Sewing: Madras Patchwork Necktie

I know it seems random, but I've made a necktie! I thought about calling this post, "A Necktie in the Nick of Time," or "A Tie, and a Winner." I will explain...

I found this great madras patchwork fabric earlier this summer and snatched up some to make dresses for the girls. Other things moved the project down the list, unfortunately. But when I did get around to cutting out the dresses a couple weeks ago my husband saw the fabric and said, "do you think you could make a tie out of that?" Do I think?! Do I think?!

It was like the marriage proposal all over again!  Perhaps I exaggerate a bit, but I love making things for the people I love and have been a bit frustrated that I can't seem to find the right thing to make for him. Sweater? Scarf? Shirt? Hat? I've seen some great looking things but none that seem right for him. Or maybe more accurately, none that I could talk him into wearing. Well, there was one hat, but he only wears it when shoveling snow. Not sure what that says, but it doesn't seem like a huge success!

So, when my husband proposed the tie I had to accept! I found this pattern on Puking Pastilles. It is so fabulous! Easier than I thought. But it also seems to be the genuine technique. I especially loved the folding and hand sewing. I would love to make more, if I can find some fabric I can talk him into.

So I feel like a winner! And, I finished the tie just in time for the last showing of the seersucker suit before Labor Day. Perfect.

Room Design: Pink Spindle Table for Scarlett

I feel like I never really finished Scarlett's nursery. I love the way it was headed--especially the contrast of the pink-and-green vintage thing compared to Audrey's room. But I had a list of other things to do. Mostly some other things to hang on her walls. (Things besides this painting and this painting.) So I never felt that "ta-da" moment.

Well a few years, and another baby, later, it's time to transition Scarlett to her "big girl" room. Hard to believe! She is nearly three and still sleeping in her crib, because why rush the exit when she isn't climbing out herself and continuing to nap? Plus, we got another crib for Tess since Scarlett wasn't quite two when Tess was born. So there hasn't been any urgency.

But it's time. We've got a bed, bought some sheets today, and now we just need the mattresses and Scarlett will have the opportunity to sleep in her own "big bed." So I'll let go of my unfinished nursery business and move onto the business of doing her room. As it turns out, it's still really the same list! I wised up with baby #2, Miss Scarlett, and bought enough of the fabrics I used for her crib to make big girl bedding. So the look of the room won't be changing much. I'll just be adding some things. I'm excited to start working on the bedding and other things but in the mean time I've found the perfect table! Inherited it really.

This spindle table was my mother's and I took it in about a year ago. It was in cherry stain, which was perfect in it's original environment, but a bit serious for my girls' rooms. So I just spray painted it this great blush pink. I think it has a completely different character in pink. What wouldn't I guess! I should have taken some "before" photos but was in too big of a rush to get the job done during nap time.

I'm not sure where I'll place the table in the next version of Scarlett's room. Maybe next to this little rocking chair, or maybe as half of a mismatched set of bedside tables. It will be fun to play around with it.



Sewing: Liberty of London Skirts

I have long loved Liberty of London fabric but this has to be the cutest print I've ever seen! It probably helps that it was the fabric used for a little dress Audrey received when she was a baby. As I mentioned in this post, I recently found some to buy and it's a key part of Tess' first birthday plans.

First up: little skirts for Tess and Scarlett to wear to the birthday party. Just simple gathered skirts, but very full, which is so beautiful with this lightweight cotton lawn. I was hoping to make a dress for Audrey out of this too but decided it makes more sense to save that project for next Spring, when she'll get more use out of it. And, well, as usual I've got a bunch of other things in the works so I have to prioritize.

I had some tiny crochet shell trim in mind, but couldn't find exactly what I was picturing (always happens), but I did find this cute flower trim at Joann. It's by Simplicity. I wasn't sure if I wanted to use the pink or the aqua so I decided on pink for Tess and Aqua for Scarlett. I love these simple skirts, but the best part is how they work with these t-shirts!

I bought these adorable shirts almost a year ago, shortly after Tess was born. They are from Pears and Bears and I can't imagine anything cuter. I am such a sucker for this retro, sentimental embroidery. These shirts were a major part of my inspiration for Tess's first birthday party. I'm having such fun with the concept!

Sewing: Hooded Bath Towels

My great friend, and neighbor, JoAnn, gave my girls some darling embroidered bath towels earlier this summer. She got them from Land's End. So cute! Some had matching hand towels and I had been thinking I needed to make new hooded towels for my girls' bathtime so the project practically landed in my lap. The best part of finishing these was not the delight on my girls' faces, though that is always a big payoff, but rather the clear space in my sewing room where the pile of towels had been sitting!That was totally worth it!

I had a hooded bath towel Audrey received as a gift that I used as a guide for this. The hood has deep darts/pleats to create a more voluminous shape. I didn't do a tutorial for this but I Googled and found several online. Lots of different ways to make the hood from half a hand towel.

I aded some coordinating ribbon and jumbo rick rack I had on hand. Always great to find a purpose for those notions lying around.

I thought Audrey would want the towel with the ladybug, because red seems one of her colors, but she wanted the dragon fly. And Scarlett was more than pleased with the lady bug. Phew! That leaves Tess with the fuschia flowers. Towels all around! Now if only we had a logical place for towel hooks in the bathroom! I love hooks. So much more functional than bars, don't you think?

Sewing: Calico Napkins and Pom-Pom Napkin Rings (Tutorial)

Though I haven't yet shared all the details of Audrey's birthday party, I am on to Tess's! It's just how it's working out this year. I will catch up on Audrey's (but I've had some file mishaps slowing me down, as in I lost the file...) and then it's going to be party-party-party for the next few months, and that can't be all bad. It's hard to find something more fun than planning and throwing a birthday party!

So here's a little peek at the progress for Tess's first birthday party. I'm using a collection of vintage-looking fabrics for napkins, which I made by cutting 18" squares and sewing with a tight mitered corner hem.  It was so much fun to pick these fabrics, all of which coordinate with the gorgeous Liberty of London "Tana Lawn Nancy Ann" print shown in the first and last photos in this post (such a great story! Audrey received a Papo d'Anjo dress made of this fabric when she was a baby and I just found the same print here to order!). The other fabrics are Michael Miller "Honey Bee Honey Swirl Honey," Feedsack VI "Tulips Blue," and Antique Treasures "Tulips Red."

I decided I wanted pom-pom napkin rings. So youthful, so little girl. So I made some and will share how. Super easy project.

Click to read the quick tutorial. More party things on the way!