The Wright Girls

Some Sewing

2012-01-20T13:43:00.002-05:00

This owl is from embroidery-boutique.com. I left off his tummy feathers and added an initial instead, really liked how it turned out.

This is from planet applique....I rotated it straight and left the note paper part off so there was room for the initial. You can buy it from digi stitches already like this but its 6$ on sale and the one I got was only $1.50. :)

This is a Johnny by Children's Corner....my old faithful long all. I made this for a sweet friends little boy out of my stash. I love this pattern! I need to do this as a class again soon.

December Sewing

2012-01-09T11:08:00.002-05:00

Made this Taylor for a friend to give as a gift. It's a Taylor from Children's Corner. It was a fun project. Love that pattern, reminds me of how easy it is to sew for babies! So much quicker than my big girls. Not sure why the picture is blurry...

Made these cute weenie dogs for the girls and my niece. This was really fun and a great way to use small remnant pieces. The indersides of the ears are satin, which is great for my lovie loving girls. I got this pattern from Jennifer Paginelli's book "Girl's World," which I got for my birthday. It is a great book filled with 21 patterns, great directions and beautiful pictures. If you love sewing books, this is a great one.

Roller Skating!

2012-01-06T12:19:00.000-05:00

We went to a birthday party at the skiting rink a few days after Christmas. It was their first time skating. They LOVED it! We stayed an extra hour and Abby wanted to go back the next day! They pretty much stayed on the wall until the very end when Abby ventured to the middle of the rink. She just wanted to go fast, which made me so nervous. It really wore them out, they were zombies the rest of the day.

I am going to have to take them back, but definitely early in the morning. As we were leaving after lunch a bus load of kids were just coming in. That would have been disastrous. :)

Christmas Morning

2012-01-04T11:13:00.000-05:00

With Granddaddy

Abby's secret journal

With Granny

The hat Abby picked out for Daddy, she "was not leaving the store without it!" It has a flashlight in the bill. :)

Christmas Day

2011-12-30T11:55:00.003-05:00

The haul from Santa. They got makeup in the stocking which was actually on Reese's written list.

With our cousin Ansley.

American Girl Dolls from Mimi were a hit!

New bike....

times two!

We got a nook tablet to share, hasn't been fought over yet. Crossing my fingers. :)

Parade

2011-12-13T13:46:00.002-05:00

Saga Annual Christmas Fashion Show

2011-12-13T11:00:00.003-05:00

It's that time again, and this year I actually made something for the show. Last year I didn't get around to it. Although I must confess, I made these green outfits yesterday...the day of the show! Talk about last minute. I was in charge of organizing the event this year so I had to made something! The girls really wanted another outfit too. They love the red knit outfits but they are so cozy I think they consider them almost pajamas! They wanted something fancy.

This is Katie's Skirt again, I taught a class on this last month. I have made so many of these but yesterday I reminded myself that this is not a pattern to try when you're in a hurry. It doesn't matter how many of them you have made! It looks good but it gave me a time, didn't really line up and I had to shave some hem off to make it match. The shirt applique is a design from planet applique. It's a great quick design because it is supposed to look shabby and has no satin stitch.

This is a Children's Corner Mary De that I turned backwards and used ribbons for the closure instead of buttons. I did shave a little off the original neckline so that it would lay flat against the back of her neck but that's the only change. Very easy.

You have seen these...Reese slept in hers last night. They are just too soft!

So glad to have that behind me! It is already the 13th so the girls will be wearing these every other day!!!! Our Christmas outfits from last year still fit too so the rest of their wardrobe will be on vacation for a few weeks. :)

Christmas Sewing

2011-12-08T09:37:00.003-05:00

I love how an applique can make an easy outfit! Added this snowglobe to a plain t shit and paired it with a hot pink skirt from last year and we have a cheap and cute Christmas outfit! This is from Planet Applique.

Made my first Christmas outfits...it's only the 8th!!!! Better than last year! I didn't make any! This a a precious knit from chez ami that a dear friend had left over from last Christmas! What a treat! I made them yesterday using McCalls M6155. It was an easy little pattern, although I did change the construction a little bit and used my serger more on the second one instead of double hems. They are comfy and cozy. The pattern runs a little big I think. I made them the 5 and added length to the leggings and the long sleeves for Abby. Reese has short sleeves because I ran out of fabric....same reason Abby is wearing tights! ;) The back has buttons. A successful project I think and they may double for pajamas, just such soft fabric. Check out Chez Ami fabrics, often times they have great clearance prices at 2$ a yard. I may be sewing with more knit after this project. Usually that is one of the few things I buy instead of make....with jeans, coats, socks and underwear!

Winter Sewing...and good intentions

2011-12-05T10:31:00.003-05:00

Beginning my Christmas sewing...always too late. I really wanted to be done by Thanksgiving
...then, I was sure I would do it this weekend. This T-shirt for Reese is all I managed. It looked really cute with her red corduroy pants though. I had to wash it so she could wear it to school today. That's always a good sign for Reese.

Getting Christmas inspiration...trying to plan.

Maybe I will get to it today...

Made this cute Taylor for someone as a special order. It was a fun project. Why can't sewing for my girls be this quick? They require so much fabric these days! Not really a cheap hobby. I guess it could be, but it's really not the way I do things. :)

I made this tissue cover in a club class at Sew n Sew last month. It was a quick fun project. I love to take a club class (for owners of the Viking Machines they sell there) because they are a quick way to carve out sewing time for me. And I come home with a cute, original pattern that I can make easy gift with. Most of the time I keep them for me though!

These were club projects from two different months that coordinate. First the laundry bag and then the matching lingerie bag. It is divided which is such a cute idea.

Historical Tea

2011-12-02T16:09:00.004-05:00

Today was the Historical Teas at school. Abby was assigned Virginia Dare, who was the first English child born in America. She had to research it, write a short speech and memorize it. It was just 3 sentences. They had to be in costume and were graded on it.

All of the classes went to the gym first and sang some sogs and demonstrated square dancing. :) Too cute.

Then we went back to the classroom and they all gave their presentations. They were all great! No one was nervous, I was surprised.

Field Trip!

2011-11-30T15:53:00.003-05:00

One of my goal this year was to go to most of the field trips. Last year I didn't go to many because my work time was limited with Reese only in part time preschool. I have been to a handful of them so far, each girl's has had at least one per month if not two! Today I went with the Kindergarten to Home Depot. We took a tour, planted a plant and picked out the class tree.

They gave the thumbs up on the tree. :)

I got a new camera (finally! Mine was older than Abby) on black Friday, it is a Nikon Coolpix. It was a steal with my Staples Ink Rewards check on top of the sale price! I was long over due. I had to use my fingernail to open the lens and it just didn't take good pictures any more. They can only be dropped sooooo many times! This was the first use and I am happy so far, especially for 70$!!! Hopefully it will give me more reasons to blog. :D

Too Much Halloween...

2011-11-29T10:28:00.005-05:00

We had way too much fun this year...I couldn't wait for Monday to actually come! Halloween for us started Thursday and it did. not. stop!

We are in pj's here because the pumpkin wasn't officially done until after trick or treating! So busy....

Trunk or Treat at school Thursday, complete with hayrides! They went with Granny and Grandaddy, had too much fun.

Friday Morning parade at school, this is Reese's Super Senior....they are both supposed to be Pocahontas. This picture is awful but with my phone.

Abby was Cleopatra, they both loved this costume. I got it last year half off after Halloween and they got it for Christmas. They took turns wearing it. I didn't have to buy any costumes, we have so much dress up!

On Friday night we went to a "Halloween Spooktacular." It was our first costume party ever and we had such a great time. Kane is supposed to be Justin Beiber, which was so fun and hilarious. I am a flapper, I had feathers in my hair and false eyelashes...also a first. This is my grandmothers costume from a dance competition she was once in. She made it herself, I had to alter it a little bit but it was too much fun!

This was Sunday, we went to a friend's party, Reese is Red riding hood...also from the sale last year. It was a great time! My girls love a party and are always the last to leave!

This was their actual Halloween night costumes. Trick or treating was so much fun this year, they actually got it I think and wanted to go to more houses. Usually they are fine with the hayride around the neighborhood and Granny's house but they wanted to do a few more on the ride home. It was a very fun night. They were disappointed when we got home and didn't have any "customers!" Our street doesn't get any traffic and it was late by then. Maybe next year! :)

Some Sewing

2011-11-25T08:37:00.000-05:00

One of the many things that I have been doing (instead of blogging) is sewing. A lot. And most of the time I forget a picture, so here is what I did capture on my cell phone camera. My battery has been dead for a month at least, and it really doesn't take good pictures anyway....
This is a Lillian, Children's Corner with a grosgrain ruffle down the center of a wide ribbon.

Doll dress to match

This was eventually a boys longall, but I forgot the final picture.

This is a Children's corner "Paulie". Elephant here

None of these were for my family of course. I really don't have time to sew for them right now, which is very unfortunate because I have som much fabric that I bought with good intentions! Maybe next week. ;)

Happy Thanksgiving from the Wright Girls!

