re-fashion rampage

As I am itching for change/spring/sunshine/new clothes/all of the above, I’m tearing through boxes and clothes on a bit of a re-fashion rampage, and everything I see, I’m asking, how can I make that? what can I do with this?  It’s borderline obsessive as I’m trying to re-work perfectly good items that I am still using… but whatever.

I took this shirt and turned it into a headband and used the rest to sew a dress for the little lady. 



I used the same pillowcase dress pattern that I have been using to make the other dresses.  The ruffled button detail is from another shirt that I saved.
I love the colors and how it’s still cute and girly, but not obnoxiously obnoxious. After all, she’s a modern baby,
I’d even wear it…
Oh wait, I already did.

If you’ve been sewing anything I’d love to see it, send me a link in the comments!

2 Months old

And you never saw this...

OH, you also didn’t see this, but I can finally share since it has arrived in the mailboxes of family and friends, the birth announcement, (minus her full name/birthday/weight/height)
introducing our little lady…

I just love her.

sewing: more “pillowcase” dresses

Remember my post about the teeny, tiny dress that I made.  Well, I printed the pattern at 75% and the turnout is much better and could fit a real human baby.

 

I’m using this pattern for the dresses.

And these fabrics (click on image for link.)

  

the reveal

Remember the fabric dilemma for Harper’s bedding?  Remember when I chose the fabric that “delighted my artistic soul?” Remember the sneak peeks?  Remember when I had the cutest baby girl in the world?

Alright, enough remembering.  You want pictures.   Cue pictures.

{the quilt}

{the whole deal}

I was fortunate to find some cute models already in their pajamas (or rather still in their pajamas at 11am) hanging around me to show off the finished product…

 

and then… Harper’s stuffed friends joined in the fun.

sweet bedding for my little lady.

I should note that technically it is not finished, as I haven’t added the ties to the bumper, I still don’t know what to use, so if you have any ideas please send them my way.   I haven’t closed off the sides of the bumpers, in case I need to pull out the pads to sew on the ties. Once I do this, then it will really be done.  I think I’m opting out of a crib skirt for now, since I don’t store things underneath, but I can always make one later.  Technically, she won’t sleep in this crib for a while, since she’s our roommate for the next six months… and it’s still being used by the original owner as a toddler bed.

Total cost of fabric, quilt batting, bumper pads:  $90

Actual time sewing: less than 10 hours

Biggest challenges: Finalizing the design

Biggest frustration:  Measuring and cutting the strip for bumper.

(I’m not into numbers and measuring)

Worth it or not: Absolutely yes.

So, if you’ve questioned whether or not you should make your own bedding, I’d say yes.  I love that I have just the fabrics and design I wanted. I love that it’s completely one of a kind.  I also love that I made it and spent much less than I would on something generic from the store. 

Sometimes, I start scheming up other designs too… but I’m not sure this is my new creative endeavor, besides, I’m a little busy these days.

one week.

Much of the last week of my life has been spent like this and I have no complaints.  I can’t believe she’s finally here.  Of course, she’s even better than I imagined.  Some moments I look around at my little family of four and I become lost in the richness and blessing of this life.

We first laid eyes on her last Monday evening after what I consider to be a great c-section experience.  Unlike, everything leading up to the decision to have another c-section, it went smoothly and I even talked to the nurses and staff throughout the whole thing.  It sure didn’t feel like we were in surgery, but surrounded by a great group of kind people who were taking care of my and my baby.  Prior to confirming our decision to go that direction, the details were frustrating and nothing seemed to be going the way we thought it might.  I believe that everything played out this way for a reason and when that undeniable peace came, I knew everything would be fine.

And when Matt held up his hands through the glass to announce her weight of 10 pounds 3 oz, I knew we made the right decision all over again.

Within minutes of leaving the operating room, Matt and h joined me in our room and we were never separated again.  I really appreciated the way the staff placed importance on you being with your baby and working to accommodate that rather than the opposite.  With H, it was almost three hours before they brought him to my room and there was absolutely nothing wrong with him, I hated that.  But this experience, minus one major disagreement with a nurse who lives and breathes the American Pediatric Association laws, we were surrounded by kind, friendly, and helpful individuals during our entire stay.

