DIY Sewing for Kiddos Round-up!

So I've shared the fabric that makes me want to sew, sew, sew for my children.  Now here are some sewing tutorials that can make the desire a reality!  The dress tutorial is based off a Boden dress - one that E already owns and loves, especially the deep pockets.  I see many versions of this dress in our future!!

dress tutorial

Shirts are easy for little bodies to get on and off all by themselves and an oh-so fun way to dress up everyday leggings.
And the pockets, oh the pockets! 

skirt tutorial

If you have a toddler then you probably have read this book.  If you need to get a gift for a toddler, this would be perfect!
If you like children's book, then you really have to look up this pigeon and his antics!!

Pigeon tutorial based on books by Mo Willems

We love to go on nature walks, even in our urban environment.  I usually end up holding the bag -
but this one is long enough to slip over E's head messenger-bag-style and again, it's got a lot of pockets!

nature bag tutorial

My chunky baby turned into a string bean and her pants don't always like staying up.
These little belts are a practical way to use fun bits of left over fabrics!

belt tutorial

Who can't use an extra pair of shorts??  I plan on making some for both E & C as they are a summer staple.
And perhaps I'll make myself a pair too!

shorts tutorial

Kids clothes often have obnoxious appliques - cutesie for girls, aggressive for boys - drives me nuts.  Let kids be kids!  With this tutorial, obnoxious appliques are no more!!  Now you can create new and fabulous appliques on blank shirts (or maybe even to cover up the obnoxious ones).

applique tutorial

So what are you going to make?  Personally, I'm going to make them all!  If you do stitch something up, leave a comment with a link - I'd love to check it out!!

Stay creative,
A

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Honey and Cream

love this color combo

It started with a color-blocked shirt.  The cream and yellow colors were unexpected, different, and I was afraid it would wash me out...but I couldn't resist the siren song of this muted, yet fun color combination!

the inspiration

But I was right - as a woman with olive-skin, yellow just makes me look like I have jaundice, not quite the image I'm going for.  Still, I'm determined to get this combo into my home this summer.

in the living room

in the kid's room

in the kitchen

In fact, I think gold and cream can read as a new neutral palette - perfect for someone who wants more color in their life, but doesn't want to give up on beige. 

a softer, brighter neutral palette

Stay creative,
A


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Fabric Inspiration for the Kiddos!

My love for fabric and pattern inspired me to paint "P is for Pattern"

I have a bit of a fabric problem...actually, the only problem is I don't have space to store the amount of fabric I'd like to have!  In order to counteract my fabric habit, I've been sewing up some new rompers for E, pants for C and a quilt for my own bed!  It's all part of my effort to live a more colorful and handmade life.  As we have grown out of many of the hand-me-downs E received as a baby and young toddler (for which we were so grateful) there is room now for handmade goods that fit her current loves and very active toddler play-life.

One of my favorites is the Children at Play collection by Sara Jane Studios.  You should also check out her adorable Etsy shop - really, this artist is wonderfully talented!  I already have several of the fabrics from her collection, but wouldn't mind getting more.

I have the yellow hat-making instructions fabric pictured above, but would love to add more - especially the pinwheels and the stripes.

From the Meadow line in the Children at Play collection.  I generally steer clear of pink for E as I feel that little girls are already drowning in pink, but I couldn't resist making a romper out of this floral fabric.  The balloons just make me smile.

These are from the Urban Zoologie by Ann Kelle.  The prints come in a couple different variations, but these in blue, green and yellow are my favorite - perfect for either of the kiddos!

This kite print by Melissa Wang can be found on Spoonflower, where anyone can design, upload, and create their own fabric.  Browsing through all the options is both overwhelming and incredibly inspiring!!

Then there is the classic Marimekko fabric - *sigh* I could go for any of their prints, really, but these two are in line with my current spring excitement!  I can see sweet tunics made with these lovelies.

But the only thing better than inspirational fabric?  Using it to create!  Stay tuned for a fun sewing DIY roundup for the little ones in your life!!  I can hardly wait.

