Happy Festivus to the rest of us.

Good morning! It's so close to Christmas & I'm really excited to hand so many of my family members a little something I've handmade them. No I didn't pair it with lots of store bought goodies... why? Simply put, because more isn't better. I love Christmas for so many reason: the snow, the family, the thoughtful gifts, the unnecessary acts of kindness, the feeling of a global community. I also have many things I really dislike: my house gets trashed and crowded from all the gifts, my daughter can have streaks of "needing" everything or being sad that wishes don't get delivered to your lap, i DO NOT like to shovel. 

So this Christmas I am focusing on the things I love, and trying to save some stress for myself and others too. Less present, more meaning, more time spent DOING and less time spent GETTING. 

With that said, here are some of my handmade Christmas items. 

<3

my niece syd loves octopuses. and orange. 

What I've been doing...

Hello all, it's been quiet around my house these last few days. We had my dad and sister in town visiting for Thanksgiving, so lots of hustle and bustle... even for this quick moving family. 

Since my dad was occupying my craft room/spare bedroom there wasn't much going on in terms of sewing. 

Baby Boy/Littlest monster chose Thanksgiving to debut his new crawl. I was so excited. He went down for nap a boy who rocked back and forth and woke up a crawler. So, one day after his 8 month milestone he crawled. That'a boy. 

little man khaki pants

I don't know why, but I am so terribly obsessed with dressing my 7month old boy as a man. My heart nearly bursts when I find a tiny clip on tie or long sleeve button down. Those things are hard to find especially when you aren't willing to pay a LOT for them. Instead, I really do try to create the pieces that I can't purchase. Which is tricky since my last sewing class was in junior year of high school :/ . So I pin inspiration and have been trying to find patterns that follow along with the styles I like. (you can follow my little BOY fashion board on pinterest)

The newest pattern purchased (that I've finished, I've got another on the way!) is called "the unisex pants with adjustable waist," &I bought on etsy from The Lily Bird Studio. 

Halloween nearly lost...

WOW!

I can't believe that Halloween is nearly over. I feel like this year was an epic fail of a Halloween. 

1. It's Archer's first, and I didn't make him an outfit. 

2. We haven't carved our pumpkins yet

3. much less decorated the house. :/ 

4. Lily's costume is also a :from the store: costume, though I tend not to fret over that as much because she PICKED what she wanted and kept switching what she wanted. 

We've basically been wearing any costume she owns for a week now. 

in the end, dad & i had the flu and basically slept through the whole weekend. Past the bars full of entertaining outfits& past my Wiz Khalifa concert (grrr) ... 

but shoot. I haven't missed beggars night with the kids. 

& I really don't care to go to the bars too often. 

KCWC Day 3 :: Better Late Than Never

I wish there were more quotes like this to 

justify my lack of posting. 

haha

Well on to it. 

Today I whipped up a few pairs of pants for my littlest monster. He just hit 6 months and has officially moved out of most of the clothes I have for him. 

I get tempted to run out and grab him a few essentials & then I come back to my conclusion that the essentials are the EASIEST thing to make for him. 

Why NOT just make it? 

so i did. 

Making the Most of a Pattern::

Hey guys! I surely didn't fall off the face of the earth, though that would be a much more interesting introduction wouldn't it? Instead, I've had shotty internet during the construction my husband is doing on our yard. I'm completely guilty of allowing my biggest monster to watch a cartoon while I do a blog entry. 

Sometimes it's just what I need to feel 

like I still have a little "me" time

throughout the day. 

Anyways, so I've been gone but I have also been busy using this time to sew. 

<3

I've been using a pattern like crazy lately, Heidi & Finn's Sweatshirt pattern. 

Boy is this thing handy! I believe it was 6.00usd & I've created SO much using it! The pieces work well for the hooded sweatshirt as well as coats& cardigans depending on the choice of fabric. 

Let me expand. 

For a cardigan I can use a nice thick knit fabric, exclude the lining& with a double needle it doesn't pucker at the seams at all. Also I added a bit of single sided bias tape to the neckline because I like how it lays& it won't be stretched over his head. 

Refitting Mens Tees

I'm constantly amazed at how easy you can resize, reuse,& repurpose clothing. I saw it today on Project Run& Play when Delia *from DeliaCreates took an old cardigan dress making it a smaller, much cuter cardigan for her little lady. 

