Stripes & Polka dots {Project Run&Play Sew Along}

Let me start off this post by saying how humbled and honored I was to learn this morning that I had won Project Run & Play's sew along challenge last week! {You can see the Anchor trench coat here.} I had so much fun creating, sewing, and blogging again. It was just the jump start I needed to dust off this little blog! So thank you so much for all the kind words from everyone! There were so many great entries, so please make sure you pop over to the link party and check them all out. So much inspiration!!

This weeks challenge was to create a garment using stripes & polka dots. Oohhh, now they were speaking my language. I just adore stripes and polka dots. And a little girl in stripes and polka dots? I couldn't even contain myself.

I have to confess that I actually started creating this dress for the first weeks challenge, the pattern remix challenge, using  the Party Dress pattern from the Cottage Home. But after I paired the stripes with the dots, I decided it was actually perfect for this week's challenge instead.

I made the dress out of a jersey knit with wide navy and white stripes. It has the perfect amount of stretch for this little busy body to run and play in. 

I made the dress the same as the pattern, except because I used jersey knit, I only used one button in the back, as the bodice can stretch while dressing. I just love a big ol' fabric covered button, don't you? {I also think I need a lesson in how to tie sashes on a toddler who refuses to sit still for longer than .3 seconds!}

The red and white polka dot sash and bow on the neckline and fabric covered button in the back are such a fun contrast to the big stripes! It's like the fourth of July in January! And since this IS January, and it IS still winter here in PA, and despite my desperate attempts at keeping my little girl little, she might not fit into this dress this summer {sniff, sniff...} So I decided we should probably find a cardigan to go with it, so she could get some use out of it now.

I found this red long sleeved shirt in our hand-me-down box, and thought it would be a perfect knit cardigan. So I simply cut it down the middle, hemmed the edges, and voila! It literally took me less than 5 minutes! 

A great use of those extra hand-me-downs or thrift store finds. {I might even look for a few shirts in my own closet to do this to!}

I also made the headband to match. I happened to have the red polka dot elastic in my drawer. I bought it months ago at Hobby Lobby on clearance. It is baby elastic and super soft, which is the only way my girl will tolerate a headband, so it really was perfect for this project! It was almost easier than the cardigan. I just sewed it together and made a quick bow out of ribbon.

So that's that! Thanks for stopping by and sharing Gracie's new outfit with us!

I had so much fun putting together this sweet little outfit for this sweet little lady! 

Next up...BOY week!

Don't forget to pop over to this weeks PR&P link party to see all the other awesome striped and polka dotted entries!

Sew Along Challenge, Week 1

Week 1 of the Project Run & Play challenge is here! If you are following me on Facebook, you know that I have decided to join in the 6 week Sew Along challenge. (You can read all about the challenge here!) This weeks challenge was to "remix" or remake a garment using this Party Dress pattern from the Cottage Home.

So I have to say that I absolutely adore this style of dress. Big ol' sashes and bows on little girls are my weakness. How much cuter does it get? But when the word "remix" came into play, I decided to step outside of my oh so comfortable and cozy box. I don't do this very often. But I figured that since this was a challenge, I would challenge myself! 

I was walking through a kids clothing store the other day, and found the most adorable little bright pink trench coat. But the price was not so adorable nor little. So I passed. But when I started thinking about how I could remix the party dress, the adorable little bright pink trench coat came back to my mind. It was a eureka moment, if I ever have anything remotely close to those.

And so this little "trench-inspired" coat was born from a little remixing of the Party Dress pattern.

I was a little nervous to start this project. For the following reasons: 1, I am a pretty good pattern follower, but NOT a very good pattern maker, and in order to do a coat I would have to add sleeves myself. Eeek! and 2, if my attempts at reason #1 went astray, I would waste this darling Sarah Jane Anchor fabric. Double eek! 

But as you can see, it kind of worked out. 

 The outer fabric is from Sarah Jane's Out to Sea line, which I bought a few months ago and have been hanging onto because I just adore it and couldn't decide what to make out of it! I was happy to finally pull these little anchors off the shelf and bring them to life. Since it's still chilly here in PA, I lined the coat with navy blue fleece.

