More new clothes...

I realize I am not good at updating this blog with family news. To be honest, there is not much to tell! Still can't potty train Odin (I don't know if he is ready yet, and also I need to try harder) and Ally is not yet walking. She did, however, finally drink out of a sippy. It was Odin's sippy, one of those cheap take n toss ones, but she loved it! It had a softer spout than most, maybe that's why. We had a playgroup thing today, and of course I forgot my camera, so no pictures :( It was really sweet when I put Ally on a bench swing next to Odin and she immediately grabbed onto him for safety. Love it! I really do think she will be walking soon...she can almost stand by herself, and with Odin that's what happened right before he took a few steps. I can't wait! Also, less than 2 weeks until I see my family. I REALLY am excited for that. I miss my parents and siblings so much, and wish they would just move back already. I hope my brother and his wife and new baby will come down too, but I am not so sure they will. Allison will turn 1 in less than a month. We'll have a party when my parents are here. I am thinking a Paris theme, which means I will be appliqueing an Eiffel tower onto a t shirt for her to wear. I already have the shirt, and an idea. I think I might even post a tutorial for it! I am hoping to get some tutorials going soon :P. But I always forget to take pictures during the creating process. Anyway, enjoy the photos of some new items.

Meadowsweet Skirt

Odin had the camera :)

Yesterday I had 3 pairs of white pants to make for different customers. So I did that, then decided I wanted to make a skirt for Ally (once I get going, I really don't like to stop). Skirts don't take terribly long to make, so I was able to finish it pretty quickly (with interruptions, of course!) I made it with Sandi Henderson's new Meadowsweet line. The butterflies are so fun, and I love pink and orange! I had gotten a pair of ruffle leggings and a ruffle top at Target, and the skirt matched really well. Ally was a little over-ruffled though! The skirt is available in my shop, and Ally actually was a really good model for me today. I got some nice shots! The kids have really been great about playing outside. I don't know what I'll do when it's summer and it's too hot. We also had to go to the post office today. The line was really long, but both kids were good about it. Odin has been so sweet lately, with lots of "I love you's" and kisses, and I don't really want him to grow up. Gave him a cookie-pie for being a good boy (Oatmeal cream pie). I miss my family- less then 3 weeks until they are here! But don't tell my mom that; she likes to think of it as a month because she has so much to get done in that time. :) The shop is slowing down lately, but I am hoping for a few more sales before I take a much-needed break.

Love these kids!

Aren't my kids cute? I love how much they love each other! Ally follows Odin everywhere, especially outside. Today she climbed into his car and was very proud of herself. Odin squeezed in with her and made me take her out (he does not like to share). Oh, and potty training is going nowhere. I need to step it up! Below are some pics of custom orders. The pants are in the shop now and the dresses will be soon! I also tried something new today. I wanted to make flower headbands, for me. I made two and the flower on the first one was huge, so I made the second one smaller. I think I'll wear it with a skirt I intend to make soon. Lots of projects as well as orders to fill right now!

Drumroll please...

Yep, I got some professional photos! A wonderful photographer named Kimberly Van Sistine- http://www.kimberlyvphotography.com/ or http://www.kimberlyvphotography.blogspot.com/- contacted me for a trade. I made outfits for her girls, and in return they modeled them for a nice photo shoot. I decided to go with brand new designs for these outfits, and am slowly rolling them out in my shop. So you will see new stuff with stunning photos in the week or so to come. Here is a sneak peak of some the pictures she took! They are beautiful, and looking at my clothes photographed that way makes me feel like a real professional. I can't get pictures like these on my own! So enjoy, and check the shop for new items!

This is why we live here

In Arizona, that is. Because my kids can get soaked splashing in the water table. They had a blast, but I did have to chance them before their nap. :) I also added a few new items to the shop..denim ruffle pants and a red and white polka dot skirt. As far as the denim pants go, they are a preview of something fun and exciting to come! You will see in a couple weeks. Now, I'm tired so I am just going to let you enjoy the photos today.

The Paris Top

Yay! I am finally posting about the Paris top I made for Allison. I LOVE it. It's made from a Japanese fabric (linen/cotton blend) with little eiffel towers and arc de triomphes all over it. It also has some French sayings on it...however, the sayings do not make sense. I lived in France for 4 years and while I was never fluent, I can still read and understand some of it. So on this fabric it says "Paris is 7:00 PM" and "France is love. Thank you life!". So, yeah, unless I am missing something, or translating it wrong...not sure, but I still think it's cute and fun and reminds me of Paris. If you ask my parents, they will tell you I did not enjoy living there. This is mostly truth, but I still have good memories of France.

So, I wish I had taken pics so I can give a little tutorial, and I probably will because I am going to make a similar top in a bigger size for her (this one was smaller than I intended!). Basically, you take two rectangles the length and width that you want for the top, keeping in mind that you will also be adding some straps. Then you sew the side seams of the top together, then add a band of coordinating fabric at the bottom. Shir several rows at the top ( I did about 6 for Ally). Make straps by sewing two strips of fabric right sides together, leaving an opening, then flip them right side out and top stitch. Then sew the straps onto the top so that they are the correct length (I suggest trying the top on your child and measuring before you do this). I also added a gathered pocket.

Wow, those were terrible instructions. I'll do a better explanation with pictures someday. :) Maybe I'm not good at writing tutorials! I don't think I'll put this one in the shop; the fabric is expensive and I like the idea of Ally having a one of a kind outfit. I made the clip, too, using this tutorial: http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/01/craft-3easy-peasy-scrap-fabric.html I also did an appliqued t shirt for a customer, and I think I will start offering these in the shop!

Top Things I Made of 2009

Odin's Colored Pencil Roll

Apron skirt!

Ally's Christmas Dress

Pillowcase dress matching my cousin's baby

First dress I ever made- I've come a long way!

So I know it's already February, but I thought I'd look back at the things I made in 2009 and post the top favorites. Today is a weird day. Saturday, but Adam's working today. I need to go to Hobby Lobby sometime after he gets home. Kids are playing outside and I'm still in pajamas. Oh well! Oh, and I finished Ally's Paris top and will post about it soon, but she hasn't worn it yet (well, just to try it on) so I haven't taken pics. I tried to make it in 12-18 months, but she is bigger than I thought and it's more of a 6-12 month but it's stretchy and can be worn for awhile, and I made it nice and long as well. It is really, really cute!