Monday, April 29, 2013

Rainbow Dash Birthday!

 
 
This weekend was party/RAIN central at our house!  April weather in Arkansas can be hit or miss.  We had temps in the 70's earlier this week and come Friday for the party it was rainy and in the 50's.  But that did not slow down the 18 kids from having a good time.  I have been planning the party for a month and ordered all the decorations from Amazon!  Why did I ever do it any other way!
 
Carleigh wanted a My Little Pony party.  I wanted her to have the type of party she wanted, but I encouraged her to make it a Rainbow Dash My Little Pony party and she happily went with it!  (I am not a big character themey person)

I had seen a wonderful Unicorn/rainbow party that Lindsey did over at the Cottage Mama, and she had a link to her graphic she made and I used it for the invitations!

Thanks so much Lindsey for letting us  less tecno savvy okay completely unsavvy people in on that cuteness!

I made 25 tissue paper balls to hang from the chandelier and made a paper banner for the cake table.  My original plan was to have all the tables/food/decorations and crazy kids OUTSIDE but we had to move everything in (except the bounce house) due to that pesky rain.

I used some Washi tape, confession, this was my first time to use washi tape and now I think I am addicted!  Anyway, I used it to spiffy up some plain bamboo forks
 
At the drink station I had a galvanized bucket full of glass bottle cokes and crush sodas, waters and capri suns.  I even had some Summer Beer (best drink ever!!!) for the adults.  Side note, summer beer will make any child's birthday party with 18 kids way less stressful!!! 

On the cake/gift table I put a picture of the birthday girl.  I can not believe she will be in school next fall.
 

 
After I got into the bounce house with like 9 beach towels the kids were let loose!
We then had a bubble/dance party in the mist!  Side note,  I made the girls all a cute Doli tank by Sarah with the plans that they were them for the party with bubble shorts... Well with cold  temps and rain I was scrambling to find a black long sleeve top to put under the tank.  Just a little pre party stress... remember the summer beer!?!?! It helped.


After we played for a while we all came in to eat.  Rocky manned the grill AKA stayed out of the way of the 18 kids.  We then opened presents and ate cake, may favorite part!
 

 
I made a rainbow cake, super easy!  I was afraid the colors would run together, but I think it turned out well for the first try!
 
 

Carleigh felt like the star of the show.  I know as parents we don't have favorites, I love all my girls beyond imagination!  I just have a soft spot for my middle redheaded baby girl.  I know that she knows she is special and that God made her ours for a reason.  She is so full of energy and just has a joy for life that I hope never fades.  Happy birthday Beautiful girl!



I hope that since we have good weather this week, I will be able to get good pictures of my KCW stuff!  Here's to hoping!


Monday, April 22, 2013

Just our normal weekend and a little KCW prep

This weekend was a fun one!
Saturday morning I finished a TMNT costume for Lendee's friend Sam. I tell you he is obsessed! He could tell me all their names, color, and what weapon each turtle used. He put on his costume right away and showed us some ninja moves!





P.S I will post about the girls dresses soon. It's a pattern that I hope will be released
 soon.  Lendee and her good friend Morgan Watching Sam open his presents.




I about killed myself under this pile of laundry! I am such a procrastinator!



I have been preparing for KCW! Have you? 


 

I finished a knit boat neck tank top with a big bow in the back. I drafted this pattern and I like how it turned out.  The neck comes up a little higher than I would like.




Today I will work on the doli tank by Sarah at LoobeeClothing.

  

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Spring time!

I am linking up with Make it Wear it Thursday over at The Train to Crazy!  I LURRV me some Amy Butler prints!  I made the older two girls halter tops with ruffle shorts/Capri's.  And for the baby I made her a sleeveless top with bloomer shorts.
normally I am a bow person.  I always say "The bigger the bow the better the mama"! HA! But I had some fabric left over and made them some over sized headbands! 
  I drafted my own pattern for these outfits and love how they turned out, but I think the models are the best part! 
 
Now to get ready for KCW!  Are you!?!!?!?!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

"there's no crying in baseball" or softball

Last night was Graceanne's second softball game.  I was totally surprised when she brought home a sign up for softball a few months ago. I have not forced them to play organized sports, hey, I am just happy she likes to frolic in the flowers and play pretend in the yard! I'm not knocking organized sports, I played (some on my own free will, others forced). My mom was and is a coach at heart , and forced me to play basketball.





Her team is made up of 6-8 year olds, Graceanne is 7 and the smallest on the team. Sorry kid, it's in your genes.



Our first game they won, but last night it was like we were playing in the MLB. Holy cow theses girls were good! They had muscles! And speed like the flash! I am in the dugout with the girls to help with helmets and batting order, and after each inning you could see their little faces getting more defeated.


Graceanne's first time up to bat, she hit it and ran fast, but was thrown out at first. I told her good hit, just run as fast as you can. She said "I did, she was faster and I can't run with this helmet!" HA! We were tied 3-3 but the game ended with a score of 3-13. The girls were upset, I just reminded them that we play for fun, we win some, we loose some. Then a mom came up with goldfish and Capri Suns and they were all giggles again.




When we got home we dunked those dusty girls in the tub! I was able to sew for a bit. I am working on a TMNT costume for a birthday party Saturday and cut some patterns for KCW!

