A little of this and a little of that ~ Kids, Hats and Dresses

Life has been very busy around here and I've been meaning to share some pictures of the kids I took recently.  These were taken a couple weeks ago.  Caspian Finn is getting into that adorable chubby, smiley, almost 6 months phase and I could just eat him up.  Of course I think he's just too cute, I'm sure I see him differently since I am his mama, but even as I look at his picture right here, I just want to snuggle this little guy.

Here are some more pictures of Mr. Caspian at 5.5 months old:

I ordered these hats for the kids for Christmas from my lovely blog sponsor, The Hook Up.  I heard about her through a fan/friend over on The Cottage Mama Facebook page and have been in love with her work ever since.

And one more shot of my little snow bear.  I took this when I was in my studio working and my husband came to the doorway to tell me they were going out in the snow.  I couldn't believe the cuteness and had to reach for the camera.  Caspian got those mittens for Christmas and they actually look like little bear paws.  So cute!!

Here are a few shots of Miss Savannah (who will be 4 one week from today):

And here are a couple of Matilda (who is very difficult to photograph these days):

This tongue is what I get most of the time these days when I ask her to smile for me.  I guess we'll call it her 'signature look'.

The girls hats are also from The Hook Up and they match their winter coats just perfectly.  The Hook Up will be participating in our Giveaway Day coming up on March 1, so if you like these hats, make sure you come back and enter to win.

Another few pictures that I've been meaning to share with you are these adorable dresses that my mom sent the girls for Valentine's Day:

This dress is my 'Janey Jumper' pattern that my mom where my mom added a sweet embroidery piece to the front.  We got this embroidery pattern by Aneela Hoey at our trip to quilt market last spring.  I ordered several bolts of this fabric line, Little Apples, and just haven't had the time to cut into it, so I'm so glad Mom was able to start putting it to good use.  Mom made the girls matching dresses in size 3 and size 5.

Mom added a bow with a button to the front of the girls matching dresses.  But rather than sew it onto the dress, she made it on a safety pin so that it can be removed before washing.  Smart idea, huh?  We are really getting into embroidery over here, so you can expect to see some more things in that department soon.

On another note, I just sold my 1000th pattern!  I seriously cannot believe it ~ I am beyond excited.  When I ordered my original shipment of patterns, I was honestly a little nervous that I would be sitting with these for several years, but went ahead and took a chance.  It seems hardly possible that I'm almost ready for a re-order on both of the first two patterns.  A big giant thank you to all of you that have purchased patterns from me and another thank you to all the online and brick-and-mortar stores that are now carrying, 'The Cottage Mama Sewing Patterns.'  Without you, I could not do what I do ~ you are helping make my dream a reality.

So now I'm in 'orange' party planning mode as Miss S's party is this weekend.  Savannah's dress is cut for the festivities, but not yet sewn together.  This dress has more pieces then I have ever cut in my life.  Not sure what I've gotten myself into, but I'm hoping to make some serious headway on it today.

That's what's been going on over here.......a little of this and a little of that.  I hope you all have a great week ahead!
Happy Monday!

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Broom Love

You may think I have totally lost my mind with this post.  A post about a broom, Lindsay, really?  Well, that's what my mom thought when I called her and said, "I'm so excited for my new broom to arrive!"  And as I just wrote that, I realized, that it does sound pretty strange........what has my life come to?  I'm excited about a broom?  Someone over here may need to get a life........

Enough about my craziness, though, and let me tell you about my new broom.  I have really been trying to live according to this William Morris quote since we entered 2012.......

"Have nothing in our homes that we do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

I have done a pretty good job clearing out a bunch of clutter that we no longer need and the house is starting to feel more organized.  However, when I posted this quote over on The Cottage Mama Facebook page one of my international readers chimed in and said, 'how about.... do not have anything we do not know to be useful AND believe to be beautiful?  And I thought, yes, that's even better!

So I needed a new broom for our home and I took this Facebook conversation to heart and thought, "if I'm going to buy a new broom, it's going to be one I love and get excited to use."  And I'm a firm believer that you can buy just about anything on Etsy.com, so I headed there to begin my search and this is what I ended up with:

I ordered this handmade broom from the Broomchick on Etsy.  I had never heard of her shop, but she had great reviews and I just loved the natural style of this one, not to mention the fact that it fits in perfectly with our cottage.

I can't just name one part of this broom that is my favorite.  I love that it is handmade ~ that's a big thing for me, it's always great when I can buy handmade and support local, US small business.  I love the multi-colored broomcorn and I love the natural wood stick handle.  The Broomchick has many different brooms to choose from, but this is a multi-colored standard kitchen broom.

I am currently keeping this broom hanging on a hook in the kitchen next to our kitchen hutch.  It's too pretty to put away and hide.  My sister-in-law thought it was just for decoration when she saw it in our kitchen and my mother-in-law said she wants one for her birthday.

