FLIP THIS PATTERN!!!! My POST is up!!!!

Hey everyone - go check out my flip of the bubble shorts by Elegance and Elephants over at Frances Suzanne  You are going to love seeing the pictures of baby girl dancing!!!!  Voting will start June 21st - and don't worry, I wont let you forget when that happens!!!!

See the whole thing HERE

Baby got Back...

I was so excited when RaeAnna of Sewing Mama RaeAnna allowed me to test her bloomers pattern: The Sweet and Simple Bloomers - she didn't care that I couldn't get to them right away, or that she had to wait to see them until I could create the vision in my mind of a top that should go with them.  Eventually, I got it all done ;o)

First lets talk about the adorable bloomers.  These are the simplest thing in the world to make - no lie.  If my machine hadn't decided to die mid waistband, I would have had these knocked out in about 20 minutes (including cutting time).  I love that they are just a basic bloomer - they will go with any dress, any tunic top, any shirt or onesie - or all by themselves for that matter.

look at that little belly and those chunky thighs!

You can then add embellishments to your heart's content - I added bows!  I can also envision myself adding lace trim, ruffles to the butt, or even some rhinestone bling... well maybe not, but you never know ;op

Part of what makes this pattern easy is that it is only two pieces - right side and left side.  The legs and waist have casings for elastic which makes the fit comfy and forgiving - they wont grow out of these overnight!  I made mine out of cotton; but I can just as easily imagine them out of knit for comfy play, satin for dressy occasions, and a thin light weight flannel for summer PJ's.  So many options!

Look at that cute little tushie!!!

Once I had my little bloomers done I knew that I wanted a tunic top that would show them off.  Open back seamed the perfect option.  The dilemma is that I don't currently own an open back pattern - that needs to be remedied.  I had a vision in my head of what I wanted and couldn't quite find it - I have no problem adapting a pattern, but I also knew the vision in my head would be simple enough to make on my own.  I found this image of a vintage pattern on pinterest and my fate was set.

Found Here

Not too shabby of a free hand knock off  - I think Heidi would be proud ;o)

If I make this again I am going to widen the bottom of the back panel and change the curve a bit, but overall I am so happy with it.  I used ready made bias tape which made the project lickity-split!  And of course the pocket, which is lined,  has a center pleat,  and is bound in more bias tape - and of course finished with a cute bow to match the shorts.  I can't quite decide if I love the small ruffle or wish I had gone with a wider ruffle.

So what do we think of this little creation?

More of the cuteness:

I'ma gonna run....

maybe this way....

maybe that way...

you can't catch me....

.... but I'ma gonna getcha!

The bloomers just released today - don't miss out!!!!

Sweet & Simple Bloomers

Bubble Shorts WINNER!!! (and coupon code)

Hello all my lovely ladies, the winner has been chosen!!!  drum rolll please..........

Congratulations to Kim Radatz!!!!  You have won a copy of Elegance and Elephants' Bubble Shorts - you are going to LOVE them!!!  Check your inbox.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now for all of you who did not win - NEVER FEAR!!!  Heidi is giving you a discount code so that you can go and get this amazing pattern for yourself!  Use the code FLIP to get 10% today through June 5th. (*sorry there is a snafu with the code it will be working at 12pm EST today 5/29)

You seriously can not go wrong with this pattern - I have two pairs under construction at the moment.  One is for my flip, and the other is being sent to a lucky little lady in OK as part of Sewing to Rebuild.

Huge Hugs!!!

Catch the Summer Vibe with Big Island Board Shorts!!!

 

Melissa at Blank Slate Patterns has done it again... she has created adorable patterns with a clean finish that not only teach me new things, but bring me back to my childhood (particularly the Retro romper - I swear I wore that as a child!!!)  Her New summer set is called 'Summer Vibe' and it just released TODAY!!!

I had the pleasure of testing the Big Island Board Shorts and I am in love with them.  Not only does the bias tape enclose the side seams, it also encloses the hem which means dear readers.... NO HEMMING!!!  These fit in perfectly with her other designs allowing for the blank slate of clean and simple or revving up your engine and going hog wild with prints, appliques, painting techniques, etc.....  Umm, you can see where my design aesthetic leans ;o)  The other thing I love about this pattern is that they are completely age appropriate through the whole sizing range.  They aren't baby-ish and they aren't grown up... they are simply that perfection that lies somewhere in the middle and are a pattern that I can use every year until they grow out of the size range!

Look at this little man:

So happy and proud in his shorts!!!

My only issue at all in making these board shorts was finding the materials.  I only have a Joann's and Walmart local to me for fabric resources.  Neither had ANY of the needed materials - ruffle scruffle shanken poop!  As a tester, I didn't have time to order in fabric, so to my secret stash (aka hubby's closet) I went.  Luckily for me he has dropped an astounding amount of weight in the last year and had some almost brand new swim trunks from last summer that will in no way shape or form stay up on his hips any longer.  Wohoo for me, the perfect fabric AND mesh swim lining all in one - SCORE!!!

some close ups:

Seriously this whole line is so cute - go check them all out and get sewing for your kiddos TODAY!!!

Happy Memorial Day!!!

I am so thankful for all of those who have or are currently serving to protect their country.  Thank you for all that you do, thank you for all that you are.


It is Memorial Day and I just happen to live next to the 'birthplace' of this holiday.  Today I will spend the day surrounded by my little family in a quaint little town, listening to patriotic music, and eating food that will drip down my face as I walk.  But midst the celebrations, fanfare, and greasy food - I will REMEMBER.  Today, take a moment to remember all of those who have given of themselves to help this country grow, remember the people in your life who have shaped you into who you are today, and think of the memory you will leave with your children for generations to come.

I'm also remembering how itty bitty my baby girl was this time last year!!!!!

And if you like to sew.... My affiliate, Melly Sews, is offering her awesome Blank Slate Tank Top for just $1 TODAY ONLY!!!!  You can combine this with her bundle discounts for even more savings, or just buy this one to check out how amazing her patters are!  Use code MEMORIAL13 at checkout!!!

Sewing for MOI!!!

I am guest posting over at the amazing Shaffer Sisters' blog... I love these girls, they are so encouraging and creative!!!  Thank you for making mother's day a month long event and helping us find the time to do something for us ;o)  And don't miss out all the awesome projects in the Make for Mom series!!!

Head on over to see what I made!!!!

Flip this Pattern -GIVEAWAY!!!

Yep, you read that right... I am doing my very first ever GIVEAWAY!!!

and..... it is for Heidi's BUBBLE SHORTS!

WOHOOO!!!!

these are the pair I tested for Heidi: not my flip ;o)

AREN"T THEY ADORABLE!!!!

do I sound a bit excited?

I am getting to share this giveaway with you because I am one of the three bloggers flipping this pattern as a part of the year long FLIP THIS PATTERN series.

So enter using the raffle captor here - you know you want this pattern!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


And stay tuned in June to see what I have up my sleeve for my flip  ;o)  I'll be joining in with Lisa from Mommy's Apron Strings and Marta of Do Guincho to flip these shorts!!!