My rainy day project comes to fruition...

Here it is - my piece of sunshine that was created yesterday. I love how it turned out. The best part is that I made it bigger than what my daughter will wear so I won't be tempted to just give it to her - I can actually add it to my little inventory.

Here is a picture - or check out more here.

Bringing the Sunshine

It's raining, it's pouring...

Rainy days are some of the best days to sew. I kind of love being couped up knowing that it's not a good day to be outside anyway and just creating something beautiful. Today - it shall be a little dress. It's in my head right now - but it shall soon be on my Etsy site. I think I'll use a brilliant yellow with little colorful polka dots. It's the perfect fabric to turn this rainy day into something sunny.

I'd love to hear from others... I don't have many commenters yet - but if you happen upon this, share a link of what you're working on today - or your favorite rainy day project!

I made something for myself!

I've seen these on a couple other blogs lately... dishtowel purses. I thought they were cute, but probably not something I would spend time making. Especially since I rarely sew for myself - I'm not selfless - I just like to do kids clothes best. But then yesterday I walked by my kitchen and saw this towel hanging there and thought "I want to make a little spring purse out of that."

I didn't want it to look country or crafty... I was going for fun and whimsical. I just used white hankies for the lining and then a pink silk scarf that I never wear as the handle. The little silver clip is actually an old costume pin/broach that my grandma gave me. What do you think?

All Sorts of GREEN Up in Here!

The simplicity of a St. Patrick's Day theme appeals to me. Green and Shamrocks. It's easy but yet there are so many possibilities. This year the kids and I made little sachets for each of their teachers. These were made out of soft (VERY soft - I love this fabric) organic, green cotton. We cut the shamrocks, sewed on a monogram applique for each teacher, and then sewed and stuffed them. We put a little squirt of lavender oil on the stuffing. The results weren't quite as beautiful as I had envisioned - but it was fun and they smell great! I will make a simple one for myself to keep with my linens.

Next - I made simple shamrock applique t-shirts for each of my kids out of a bright green bandanna. They are so simple but very festive and they were both excited to wear them to preschool today. My daughter got a matching bow to boot!

Little Leggings!

I'm loving these little leggings for my daughter to wear under her dresses this spring. I like that she doesn't have to have tights on - but she is not just exposing her bare legs and undies while playing. This is the only picture I have right now that shows what I mean (can you see them peaking out from under her dress?)... I am making some more today to go with this shirt I have listed on Etsy. The shirt is cut long, but not long enough to be considered a dress. I think I will turn the listing into an outfit instead of listing separately. This is a fabric that I don't have more of currently so I am selling as a OOAK. I keep debating just keeping for my daughter, but it is a little big on her. I do love it though!

Compartmentalizing

Containers... my kids love containers. My son especially has a room filled with little bags, packs, boxes, whatever - places to put things. Are all kids like this?

This one I made for him before he was born, awww. I had a short-lived basket making hobby. Very short lived.









This extra-special one was given to him by his aunt (it contains more containers!)


This is a Red Sox cup he confiscated to keep Happy Meal toys in.


And here we have a treasure chest that he and Daddy made together, it holds... what else? Some treasures!


And is it just kids? I think not. Especially those of us who sew or craft - we're always needing new compartments and containers for our threads, beads, buttons, needles, and more. So - lately I'm trying to reuse instead of buying new containers every time the fancy strikes. Here is a wooden compartmentalized tray that originally had little horses in it - now used for sewing supplies. All I had to do was redecorate the top and it fits right in with my eclectic group of supplies.




And finally, here is plastic cookie container (not sure where all those cookies went...ahem) now divided (cut and used some plastic ribbon holders that I didn't need to make dividers) and holding my clothing tags!



Both of these reused items were decorated using just a glue gun and some on hand supplies. And a note on glue guns - KIDS love these. I know it is not something you can let your child play with on their own... but my five year old has his own and is allowed to get it out when I'm working on sewing and crafts and work along side me. His favorite thing is to glue buttons together to make cool little sculptures. We get bags of mixed buttons at craft stores and it has provided hours of entertainment and creativity!

And if you are in need of some fancy containers but don't have any left over cookie boxes- how about looking here? Etsy Container Search. ;) These are actually a bunch of decorative boxes for different uses - but they're great and I'm sure just the tip of the iceberg on Etsy!

Hopping Down the Bunny Trail...

My children's daycare is having their annual silent auction. All of the parents are encouraged to collect donations from local businesses - or just contribute gift cards, or whatever. Then there is a big silent auction night where all the families, friends and friends of families walk around and bid on items. This is the biggest fundraising event all year for their school and is quite a tradition. It's always a lot of fun and you never know what type of items will be available. Last year we somehow ended up with some Sea Monkeys. I'm hoping we fare a little better this year. Some families go all out and are able to contribute a condo for a weekend or some sports team tickets.
For our donations - I've got a call into Monkey's Treehouse hoping for a free family admission pack or something - and then I've made this! My daughter's classroom is putting together a whole gift basket with an Easter them, so this will be included in that. The puffy cottontail on the back was actually my son's idea. I gathered the edges of the little tail applique before sewing on - and then actually stuffed it with some poly-fill stuffing. How cute is that?!





















I considered listing on Etsy because I have supplies to make more if needed but - I'm trying to steer away from the holiday wear. Any interest - just leave me a comment or email me. I'll be happy to do custom ones!