Dream in Gray & White

Given the state of my house and all that's associated with getting ready for the show on Saturday, I thought I would keep it simple today and feature some of my current favorite etsy finds. To match the skies, perhaps, I am loving accessories in gray and white. It's funny, I am crazy in love with headbands and hair pins, though I rarely wear anything in my hair~ maybe this is a sign that I should!

Dotty Headband

Gingko Skinny Jersey Scarf

Gray Foldover Clutch

Stormy Vintage Button Hairpins

Hush Headband

Vintage Houndstooth Coat

What are your favorite accessories right now? I'll be back tomorrow with a whole lot of love! 

Making...

So after a few months of less-than inspired sewing (and busyness, which doesn't help!), my little machine and I are back to sewing at a maddening pace. Creativity strikes, and I can hardly get the pieces cut and sewn fast enough. I love that frantic feeling!

Just a few tiny peeks of things to come... This is the last week for the Clearance Sale in my shop, and then next week I plan to begin listing fun new fall items.

Lots of layers and ruffles, new prints mixed in with some older favorites, classic styles with some new twists. 

'Hope you have a lovely Tuesday!

Tuesday

Today is seeming just a bit 'daily'. Nothing major to speak of, but we're loving this sun, especially the kids. I had to find the sunscreen, which was no small task, but I did, and fortunately it's still good. They are in the newly filled sand box at every spare moment. I love that they are happy, but it is proving that this is going to be one dirty, sandy warm season. I have swept twice already today and the sand just keeps showing up. (Sigh.)

Then, I guess there is this bit of GIANT news:

Upon inspection of my seedlings this morning, I discovered that a handful of them are showing sprouts. I am doing the happy dance over this~ There is hope for this garden yet!

And one last picture. This is Halle in the new Bubble Suit that will be in my shop later today. My mom gave me a bunch of vintage patterns, and this is adapted from one that I adored. I did change it to that the shoulders would simply tie at the shoulder (eliminating buttons) and took out the snaps at the bottom. Simple, easy dressing is definitely my key to summer wear, and I am assuming y'all feel the same way. You can bet that she will have bunches of these this summer!

Piece of Mind

When making things, I am constantly plagued by feelings of guilt for not using the scraps. I have blogged about it before, getting some fun ideas from y'all about what to do with my scraps. Last year I ended up with a book from the library about string quilting (sorry, I don't remember what it was called, but it was really old...). It is thought to have begun in the depression era, when homemakers used every piece of fabric they had to make quilts out of necessity.  I immediately loved the idea and put it on my list of things to do. But as we all know, sometimes that list gets too long and lost and forgotten. So the scraps pile up in drawers (above) and in bags (below) and on tables and in containers... 

Finally last week I decided to try it. I gathered a bunch of scraps from the gorgeous Riley Blake fabric that I used for Halle's Easter dress and several things for the shop and put them together in sort of a random pattern to make two one-of-a-kind burp cloths. I am so excited about the way they turned out!

The pieces went together fairly quickly, and I feel so happy about using up some tiny pieces that might have otherwise been trashed! Wise stewardship is something that I believe God has called us to, and I think this is another way of being 'green'. These should be in my shop, along with some matching bibs later today. Have a great day!

We've Been Sprung

We are welcoming spring by spending every spare moment outside in our yard. I have never really been an outside person, so I didn't think that I missed it much being in an apartment, but with these two little ones I am truly seeing the value of being able to run and play. Plus I am loving that the yard is just off our kitchen so I can sit here at the table with the door wide open and be able to see the goings on at a distance. (So maybe I'm still not an outdoor person, but my kids are!)

Halle spends most of her time running from corner to corner yelling 'Come on, Remy!' and begging him to chase her. Usually he is happy to oblige. He also plays tug-of-war with Starbucks until one of them gets bored (usually Remy...), and our wild dog then finds a nice place to nap in the sun. We are all drinking in the sun. We ate two meals outside yesterday on a blanket... it was too nice not to, and since we don't yet have the bugs to contend with, I'm loving that too!

