Matching brother/sister outfits

Some friends of ours are having a boy so I made a brother/sister match for them to wear this spring. They're in Florida, so they can get away with this kind of thing by March! If you look carefully, you can see that the boys' romper is a cowBOY fabric by Michael Miller and the dress is made with coordinating cowGIRL fabric.

Matching PJ pants

This fabric was purchased after Christmas LAST year... back when the kids are shorter. It was meant to be a pair of pants and a gown, but the kids have grown 1/2 yard and a gown wasn't possible. I like the way the pants turned out, and with a coordinating T-shirt, I think they'll be cute. I added a cuff to the bottom and added piped trim for the boys' pants and rick rack for the girls'.

These are for some friends, who, I'm sorry to say, will wear matching Christmas PJ's for the rest of their life if their mom has her say.

Towel with hoodie and Ribbon trim

I made these for my nieces and nephew. I swiped the idea from Jnet. Very easy to make. Just connect a full-sized towel to a hand towel and add some trim! Very fun with a personal touch! Great for kids with siblings!

Another Pancho

I'm addicted to making these. I'm on my 5th!

The boy turned 5!

The boy turned 5 years old. He wanted a "FORT" cake, so with a little help from a Pillsbury book, we came up with THIS.

Indian Costume

A friend asked me to make an indian costume for her son for a school play. I found some really fantastic felt cloth that was very suede-like.

Poncho

Fun poncho. This is Martha Stewards "Coming Home" pattern. It's free at http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70368AD.html?noImages=

Picture-smocked Romper

I was commissioned to make this for a church up the road. They're putting together a basket for a new mom. It had to be unisex, so when I found this plump little clown I knew it'd be perfect. I also crocheted some red booties to match, but for some reason they didn't make it to the camera.

Lion's Brand Pancho

Super easy and super cute!

I found the original pattern here: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/khs-scallopEdgePonchoKids.html?r=1

But I didn't finish the edge with the giant scallops. It's for a toddler, and it was getting too big!

Fun Halloween Food

Halloween crafts are my favorite... well, and Christmas. And Easter has beautiful spring colors... ah, well, here's some Halloween food fun!

1. Mummy on a stick. These could not be more fun... Just jab a few giant marshmallows onto a large kabob. Using fruit leather (I used Fruit by the Foot, and while it was still rolled, I cut it into thirds - easier than you'd think), wrap the little guys up!






Found this idea here: http://www.pillsbury.com/Recipes/ShowRecipe.aspx?rid=37963


2. Ghoulish Shepherd's Pie. Follow your favorite shepherd's pie recipe, but instead of spreading the mashed potatoes over the top, fill a large plastic baggie with the mashed potatoes (don't try this if they're steaming hot!), cut a bit of the corner and pipe ghosts onto each plate. Add green sweet peas for the eyes and viola!



Found this idea here: http://www.recipezaar.com/Spooky-Shepherds-Pie-189511

Christopher Columbus Craft

The kids finished studying Christopher Columbus on, well, Columbus Day. We made this neat craft to celebrate knowledge of this great explorer.

Really, no explanation necessary. Simple and fun... We'll probably use the same concept during our study of the Pilgrims!

Butterbeer

Well, I've finally gotten around to reading the Harry Potter books. Wow! What and adventure! I began in early September and finished in about 6 weeks. I "get it" now!

If you haven't read the books, the kids celebrate Quidditch wins by drinking butterbeer. Well, this sounded so delightful, I set off on Google to find a recipe. Apparently, it's an actual beverage they drink in Europe. Here's a recipe for those interested. And YES, it tastes EXACTLY like... well, "butterbeer"!!

Ingredients:
1 beer - your choice... I'd recommend something light
1 egg
2 T. sugar
dash of nutmeg
2 T. butter

Directions:
1. Bring the contents of one beer to a boil. Remove from heat.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk egg, sugar, and nutmeg. Add to beer.
3. Continue whisking on LOW heat for 2-3 minutes.
4. Whisk in butter.
5. Enjoy!




(I got the recipe from http://whatismyrrhanyway.blogspot.com/2009/07/butterbeer.html but I changed it a bit!!)

Dog Day Out

The local 4-H puts on a "Dog Day Out" show here in town, and this year the kids' entered our beloved "Dan".

The girl was in the Costume Class, and the boy took Dan in the senior class. They both won 1st place blue ribbons.

I've been wanting to try making a dress with an overskirt for at least 2 years, and the Little Bo Peep costume was the perfect opportunity. I didn't have a pattern, though I used several different patterns and pieced them together. I used the Barbie Bo Peep doll for inspiration. It was a lot of work, but I had fun with it!!

A Wolf in a Sheep's Costume

...well, maybe not a wolf. Come to think of it, I've met houseplants more aggressive than this guy! He is the dog half of a costume project for a 4-H sponsored dog show in a couple of weeks. The girl will be Little Bo Peep. I'm hoping the girl will be more excited about her costume than the dog is of his!!

