Texture LOVE (and a twirl skirt, too)

I’ve only been working on this twirl skirt for Em for

about a year. 

Every time I started working on it, I would get overwhelmed and just put it to the side.  I think God knew I didn’t have the patience to sew for more than one girl and that’s why He made the other 3 boys. Emily and I collaborated  to pick out the fabrics and we both agreed on Tina Givens…  my baby girl has GOOD taste! :)

She wanted to make sure it had purple and blue, her two favorite hues.  I obliged.

After the skirt was finally finished (and by some miracle still actually fit), the shirt posed another challenge.  The fabrics of the skirt are so bold and colorful that I didn’t want the shirt to distract from the outfit.  Em and I looked at embroidery designs for HOURS to no avail. 

You know that state where you aren’t exactly awake but you aren’t quite asleep yet either? 

This time is when the best (and weirdest) ideas pop into my head.  I even keep a notebook beside my bed to write down the good stuff. Seriously, if I don’t write it down, it’s g-o-n-e by the next morning!  I know, I know, I’m crazy.  I blame it on all the kids. :)

Back to the idea…

LAYERED TEXTURE!!

I started digging around the next morning and found everything I wanted…. silk, mini pom pom fringe, lace, tulle, and a scribbled rose embroidery design.  Put them all together and

                         swoon

                                                      texture love!!!

Multi-textured designs just make me happy.  When everything comes together like it’s meant to be, my heart gets all warm and fuzzy.  I’m just saying…

Linking up with these parties this week.  Check some of them out for some fabulous ideas. :)

Turtle Man

Finley will be three in a month and weighs in at a whopping 23 pounds fully clothed.  Now that he’s potty trained (in theory anyway) and wearing big boy underwear, even his 12-18 month shorts fall down. :( I don’t want to buy any more at this point even though it will be shorts weather in these parts for another couple of months.

 

This is my first attempt at making shorts for my little guy.  Hubs promptly let me know that our son looks like he’s wearing a tablecloth….  I think the fabric is cute for a toddler!!  It’s another one of those fabrics that I love so much that I’ve been hoarding it.  I bought it to make myself pajama pants, but that hasn’t exactly happened.

When I showed him his turtle man outfit, he said, “For me??  Oh, I love it!  Can I wear it?”  Even though it’s for his first day of “school” I just couldn’t say no.  This cute turtle design came from Lynnie Pinnie and the font is from Embroitique.

He played in every single water puddle he could find and thoroughly soaked his clothes…  but even when they were wet, the shorts didn’t fall down!! 

SUCCESS

Partying here if I can find the time!! :)

Avery’s Cupcake

I have had the privilege and honor of creating Miss Avery’s  1st AND 2nd birthday shirts!!  Avery has a blanket  she calls “Manky” that goes EVERYWHERE with her.  Her mom has enough material to make an extra blanket when needed and wanted to incorporate “manky” into Avery’s birthday this year. 

The cupcake base is the ever coveted blanket fabric and Avery was soooooo excited when she saw it on her birthday shirt!! 

It was also Auntie Julia’s 15th birthday and Avery’s mom didn’t want her left out!!

As soon as I receive a picture of Miss Cutie Patootie in her shirt I will definitely post it!!

Partying HERE this week!!

Flower Envy

Baby Girl saw Havanna’s shirt and decided that red and yellow were NOT the way to go… it needed to be a combination of dark and light pink.

I surprised her with this lovely when she got home from school today!  She was completely stoked (which made her mummy VERY happy).

 

I used two organza layers in addition to the satin this time  around.  I really enjoy different textures and fabrics, so I used netting instead of tulle with this fabric combo.

 

I am toying with the idea of selling these in my Etsy store.  I’m thinking I need a bit of variety…. hmmmm (ponder, ponder, ponder)…

On that note, have a GREAT weekend!!

Linking up to a few of THESE parties….  They provide me with so much inspiration. :)

Purple Snowflake Outfit

 

  

Okay, okay… I’m over my little fit from my post about Em’s Christmas shirt….  :)  Here is an adorable outfit for a friend’s daughter.  I used my very favorite of all favorites fabric (Tina Givens, Chloe’s Imagination, In Time in Azur Tea) for it.  The Snowflake appliqué is from one of my most trusted embroidery sites, Planet Appliqué.  Rachel is amazing and I absolutely LOVE her designs!!

Here is a close up looksie at the ruffles at the bottom of the jeans.  I accented with purple metallic ric rac.  Who doesn’t love ric rac, right?

Of course, a little closer look at the shirt as well.  The snowflake has a tulle and metallic trim little bow to pull it all together.

I had a fun time putting all the special little touches on this ensemble.  I can’t wait to see it in action!!

