Love Bug!

I'd been eyeballing the Sienna Dress pattern from Lil Blue Boo for awhile but knew I'd want to immediately start making dresses for Harleigh and I had other things I had to get done before the holidays. Then I had this Rockstar Baby order for Ms. Catherine that I needed to get sent off.


FINALLY I got my chance to snag the pattern and was super excited to find out about the Lil Blue Boo / Dharma Trading Design Challenge!


I had rescued a bunch of shirts from my sister Becca that had been Goodwill bound a couple months ago and already knew what my first project would be. There was a black and white reversible tube tube with the most perfect little polka dots all over it and it was destined to become something fabulous! While I can't exactly explain my thought process for anything because it's too confusing I will say my inspiration was a jumble of the looming Valentine's Day, tiny pigtails, and Harleigh's nickname of Love Bug. Using the tube top, an old red onesie, and a plain white tee I came up with a little dress/top that I continually drool over. Instead of long sleeves as the pattern uses I shortened them so that she could wear the dress into the summer. I also made it shorter than the pattern so that she wouldn't get caught up as she constantly motors around by scooting on her booty. I used a freezer paper stencil to paint "love" on the front and then embellished the back with a set of red wings.


Maybe I'm not the most fair judge but I think she made the cutest little valentine ever!

a slightly further step back in time

What is it about sitting in the dark by myself that makes me think back? Tonight I was flipping through photobucket and came across this picture. Since tomorrow is Valentine's Day I thought it was appropriate. This was Valentine's Day 2 years.

nostalgia has set in

Everyday I promise myself I will blog about something, anything to get me started again, and tonight as I sit here in the dark, unable to sleep I seem to have found the time/energy/desire to actually do it.

Tonight I read a heart wrenching story (http://enjoyingthesmallthings.blogspot.com/2010/01/nella-cordelia-birth-story.html) which got me to thinking about the day Harleigh was born. Her story and mine really have no connection other than we both gave birth to little girls but for whatever reason it gave me some blog mojo.

Little Miss Harleigh Rae turns one next month. Like all moms I can't believe the year has gone by so fast. It seems like the years go faster as I get older and makes me cherish this time with the kids even more.
I miss that (not so) tiny thing!

mommy & me

I'll admit it I like to match Harleigh. Sometimes it's not intentional but then again sometimes it is.

The necklace that I'm wearing is a super easy project. I took a long strip of material...about 3 inches I think...then sewed it into a tube and turned it right side out. I tied a knot in the end and then stuffed a cotton ball down in it. I alternated knots and cotton balls until I got it the length I wanted. I suggest a wooden dowel for shoving the cotton balls. After tying the last knot I sewed a length of ribbon to each end of the fabric. Super easy and super cute!

a new skirt and first time swimming

Pretty much the only thing I got accomplished before Judd got home yesterday (besides playing with the kids) was this little skirt for Harleigh. She didn't want to take pictures though.


After Judd got home we went smimmin' as Lucas says. This was Harleigh's first time so I had to delay him a bit to take a picture of her. I wish the focus had been better but we were in a hurry!

just because

just because i like them

just because he'll need a reason to hate me when he's older

just because i like the fact that i made us matching clothes

Not enough hair for bows? No problem...make one of these!

These nylon headbands can be found online for around $5 a piece. I'm cheap and didn't want to pay that so I decided I could make them myself. They are so simple! I found the knee highs at Wal-Mart for 44 cents. They are in those little plastic bubble things like the toys in candy machines. Pick out whatever color you want. I ended up with white, black, off-white and navy blue. I haven't checked the dollar store but I have this feeling they might carry the more "exotic" colors of knee highs such as pastels. LOL! Along with the knee high you will need scissors, fabric glue, a piece of cardstock (I use a mailer), and ribbon that matches your knee high. For the ribbon I like to use 1/2 or 3/4 inch.
Take one of the knee highs and cut off the top and the toe. Then cut it in half.

Next you want to take one of the pieces turn it inside out and slide it onto your cardstock. I like the cardstock to be a little too wide so that it bows like in the picture b/c it's easier to work with in my opinion.

Now fold up the bottom about a third of the way and put a line of glue along the bottom edge.

Fold the top down and press into the glue. Your fingers will get gluey b/c it will smoosh through the nylon.

Repeat this process on the other side of the headband as well.
Next you will take your ribbon and cut a piece that will wrap around the headband. I like to make it a little tighter so that creates a slightly gathered look. Slide it under the nylon then wrap around and glue.

Once the headband is dry slide it off the cardstock and turn it around. It will look small but of course they stretch. Here is the headband complete with a clippie bow. Sorry for the doll model but Miss Harleigh is napping.


And just for fun here is a picture of the vintage red high chair that we picked up a month ago at a garage sale and the dressmakers dummy in Harleigh's room.