Today is also the day of the big reveal... or not so big, as it's a small sidebar ad, but I'm excited about it! I hope you'll trek on over to the rikrak studio blog and check out 2 sweet's first ad. You will be sure to stay a while~ she always has tons of great articles and fun stuff going on! I also added some cute springy stuff to the 2 sweet things shop last night!

Now I've got to get off here and do some cleaning in this crazy house. Much as I love the sun, it does tend to make a point of showing every speck of dust one has, doesn't it?! My mom is coming tomorrow and I just know she would hate all this mess. (Okay, so that's my April Fool's joke, and if you know my mom you're probably laughing already... Love you, momma! ) Happy Thursday, lovelies!

Missing Days...

The million dollar question is 'where does the time go?'! I am a pretty organized girl. Thanks to my blog and kids' schedules I usually know what day of the week it is, but rarely do I know the actual date. So I miss birthdays and holidays~ not because I forgot that my Grandma's birthday was on March 13th, but because I didn't know it was March 13th! I was rereading my post from yesterday, and in it I said that I would tell you more about my upcoming April items 'as it approaches'~ like I had time. Then last night it hit me that April is IN 2 DAYS!!!

So, as promised, here are some pictures of only a few of the the spring things that will be in the shop soon:

And, for good measure, here are a few pictures of my little 'treasure hunters' in the back yard. It's been terribly fun for them that there is a ton of junk to discover back there! (And not so fun for Trace...)

My Soccer Mom Style

I was thinking about my new status as Soccer Mom (see my last post)... gone are the days of cardigans and pearls (were there ever really soccer moms that wore that stuff?!). I was searching around etsy daydreaming about what I think would be the perfect spectator style, and here is what I came up with. I'm a big believer in casual comfort, but would still like to look pulled together.

Japanese Print and Organic Soy Wrap Hoodie, Isla New York

AG Tomboy Jeans, Anthropologie

Spring Equinox Flat, HydraHeart

Chocolate Circles Headband, In Honor Of Design

Strawberry Shortcake Necklace, aux petits oiseaux

Abanoz in apple green, Bayan Hippo

So what do you wear to the big game?

Peek

Just a quick peek at a custom order I shipped out this week. I am doing as many custom items lately as I am listing, and I love that~ please don't hesitate to send my an email if you want something special!

I'm in love with this new Hedgehog collection from Michael Miller (which I purchased from the lovely Fabric Shoppe on etsy)!  So cute!

Monday Monday

Happy Monday, lovelies! We are running on very little sleep due to a crazy, barking puppy. It seems now that he's out of the shelter and has found a family to constantly love on him, he doesn't want us out of his sight, even at night.  I'm thankful that it's Trace's day off and we are just staying in today. I have been listing new things all day and am excited to show you a couple of finished pieces that are new in the shop! 

This capelet is one of my absolute favorite things! I love the idea of not having to mess with sleeves, especially as the days get warmer and heavy layers aren't as necessary. 

As soon as I saw this print, the idea for this dress came into my mind. I love everything about it, and I can almost guarantee that Halle will soon have one, maybe in time for Easter! This dress has a fairly simple basic construction, but the detailing is what makes it so special. The neck and hem have a sweet ruffle, and it ties in the back.

Have a great afternoon! Homemade waffles have been requested for dinner, so I'd better get on it!

Give a Little Love

I am lamenting the fact that Remy chose mass-produced commercial Valentines this year. The appeal of Spidey to a Super-hero-in-the-making is just too strong. So today I give you a few of my hand made favorites that I would love to give (or get!).

Hand Cut Card by Storey Shop

I wonder if Trace would believe this one!?

Plantable Heart Tags by Green Post

Pick Me Gift Tags by sweet harvey

Tea Party School Valentines by Stephanie Fizer

Matchbox Goodies by ivy lane designs

Printable cards by vol25

I'm just hoping I can still convince Halle to make something with me! Happy Wednesday!

Checked Off the List

Please pardon the excitement, as I'm posting twice today... I just had two completely different trains taking off from the station at once and needed to get them down separately.

