flowers, flowers, flowers...and a dress

So, I started making these fabric flowers on Saturday and just can't stop. I found the tutorial here, but have since made some changes such as the one below. I have no idea what to do with all these flowers but they will make nice little gifts as hair clips or pins. Maybe I'll sell them on etsy? Or at a craft fair in the fall? In any case, I cannot stop and wish I could make them all day long.

And I made myself this dress for an anniversary dinner (13 years!!) with Andrei. I followed Kwik Sew Pattern 3521, which I've used before, but had forgotten that I cannot install an invisible zipper on my machine since I need to buy a special invisible zipper foot for my Brother. Zippers get me every time. I just hate them and would love to have a home ec teacher living next door for these kinds of things. Darts are pretty much a pain in the neck as well. I do like the dress and will try it yet again! I'm excited that I'll be taking a sewing class this semester and am especially looking forward to next semester when Tailoring is offered. Lately, I'm completely inspired by this blog. Aren't her clothes lovely?

I have such problems working out spacing issues with blogger. I'm thinking of switching because it causes me so much grief.

a good week

It was a great week....
What's better than some boys sloshing around in a creek?

Today I was lucky enough to receive some really good mail.
The Sugar City team put together a beautiful quarterly. I am truly inspired by their projects and hope to start on some of them soon.

And an adorable doll dress from Susannah at art nest. What a beautiful little dress with incredible details like bias binding on the armholes and neck. Just lovely!

Thread

A friend brought over an enormous collection of vintage thread she found at an estate sale. They are all so beautiful that I cannot imagine actually sewing with them. I love the wooden spools. The kids had fun stacking them up while I was taking pictures of the thread (which they didn't find strange at all!).

I'm off to sew jester costumes with yards and yards of polyester knit; really gross stuff but entirely appropriate for these costumes (to be worn on stage for a couple of minutes or so). I *might* share them here.

A summer dress

My little girl hates wearing pants, so I've been forced (hee, hee) to make her a summer wardrobe of dresses. I love making clothes for children; they always fit and get tons of compliments. As a mother's day present to myself, I bought the latest issue of Sew Hip just for this popover dress pattern. It really was the easiest dress I've ever made and I'm oh-so-happy with how it turned out. I mean, it took me about an hour and I'm a pretty slow sewer. Oliver + S have done it again!
On the other hand, I generally don't enjoy making clothes for myself because, in my experience, they never fit and somehow always look really handmade (not in a good way!). Despite this, I decided (on the same mother's day splurge) to buy myself this dress pattern because it seemed easy enough and the perfect pullover summer dress. I've made it halfway through and so far, so good, but I'll let you know.

May Day

I know, I know...it's almost June and I'm just now posting pictures of the lovely little May Day celebration we had with our Waldorf homeschool group. It truly was a perfect May afternoon. I did make the little gingham apron dress Katya's wearing last year from this pattern. Need to make her another one as this one's getting short. I'm actually looking forward to summer (I don't usually) and I hope to post some more sewing projects I've been working on tomorrow (but that's not a promise!).

Seven

A few weeks ago, Jan celebrated his seventh birthday with three separate celebrations:

I cannot believe that I've enjoyed seven years with this little elf. I remember so clearly when I first saw my tiny baby boy. He had a sparkle in his eyes that I will always see in him. I am forever trying to keep up with him. Now, more than ever, I appreciate his morning snuggles where he manages to roll up his long body so it fits in my lap. We both need that morning ritual as his days take him on adventures with friends far away from me. I love remembering for just a few moments each day that he was once my littlest goose and a tiny part of him will always be needing a squeeze from his mama.

A pink balloon and Easter dress

I would love to have more time to spend improving my photography skills. Oh, how I just adore so many of the photographs I see on other people's blogs. I could easily imagine how the below picture could be a gorgeous shot. It will remain a goal of mine to take great pictures someday....


This linen dress above was made from the Flower Girl Dress from Weekend Sewing, which is by far the easiest dress I've ever sewn and enormously popular with my girl. I added a fabric flower from this tutorial. Ever so easy and fun to make.
Easter did not come and go without a new dress for Katya, but nothing for myself and I felt more than a tad sad when I realized that my son's dressy shirt was noticibly short in the sleeves. I vow to make them matching (but not overly matchy....I'm in love with these) outfits for mother's day (only a week away!) because, quite honestly, I cannot imagine a better present for me than seeing my little guy in a tie. I'm sure there will need to be a bribe of some sort to get him to wear it.
Anyway, the Easter dress below was from this Oliver and S pattern. As usual, it was a pleasure to make. I always learn so much from these patterns. They are so well thought out and engineered and I think they are well worth their hefty price.