Buttercup Bag

Today is Friday so that means cocktails and crafts at my house. The craft - the buttercup bag by Made By Rae. The cocktail - Kahlua and coffee.

Kahlua and Coffee:
This is an easy one!
- One cup of coffee
- One shot of Kahlua
- Fresh whipped cream on top (I didn't add sugar to the cream)

So tasty and looks very pretty as well.

It was kind of a blah day outside so the kiddos (mostly) hung out inside.

Max loves these little ladies.

Okay - on to the bag...
Both of my fabrics are from the Heather Bailey's Nicey Jane Line. The flowered fabric is called Picnic Bouquet - cream and the blue fabric is from the same line and is called Hop Dot - sky.

Here is my little helper reading (eating) the pattern.

The finished project! Yay - I learned how to make pleats.

Victory!

I finally did it! I successfully made white bread. This time I used King Sooper's bread flour and voila! - BREAD. Is it bad that I want to serve this as my main course for dinner? Maybe we will have a side of roast chicken.

Vintage Baby Clothes

My mom was just here for a visit and like always brought baby clothes - except this time they were vintage, at least 30 years old.

This lovely sea foam green one piece pant jumper might be my favorite. It is size 18 month but by today's standards it looks like it will fit Gigi around 12 months.

This little romper was also mine. Sized 12 months but I think this will fit her this summer too!

The next two are special because they are brand "new," tags still on and were even on a hanger.

My mom is a professional shopper, a trait which she inherited from her mother. Apparently my grandmother bought these, saved them and some how my mom ended up with them which she then saved for my daughter. It is both amazing and a little strange.

I am guessing most mom's out there have a special box of baby clothes that they just can't seem to part with. These will end up in my special box for my future grandkids and since these clothes are all 100% acrylic I am sure they will survive!!

New Birth Announcement

I have noticed a trend with a lot of my designs - I like things that fly. I have a lot of bird and bugs. My newest designs are right in line with that theme. Gotta love the simplicity of these! These are also going to be made into birthday invitations in the near future too!

Oliver + S Bubble Dress

I completed my first sewn dress from a real pattern! This is from Oliver + S and is their bubble dress. The pattern was easy to read only I only had to call for help once (or twice).
I bought the pattern from Mama Said Sew and since it was the most I have ever paid for a pattern I was grateful that my mom introduced me to some fabric-like tracing paper that will allow me to make the dress from ages 0-3 up to 18-24 months. I made the 12-18 month version.

Did I mention how in love I am with Mama Said Sew? Angela was super sweet and so helpful. The fabric selection was so modern and bold I wanted to buy it all. I already had two yards of the Alexander Henry's Koto at home and really, really need to start using what I already own before buying up more yummy fabric.

Unfortunately, my model is blissfully napping (hence the blog post) so I haven't had a chance to snap any pictures of her wearing it yet. I know it will be big but since she isn't crawling yet, I don't think that will be a problem.

Bobble Dress

Here is my latest creation - Coco's Bobble Dress.

I changed the original pattern so the bobbles don't continue up the whole dress. I think it should fit Gigi around 12 - 18 months as a dress. I could even put her in it now and just let it be baggy and comfy but since it is warming up I don't think she would enjoy it too much. The color reminds me of a juicy grape!

I crochet this in the round rather than making a seam and that created a job in the lines but I doubt anyone but me (and anyone reading this) would ever notice. Great beginner pattern for sure!

Craft Friday - Kimonos

Today was the first ever Craft Friday with my good friend Jayna! We found a basic child's kimono pattern online and got to work.

Step 1: Pour yourself a nice adult beverage. Picture here was a bellini. Not the best drink I have ever had but it was kind of an alcoholic fruit smoothie - appropriate for some mid-morning crafting.

Bellini
2/3 cup white peach puree (use yellow peaches if white not available)
1 teaspoon raspberry puree
1 bottle chilled Italian sparkling wine such as Prosecco orAsti Spumante Brut

Place 1 1/2 tablespoons puree In the bottom of each flute and add 2 - 3 drops of the raspberry puree. Add sparkling wine and serve.

Raspberry puree: Puree fresh or frozen (thawed) berries in a food processor.

Peach puree: Peel fresh peaches, cut up in pieces and blend in a food processor.

Serving glass: Tall champagne flutes - or in my case - juice glasses!

Step 2: Cut out fabric. This actually went off without a hitch, which may very well be a first for me.

Step 3: Redirect small children to play outside.

My first button hole!!

Step 4: Sew pieces together. Add binding and, in my case, buttons.

Step 5: Stand back and admire your work - and then start to notice what you would change next time.

I think I have a satisfied customer.

This literally took me ALL day but I feel like I have taken my relationship with my sewing machine to the next level. We found a lot of odd things with the pattern we got online so for now I am not going to repost that link. Maybe I will build the momentum and post my own version, but for now that will just have to wait.

I can't wait for our next Craft Friday. I have a lot of ideas for it - felting, photoshop 101... I would love to hear your ideas, especially ones we could get the kids involved with.

Phoebe's Sweater

Last night at knitting my friend Joanna gave us signed copies of her book Phoebe's Sweater! It is so beautiful and comes with patterns to make Phoebe and her sweater.

I was surprised at how emotional I felt to actually see the finished book - so much joy for Joanna and her family. I am continually amazed at all the inspirational people I have in my life. Now I can add published author to my list.

I can't wait to make Phoebe for Gianna!

Buy the book from Amazon or better yet come to a book signing and meet Joanna and Phoebe.

You can also follow Phoebe on her blog - great site for kids.

Save the Date - Round Two

I really enjoyed making these Save the Date cards. The couple looks so happy in the pictures. Save the Date cards are fun to make because you can really showcase your personality more so than a formal wedding invitation - at least I felt that way. Speaking of which... I need to add some invitations soon.