Itsy bitsy cupcakes...and a skirt

Addy and I spent several hours last night working on cupcake bites.  I don't even remember how I stumbled on that blog, but I'm a huge sucker for anything miniaturized.  Food is no exception-though I really should try to limit my crafting to things that aren't consumed.  It sure would help keep me in check a bit more. :)

So, despite my growing list of unfinished projects, we decided to give these a try.  I'm pretty proud of the fact that A.) a few of my cupcake bites actually do look like tiny cupcakes, and B.) my almost-three-year-old and I both survived another joint baking effort without any emotional scarring.  Well, that we know of yet.  It was a lot of fun though, and Addy was a pretty fun baking companion.

Here are our "itsy bitsy" masterpieces (which sounds WAY cuter when spoken by a 2 year old!):

The directions are in the link above, so I won't include those here.  I will say, I got far more than 50 cupcake bites from 1 batch.  I think the mold that I used for the cupcake bottoms was smaller than the mold used in the link, but I just used what was available at Michael's.  I was able to use up all of the almond bark that I had laying around (yippee! less to move!).  But I ran out of the dark chocolate melts for the cupcake bottoms, so several of the cake balls were just rolled in colored almond bark.

The best part-not only are they adorable, but they are yummy too!  Luckily, I have several opportunities to share these with friends in the next few days. :)

Now on to that skirt...

I found this fabric at a local shop, and knew it would make a cute garment.  And as much as the bubble skirt fad has passed, that was still the project that I couldn't get off of my mind.  I'm not head-over-heels in love with the finished product, but it's cute enough.  And I did already get 1 compliment in it!

I used my body measurements to determine the size of the pieces to cut.  The waist was cut at 1.5x my measurement and gathered at the waistband.  The bottom of the skirt flared out to about 2x the diameter that I wanted, so that it would gather nicely.  I used a band of fabric at the bottom of the skirt to create the bubble effect, rather than lining the skirt.

This picture reminds me that Matt could really use some photog classes!  Maybe for Christmas. ;)

Spring top #2!

I got the idea for this top while I was sewing a pillowcase dress for Addy last week.  The fabric is from the apparel section at JoAnn Fabrics, purchased this spring.

I started with a simple rectangular shape.  Based on my measurements I took in the top some, curved the neckline a bit, and curved the openings for my arms.

Once I had the basic shape sewn, I tried the top on and marked where I wanted the shirring to begin.  I shirred a 3" band and trimmed the bottom of the shirt 2" from the shirring.  The rolled hem didn't look quite right to me, so I trimmed the bottom of the top to 1" from the shirring.  This time, after the rolled hem there was only a 1/2" below the shirring.  Perfect!

The last alteration that I made was to take in the sides of the top until I had a flattering fit.  I also changed out my original cream tie at the neckline for the floral tie shown in the pictures.  I'm so glad I did that!

I think this top will make a great pairing with my denim pencil skirt, which is probably the single most versatile piece in my spring/summer wardrobe. :)  Now I just need an occasion to wear it!

 

More girlie clothes!!

I have to admit, there's something so nice about the instant gratification of sewing clothing-especially for children!  I still love the entire process of creating a quilt, but I'm also very much enveloped in the world of sewing garments.

Here are a few more things that I've sewn up for Addy.  All of the clothes for Addy were made in a size 3T.  But don't ask me if she's big for her age, because I have no clue.  She's healthy, so she doesn't go to the dr often.  I don't own a scale, and getting an almost-three-year-old to stay still long enough to measure their height is impossible.  She'll be 3 at the end of June....so use your imagination. :)

 

Pattern here.

Pattern here.  This top turned out to be really big, so I think I'll stick it in the closet for next year.  It's always fun to find a fresh, handmade garment when I'm switching out the closets for a new season!

 

Pattern here.  I actually made this apron top last year, but it was big on Addy, so I put it away for this year.  It was a pleasant surprise when I found it in the closet this week! (Note: this may be a 2T?  I can't remember what size I made!)

I have 3 more dresses cut and ready to sew.  Maybe those will be on next week's to do list. ;)

Spring Top Week - Top #1!

I'm really excited for this event!  (Go here to learn more.)

The first top that I created was from the Spring Fling Make It Perfect pattern, size XS.  I typically wear a small/x-small, or pants 2-4.  This top fit really well without any major alterations.

The fabric is from Amy Butler's Midwest Modern line in the Ohio Star colorway.

The one adjustment that I made was to take in the bottom side seams a bit to create a smoother look.  I also left the sash off.  All in all, I'm really happy with this top and I think it will become a staple in my summer wardrobe!

I have a few ideas for drafting my own patterns.  The fabric is patiently waiting for me, but first I need to make a few muslin mock ups.  I hope to have them finished in time to enter!