And here we are a week later, my little lady is snuggled up on my chest, which is her absolute favorite spot to be.  I’m in love.  She’s beautiful and healthy and melting our hearts daily.  She is a great sleeper, at night I often have to wake her for feedings, I hope hope hope this is a sign of things to come.  She’s content and peaceful, except when she’s hungry (kind of like mommy).  Her brother is warming up to her more and more each day and it’s so fun to see him interact with her.  She is his baby, “bebe,” and he’s so  interested in her, while still unsure.  I would say he’s handling the change decently well, minus some acting out here and there.  And in this past week, he seems so grown up, I’m at a lost for words, wondering where my little baby boy went.  I tell him many times a day that he’s my baby too and even though he’s a big boy now, that will never change.

The actual physical recovery has been harder due to the demands of being a mommy of 2. I mean, you never realize how many times a day you reach down to pick something up, until you can’t.  But I’m trying to take it easy and the husband has been a superstar when he’s home, I’d be lost without him.  And thank the Lord for drugs, they are nice too.

At least three times a day, Matt and I look at each other and say, we have two kids, wow.

My cup runneth over.

always a camera and coffee…

Why hello, blog and friends.  I’m coming back soon.  I have stories, so many stories, plus pictures galore of endless newborn loveliness.

Things are all a bit blurry, and crazy, but honestly, this is the good stuff, these moments, and there’s always a camera and coffee nearby.

So for now, I give you a preview…

life is sweet.

Love,

one tired mama

why hello, lovely.

 she couldn't be more amazing.

10 lbs. 3 oz., 22 inches

We're quite smitten, although the jury is still out on what big brother thinks.  

More to come soon... there is sleep to be lost and more gazing at our little lovely.

baby growing diaries #16

Due date.

What a joke that is.  Everyone knows that the due date is just the middle of  38-42 weeks, right.  So, while it gives you an idea of when you might have a baby, it also brings false hope to the still pregnant mamas and all the adoring fans of baby.  People should put less stock in those pesky little due dates.  Stop giving them credit they don’t deserve. 

However, this morning I had my 40 week check-up, and a tiny little breakfast date with the husband (hooray) and for the love of all that is sane and holy, I got out of the house, glory. glory. glory… even if with the wind-chill it was –(insert ungodly number) degrees out there.

(Still no car here, but my mom came to the rescue for the appointment.)

Back to the story, my appointment was good, minus that number I saw on the scale.  Unfortunately, the husband says that he’s pretty sure I still wouldn’t get picked to be on the biggest loser, I beg to differ. Whatev.  Well, things are progressing in the whole body-getting-ready-department and I can live with that.  So, spirits are good today, still increasingly uncomfortable and currently movements are all rather penguin-esque, but the end is near, and not in a doom & gloom sort of way, more like, a light at the end of the tunnel.

Also, here are three things that are making my day:

1. H has started saying, baby, and it’s just about the most ridiculously precious thing we’ve ever heard.  Heart melting precious.
2. This darling birth announcement.  I‘m in love.  Except, I already have plans.
3. Most of all, ask me if I’ve had my baby yet, go ahead, ask….  ASK… and then you shall find your answer here.

40 weeks today.

baby growing diaries #15

A few night ago, at an hour much too late to be awake for a very pregnant mama and a very hardworking daddy, we were talking to H and telling her just how ready we were to meet her.  We started talking about what she will be like, her personality and such.    In my head, I already have an idea of what kind of little girl she will be.   Of course, I really can’t know until she decides to vacate her temporary home, but I’ve sort of been thinking about this for a while.  Frankly, I think she’s going to be ridiculous, funny, the silliest thing you’ve ever seen, and spilling over with personality.  Maybe, just maybe. Now, saying all of this means I’m in for a real adventure, but isn’t all of parenting that way?

To give you a better picture of the little wonder I am imagining, think Lola from Charlie & Lola meets Olivia the pig.  Now, I have always loved Olivia, (for reasons other than sharing a name) she’s hilarious and so clever.  I even started collecting the books just for myself. 