I am a dreamer. I have a hard time setting goals and keeping them because the day-dreamer in me keeps dreaming up newer and more exciting things. With the new year I made a pretty lofty list of things that I wanted to do this year, especially where 2 sweet things is concerned. The biggest of these goals is that I want to release an actual line of girls clothing with several key and coordinating pieces that work together. I have been buried in sketches and fabric swatches and with the arrival of some delicious fabric last week, things are starting to take shape. I joke to Trace that every time I make something new I squeal that 'This is the cutest thing Ever!' The greatest thing is that it's usually true! (Don't I just say so myself!?) I have really been working on the tiniest details of each piece and am finding that some wonderful things are emerging from beneath my needle. Ruffles, appliques, balloon hems, and funky prints galore~ oh my! I am hoping to get some great photographs taken and be able to list the new items on February 15th, just past the Valentine's rush. Here are a few pictures of some things to come:

So I'm still a dreamer, just a bit more conscious about having my feet hit the ground every now and then. I am finding that it's much more satisfying to dream big dreams when some of them start to take shape in the real world as opposed to just in my head.

Another thing on my list is to potentially add advertising here on my lovely blog. I have had several inquiries about doing this, and I am exploring what ways would best serve y'all, my lovely readers, and advertisers. 'Would love to know your thoughts on this!

Happy Wednesday, lovelies! Oh, by the way, there's still time to order some sweet things for you little Valentine from my shop!

A Little Rock with Your Romance!

Groovy Guitars Booties

Last week I posted a few pictures from my Valentine's Day Collection (which is still growing, by the way!). Today I thought I would share a few things that are newly listed in my shop for the little rockers in your life.  My biggest frustration, and yours from what I gather, as a mom to a little boy was the lack of cute, durable, and affordable things for little men that didn't look 'girly' at all. Trace's gauge on everything to do with Remy is whether or not he thinks Remy would get made fun of at school. When we go shopping I hear 'I'd have to walk him to school in that', or 'That kid would have totally been beaten up at my school'. I don't know what kind of school Trace grew up at =), but I don't want that! So anyway, I picked out these awesome Michael Miller prints specifically with little boys in mind, but as I made them I realized that they would be great for a funky little girl too! ~And they met Trace's approval as the discerning father, so everybody wins!

Set of 3 Drooler Bibs

Funky Lounge Pants

These pants are made with a growing child in mind and are my absolute favorites! The legs are fully finished so that once your little one gets too long they can be turned down. I made Remy a pair in his size, but of course he was not a willing model... If I survive him being 3, I can survive anything! (Can you hear me sighing?)

Friday Love~ On the Mend

Happy Friday! Thanks for your kind tweets, emails, and comments yesterday. I am feeling much better today, though maybe not yet 100%. My sweet Trace pampered me something awful, and I think that helps! 
Today I'm loving: 


~These etsy shops: In my quest for handmade gifts this year I have found some of the cutest things on etsy, so I thought I would share a few of the shops that I purchased gifts from. I am constantly amazed at the awesome caliber of talent on that site! (Oh, and the things pictured aren't necessarily what I bought!)

Tracy B. Designs

Eco Crafted Bird Gift Tags

Stephanie Fizer

Friendship is a Sheltering Tree Notecards

She Sews Lovely

Funky Christmas Eco Coffee Sleeve

This song: I have this David Crowder song in my head, so I thought I'd share. It's so good!:

He is jealous for me, 

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,

Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

When all of a sudden,

I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,

And I realise just how beautiful You are,

And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,

Oh how He loves us,

How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,

Oh! how He loves us,

Oh! how He loves us,

Oh! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,

Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,

If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.

And Heaven meets earth like an unforseen kiss,

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,

I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,

When I think about, the way…

~This girl. I know, I know, I say that constantly, but I am so in love with how her little personality comes out more every day. She's a firecracker, this one, so watch out world!

Doing a little grocery shopping...

She was really annoyed at me taking her picture while she changed Baby's diaper

This time she posed...

Time is passing quickly, and we only have a little over three weeks before our move- I can't believe it! At five weeks, I felt crazy packing because it seemed so far off, and now I am starting to feel the panic. I may start a little packing this weekend... I hope you have a wonderful weekend! Thanks for reading! I hope you know that I truly appreciate each of you and your kind thought, words, and encouragement! Know that you are much adored by me and loved by God!