2011-11-24T08:13:00.002-05:00

I know...I have fallen down on the job. I am so sorry and will try to do better. ;) I have to blame it on busyness, some days I don't know whether I am coming or going. Some days I crash into bed thinking of all the things I accomplished that day and think I need a vacation! And a clone. Kane says I try to do too many things but I don't see how I can leave anything out. Except maybe the training for a half marathon ;) I really had no idea it would be so time consuming, I almost there so c'est la vie!

So my blogging schedule, or lack there of, isn't because life is boring here in Wright country. I will try to catch you up soon. For now, a few pictures from this week.

The girl's school had their annual Turkey Trot with races and relay races for each grade. I volunteered in her class last week to make these fun shirts, I love Abby's. I had to tear her away from it, she loves painting and art. She was not as interested in the actual Trot as she was chasing boys around the field when it wasn't race time. She thinks racing is boring. She is my social child. She did want a turkey trophy, but who wouldn't want one! I had to explain that there were only 3 and she didn't care. Kane had to coerce her around the track, it was a half mile. She wanted to walk. Haha

The kindergarten comes out to watch the race so we saw Reeser too. She wasn't very compliant for the picture...or telling her sister "good job." I just can't make her be nice. It's going to bite her in the butt soon and maybe she will change her tune.

We had her Kindergarten Thanksgiving feast at night this year so that all the families could join. Here is her pillowcase Indian costume. It was a rough night, so hard to get a whole family there on a weeknight by 5:20? It lasted until 7pm which is our bedtime here...I am glad I don't have to do it again. I will say it was tasty! Pinewood families can cook! But of course Reese wouldn't eat anything and was terrible. Abby on the other hand ate an enormous amount of food, got seconds and then had a plate piled high with every kind of dessert. I seriously don't know where she puts it all. I see a growth spurt in her future.

How 'bout Reese's dress? It's actually Abby's dress, but they do wear the exact same size. She loves that dress, she is so prissy and particular about fashion and primping. I don't know where she gets that from. LOL, seriously it is my fault. She learned by watching me...but does she have to point out every time that I am not wearing make up? Apparently I don't look pretty without it. It sort of offends her if we are in public and I am not wearing any. She is gonna be something as a teenager.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families...

Love,

The Wright Girls

We're BOOTIFUL! And ready for October

2011-10-03T13:24:00.002-04:00

First school day in October is cause for our new Halloween outfits! This skirt is the gored skirt pattern from Indigo Junction. And this Walmart t was on clearance for 2.50! Just had to pick the pocket off. Add a little glow in the dark ghost applique...and you're set!

I made a cute in the hoop hair clippy to match and both the ghosts glow in the dark! I used Michael Miller's glow in the dark fabric. The girls were too excited! The hair clippy is from digi stitches and it was a piece of cake!

I whipped up these boot t shirts the day of the party to fit with the cowgirls theme. They are from appliquemarket.com.

Here is yet another Katie's Skirt...just love this pattern. I made a doll skirt from the scraps to go with it. I think this needs pink boots!

2011-09-27T12:51:00.000-04:00

Here is another "Katie's Skirt," I made it this week. I just love this skirt! I am teaching a construction class on it next week! This is a school spirit ensemble.

Can she really be SEVEN?!!!

2011-09-26T10:23:00.005-04:00

I mean, seriously? How can she really be SEVEN?! This one hit me. I usually am not too emotional for a mom... but seven seems so much older than six! She had a great birthday this year, even at school her teacher had tons of things planned to make her feel special. I just adore her teacher.

On her actual birthday, we had a little family shendig. She isn't quite partial to cake so we had ice cream sundaes instead! That was fun and luckily I had a few brownies so I had something to stick a candle in. She had a great time and got some truly fun loot. That include the dreaded legos. I always swore I wouldn't have legos in my house and thought it would fly since I have girls but it didn't. She loves it and it's something she can do with Kane. They haven't really been a problem so far except when Reese breaks the vehicle she worked so hard on! I think we have enough now...hopefully there isn't a need for any future restocking in the lego department.

We had planned to have a pool party again since she always wants to include boys...she just loves boys. Sadly, it was cold this year already and it rained so I am glad I changed my mind the week before. We went to the pottery painting place, which she loved...me, not so much. We won't be going there again but it did serve it's purpose for this year.

She painted a cat...a blue cat. :)

Recent projects...

2011-09-19T14:03:00.003-04:00

This was Abby's first day of school dress... that I made the night before! It is "Ellen" a newer pattern by Children's Corner. It is a great dress and the pattern is easy to follow. I made this in a tunic style for Spring with leggings. Abby will wear this with a shirt as a jumper in the winter. Make sure you mark the pieces and don't be overwhelmed by all the cutting. It has a lot of pieces but once they are all cut out, they go together quickly. I like to cut it out in one session and sew it in another. I added an inch in length to the skirt and I think it's perfect.

This is a crayon roll that I whipped up as a birthday present for a sweet little friend. It is an in the hoop embroidery project that is quick and fun. I am thinking of using it in a class if the author will give me the permissions. It is a great little gift. I keep Abby and Reese's in my purse for restaurants.

Just made this little set for a friend for some fun football tailgating in school spirit colors. It is a Children's Corner "Carol" top and a "Katie" skirt. I am actually teaching the skirt in a class next month and I'm very excited about that. The finishing of the hem can be confusing but there is a youtube tutorial if you have a hard time with it.

Fall Projects from Camp

2011-09-15T12:23:00.004-04:00

Fall has proved to be very busy, I was fooling myself to think that having both girls in school meant free time! I think that I am busier now somehow than when they were home! Thank goodness there was my smocking guild's annual sewing retreat! Here are a few things that I made.

This is the Sophie Tunic by Sis Boom patterns. It is quick and easy and the directions are fantastic for a beginner. Abby loves it...Reese not so much! Oh well, she will wear it!

This is the Lakelin by Children's Corner. I love this, it also comes as a dress, both of these need a little length added I think. The only mistake I made was making 2 of these at once! It is not a quick project by any means...but a good one.

This is a Bonnie Blue "Bridget" that I actually cut out last year for camp ! It is quick and easy...and reversible! What's not to love. If you try it though, don't try to add any embellishments like ric rac into the ties. You may want to lengthen them anyway to make it easier to tie. I didn't but some of my sewing friends think that it is a good idea.

Football season has proved to be tons of fun this year! The girls love wearing their uniforms to school on Fridays and love going to the games. For this season I was inspired to make my own stadium seat after I saw a similar one on fb. I made it at camp with no pattern at all in less than 30 minutes without the embroidery. I love it!

It's Game Time!

2011-09-07T11:24:00.003-04:00

The Panthers had their first home game Friday night, which means the Panther Cubs cheerleaders did their cute routine in the pregame show! Decked out in their new uniforms they looked precious! My girls had the best time! They cheered, danced, played and had snow cones...what's not to love!

Reese is 5th from the left and Abby is the 2nd from the left. Sure wish I had a high power camera! Maybe someday soon. :)

Here is one of the outfits I made at sewing camp last week. I actually cut this out for last years cam and never made it! I wasn't inspired but didn't want to waste the fabric. This is such a comfortable style and such a breeze to whip together. This is Bonnie Blues "Bridget."

Hopefully I can get a picture of her wearing it tomorrow and it will look cuter than this pitiful hanger. I was just thinking it fit well with this school spirit post!

Let Fall begin! The end of Summer Vacation...

2011-08-25T11:46:00.004-04:00

Last day of Summer, snuggling in front of tv.

Pool a few weeks ago, they made their own picnic in the shade. Took several tries to get a double smile.

Team pictures, Abby is top 2nd from right and Reese is on right next to the coach. It was sweltering hot at 3 in the afternoon.

Decided to try out canning. My mother in law has a garden and a bountiful supply of peppers so I made pepper jelly. I boiled the pot over and made a sticky mess but it tastes good! I am taking some to camp this weekend to make an appetizer with. I made some more yesterday and added red coloring. Hopefully I will get to make a few more batches before the harvest runs dry. These would make great gifts and they are pretty easy....plus yummy! Kane and I love spicy stuff.

I made these two weeks ago for Reese's class, they are floor pillows. I hope they get used!

An Almost Sleepover!

2011-08-22T11:18:00.003-04:00

Happy Birthday Reese! Her birthday is not officially until tomorrow but we had a few friends over this weekend to celebrate with us in our pajamas!!! Check out this great cake that her aunt made. If you can believe it, it tastes way better than it looks! She is a great baker. :)

Snuggle time, popcorn and a movie! It was lots of fun.

Notice we did girlie tattoos...it appears Reese started a trend of placing them on the shin.

Dress up! It was a yummy, girlie, snuggly good time!

First Day of School

2011-08-18T12:17:00.002-04:00

It's finally here! The first day of school. The morning went relatively well...for Abby. ;) Reese was happy until she saw the shoes we had picked out TOGETHER yesterday. They are not the ones she is wearing in this picture, she insisted that these matched her toe nails better. I gave in to try to avoid tears on the first day of kindergarten...it didn't work. Reese has never liked getting ready, especially brushing her teeth. Oh, well. The rest of the morning was great!

