We Are All in the Wedding

And how fun is that?

My husband's baby sister (who is now a fully mature 27) is getting married in a little more than a month (eek!) and our whole little family is in the wedding!

Hubs gets to look debonair in a tux and my sister-in-law has picked very stylish bridesmaid dresses, so I'm all set there (aside from the multitude of alterations I have to make as a result of badly timed weight loss—but that's another story). But she's left it up to each family to decide what to dress the kids in, with the only caveat being that they wear solid colors.

You see my opportunity, don't you?

Here's what I've got planned. For the girls, the new Oliver + S Family Reunion Dress:

Cute, huh? (I should have it in the shop in early April, fyi.) I'm thinking in a springtime blue, similar to the top image.

And for the boy, the Sketchbook Shirt from Oliver + S:

And the completely awesome Dapper Dillingers from Patterns by Figgys:

{The one in red is my little guy, by the way.}

Jill, if you're reading this, what do you think? Sound good?


And everyone else—happy sewing!

Feeling Inspired!

Alright. So I was on a plane a couple days ago (unfortunately for unhappy reasons, not the sunny Spring break type of reasons most people board planes this time of year) and the most awesome vest walked past me as I sat with a squirmy and generally frustrated one year old on my lap.

If I had thought just a little faster I would have stopped the woman wearing the vest to ask where it had come from. But alas.

So, next best thing—I'll just make one. From memory.

Probably it would have been easier to just write out a pattern myself, but as you all know, I do love other people's patterns, so, to me at least, it made perfect sense to browse nearly every known resource for vest patterns in search of something similar to the one from the plane.

And while I can't say I found it (it looks like I'll end up writing my own pattern anyway), I had so much fun and found so many awesome vest patterns, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites.

From Rowan's Savannah Collection

Abalone from Hedgehog Fibres

Railroad Vest by Madelinetosh

Rhubarb and Custard by Army of Knitters

From Rowan Studio 20

Wow, they really run the gamut, don't they? Oh well, they all look perfect for spring weather, don't you think?

And, even though I am not even remotely as racy as the model for the Rhubarb and Custard vest, I have decided it's just too cool not to knit (despite the fact that it looks nothing at all like the vest from the plane) and I've already ordered that pattern—and a number of other Army of Knitters patterns—for the shop. So all that browsing was productive!

Happy {Spring} knitting!

A Big, Hearty Thank You!

Over the weekend we were able to raise $125 for relief funds for Japan! Much of which came from the sweet and wonderful Nicole of Follow the White Bunny, who brought a really darling pattern out of retirement for two short days and donated all of the proceeds to our fundraiser.

Cherry Blossom Doe

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed!

Messy Kid Bib...Sorta

How many of you have messy eaters at your house? Right. And how many of you actually use bibs? Right. I was one of those mamas who felt like bibs didn't really work. You know, they only protect that little bit of shirt underneath the bib, and sometimes baby even manages to get food there too. So I would either strip the babe down and let her/him eat in a diaper or just sigh and throw their clothes into the hamper (like six times a day).

Ok, well now I have three kids, so that doesn't really work anymore (if it ever did!). Enter the solution: the Messy Kid Bib from Little things to Sew. Large enough to cover the whole front of the baby! Now we're talking! I liked it right away.

However, I couldn't resist making a few changes to the pattern based on past experience, and lack of a few components.

First off I didn't have any velcro handy, which I wouldn't have used anyway. I can understand why parents like velcro on bibs (easy on) but in this house it also proves to be a minor problem (easy off!). The bibs with velcro tabs never stay on for long (we're talking seconds here). So I knew I wanted to go old school and used small snap on the first bib. When that also proved no match for a determined baby, I switched to buttons, which work like a charm.

And then there was the pocket. I know that they are supposed to collect stray bits of food, but at this stage in her life, Norah isn't about to be so limited. She's a thrower, so food ends up everywhere, rendering that cute little pocket useless. (A dog, on the other hand, would be a great asset around here.)

Ok then.

Next up: iron-on vinyl. Way cool. And although I'll probably use it for some other project, I decided against it here. Basically I figured it would be easier to just throw the bibs into the wash with the kitchen towels. I can completely see the argument against this plan, however, so feel free to pipe up and change my mind.