&I've been hard at work, making my own man little mens shirts. 

I shouldn't even claim it as hard work, seeing as it only takes me about 20 minutes to whip one up. 

Family Photo Session!!

I could make list after list of things that I would LIKE to have. Actually lists are just my thing & i actually do have that list, but it only has three things on it, i swear. 

One of the things that just didn't make the cut, but is seriously going to someday....

a clickety thing that makes my Nikon take photos. 

You know, that thing. 

I'm not sure what it's called, but boy would family photo's look nicer with it! When we don't splurge on getting them done (we did for maternity/newborn photos early this year), I just throw down a random white sheet and snap away. 

it's fun& it's great practice. 

Flannel Friday ..

Flannel Friday 

Not because I'm really doing a theme or anything, but mostly because it happened to rhyme which makes everything infinitely more fun. 

I had previously warned mentioned that this was coming, posts posts posts of glorious fall outfits. I'm enjoying the design aspect& thoughtful process that goes into making clothing. 

Heidi&Finn Hooded Sweatshirt

Quite a while ago I purchased  Heidi&Finn's Urban Hoodie/sweatshirt pattern after viewing an awesome batman hoodie of it by Max California, & realizing it would be a great addition for a family of one boy& one girl ... which makes "buying in bulk" a laughable matter considering how different there styles are. 

With this pattern I was surprised to see that it could easily be interchanged for both boys& girls... yay for us frugal mommies! 

How to lengthen kids pants/jeans!

After me& the hubby decided that I would stay home with the kids we knew we would have to start being more .... money conscious. Not that we couldn't splurge on something like... well pants, but that's not the point. My daughters pants fit her amazing in the waist& terribly for the length. 

Am i the only one raising a little bean pole? 

course not. 

So here is how to get one more year out of those pants. 

Baby Einstein Toy Replacement

The Bandanna Bib **easy breezy

Good morning everyone! 

I know I have discussed my love for instagram in posts like insta-love, 
but if the photos I post on my blog just aren't enough to tide you over, follow me on instagram at lovexxmae !!

I obsessively take photos of my children, projects, outings, friends, food & drinks.



Introducing: 
The Bandanna Bib
worlds easiest project. be warned, the tutorial is short& almost unnecessary. 

The Circus Inspired Dress :: bandanna + knit fabric = dress!

July Card Kit from Simon Says Stamp

Hello, happy hump day from Iowa. 

As I may have mentioned before, I have a lot of events happening this month (ooh the wedding reception i'm attending in a week will yield the most amazing photos, i'll be sure to post!) ... &all of this has kept my crafting on high gear. 

This afternoon while my biggest little monster napped rolled around in her bed, I created a few cards! After an hour she tip toed out of her room stating she had "thought she heard someone saying her name... oh- no? well.. what are you doing??" &so i agreed to let her quietly craft with me while littlest monster slept. 

FLASHBACk to my CHilDhooD.

Oh how i loved sitting in the recliner next to my grandmother sewing. To be back in that time& to spend another day just talking to her, it makes me cry a little just to type this. 

It's GO time

YIKES! 

This time of year is so crazy for my family. The Iowa State Fair starts today & while it doesn't seem to be a game changer, it is when your hubby works at the fairgrounds. His work schedule gets insane during this time- working 7 days a week& for the last two days he's worked 13 hours + each day. Ick for him& lots to do for me. I'm trying to keep him fed, the kids& house in order, & we have events up the wazooo that I'll be attending for the rest of August. 

Well, that was my rant, er kind of. Point being, is that I have been creating quite a few cards for all these lovely occasions. Yesterday I received a new package from Simon Says Stamp. 

I purchased a few new paper packs, the SSS July Card Kit, Lawn Fawn Stamp Set, Brads, MFT Doily Pack... oh the happy dance i did when i got it. :) 

shirr thing! Pillowcase to Maxi Dress

Shirring : sh er 

verb

gather (an area of fabric or part of a garment) by means of drawn or elasticized threads in parallel rows. 

Shirring is a technique that I hadn't gotten the to try yet. &today when I was using an old set of flannel sheets to sew cloth baby wipes for Archer, I came across this pillowcase& thought decided to take a break from sewing square after square after square... etc. 

I wanted to use the pillowcase to make Lily a dress. I wasn't sure what style, and I haven't ever sewn her a maxi before.. but what the heck. I'm trying new things today right?