Here is Reese making her name out of play dough, she tried to get me to do it for her. That's my Reese! She wouldn't look up and smile, in fact my other picture of this activity is of her back. This one I got by surprise.

Here is Abby's morning activity. She clung to my arm until she saw there was paper and glue involved. Praise God for that. I think I am most nervous for her this year she is so shy. I am more concerned for Reese's teacher than for Reese! Ha ha, she is trouble with a capital T! Perhaps I should have mentioned that she was sent to the director's office on the first day of school last year...for hitting her teacher. Oh well, I guess she will figure that out! :)

A brief smile of the morning.

Her cute teacher, maybe it will go well after all...I hope!

This is Abby's sweet teacher on meet the teacher the other night. She called Abby last night to say hello and good luck. Abby was thrilled to get a phone call for herself!

I already got emails from the school with pictures of the classes and a note saying all is well...I love their school!

Go PPS!

2011-08-14T15:00:00.000-04:00

We attended cheer leading camp again this Summer for Pinewood's Pee Wee Cheer leading team. This year Reese can do it too! Hooray! They had a great time and got new uniforms and sparkly pom poms which, of course, they love!

I video taped their end of camp performance so we can practice the dance they will perform in the pre-game show at home games. The first one is September 2nd! Can't wait!!!

Recent sewing...none of it is mine! :(

2011-08-12T14:31:00.003-04:00

These are what I like to call "party pants," and they will be for halloween with a cute t shirt.

Custom smocking job, I graphed this off of a ready to wear top. She turned out bigger, I think people in the philipines must smock very tight. That's where most ready to wear is smocked. I may reduce the stitch count eventually. Luckily this top is a size seven and it was proportional.

Sarah's Skort, love this pattern...and so do my girls!

I made this for Project First Day, which organized seamstresses to make first day of school outfits for the children of Joplin where the tornados hit recently. I liked this a lot, and may have to make another one for Reese. She liked it too. This is the Children's Corner "Kinsey" with "Lettie" sleeves. I made this at camp last year in an olive green fabric and it is still Reese's favorite dress. My smocking guild got together and made almost 50 outfits to send. It was very fun and so exciting to see what everyone came up with from their stashes. I had this green gingham for probably 4 years at least...wish I had though of this before! ;)

Made this for a dear friend's daughter who just turned four. This is also from my stash. I bought the polka dot fabric for camp last year and only used it for an applique. It was the perfect size.

SPEAKING OF CAMP!!!! We leave in two weeks! I have got to get planning and cutting. I actually plan to dig into some planning and designing this afternoon since my waterpark plans got rained out. Also, I just found out that Hancock Fabrics has a half off sale tomorrow so I've got to get my list together for thread, buttons and ric rac! Yea!

Happy Summer from The Wright Girls!

2011-07-18T13:47:00.003-04:00

Family Dinner at Bowen's Island

We spent a week at the beach with my side of the family a few weeks ago. It was a wonderful, relaxing time. Here are some of the highlights...

The girls were in heaven with their cousin. It was tons of fun!

Ruffle Bum Sun Suit

2011-07-03T15:46:00.003-04:00

I made this for my niece...this may be it for a while but I wanted her to be able to wear it seeing that it is already JULY! Wow, school is just around the corner. I saw Staples stocking their school supplies this week. This is "Melodie's Mermaid Sunsuit" by Kari Me Away. I sure hope it fits...it is precious. She has red hair and I think this fabric is going to look great on her.

The pattern was great, it's very easy to follow. It took about 2.5 hours which isn't bad considering I roll hemmed the ruffles and I monogrammed it. The pattern includes a version that can be smocked. It called for wider ruffles with 1/2" hems on either side so I cut them narrower and used the serger instead. I also used my ruffle foot on my sewing machine to gather straight down the center instead of at the top of the ruffle. I really like how it turned out.

Sewing up a Storm

2011-07-01T16:16:00.004-04:00

I have been sewing up a storm! Here is something I made for me. Because of the fabrics I had on hand, I decided to make a beach cover up. The pattern, which I found on youcanmakethis.com, requires 3 yards for the size small that I made. I did it with 2.5 though. This was the only cut I had to meet the bill and not have kiddie stuff on it. It will also go nicely with my zebra bikini. ;) I have the pattern in kids sizes too so they will definitely be getting one for Fall. I want to make one into a dress to run around town in. To do that I will remove the vents completely as they go up to my hip and probably taper in the waist a little bit.

It went together very nicely, in about 2 hours not including the printing, pattern assembly and cutting. The pattern is a pdf and several hundred pages long. I highly recommend printing the directions 2 to a page. They are very, very detailed. I would say that a beginner would be safe to take on this project. I kept thinking about sewing for dummies as I turned the many, many pages of directions! It runs true to size, this small said 4-6 and I found it perfect in the shoulders.

Here is a super fun project that I made for a friend. I had Abby model it for me because a hanger simply did not do it justice! I made a similar one in the fall for Abby out of corduroy at sewing camp. It went together much easier this time because I remember what I did wrong the first time and I always go a little slower and use a lot more pins when I am sewing for other people. This is a lillian and I redrafted the pattern according to directions from a blog I found. The directions are easy to follow. I roll hemmed the ruffles in aqua and used my serger for the ruffling too. I never have gotten the hang of it before but this time was a dream. I jotted down all of the settings so I can do it next time!!! As long as I had to set the serger up for roll hemming...

I made a few extra ruffles for this doll dress to match! How cute is that?! I seriously wanted to keep it for myself! I redrafted the lucy pattern in the doll clothes patterns that I have been using recently. It wasn't too bad on a tiny pattern. I mentioned before that the patterns ran small on our Target dolls so I tried them on and American girl doll that I had at Mom's house. They fit the same. So if you happen to come by "More Dolly's Wardrobe Play Clothes," definitely add at least 1.5'' to the Lucy and 2'' in width to the skirt. The blouse I made seemed fine.

Lucky Little Niece...

2011-07-01T15:38:00.003-04:00

I got the urge to sew something quick yesterday and made a little bubble for Ansley. I made this jellyfish applique on a t shirt the other day and have been itching to do another one, he is so cute...actually I may put a bow on this and call him a she! This is the Children's Corner Taylor, it is so quick and easy. I had everything in my stash, including the lavender polka dotty piping....until I went to Sew 'n Sew today and saw the cute purple and lime buttons! They were .95 cents each but I just couldn't resist since the rest of the project was pretty much free! Anyone who think sewing is cheap...doesn't have the right notions and tools! LOL. :)

Maddie's Tiered Sundress

2011-06-27T13:54:00.004-04:00

Here is a project that I worked on for a friend recently. It is the same pattern that I used for the girl's Easter dresses. This is a fun pattern to make, after you think long and hard about cutting it out...MATH! It is by Gingersnaps.

It is a busy fabric so she didn't want a monogram, but I couldn't just leave the bodice blank!!! I liked this dotty a, to go along with the polka dots.

I wanted just a little something extra and love how this bias trim did the trick! I used a friend's tube turner to make a 3/4 inch tube and stitched it down with a long stitch in case it ever needs to be removed to drop the hem. I love the tube turner! I have used it on several different things in the last day or two. I guess I need to break down and spend the 40 bucks to get my own...

Used the tube turner on the sleep mask for the girls...their request!

And the button loop on this super fun dress! I will share it soon. :)

Recent projects

2011-06-23T17:18:00.005-04:00

I have certainly renewed my sewing bug in the last few weeks, I'm even doing a little sewing for friends which gives me the opportunity to work on things I might not make otherwise. Here is a dress I made for Abby, I started it in April! I have been wanting to try Gingersnaps "Sundress and Jumper" pattern since last year, so I pulled out some pink poly pique from my stash and gave it a whirl. As with all Gingersnaps patterns, I found that getting the right dimensions and cutting it out were a real brain workout. But after I got that part out of the way, construction was too easy. I definitely will make this again but next time will use a fabric that is stiffer.

Although I love to smock poly cotton pique it is just very flimsy and looks a little sloppy. This smocking plate is one I have used before, Lou Anne Lamar's Anne's shells. It has lot's of shells and I just used the sand dollar obviously. It would be easy enough to wing it for an experienced smocker I think.

I added some cream ric rac to the straps and doubled up on my buttons by putting these little shell flowers on top of plain white ones. I try to avoid buying buttons at all costs because they are expensive. The flower buttons were a favor at sewing retreat last year. I have used them on several projects so far.

This popover style is Bonnie Blue's "Sydney." I bought it in the winter and as I haven't been sewing much I finally got around to sewing it for my niece Ansley. I think it is a great style for any baby who is hard to fit because really you could make different sizes for the bottom, as well as adjust the elastic size.

I love the back too. This pattern was exceptionally easy and I recommend it for any beginner seamstress. An experienced sewer could whip this up in an hour. It is sized up to a 3, I wish the top were bigger as it would also be cute with shorts. For a thin child it might work for a 4 or 5. It is a roomy style. The buttons I used on this I had leftover from another project. Normally I would want pink but these were available and the perfect shade of yellow.

