Legacy of Faith

I had to make a matching shirt for the Valentine's Day Skirt I posted.
Glad I made it so well a 3 yr old could attempt the splits...or do the MC Hammer dance (innate genius, she has ;) ) to entertain younger bro.


I gave Owen his valentine's present early b/c, well, it's a really sweet jacket I found on deep clearance. His office is cold like a meat locker, so I wanted to warm him up. Since our SAINTS hit the Superbowl in style this Sunday, Owen wanted to give me my present early. Unsure of jersey sizing, he took me to pick mine out. Did you know most women can fit into a kid's jersey easily? Easily! Did I mention seriously cheaper? Cheaper!

Yeah, that's a youth medium. I stole it from some Drew-loving 10yr old. Not really, but wouldn't that be a story! I might get shot, actually, so I just said, "May I please have the last medium in your store? Thanks." WHO DAT!

I DID IT!! I made a skirt without a pattern. I followed the dimensions ideas from a crafty blog, and I made this yesterday in about 2 hours. Now, I was being attacked by tiny people and I'm still a novice sewmama.

Isn't it adorable!?! Any with my coupons I used to buy the fabric combined with the current sale on the fabric, the skirt cost me....well, let's just say I had enough cash on hand to pay. I only use credit, so you do the guestimating! :)

Look at the zigzag. I just love it!

So, mom gave me her sewing machine for Christmas. I've wanted to take on some cute projects lately that required this little gem. Now, I have her or is that the other way around. This thing doesn't even have a 'brain' like a computer, yet I swear it has a mind of it's own sometimes!

My first real sewing project (since making a pillowcase back in the 10th grade--totally doesn't count) was reconstructing a men's dress shirt into a dress/jumper for Austyn. I've seen so many cute tutorials floating around the web, and I decided to get my feet wet here. Little did I know it was actually more like jumping in the deep end of a pool with no knowledge of swimming :)! Alas, my tale.....

I picked up a short-sleeved men's dress shirt from the swap shop- purple & white stripes. Then, I proceeded to cut it into segments.

I made straps/sleeves from the sleeves on the shirt.

Here it is, still in process (but you get the idea).
Then, I wanted to added some sweet ruffles to the dress. I've never made ruffles, so I totally learned a lot with this. When I went to sew on the last ruffle (on the back), I sewed it on right side OUT. OOPS! Plus, the cute pockets I made her looked good on paper, but they aren't big enough to get her entire hand inside. I'll just a bit bigger next time. Here is the finished product minus some good ironing.

She might be more proud and excited than I am! Love that!!

There it is. Basic and cute! I'm really proud of myself.

That's my b-e-a-utiful photo wall in the background. Isn't it loverly?! I'll have to post on it later.

Overall, the dress took some time because I'm unfamiliar with sewing. However, I pick up the mechanics of things pretty quickly. So, by the end, I felt really comfortable about what I was doing. After having to take the bobbin hold thingy apart and dig out some knotted up string, one had better feel more comfortable with the machine. I could have picked lots of easier first projects, but why not go big or go home, right?! :) Right! Well, look to more fun REFURBS coming your way.

Here is Ugly Betty.

Picked her up at the swap shop too. I've got big plans for this little lady. I just need to find the perfect (budget-friendly) fabric, and I'm off! Stay tuned.

B officially turns 1 on Wednesday. Big boy was 9 lbs even and almost 22" long. Wowzers, was I glad when he came out. Did I mention I went into labor the night of my due date? I don't want to even imagine what horror that would have been had he come later. Shhhh. don't think about, please!

Anyways, I had a coupon for a cheap photo book. I make one for A & B detailing the last year of their life in pictures. Very cool, I think! My coupon ran out a week ago, so I whipped up a cupcake for B and took to the camera. Here are the beautiful, gooey images that followed. In the middle of the night, he treated us to seeing his cuppy again. I guess it was a bit too much too soon. Oops....the pics are great, though!


Classic, happy boy.


I couldn't get this shot again if I tried!


The other amazing shot! Just makes me drool....


Mmm, Mmm, gonna getcha' some!


Check it out, Mommy!


Can't get it in fast enough.


Mommy forgot a party hat. B remembered, luckily.


It is finished! Wasn't that fun, people!!?