New Life

I've had this old patio table (handed down from my mom) for about 7 years now. For the last 4 years it has sat in a corner on our patio collecting junk and looking sad. So we decided in an effort to save money (and put off buying expensive nice patio furniture), we would breathe some new life into and refinish it.

First we sanded it down (and got rid of the stains and cobwebs it had collected over the years) and then we cut off the legs to make it a nice low coffee table.

Here is after sanding/cutting (for some reason I again forgot to take a before pic). This, by the way, is already a vast improvement to what it had looked like.

And after finding a nice chocolate brown paint in the oops! section of Home Depot, painting and varnishing, this little table looks so much better. We paired it with some of our inexpensive, colorful adirondack chairs and it is all set. Next project for the house - we need to clean up the patio and paint the back doors (think they will end up being chocolate brown too as the beige factor back there is very high). Can't wait!

My Favorite Dress

So I finally bought a few patterns from one of my favorite bloggers out there and I am beyond excited with the finished results of the 1st attempt. Lil Blue Boo sells these really cool patterns for kid clothes made from old t-shirts. Great way to upcycle some of those beloved shirts that have either shrunk or been stained or that you just don't wear b/c they are a souvenir from vacation or whatever.

Here is the finished Tie Back/Halter dress:

I love that her patterns have alternate versions of the same dress. This one for instance, should be a halter dress but you can add loops in the back (like I did) to make it a tie back dress that gives additional support to the back.

Ava in her newest dress!

This also will look really cute over a tshirt and leggings when it gets cooler.

The next one I do from this pattern will have a ruffle at the bottom instead (because I think that way will be super cute)....just need to find the perfect shirts to make another one. Also need to hit up Goodwill for some old, cheap, cute shirts!

PS. I also bought 2 other patterns from her, a skirt and another dress that will work well for all weather as it can have short or long sleeves. I highly recommend her patterns...they are easy to use and have lots of pictures!

Reversible Dress

I whipped up this reversible dress for Ava yesterday while she napped. I've had the fabric and pattern for over a year so it was about time I made it! I actually had cut the pieces out a few months back to motivate me to sew it but just never got around to it until now.

I could not get Ava to cooperate for long for photos but here are the best shots. Note: the fabric is some of my favorite from Amy Butler.

The red side (notice the haze in the picture? that is because it was so humid and hot outside it fogged my lens right when we went out)

More of the red, with Ava doing her "sweet" pose.

Yeah for the blue side!

This is a clearer photo of the dress (or just brighter) but not a great pose. Think Ava was not enjoying the wet grass and the dirt.

I thought this dress was going to be hard to sew but really it was fairly easy. Worst part was cutting out pattern pieces (is it just me or does everyone hate cutting the pieces?). I highly recommend this pattern from Frog Legs & Ponytails. Actually all of her patterns are very easy to follow, with great directions & photos and are great for even beginner sewers.

More Family Dolls

I finally finished up a set of family dolls that I have had half finished and sitting in my room for months. This time I made dolls of myself, Darren & Ava for....Ava. She loved them. The clothes are different this time and the "Darren" doll has clothes made out of my old shorts (for his shorts) and an old shirt of Darren's.
Eventually, I will get around to making the extended family for Ava b/c I think it would be cool to have a bunch of little dolls of everyone in our family for her to play with. Don't you think?

Infant Tutu Part 2

Thought I'd share a cute photo of the baby who received the infant tutu from the last post. So adorable (although I think this baby is not too happy with being put in a big tutu). Too cute not to share.

Infant Tutu

Just wanting to show off the newborn/infant tutus I did for a friend of a friend recently. I've done a ton of toddler tutus but never thought to do one for an itty bitty baby. And this tutu was itty bitty. Quite hilarious I think when you actually saw it in person.

The "A" newborn onesie with tutu.

And then a larger tie-on tutu for a 6-9 month old outfit. This onesie has a horseshoe and although it is hard to see in this photo, if you zoom in, you will see little hearts on the horseshoe itself. Wasn't sure how the horseshoe would turn out since I have never done one, but I thought the hearts were a nice touch and definitely made it girlier.

It's Finished!

Here it is! The completed Pinkalicious painting. I think it turned out really cute and I love the fabric flowers, bee & butterfly. I even ended up putting a little glitter on Pinkalicious's shoes and crown just to make it even more bright and girly. And most importantly? Ava said "It's gorgeous!" when she saw it all done. It is now hanging in her room and I'll finally post some photos of her new furniture & room setup really soon. Promise!