Monday, April 15, 2013

Country weekend

This weekend was B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L! We had temps in the upper 70s. (won't last long) the saying is "in Arkansas, wait five minutes and the weather will change" well we are supposed to have severe storms this week and freezing temps on Thursday and Friday. Better soak up that vitamin D while we can. Plus, my legs would blind you!

after school on Friday we went to our local nursery for some flowers.  I love this place, they know us by name, give the girls free seeds and they have this "pond" with two turtles and the girls love to feed them and watch them while I shop! Who would have thought a reptile could be such a good babysitter!













  So Saturday morning after Graceanne came back from feeding her calf Lucky, we were ready to plant the flowers! We built our house six years ago and have done minimal okay NO landscaping.  Life just got busy and the budget well you know....

 



We made two flower beds in front of the porch and later this week I have one more planned by our driveway.






We grilled out and had a picnic outside, the girls were so excited! Easily amused....


After church Rocky went to go pick up our beef (freezer is full!!!)

We decided to go for a drive up the mountain for dinner at The Burger Barn




Best burger ever!  I also did a little sewing.... testing a pattern!!  Fun Fun.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Under the big-top outfit



About a month ago I made an outfit for one of Carleigh's friends 5th birthday.  As soon as Carleigh saw it she wanted on as well.  "we can match at school mommy"  If only my 7 year old was as enthusiastic about matching her sister....  So with Make it Wear it Thursday coming up over The Train to Crazy Blog by Andrea I decided to make a new outfit for Carleigh.

So I did some sketching (not gonna lie, they look bad)  I can not draw, but the idea was in my head.  I wanted a three quarter sleeve tunic.  I love the look of shirring so I wanted that on the sleeve.  I also die for a good ruffle.  I thought about putting a ruffle around the neck like a clown outfit.  Sounds hideous but I thought I could make it work, channeling my inner Tim Gunn.

I started with some Riley Blake chevron and another Riley Blake print that I have had for ages and just horded for the right outfit. 
I did not iron (don't judge) we all have those days....
I drafted a template for the bodice.  This is the same 4T template I used for their Easter dresses I just extended it out in an A-line to make it a tunic.  I cut one of main fabric (on fold for the front) and two of main fabric for the back.  I also cut lining pieces out but only for the sake of the collar so the lining was very short, only came down about 3 inches from the arm.  I also cut a strip of stabilizer for the button closure in the back.
I then used the sleeve pattern I drafted for their Easter dresses, I just made them longer.

I surged the front of the bodice to the back at the shoulder seams.  Then added the stabilizer.  I did the same for the lining.  Also with the lining, I surged the bottom edge just to finish the edges.
So then I pinned all around the neck with a 1/2 seam.  I continued down the back center 4 inches.  I also added a button loop (AKA bias tape).
After i stitched around the neck and down the back seam,  I clipped the edges and curves and turned it right side out.  The BEST tool that I have found is a chopstick! 
I then pressed the top, at this point, i would normally top stitch the neck, but i am adding a ruffle trim so that step is not necessary.

Now for my ruffle, I used my accent fabric  I cut it the length of the material 44" and 2.5 inches wide.  I then changed the setting on my serger to a rolled hem to finish the edges.  I feel this makes it more light weight!  There are soooo many different ways to make a ruffle and  Kate has a wonderful sewing101 lesson on ruffles.  I set my sewing machine on the longest stitch length, and put it on the highest tension setting.  I then placed my fabric with the needle in the center, and start sewing.  With my left hand I guide the fabric, and with my right hand gently tug on the thread.  This method takes practice, if you pull too hard you WILL break the thread, I have several times!  You also need to be consistent with your tugs to make the ruffle even!  I am a weirdo, so I count the waltz (no lie) and pull on the one beat! Hey what ever floats your boat right?
Then I pinned the ruffle on the neck and moved the ruffles around until it fits. stitch it down!  Just don't forget to put the tension back to the normal setting!
Now on to the sleeve!  My favorite part of the top is the shirred sleeves!  I measure up three inches and make 4 lines a quarter of an inch apart on both sleeves.  Then I get my machine ready!  I wind a bobbin with elastic thread use my normal thread on top!  I set my stitch length on a 5 ( a bigger stitch) but not the biggest. 
I follow the lines on each sleeve, and back stitch a the beginning and end.  Then the magic happens!  You steam the sleeve and the shirring, bunches up!   I love that!

The one on the left is finished and the one on the right is not.  Then it's time to attach the sleeves.
I start by pinning the center of the sleeve to the bodice.  You can stitch a gathering stitch and the sleeve will fit in perfectly but I did a different sleeve "art".  After pinning the center I move the sleeve around and pin on the left and right corners and then start pinning my way back to the center.  There will be extra material, I fold the left side in (on top of the first center pin)  then I fold the right side over the fold and pin it down.  After I stitch the sleeve, I serge it to finish the raw edges and give it a little more ummp!
It's just a different little detail.

After that I stitched up both sides ( well surged)  Did a rolled hem on the edge, I got lazy and did not feel like folding it under and changing my needle to a double needle! Attached the button to the back and my label to the front.
Well The pants, I can't claim them, they are a simplicity pattern, not sure which one but I use them for the waist and length.  I then decide how long a ruffle I want.  I made these pants with a double ruffle.  I cut two strips the length of the fabric 44" one 5inches the other 3 inches.  I did a rolled hem to make the ruffles lighter,  did the same ruffle as before and attached to the pants.  Did a top stitch and BAZINGA!  I was finished.  Good thing, because nap time was over!