CCL "Take Me Away" Blog Hop with*Blog Candy

Hey all! Hope you are maneuvering through the blog hop with ease! 

For my :vacation themed: project I chose to create a mini album for a our first family vacation since the new baby has arrived. We'll be heading off to Colorado & California to visit family members in September. I wanted this album to be photo ready. 

I also chose not to bind the album until photos were put inside. It makes layering & any sewing much easier. 

Insta-Love

Good Afternoon! I'm here sharing a few instagram photos of recent- since it is highly addictive and gives me GREAT photos of my kiddos. <3 

If you haven't downloaded the app yet- beware. You may become an insta-photographer as I have! 

Memory Book- paper bag album

Memory Book 

1 WEEK OF ONSIES: Day 1

HI! So glad to be here showing you guys some AWESOME onesies I've been working on recently. I have been making SO many, that I've decided to call this week:

1 Week Of Onesies

First off is a super simple onsie I made for my Little Man:

New Baby Card

Hello all, I hope I'm catching you on a wonderful day! Here at my house we were up kind of early ... my day varies on when children wake up... today it was 630am, but other days I get a little more sleep& get up at 7:15am. I'm very lucky to have children who occasionally sleep in. <3 

Yesterday during my craft time aka naptime, I was messing with this banner that was leftover from a Fathers Day Frame made by my sister. She had been using the piece of scrap paper to test out mists, but it looked really cool. I decided to take it and make a new baby card... which is a type of card I rarely ever make. (not sure why... lack of stamps?) well, I had picked up two mini stamp sets at hobby lobby & thought I should show them some love. This one is a sentiment of congrats& had the little whale on it. Very simple but fun for baby. 

Fathers Day& Photo Frames

Hi everyone! What a gloomy quiet Saturday we are having here in Iowa. I'm updating with a few recent projects, first up is the Fathers Day t-shirt I helped the kids make dad this year. 

I love love love using freezer paper to make my own screenprints. If you haven't heard of this technique, you need to check it out. I also made Archer boy a onsie of pictures that Lily drew for him:: an idea I picked up from Delia Creates Blog. Lovely blog she has over there! 

You will need:

Freezer paper

an Xacto knife

Permanent Acrylic Paint 

Foam Brushes

Iron/Ironing Board

You are so thoughtful.. Card

MORNiNG!  

I'm here today with a simple but oh so sweet card that I made up earlier this week based off of a card I pinned that looked like this ... 

SUNSHINE = SUMMER card

Hello! I'm here today with a card that I made earlier this week during a card-a-palooza session. All that really means is that I had a few hours of free time & got down to business on some cards lol. 

CPS #269

Afternoon!! You know, when I'm at home with the kids running here and there & stopping to look at my blog... there are some days when NO ONE is posting. Out of the numerous blogs I follow, everyone will be silent for some few hours& of course I'm multitasking it up here at home going

"DANG! Where is everyone?!" 

So, I go up to my craft room during my next little break (usually nap time) & create. Then, I come back down, take a snapshot& upload so all of you yelling the same thing at your computer have something to look at. lol 

Today, I made a cute card for CPS... I've just loved their inspiration cards this time around & had to get going on my own!!

Just to Say Hello Card

Afternoon everyone! This has been such a slow posting week for me, partly because family is in town & also because I'm home with the children full time now! It takes a bit of getting use to and later I will have some updates on curriculum I've created for my 4yr. old while homeschooling. I've got about ... oh 4 weeks? worth of lesson plans to blog about including some great pictures and activities.. I think I will make a week out of those posts! 

BUUUT... back to the card. 

**Smashbook** UPDATE

Before we went to Vegas (woot woot // I'll smash that later!), I ordered a bunch of instagram pictures. I really looove how they turn out from postalpix. 

Polaroid WEEK!!!

Hello hello hello. 

Polaroid WEEK !!

Hi all! Hope that this week has been as good to you as it has to me <3. I am getting ready to take the kiddo's on a walk so we can enjoy this lovely weather we are having. On thursday evening, my husband and I will be taking our first trip since the baby was born. We have a wedding in Las Vegas to attend and will be there until Sunday. WOOHOO! Although, I am super nervous about missing my little ones, though I am also very much looking forward to a vacation. 

Polaroid WEEK!

