Raglan Tee

For my 30th birthday I invited some friends over for a little day of craftiness. It was absolutely perfect. One friend got out her colored pencils, another knitted, another cut out some sewing projects and I sewed.

Crafting among friends is one of my favorite things. It was a perfect way to celebrate my birthday!

That day I worked on this raglan tee. What a simple and fun project! I got my inspiration here.

I used an old graphic tee from Jesse and drafted my pattern using these instructions..

The sleeves turned out a little tight above the elbows. I'm not sure how that happened, but I'll need to tweak my pattern the next time around.

It's hard to see the pattern in the pictures above. Here's what it really looks like.

Don't mind the yogurt stains. I was too lazy to wash it and take the pictures on another day.

Urban Hoodie

Whose kid is that? He's adorable. Oh, that's right. He's mine and I tell him everyday that I'm a lucky mama.

It's mostly true until he throws a fit in public, at church, while I'm holding a fresh cup of coffee and can't wrap my arms around him to force him in the right direction. In those moments I just tell him very quietly and sternly that he'd "better get up right now and listen to his mama" and try my hardest not to make a really big scene, although that's impossible. Nothing like the pastor's wife and the pastor's kid getting into a scuffle in the lobby.

I'm still lucky.
So, I've had this little pattern floating around in my brain for while. It's the urban hoodie pattern and come to find out . . . it's only $6! The pattern comes in sizes 6 mos to 5T. I think it would look great in all of those sizes. In fact, I can find this little number useful in every season. So $6 is a great deal for one size and it's like I robbed the place to get 6 sizes in one pattern. You should go buy it now, you really should.

I put this picture in here just because I'm in love with it. You really can't see the sweatshirt at all.

I used the leftover red knit from his Christmas pajamas last year. And, I lined it with some great khaki stripe that I found on sale at Joann's awhile back.

I used the 2T pattern and on his small 20 month old body (26% for weight/40ish% for height) it fits him well. It's a little long in both the body and sleeves, but it should fit well for a good 6-9 months I would think. It probably will get us through summer.

What a great, casual style. I'll definitely be making more!

P.S. Jude recognized himself and said, "Jude!" while I was creating this post! It's the first time he's used his name without a little prodding from us. How fun!

A Christmas Knock-off

This Christmas I had the pleasure of sending gifts to my twin sister, Em, and her husband. She's fun to have for Christmas because I pretty much buy whatever I would love and it's well received. Course, the same could be said about any of my sisters, really.

Around Thanksgiving she was here and we were "pinning" together. We ran across an image of this. So cute, right?!

Even though I would love to support the American handmade artist I couldn't swing $100+ for a Christmas gift. So, I thought, "I'll make that". (Why do we sewers do this to ourselves? It's like a competition to see how crazy we can make ourselves.)

I drew up a pattern and ended up making four versions. The third was right and that's the one I sent to her. The hood and collar don't look exactly like the original I was going for and I couldn't figure out how to get them "wider" and still keep it all one piece. Still don't know the answer, but I like the pattern I came up with.

The one I'm wearing is version 4 - I made it after Christmas and am keeping it. Merry Christmas to me. It's a perfect winter piece - comfy for lounging or casual for work.


By the way, you would die if you knew how many pictures I took of myself in the mirror. More often than not it was a picture of the door knob with me smiling, out-of-focus in the background. Good times.

Harry, Ron & Hermione

Here's a little gift my friend commissioned me to make for her son. He's 8 and he's obsessed with Harry Potter. She saw this picture while browsing Pinterest and wondered if I could recreate them.

My answer was an immediate "YES!" I'm a Harry Potter fan too, so these were a no-brainer. I think I smiled happily the whole time I was making them.

I pieced together fabric to make the scarves. I used felt for their hair. And, I freezer painted the glasses, scar and freckles.



Each of them have black buttons for eyes. They also have zippers in the bottom and are stuffed with a pillow insert.

Didn't they turn out so fun? I kinda wish it was socially acceptable for me to have these pillows on my own bed. Merry Christmas, friends! Enjoy!

Bedroom Completed

I brought out the duvet cover and down comforter last month, which finally brought my bedding set all together!

I'm not sure if you remember, but I sewed my duvet cover last April. Not too much later we moved and I sewed my summer bedding & pillows in September. Finally, in November I was able to bring the whole set together for the first time.

I even bought flannel snowflake sheets (although mine have two-toned gray snowflakes) for a super steal at Target last year. They're totally cute with the set.

Right before Thanksgiving my mother-in-law helped me paint our bedroom. I chose "knitting needles" from Sherwin Williams.

I was really worried about a monotone bedroom - as you can see I have zero color in the room. But, turns out, I really love it. I may add a pillow or two throughout the year, but surprisingly I think that's all it needs.

Lastly, here's a close-up of my dresser just because. Actually, I had to brag on my dad who made that beautiful jewelry chest for me. He made three others for my sisters and sister-in-law too for Christmas last year. Incredible, right? I have amazingly creative parents. But, funny that they wouldn't admit it themselves, I'm sure.

Christmas Pajamas

Here we are in year number two of our Christmas pajamas tradition.

One of my favorite traditions from our childhood was our Christmas pajamas. Mom made each of us jammies every year to unwrap and wear on Christmas Eve night. I'm starting the tradition with Jude and having fun with it. (see last year's)

This year I picked out this adorable flannel with whales. It's SO cute. The traditional look of button-down flannel pajamas wins me over every time so I couldn't help myself. I even added some piping to the cuffs just because.

My friend Angela and I made these together. She was making a pair for her niece. Let's just say the pattern was a bit more complicated than I anticipated and we were up until the wee hours of the morning finishing these. I'm not sure if I'll ever pick up the pattern again, but thankfully the pajamas turned out.

Look! He got poked by the tree. Too funny.

We went upstairs where there was better light and he started playing a game with me where he would give me a big grin . . .

look away . . .
then give me a big old sweet smile again. Funny boy.

The jammies are wrapped up now and under the tree waiting for Christmas Eve. Only 5 more sleeps.

A New Coat for Jude

"A New Coat for Jude" makes me think of this book from my childhood. It sticks out so prominently in my mind yet I don't think we even owned it. Is it familiar to anyone else?

Anyway, over Thanksgiving my Mom showed up with this new coat and hat for Jude!

She prepared me ahead of time that she had "out done herself", which is saying a lot since my Mom is the most talented sewer I know. But, she wasn't kidding! This coat is quite honestly the cutest thing I've laid eyes on - minus, of course, my fabulous husband and darling son. Did I need the disclaimer?

You might have to click on the pictures to see them a little larger. The details are absolutely stunning!

Somebody in blogland recently said that the difference between girls and boys clothes is in the details. Boys clothes tend to be plain in fabric choice, but make up for it with interesting additions like snaps, extra pockets, etc. It's so true! See these shorts, for example.

The bands on the back, shoulders and sleeves totally take make this coat sing!

And, here's the kicker . . . do you see that lining? Oh my. It makes it cozy warm for our cold winters and adds such a touch of dressiness without losing the masculinity.

I love everything about it, Mom! What an honor to have these beautiful pieces to pass down to my kids. I'm overwhelmed by your talent! Thank you!