Happy Constitution Day!

Remember to thank our Founding Fathers today for giving us a Constitution that has given all Americans the greatest and freest country in the world!

New PJ's

These are for the girl's friend. It's McCall's M4646, with a sleeve alteration. The fabric is a cozy flannel, and I was afraid long sleeves would be too warm, so, I left off the sleeves and bound with bias tape. I also cut the pants at an angle and added lace trim with a satin bow. Another pair of these to come shortly!

Cake With Marshmallow Fondant

Everyone loves the way fondant looks, but the palatability does not necessarily cause one to salivate with anticipation...

I found a recipe for marshmallow fondant, and I was quite pleased with the results.

You simply mix a jar of Marshmallow Creme (found in the baking aisle) with about 3 or 4 cups of powdered sugar and roll/cut away!

You can add food coloring, but be warned, a deep color will require a LOT of food coloring!

Smocked Twirling Dress

This fun dress is for one of the girls' friends. I just used a bodice-type dress and used the entire width of the fabric for both the front AND back of the skirt to allow extra for the pleats. It was very fun and easy. I would reccommend this type of pattern to any beginner smocker.

New Smocked Flower Dress

I made this so the girl would have something to wear after the wedding she flower girled in last weekend. This idea came from an Australian smocking magazine. I don't remember the name of the pattern... I'll post it when I get back home. The smocking pattern is also from the same magazine, just a different dress. This is also the first time I've attempted an English hem with the fold. I love the way it turned out, but it took a lot of effort with a ruler and the iron to accomplish.







Instructions for the lined sleeves (attach sleeves after neck and shoulder, but before side seams):
1. Cut out one fabric and one lining. Add piping to outer edge of right side of fabric edge if desired.
2. Sandwich fabric, piping, and lining, rst. Stitch along outer edge. Turn and check piping... I always have to make another pass.
3. Gather raw edges of sleeve fabric and lining, then stitch sleeve (lining and fabric) to shoulder seam, being careful not to catch lining of bodice.
4. Align armhole fabric and lining RST with the sleeve INSIDE of the shoulder - lining stuff is always sooo weird!
5. Stitch armhole seam, then pull fabric through. Voila! Repeat for other arm.

Green Romper and accessories - $25

This is a mint green romper with a white country scene print. It's a size 6 months. It snaps at the crotch for easy diapering and has satin ribbon ties under the arms for a more custom fit. It's fully lined and comes with a matching headband and crocheted yarn booties. It was made as a "gift set".

Big Girl Frannie

This is the big girl version of the Children's Corner "frannie baby" that I use so often. I made a quick ruffled short to go with it.

Smocked Mary De

Rainbow smocking!! And it turned out fantastic against the black! This is one of my favorites.





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Another Jefferey

It was so easy I decided to make another one! This is some super cool fabric I got from Debra at Palmetto Kids. It's Huckleberry Finn! This outfit is for my nephew. He celebrates his first birthday this week!

Tried out a new pattern!

I finally got around to trying out a new Children's Corner pattern. It's the "Jeffery". The original pattern calls for a section of smocking across the front, but I wanted to try out the pattern before going through the trouble of actually sticking a smocked insert in there, so I just cut 2 lining pieces. It made the pattern extremely easy! Total time, cut to buttons was about 2 hours. It's fully lined and it has the cutest little tabs on the side. This is for a friends' kid. I hope he digs it!

Vintage Simplicity Pattern

I found this is in the stash I inherited from my grandmother. It's a 1976 Simplicity pattern, number 7407. It's crazy easy. One piece, and one lining. I used a different shorts pattern, though. This pattern came with a super short bloomers pattern, and I don't like that much leg to show! I made piping to go all the way around the edge... tedious, but worth it! I also tried out a new technique I found in an Australian smocking magazine. Instead of just attaching the ruffle to the hem of the shorts, why not throw an edge of piping to separate the ruffle from the fabric on the shorts. A very nice touch. I'll definitely be using that technique again!

Cowboy Shirt

The boy has been telling everyone for the last month or so that he is going to be a "cowboy from Arizona" when he grows up. I have no idea what inspired him to (a) be a cowboy or (b) be from Arizona. I thought cowboys were from Texas? This is a Simplicity pattern, number 3852. It doesn't require you to top stitch around the yoke and sleeves, but I always do. The collar edges, too. It makes it look less "homemade".

Vintage PJ's

The girl has been asking me for new PJ's for about 6 weeks, now. They're never fun until I have something I want to try... if it doesn't work out, no one has to see it but the family! Well, I inherited this 1976 Simplicity pattern from my grandmother and I needed some placket practice before making another bishop. It turned out quite perfect. I must mention this fabric is probably 15 years old. I wanted to do something spectacular with it, but there just wasn't enough. There is some sheer pinstriping lengthwise throughout the fabric, and it's quite darling. Light and airy and perfect for summer!