Tuesday, April 30, 2013

National Zipper Day!

Apparently April 29th was National Zipper Day!  Who knew?!?!?!?  I look to Hallmark for all my "holiday" notifications, so I was surprised when such a great day snuck up on me:)

I had this project looming and was just waiting on zippers.  So yesterday, I took a break from orders to sew with a ZIPPER!
I'm sort of floating in between carrying a diaper bag and getting to JUST carry a purse for the first time in 11 years!  This Fold Over Clutch is my answer.
Most of the time, I just toss my wallet and essentials in the diaper bag.  But, there are some rare days when I get out by myself and don't need or want to lug the diaper bag around. I needed a fun little purse to just carry my phone, keys and a few things.  I wanted it to be small enough for me to just toss in the diaper bag if necessary, but I also wanted it to be big enough to carry all of my essential items, when there is no longer a diaper bag hanging on my shoulder.
The corner suede patches are from an old jacket that was in my husbands donate pile.  SCORE!  I love upcycling!  And who doesn't love the big bright chevrons.  The red has sort of a "worn" look to it.  
Inside:  some chocolaty brown polka dots:)  I should show you my fabric cupboard some time.  I have almost as many polka dot fabrics as I do others!  It's an addiction and I can't say I'm sorry.  They are happy and fun and I love them:)
 I'm itching to get some use out of my new clutch.  Anyone want to grab some coffee or catch a movie?

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Shock!!!

Imagine my shock a couple weeks ago, when I saw this photo come across my facebook feed!
My sister and brother in law took Jack to Disney for the first time.  Adam works there, so I knew that they would take him to see the place and show him off.  NO shock there.  BUT....Jack had his FIRST visit to Disney.....and he wore THAT!

No worries, Jack!  Auntie Rachel is on it and your Mickey shirt is in the mail!  Make sure they put you in it next time and tell them to take your Mickey burpie too so that you keep Mickey clean for the photo op!
 

Friday, April 19, 2013

Wonder Wear

Most of the things I sew for the shop, start out as necessity items at home....and this item is no different!  You may think it started with necessity and need, but you would be wrong.  It started with the fabric and a mistake!

{Bicycles by Michael Miller PUL}
I meant to order this as a laminated fabric...think raincoats.  I wanted it for another project I have coming in the wings:)  It came as PUL, which looking back at the invoice is what I ordered...by mistake.  I use PUL to line my wet bags.  Mine is just white on white.  This fabric is white on the back and printed on the outside.  I could use for wet bags, but you wouldn't see the bicycles, the way I would use it in the wet bag.

So what to do?

NEW PROJECT!

We are in the thick of it potty training here at our house....so keep wet from getting out....I got it!
This is my 4th daughter, Aubrey.  She is 4.5 years old.  She also has Down syndrome.  Some things in life have challanged her and some haven't.  Potty training has challanged us BOTH.  It isn't a matter of a couple days or a week of training to help her get the idea.  It has been MONTHS of trying to help her get the hang of it.
Her teacher was the brave one that said, "Let's do this!  Just send a lot of clothes with her."  GREAT!  But with a class of 10, and carpet in the classroom, she doesn't have time for constant puddles.  And with such a busy and large family, I don't have time for lots of puddle clean up all the time, either.

These WONDER WEAR undies have been a life/time saver for her teacher and us.
Made using Gerber underwear, these undies have an extra lining of flannel on the inside and the "waterproof" PUL on the outside.
The inside flannel provides extra absorbancy.  Edges are serged to prevent fraying when washed.
**Please note that these are not diapers/cloth diapers.  They do not prevent all leakage.  They are to prevent   constant puddle clean up.  I like to think of them as a cross between undies and pull ups.  We can easily help her pull up and down to use the potty with ease.  I hate messing with diapers when they are in the early stages of sitting and trying.  But less mess than real/regular undies.
Girls got skinny legs and these 2T undies are still a bit big for her, so she sometimes leaks down her pant legs, but it is rare that I have to even wash her shoes and I've never cleaned up a  puddle when she had the undies and pants on!  I don't mind laundry, but I hate constantly cleaning and sanitizing the floors.
We have 15 pairs of these at home right now!  It means I don't have to do laundry EVERY day.  Four weeks ago, on her first day at school potty training, she went through all 6 outfits I sent. This week, she has only had 2 accidents!  YEAH!
The tag in the back means she can easily learn how to put them on herself as well.
While potty training has not been easy, breezy, it has certainly been less messy this time around.  So glad that I have theses WONDER WEAR and my WET BAGS to keep us moving along in the right direction.

Right now, we still use diapers at night, but these are going to be wonderful when we are ready to ditch diapers forever.  A little extra protection for her sheets and bed at night, but giving her the "big girl" feel of panties.  Will be using these for long car rides as well.  Nothing worse than washing your carseat:(

Soon, very soon Aubrey, you will be a FULL time UNDIE wearing BIG GIRL!
On a side note:  All kids wear their rain coats inside while potty training too, right?!?!?!?!?
And now I offer them to you!  For right now, the WONDER WEAR will only be available in these two patterns.  If there is enough interest, I will purchase the PUL in other patterns.  

Questions for you:  How do you want them listed?  As a single pair?  As a set of 2 or 3?  What sizes?  Thinking just 2T and 3T.   Would love to have your imput as I get ready to list these.

Happy Friday!  May your weekend be WONDERful and DRY!





Wednesday, April 10, 2013

4th Month of Christmas-April

I'm late posting....and so are the napkins (sorry B, they are in the mail), but I'm here today on a cold and rainy Texas morning to share the April Napkin of the Month Gift I'm doing for my besty and her family!
April showers, May flowers is the way it goes and if it's going to rain, you are going to need UMBRELLAS!
And with a family of SEVEN, they need a lot of umbrellas!  But moms with kids need to multi task and they need products that multi task.  These umbrellas not only clear up grey skies, but they clean messy faces:)
 Dad and Mom Napkins.
And the 5 kids!  

Hoping that these napkins brighten their April days and chase away the rain...or snow...as I heard today:(

On the 4th Month of Christmas
My seamstress sent to me,
Colorful Umbrellas,

Hoping your day isn't cold and rainy like ours:)