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. 

Sweater Upcycle: When poor results help you grow.

Good morning (barely) ... 

it's pushing noon here and I'll be heading in to make the kids lunch soon. 

yum yum enchilada's. 

Conscious Living: Wrap Up

Hi guys, I am happy, but also sad to say that this is the wrap up for the Conscious Living Series. 

I had a couple of amazing guest posters and truly enjoyed sharing my journey to a more sustainable, conscious lifestyle with you all. Please visit both Autumn & Jenni's blogs to view some of their posts and thank you so much for joining me here to discuss conscious living. 

KCW Day 3, 4, & 5 : The Jude Jacket in Wool

So here's what's been going on at my place:

Fall Jumper in Polka Dots

Hi! 

I'm popping in for a quick project created this last week for my daughters fall wardrobe. 

I'm so happy to say that this project cost me all of 

$1.29. 

Instagram update (family vacation)

A late night of flying was just what we didnt need. 

Project Run& Play Wk. 3: Mad For Plaid

Hey guys! 

I'm going to make this a quick one as I'm on vacation and enjoying all of the California goodness while catching up on PR&P news. 

Conscious Living Guest Post by Just Stuff

Conscious Living Wk. 1

Today I'm switching things up, I'm branching out, I'm letting you guys into my lives a bit more with a series I've been putting together in my brain called Conscious Living. 

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I had thoughts to call it lots of things, but in the end I wanted it to be clear that I am no expert in conservation, recycling, etc. The goal of this series is to share my families journey to living a life that reflects what we believe to be important for our Earth and future.

The Story:

A few years ago my husband and I started paying a lot more attention to the environment and how we were affecting it. 

1. This is partly because my daughter began LOVING Earth Day& in that week we learned about Earth Day in Homeschool. If you have the chance to read the book "You Are The Earth" by David Suzuki DO IT. 

David Suzuki Foundation/Book Link

 For Earth Day, Lily insisted decorations were needed.

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.

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! 

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. 

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. 

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

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 :) ...

Grandma's St. Patrick's Day Birthday Album :: Projects Of Recent

*New & IMPROVED Valentines Day Dress (take 2)

HOOOORAY! I was able to finish Lily's Valentines Day dress (as I have mentioned:: this is #2 due to the original dress being too snug in the arms:: poor girl didn't have any room to move) ... I'm really glad this one was a success and we were able to put it on her for the big day, despite setbacks such as an accident while trying it on the night before vday which = mom doing laundry till 10pm :/

Valentines Day Dress made from a Mens Button Up

I keep these pouffy skirts in almost every basic color
because she loves big dresses and I can instantly make
any ::regular:: dress super big and pretty. 

Valentines Day Dress

After successfully making my first mens dress shirt ----> toddler dress I thought I was set to make another one. Wow, these things are fun but the pattern you use makes ALL THE DIFFERENCE. Let me go into detail :

1. Do NOT use a knit dress as your pattern dress. The men's button up doesn't stretch (i'm smacking my head with this one, its a huge DUH moment)

2. Make sure you add seam allowance, especially to the armpits

3. If all else fails, have scraps and your thinking cap handy because you might just need to get crafty. 

So here's my second go at this project.   :)

Finished Dress; It has a lot more flair to the skit but
was hanging quite flat.

At the end I added the heart to the breast so it would be super lovey for Valentines Day.