The Mermaid Party

The big party has come and gone. The dust has settled. The decorations have come down. And I'm beginning to recover.

It all began with this sweet invitation, designed by my friend Ally.

It looks wonky because I used my mad (non-existent) Photoshop skills to "erase" the pertinent personal info.  Not that I don't want y'all calling or visiting. . . but . . . 

The Bug wanted to be The Mermaid for a day. 

I searched and searched for mermaid tail making ideas online and finally came across this one from Heather Bailey which was my inspiration.

I found both of the main fabrics on clearance at JoAnn's. Major score! The skirt is a slightly fuzzy knit with sequins sewn throughout. It shines and glitters just like water as she moves.

The tail is a sparkly satin.  I put a layer of batting in between to give it some dimension.

It's a simple gathered skirt with a yoga style fold over waist band so it should fit for a long time.

 I used green rick rack to hang little satin fish all the way around. You know, to make it feel more like water.

The favor bags included a few sea shells, some bubbles, a wand, a few snacks and this super adorable mermaid doll.

My sister is my hero.

I really wanted to make a doll for each girl but I knew I wasn't going to have time.  She came though and made seven of the cutest little mermaids you ever did see. Each one with hair and eye color to match the girl it was going home with.

I don't need to tell you these little dolls were the hit of the party do I?

Decorations were also assigned to Aunt Michelle.

She ruffled the streamers.

Yes.She.Did.

She's a sucker for an over the top party too, don't let her fool you.

And she has promised to blog about the process for both the mermaids and the streamers, so you have that to look forward to.

And here is the spread of food.

No, I did not invite an army. I just planned for one.

The table cloth is one I've been eyeing for a long time and finally bit the bullet. I love it. And I love that it's a special little thing we can pull out every year as we celebrate.

We had blue Jello in cups with little Swedish fish and this blue punch.

One little girl thought the bubbles were soap. That made me laugh.

Just sherbet Sweetie! I promise no soap.

I found some great ideas on-line at Family Fun. This little banana octopus was one of them. And the fruit in waffle cones was a Pinterest find. I thought the cones looked like shells. Is that a stretch? 

I also made a whole lot of fruity candy popcorn in pink and blue. And I do mean a whole lot.

There were shells and water drops (glass beads) scattered all over the table.

The fish dish was on Clearance at Hobby Lobby.  I almost bought them all but then reason won out. This one little guy was great for holding some Swedish fish.

In the background there are goldfish crackers with a blue dip that I made up on the fly so, no you can't have the recipe because I don't know the recipe.  But it was gone by the end of the night so it must have been good!

And another octopus.

I tried to pick foods that the Bug likes, especially on the veggie tray.

Yes, my four year old likes radishes. At least in theory. These were a bit too peppery for her.

And finally, the Pièce de résistance! 

The Hubs put on every last one of those mermaid scales (M & M's). You rock Babe!

I am not a cake decorator but I was pretty pleased with the results of this. And the Bug was giddy excited when she saw it. Though I did catch some flack that the hair was blonde and not red.  She did request an ARIEL cake after all.

After we all ate, it was present time.

We bought the Bug a bike about a month ago and that was supposed to be her early Birthday gift.

But I couldn't resist attempting to make her an Ariel princess dress.

She's been asking for one for ages.

It's a little big and a little "off". I debated even sharing it here because I don't love it. As you can see, I don't even have any good pictures of it.  But, the Bug was absolutely tickled to finally have her Ariel dress.  And now we have two possible Halloween options, right?

Except that she announced prior to her party that Jasmine is now her favorite princess.

I see Harem pants in my future.

~Lindsay

A Diversion

Michelle mentioned my over the top party planning, yes?

I'm never sure how I suck myself in to so many little projects for something like this.  It nearly drives me insane but I am all about the details.

And so, what do I do when I'm stressing the little things?

I avoid the issue at hand and I sew something totally random.

It helps if it's an itty bitty baby thing.

Because then I can ooh and ahh and dream about snuggly baby cuddles. And what is more stress relieving than that?

First, the bow tie onesie which is so cute on it's own really it would have been enough.

 But when have you ever known me to leave well enough alone?

Really? Like never, right?

See, last time Michelle was visiting she was in the middle of making some of these adorable baby booties and I was smitten.  

The pattern was from free baby shoe pattern mecca, Homespun Threads. I downloaded every single pattern, but landed on these little slip ons.

And wow! Working with something so small was a challenge! I ended up doing that zig zag stitch around the top just to make sure everything caught. I don't love it but it's growing on me. I'm telling myself that it's that "deconstructed" look that's so popular. (Is that still a trend? Please don't tell me if it isn't)

The outside is a vintage piece I had in my stash (stolen from my mom's stash years ago--Thanks Mom!) and the inside is the softest red fuzzy knit. I have no idea where it came from but it called out to me for this project.

I used the illustrious ladder stitch to finish these off. Just thought I'd give a little shout out to my sis for bringing it to my attention.  It's funny the simple things you forget after years and years.

So here is the finished gift, for the mom of a preemie boy.

In my mind, I think I should make a little pair of shorts or something, right?

But I have to be done.

I have a big party to get ready for. And a certain princess' dress need some significant alteration.