I've created a few of these polaroid cards lately since I am just LOVING this Lawn Fawn stamp set that I got from Simon Says Stamp& therefore this week I am calling Polaroid Week :) ...

Graduation Card

I was checking our calendar today (the only way I can stay organized: writing things down!) ... only to realize that early next month my husbands cousin is graduating from high school. We are planning to attend the graduation party& I thought I should create her a card to be prepared. On their invitation it mentioned that the class color was purple; so I created a fun card using purple elements. 

FINISHED Mothers Day Album

WHEW. This project has been a true work in progress. Started at the end of last year, I feel like it made a big transition! 

8 Weeks!

Happy 8 Weeks to my baby boy Archer: 

6 Days

CPS Card Challenge Post

Hi! I'm back this week with another CPS weekly challenge card. This week's challenge is looking to be super fun and I had a good time creating my card while my daughter was running about making a card for a nice vendor who consistently gives her free food at our local farmers market. I love that by watching me she's learned to show appreciation with a homemade card, thats my girl! 

So, here's the sketch. I love that it's a longer card, even though I didn't use the style for my entry. I will probably end up going back and making another using this size. Who doesn't need a few pre-made cards to stick some money into for say... graduation etc? 

HB2U Card

In all my sewing excitement I realized that I hadn't done more than a few projects with my new stamps/paper/accessories from simon says stamp. 

SO, I took nap time today to work on a mother's day project that has been going since last october (i believe? ) ... i mean seriously running slow on it ! & I also made this card. I didn't have anyone particular in mind but I really enjoyed using a scrap piece of ribbon from lily's May Day Dress. 

I used paper from the kissing booth & hello luscious
stamp is from ali edwards [i believe??]

The May Day Dress

On May Day when Lily was napping I took to my sewing room and created a spring inspired dress that I'd been ruminating about all week. I had it all laid out [as you can see by the last post], and I was bound and determined to make this one better - well, with a LOT less mistakes,trial&error,etc- than the last dress. 

Whew, and boy was it a day. 

Sew much to catch up on!

I bet you thought I had bailed on KCWC huh? Well, not exactly. Last week was my last and final week home before Lily finished school and began homeschooling. Although I was able to sneak in sewing time, I wasn't as good about updating my blog. 

This is what I've been spending my hour -ish [sometimes more sometimes less] each day this week. Started on tuesday with cutting the pattern out and laying it all together with my notions. 

Lily's school jumper

Following KCWC // kiiiind of :)

I absolutely LOVE a good garage sale/thrift store find & I have a lot of family and friends who know me well and will pick up their random finds for me as well. This is super awesome since I rarely get to go and browse due to the kids. With that, you'll get some stray clothes that just aren't your STYLE, like this little 4t jumper. It's super because it has shorts under the skirt, but I really wasn't digging the idea of Lily unbuttoning it each time she needed to go to the bathroom. It screamed "asking for accidents." 

I decided to try and follow the KCWC *(kids clothing week challenge) where you sew for an hour each day ... or whatever you can manage. Just to GET THINGS DONE! 

What I decided to do was pull the top & suspenders off and just leave the cute little skirt. 

SIMON SAYS STAMP package has finally arrived!

I was so stoked to get my package from Simon Says Stamp today. I was so low on paper pads and they had some really awesome stamps that I had on my wish list...(&there are still plenty more!). I love that they give you the option to make a wish list. Otherwise I'd completely forget about some of the things I had seen previously and fallen in lust for. 

The lot of it including my go-to's : coffee/iphone/macbook/notebook&pen

Dear Archer, 

when you were born i grew a whole new heart... 

just so i could love you with all of it. 

Happy one month to my wonderful son. 

MORE baby announcements

I was so excited to get my cord, I'm back with more announcements <3

Again, I used pre-patterned cards& added some fun embellishments to them. Super simple and fun. 

I love the paper places stamp, though I can't remember who makes it. :/

baby announcements

Yay, I finally found the cord that links my camera to my computer. 

Photos are back up and running! 

Lately I have been making a lot of these birth announcements. It's showing its positive and negatives. They are a ton of fun, BUT they made me realize I have no number stamps?? HOw is this possiBle? 

I had to back-track and find a better way to make them, here's my first ones:

First it annoyed me to write the stats...

Bringing Home the Baby

Welcome Archer Lee