Inspire

What inspires me:

My crew, fun, bright corduroy,
bright, modern print knits,
coral stretch lace (that's a stretch lace top I made...and will eventually photograph for the blog), my daughter's creativity (she designed Belle's dress and described how she wanted it sewn down to the color thread for each seam--and she accessorized her), details (heart patch for hole) + Ivory's whimsical, childlike accessorizing, this incredible mug seen on instagram,

the green food dress from Real Simple, real simple fashion spreads, gifts others receive and I decide I could replicate (I can totally make a pillow pet...right?),

pictures my sister takes (I'm in love with this striped dress and am only wishing for a full length shot),

bakers twine (amazing projects all over the internet),

shoes spied for a split second on Jane by Design, this Shabby apple houndstooth dress (I love houndstooth),
ideas found in books, quotes,

creative blogposts, (painted cabinet doors with clips attached)

navy blue and this woman's fashion style,

projects from this blog,

What inspires you?

Operation Christmas Child

It is such a delight to give to others.  I especially love combining what I have, what's been giving to me, and what I love doing to create for others.  I have been blessed with many many fabric + clothing donations.  I love seeing what I can create and re-purpose from these items.  These dresses were born from fabric donations, a skirt, a dress, a bed skirt, corduroy pants, and a men's dress shirt.  All fabric was in excellent condition.

Pillowcase dresses: Dresses + skirts: Backpacks, totes, zipper pouches:
More bows! I'm obsessed with stripes. Especially loving these silver button corduroys.  Not gonna lie, I was totally tempted to keep these for Korban and pair them with suspenders and a bow tie.   I can't think about it or I'll go dig them back out of the box...raw honesty here. Shorts, shorts, and more shorts!
With each item I sew I pray the one who receives it learns about being clothed in the righteousness of Christ--the only perfect garment.

Quick note:  I hesitated to post this.  I don't want to seem like I am attempting to show off or give to be seen by men.  That's the last thing I want.  Ultimately I'm posting post this in case, like me, you felt for many years you didn't have much to offer.  Maybe your budget is as tight as mine.  Maybe you can't buy a lot to give.  But what do you have that you can use?  Start thinking creatively, pray for what you need to make that happen, then DO it.  You will be so blessed.

Sewing Projects

So I've been sewing.  A lot.  Some of these are projects from a while back I never posted.  Some are more recent.  Did I mention this is only a fraction of what I've sewn?  I'm like a sewing maniac these days.  And I love it.

A long scarf I've always loved and never know how to wear turned gathered circle scarf.  I *love* it now. I always loved this striped sweater with a detachable collar + cuffs.  But honestly, it was a little too snug and a lot too short.  Cut it down the middle, hem the sides--a perfect striped cardigan. I'm in love with chevron.  Used this tutorial to make the clutch.  I love it, but think I would tweak it for next time.
I adore my chevron tote and use it constantly.  I can also use a tote to lug the kids + my stuff around.  This particular visit it went to the beach with us. My sister gave me an abundance of white lace trimmed curtain panels.  I love them and used them to decorate for a while.  But recently they have sat in a box.  Saved for the perfect project.  Introducing my wide leg white pants.  Lined and trimmed with lace.  I love them. I bought a Project Runway zippered tunic dress/blouse pattern a while back when Jo-Ann's had a 99cent deal.  I knew I'd love it one day.  That day is today.  

I decided not to line this eyelet skirt.  Mostly because I felt lazy.  But also because who needs lining when you can make it into a great tankini cover-up skirt? A dear friend gave me a bag of clothes to cut up.  This brown knit skirt screamed out to me, "resize me!"  Clever, I know.  It's comfy now but I imagine would work even better as a maternity skirt. 
This denim skirt is one of my favorites.  But, every time I wore it to church I felt hindered in my ability to handle climbing, crawling, running children.  Welcome the side slit fabric insert.  Much better.

Recent Projects

MIA.  Yes, this definitely describes me.  But it's not because I haven't been in action.  That's actually why I've been "missing."  Busy actually "doing."  No time to report.  Exhausted when a "free" moment comes up...or I fill it with more projects. 

Prepare for a post deluge.

Cassie's Sunday School class colored fabric squares with fabric markers.  I made them into a mini quilted zipper bag the church members filled with notes for Cassie to take with her to South Africa.   I wrote her a note for every month and included some instagram shots in each note for her to hang in her room.  She is helping care for abandoned babies with Door of Hope missions.  "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."  --James 1:27

Operation Christmas Child box supplies are already being stocked at our church.  This year I wanted to use more of my talents to be apart of this ministry.  Lots and lots and lots of sewing and a little crafting of bows.  Creative disaster: I <3 a="a" bows.="bows." href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/4DswZzs6zCSEdWCEdRcxIXNx5jt3VFlwz3OZB4LD85g?feat=embedwebsite">
Ivory and I agreed that Belle could use another dress.  Thus, Belle's silver sparkly oo la la dress: I learned how to make a drawstring backpack thanks to this handy book from my sister, Sherri.  Perfect for the shoeboxes!  And perfect goodbye gifts for our friends Addie + Olive. (I made the flower ones, the green one is the example in the book).

The Weekend

Sooo...the sewing bug has bit me so bad that all my evenings are filled with cutting out sewing projects once the kids go to bed and squeezing in time to sew those projects during the day when they're awake (my sewing station is in kid's bedroom).  Well, they're napping and (suprisingly) I'm actually awake, the dishes are washed, the house clean, laundry folded and I figured I would take a break from projects ot update this poor, neglected blog of mine.

Here are some pictures of one family weekend.

Happy Korban--he just loves his outside swing.  It's nearly magical in it's ability to produce long lasting smiles + hours of entertainment.
My sister calculated that it has rained 75 days straight.  Wish we could share with the West.  Since we can't, we spend lots of time indoors and when we feel brave we venture into the mosquito world to enjoy the outdoors.  I know this sounds like complianing, and I guess it is.  However, I realize that the rain is simply uncomfortable and incovenient.  Really we are so blessed and we do still see sunshine for a little while at least once a day.  Who doesn't love a baby in a sink?
My kids spoile me with handpicked flowers all the time.  I'm so blessed by their continual acts of love.  One way to spend a rainy afternoon:

I sported my lace extender slip at church on Sunday.  Love it! walking to SS Sunday school with our favorite Cassie!  Ivory's drawing during Snday morning church.  According to Ivory I have two tongues.  Ivory's personal fashion ensemble:  Sunday afternoon outside:


Sunday morning service was, um, hard.  Three kids.  Over an hour + half service.  The kids got the best of me.  We left early.  That night, Cassie, being the amazing person she is, watched them for me so I could actually *focus* in church. 

Sunday service inspired pages of quiet book ideas:
While I love creating the ideas, I don't love actually making the book.  It's a more handsewing crafty project + crafts aren't as much my thing.