An Overdue Sewing Post

I'm not usually without motivation to sew. The problem is more about time, or rather lack of time. Sometimes it can be hard to make time to make things when there are so many other things that need to get done right now. And sometimes I just hit a lull where I know I want to make something but need a little inspiration.

Well, inspiration was found last week at a fabric shop that I had never visited, and now that I know it's there I will probably never stop visiting. It's called JEllen's House of Fabric and it is fabulous. Their fabric choices are right up my alley, the store is light and bright, and the decorating is amazing. Another bonus? Great prices and there are tons of samples made from each line to give ideas if you need a starting point.

Here are some photos, and make sure to visit their Facebook page for continuous updates on new fabric lines and monthly specials (like June, where all fabric with polka dots is just $6 per yard!)

This line is all Fig Tree--a mix of Avalon, California Girls, Butterscotch & Rose and some Strawberry Fields

Top shelf is Marmalade by Bonnie & Camille and bottom is Gypsy Girl by Lily Ashbury

Right photo is Spring House by Stephanie Ryan. On the left are bundles of mixed fabrics cut up by JEllen's. CUTE.

I pretty much want to just live in this store, or at least hang out here a few hours a day. Would that be creepy?

Aaand here's what I came home with:

Left photo is Michael Miller (Seaside collection), middle is a mix of Moda (Birds & Berries) and Michael Miller fabrics, and on the right is Avalon by Fig Tree.

Between getting new fabric and being around a store full of creativity, it gave me the motivation needed to make something. Or rather, somethings. 

Like shorts!

As a gift, I got this pattern. 

It's my first Oliver + S pattern and I wanted it for two reason: 1) they make the most adorable kids clothing and accessories patterns ever and 2) all of the sewing blogs I read have made things with these patterns and raved about them. Now I see why.

I made the shorts and while they did take me a bit longer than most other patterns, it was one of the best patterns I've ever used. The instructions were very well written and included lots of helpful tips and illustrations for each step. The pattern pieces themselves are very high quality, which is a nice change from the super thin pattern sheets I normally use.

If you make anything from these patterns (as with all patterns) make sure to read the size charts before cutting out the size you think you'll need! Their sizes run a bit large, so make sure to go by measurements even if the size doesn't match up to what the child would normally wear. I made the size 12-18 month shorts for Charlotte and they fit perfectly. My photos aren't great, since she was jumping around when I was trying to get her to model, but you get the idea. I love gingham. I could make everything out of gingham.

The gingham fabric I used was also from JEllen's (I believe another Michael Miller fabric). Side note: toddler knees are adorable.

And since I'd been filling so many orders for purses for other people I decided it was time to make myself one. So this summery/beachy/happy bag was born:

Both fabrics are Amy Butler, but I can't remember which lines. I ordered both from Fabric.com though and they have plenty in stock.

And then some more bunting. I just love this fabric line by Tasha Noel (called A Little Sweetness, manufactured by Riley Blake Designs). The sweet little illustrations on this fabric are perfect for showing off in bunting. I wanted the whole design to show, so I drew a template for a scalloped shape and paired it with different colored ginghams (again, with the gingham addiction). I love how it turned out...I might list it in my Etsy shop but I haven't decided for sure. I kind of want to keep it. I'm thinking it could be a good thing to keep for Charlotte's "big girl" room once she transitions out of her crib. I love the aquas, reds, yellows and pinks and think those colors would make for a very nice quilt for her bed, no?

Now I need to find a project for the mountain of fabric from JEllen's. I'm sure I'll work it out...

Happy Sewing.

~Stacy

Two.

My girl turned two over the weekend. Can you believe it? I hardly can. It feels like just an hour ago I was waiting and wishing for her to come and then poof--she was here and my life was forever changed, to the point I can barely remember what my days were like before her.

We had her birthday party on Saturday. The party wasn't really themed...I just went with a bunch of bright colors and fun food. I tried to keep it as laid back as possible with fuss-free everything. I ordered cupcakes from my favorite cupcake friend, Alyssa's Cupcake Confections. We went with chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting and strawberry shortcake cupcakes. Yes, they were as delicious as they sound :)

The birthday girl ate plenty of sweets and opened more presents that she could believe. She loved everything, but her favorite present was actually a pair of shoes. A pair of green, sparkly Toms shoes, to be exact--courtesy of her aunt and uncle. 

Then on Sunday, her actual birthday, we spent the day doing all her favorite things. We went on bike rides, went to the beach and walked in the sand, got ice cream, went on the swings, and had macaroni and cheese for dinner. The list a two-year old comes up with for their dream day is so sweetly simple and adorable :)

In the morning she got to open yet another crop of presents, this time from Chad's mom and sister who sent her a bunch of fun things from Maine.