If you aren’t familiar with Lola, here’s a segment of the show, I wish it was more popular here in the States.  Honestly, I crack up every single time I watch and this started before I had any kids.  Lola is just amazing and she’s a tiny bit dramatic too.  The following video is a little long (10 minutes), but if you have the time, you’re certain to be entertained.

I just adore Charlie & Lola.

It makes me laugh just to think of h being this perfect mix of these two characters.  But, maybe she’ll be completely different, who knows.  I guess there’s only one way to find out.

bedding for baby: a preview

  It turns out that a certain baby will have bedding in her crib after all.

I have vowed to only share sneak peeks until the whole project is finished, because I’m cruel and love keeping people in suspense. Here’s my progress report. The quilt is completed.  I need to add ties to the bumper and finish the ends.  I’ve yet to start or buy fabric for the crib skirt, but that’s not going to be to hard and in my opinion is still very optional.  Oh, and I’m buying sheets, because that part sounded really boring to make.  And yes, that is how I decide things.  

I really love how it’s all coming together and can’t wait to show you the finished product. 

Oh… p.s. In case you were wondering,  it’s still winter and it’s absolutely freezing, actually below freezing.  Am I the only one who thinks that a full month of winter is a bit excessive? If I listen carefully, I can hear warmer lands beckoning.  If you listen carefully you’ll hear it too.

{liv

For the little lady

My very first dress for little miss h.  I am in love.   I  had to channel the attention to  detail portion of my creativity because making clothes is nothing like splashing paint across the canvas.

I didn’t follow any particular pattern, but used one of the 3-6 month dresses as a guide.   The back has a one button enclosure, which I saw used on a tutorial online, can’t tell you where.   I used buttons from my vintage collection (that belonged to my husband’s mom and grandmother) and this fabric, with a bit of (white with pink & blue polka dots) fabric I bought at the store, in one of those small pre-cut bits.

It’s far from perfect as far as the sewing goes, but perfect is boring and I’m not entering any contests.  Now that I have successfully finished one, I am confident that I can make more and chances are I’ll keep getting better in time.

And look, she already has a cute little jacket, loafers, and legwarmers for a complete outfit.   Excellent.

Oh what fun we will have, my baby.

{Liv

fabric fun

Cups in Retro

Cups in Licorice

Brew in Retro

Wouldn’t these prints be the cutest for a little sundress and thrill this coffee loving momma at the same time?

Or a cover for the boppy pillow?

They would also be great tools to instill in my little girl the importance of good coffee, because that is what really matters.

Liv.

baby growing diaries #4

Thankfully, I’m feeling so much better, I’m sure it’s partially related to the fact that cool fall temps are here, replacing the hot, sweltering ones that sucked the life from my being.  Hooray for fall.  Hooray for feeling human-like.

Big news: I ate chicken.  I know, I can’t believe it myself.  The meat lover in me is seeping through the cracks, like the lady trapped  in the wallpaper*.  Last weekend, I visited the outdoor garden market, across the street and they had a whole sampling of tasty dishes using zucchini, one was a spicy tortilla soup and it was divine… chicken and all.  I came home and made it for dinner.  I ate two bowls.

Then, yesterday after watching a few hours of the Food Network, my mouth was watering over the steaks and barbeque and ribs and Italian beef sandwiches from Chicago.  Meat, meat, meat.  Give this girl some meat.  Although, I’m not sure about ground beef or hot dogs yet, but if you arrived at my door with a tasty medium rare steak, I’d eat it right away.

I think my husband is sleeping better now, because he’s not worried that I will actually remain anti-meat forever.

Another note of interest:  if you brought me a volcano roll or Japanese tempura bagel roll from a certain sushi restaurant in central Florida, I would love you forever and ever.  But, what I really meant to say was, after the baby is born, silly… because of course, I follow all the rules. 

All the time.

Rule follower, right here.

So recap:  Feeling better.  I want a steak.  I want sushi. 

 

Next time on the baby growing diaries: 

1.I tried on a pair of maternity jeans and lived to tell about it.

2. The moment it hit me that we are actually, for real having another baby.

22 weeks today.

 

*Did anyone catch my allusion to Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s, The Yellow Wallpaper?  My favorite short story of all time.

{Liv