Modern Jackie

Style Icons... what a hard and yet fabulous theme for the second week of Project Run and Play.  I debated several... Audrey Hepburn, Ralph Lauren, Grace Kelly.  But in the end, I had to go back to one of my favorite... Jackie O.

One of the things I love about Jackie is how she would take into account her surroundings when traveling as First Ladies.  Her trip to India... the colors and silks... all fit together.  I love looking at the photos of her attire from that visit, several of which inspired this week's look.

[Source: Life]

[Source: Life]

[Source: Life]

That last picture in particular caught my eye.  I love Jackie in her pink outfit surrounded by all the pinks and oranges.  Thus was born...

A Modern Jackie

I wanted something with simple, classic lines... boat-neck, front pleat... but with the color saturation that grabbed me in the photos.  So I chose a vibrant pink and accented it with orange ribbon.  (The sparkles on the ribbon won my daughter's approval.)  And of course you can't forget the pearls!

She certainly proves you can move in the dress!

This was the first pattern I drafted on my own, which was a lot of fun.  It also meant becoming good friends with my seam ripper!

In the story of a fail, check out this headband I originally planned.  Two pictures in it was very clear that I needed to use a simpler headband.  This one looked like it was about to fly off her head.  But she still likes it.

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PR&P Flashback: Circle Skirt Remix

In honor of the start of Project Run and Play Season 5, I wanted to share a project inspired by last season.  One of my favorite Circle Skirt Remixes was Refugee Crafter's Blue Circle Skirt.  I love the little cinched layer with the ruffles peeking out underneath.  (Plus her model was too cute for words.)  So when I found these navy polka dot fabrics, they just screamed to be used for this very purpose.

Isn't that cinch just darling?  There is so much twirl and volume to this skirt.

Mix in a little uniform top and headband and you have one cute kiddo.  The shoes... well, they were a recent compromise for school shoes.  Little princess wanted glitter shoes.  Mommy wanted shoes that didn't drop glitter everywhere.  There are what we settled on.  I have a feeling our future has many fashion compromises in it.

Aren't these two just the cutest?

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A Beachy Bias

It has happened.  This very newbie seamstress has decided to join along in the Project Run and Play Sew-Along.  I have loved the talent of the past several seasons.  This will be a great way to push myself out of my comfort zone.  Between work, school starting, activities, a birthday party, and church, I doubt I'll keep up with all 6 weeks.  But I aim to do as many as I can.

So, without further adieu... let the adventure begin.  Here is my ocean ombre bias dress (It really needs a better title.  Ocean Waves?  Surf Side?  Biased Beach?  I'm really bad at this.)

Yes, that is my goof ball.  She was just a "little" hyper during our photo shoot.

The challenge was to do a remix of the talented Katy's (No Big Dill) Very Biased Skirt.  I had never cut anything on the bias before, so this was a great push to try something new.  I chose three shades of blue and mixed cotton, satin, and a little tulle.  I drafted an A-line shirt to attach to a simple bodice, with a glitter ribbon trim.  (My daughter likes sparkle.)  Then I topped it off with some rolled flowers on a simple fabric headband.

I saw this as a church dress, but my daughter sees no limitation and was ready to start playing, which I guess is a sign that it is comfortable.  Off she went... climbing the deck rails to call out to her friend in a neighboring yard...

climbing pirate ladders...

and more climbing...

always the goofball...

And even though this is blurry, I can't resist one last crazy shot.  She is one active and lovable girl.

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Back to School - Princess Perfect

With Kindergarten rapidly approaching, I seem to have this incessant need for new school clothes.  Maybe it  is a coping mechanism.  Maybe it is from my own memories of the excitement of back-to-school shopping.  Regardless, the need is there.

Anyways... welcome the Snow White dress.  It's a simple cotton dress, perfect for school and play.  However, with red ribbon on the sleeves and red apple buttons, it's also reminiscent of a certain princess, and perfect for my princess.

