More clothes for Coco! Despite the fact that she is obsessed with hammerhead sharks and sea monsters (she's moved on from vampires), she loves to wear skirts and dresses. I found this cute fabric at HobbyLobby for $3 a yard, and it is so cute!
I used Made by Rae's Geranium Dress Pattern, which is super popular for good reason--it is super easy and cute and has pockets! I added three inches to the length, and it is just barely clearing Coco's knees--girl's got her daddy's build--hallelujah! :)
Basically a ton of bloggers sew for their kids everyday this week. Very fun.
First up is an outfit for QP:
I used the Scientific Seamstress Reversible Romper Pattern for the gingham romper. The gingham was $2 a yard during a Denver Fabrics sale! I am getting obsessed with fabric that is under $5 a yard. I respect
the need to create, but I also feel strongly that sewing should save you
money!
I love the romper pattern--only 2 pieces, super quick, and very very detailed!
I used the Flashback Skinny Tee pattern and some remnants of knit fabric on hand for his shirt.
I really enjoyed this movie--it had really good 3D and visual effects and a sweet ending line from the good witch. I didn't like how they portrayed the bad witches, though, and I would not let my kids see this, as there were too many shocking and screeching parts!
Read: Paris, My Sweet by Amy Thomas
I am loving this book about a New York writer who spends a year in France trying out all the bakeries! Food memoirs are my favorite genre (are they a genre?)! It is a cute, light read!
Listen: Nothing new!
I am a slave to my 4 year old and her very distinct pop-music demands!
Here is her latest favorite song--we watch this daily:
Don't worry--we always talk about how wrong it is to steal things from laundromats :)
I am definitely in need of new music and a new FUNNY show! Please share!!
First, asling bag, using Pink Chalk's Mail Sack Pattern. This is the fourth bag I've made using this pattern--I love it! It isa great size and lets me use up all the random home dec fabric I have! The pouch is the Bella Pouch Pattern--which is cute and a perfect size for wallet and keys! I take mine everywhere!
How do you photograph a bag??
I am (quickly) using up all my Japanese fabric. It's too cute to just sit there!
Japanese fabric for the pockets!
I added a crochet rose brooch for fun!
I had fun--I always have way more fun making things on a deadline! My recipient sent me a sweet grateful letter--she has 9 kids and can definitely use the extra bag :) I was so happy she liked it!
I am a big believer that if you are going to make something homemade, it better be cheap--otherwise, save your money and just go buy it (in most cases). When I went to Joann's a few months ago, I could not believe how expensive their fabric is--most of the knits are $12.99 a yard (what is this--Japan???)
So, I found some bargain knit fabric online for $3 a yard and had to get some to support the fact that it was so dang cheap (Thank you, Girl Charlee Fabrics!). And because it had cute ice cream cones on it, I used that fabric right up to make me and my little girlie some matching tees:
My cute girl--she likes her shirt, and it fits perfectly!
Coco took this pic :) For my shirt, I used the Sewaholic Renfrew Pattern,which I have seen made up by pretty much every sewing blog in the universe. Cute--but I think it is probably going to be a pajama shirt!
Matchies:
I love sewing for my little Coco! She is not too picky and very appreciative! This year, I have a long list of sewing goals--and one of them is to learn something new every time I sew, which is easy--because I am definitely a beginning sewer! So for this project, I learned: a.) how to install and sew with a walking foot. It is awesome and makes sewing with knits way easier! b.) yet again to stop sewing knits until I get a serger. Sergers make quick work and strong seams. You can do it with a regular sewing machine, but sergers are amazing. Now where can I find one for super super cheap? c.) Poor Cash really wants something sewn for him. Hmmm...
My family and I have been going down the rabbit-hole in healthy living research lately. We are all pretty naturally-inclined, but my dad's 3rd recurrence with CLL has made a lot of us even more so--for me,I keep thinking about chemicals to avoid eating but also to avoid being absorbed through your skin, such as those in typical beauty products. The gist: aim for preservative/sulfate/dye-free products if you can. Go optimal health and natural living! As far as natural beauty products, I think the best options are often the simplest. So, I got some shea butter (from Amazon--the pure unrefined kind), coconut oil, and orange essential oil and whipped this up (literally whipped--with a Kitchenaid--it was awesome!). The recipe is under the photo.
Verdict: This body butter is not for my dishwashing-dry hands, but it works great for the body (duh!). Also, orange oil is not my thing. I will definitely try this again with a different scent! Bonus: I did something I pinned!
Double Bonus: This body butter is technically edible! Hooray!
I love reading about what other people have been up to, so here's what has been in my radar lately:
1.) Watch: Les Miserables and The Hobbit!
Fox and I went to Les Mis on our anniversary, and it was exhausting to watch. I don't think I was prepared for the fact that it was about 99% singing. The parts with Anne Hathaway are amazing, but the other 2 hours were pretty difficult for me.
Mainly because of him:
He (above) played Marius. He sounded like a muppet--pretty much ruined the movie for me.
Surprising, I enjoyed Russell Crowe's singing the most!
Although he's been getting conflicting reviews, I think he totally rocked it. Also, his death scene is very bizarre. Makes me wonder how they do it on Broadway?
Anyways, Les Mis was fun to watch with my hubby, because we were looking at each other going, "What?!" for a lot of the movie. Good times. I should add that the songs are awesome.
Since I made Fox see Les Mis, I went and saw the Hobbit with him (thanks, Cinnamon Toast Crunch free movie codes!!).
I liked The Hobbit! I had just finished reading the book, and so I think they did a pretty good job with Bilbo. They of course put a ton of stuff in the movie to make it longer--and unfortunately way more gruesome--but I enjoyed watching the dwarves.
2.) Read: The Dirty Life by Kristin Kimball
This book has been on my to-read list for over 2 years--and the library here ordered it for me--so yay! It was worth the wait. It is a very good account of a journalist who falls in love with a farmer and starts a farm with him. I love reading about cooking and farming and personal growth!
3.) Listen: Drew Tabor
I have had Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" stuck in my head all week--but I don't really like her voice or the video for that song--so I'm glad I found this one. I love this girl's voice, and she puts a unique spin on stuff.
Okay--who am I kidding--this is what I've really been listening to all week. It's just so dang catchy. Sshhh...
