Oh my!

Posted by
Darby
at
3:58 PM
6
comments
There are very few places to find good smocking and children's fabrics... one of which is www.chadwickheirlooms.com. Apparently their site is set up for "shopping" and all the links I posted previously led you nowhere. So, now they lead you to their site and I've given directions once you get there. If anyone is looking for any of the patterns I used, thankfully, they can ALL be found there! :) I hope they stick around... my 2 other online sources have vanished off the face of the earth.
Posted by
Darby
at
5:07 PM
4
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There are several more "to do's" on my list of sewing projects, but I have completed 6 dresses (2 of which I started months ago). My friend Tami, over the last 4 years, has taught me most of what I know about sewing (& embroidery). We enjoyed sewing together this past weekend when the kids were napping and now we're convinced we need a "sewing retreat" to start and FINISH our remaining projects. Tami has a little boy and is pregnant with a little girl. She is the most talented seamstress I know. She does beautiful hand sewing and smocking and can crank out an entire outfit in no time flat!
The dress/top is by McCall's (Sew Easy M5353)
It takes twice as long to complete the dress if you use piping or rick-rack but I think it's worth the extra effort!
I also prefer for the straps to button behind the front-- the pattern shows the straps buttoning over the front.
For Morgan (age 3) I made the dress "top" length (XL size but cut to M length) and used my favorite shorts pattern {patterns: Creations by Michie: "Diaper Shirt & Shorts"} to make her shorts to match the piping & covered buttons.
For Paige (age 22 mos) I followed the pattern and used the Frannie Baby panties {patterns: Children's Corner: "Frannie Baby"}.
In the last picture you'll see I used grosgrain ribbon folded in half to mark the back of the panties. Both panties & shorts are often hard to differentiate between the front & back (especially if you're 2 or 3 years old or a man) but I've found it's really easy just to fold a piece of ribbon in 1/2 and tuck it in before you close up the casing for the elastic. I did the same in the girls floral dresses pictured above.
That's all for now! I've got to do some things for the little boy before he gets here. Which by the way, several of y'all have asked about his name, we don't keep it a secret... we just don't have one for him... YET!
Posted by
Darby
at
1:49 PM
16
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Posted by
Darby
at
7:12 AM
8
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In all honesty, I'm surprised our neighbors didn't call the police because I was screaming so loud at my children. I was mad at Morgan for watching her do this and not telling me. With pumping adrenaline I moved all the furniture and drug the 8 x 10 rug to that new fence, hung it up and sprayed it off... and the rug pad too. Justin came home "mid-freak-out session" and rescued me... or maybe it was the children he rescued from me! :)
Once we got on the road and made our way to the lake we were all friends again. The weather was perfect and so was the water {except for the fact that there is something in it that I am allergic to and for the 5th time have broken out in a rash after swimming in it!}. Our friends Neal & Tami (& Judson) joined us for a laid back weekend full of a whole lot of nothing.
Morgan swimming like a big girl in the water.
Posted by
Darby
at
2:20 PM
11
comments
but we've decided to go here tomorrow for the weekend:
Posted by
Darby
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12:24 PM
7
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Paiger went for the pink clogs (& posed with her hands on her hips)... she has a little bit of growing before she can wear them though!
Thanks again, Alyssa! We love all our new loot! I want to treat you to lunch!!
Posted by
Darby
at
4:20 PM
15
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Posted by
Darby
at
8:21 AM
11
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Couldn't you eat these little fish up!? Wait 'til you see Paige's class... they're just as cute!
Some of y'all have asked about these classes that the girls are taking and last week I dubbed them "survival" and really they're not technically "survival" perhaps the word "intense" would be more appropriate. There is no blowing bubbles, hopping like rabbits, etc... she cuts to the chase and puts them under over and over again while pushing them to the wall. She tells them to kick their feet and shows them how to do "big arms" while under water. The girls classes have lasted a week each for 1 hour each day. We are paying $100 per child per week.
A friend of mine from Louisville, KY just completed a round of "real deal" Survival Swim classes. Valerie has a two year old named Landry (3 older children & a POOL & a POND) and I am quite impressed with her new skills. Please read and watch what Valerie posted on her blog here. What you can't see clearly in the video is that Landry is wearing a full set of clothes and before turning her over upside-down in the water, the instructor straps Landry's feet together. I'm not even sure if I were to have Justin tie my feet together I'd be able to float. I was so proud of Landry when I watched this video that it almost made me cry! I want my Paige to learn how to do this too. I pray that she would never need to know how to use it but the child is fearless of the water and I think she would benefit greatly from knowing this. Today she continually jumped in and would say over and over (like toddlers do) " again mama, again mama!"! So a great big high 5 to Landry and for all you moms out there... look into this! It could save your child's life!!
Here's what Valerie has to say about the courses Landry took:
The classes last anywhere from 4-6 weeks. Sometimes they finish sooner than others, depending on the child. You go to the lessons Monday through Friday, every day, but only for 10 minutes, so it's really not as bad as it sounds. They build on their skills each time they go back to class. They offer the classes all over the United States, so you just have to check if there is one in your area. My oldest two children took the classes at the same time when they were 10 months old and 18 1/2 months old . The cost is $70 a week. It's a lot of money, but completely worth it. And, when you think about it, they are getting lessons every single day for a long period of time. So, I hope that answers some questions.
Posted by
Darby
at
4:06 PM
0
comments
It's 7:2o pm.
My children are in bed.
This never happens.
I think I'll go to bed too.
My stomach (abs) feel like they're tearing in 1/2... oh wait, they are!
I think my bed will make me feel much better! :)
Now, if the two munchers will just stay in their beds!
TODAY we did THIS (+ swim lessons) while Justin took Morgan to the farm to go fishing!
Posted by
Darby
at
7:22 PM
8
comments
Tutorials:
Pleated Apron: Post or printable PDF
Roman Shade
Clothing Tags
Stamped Onesies {with fabric paint}
Fabric Flowers for bows and pins
Personalized Labels: StepbyStep
Hair Bow Tutorial
Eyelet Sock Tutorial
Tierd Skirt Tutorial {pics coming soon!}
Sling Pictures & Info
Sewing & Embroidery Info
Appliques 101 {without an Embroidery Machine}
House Renovations:
part 1 (the den)
part 2 (the office)
part 3 (the LR & DR)
part 4 (the kitchen & FR)
part 5 (the master bedroom)
part 6 (the orange bathroom)
the nursery
the girls room
& keeping honest:
our bathrooms