Quack-lique?

Lo-ove this duck applique. Precious for a little boy in the Fall...or three, as I made!

These pants are "Britches and Bloomer" pattern and the matching long all in tan micro-stripe is Children's Corner "Johnny," that I love so much. I added cargo pockets to the legs of the pants and I know that the little boys are gonna love sticking rocks and stuff in there! :)

Save the Cows

Last year, I smocked this pink corduroy bishop using Creative Keepsake's "Country Time" smocking plate. My plan was to put bows on their heads and eyelashes, the plate has horns and tractors too. Well, I hated it...the corduroy pleats moired in an ugly way and I forgot to increase my thread count for the heavy fabric, so my stitches look sparse. I stuck it in a pile and there it sat. I had another one for Reese pleated and ready to smock and I deserted that one too. Well, a good sewing friend saw it and insisted I do something with it. Even though I thought it was ugly, it was still a lot of work and would be fine for playing in. So I cut if off to make a top and made these quick corduroy pants to go with it. I used my favorite Jillian pattern, which I love even more without the ruffle. The flare at the bottom of the pants is just too cut on my "skinny minnie." So even though I hate the smocking in this case, it looked super cute on Abby with minimal effort and cost.

Here's my Balleweenie!

She finally got to wear it this week! I love this style on her and want to make another soon. It is the "Amy" by Children's Corner.

The turkey is done!

Here is Abby's funky turkey day dress. I had a lot of fun with this. I put it together today at sip 'n sew, while the girls were at school. I was initially unsure about the fabric combination, it's something I bought over the Summer that I fell out of love with, but i like how it turned out. I haven't stuck the legs on yet, they are just placed. Some forethought would have been nice and I would have put them in the tack down step of the applique...next time I will!


As long as I was sewing together an a-line dress, I figured that it may as well be reversible. I was a little clueless as to what to put on this busy fabric, I pondered it for way too long. I decided on this woodland tree from planet applique. The bonus was that I got it for free! They are running a special where, if you send them a gallery picture of something you've made they will give you a free design. You can do that 5 times...and you know that I plan to! I've gotten 2 free already and this one will make 3.

Turkey Talk

I just love Fall colors, and what could be cuter than a turkey? This is a Children's Corner "Johnny" in the longall version in hunter green gingham. An here is the turkey, beware though...it's a lengthy one! I used minky to make it extra soft and cute.

I used this turkey last year and, as cute as it may be, I need something new this year...

So I am working on this cute and funky turkey. I love that I can use so many fabric choices! I hopefully will have this finished this week and will post it.

The Patch Day 2...and lots more Punkin Fun

On Halloween, we caravanned in golf carts and a hayride...SO much fun! The kids loved it. I am so glad that we live in a small town, it wouldn't be the same if we didn't.

Everyday is dress up in our household and we had several wardrobe changed throughout the day. The girls finally decide on these old favorites.

We went to a fun Costume party Friday afternoon with some friends.

And had a great time! So many cuties in costume...and Abby had her eye on a certain Superhero at the party...or two! These are her best buds in class according to her teacher. I got the scoop from Ms. Jen at the pumpkin patch.

So, on my second trip to the Pumpkin Patch, I went with Abby's class..."The Ponies." She is right in the middle with the bow (of course!)

Check out that smile! Her teacher was also taking her picture...because she doesn't smile like that for me!

We had a good time, but honestly a Friday field trip is kind of stressful for me with work.

Punkin Patch...day 1

On the hay ride with her best frienemy, Lily.


Really? Who decided black icing was a good idea for cookie decorating? Of course that's the color that Reeser chose!

Her Tiger class! I loved her t-shirt from last year, so we wore that instead. The shade of orange was a dead giveaway! Oops!

Happy Fall Y'all!!!

A few months ago, I made this for Abby. It had a backpack applique. At the same time I made Reese some pants, but I messed them up. The stride was too short and so were the legs. They have sat in a pile of other rejects until this weekend. I tried to tackle some of my unfinished projects because they were quick and I have been short on time and energy. So, for these I took some scraps and made ruffles on the pant legs and made this cute T to match. I love it, she wore it right away. I got the acorn as a freebie from planetapplique.com, they have several cute freebies. I really like the added monogram...I love adding them to most appliques when there is room.

And I do love my model! She is great for a smile..she can turn it on instantly.

Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl!!!

HOW CUTE are these super heroes in training!!!


Almost as cute as these super cuties who are forming an alliance to fight bad guys!

There was a face painter there...my girls love a face painter.


The bat cave...

The birthday boy!

The justice league...waiting for the pinata...or "yata" as Reeser calls it!

It's not too late for punkins!

I was at the sewing store Friday getting some notions and spotted the cutest fat quarter of fabric that begged to become a punkin!

