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. 

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.

KCW Started off with a BANG

Hi all, it's the first  second day of KCW & because I was so excited I started cutting my patterns out Sunday. 

I cut out a pair of bubble shorts, a lovely infant peasant dress, a new tank for Lily, and I  am still on the hunt for a great fabric to make my son a basic blazer. In addition, I've been sewing the first "mom" outfit for a series that is going on in May on the Shaffer Sister's Blog.

Project Run and Play: It's all in the details

Hi! I had so much fun sewing along with project run and play the last session. I thought I would be all over this one, but sadly I haven't. 

I'm still sewing, but I haven't been able to work the projects on my table into the themes so I've been sitting them out and watching everyone else's amazing handywork. 

Truly lovely ladies, honestly I'm constantly blown away at the level of ability everyone manages! 

So this is what, week 3? 

I knew I'd be able to get this one to fit in with her spring wardrobe. I have been working out pattern details for this shirt. The last one I made had a gathered waist, which I also loved, but I wanted to leave it out and make it a bit more dress-like and billowy. 

I QUIT! & Other things ...

We are enjoying some amazing weather here in Iowa. 

Yesterday it was like 70! Ok I actually didn't check the temp (I usually don't) but it FELT that warm so I hurried and packed a yummy lunch for the kiddos and we were off the the zoo. 

Even though we've gone 3x in the last few weeks, it isn't getting old AT ALL. 

also...

Did I tell you guys I quit smoking? 

Did you even know I was a smoker?? (I hope NOT)

Happy First Birthday

Hello, I have been very busy this week. 

I was also computer free for a bit. It wasn't a challenge or anything. Ok, it was a challenge, but I didn't GIVE the challenge to myself. My son who slobbers on anything semi-interesting kept nabbing all of my electronics cords and finally shorted a few of them out. Of course they were my mac and iphone cords because that's just how life works when you aren't ready for it. Right? Right. 

I have been busy working on my daughters spring outfits. I finished drafting and creating the first sleeveless button up. Now I've moved on to the first pair of knickers. I plan on making a couple of each of them, since they definitely fit my style. 

Also, it was my son's first (FIRST!) birthday on Wednesday. Ugh, I was just falling apart the morning of. Crying, sad, and completely feeling like I had lost my baby. Today, I feel a little better. I still don't want him to grow up yet but I'm taking it slow and trying to spend extra time snuggling and playing with him. I also need to buckle down on his baby book.  I keep *making it a point* to do all of these things. 

Smashbook style Yearly Album

Lately I have been tackling those projects left for *another day* ... you know, the ones that you had great intentions to finish but never actually did. 

To start: My craft room has seen a lot of sewing lately, but almost NO papercrafting. It's really taken a backseat to my sewing, which is totally fun but the albums are looking bare and I promised myself I would realistically use them, thus justifying my purchase. Plus, I do enjoy looking back at them. 

I just don't need shelves and shelves of them. 

Plus, storing things is not something I enjoy doing. 

I could never be a hoarder, I purge whenever I feel like clutter is creeping in on me. 

So I got back on it this afternoon as the kids slept. 

Project Run (and) Play Challenge 4 Valentines Day

No luck for nice weather to shoot photo's in. 

Project Run and Play Challenge 3 Boys Week

I'm off and running with a boys outfit for week three. 

Look at this guy, isn't he a ham?

PR&P Challenge (number)2

I hope everyone is enjoying the sew along. 

I certainly had a difficult time piecing together this outfit. 

But look, I did it. & again, it was on time! 

Week 1: Project Run [and] Play : Pattern Remix

Happy Project Run& Play everyone! 

I am so excited to be on my game this season & ready to post about my remix on THE FIRST DAY rather than two weeks (*or never) after it's over. booo for procrastination& perfectionism. 

I promise I don't share them because I don't feel like they turned out great. 

Like last season, I was STOKED to do the white sheet challenge. I almost completed an outfit, a pair of comfy fully lined drawstring pants (dyed burnt orange) and jacket that buttoned up the front. First, my pants didn't have enough rise on the waist & were kind of the wedgie-type. Poor girl. Then the jacket dyed a dull brown rather than the fall leaf brown I was shooting for. & from there I completely lost motivation and never even took photos.

The pants sit in her drawer unused& jacket in the closet. slightly used. 

This season I vowed to be different. 

I went big. 

I went bold. 

I even went detailed. 

... and guess what? I really like what I made. 

Christmas Photos :: A Quick Look at a Simple Gift

Each year, me & the mom's club (as we like to call our little group of mothers) like to get together and have the girls photographed for their grandparents. Unfortunately, each Christmas, budgets also tend to get very tight for each of us. This year, for the FIRST TIME :), I was confident enough to give them a photograph of the girls that I took. We brought them together on a sunny day, laid down a white sheet facing one of the huge picture windows & snapped away. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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 

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