Pattern Challenge: an addition

My friend is having a baby girl and I decided to sew AND knit something for the baby shower gifts.  I decided to post about the baby dress as part of my pattern challenge.  I still need to finish cutting out the jacket that I have to complete by my April 1st deadline!  Yikes! That went on the back burner for a couple weeks.
This is called the easy empire-waist top (6-9 mos.) from amy butler's: little stitches for little ones

I also used Amy Butler fabric that I had left over from makeup purses I made for my bride's maids. I hope my friend likes this fabric.  My husband thinks the outfit looks very 60's because of the fabric patterns.  I hope that doesn't mean it's ugly.

My second baby shower project is a knitted Love Cocoon. I'm using the Laurel Love Cocoon pattern. http://www.laurellove.com   I haven't finished it yet but I just re-started it last night.  It knits up pretty quick.  I like knitting in the round, it's fun!

It's for swaddling the newborn in.  Almost like a sleeping bag without a zipper.  I'll post a pic when it's complete.

On another note,  I just got my April edition for Burda World of Fashion magazine!  There are quite a few a BUNCH of patterns that I'm really excited about.  

This blouse (Burda 102) looks perfect for work.  I love how airy it is.  I'm considering switching out one of my pattern challenges for this one.  I think it will go well with another substitution.

Switching this one for . . .

this Cynthia Rowley skirt to go with the Burda 102 blouse. But I wouldn't do a shiny material for the skirt.

Here are some more Burda patterns that caught my eye:

 

I love the fullness in the sleeves of this blouse.  Such a feminine take on a basic button down collared shirt. 

 

 

 

That's all for now.  I need to finish my original 6 patterns before I dive into more.  I'm really excited about this Burda magazine.  It was an expensive ($80) subscription, but I think it will really pay for it's self with all the patterns it comes with. I hope to post more finished garments soon.

Meeting Milestones

I'm finding that a real fun part of being a parent is watching your child meet milestones.  Avery has started crawling!!  I squealed and jumped up and down when I saw her do it.  It was great because Rod and I were both home at the time.  Rod called me over and there she was, slowly crawling toward her toys.  I still need to figure out how to add a video to the blog, but here are some shots of her standing on her own with support from a chair.

Avery is not all that excited about standing yet.  I think she gets scared because she cries after a short time.  She was crying soon after these photos were taken.  I know it won't be long before she'll be pulling herself up.  We've got to get going on the baby proofing!

Great Giveaway!

Vanessa at V and Co. is having a sponsor giveaway from:

  

The Quilt Shoppe has an etsy shop and an online shop with amazing quilting fabrics and kits.  If I win the giveaway I get: rural jardin jelly cake (that's a layer cake and a jelly roll) PLUS a $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE.  I would love to make a quilt for Avery with this fabric.

 

Chiffon Photo Shoot

I never did a post on the chiffon Can-Can skirt I made for my daughter.  I bought the pattern from Danna at MADE.  This was Avery's 1st birthday and I wanted to make her something beautiful.  I love turquoise and purple together so I chose to do a cascading of colors which included: white, pink, purple, blue and turquoise. The chiffon ruffles are layered on a light pink tiered skirt.  The instructions for the pattern come with ratios to help you size up or down.  Avery's skirt fit her perfect and I would say it's about a size 12 months.  I think the colors and chiffon look so yummy.

Tea time of course when you're wearing your fancy-so-fancies.

 

 I highly recommend this pattern if you like ruffles.  There's even instructions to make an adult sized skirt. Fun!

 

 

Modeling is thirsty work!

Test Post

Hi!
This is a test to see if the email subscription is working now.

Here is a new awesome video by the band OK Go.  "This Too Shall Pass."  You may remember their other amazing video that was done in one take on treadmills.

Pattern Challenge: Project #2 for Goal 1

I just bought the fabric for the jacket I'm going to make.  I'm really excited but nervous too.  When I picked it out I think this pattern was rated easy, but I'm thinking this is really going to stretch my "beginner" skills.  Here is a picture of the fabric and buttons I chose.

 

Pattern Challenge: Sleeveless Blouse

I'm on my way to meeting my 1st goal.  I just finished my pattern 2593 Simplicity by Cynthia Rowley.  I did the sleeveless version with folded neck band.  I used a sateen ( I think) fabric.  This was tricky to work with. Very slippery.  I think next time I work with this fabric I will use a rotary cutter so I can have more control as I cut around the pattern pieces.  This was a pretty easy pattern and came together real fast and I'm sure it's super easy for the experienced out there.  My skills are improving with each pattern I do.  I had a little trouble with doing the binding around the arm holes and neck hole but this was a good learning experience.

Here it is!

It's a little difficult to see the twist of the neck band in the pictures because of the pattern.

 

  

  

 

I wore it to work today with a black bolero and some pearls. Cute huh?

1 year!

Check out post Chiffon Photo Shoot for skirt details....

How can it be?!  Our precious girl is 12 months old.  Avery turned one on February 21st 2010.  Saturday the 20th we had a small party with immediate family and some friends. It was a fun party.  We ordered sub sandwiches from Rockies, the local deli/sandwich shop and had veggies and fruit. After lunch, Avery opened her gifts and then we had cupcakes.  As I was lighting the candle on Avery's cupcake, unexpected emotion came over me.  I couldn't even finish singing the Birthday song because I was so choked up.  It wasn't sad tears, just such happiness as I realized we've had our blessing for a whole year now. And what a blessing she is!  She is pure sunshine in my life.

 

Birthday Girl.

She is wearing the skirt I made her. It's made from white, pink, purple and teal ruffled chiffon.  I also made a cupcake from felt and sewed it to her onesie.

 

Avery and Daddy

  

With Auntie Alissa

 With Mimi

  

Cousin Joshua came all the way from Las Vegas.  He was fun to play with.

 

 Present time was fun.

 Daddy video taped.

Vanilla cupcakes with party icing, yum!

  

Flirting with friends before cupcakes.

Here I come trying to hold back the huge wave of emotion and tears.

"What's that!?"

  

  

  

  

  

Happy Birthday Avery!

Everyone got to take home a jar with jelly beans.  

I saved a bunch of Avery's food jars and Rod spray painted the lids for me.  I added a matching bow and yummy candies that of course matched the decor.

Avery, you are my sweet sweet girl.  You are sunshine to your Daddy and I.  Everyone that  meets you asks us if you are always so happy and easy.  Our answer is YES!  You greet us with smiles in the morning, squeeze our necks with hugs, sit through hockey games babbling loudly for the team, light up and bop/dance when music comes on and your so fun to play with and read to.  I can't believe a year has gone by.  You have grown so much in one year.  The doctor says you are taller than 9 out of 10 babies.  No official crawling or walking yet and still no teeth, but you love to eat especially breads like corn muffins or blueberry muffins. Your bedtime is around 6pm and you sleep through the night till about 6:30 the next morning.  Even at night when we lay you in your crib you giggle as we tuck your blankets around you.  Daddy and I think you have said 'light' and 'baby.'  We are still waiting for all the language that's in there to come out.  You understand lots of words like: light, nigh night, Daddy, Mommy, baba, book, baby, Mason, more,  hi and bye-bye.  On the days I work you go to daycare and we can tell that you really enjoy it.  There are other children there all around 2 years old and you just love watching them play and interact with you.  This has been such a wonderful year because of you.  I'm so excited to watch you grow and develop in this next year.  I am so thankful to the Lord for you.  Happy Birthday my sweet Avery!