Something New

I just finished these plaques/organizers today!

Perfect for a beach house, pool house, or mud room!

In my shop now!

Independence Day Dress

At the last minute, my little one decided that she "needed" a new dress for our Fourth of July parade. Since the parade is a day early this year, that didn't leave me much time.
Fortunately, I save almost everything and I still had this (my favorite western skirt that doesn't fit anymore) in my closet.

I used another dress to estimate how long it needed to be, cut off the waist, and removed two of the ruffles. I used a pattern I have for a peasant top to cut out the shape for the neck and the sleeves. I was a bit worried because the skirt was wider than my pattern, but I like it even better than the dresses I usually make from the pattern and it doesn't look too bulky at all.

I made a waist by adding elastic above the ruffles. (I made a casing with seam binding on the back side of the fabric.)

I also gathered the neckline. The sleeves were a bit shorter than the sleeve pattern because I cut them from one of the ruffles. Instead of gathering the bottom of the sleeves like I usually do, I left them as flutter sleeves and really like them with the style of the dress.

The pattern I used is Simplicity 4206. I always cut the neckline lower about 2 inches because, at least on my child, it always ends up being too high otherwise.

Denim Crocheted Doily Dress

I have had this idea (and the dress!) for months, and finally had time to lay everything out and start sewing. I found these pretty colored doilies on Etsy.

I layered the doilies in different sizes and colors and then pinned them where I wanted them to go.

I hand-stitched each one all around the edges and within the doily, too, to hopefully prevent fraying and catching on things. (I definitely plan on handwashing.)

I used an off-white thread on each one (tiny stitches) so I didn't have to come up with so many different colors of thread and the stitches don't even show.

I love how the edges of the doilies are free to move. My little one has already gotten several compliments!

One of my Chandeliers is Finally Up

I have been holding on to this chandelier for five years ever since we moved from our previous home. Of course I couldn't take the house with me, but I just couldn't leave the sea horse knobs in the bath or this sweet chandelier from the dining room. It was always too small for the room, but I just loved it!

Of course it really needed rewiring and major cleaning! It always seems so easy to take it all apart and then put it back together, but it never is! I was smart this time, though, and took photos of every part that I unscrewed or moved.
And yes, I needed the photos!

The rewiring didn't take long at all since it's just a single bulb, but I must admit that cleaning and hanging the crystals took about an hour.

In the end, though, it's definitely worth it and makes cleaning the kitchen so much more pleasant!

Scottie Dog Birthday Part 2

I thought I would never get these photos posted! But finally here are the rest of the scottie dog birthday pictures!
A chocolate chip cookie cake (take 2 - the first one didn't come out of the pan, so I didn't even try with the 2nd one!)

Bunting - so everyone could find us at the park!

Scottie chalkboard tags to go with the chalk favors. Two coats of chalkboard paint and they seemed to work really well.

My oldest even drew some scotties for decorations around the tables! What a sweetie!

A Mary Engelbreit Scottie Dog Birthday

It all started when I found some super cute scottie dog notecards in the dollar bin at Michael's on the day before I HAD to get the invitations sent out for my little one's party. I didn't have any theme in mind, so. . .

I grabbed a notepad, too, (and a few other things that I hope to show in another post). I have a huge collection of curling ribbon, so I picked some colors I liked and picked up some sidewalk chalk at the dollar bins at Target.

I ripped the plastic off the chalk and removed the paper label, too - really sticky, but doable!

I cut out the scotties from the top of the notepad and attached them to the buckets with packing tape. I just need a tiny extra piece for the bottom of the circle.

Added some curling ribbon and presto - super-cute party favors!

Of course, we had to have a coordinating outfit - mostly because I haven't sewn since Christmas and was looking for any excuse!

I found some fabric on ebay and on etsy. Unfortunately it is discontinued, so it was priced accordingly, but I didn't need much. I just used the width of the fabric for the bottom tier and subtracted about 1/4 the length for the top tier. I sewed the ribbon (both top and bottom edges) right along the seam line then sewed the bow on separately.

I found this cute ruffle shirt at Old Navy and added some ribbon to coordinate with the skirt. I pinned it right on the edge and stitched both the top and bottom edges of the ribbon. I couldn't resist making a head scarf with ribbon trim, too!

Now we just have to wait until Saturday to celebrate!

My Cabinets are Going In

My cabinet installer arrived today to begin putting in my kitchen cabinets!!! I can't tell you how excited I am!

I finally get to see them without plastic wrap!

Lots of drawers! And isn't the lazy susan going to be fun! Finally some use for that-corner-where-things-go-to-disappear!

I won't have countertops for a while, but I should still be able to show you pretty photos of the cabinets soon!