More coming soon! Birdie has been working up a storm! :)

Trip to the aquarium!

2011-06-21T16:31:00.000-04:00

I am super thankful for our aquarium membership this hot summer! How nice it is to get out of the heat and do something for free! We have been at least every month since August when I signed up and it has been weel worth the money. They see something new everytime we go and I got discounts at the zoo and children's museum too.

Stingrays

Pelicans

Touch and feel tank, the best part!

Its rare to see the big see turtles in the ocean take much less this close! It was super fun. These pictures are all from my new android phone...I love it! so convenient.

Latest Fun Sewing

2011-06-20T12:41:00.004-04:00

Here are the Children's Corner Ellen tunics. It is also a dress and can be worn as a jumper with a blouse under it. I loved this pattern and it is sized from a 3 to a 12 so it will be a good one for my girls as they are getting bigger. The top went together quickly and it was fun to make. The only downside is that there are so many pieces to cut out! The top bodice is lined but the skirt is not. I love these fabrics and could not decide which ones I wanted so that is why there are wearing different color ways. The leggings I purchased from garnethill.com. They are so soft and their customer service is great. Love these outfits!

When I got home from Atlanta a few months ago, I brought home a new pack of Children's Corner doll clothes patterns. It's not available yet but I know that Sew 'n Sew has a few that she bought when we were there. I can't find it anywhere on the web and I remember Lezette saying it wasn't available anywhere yet. I could not wait to try them out and so I could start right away I enlisted the girls to help so that I could sew and spend time with them at the same time. It was lots of fun. I had them each pick outfits out of their closets that they would like to replicate and I showed them how to pin and cut them out. I set them up so that they could sew the straight lines and they really liked that they were sewing too!

They have target dolls instead of American Girls dolls so I need to make a few adjustments to the sizing. I thought the Lucy jumper Reese's doll has was way to short and the Ansley skirt that Abby picked out is really tight. I need to retrieve my American Girl Doll from my moms and see how it fits. The size adjustments are really easy and I made one for a birthday present for Abby's classmate the next weekend. It was so quick and a great way to use my scraps!

UPDATE!: I tried them on an American Doll, my Felicity that I have yet to hand down!, and it fits the same. So definitely add length to dresses and width to at least the skirt.

Ready for First Grade!

2011-06-06T16:09:00.004-04:00

Abby had her K5 graduation a few weeks ago, it was such a wonderful ceremony. There were songs, diplomas and a never ending slide show... ;) We had really good seats because I sent Kane early. I definitely will do that again next year for Reese's graduation. I hope to have a better camera for next year. I bought a new one but it was so slow and the flash was horrible so I took it back. All the family went and we had a great time, I was grateful that they made it at 8:15am!!! We took the girls out to Cracker Barrel afterwards and then spent the day swimming at one of her class mate's houses. It was a great day!

The precious girls in Abby's class. I love that they wear white, it is so pretty. When I graduated high school from there we did the same thing.

Reese at Ballet

2011-05-24T19:23:00.002-04:00

Reese had parents day at ballet this week, before they break for Summer. Basically, the parents just attend a class to see what they've been up to all year. There is no formal recital, and I am glad for now. This is her mermaid pose.:)

When it wasn't her turn...this is what she does. Haha

Warming up!

Class Projects

2011-05-20T12:25:00.000-04:00

Here are the fun projects I made at the Lezette Thomason class a few weeks ago! This one Abby is wearing was drafted from a Children's Corner Lakelin and a Lillian. That is just crazy! It is quite twirly with the Lakelin skirt.

This was was a Carol with adjustment drafting to add the pin tucks and the pleats in the back. Then we learned how to do bobbin tucks where you don't use a top thread and we put the tatting on the collar and sleeves. The sleeves are different from the normal pattern too and so we did bias around the armholes. I love the pear sequins on the front. This is fro my niece Ansley and it fit her perfectly! I think Abby's will fit for quite some time, which is always nice.

Childrens Corner Ellen

2011-05-19T10:06:00.000-04:00

I just finished this tunic last night for Reese to wear with cute leggings today to the end of the year carnival at school. Loved the pattern, it went together nicely. The only thing I didn't like was that we were too many pieces cut out, so I would do it in 2 different sessions when I make it again. also, I think that the tunic is a little short to wear with leggings. It doesn't cover the bottom. So, next time I might add 2 to 3 inches.

Ready for K5!!!

2011-05-18T12:06:00.003-04:00

Reese had her graduation this week! I can't believe Abby was standing right there one year ago...in the same dress! She was too excited and we had such a great time. We went to her favorite restaurant, Logan's Steakhouse, for dinner before hand. Luckily, I won the front row seat in the auction this year. So we scooted in at the last minute and had great seats. They were worth every penny!

This is the best picture (from my crapola camera) before anyone's graduation cap was blocking her face! They did the best job singing the cute songs. I really enjoyed it. I cannot believe preschool is over! I have two in grade school...wow.

Mother's Day

2011-05-10T12:11:00.002-04:00

This year we had a hectic Mother's Day! After church we went downtown where we had lunch with my family at Fleet Landing. It was lots of fun and delicious. The restaurant overlooks the water and and it was such a beautiful day to lunch there.

The Byrnes Girls :)

With Mimi and Papa

For dinner we went to Jim and Nicks with Kane's family. Normally this is one of my favorite places to eat but I was still so full from lunch I could only stomach a small salad...must have been that Key lime pie I had for dessert...pushed me over the edge! :)

This morning I went to a Mother's Day breakfast at Abby's school. What a nice treat it was! She had such sweet treats that they had made in class and she was so excited to show them to me. We had yummy treats, a slide show and I got to see all of the school work displayed around the classroom. It really was a treat!

Muffins for Mom

2011-05-06T11:46:00.003-04:00

Today was the little breakfast at Reese's preschool for Mother's Day. We had delicious muffins, juice and the kids had prepared sweet gifts for us. I love the little recipes they laminated for us with the chef pictures. They asked each child to recite a favorite recipe that their mom would like. Reese chose blueberry muffins for me and it was precious. The recipe includes 100 cups of oil, 15 blueberries and is cooked at 15 degrees for 17 minutes! She says "take them out, blow them off and eat up!" She can never wait to eat so we are always blowing on our food around here!

Egg Huntin'

2011-05-04T11:24:00.002-04:00

It was time, once again, for the Annual Wimberly Egg Hunt just before Easter, and what a fun time we had! It was so warm this year and the weather was beautiful. We were a bit late, but they waited to start the hunting for us and a few other stragglers, which was so nice!

After plenty of eggs filled there baskets, we enjoyed a nice picnic and lots of fun with our friends. Also, this is the first year I could get a bunny picture! Abby has never liked people in furry costumes, so hopefully we have moved past that! Yea!!!

We had tons of fun!

A Royal Luncheon

2011-05-02T12:56:00.002-04:00

I went to a sewing class this weekend in Atlanta to take a two day class from Lezette Thomason. What a great and productive weekend we had! I am almost finished with my projects and I haope to show them later this week. On Friday one of the ladies in the Smocking Guild that we were visiting put together a lovely lunch for all of us with the theme of the Royal wedding that happened early that morning. It was such a delicious and beutiful treat. She was so creative. She made little tussie mussies (bouquet) out of DMC thread and little crown pin cushions out of napkin rings. And... I know you see those delicious cupcakes! I had TWO! ;) She even took the time to cut the fruit on our salads into little heart shapes. What a creative lady she was! It was a fun time.

Some Sewing

2011-05-01T17:23:00.005-04:00

Gingersnap's Tiered Sundress, without the tiers. This is such an easy dress to whip together. I made Reese's the morning of the egg hunt in about an hour and a half! I did the monogram, piping and all!

I like the direction changes on the stripe in Abby's, I got that idea from a magazine. I had all of these fabrics and supplies in my stash. I am trying to only use what I already own. I have some great stuff, but it is so hard to resist buying more. There is always something cuter arriving on the shelves.

This is Handmade's Miss Madeline, which I have made several times. This particular version I got in a kit a year ago from the market at a class I was taking. I cut it out last July to take to camp with me and just got around to making it. Good thing it is a forgiving style! I actually have one more thing I cut out for camp that I am going to try to put together this week. It's going to be very easy, I was just never inspired to what kind of applique to use!

This is a Children's Corner "Katie's Skirt." I made this out of scraps left from Reese's shoe Mary De. This is a great skirt to make with tiny pieces. You can't tell from the picture but it actually has 8 pieces for the outer layer. It also has a wide range of sizes and has pockets which the girls love so it is a great pattern to invest in. I also love how the golf cart applique turned out. I got that last year. The golf bag has a tiny A on it too. Reese liked it so much that she wore it to school one day too! They really can wear the same size right now.

