Monday, May 23, 2011

I Scream, You Scream...

...and Everyone adores this Ice Cream Bubble Outfit...at least that's the feedback I've gotten from Courtney.

As part of the summer wear I put together for Heidi Sage, I made this Ice Cream Bubble.  Courtney loves one piece outfits because they're easy to throw on, and hard for Heidi Sage to take off...and our sweet girl has found a love for her birthday suit!  :-)

Once again I am using an old, old pattern.  I am sure you can find something simular.  This was something I thought would make a cute summer play outfit.  I used the dress version last summer and thought I would try  the bloomers for this summer.  This is a pretty simple pattern as there are no zippers or buttons.  The outfit only ties at the top.  I'm not sure Courtney could make it, but a fairly novice seamstress should be able to put this together.

As you can see it's not only adorable, but perfect for play!


Summer Sweetness,

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The Ride-On Birthday Party

If you're like me with lots of little ones in tow, then there's a good chance you've seen your fair share of birthday parties.  And if you're like me with several of those parties to throw yourself, then you know they can get expensive....FAST!

Last fall Clinton's friends, Charlotte and Schaefer, had their 3rd Birthday and invited us for the celebration.  Their mother threw the cutest party and my kids LOVED it.

The idea is that everyone brings their own ride on toy, as indicated on the invitation; and the kids spend the whole party just riding around.  And do you know what two hours of outdoor busyness equates to....A NAP!  Best.  Party.  EVER!  :-D

First things first, a circle drive works best.  This one was at one of our local country clubs.





Next, is setting up little stations for the kids to stop at...

Here was a bucket of toy tools.  The kids loved stopping to fix their bikes!


Here there were streamers and ribbons for the kids to decorate the rides with.


Another idea for a station is a car wash.  I think there are two ways you could go here.  Simple--grab 10 or so spray bottles at the dollar store, fill them water, and set them out with rags for the kids to wash their rides.  A little more difficult-- build an archway out of PVC with some blue fabric streamers hanging down.  Accompany it with a bubble machine and the kids will feel like they're riding through a car wash!

Any other ideas you have add to our comment section....we'd love to hear them!

There were also a few road signs along the way...


 My kids truly had a blast!  The best part was there's no activity planning, or schedule to keep, or worrying if this kid or that wants to play this game or that.  Everyone brings what they like to ride on....and they ride!


After lots and lots of riding around, we went into the club house for some cupcakes and milk.  Heidi Sage had no problems partaking in this particular activity.

In addition to the above mentioned ideas, all you need are some balloons and bottles of water for your guests (it can get pretty toasty in the really warm months...hydration is good!).

I love this idea because you can make it as simple or overboard as you want, it can be very budget friendly, and it keeps the kids busy....and makes them tired.  If only I had a warm-weather birthday baby...sigh.

I'll be keeping my eye out for other awesome birthday party ideas as we make our way from party to party this year.



Linking to...
Keeping It SimpleMaking

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Boys' Outfits

I know it probably seems like Heidi Sage is always decked out in the latest and greatest and the boys get the short end.  Not to worry, they're not completely left out....I'm not saying things are even...but they're not left out.  :-D

We have been cleaning out my mother-in-law's house and I have found several treasures.  In a box of her sewing items I found 2 demin iron on patches with a bullrider. I decided since my husband Clint was a bull rider, she probably had bought those for me when I was pregnant thinking that we might have a boy...but that didn't happen.  We didn't even get a Tom-Boy.  We got two prissy britches....that we dearly love.  Anyway...

Not wanting them to go to waste, I decided to use them for my grandsons, Clinton and Rex.


I ironed each patch on a shirt and used a close zig zag stitch around the outside.  Super simple.  I know you can by these types of patches at your local fabric/crafts stores.  Rex got his sewn on a white onesie.  

Clinton got his sewn onto a red shirt down in the bottom corner...since he refuses to tuck in anything!  Found the demin shorts at Target.

I also decided to try Chelsea's freezer paper idea to make Clinton a shirt.  Clinton loves the Texas Longhorns (which I'm sure has nothing to do with his mother brainwashing him),  so I traced a longhorn onto my freezer paper and cut out my design.  With the shiny side down I ironed it to the shirt and got out my fabric paint.  When using a dark shirt you should also use a dark paint.

I had a few problems but seem to make it work anyway.   Note to self-- If using a paint brush to apply your paint you should never spread the paint from the inside toward your pattern edges because the paint will seep under the edges.  Always paint in!  I found the camo shorts at Target.


Crazy 'bout our boys,

Monday, May 2, 2011

Pretty In Paisley

When Heidi Sage turned 2 a few weeks ago I knew the perfect gift for her was some cute new outfits.  Even at 2, she already loves clothes.  Some may say we've created a monster, but I think she's pretty cute!  This paisley dress was one of the outfits she received in her birthday package from me (Aunt Zsazsie) and Uncle Brian.

I bought the paisley fabric a long time ago and I cut out a dress for me that I never ended up sewing.  I then gave the leftover fabric to my mom and she made Courtney a skirt.  I came across my unfinished dress and decided to make something for Heidi Sage.  I had to use the skirt portion of my unfinished dress to cut out the main part of the dress.  I then found some red contrast fabric and also used the leftover pink contrast fabric used for the dog outfits

For the dress I used Butterick 3477.  I shortened the dress and added an additional band at the bottom to display both of my contrast fabrics

Her outfit is completed with her cute hair flower.  It got a little out of hand when I was making it, and it became more of a hat than a bow:)  But after a Royal Wedding Weekend, I'm ready to bring hats back anyway...or should I say "fascinator"?



Linking to...
Keeping It Simple