Stay creative,
A

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Behind the scenes: In-between

I'm in between projects right now, waiting for more canvases to arrive, but that doesn't mean I'm not creating - I'm just not painting.  With the unseasonably warm weather, I've taken up making some rompers for E.  I'm still plugging away at a pretty quilt made up of natural linen and vintage sheet squares.  I'm also working on an embroidered iPhone case.  Yes, you read that right!  All and all, lots of sewing going on - I'm impressed my studio space isn't messier than it is (since it's really quite small!)

Dried paint prettiness

Waiting for a new home

E got into some of my paint - pretending it was lotion (she wasn't able to actually open the bottles)

Rompers, palettes, and striped curtains!

A small glimpse of my fabric stack

Looking left into the room

Notes with blogging and painting ideas

A rainbow of permanent markers and such

Fabrics for another romper and a lion toy that's supposed to stay in the car

Stay creative!
A


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Take a ride with me

I took a departure from the alphabet to do some fun cycle-inspired paintings.  I call them counting paintings, but they could be for anyone really from cycling enthusiasts to new babies.  The problem with making my own art is that I want all of it for my own kids' room, which I suppose is a good litmus test of what I'm creating.    Check out the shop for more info on these bicycle beauties!

One wheel.  One color.  One = Unicycle!

Two wheels.  Two colors.  Two = Bicycle!

Three wheels.  Three colors.  Three = Tricycle!

Stay creative!!
A


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Outdoor DIY Roundup!

Here in Chicago spring has sprung!  Flowers are blooming, the air is warm and our back door and windows are open.  This also means I'm able to set up our back porch - we don't have a backyard, so we utilize every last bit of space in our little 2 bedroom condo.  (On the bright side, this means fewer square feet for me to clean!)  Anyhow, I thought I'd round up some outdoor DIY projects that would bring some color and fun to our back porch - I can't wait to get started!

First a new place to sit - this lovely painted bench is just the ticket!  

Beautiful painted bench.

Now a place to eat!  Our porch isn't actually big enough for this table, but a girl can dream!

DIY succulent pallet table.

 How about an outdoor rug for under the table?  Yes!

Painted outdoor rug.

 Beautiful dip-dyed biodegradable vases bring in more color and are perfect vessels for whatever!

Dip-dyed vases.

  It gets dark out at night - let's create some ambiance with this lovely mood lighting.

Aluminum lanterns.

Finally, with little people about, you don't always want full access to the porch, just the fresh air and light - this Dutch Door is just what we need!!

DIY Dutch Door.

Hope spring has sprung wherever you are (unless, that is, it's already summer!)

Stay creative!
A


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I *heart* you, Three Potato Four

It started with this amazing cabinet (sadly sold out!) - that's how stumbled on to Three Potato Four - an adorable shop selling vintage and new goods out in Philadelphia and online.  Lovely styling and fun finds, it's certainly a well-curated store.  If I'm ever out in PA I'm stopping by!

The chest of drawers that started me on the hunt for it's original shop!

I could see this graphic clock in our kitchen - very easy to read!

This is a perfect catchall for toys, odds and ends, whatever!

This blanket is beautiful on its own...or to be used to recover an old chair seat or two.

I have never seen a moon globe before - too cool!

What's your favorite online store for beautiful goods?

Stay creative,
A

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Hurry up summer!

Working on letter Q for Quilt and getting inspiration from some amazing quilters, I came across this image.

Pretty quilts and more at FITF

This is what I want. Right now.  A handmade quilt, a beautiful summer day on Pleasant Lake in New Hampshire...hurry up summer!!

Stay Creative!
A

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B is for boxcycle

I thought it would be fun to give a little insight into each of the letters I've done.  Now we are on to B for boxcycle!  What is a boxcycle, you ask?  I had never seen one until my friend Danielle and her little family got one two summers ago.  I was smitten with the look, the clean lines, the beautiful functionality of the bike and it looked safe (which, when it comes to toting around your most precious possessions in an urban environment is paramount!)

For the person on the go! (source)

Who can resist candy apple red?! (source)

I'll take this whole set up thank-you-very-much! (source)

Stay creative!
A

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A is for Airstream

A is for Airstream

These are such fun trailers, and I especially like the retro versions.  For those who are so inclined, you can even vacation in Airstream Hotels!

The "trailer park" at the Grand Daddy Hotel

Amelia the Vintage Airstream

Bambie the Vintage Airstream

Stay creative,

A

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