Festival Fun 2011

2011-04-08T12:24:00.000-04:00

As always, we had a great time at the Flowertown Festival this year! We only went on Friday this time to do the carnival area and that was plenty! We were exhausted and my pockets were empty! Those little rides are ridiculous, but they love them. I still can't believe I let them on this ride...I was a nervouse wreck the entire time! It didn't bother them at all, even when they stopped at the top to let others on and off! Reese and LilyLate... Reese calls her Lily Cake :) What carnival is complete without a carousel? A must for the Reeser. We had a great time and it is so easy now that we have a golf cart. You can squeeze it almost anywhere and no worries about parking. We had kettle corn, cotton candy and Taste of Summerville. An all around great day, plus I visited the bow lady while Reese was in school and got a years supply of 2 in every color! They are such a deal...I just can't resisit. :)

Star Student

2011-04-07T12:13:00.002-04:00

On Friday of Reese's special week at school I went to read a story to her class. I think she really enjoyed it because she was a ham the whole time. Abby went with me because she was on Spring break and I think they both enjoyed that special treat. We chose Goldilicious which is about Pinkalicious' Unicorn Goldie...it is letter U week in Reese's class. Lot's of fun!

2011-03-31T13:56:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Reese had her school pictures, a black and white photographer comes to her school so they are actually great pictures. The last 3 years the girls have had a sibling picture and they always turn out so nice, so I checked Abby out of school to get one last one. I have never gotten around to make dresses for them to wear in any of the pictures, so this year I was determined. I had these solid fabrics, one a twill and one a pique and I also already had the pattern. It is the Jacqueline from Children's Corner. It is a very quick and easy pattern! It comes with two body versions, one a-line and one slimmer body with a curve at the waist. I chose the slimmer one and it fits perfectly, it runs very true to size. I think the girls will wear this one a lot. The only thing I would change is I would add piping along the top of the collar/yoke also. It did not even occur to me to do that until I saw one someone else made.It looked much neater. You do have to hand stitch the yoke down, which was the part that took the longest.

When we took Reese back to class they were having circle time and show and tell. It happened to be S week so Reese decided to have an impromptu show and tell with her Sister. It was very cute. Her teacher, who was Abby's teacher last year, asked her a few questions about kindergarten to share with the class. One of her responses was that at kindergarten the call the playground time "recess." She was too cute. Lastly we joined the Pony class on the playground before going home. It was a fun afternoon!

Kindergarten Circus

2011-03-29T12:23:00.000-04:00

Abby was so happy to be a part of the 14th Annual Pinewood Kindergarten Circus this year! What a huge production it is. The ringmaster is the headmaster of the school, he is so animated and funny. It was a great morning.

Abby got to be an Egyptian Dancer, it was too cute and I love any excuse to buy a new costume!

There were also tightrope walkers, dancing bears, strongmen, galloping pallaminos. It was a fun day and the kids were so cute, many of the teachers were dressed up too. It was a great finale just before Spring Break...I am sure that the teachers really needed it after that!

Abby was surprised by a visit for Great Grandma, she was so excited to see her and were so happy she could join us! Grandaddy, Reese, Kane and I all came!

Star Student

2011-03-28T11:15:00.003-04:00

Reese is finally Star Student! She has been waiting patiently all year. This year they sent home a coloring sheet style form. Usually, I do their posters so that they look fancy. This year, I really didn't want to! I asked her the questions and let her and Abby color it. You know what? It's not perfect and creative but they had the best time doing it! Every square inch is colored and usually they don't finish a coloring sheet. Some of her answers were fun. It asked for 3 cool thing about her...the first thing she said was "I run like a CHEETAH!!!" That is just hilarious because she is soooo clumsy. :)

She said she was a star because... "I am helfy." (healthy)

When I grow up I want to be a ..."Ballerina Teacher"

I show others I car when... "I pick them up in a big hug when they get hurt"

A cool thing about me..."I like to count when I play hide and seek."

My favorite sport..."tennis" which she has never played ;) hehehe

Her favorite book..."Silverlicious"

Her favorite thing to do at home..."play with my dollhouse"

Her favorite thing to do at school..."play on the playground"

Favorite food..."pizza"

I ride to school in a..."golf cart"

I live in..."South Carolina"

Sole Mates

2011-03-24T16:42:00.002-04:00

Here is a new Mary De that I just finished. I have been working on the smocking for a while now off and on, as I haven't been doing much sewing at all. I did the smocking according to the plate "Sole Mates" and picked out the fabric after the fact. I like the way it turned out. Reese loves it! She sure has a thing for fancy shoes and when I saw this plate I just new I had to do it for her.

First Summer Fun!

2011-03-22T15:39:00.000-04:00

Popsicles and sprinklers!
Leslie Wright
www.thewrightgirls.blogspot.com

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the O'Wrights!

2011-03-17T17:14:00.002-04:00

I made this twirl skirt yesterday for Abby to wear today for St. Patrick's Day. It is "favorite things" gourd skirt. It is beyond easy, I doubt it took me 30 minutes! It is very twirly and hopefully took the edge off St. Patrick's Day for Abby. She is afraid of leprechauns after her preschool class went all out last year. She mentioned more than once that she wanted to skip school, but today gave me no fight thank goodness! :)

(Reese's outfit is the bonnie blue Jillian pants and handmades madeline)

Grandparents Day

2011-03-10T17:34:00.001-05:00

Last week was grandparents Day at school. There was a program for the Grandparents and then they could tour the school and visit the classroom. All of Abby's Grandparents went! What a nice treat for her. I don't have pictures of the other half, but they were there! Abby was delighted to have them all there at her school!

Donuts For Dad!

2011-03-08T15:38:00.000-05:00

Kane went to school with Reese on Friday for Donuts for Dad Day. She was so excited to ride to school with him on the golf cart. The donuts were the icing on the cake! Apparently she ate his donut and hers...then wanted more! The kids had done these cute picture and questionnaires for the Dads...priceless. I plan to ask Abby the same questions soon. The answers kids give are so much fun. Here are Reese's...

My Dad likes to...play with me
My Dad's favorite sport...football
My Dad has taught me...how to fish
Dad's favorite food...pizza
My Dad's favorite hobby...shoot deers when he's hunting
My favorite memory...playing soccer
My Dad Helps me...play games
My favorite thing to do with my Dad...play tic tac toe

And my personal favorite...it's priceless if you really know Reeser.

I love my Dad because...he helps me up when I fall down.

That Reeser is the clumsiest little thing, that is just such a fun answer.

JDRF Walk 2011

2011-03-06T14:24:00.008-05:00

We went to the JDRF Walk to support Team William. It is such a fun day for the family and the weather was so great. We were happy to have Daddy along with us this year. There is so much going on, it really takes both of us to chase them around all of the activities.

Here is Abby's buddy William, they are such great friends! We are so happy to be a part of this special day with him.

William's mama...my partner in crime and dear friend.

Withdrawal...

2011-02-07T11:39:00.007-05:00

So, my camera battery is dead and I have no fun pictures to show. I have a lost charger and must borrow my moms, that means I have to remember to remember to take it there in the first place! We have been so busy, I end each day unbelieving that I got so much done. I run around crazy all day. Kane seriously said to me last week "You really like buzzing around the house, don't you?!" I just looked at him. I love him in an unmeasurable way, but in that moment all I could think was "what a jackass!" :)

We did get a really cool video camera for Christmas. Unfortunately we haven't done anything spectacular to film. I did film Reese reading her first book a few weeks ago. That was pretty exciting. She knows 15 site words already, at four! Smart cookie. Her hair has grown out a little and can make pigtails which I love. They seem cuter, more feminine than the way she's been wearing it since she got scissor happy. I can't wait for it to be long again!

Some Sewing

2011-01-03T20:12:00.002-05:00

While I have not been sewing for my household, I have done a few things recently for other people...you know me! Saying "no" is not my forte. Here is a little Christmas outfit with a reversible top for after the holidays. I love this turtle. Reeser needs one, I do believe!

I LOVE this outfit! I couldn't believe this was not for my girls when I finished. Just love it. I adapted a Lucy dress to make the top and the pants are my old fave the Jillian. I had the applique, from planetapplique.com, and how perfect was it?!

Too cute, if only I had the energy to sew some more. I was sick for so long during December that I am pretty much just getting by for now!

Merry Christmas from the Wright Girls

2011-01-01T11:49:00.000-05:00

I was driving around before Christmas and noticed a man putting a fresh coat of paint on these chapel doors. Sadly, I never noticed that they were red before! How crazy. I thought they would be the perfect backdrop for our cards this year. In fact, I was not going to do cards at all until I was feeling inspired. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Wright girls!!!

Christmas Parade and Day

2010-12-31T10:17:00.006-05:00

Like last year we went up to the parade on the golf cart which was awesome! We got a great parking spot and then we have seating!

Our friends came to join us which is even better!

It has been so chilly this year, we are just now getting used to dressing appropriately and the whole family now has gloves scarves and hats. Cold weather is actually not that bad with the right clothes. We have been sick for weeks so I have been inside for the most part.

The kids loved taking turns sitting on the top rack.

On the 23rd we decided to take advantage of our aquarium membership which was fun. It is always nice to do something for free. My goal is to go once a month, the girls love it.
Christmas...the pillow pet. I wonder how many of these were sold this year.