Other than the anchors, the colors (which were my wedding colors!), I think the little bow I added to the back may be my favorite part. 

I basically constructed the coat the same as the original dress pattern, but I made it backwards, so the opening was in the front. I used top stitching along the way because I think it made the coat look more professional. And of course I added sleeves. Which wasn't as tricky as I originally thought. 

I also added a few details to make it look more like a coat and less like a dress, like the fleece mock collar and these little cuff loops. I think I might have just made that term up. Anyone know what to call these? White buttons add details to the cuffs as well as keep the coat closed.

I think she likes it! I think I do too! Thanks for sharing this project with me!  

Looking forward to next week...Stripes and Polka dots. Two of my favorite prints! 

I already have my dress for next week made...but you'll have to wait til next week to see :)

Days of Thankfulness: Day 1 & 2

So a friend posted this on Facebook. I am sure you have seen it as well. "22 Days of Thankfulness." A kind of countdown if you will, each day until Thanksgiving you post something you are thankful for. I love the idea, but since I like to keep my status updates strictly for important things like my candy corn addiction and what I ate for breakfast, I decided to blog it instead.

And since I missed yesterday, I'm going to post two today...

Day 1.

I am thankful for my husband, who is the most patient and kind person to ever come into my life. I have the most incredible life and I owe it all to him.

Day 2.

I am beyond thankful for our sweet little Gracie girl. She is such a happy, smart and funny little girl. And because we had her 15 month well check visit today, I'm also so thankful that she is such a healthy little girl and growing so perfectly.

And as a sneaky 3rd thing I am thankful for....is for great friends like Kristina O'Brien who took these gorgeous photos of my family! Please check out her site!!

See you tomorrow!

My Sewing Room Reveal

I am not pregnant.

I'm sorry. I just needed to disclaim that before we go any further. My old sewing room was in one of our spare bedrooms. So when I mentioned that I was "moving", I got a lot of nosy curious friends (totally kidding, love you guys!!!!) wondering if we needed that room for baby #2. We don't. Not yet. I suppose we will, eventually (EVENTUALLY people!) and so it was a nice bonus for the move. But not the real reason! Ok, moving on. :)

My old sewing room was unorganized, with little storage, and misused furniture. It was always a disaster. I felt like I never got anything done because I just sat in there stressed by the mess. I wish I had a before picture to share with you. You might believe me. It was that bad.

So anyway, I think my sweet, patient husband had finally had enough of the mess and kindly suggested that we create a more usable space for me. We luckily had an empty space off our master bedroom in our house. It was meant to be a sitting room I think, but we really aren't sitting room people...so it had been empty since we moved in. But with a little handy work from hubby, and it's mine, all mine, all mine!

So without further ado...my new sewing room!

Greg made the built in shelf & desk for me out of wood and premade kitchen cabinets from Lowes. Perfect space for my machines and various supplies.

I use 2 tension rods between the shelf and the wall for some easy hanging storage for all those little dresses I churn out.

The other side of the room has an old dresser for more storage, and my cutting table. 

My cutting table for now is a simple folding table, but considering I miss my cutting mat and cut into the table about 90% of the time, a folding table is just fine!

The dresser I bought at a yard sale 10 years ago {wow, am I that old?} for $7. It's perfect for extra storage and for displaying a few things on top.

This box on the cutting table is where I keep all my patterns. I organize them in file folders by size & garment. (It doesn't look all that organized from this picture! Ha...I promise it is. Kind of.)

And that is about all folks. I still have a few touches I'd like to add...like a "Little Pink Peony" sign somewhere...and maybe a new ironing board cover? {Ewww, I know. Please don't judge me!} 

But for now, I'll deem my little room just about perfect. If only peonies were in bloom instead of hydrangeas... ;)

Thanks for letting me share my space with you all! 

A first

I have not posted in about a bajillion years. {Why do I feel like all my posts start like this?!} But there is something very extra special about this week that I felt compelled to scrounge up a few extra minutes to write this post.