So sweeping is not the most exciting task, but why not get excited about it by using a tool you truly love?  Again, you still might think I'm nuts, but I'll tell you one thing.......I've never been more excited to sweep in my life than I am with this broom!

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"I Spy" Fabric Matching Game ~ Tutorial

Here is a recent guest post that I did over at 'Me Sew Crazy' for her 'Re*sew*lutions' blog series.  In case you missed it, here's a super-fun kids game tutorial.  Savannah Rose will be getting this game for her 4th birthday that is coming up on March 5th ~ I can't wait, I think she's going to love it!

This year I have three sewing re*sew*lutions: 

1) Use up my excessive amount of fabric scraps

2) Design and sew more boys clothing

3) Dabble in the world of quilting 

To start off 2012, I thought I would start at the top of the list and use some of the fabric scraps that have been invading my sewing studio.  Since I typically design and sew children's clothing, the amount of fabric scraps is out of this world.  Big pieces, little pieces......you name it, I've got it.......it's getting a bit ridiculous!

My girls are beginning to become interested in playing games.  With them being 2.5 and almost 4 years old, there aren't a lot of games they can play together, but we've found that they really enjoy matching games.

I was inspired by the 'I Spy' quilts that many people seem to enjoy making and came up with a game version ~ the 'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game.  This is a great way to use up the many different fabric scraps you have lying around.  If you have little ones, they will truly enjoy playing this game.  It is stimulating, fun, and pretty much indestructible (which you know is important if you live in the world of toddlers).  There are two different ways to play so it's great for 2 year olds on up.

'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game

~Tutorial~

Supplies:

20 4.5" squares of fabric (2 squares of 10 different prints)

20 4.5" squares of fabric (all the same print)

20 4.5" squares of batting

Basic sewing supplies

Instructions:

Take one piece of your printed fabric, one piece of the fabric backing and one piece of batting.  You will be making a total of 20 squares, 10 of each different print.  All of the backs will be the same.

Layer your three pieces.  Place the back fabric and printed fabric with the right sides together and layer the piece of batting on top of the back of the printed fabric.

Stitch all the way around the square with a 1/2" seam allowance, but leave a 1.5" opening on the side.

Clip the four corners of the square.  This will allow you to turn the corners out nicely.

Turn the square right side out by pulling the fabric through the opening that was left on the side of the square.

Grab your point-turner to push the corners out.  If you don't have a point turner, you could use any pointy edge tool (i.e. a chopstick, ect).  Point-turners are really inexpensive, so it's a great tool to have in your sewing basket.

Insert the point-turner and push each corner out by using the pointy end.

Sometimes it takes a little work to get the corners pushed out, but just take your time.

Once your corners are turned out nicely, press each square.

Press the opening on the side under so it is in line with the rest of the square.

Top-stitch around the edge of the square using a 1/4" seam allowance.  The top-stitching will catch the opening and sew it closed.  Press both sides to set your stitches.

Continue top-stitching all the squares until you have 10 sets of 2 for a total of 20 squares.

So here's how to play..........

Option 1: Advanced Matching (age 4 and up)

Turn all of the 20 squares over so that the back sides are up. Place them in four rows of five.  Make sure the squares are all mixed up.

Each player takes a turn turning over two squares.  When they turn over two squares that match they get to keep them.  This method requires the child to remember where they have seen a specific pattern to find the match.  The person who collects the most matches wins!

Option 2: Beginner Toddler Matching (Ages 2-4)

Lay out all of the squares with the printed sides up.  Have each player take a turn picking out one print and simply finding the other one that matches.  Continue taking turns until all the matches have been made.  In this version everybody wins!

I think the 'I Spy' Fabric Matching Game is the perfect gift idea for any child.  You can make the game themed if you are not using fabric scraps - make it geared towards a boy or girl or keep it gender neutral.  You could also theme it towards the child's interest - nature, animals, bugs, flowers, sesame street, ect...

Perhaps I'll make a little bag to keep this version of the 'I Spy' game together, but we'll save that for another tutorial on another day.

Fabric Collections used (starting from the top left):

1) 'Love a Tree' Organic Cotton - Timeless Treasures

2) 'Children at Play' by Sarah Jane Studios - Michael Miller

3) Joann's super-clearance fabric purchased a year ago

4) 'Sweet on NYC' by Sugar Pixie - Timeless Treasures

5) 'Sweet on NYC' by Sugar Pixie - Timeless Treasures

6) Riley Blake 'All Star'

7) 'Children at Play' by Sarah Jane Studios - Michael Miller

8) Sandi Henderson 'Meadowsweet' - Michael Miller

9) Pink Cupcakes by Robert Kaufman

10) 'How Tweet it is' by Linda Solovic' - Timeless Treasures

Backing Fabric: 'Children at Play' by Sarah Jane Studios - Michael Miller

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