The girls got this enormous coloring cottage, a real hit. Although it is so big you can hardly get to the front door...luckily all our peeps use the back door. :)

These plasma cars are from my mom. They are pretty awesome, I can ride it too. Right now they are in the house, but I don't see that lasting long!!!

Silver Ball

2010-12-19T11:12:00.002-05:00

It's that time of the year again! The Silver Ball was a blast. I wasn't sure if I was going to make it or not because I have been really sick but I started feeling better just in time. It is always so fun and festive to get all dressed up!

Tree Shopping

2010-12-06T08:14:00.002-05:00

We went tree shopping on Friday, the girls have been asking to go since a week before Thanksgiving thanks to a certain relative who puts her fake tree up early. ;) It was fun, We got the biggest one on the lot and I really didn't know how big it was until they had to heave it on top of my yukon xl!

Today before school I decided that I couldn't possibly spray Abby's hair with water and send her out into 26 degree weather so I flattened it. It has never been this cold that I can remember...I always send her out with wet hair.

Forgive the cheesy smile, she had a mouthful of muffin. I think she looks so grown up with straight hair! I had to flat iron both girls hair today, I have to do Reese's new short do or it looks crazy. I can't wait for hers to be long again. All I had to do was brush it and it looked great.

2010-12-03T09:26:00.002-05:00

Abby's first ever trophy! There was a fun end of the year and ice cream party at the bouncy castle place in town. Tons of fun!

Turkey Day at School

2010-11-30T12:09:00.002-05:00

I was a volunteer for Abby's Thanksgiving feast at school a few weeks ago. The kids had the best time and the food was so good! I couldn't help but nibble off her plate.

This is her buddy Tre, they have so much fun together and apparently are not allowed to sit nect to each other in class anymore!

Hope you had a great Turkey Day too!

Fair Entry

2010-11-16T10:13:00.002-05:00

A few months ago I made this for my sister's baby shower. I never had time to blog it because I was still stitching on it the morning of the shower! I retrieved it from her a few weeks later so I could enter it in the fair. I was very pleased with how it pleated and the stripes stayed even. It was also my first use of lace, normally I don't do fancy sewing. I prefer boutique style casual stuff, but I just loved how sweet this fabric is. I hope it gets worn lots of times! Can't wait to see her in it.

Princess Playdate

2010-11-14T14:58:00.000-05:00

Reese had a fun playdate a couple of weeks ago, don't they look pretty?! I know she had the best time time because she loves anything dress up and fancy. She called this a Jasmine princess dress from Aladdin. Check out her cool braid crown hair do...it will be years before we can do that again! It sure was pretty though. Glad we captured it in a picture.

Tennis Lessons

2010-11-13T14:51:00.001-05:00

Now that cheerleading is over, Abby needed a new extra curricular activity. We chose tennis, which she can take at school. A few of her buddies wanted to take too so it worked out nicely to arrange (thanks sue!) a group lesson. Abby really likes it, it's the first sport she has done. I am glad she likes it and her friends too!

A Knock Off

2010-11-12T13:45:00.000-05:00

Here's another outfit that I copied from Kelly's Kids. From there it would cost $84 each without the matching tights. I made it for $18 each, including the tights! I got the shirt and tights from Land's End, I am very happy with the results and the girls love the new outfits. :)

Abby's Birthday

2010-11-12T12:35:00.000-05:00

So...where did September go?!!! Hmmm, and weren't there two month's after that? Why in the world sis I think that things would slow down when school started? Where is all this time I was supposed to have...I digress. :)

Finally, here are some pictures from Abby's birthday party. It was a pool party, which she chose over a tea party so that her boyfriends could come. It was mostly boys :). I tried to keep it as small as I could which was way more fun as it turns out. Next year will be even smaller maybe.

The Wright Girls... Reese's hair... :(

William and Abby, they are a fun pair.

The birthday girl was all smiles, everyone had a blast.

Happy Halloween, belated

2010-11-08T10:28:00.004-05:00

We sure had a fun month of October! I have never liked Halloween, in fact last year was the first year that I let the girls dress up and go trick or treating. But, I must say, that they like it so much that it really is fun. I had a great time this year.

Kane carved this pumpkin. We liked it so much that we left it there for a few extra days...until it was hard to pick up to trash it!

We went to an awesome Halloween party held by some of the girls' friends. It was awesome, a very special treat.

At Pinewood the Kindergartners have "Super Seniors" which are their buddies throughout the year. They do fun things, especially for special occasions. This was the costume parade and that is her super senior. Apparently all of the Super Seniors were supposed to match their kindergartners and I missed the memo. Totally my fault I realize, there was a questionnaire that I filled out too quickly. It asked what they were going to be for Halloween, to which I said a cheerleader. That IS what she was for Halloween but for the parade I wanted her to be something more original. Poor Min, she does look cute though. I will know the scoop for next year with Reese, at least.

Reeser meets bob

2010-11-08T10:16:00.003-05:00

Someone got creative with the craft scissors at a play date last week! I think she was as sad as we were, she loved her long hair, flipped it around all the time and teased her sister that hers was short.

Praise God that Ms. Linda could take her right away for a fix job. Man I wish I had taken our Christmas card pictures already!!! Is it bad if they have pumkins in the background? :)

Just call me Aunt Leslie...

2010-10-21T12:20:00.000-04:00

Isn't she precious!? We welcomed Ansley into the Byrnes family last week. I was just thrilled to love on her which says a lot...I am not a baby person normally!

Is there anything cuter than baby toes? I just have to take pictures of them, they require it.

I couldn't wait to get sewing for Ansley, I was suddenly inspired and made this dress in less than a week. I have been holding onto this fabric for 2 or 3 years, I turned the stripe sideways and I like how it turned out. Can't wait to see her in it!

This came out of an old Creative Needle that I inherited recently...a huge stash. They are great for smocking plates...free ones! :)

Whew!!! We been BUSY!

2010-10-20T11:32:00.004-04:00

I know everyone is busy, but don't you always think you got it particularly bad? I sure do...I am very happy but I just wonder how I get it all done!

Football season! Abby has been the cutest little cheerleader. I can't wait til next year already...Reese will be able to do it then too!

Some of our best buds came to check out Abby's cheering skillz! :)

We went to the neatest Madhatter birthday party. I had to have a hat too! That was a whirlwind day. Abby's party was that morning (which I still haven't blogged, much less written thank yous! YIKES!) and then this super fun tea party was in the afternoon. It was over the top and I will share some of the awesome details later.

Also, I finally smocked the paw on this shirt that I made at camp. I LOVE how it turned out. I will definitely be making more of this style. It's also fun that I designed the paw myself! I am in the process of graphing it too. :)

I think the cashier should high five me...

2010-09-29T10:26:00.004-04:00

My newest obsession is couponing. I have been doing it for a few months and my grocery bill has dropped from $200 (and we ate out constantly) to $50 a week and we hardly eat out at all. Before you ask, I use SouthernSavers.com website for coupon matchups with sale items. I also signed up for her twitter so I can print out new coupons right away before they run out. Today I spent $17 and saved $85 in coupons and promotions. As you can see there's not much there for tonight's dinner, but I still have $30 for the week and my pantry and freezers are overflowing with food. Here's what $17 got me today...

Two loaves of bread 18 cents total
hot dog buns reg price 2$
3 kraft singles free
2 kraft block cheese free
6 crystal lites free
2 new england coffee 1.89 each
2 lays chips 4$
1 ketchup .77
bag of apples 1.99
pears .99lb
tortillas 1.29
2 country crocks .14 each
2 cheese its 1.49 each
1 krusteez muffin mix 1.29
2 martha white muffin mix .47 each
toothpaste .47
cascade 3$

This shopping trip was at publix, which is my favorite store. They double coupons .50 and under, take competitor coupons (like the $10 off a $40 trip to piggly wiggly I used today) and produce a ton of store coupons...plus the enormous amount of buy one get one deals every week.
It is such a great challenge and if there was an emergency, we would have food for a couple of months no problem. Plus the money I save I can use for other things (like shoes....I mean tuition :) )

2010-09-17T11:07:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

This was a particularly fun birthday. She worked it an milked it for all the fun and treats it was worth! She even requested this shirt the night before, I am so glad I bought a few t shirts in advance!

Go Team!

2010-09-10T12:49:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago was the first home football game! Abby was so excited and we all had a great time. I wasn't really looking forward to it but I had a great time too! She did great. They did a dance on the field pregame and then had their own section of bleachers for cheering during the game. Tons if fun!

Abby is the one all the way to the right...with the bow of course! :)

Double Dose of Birthday!

2010-09-09T11:39:00.003-04:00

This year I am trying to do smaller birthday parties compared to the monstrosities we usually have! On Reese's actual birthday, a monday, we had cake and presents and the Grand parents over.

Then on Saturday I had a small tea party with little girls her age. It was tons of fun, she loved it! The girls mostly dressed up as princesses but Reese wanted to be Super girl! Of course, she has to be in control of everything!

