Too Lovely Designs

Better late than... you know

So it's a few weeks into the baseball season -  far past Opening Ceremonies but I promised.

I was even so daring (or foolish) to do a twirly full skirt.  This won't stop her from climbing fences, running the bases or rolling around in the dug-out. 

Note to self: put leggings or shorts under.

We have a team pizza party tomorrow after his game, she'll look cute.  If I actually remember to take my camera out of the bag and get some pictures I will share.  

p.s. I'm SO excited to sew for Spring!

   

Sofia

I had a few hours today...

I used it to sew! 

It's silly.  The moment I realize that I have time to sew for a while, ALL sorts of ideas flood my mind.  

This is when I get nothing done.  Thankfully I had this all cut out (even ruffled and shirred) so I finished up this dress: 

I snapped a quick picture and started cleaning up.

When I took Sofia (that's what I called her) off the dress form I thought it would be fun to slip it back on. 

This time - INSIDE OUT...

My next project will be something 'baseball'. 

More specifically, 'Yankee Baseball'.

Every year I've made Sydney a baseball outfit for Opening Ceremonies.  It's in less than 2 weeks so I better get a move on...

   

for itty bitty Ava -

 

If only they grew on trees...

Today I went to get my haircut.  It's a treat that I look forward to.  My hairdresser is awesome, I've know her all the way back to 7th grade. 

I was lucky enough to get her last appointment of the day before her LONG maternity leave. 

She is having her baby girl in 10 days (and has a 14-month old at home!!).  When my babies were new they lived in sleepers and onesies.  Therefore, when gift-giving I always think -  blanket.  Well, must be what everyone else thinks too.  I probably got 250 blankets when I had Sydney.  

So I decided this morning (I know... crazy last minute) that I would make her little AVA a dress.  I'm sure she will grow out of this in no time.  She won't be walking or even standing to prance around for attention... but I couldn't help myself. 

It has a shirred back, soft lace straps and will pop on easily.  I had no time to make the bloomers... and I had the cutest polka dot fabric to use to.  She could wear another pair of bloomers or with leggings or even with cuffed up jeans...  yum, little girls are so cute!

So this was my morning project for  Ms. Ava ...

A tiny wittle dress - size 3m   &   2 baby petal clips

(in hopes of a head of hair)

Who needs sleep?

It was a Monday morning.

(In 24 hours we would be going to DISNEYLAND)

 

 

So it's about 9am and I think... I might have some Disney fabric. 

Turns out, I did.  It was only 1/2 a yard so I thought I'd make her a basic top.  In between preparing food, checking emails, making beds and doing dishes - it got finished. 

 

Next up, an impromptu photo shoot (which you can see over here) especially since she tried the top on and looked all cutsie. 

I went about the afternoon and evening consumed with family, you know- dinner, showers and that jazz. 

I passed by the tiny bits of fabric remaining -  because Lord knows any reasonable crafter will never throw out a scrap...  'I could use it someday, ya know'. 

I fiddled with the bits and pieces and decided to embellish some jeans.  Only problem- no jeans and it's like 9pm. 

I hunted and found a pair that were growing short on her.  I would be adding a ruffle anyway.  I laid things out, got to work and crawled into bed about 3am.  

There are a few things I would do differently next time but she looked pretty well-together.  The pants ended up a bit longer than I'd like.  I just thought it would be imposing of me to measure her inseam at 1am.  (But hey, they'll fit her thru Summer now.)

She loved her Minnie outfit and loved to pose with her...

I always think - Oh, I'll just whip something up. 

The reality is, it takes me HOURS.  Maybe if I wasn't so indecisive or picky.  Maybe if I was able to believe 'nobody will notice' things unfinishing.  Oh well, that's just me.  And truthfully, the process is what I love most.  

She wore her little outfit from the moment she woke.

She was so excited and so happy and super cute.   

 

It was worth a semi-sleepless night.  

Thinking inside out

 

Sometimes I give myself a headache... 

When you are sewing something that you dream up you have to think WAY ahead of yourself -  

    If I sew this seam, where will I attach the next?  Will this be too tight, too loose?  How long/short will it be with that ruffle/hem?  ...  and so on

Then, if you're a weirdo like me you think even more -

    What will this look like and feel like from the inside?  Will it be clean, comfy, itchy?  

 So I made this skirt... it's insanely Full and Fantastic! 

I love the shimmer of the gold dots - it brings out the irridescent gold tones in the aqua silk.  So I decided, it will be a complete outfit and started on a top -

This has been DAYS in the making - recutting, laying it out, squinting my eyes to see what it would like all sewn together and cute. 

It's annoying to think from so many angles sometimes.  Why can't I just follow my original drawing/idea and finish it?  It'll be done someday, hopefully it will still fit when that 'someday' comes.

  *  *  *  *

As a side note - what is up with eBay? 

I'm reluctant to list anything, even resells.  The whole feedback process and boutique community has changed SO much.  More change is looming in February for the hand-made.  I feel awful for those designers who depend on this as their primary business.  

Let's hope change is good... I guess we'll see?  

Fair Lady

 Would your little one love a beautiful crown like this one?

 

It's a fun craft you can do together with things you probably have around the house.  Here is a what you will need: 

• 1 page from a newspaper
• Tape
• Ribbon
• Hot glue gun (or craft glue)
• Silk flowers
• Sequins, beads or glitter glue

Start with the single page from the newspaper - laid open.  Roll it tightly from an angle.  (You can roll it looser if you want it to be more thick)

Once it is rolled, measure around the head.  Remove, keeping ends together to meet where it will fit.  Secure with tape, wrap the loose ends around the roll and tape along the endings.  

Work the band a bit to soften it. 

 

Choose a thicker ribbon, cover the entire band.  Secure each turn with glue on the outside of the crown. 

Select smaller flowers, remove any plastic and glue the silk flowers to the outside.  

Really fill it in! 

Then go back and give them a second or third layer.  (Be sure to leave a small section in the back blank where you will add your bow.) 

 

We glued sequins to the center.  You could choose beads, glitter glue or whatever else on hand.

Tie a ribbon in a knot to the back and leave a long tail.  Then add another LONG ribbon and make it into a bow, again leave a long tail.  

Let all the glue dry before you try it on.  

Your done, wasn't that easy!

It's a fun project to do with the girls.  They will love to pick out the colors, flowers and add all the pretty stuff themselves.

      

a LOVELY pillow

   

I wanted to make something pretty - ready to ship & gift appropriate.  I decided on a a  darling pillow for the new CELEBRATE LOVE launch with StudioE. 

I had a form- but it was big, too big for a cute litte princess pillow.  So I ripped it open and used the stuffing to make my myself a new one.

 

Got the pillow ingredients all together...

now its's time to make it all pretty!

 

(getting a little done at a time)

 

 

(almost ready)   

~ time for hand stitching & photos ~

 

 

 

Finally... this morning... She's all done!

Just look at how cute she looks outside on my front porch -

   

and even from behind... all sparkling and shiney

 

Anyway I look at this sweet little gem - I can't help but fall totally   

clean slate

it shipped...

with goodies!! 

 

Please be gentle USPS - you have a piece of me.

{ enjoy }