And finally, the super adorable binding. That I definitely would have done, but I was too impatient to make my own and didn't have anything cute on hand. So there you go.

She's still a messy kid, but at least her clothes are kept clean just that little bit longer.

Happy sewing!

Oh, Where to Begin?

That was my exact thought as I paged through the new Oliver + S book, Little Things to Sew. Here, take a look and you'll see why:

Backpacks

Teddy Bear Carrier

Messy Kid Bib

Bucket Hats

Bear Hats

Bento Tote

Art Smock

Tutu

See? So many adorable things to choose from!

Ultimately I decided to start with the Messy Kid Bib, for three reasons:
1) Norah has started to insist on feeding herself, thus resulting in a very messy kid several times a day
2) I had everything I needed on hand, besides the iron-on vinyl and velcro (which didn't matter, since I couldn't resist making a few changes regarding just those two things anyway)
3) Sometimes I just love an easy-peasy project

I'll share my version of the Messy Kid Bib tomorrow {I had planned to feature new patterns all week, but the site is misbehaving; bah.}, complete with a messy kid to model just how effective this garment is!

Happy sewing!

For Book Lovers Everywhere

Books are a major part of our lives over here. Major. The librarians at our neighborhood library know me—and all of my kids—by name. We often have more than 100 books checked out at any given time (no joke!). {And I've been known to put books on hold using my husband's card when mine reaches the quite generous limit.} A bit of an obsession, true. But it's all good, right? Nothing wrong with a healthy love of books!

So, you can imagine how delighted I was by this super sweet new pattern set by SeptemberHouse:

Book Smart Pattern Set

Book Smart Pattern Set

Book Smart Pattern Set

Book Smart Pattern Set

So darling! Did you see the rug under the girl's feet in that top image? I know!

Ok, so put down that novel and pick up your needle. At least long enough to stitch up one of these cuties.

Happy stitching (or reading)!

Sending Love and Strength

Ugh, I just can't stop thinking about the tragedy in Japan. My heart just breaks for them. I know a lot of people feel the same way, and we are all looking for a way to send some kind of support, even if it's just water, blankets, and lots and lots of love.

So, in an attempt to help (even just a little), all weekend I'll be donating 25% of every sale to relief efforts in Japan through Mercy Corps.

Mercy Corps is a local organization with a great track record. They are working with Peace Winds in Japan to make sure that tsunami survivors have food, water, and shelter.

I have also set up a fundraising page on the Mercy Corps web site, so go here if you would prefer to donate directly.

Please spread the word. And hug your loved ones for me.

Some Last-Minute Sweaters

Playful Stripes by Never Not Knitting

Nana sent us some last minute sweaters this week, which I think is very, very sweet. Let me just say that my mom can knit like no one else (except for maybe my grandmother): fast and perfect.

This one is so super cute that I really, really hope it fits next year too. Otherwise the seven-year-old will wear it for a couple months (at best) and then we won't see it again for 5 more years. It's nice and long, so I just might get my wish.

The pattern only goes up to size 5 (I think) but Alana (the designer) recommended simply adding length, and it worked beautifully.

Happy knitting!

Feeling Inspired!

Well, it turns out that I was a tad early in declaring a full recovery for the young pirate. Not only has the poor guy been battling some yucky, drawn out cold-like flu thing for the past week, but he was kind enough to share it with the baby. So there you go.

Oh well.

Let's talk about inspiration instead of runny noses and gunky coughs! I have finally made lots and lots of progress on the craft room (thank you Ikea!) and I've been oh so happy to retreat there when all the little patients are resting. Spring is on its way and I've been thinking about dresses and such for the girls. Oliver + S has some new patterns coming out sooooon, but even I can't get my hands on them until April, so I thought I'd start with some of the old patterns while I wait. Just for fun I browsed around to see what other crafters were doing with their Oliver + S patterns, and oh my goodness, there is some cute stuff out there! Just check these very inspired outfits out:

Oliver + S :: 2 + 2 Blouse by audrey antoinette

{In Liberty of London fabric, no less.}

Oliver + S :: Bubble Dress by Jessica Domestica

Oliver + S :: Ice Cream top by Collins Creates

Oliver + S :: Sailboat Top by mkpelti

Oliver + S :: Jumprope Dress by Crafthours

It's funny how seeing these adorable versions by these talented crafters puts the patterns in a whole new light for me. Especially the tops - I just didn't see the cuteness potential before.