Like this box:

Also, an art easel:

Literally as I'm typing this I can hear the commencement speeches happening at the high school football field behind my house. Just a few minutes ago I peeked outside to see all the graduates filing in, boys in navy caps and gowns and girls in white. I'm sure every parent sitting in those stands is feeling a mix of pride and sadness, for it must be a bittersweet moment to fully realize your baby is no longer that. They are probably all wondering where did the time go?. The speed at which time passes is something I notice more with each passing year. It is not lost on me, not for a second.

But today I remember that for now, I have a little person who still wears jammies with attached feet. A person who gets excited to sing her ABC's, to count to ten, and to try to put her shoes on by herself. A person who tells me, every single morning, that she wants waffles and "na-nas" for breakfast, like it's something new and exciting and different. Someone who watches Elmo's World with rapt attention and sings "wheeee! Mommy's riding a bike!" every single time we take a bike ride (which is pretty much every day). A person whose worst injuries can still be fixed with a kiss and a Candyland band aid. A person who just really loves her Winnie blankie, kitty cats, swings, cookies, and playing outside. For now, I still have my baby and perhaps sixteen years from now I will look back on this post and will hopefully be able to say that I made the most of it; that the years may have passed quickly, but boy were they great.

Happy 2nd Birthday, baby girl.

~Stacy

Summer Getaway, Part 2

As promised, here's Day 2 of our short trip to South Haven, MI (here's Part 1). For a short trip, we packed in a lot of fun and can't wait to go back!

Most of the second day we spent walking around the whole town. We went to the beach in the morning and then had lunch and walked through all the shops and antique places in South Haven. And I found a fabric shop a short drive away, so when it was time for Little Miss to nap we drove to the quilt shop and she slept while I added to my ever-growing stash of fabric.

We started the day with some silliness:

Then used the garden/courtyard area at the hotel to try and take some nice portraits of Charlotte. I thought a photo of her sitting on this bench would be cute, but she flat out refused to smile. Until I lowered the camera to wipe a smudge off the lens, then she cracked up. Of course.

One of my antique finds:

Goodbye for now, South Haven. See you next summer!

~Stacy

Summer Getaway, Part 1

Whew, I'm tired! We got back late on Thursday night (Friday morning, really) and then spent allll day yesterday cleaning and setting up for a certain someone's birthday party. The party was today, so it was another busy day. Busy, tiring, exciting and fun, and it left this mama exhausted. I could probably drink a pot of coffee, but instead I'll stick with the cup I have and tell you about our trip. And of course, later this week I'll share photos from the party. I can't believe she turns two tomorrow, my sweet and wonderful girl.

Anyway...

I know it's not technically summer yet, but we went on a summer mini-vacation this week! Chad was off all week and we decided at the last minute to go away for one night during the week. We didn't have a destination in mind, just someplace that we hadn't been to before, that was near water, and was within a 4-5 hour drive or less. After cruising the interwebs for a bit I discovered a small beach town in Michigan called South Haven. It seemed to meet all our requirements plus it looked really cute--pretty beaches, lots of neat restaurants and a bunch of boutique stores and antique shops in town.

We found a hotel/b&b in town and scored a room for a great price at the Hawkshead Inn. (it's still considered off-season there plus staying on a weeknight meant lower rates and no minimum night stay). The room actually had two bedrooms and a small kitchen and they delivered breakfast to our room in the morning! Nice. Here's a photo of the hotel:

South Haven is a gorgeous little town right on Lake Michigan in the southern part of the state. It was about a 4.5 hour drive for us, so we left early in the morning and got there in the mid-afternoon (with three stops along the way to let little legs run around and blow off steam). It was a beautiful place and wonderful trip and we're already planning on going back next May for a longer stay. I highly recommend it!

Here's stop #3, which involved a snack of milk and nuggets, a la Wendy's. Yum.

I took an excessive amount of photos (shocking) so I'm dividing this little trip post into two so I don't overwhelm you with hundreds of photos at once. I liked too many of them to choose :)

There are several beaches in South Haven but we spent most of our time at South Beach. It was just beautiful and there were only about a dozen or so other people there. The sand is perfect--soft and clean feeling with no rocks or garbage anywhere. And the exfoliation benefits of walking barefoot in fabulous sand should not be ignored :) Another bonus? There was a playground and swings right on the beach. Toddler heaven.

Part 2 coming soon...

~Stacy