of one of our sewers to help keep her occupied and boy was it fun to see what she deemed photo worthy!

Liz from Little Lizard King patterns was sweet enough to give us a pattern to work with!

I love that spirit of generosity! Thanks so much Liz!

Please go check out her shop. Her patterns are super cute and there are several that are perfect for beginners.

We chose the Catie dress because of it's simplicity. Cute, quick and easy! I can't recommend it enough!

We didn't want to neglect the sweet little Haitian boys though, so we also made bandanna pants/shorts. The pattern we used was straight out of the Craft Hope book.

And we decided that there needs to be a little more quality control in bandanna making factories! Who knew, but no two bandannas are the same size? In fact, they are quite irregular. It made things an itty bit more difficult, not gonna lie.

This is one of the coolest things, in my opinion, about these sewing nights.  We have three generations participating.  Granddaughter is learning from mom (not pictured) and grandma.  I have such a soft spot for this handing down of the sewing bug since it was my own grandmother and mother who taught me to sew. Makes me tear up a little when I think about it.

I tried to get Jessica to model this little dress like she did the bib but she's onto me.

How cute is it that dress? She came with that striped fabric that she has had a hard time matching and I came with the green that I've had a hard time matching to anything and shazaam! They were perfect for each other!

And here is a pair of finished shorts!

The super cool thing is that this is the first item of clothing she has ever made!

I do love the "giving" aspect of gathering together and making items to donate. I think that's a really neat thing.

But even more than that, I love that several of the participants are new sewers. It's such a joy to share something I love so much with friends and then to see that moment when they see what they've made and are so proud.  That's what it's about for me. 

The real joy is in the sharing.

Thanks ladies for coming back each month and for all the work you are putting into this.  You girls rock!

~Lindsay

Happy Birthday Firecracker!

Don't tell, but this sweet thing is one of my favorite models.

And she's turning TWO this week!

Say it ain't so! I remember the day she was born like it was yesterday.

This momentous occasion required commemorating with a very special birthday dress.

I think she likes it, what do you think?

 

The specs? Well, it's the apron knot dress pattern from LLK.

I love this one and can whip it up quick which allows me the freedom to spend a little extra time adding details like this waistband, the hem ruffle and

POM POM FRINGE!!

Love.It.

And so does Firecracker.

Most of the fabric was found at JoAnn's. The apron and apron border were from my stash and the pom pom trim was a vintage find at my favorite thrift store ever. Ever. Ever.

Happy Birthday precious girl.

May you continue to grow in beauty and in spunk. 

I love you!

~"Auntie" Lindsay

Ruffle Dress for Easter

The Bug and I collaborated on this dress.

And by "collaborated" I mean, she made the design decisions and I provided the labor.

At almost four she sure does have a lot of opinions.

What is more girly than layer after layer of ruffles?

Layers of ruffles in purple and pink that's what.

She chose the lavender fabric.

She chose the bright pink thread.

I struggled to work within her vision.

She chose the pattern.

Little Lizard King's Little Princess Ruffle Dress of course.

I made a 5T. I think it will fit next Easter too.

Oops!

Oh well. I suppose after all of that work attaching those ruffles I want this dress to last as long as possible, right?

I also adapted the bodice so I could use some bunny buttons from my grandma's button jar.

Light up Princess sandals completed the ensemble.

Also her choice.

She said she felt like a dancing princess.

And despite the wet weather she proceeded to dance her way to the ball (aka, church).

I suppose that makes giving up my creative control all worth it, right?

~Lindsay

Ruffle Sun Suit Models

Favorite pattern ever?

Maybe so. If my urge to sew up fifty more in a multitude of colors is any indication.

I think I might just let the photos of my gorgeous models speak for themselves.

Size 9 months.

Is it weird if I say I just want to kiss those little baby toes? My goodness, heaven help us.

Size 18 to 24 months.

Those curls! Those leg dimples!

Why is it leg dimples are not so adorable on adults? It seems unfair.

And size 2T.

She's dancing to Lady Gaga. I love her.

Is it any wonder I referred to her as a firecracker?

Could these girls get any cuter?

Seriously.

I'm blessed with some awesome Mommy friends. Thanks ladies for letting me "borrow" your girls!

And now, please excuse me, I have the uncontrollable urge to sew a dozen of these for every baby I know.

~Lindsay