Everyone had a great time...except for musical chairs! Apparently three/four is just too young for that. Everyone cried just about! Even 6 year old Abby went and pouted in her room for a good twenty minutes after she was out! :) Maybe it's just not a good idea at any age!

Reese's First Day

2010-09-07T19:36:00.002-04:00

Finally! Preschool started this morning. I learned that I need to get Reese ready when I get Abby ready, notice the pout above. She didn't want to get ready once we got back home. She was so excited to go though, couldn't wait to be in the pony class. That is the 4 year old class at her school.

When I picked her up and asked her how it went she said "NOT GOOD!" Why? "There was too much to do!" She wants to go back to the 3year old class where it was more relaxed! Hahah...I never did like school either... :)

More from CAMP!

2010-08-31T12:45:00.005-04:00

I got this top on sale at kellyskids.com because we had it in navy and it is so cute on. So I made this scrappy skirt to go with it. The pattern was in Sew Beautiful Magazine number 131 and it was so easy. The strips are only a few inches wide so this is a great way to get rid of your scraps. If your sewing room is anything like mine, it has plenty of fabric for a whole slew of these skirts!

This is the Kinsey from Children's Corner. I saw this in their recent magazine ad and had to make it for my Reese, I just love these colors and she loves a flowy dress. This was my most anticipated project for camp and I love how it turned out. Reese put it on right away and can't wait to wear it!

She did insist on wearing it to her princess tea party, even though her friends were wearing dress up. It looks great and is a full dress, maybe it will last for next Fall too!

Sewing Retreat Results...

2010-08-25T14:00:00.003-04:00

Last weekend I went on the annual smocking guild sewing retreat, what a treat that is for a mom of young children!!! I slept in, til NINE! haha. I sewed, went running and ate lots of yummy food. I even got to go running on a cool evening (that means below 90 for this time of year!) Here are a few of my projects from camp, I was really pleased with my projects this year.

This is an adaptation of the Children's Corner Charlotte that I saw on a great blog. She has great directions, I highly recommend it.

This is the Bonnie Blue Ashley swing dress shortened to a top and the Jillian pants...my fave! I fell in love with the shade of the yellow grosgrain ric rac and formed this outfit to use it. I love it, can't wait for her to wear it.

This outfit I was so excited about, it was a last minute addition to my line up and the first thing I made at camp! I had this Sara's Skort planned for Abby to wear to school, I embroidered each panther paw on the pattern pieces after I cut them out. They are 1" tiger paws. When I looked for lining and shorts material I found this baby blue pima gingham and got inspired on this cute top. I see this style in the boutiques all the time but there's not really a pattern for it. The Carol dress only goes to a four but it would work for smaller children. I used the blouse pattern in the Mary De dress pattern and cut the front piece off the fold a little to allow room for the smocked box. I haven't smocked it yet but wanted to go ahead and construct it while I had time.

This is for Reese to wear to school this year, her four year old preschool class is called The Pony Class. I made the face out of white minky and it is so soft! I used the Bonnie Blue Bridget, it is a new pattern out and is reversible. I wanted to try it, although I wasn't too excited about it. It is very plain...but when I put it on her I loved it! It is soooo cute!

I put ric rac in the hem which makes pressing easier because it is reversible. I would not recommend adding any trim in the top of the dress because it makes it to bulky to tie. If you were using a heavy fabric, I might even make the straps longer.

First Day

2010-08-25T10:20:00.005-04:00

Look at my big Kindergartener!!! How cute is she?

Her first task was to decorate her name tag for the day...I am sure it was done right away. That girl loves art more than anything else.

This is her super cute teacher, check out the artwork Abby took her on the first day. We told her to get ready for more because seriously we have no where else to stick the child's papers. She does art all day. Loves it.

Family picture at drop off! Granny came to watch Reese so we didn't have to take her the first day. I wasn't sure I could get her ready too but actually she has gone with me every day since. I seriously thought that Kane would be home in time in the mornings to take Abby but that is not the case at all. :( I am so not a morning person but it's been ok. I really want a nap though! Reese and I took a good one yesterday. The early mornings have been esoecially rough on her. I don't think her thumb has left her mouth today yet and she is currently laying on the floor in my office. Poor thing, maybe I will have to pick her naps back up.

Go PPS!

2010-08-15T15:37:00.004-04:00

Here are a few pics from the last day of cheerleading camp. Abby really did enjoy it and I am so glad because she has not liked a single extra curricular that we have tried until now! They did their dance and routines for all the parents on the last day.

Abby loved the Varsity cheerleaders that were the teachers and they seemed quite fond of her too. A few days after camp I learned the dance so that we could practice it together...when I went there I cheered Varsity also. Kane thought it was hilarious when he saw me practicing one evening.

It was fun, we are so excited about the school spirit and opportunities at her new school!

Family day at the Aquarium

2010-08-13T15:27:00.002-04:00

School is starting in less than a week!!! Yikes! I am doing my best to squeeze in as much as possible from the fun to do's that I never got around to. Last week we went to the aquarium and it happened to be shark week which was very fun. They had lots of extras for the kids and we had a great time. Next week...children's museum and the water park! Most of the other kids in our area start school Monday so we have a few extra days and hopefully no one will be there! :)

Gimmie a P!

2010-07-28T12:56:00.002-04:00

How cute is my little cheerleader on her first day of camp?! She had a great time and loves her varsity buddy. There were lots of hugs when it was time to be picked up. So glad I finally found something she likes...she didn't even make it a month in gymnastics and she never wanted to go to ballet last year!

2010-07-25T20:21:00.002-04:00

Abby's new school mascot is a Panther and I have been very inspired lately to sew in her school colors. I thought that if I could find a tiger paw smocking plate that I could make it in navy and it would be panther paws. There were no big paw plates, there were tiny paws on plates with tigers or footballs and tons of other tiger stuff. So what could I do? I made it up!

The second day of school is their weekly spirit day, so she will wear it then.

I love adding baby ric rac to the edges of bishop sleeves. I use my edge joining foot with the sleeve on one side of the blade and the ric rac on the other and attach it with a zig zag stitch.

Summer Smocking

2010-07-22T13:13:00.002-04:00

I finished this bishop for Abby last week. The fabric is a very soft fabric finders cotton lawn that I got last year on sale and just got around to it. I love making these especially for Abby because it is likely that soon she will be too grown up to wear these. I'm sad that it will likely happen when she starts kindergarten soon.

I used a sage green gingham to do the neck and arm bands on this and the contrast is very fun. The whole design is baby waves that I eye balled from a magazine picture...babywave HELL! Haha, it is so many rows...and soooo many pleats on a size 6 bishop!

I think she looks lovely and the fabric is so dainty that she needs a slip! Luckily one of her portrait dresses came with one.

Miss Madeline

2010-07-18T15:36:00.004-04:00

I made these cute pants a couple of months ago as a class sample for teaching the Jillian by Bonnie Blue...I do love that pattern! I bought fabric at the same time to make a top and it just sat. I didn't even retrieve the sample pants from the shop until 2 weeks ago! I recently went to the beach for a few days with a sewing buddy and our 4 girls. Family fun in the day time and when the sun went down we sewed! It was great, I made this top, a skirt, cut out and pleated two bishops, backsmocked one and traced several patterns for sewing retreat next month! I even cut out a dress for the retreat already. What a treat to be away from the household responsibilities (and gym) that usually get in the way of sewing.

This is the first time that I made the Miss Madeline by The Handmade Dress. I made a size 5 and found it running a little slim, which is perfect for Abby. It is a dress and can be made with or without the apron. It was a pretty easy construction but I do recommend a serger for this style. My only complaint is that it comes with the bodice and sleeve pieces and you have to draft the bottom of the dress. It wasn't hard, but for $12 I feel like i shouldn't have had to do that. The directions are clear and it's a great style for a beginner. I was very happy with the results and already have a full length one cut out for camp. It came in a kit from Farmhouse Fabrics with everything already picked out. This one is cute too. I used the same lady bug fabric to make

Abby a pillowcase like this one.

She liked it a lot and it was so fun and cute to make. Plus it came with the directions for making several sizes of pillowcases which I will use later. What a cute and easy little gift!

Happy 4th!

2010-07-05T21:38:00.005-04:00

Finally put these together just in time for the 4th...and for blueberry pickin'! These are the only dark outfits they have and I was afraid of the blueberry mess! I got the madras fabric in January at a sale and then bought the knit tanks in March at a Kellys Kids homeshow to match the madras. They are the cutest little knit tops. I am so glad I got around to these, they are too cute and I think that they will be great for back to school also.

The skirt is Children's Corner "Katie's Skirt" and I have used it before. The hem construction is a little difficult but once you get the hang of it you could make one in less than an hour. The pattern runs true to size but I think the elastic measurements that it suggests are a little snug. The little pockets are so cute...I wish this came in my size!

I monogrammed these in baby blue because they are Abby's new school colors! Double duty...I can't believe that she starts K5 next month! She is too excited! Stay tuned for tons of back to school sewing, I am ready to sew!

Back to Birdie...finally!