~Lindsay

Of Birthday Parties and Ladder Stitching

The prodigal blogging sister has returned from her time away. Can you believe it? My 7th tax season is over - I hope I don't always count my life in tax seasons - and I am slowly coming back to the land of the sewing. I have been working on a few things here and there - and I hope to finish something soon, ha!

Those of you who have been following our blog for over a year or who know one of us personally, know that a week ago the most precious little (not so little) girl in our lives turned 4! Of course this calls for a PARTY - a party which had to be postponed a whole week because of a silly aunt's scheduling conflicts! Can you believe the nerve? But I am oh so glad I don't have to miss the big day!

The party is set for this Saturday - it will be the Bug's first official birthday with just her friends. This is causing my sister some panic - I wouldn't want to have to entertain and coral seven 4ish year olds, would you?

 Anyway - I don't want to give anything away before the big day - but the Bug picked a theme and my sister in her true fun mom style is going crazy (in a good way) with that theme. She bit off a lot with this one - and I am sure she will have some great "after" blogs about the Bug's big day outfits (yes plural.) Anyway - I volunteered my services for the cause and was assigned to the take home favors for the event. Before you start thinking I got off easy with candy, goldfish, a punching balloon and some bubbles - please note that these favors are a bit more than your normal favors (or at least more than I ever got in a favor bag.) Did I mention the theme is exploding on this one - my sister had a pattern in mind for a theme appropriate doll for each little friend plus the Bug of course.

Which brings me to the subject of this post - this pattern introduced me (or re-introduced me, I very well may have learned this over 10 years a go in 4-H) to the ladder stitch - and at the risk of sounding over dramatic - I will never be the same!

Are you familiar with this little hole closing genius of a stitch? More than likely you are, but if you are like me and you are not, let me explain...you know when you are sewing two pieces together wrong sides facing, and then you leave a little hole to turn the thing right side out - then your left with a little hole to close - like when you are making a pillow? Over the last couple of years when I have had to closed a seam, and couldn't get away with edge stitching the project, I have used something more akin to the whip stitch.

Please forgive me this my biggest sewing sin! The whip stitch is NOT an attractive way to close a seam - let me tell you - especially when you have little patience for hand sewing. I was never happy with the way it looked - and how unfinished the whole project became because of this one little stitch. Enter Ladder Stitch!

See that closed hole? You don't? That's the point! Isn't she lovely?!? Now even though this seam is eventually going to be covered - the ladder stitch adds a nice clean finished look to the base of the doll.

And that makes this doll happy! (Actually the fact that I embroidered a smile on her face makes her happy, hehehe, sorry I couldn't help myself!)

The ladder stitch is all over this pattern - not just in closing the body of the doll - and I'd like to think I am slowly mastering it. If nothing else it is a good stitch to add to my arsenal (that sentence amuses me.) Anyway - I completed the first doll last night - only 6 more to go by Saturday - Wish me luck!

~Michelle

Hawaiian Dress

A Hawaiian dress?

Yep, that was the request. It was needed for a Hawaiian themed preschool graduation.

Themed requests can be so difficult. I've spent enough time watching Project Runway that I know not to be too "literal" in conveying the theme. And I want this to be a dress she can wear again and again, not just to graduation.

We found this floral fabric that was just perfect.  It says "Hawaii" and "Aloha" in a nice script around the flowers but it doesn't scream at you like a Hawaiian shirt.  It's the prettiest shade of purpley-pink too. So I ordered a yard.

And nearly cried when it came.

It was heavier than I expected. Not canvas weight, but definitely heavier than a normal quilting cotton. I obviously did not read the listing closely enough.

Inspired once again by PR, I had a "make it work" moment.

And make it work, I did.

This Oliver & S Popover Sundress pattern works well with the more structured fabric because of the simple lines.  There aren't many seams so there isn't a lot of bulk or extra weight.

I added the embroidered eyelet to make it a bit more girly and soft. And it reminded me of those embroidered Hawaiian shirts.

My favorite part is this little bodice strip. I love the embroidery. I love the mini pom pom trim. I love the crisp white.  The white fabric was very light and airy in comparison to the floral so I added a bit of interfacing to the bodice so it was more crisp. 

I really, really like the finished project and can't wait to see this sweet, big girl in it!

~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

Crafting Hope

Our little sewing group met again last week.

We had a different crowd this time, which was exciting! Word is getting out!

I love how perfect the library meeting room is for this. We have room for several more sewing machines so if you are local and have interest let me know and I'll see that you get a June invite.

As my lovely friend Jessica is showing us, this time we made bibs and burp cloths (not pictured here) for young moms.

And yes, I know I am probably asking for trouble by posting this photo on the world wide web. 

But how cute is she? How cute is that bib? How could I not?

You see my dilemma?

We used the library's portable die cut machine to cut out our appliqué pieces. This was a huge time saver. I am a big fan of the die cut machine.

And here are a few of the finished burp cloths.

And the bibs.

Somehow I managed to not get a single picture of the beautiful machine embroidered bibs and burp cloths one very generous over-achiever brought already made that night.  What a sweet heart.

I just know some young mommas are going to feel very blessed.

The patterns we used were from the book "Craft Hope".

The next time we meet, I think we will be making clothes for friends to take with them to Haiti. Perhaps some shorts for the boys and maybe more pillowcase dresses for the girls? We shall see!

~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