Project Run & Play Guest Post: Pinafore Dress + Tutorial

Morning... 

Since I've been busy busy busy here at home enjoying summer weather and homeschooling the kids I thought I would throw up this guest post I did last month for Project Run& Play. I was really excited when they asked me to blog for them& it's these little encouragements that keep me moving forward. 

Thanks PR&P!

For this project I chose to share one of the spring garments I created for my daughter. I was really inspired this season by dainty floral prints, vintage clothing patterns, and the color navy blue. 

I chose to share the pinafore dress. It's a fully lined, super simple& classic dress. It's so great for a growing child (the straps = longer wear).

Tshirt Upcycles &nonsense

It's finally summer!! I mean like, sustained warm weather not torrential downpour summer. 

There's so much awesomeness that comes with summer that I haven't sat down in front of my computer much. It seems so difficult to pull away from gardening with my husband or eating ice cream on the front steps with the kids... but I do miss being here and sharing all the fun. 

So I'll attempt to sit down more in the evenings instead of zoning on the latest show. 

I'm not a huge television fan anyways.

Grey & Bows for Summer (Dress)

Have I ever told you guys that my least favorite part of blogging is ...

writing a heading for my post? I can never decide whether to keep it serious so I can recognize it later (and so you can easily see what the post is about) or if I should lean towards funny or try and think of a good pun or a hint to entice the reader... Eh, whatever. I think I probably find that middle point, you know the awkward one. 

Moving past that, I was chatting with a lovely group of ladies about sewing yesterday because I was in a predicament.

 I have kind of run out of things to sew my kids right now. How horrific.

 I mean, I have projects that could get done, don't get me wrong. Curtains could be made for the master bedroom, probably could use a few new throw pillows for the front room, etc etc. Those things have to wait because we just finished vacation ($$$) and I'm not willing to go run out and buy more fabric to do them. 

Or to try and actually make a choice on WHAT fabric I want for them. 

You know, basic procrastination with a pinch of justification. 

So I finally came to the conclusion (with their help), that I should try another me project. 

I bought the worlds softest material almost a month ago along with this pattern:

McCall's 6359

The Ms.Pacman Dress for Sew Geeky

I was on vacation last week and couldn't help but sneak onto blogger to check in on everyone. 

&I'm so glad I did!!

Did you guys know that Max California & Sew Chibi are doing a new series called Sew Geeky?

You probably do, huh.

Well, I was so frustrated that I couldn't create anything RIGHT THEN. 

So, when I got home my hubs and I sat down and looked at all the awesome new patterns I had won during the Fabric Matching competition. He looked through my fabric and threw out ideas (really great ones too!) & together we came up with an awesome design using the Ivy Dress from Peekaboo Pattern Shop . <--- click to visit their shop 

I won a 5 pack of patterns & it is what Lily picked for herself. <3

She's completely thrilled with it. 

Planning to Plan for Vacation

Oh hey guys! 

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Mine was quite the busy one with my daughters 5th birthday party& plenty of gardening to be had. I really wasn't doing much sewing other than the last minute stuff I had to finish up for her birthday party. 

Who else drinks wine& sews a mad hatter shirt on Friday night? Is that normal?

Last week I was on a roll whipping out tons of vacation shirts for my son. I am trying SO so hard not to have to buy him clothing & it's working very well. I don't have as many family members buying for him (boys wear just isn't as cute and tempting maybe?). That way it leaves me lots of "need" to fulfill for his wardrobe.

Summer Shirts & Mothers Day Present

Whew! 

It's mid-May and we finally have warm weather that lasts. This is what I've been waiting for. I was outside with my husband staring at our newly seeded yard and suddenly, as if there was a moment of clarity or a subtle hallelujah in my mind, I looked up and noticed how blue the Iowa sky was... and how green the grass was ... and I saw the beautiful blossoming trees... and heard the birds (it's like living in an aviary here). I just looked at my husband and said "Isn't Iowa SO beautiful?" 

I get that feeling when I come home from a vacation where I've studied their states distinctive features, then I come home and take a look at my life from the eyes of a traveler and I have a new found appreciation for what I see. 

That moment of clarity that I wish I could embrace every day.

Sewing. 

Yesterday when the kids actually napped, I got in a bit of time to sew up another tee for the little guy. I've already instagrammed  them but they are too fun not to throw up on the blog:

Boys Tops& Tanks For Summer

Good Morning! 

I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day& used the weekend to spend time with their amazing kids (ALL kids are amazing).  I did! We used this weekend to plant a huge garden all around the yard filled with flowers fruits and vegetables. YUM! 

Plus my family picked out the most beautiful hydrangea tree for me as a Mother's Day gift. I am pretty darn excited to be picking big blooms off of it.