Looks like I'll be busting up that now-well-organized fabric stash! And you know what that means, of course. Mmm, fabric shopping is in my future!

Happy sewing!

In Need of Labels

Ok. So, raise your hand if you are so organized that you put size labels in your handmade clothing. Gah! I'm so impressed! And, I would very much like to join your very-organized-handmade-clothing club!

Plus, I just think it's cute when mamas (or papas, no need to bow to stereotypes) put mama-labels (or papa-labels) in their kids' clothes. Like Dana from Made:

From Dana's flat front pants tutorial on Made

Another label from flat front pants

In that spirit, I tracked down a tutorial on Sew Mama Sew for making hand stamped clothing labels written by Wynona of Ivy Designs, and it really couldn't be easier. Check it out here.

Hand stamped label in what is clearly an awesome article of clothing

However, if you are overly busy (as many of us are these days, no?) or just don't want to make your own labels, you can also buy them pre-made. Etsy is brimming with creative folks happy to make some for you.

Cute little size tags by The CraftE Girl

Hand knit by... label from Mountainstreetarts

Happy crafting!

Sewing by Picture

A bit like painting by numbers, I've been sewing by pictures. Ages and ages ago I ordered some super cute patterns from France and they've been sitting wistfully on my sewing table, not being sewn, since they arrived.

But a little break in the hectic routine gave me a chance to try one out. And it was a lovely little success!

Rose by Citronille

Super cute Moda fabric

This pattern is really simple, so if you have any sewing experience at all, it would all be fairly intuitive. I thought I might have to translate the instructions, but I didn't have to at all, which was nice. 

I really like how the top turned out, so I'll probably make a bunch more, although I'll likely modify them a bit. The pattern has the back of the shirt almost entirely open, with only two buttons at the top, but I added buttons all down the back. Next time, though, I'll probably just have buttons on the yoke and make the back panel one piece, rather than two.

I might also try one with short sleeves. Summer will come one day, after all!

My little model

Happy sewing!

Feeling Inspired!

Hmm, sorry for that absence (right on the heels of proclaiming an end to the blogging hiatus even!) but our house, and in particular, our boy, was hit with the flu. So everything was off kilter for a few days.

But with the little buccaneer back to his hearty self, life is returning to normal once again (of course, that's a relative term, but let's not get into that now.)

While my little pirate was feeling a bit green about the gills I was able to—finally—make an attempt at learning to crochet. And let's just say it was a little wonky at first. Perhaps starting with the thinnest thread and itsy-bitsiest hook wasn't the wisest way to begin, but what can I say, it's what spoke to me.

In any case, with microscopic hook in hand I turned to Martha first, in particular this post and this post. Both of which were very helpful. As you may recall, it was this project that I planned to start with (also from Martha):

Crochet bookmark

Which, I'm happy to say, is coming along nicely (given uninterrupted craft time or a life with fewer distractions than mine, this project could be completed in about hour—even with the learning curve).

So, in true craft-a-holic fashion, I've started looking for my next crochet project before actually finishing my first. Ah well. Here are a few things that caught my eye.

Wren Handmade Bracelets :: Tutorial on the Purl Bee

Sunshine Day Baby Blanket :: Pattern available on Rosy Little Things

Crochet Necklaces for sale on Wren Handmade

 Milleflori crocheted scarves by Sophie Digard

Flower Crochet :: Tutorial on The Yvestown Blog

In my book, with inspiration like this, looking for the next project is nearly as fun as actually working on it!

Happy crocheting!

Celebrate the Boy!

Guess what boy fans? I'm hosting a little giveaway on the super fabulous blog, Made, in celebration of Dana and Rae's (at the also awesome, Made by Rae) annual month of all-things-boy. Hooray!

Be sure to stop over there this afternoon to enter the giveaway. And for those of you who don't have boys in their lives to craft for, there's still something for you on Made today. All weekend everything in the Magpie Patterns shop will be 15% off (boy-related or not), and the secret code for the discount is in Dana's post.

Hooray for the boys!

Happy crafting!