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Simple Gifts... Simple Charms

For the last year, I've found myself making a number of these easy necklaces.  The first was in honor of my daughter's first dance recital a year ago.  Then there have been more for Christmas, special outfits, and birthday gifts for friends.  The supplies are simple and inexpensive... just thin ribbon, silver beads (I used 10 per necklace, usually 4mm though I used larger ones on the starfish necklace), colored Czech glass beads, and a pretty little charm.  String the beads (cutting the ribbon at an angle can help in threading it through the smaller beads). Tie the ribbon to the length you want, ensuring it can fit over the recipients head.  And seal the ends.

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Gone Fishin'

Warm summer days, refreshing breezes...

Fish in the lake...

Fish in the sea...

Is there a fish I can catch just for me?

This little fishing game was an Easter gift for my son.  It was so popular that I had to make a second pole for big sister so that they could fish together.

I couldn't find a good tutorial at the time, so I kind of winged it.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any photos.

The supplies are pretty simple... fun fabrics, buttons, batting, and metal washers for the fish.  The fishing poles are just dowel rods, magnets, ribbon, strong super glue (don't use hot glue), and colorful electrical tape.  The tricky thing for me was sewing around the metal washer since I wanted it exposed.  It's probably much easier to sew the fish if you put the washer inside.

Now back to fishing...

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Mini Minnie

June in our house means Celebrations!  In this month alone we celebrate birthdays for my husband, daughter and niece, our wedding anniversary, and Father's Day... plus dance recitals and end-of-school-year events.  By the time we reach my birthday in July, I'm partied out.

But for now I am having fun creating special gifts for so many loved ones.  For example, what little girl doesn't need a cute little red and white polka dot skirt... just like Minnie Mouse.

But wait.  What's that peeking out?

A pink Minnie Mouse skirt.  That's right... two skirts in one... a fully reversible skirt.  But I admit, I am partial to the red side.

This is a basic circle skirt.  Dana has a great tutorial on her blog MADE.  I was inspired by You and Mie's Reversible Circle Skirt entry in Project Run & Play.  In fact, I loved her entry so much that it has inspired me to make one for my daughter's Fall wardrobe.  This may be my new favorite way to make a circle skirt.  I love using the bias tape instead of hemming the circle.  And the peep of color underneath is such a fun detail.

I love this gift... paired with a simple white shirt and a little flower for the birthday girl's hair.

Do you have a busy gift season?  What are some of your favorite gifts?


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She's the Queen of the Waves

Last season I picked up this adorable orange and blue surfer girl shirt for my daughter on clearance at Gymboree.  She loves it.  I think my little beach baby secretly wants to be a surfer and therefore totally conceeded to wearing jeans if it meant she could wear her "Merliah" shirt (for those of you who started singing the moment you read the title of this post).  My daughter would live in dresses and skirts if I let her (which I admit I often do).

Anyways, with the weather getting warmer, it was totally time to come up with a new option for bottoms.  Last year I made a couple of skirts based on Prudent Baby's Layer Cake Skirt Tutorial.  I love this design!  It is simply perfect for carefree summer days...

This is my favorite skirt to date.  I think it is the colors... so bright and summery.

I used the same fabric lengths as the tutorial but added an inch to each layer's width to accomodate an almost-5-year-old.

What are your favorite summer clothes?

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Color Me Inspired {navy + yellow}

I am officially beginning a new series called "Color Me Inspired" where I will share color combos that I love, and I'd love to hear some of yours as well.  To kick it off... one of my favorite combos of the Spring/Summer.

It feels so classic.  A yellow umbrella, yellow and navy wellies, and a fun navy and yellow skirt... what a perfect ensemble to brighten a rainy day (or a sunny one if the weather isn't cooperating with your photo shoot)

I love this skirt.  I used Prudent Baby's Layer Cake Skirt pattern, and it has become an absolute "go to" one for me.  I love the volume of it... perfect for swirling and dancing.  Just add a simple cotton t-shirt and you have a fantastic summer ensemble.

What are your favorite patterns?

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