My sweet baby is turning O-N-E. Yes, it deserves all caps. I always think that the first birthday is maybe the most special. I mean, she has to wait at least 12 years to reach another milestone birthday. {Eeek, let's not even think about the teenage years, ok?}

But first birthdays are also a celebration for the parents and all the family and friends that make taking care of a teeny tiny person possible. I truly believe it does take a village to raise a child.

{If only that village were in my house at 3 am every night. For nine months straight.}

But seriously there are so many people that have helped to make our lives as a family of three easier, and we want to celebrate with everyone about how sweet, smart, and special this little girl has become.

So next weekend we will celebrate with the most fabulous Strawberry Shortcake themed (for my little strawberry haired girl) party that I can manage to throw together. And in true D & G Stories style, it is totally DIY, crafty, and thrifty! Stay tuned for a few posts on party details and of course a party recap after the big day.... 

Sweet baby dress

So I took a little hiatus from my little shop to make a little gift for a new mommy friend that just had her first baby. She had a sweet little girl...and so I did the obvious and made her a little dress set. (Could I have said little any more in that sentence?!)

I loved this fabric from the moment I laid eyes on it! The delicate flowers and vintage feel to it are just so sweet. There was no way it wasn't coming home with me. I paired the skirt with a sweet little swiss dot trim.

And of course my beloved seersucker for the top...and a red pin dot ruffle...with sweet little red heart buttons.

And of course a matching diaper cover. I don't know what it is but I think little diaper covers are just the cutest things.

 I think it's that little diaper bum. Ohhhh, when my kids are all grown I know I will not miss diapers, but I will miss that adorable little diaper bum. Soooo cute.

 But anyway...there is sweet little Kairi's newest outfit! I know, I know...she probably has a closet full of clothes and will outgrow this in 2.5 seconds. But I couldn't resist. 

And afterall, dresses are kind of my thing. :)

Welcome to the world, sweet girl!

Birthday Presents

Our good friends who live just up the street have a sweet little girl who had a birthday last week! She just loves Gracie...and exclusively calls her Baby Gracie, might I add. How cute is that? So of course Baby Gracie and I had to join in her celebration at her flower themed party. And of course I had to make her a custom dress for her gift!

 Her mom had commented on the the Candy Shoppe dress I had listed in my shoppe, so I decided to make Maryn a version of her own.

Of course, I decided this the morning of the party, which was at 11. AM. And I had to take Gracie to a doctors appointment that morning. So when we got home from the doctors, I put Gracie down for her nap, and somehow managed to crank this one out in just an hour! A little pressure never hurt anyone.

I love how fun & bright & summery it turned out. And of course...gotta love that seersucker! 

 Turquoise seersucker just might be my favorite so far.

 The bottom hem & ruffles are from a pink sparkly fabric. It's hard to tell in pictures, but the thread just sparkles in the sun! I'm pretty sure all little girls love at least a little sparkle.

I think Miss Maryn liked it too!

Here goes nothing...

So I have had it in the back of my mind for a while. I love to sew. I love to create. I love to design clothes and put fabrics together and take a flat piece of fabric and morph it into an adorable dress or outfit.

I also love this little peach. And staying home with her while she's still so cute & lovable is my main priority.

So I figured there was no better way than to just dive right in and open an etsy shop! While she is still a great napper and I can carve out a few hours of "mommy" time during the day.

I am my own worst critic. I sew a garment, and then pick it apart, sometimes literally! But I think I have had a bit of practice over the last few years (thank you family for being my guinea pigs!) and I feel like I'm ready for this.

So I came up with a name. I bought some labels.

I visited the fabric store approximately six hundred times to pick out just the right combinations. Then I would get a new idea and have to go back. My head is spinning with ideas and I feel like I can't crank out the designs in my head fast enough! But I managed to crank out at least a few.

So with a few dresses designed, I posted them to Etsy, and my new shop was born.

I have been open for a little over two weeks now...and I have had a few sales even! It feels good! Knowing that there are people out there who like things I make just as much as me. Maybe there are more of you?

Hop on over to my shop to check it out!