Flea Market Treasures

This past weekend I was on my way to the grocery store and I happened to stumble upon a Flea Market. Of course, I couldn't resist! OMG there were so many wonderful things. It's a really good thing that I didn't have a lot of cash with me or I my have come home with a carload of treasures. However, I simply couldn't resist some of the gorgeous vintage linens that were there. I picked a few of my favorites and left before I was tempted to splurge any further. My mind was just racing with ideas as to what I could do with them but I knew for sure I wanted to use them in my sewing.

This morning I sat down at my machine and started creating. I wanted to use soft colors so I went with gray and a really gorgeous pink. I also used some of the vintage lace I had been hoarding to add just the right touch and then I added the linen flea market find as a sweet little apron on the front of the dress. I am very happy with how it turned out. Abby fell in love with it too. She even insisted on wearing her pearls with it. I have to admit they are the perfect touch. Amazing at 4 years old she has such a great fashion sense.

Copy Cat, Copy Cat

Once in a while I see something that I just fall in love with. That is absolutely the case with this outfit. I received the Chasing Fireflies catalog a few weeks ago and instantly fell in love with the outfit on the cover. Stunning!!! I loved every aspect of it except for the price, of course. But clever mama that i am thought..."Hmmm, I wonder if I can do "my version" of this outfit and get close to the gorgeous original. So yesterday I sat down to try to fulfill that vision. I spent the entire morning and the better part of the early afternoon creating and I must admit that I am pretty proud of my results. It's not perfect, but it's pretty doggone close.

I think I may re-do the little red jacket, it doesn't quite cut it, but for a first attempt it's not bad. The skirt is TDF. Sadly, the pictures didn't capture how close I really got to the original. I will say that took hours to re-create! then the little beret' completes the outfit.. So, stinkin' cute!

Wanna Have S'More Fun?

Last week I went up to the Sewing Expo in DC, and although I was really disappointed in the Expo I did have a blast shopping for fabrics in some great shops up in Northern VA. On the way back home I stopped off at my favorite fabric shops in Richmond. "Quilting Adventures". It's an amazing place to find all the latest lines of designer prints and so many fun and interesting little extras. Plus, the ladies that work there are so nice and very helpful. I could easily spend hours there. During this visit I discovered some amazing fabrics and one of the lines I fell in love with is the new Moda line called "S'Mores". OMG it's just adorable, and I couldn't resist. I finally made time to sew yesterday and couldn't wait to play with my new fabrics.

This entire outfit took on a life of it's own. It started with the peasant top and pants and then evolved into an entire "look", complete with coat and hat. Yes, I even crocheted the hat. I have done any crocheting in years, but it's like riding a bike once you know how...you never forget and it all came back the minute I picked up the hook and yarn. I didn't use any type of pattern. I just winged it and it turned out pretty cute. I am really trying to add new elements to my design creativitity which makes it all that much more fun and interesting.

Anyway, here are the results...

All Kitties Should Wear Diamonds & Glitter

Why do little girls love things that sparkle? Well, I guess it's not just little girls...a lot of big girls do too! Personally, I am not really into lots of glitz for myself, but my daughter can't get enough of it. We were fabric shopping months ago and she spotted this crazy hot pink fabric with cats carrying purses, wearing hats and they were all be-decked in glitter and jewels. It was love at first sight and Abby insisted that we buy some. I added it to my pile and Abby was thrilled. For months it's been hidden away in my stash until just the other day Abby spotted it and "reminded me" that I "needed" to make her something out of it "right now". Hmmmm...what to do with crazy cat glitter fabric. Well, I guess the only logical thing was to go with it and come up with a really fun Baby doll dress to pair up with funky tights. I was honestly pleasantly surprised with how sweet it turned out. Of course Abby absolutely loves it!!!!

My Little Fashionista!

Wow! where has my little girl gone? In the past week or so Abigail has really discovered her fashion sense. She has opinions about what she likes and is very clear on what she does not like. She is moving away from all things cute and sweet and wanting to wear things that are more edgy and fashion forward which is pretty impressive given the fact that she is only 4! The other day we received the new Chasing Fireflies catalog and we looked at it together and both fell in love with many things inside. This is my knock off of one of the styles we loved.

She's Growing Up Too Fast!!!

Abby is only 4.5 and already she has an opinion about what she likes, and what she doesn't. The other day she told me that she was "not a little girl anymore, and didn't want to dress like a baby." To be honest I wasn't that surprised. Abby is a very articulate little girl and speaks her mind. So with that in mind I made up these little skirt sets for her this morning and she just loves them. Very funky, and sassy...just like Abby! I just know she will have so much fun wearing these. I am trying not to be too sad about her desire to dress more "grown up", but rather looking at it as a challenge to create fun and unique outfits for her that totally fit her personality.

Autumn Pinafore

Yet another creation for the upcoming autumn season...I can't wait! I am completely over summer, it seems like it just goes on and on here in Virginia. I am so excited to be creating things to transition Abby into the cooler weather. This pinafore will be just perfect as it can be worn with long sleeves or short depending on the temperature. I used tons of pretty fabrics in gorgeous colors... purples, greens and oranges.

Warning!! Peasant dresses can be addictive

Here is yet another version of the simple peasant dress. This time I did it with ties on the sides, regular sleeves, but I also decided to switch it up and do the skirt in strip-work, mainly because I didn't have enough of any of these fabrics to do the entire skirt in, so I improvised. What a great way to use up bits and pieces of beautiful fabrics that you love.

Little Peasant Girl

Peasant dresses are so popular this year, so I got sucked in and decided to design my own version. Very simple lines, but with a few little surprises. A sweet apron, puffy sleeves and lots of beautiful fabrics. It also has fun ribbon ties in the back for a bit of color and another unexpected surprise. Of course it also had to have coordinating pantaloons too. So, I made a pair to go with it.