I think this punkin can be for Thanksgiving too, just love it! And...

We already had pants to match!

I have not had much time (or energy) to sew the last week because the girls have had lice. Unless you have dealt with it, you have no idea how time consuming this is...especially with my girls' long hair.

I did manage some quick pants and appliqued T shirt late one night for some stress relief. Abby needed some red pants to wear with her Team William shirt to school so I made Reese some to match. That way, I just need to make Abby a T and they have a matching outfit! I used the Jillian by Bonnie Blue to make the pants. LOVE that pattern!

Go Team!

I love this helmet applique for boys this Fall. I have done a bunch of them, with monograms in the middle too.


This longall is a Children's Corner "Jeffrey", it is the baby brother outfit to go with the pants outfit below...

These pants are Bonnie Blue "Jillian," which is a girls pattern but I simply love these pants. They are slim but have boxy shaped legs that flare a tad at the bottom. They also work well to do a flat front for girls too.

A Contest...

My Favorite sewing store held a Fall fashion contest this month. I entered two entries...one in the smocked category and one in the not smocked category. The main fabric for the items had to be purchased from the shop and they were hung in the shop for a week for customers to vote on. For voting, you got 15% off one item. They plan to do it again for Christmas outfits. Deadline in November 16th...if you live in the area you should really participate. It was really fun and encouraged me to get projects done that might have taken forever...and then there's the prizes! Who doesn't love a gift certificate! $75 is the first prize and there are 2nd and 3rd places too!

For the smocked category this was my entry. I used Children's Corner "Amy" pattern, the smocking plate is called "Dapper Dan" from this Summer's issue of Sew Beautiful Magazine. Of course I had to add tutus and bows on the dogs. I call it "Balle-weenies." It won 1st place! How fun is that?! I was so excited to hear the news.

For the not smocked category, this was my entry. I used Children's Corner "Lillian" pattern and Embroidery Boutiques applique design. I wanted it to be halloween-y but with longevity. I'm thinking like "Charlottes Web." The web site shows the sample with Orange outlined legs but that makes it more spooky...so I used PINK! And...of course added a bow. Everything girly needs a bow for sure! This outfit also took first place! I am so proud of my dresses and can't wait for Abby to wear them.

Weecare

I am a member of my local smocking guild, a chapter of SAGA. We have a national philanthropy called Weecare, which provides tiny smocked daygowns to local hospitals. They distribute them to families who have lost an infant.

These are the tiniest little things you have ever seen, these two that I worked on this evening are for babies who weigh 1/2 pound. Can you even imagine that? They are about the width of my hand with fingers barely spread. It makes me so sad to work on them and yet brings me joy at the same time. I try to smock at least one per month, but really should do more.

Last month I got a facebook note from a friend from high school, this is what it said:

"I was working the other night and had a patient come in with a fetal demise. We dressed the baby and took photos for the family. To my surprise, there was a tag on the dress. You had made it. It was a very special thing that we were able to give this grieving mother the dress along with the photos of her little girl wearing it. I just wanted you to know how much that meant to that family and me. Thank you."

I could not believe that the gown I smocked ended up in that hospital at that exact time...for that certain nurse. I think I had only done three gowns total at that time! I was in tears, and so blessed by this note...and yet convicted that I had not done more. I smocked these two gowns that I have pictured in one evening sitting in front of the tv...surely I can do more.

Some Sewing and Portrait Outfits

We went to a dear friend's farm today to have pictures taken. What a beautiful property it is, I never miss an opportunity to go...even in the rain! :) There are tons of things for the girls to do and I love to chat with my cronies amidst the oak trees.

Check out this "tree house..." is it awesome or what!!! It is complete with a trap door and twisty slide that is behind that tree. Unfortunately though, that cursed tired swing got grease on Abby's new dress...I will be working on THAT this week!

Here are some of my cutie friends, they are ready for a close up in their "Wright Wear."

Some test shots ;) I'm glad I picked blue. I was pleased with the results and cannot wait to see the proofs!

These are Mary De, by the Children's Corner. I omitted the smocking and used the lining pattern piece for the front yoke with a monogram. It has a wrap back and is super twirly, Abby's favorite style.

I simply love this lab-plique...it's one of my fave staples for boys.

I made this reversible "Johnny" by Children's Corner for a baby gift this week. The Johnny is my favorite jon jon pattern so far; it comes in tons of sizes, has wide straps that don't fall off, can have a smocked insert and comes long or short. It is a great pattern and this project gave me a great excuse to buy the 3 month -12 month sized pattern. This is baby blue twill, I love twill after the Santa/Pumpkin outfit that I made last week. It is great to work with.

I also love this check by Fabric Finders, it comes in a pink and brown color too. I have used both with my girls, I love the weight of the fabric.