Linking up to a few of THESE parties…. you know you want to check them out!

Tulle Frosting Cupcake Shirt

Jessi’s birthday outfit is D-O-N-E, done!!!  Jessi’s mom brought me a pair of her old jeans to add ruffles… I used black and white damask as well as Berry Whispers from Art Gallery Fabrics girly girl line.  I absolutely love the colors together. :)

  

 Now, as for this little cupcake here…. My embroidery machine was less than thrilled to undertake the task.  After restarting a few times, in addition to several choice words topped off with tears, this is the end result (before adding the trim).  I had to show her some serious tough love, but I think it was successful.

 

The completed shirt!! 

No time to rest… Max has a 102 fever, Finley wants to be held 12 hours out of the day, and I have to take a bath at some point today.  Sonya, I will swing this by your house today!!

 

XXOO

Linking up to a few of the parties listed HERE… go check them out!!

Pumpkin Shirt Sneak-a-look

A couple of weeks ago, some friends and I got together to make our daughters appliqued pumpkin shirts for the fall.  We all started from the same pumpkin shape that came from a coloring book and each creation was unique!  What a great way to spend a day with friends. :)  Here is a looksy at Em's shirt.  I am in the process of creating a pdf tutorial on how to applique without the use of an embroidery machine.  Until it's complete though, I was dying to show the end result!!

Two Years Old!!

My Finley turned 2 years old last Wednesday… I can’t believe it!  He’s officially not a baby anymore (sniff sniff).  We were able to celebrate his birthday at Chuck E Cheese this weekend.  My kids alone made up over half of the kiddos at his party!!  Geez, I feel old (bigger sniff sniff).  Enough of my rambling, here are a few pics of the the birthday shirt that I made for Finn.  I think it turned out super cute, but then I’m a bit partial as I did make it!

The front of the shirt has a hand appliqued balloon with a 2 on it.  The black ric rac used for the the string leads to…

the back of the shirt where a little Finley is holding it in his hand. :)

Here we are at Chuck E Cheese.  He isn’t too sure about the giant mouse trying to talk to him while he’s eating his pizza.

He’s much happier playing with his big brother’s Thomas the Train at home.  It was a fabulous day. :)

Linking up Here:

Joys of Life

Just a quick blurb about my kiddos today!  Here is Emily at her 2nd competition of the season.  Her favorite event is bars and she just looks soooo darn sweet performing her routine. (:

Here is little Finley sporting his "go Emily" shirt.  It was such a pretty day, I let the boys run around outside between events.

Sweet Max watching Finley run around... not too happy about his "go Emily" shirt...  I know I'm wrong for making him wear it, but none of his friends saw!!

Lively Jack THOROUGHLY enjoying the chance to get outside and run, run, run!!  I think this kid would live outside if I let him.

Go and show someone special in your life how much they mean to you today!!

Peace and Love

If you know me, you know how much I LOVE the Peace Symbol!! My sister got me hooked and I just can't go back to life without it... :) I came up with this cute "mom" shirt to support my daughter at her gymnastics meets. I used two of Becca's reverse applique designs from her Planet Applique website. I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE her designs!!

Peace and Love

A Week of Sewing

So, I know it has been a while since my last blog post. BUT, I have been busy... really I have! I am still behind on my orders, so minimal chit chat today:)

Monogrammed purse applique t-shirt... Didn't this turn out super cute?! I can't wait to see it on little Miss Haylee Brooke. Speaking of Miss Haylee Brooke....

Here she is sporting her Liberty Original at the soccer fields on LSU game day. Since she is so cute, we will let her get away with rooting against the Bulldogs, just this once though.

A birthday present for one of Emily's friends.

A birthday present for one of Jack's friends.

A baby present for baby Naomi!!

Onesie for baby Dash (Naomi's twin brother).

Dash needs a bib, too!!

I will chat more next post!! Thanks for understanding!! Muah.

Clothes for my kids

I have so many projects that need to be completed, but I had to keep my oldest two happy and sew something very quickly for them!! So, without much commentary (so I can get back to sewing!) here are my weekend projects!

My first project was for Emily. I bought this cute skirt at Gymboree on clearance ages ago. I also snagged some leggings at the same time. Since my leggings-itch-me-too-bad daughter would not wear the aforementioned leggings, I cut them off into shorts (which she gladly wears, go figure) and used the extra fabric to make the coordinating shirt!




My next project was for Max. I will gladly sew for him as long as he lets me!! Although, at the age of nine, I feel that this won't go on much longer, sniff sniff. Maybe he will think my pajamas are cool a little longer?









I used black fabric with silver skulls on it for the letters in his name. He wore it proudly to school today!!
I must get back to work!!