Last week's "to do" list

I love to make lists.  At the beginning of the week, I usually make a mental or written "to do" list of things that I hope to finish by the end of the week.  Here's my list from last week:

Cut the red and white fabric for the Peek A Boo redwork quilt that I just finished embroidering

Finish piecing the strips for my sister's bed quilt (pattern here)

Finish 2 tops for Addy!  The second is actually a dress, but who's counting? ;)

(First pattern, no link for second pattern)

 

Yay!!  I'm well on my way to finishing up all of the clothes that I have cut and ready to sew for Ad's summer wardrobe!  More to come... ;)

Sewing for littles

I have a pile of patterns and fabric just waiting to be made into summer clothes for Addy.  Plus a top for myself.

But I also have a stack of UFOs that I need to get to, and lots of "little" projects jumping onto my to do list.  Or more accurately, jump straight into my hands late at night when I'm not thinking straight and decide I must start-and finish-said project right then and there.  Sigh.  I think I'm my worst enemy.

I've been trying really hard to finish the already started projects before I have some fun with the little girl clothes. And it's been going pretty well.  These are the two projects that I have finished for Addy so far:

PJ Pants!!  Matt and I are headed to Springfield, MO on monday to check out the area.  Addy is staying with Matt's parents, and as much as she loves her grandma and Jidu, I think she will miss us.  Our house has been pretty chaotic lately, with Matt constantly traveling and me, well, just trying to hold it all together!  So I'm going to sneak these pants into her overnight bag.  She saw me sewing them, but we ran out of elastic before they were done.  They are made from a super cute knit that I found on clearance at JoAnn's.  Apparently it was a much coveted fabric at some point.  Because yes, there really is such a thing as a much coveted fabric.

And as often happens, I decided that 1 pair just wasn't enough.  These pants are incredibly easy to make, so we picked out some fabric to make a pair for 2 of her friends.  I'm in love with the striped ones.  The boy pair  turned out cute, although I wish I had better boy fabric on hand!  Oh well, they are just pjs!

And the other project was a spring jacket for Addy.  I ordered this fabric through a co-op, and just happened to get it in the mail a few weeks ago.  I don't order from them too often, so it's usually a fun surprise when my stuff comes in.  This is Amy Butler home dec fabric from the Nigella line.  I had ordered 2 yards of 2 different prints, with no purpose in mind.  But the second I saw this fabric in person, I knew that it had to be made into a coat.  It is the most perfect shade of khaki.  And the teal is a really unexpected pop of color alongside the conservative khaki.  The lining is kona cotton.

The pattern is from Make It Perfect, here.  Despite my efforts to bribe Addy with marshmallows, I didn't get any great photos.  But trust me, the jacket is adorable!

I really liked this pattern, it went together easily and looks great.  This was a bit of a trial run, because I also have this pattern for myself.  When I get the time, I'm going to sew it up using the Amy Butler fabric from last year.  I would link to it, but I can't seem to figure out if it's from the Midwest Modern or Midwest Modern 2 line!

Here are a few more pics of Ad, just doing her thing.  Lately it involves a lot of "ribbit" hopping like a frog. :)

 

And one more thing, because it's so stinkin' cute.  Today at Target the cashier told Addy that she was cute.  Addy responded with, "My mommy made my coat!"  Awwwww.  :o)  She *is* cute!

Living room....family room....that room with the tv in it!

This room is as close to finished as it will get.  The large, plain wall with the single black shelf on it was to be a wall of photos.  My 1st college roomie has taken family photos for us for 3 years now, and I ordered prints of her great work for the wall.  But in an attempt to de-personalize the house as we put it on the market, we didn't put the photos up.  We did still put the photos over the fireplace, because it was too bare up there!

The front door:

The cute little phone cubbyhole.  This is the view looking into the living room (the laundry chute is the door below the cubbyhole).

In this room, we painted the walls, trim, and fireplace.  My mom and I made the curtains.  I made this fun pillow for the couch:

The pattern is from One Yard Wonders.

I also started a quilt for the couch, but my quilting machine threw a fit in the middle of quilting it up.  So it's sitting on the frame, waiting...

The last thing that we did was sand, paint, paint, and distress the tv stand.  It is from IKEA.  What I love about it, is that it's a corner stand but it also works on a wall.  What I hate is that it's soft wood.  The distressed treatment may have been the perfect solution, however, because it seems to be doing well!

A few close-ups:

 

And lastly, something every room should have: a basket of quilts. :)

The rest of the house is pretty much as we bought it.  The bedrooms are very boring.  I don't think they've been painted any color other than off-white EVER!  But I don't think we'll spend the time on them.