Hats, Hats, Hats

After making my kids their hats, my college friends' kids their hats (6 or 7 of them) and another two hats for a friend-here-in-town's kids... I've definitely made good use of this pattern! 

(Fleece Aviator Hat by Tie Dye Diva)

Blue and yellow have been the majority... perfect for some future jackrabbits! :D 

And then a Vikings and a Twins set...

It is a quick and easy pattern, and fleece comes in so many options!  But, I think my kids still fit in theirs, so I think my to-sew list is hat-free this fall! I'm sure the following year I'll have to make a few more... but if their old hats fit for one more year that means they will have lasted three winters! Can't beat that!

Turns out that I posted back when I made that first batch of Jackrabbit hats... almost two years ago! (Here)

Preschool! (Two First Days in One Post!)

So, here is last year's and this year's First Day of Preschool pictures!

She loved Preschool last year... 

...and she still loves it this year!

Dress: Made for Mermaids' Brooklyn/Riley Mash-Up in Riley Blake Knits.

Dress: Sew a Little Seam's Juniper Dress in Michael Miller Fabric (more about the dress at this post)

Another Hobby

I've painted wooden signs before, but lately it's become more prevalent in my free time activities...

This was a set-up for a MOPS bonfire at our house. 

A housewarming gift for one of Dan's coworkers. 

Multiple signs - gifts and door prizes and for myself!

This one ended up as a door prize for my MOPS Christmas party.

A few more additions...

Preschool and Sunday School teacher gifts!

And a few more... I've already got plans for painting more this Christmas, but I don't think it will be as many! It's always a battle to decide what needs to be done and what I really want to be doing. Between sewing and painting, I have plenty of crafty plans to undertake!

PS: Thanks to my inlaws for taking down the white shed... the wood is perfect for my projects :D 

2016 Halloween

As I'm currently sewing this year's costumes... here's a flashback to last year's costumes!

Ev was a beautiful princess Cinderella! 

Pattern: M4M's Cinderella Dress

Fabric: Stretch Velvet/Velour/type stuff from Hancock in their going out of business sale.

James went as a dinosaur... but look! He has on his mommy-made hat at least :D 

We took the kid's to the Corn Palace for a Harvest Festival.

Doesn't every princess need a picture on a vintage tractor?

Oh, and there's a football player and a crazy fairy (you can't see my wings, but they are there!). Homemade for me? My very first pair of Peg Legs (free leggings pattern from Patterns for Pirates)!

Fabric: Brushed Poly from Raspberry Creek Fabrics

And she has worn that dress so often since Halloween... I'm sure I'll have a few "Handmade in the Wild" posts for it, haha!

Two Hollys

Last year before Christmas, I purchased a pattern that I hoped to use right away. 

But, as usual, things came up, so these outfits didn't get worn until after Christmas...

Pattern: Holly by Made for Mermaids

Flannel-ish, homespun type fabric made into a warm, winter top!

Look at that pose!

A Christmas dress that was worn on Epiphany instead :)

A fair-isle cotton from Walmart along with some random red from my stash.

This wasn't Ev's favorite dress... she preferred the "store-bought" (second-hand) Christmas dresses. But, she finally let me talk her into wearing it!

Just a couple of goofballs!

Jackrabbit Outfits

2017 Hobo Day was last weekend... but here are a few pictures from Hobo Day 2016! 

Seems we have started a tradition... I run in the 5k in the morning, and then we watch the parade.

After the parade, we go to a park to eat a picnic lunch.

Then, my parents go to the game, while we head back to their place. 

Perfect time to take some pictures!

Thank you Ev, for taking my pictures, haha! 

It was perfect weather for a hike through their trees as well :)

Joy, joy, joy!

Go JACKS!

Patterns: Hey June Handmade's Lane Raglan with the cowl from the Halifax Top and Peekaboo Pattern Shop's Violet Tunic

Fabric: Blue Cotton/Lycra and yellow stretch lace, both from Raspberry Creek Fabrics

Michael Miller's In Bloom

Earlier this summer, I received the ENTIRE line of Sandra Clemons' In Bloom for Michael Miller Fabrics. One yard of each print (24 prints!)... just for winning a giveaway on Facebook - I felt pretty lucky! The giveaway was through Sewing Portfolios which is an amazing resource for anyone wanting to get more involved and connected in the sewing community online. I have come to realize that I have so much on my sewing to-do list, that I don't have time to PDF pattern test any more (but if the right pattern comes along, I may still apply!) Thus, currently, I use Sewing Portfolios to keep track of my makes and for motivation to keep taking "nice" photos of those makes. 

That sewing to-do list is the reason that I couldn't cut into the amazing fabric right away. I knew that I wanted to make E's first day of preschool dress, so I was able to start planning that, even as I finished sewing a pile of knit clothes for the two kiddos. 

Enter: The Juniper Dress by Sew A Little Seam

I used the Sunburst and Garden Patch prints from the teal colorway.

I didn't expect E to love-love it, due to the lack of PINKNESS, but surprisingly, she actually does love it! She asked me to make her Halloween costume just like it (she wanted to be a silver fairy, but after seeing this dress, she wants to be a *colorful* fairy... )

As for the rest of the fabric... I currently have 4 patchwork totes cut out (Christmas presents!!). James will eventually get a reversible vest (Schoolboy Vest by Sew Much Ado) from two of the linger prints and Ev's Thanksgiving Dress will be from the wine colorway (Magrath Dress by Sew Much Ado). 

Even after sewing up the amazing fabric, it is still hard to believe that I won this great giveaway! I'm looking forward to completing more projects with the beautiful prints that I have left.

Of course, since I had Ev all dressed up and fancy, I had to try to get a few nice portrait pictures of her. 

This one may be the winner! 

And now that her dress is done, she can start preschool tomorrow :)