SS17 from Mae & Co.

It's been a busy spring with lots of new items being designed and made, as well as lots of great markets. I was ecstatic to continue working with photography Raelyn Ramey this season. Not only did we get to shoot in her new studio that's got gorgeous light, we also were able to come out to my farm and get the kids busy catching frogs and splashing in the pond. 

Looking Back: Holiday 2016

The last photoshoot of 2016, and what a great way to end the year. 

For this shoot I worked with local photographer Raelyn Ramey as well as three other local businesses - Peach Polka Dot (Megan) who produces flower crowns, Acanthus Apparel (Alyssa) a local screen printing company, and The Pink Revolver (Melissa) who is another handmade clothing company specializing in up-cycled garments. 

Looking Back: FW16

We're nearly caught up and today we'll look at what's currently out for FW16 - these items can be found in my online shop Mae & Co. until they're sold out. 

Looking Back: SS16

Hello!

I hope everyone is enjoying their weekend. I've spent the last two days in pajamas fighting against a cold. Lots of tea, honey, and homemade soup. Regardless, I'm excited to push forward and look back at my Spring/Summer 2016 collection. 

Looking Back: FW15

Hi! I'm back again to show you the second collection I created for Mae & Co. FW15. 

January Peplum & Izzy Dress in Red White and Blue

Hi! Here with a recap of last month's holiday apparel, which was 4th of July of course! I tend to decide ahem, last minute, to create outfits for the kids. Lucky for me, Archer wanted nothing to do with it and insisted he would NOT like matching shorts for it.

I started with an Izzy Top/Dress for Skye - this free pattern has been a useful one. I've created quite a few of them including faux fur ones for winter as well as summer ones in light airy fabrics. 

Mae & Co. release day 2 and 3

Hey! Running a bit behind on what's been release (yeah, what's new?) so I've got two looks today. Tuesday was the pinfafore and bloomers set, the pinafore coming from Rachel at Imagine Gnats. I really liked the classic look of it. 

Little Photographers Camera Pattern Test

Hey guys! I'm back with a really fun pattern I tested for Stephanie at Swoodsonsays who now lives IN MY CITY. As a midwest blogger, that's a pretty big deal. Sewing bloggers are few and pretty far between in these parts- so I welcome the company! 

Ok, to the pattern. Isn't it cute? I saw her post a teaser on her IG account  and asked if I could be added to the tester group. I'm kind of an Instagram junkie, so if you don't follow me GO DO THAT. 

KCW Upcycle Spring 2015

This round of KCW was super fun! I only wish I could have seen MORE awesome things. I mean, my upcycled box runneth  over and that's after purging it 6 mo. ago! 

Sew Geeky Marvel Vs. DC: Batman Toddler Backpack

WOOHOO! I've never made my kids a backpack and it was time to check that item off my bucket-list. Though, I feel like there could be more in the future since it was really fun to sew. 

I grabbed the Toddler Backpack pattern by Made By Rae when it was featured on the Friday Fiver for $5, yessssss. 

DIY Best Bottom Diaper Covers with FREE Pattern

We really like our BB diapers. My husband did extensive research before we made the large cloth diaper purchase for our son two years ago. They have held up remarkably well with just a few of the inserts getting holes - and the full set had some 75 inserts or so.

Small Fry Skinny Jean Shorts in Geometric Print

I'm back for my second pair of Small Fry Skinny Jeans. 

Such a great pattern. 

Upcycled Summer Pajama Shorts

New item of necessity? Summer pajama shorts for Archer. 

It seems like winter dragged on forever, then suddenly without warning, we had a day where the temp was 86 degrees. Whaaaat? So, like a smack in the face, spring showed up and I realized that though Archer had plenty of tees to sleep in, but he didn't have many pairs of shorts to go with them. He really can't go without shorts on or he'll rip his diaper off and scream "Mommy, help me!" until I come in and put it back on. I'm also not a big stickler for matching pajamas- in fact, it seems like anytime I expect items to go together the kids pull out their opinion cards and tell me they want something different. oy. I give up, wear what you wish little ones. 

Training Underpants: Using a free 2t pattern and tutorial

Training undies are so cute! 

I went searching for a simple and free training underwear pattern for Archer to wear so when we leave the house on short trips he can practice his big boy skills of telling me when he has to potty. I liked this pair especially (originally posted by Lemonwood Clock) because it used burp rags as a center piece to absorb better if an accident were to happen. I had just been gifted a bunch of burp rags and even though they work great for well, burp rags- I grabbed two big ones that had small stains to use for this. I think I'll still have plenty left for the new baby, there were quite a few. Another bonus? Along The Mom Road was nice enough to add to the tutorial by creating a printable 2t underwear pattern. 

Just the size I needed.

Pajama Pants in Brown and Red

More pajama pants? 

Yes.

Although I truly enjoy the creative process of sewing, my main concern is that my kids get what they need because I rarely (and I mean VERY rarely) go purchase items that my children need. I don't do a lot of "shopping around" when they are lacking the essential clothing items, instead I dig into my stash and make the items. Which is probably why I spent my daily sewing time, aka naptime, sewing a doggie diaper yesterday. It was the LAST thing I wanted to be sewing, but it was the first thing our family needed right now. So I done did it.  

Pajama Pants & Thrift Shop Finds

I was absent last week from the blog so the projects I was working on have accrued in a nice little "to-do list" for blog-writing that I keep on my kitchen table. I totally get that consistent posting is good, but enjoying each and every day is a huge priority for me. So, when we have sunshine, I push my computer aside and take my kids to the zoo or the library or somewhere we can get OUT and move. It tends to mess with my blog posts, but my children (and I) are so much happier! I'm sure anyone else living in a climate where winters are cold and icky can understand. 

Plus it leaves this week with lots of new posts, which is pretty fun.

KCW Day 3 & Upcycle Challenge

Day 3 - A success! 

After mulling over a bazillion ideas that I wasn't feeling, I chose to make Archer a tshirt I originally saw on Pinterest that was similar to this but dip dyed in blues.  

Archer's Upcycled Long Sleeve Tee

Remember when I said I had some upcycles in mind? I didn't realize how quickly it would be, but here we are! I realized recently that Archer is outgrowing his 18 month shirts. He is especially in need of warm long sleeves. I'm super happy that my good friends know my love of sewing and frequently drop off piles of old clothing at my house. Not too long ago, a male friend of mine gifted me a pile of extremely nice mens shirts that had been shrunk in the wash. I have since used them to make quite a few items, but there were still a few left. 

Archer's Full Fall/Winter Outfit

Last week I was able to show you guys two pieces that when put together, create an entire outfit for my son Archer. I was able to snap a few photos of him wearing the clothing this last weekend. Granted, he's faster than flash and pretty ornery, so it's the best I could manage. Talk about blurry photos. Yikes. 

Summer KCW :: Day 3

So I think I was off with yesterday's post... July 15-21 is the challenge. SO, Day 1 would have technically been my cutting, yesterday would have actually been Day 2, and this is Day 3. I thought I was getting a jump start with cutting but apparently not haha. Oh, the mom brain... it never really "ends" when you have the baby now does it? Or at least that's what I keep telling myself!