2010-07-01T16:33:00.002-04:00

I think that I am officially over my burnt out-edness with sewing. Last Summer and Fall I was turning out close to ten garments a week and it just plum wore me out! Sadly, I am a little to late for all of my Summer plans that I had for the girls' wardrobe but at least I have turned the machines on! Funny...I had to clean them both thoroughly before they wanted to be nice to me. Payback I guess...

Early in the Spring I went to a children's clothing show for fun and a little inspiration. I saw this cute little outfit...for EIGHTY DOLLARS!!! Really, a pillow case top and pants? So I did some digging and found this gorgeous yellow Monoco fabric on Etsy for $6 a yard. I already had the white pique used in the pants and made this same outfit for a whopping $12!!! And I have a little left over that I may make a top for myself. I love the double ruffle on the pants, I am usually a little lazy when it comes to ruffles but it wasn't that bad and the cuteness factor was worth it.

This little stinker insisted on a photo op too, her hand me down I didn't make. ;) She is such a little diva.

Vacation!!!

2010-06-29T15:52:00.004-04:00

Last week we took a week long family beach vacation, just the four of us. It was so great, although Kane was still officially working everyday. He was glad when Saturday finally got there!

We even got to maintain our weekly date night, thanks to Granny and Granddaddy! It was nice to get out.

The wrap around porch was fantastic and we spent many hours swinging and rocking. The ocean is on one side of the house and the marsh is on the other! How awesome is that!

This was our nightly view, and even though we chose the hottest week of the Summer to go, there was always a breeze on the porch.

I became quite the pro at lugging stuff to the beach while Kane was working. I got all this stuff on my little beach cart AND dragged it up the steps and down the steps of the boardwalk. We lacked nothing and spent everyday on the beach at least 4-5 hours straight.

I sure didn't want to come home to the pile on my desk (and in the laundry room) but I definitely wore the girls out this week. In fact, I think that they are still recovering!

Summer Days...

2010-06-07T13:41:00.003-04:00

The girls are the perfect age for Summer fun this Year. We have been to the beach four times already and go to the pool almost everyday. They both can swim and are getting better everyday. Abby gets upset if we can't go to the pool everyday, I have to make us take a break because I love it too! I gotta do laundry and work sometime!!!

Last week we went to Kiawah Island with great friends and had such a fun time! What a treat!

The girls play so well with their friends William and Sally Clarke! I rarely have to intervene or referee at all! That is a treat for me too!

Kindergarten...Here She Comes!

2010-06-02T11:02:00.003-04:00

Abby "graduated" from preschool...last month! I am so behind. The end of preschool has thrown me for a loop, for sure! It was such a happy occasion. Abby did get emotional when she saw a friend who moved away in the slide show. She is so tender hearted! In fact, that is the superlative award that her teacher gave her. The most tender hearted...it suits her just fine!

The Ponies class. Reese will be a Pony next year, she is just ecstatic!

Happy Birthday Mimi!

2010-05-19T23:39:00.006-04:00

This past weekend my Dad decided to have a surprise 60th birthday party for my Mom. He and my sister have been working on it for weeks, and I helped a little too. He was so worried that it wouldn't be a surprise, but as it turns out...it was a huge surprise!

What a great time we had! We were surrounded by so many of her great friends and many whom she had not seen in quite a while! Everything turned out wonderfully and we had a great time.

My sister and I and our husbands stayed late into the evening chatting, laughing and munching on the caterer's leftovers. I hope Mom had as much fun as I did!

These are my God Parents who I haven't seen since my wedding...what a treat that was! We caught up on chatting and hugs and I was so happy to see pictures of their beautiful grandchildren.

That cake was as yummy as it was pretty...I even had a piece! I have sworn off cake but this time I just couldn't resist.

Bee City

2010-04-28T09:49:00.000-04:00

Field trip time! I do not go on many field trips, mostly because I don't have time but also because they are often on Fridays and Reese can't go too. Reese doesn't have school on Fridays. Abby has been wanting me to go for some time and because I didn't go on her Bee City trip last year I decided to go. We had tons of fun!

They learned all about bees, hives and honey.

There is also an extensive (and creepy just a little) petting zoo.

This is an alpaca that no one wanted to feed because of his crazy bottom teeth, poor guy. I took pity on him and fed him, still makes me a little nauseous just thinking about it.

This is a baby Lemur...like in the movie Madagascar? Abby got to pet him.

She really liked feeding the baby goats, they were awfully cute I must admit.

Her whole class... "The Ponies."

Abby loved the turkeys' gobbles, she laughed and laughed.

This is a tortoise shell, I could get so close and I love the design of his shell.

Star Student

2010-04-27T12:00:00.000-04:00

Now that the year is almost OVER!!! :( Abby had her turn to be the star student. I guess she better get used to being last with a W last name. She was so excited and had a great time all week. On Friday I went and read a story to her class. She chose "Fancy Nancy and the Posh Puppy," because I would have to say "scoop her poop" in front of the class. It was a hit!

I finally made the shorts to go with the boutique halter top I made MONTHS ago! It's too long I think. You never know until you try it I guess. Next time I will make the smaller size.

I used Kona Cotton for the lavender shorts and accents, it is inexpensive and comes in tons of colors. I really liked the weight and I will definitely use it again. Check out those lavender sandals from Target! They are perfect. I have a lavender fabric in the Summer stash so they will get worn a lot if I will just get sewing!!

Sewing with Knit..."Cece"

2010-04-25T15:08:00.002-04:00

THREE months ago I got the fabric, pattern and cut this out...well that shows you how much sewing I've been doing! I have been wanting to try sewing knit dresses for a while, they are one of the few items I buy because I don't make them. I got this fabric from Chez Ami which makes their own retail line for home shows but they also sell the fabric. They have great clearance prices too...of course I liked the non sale fabric. :)

This is the "Cece" by Children's Corner. It can be all knit or a knit top and woven cotton bottom half. The direction were very clear and easy to do whether you had a serger or not. I did use my serger for the lettuce edge on the sleeves and hem but you can machine hem it just the same. My only complaint is that it only goes to a size 4 so I lengthened it, and made it too long of course. It looks a little like pajamas, but oh well! The top area is very small so it won't work on a child bigger than 5, and Abby is very thin anyways. It is sewn together at the yoke much like the top of a onesie for a baby so that it fits over the head.

Abby likes it and couldn't wait to wear it...I guess that's all that matters!

MIA

2010-04-08T08:30:00.003-04:00

Whew! The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of

SUPER HEROES!!!

EGG HUNTS!

Easter Cooking with Mimi

And next to no sewing :( The monogram on this half of a collar is as far as I got on Abby's Easter Dress.

So, what have I been doing instead of sewing? I'm still working on that diet and I started working out, a lot. So there's no energy for sewing at the end of the day! I am ready for bed! I have lost a total of 32 pounds and more that 4 sizes. It is really hard work, which is why I have always been reluctant to bite the bullet. I fit in my wedding dress the other day, just in time for my 10 year anniversary. I can also run 3.5 miles, I never would have guessed!

Before you ask....because everyone usually does, I have been calorie counting. I eat around 1200 cals a day. Yes, I am usually hungry often. I dieted for about 4 months before I started exercising which is a little counter productive on the scale. It worked for me, but its not for everyone I know. Check out hungrygirl.com for some great healthy food and recipe suggestions, love her!

Walk for a Cure

2010-03-25T12:11:00.005-04:00

We went to the JDRF Walk for a cure in support of Abby's buddy William who has juvenile diabetes. She loves William and they play together often, we were so glad to be a part of his special day. It was such a fun day and the weather could not have been more perfect!!!

2010-03-18T13:14:00.002-04:00

This is a new pattern I picked up at Sew n Sew, "Boutique Dress Top" from Sew Sensible. It is a great pattern for beginners and easy to follow. I did the back elastic differently than it calls for because I didn't love the way it bunched up, but I do like the pattern a lot. I can't wait to see it on some tan shoulders! I plan on making some lavender shorts to match.

Expect to see a lot of lavender for Spring from me...I am lavender crazed!

A new title...

2010-03-17T13:08:00.002-04:00

Teacher! It's official, I'm going to try my hand at teaching sewing. This is the sample I made to advertise the class. It's a John Jon construction class. The students will pick their own fabrics and perhaps embroidery beforehand and I will help them put it all together! I am so excited...and a little nervous too! ;) Wish me luck!

ps. the class is on April 17th.

Happy Birthday PaPa!

2010-03-08T15:33:00.003-05:00

We went to brunch on Saturday for my Dad's 60th birthday! It was great fun...not to mention delicious! Happy Birthday Daddy!

Sleep Over FUN!

2010-02-25T13:46:00.003-05:00

A few weeks ago, the girls went to their first "sleepover" birthday party. It was only a half sleepover, and it was just enough. They had a blast! Pizza, cupcakes and pillowcase decorating made the evening tons of fun.

That's the night it starting snowing here and some of the girls went out in their jammies to check out the first snow.

Our friend Annie has this cool rocking horse and the girls had a blast on it. It is rare to capture genuine smiles out of both girls at the same time! I love these pics.