beautiful dress up wings

I spied this pattern awhile ago and was reminded of it the other day and set to making it. Here is the pattern if you want to try to make some yourself. I sewed this together but, the directions say you can also glue it so this works for all of you who don't sew.

These were really fun to make. It was so fun choosing the fabrics and colors and always good to delve into the scrap pile. Ms. S is a fan and flew around the house for awhile this afternoon. The boy is fond of them as well. Always good to have dress up clothes.

rose garden dress

A new rose floral dress for Scarlet.

She tried it on and declared she loves it which is just the best news.




I love the collar and pocket details in this pattern. She found a perfect use for the pocket right away and stuffed her lamb in there.

I made the size up because I can see this only being worn for a bit over the next few months before it becomes too hot. I wanted to get the most use out if it.

The dress is lined in muslin and zips up the back. The pattern is the School Photo Dress which perhaps I will really have her wear it for come Autumn. I originally planned for the ruffle collar in a pale peach shantung and may still do that someday. Or maybe I will wind up using it on a blouse for me. I need to check the drape.

This dress was really fun to make which is why I am sort of addicted to Oliver + S patterns. There are just so many sweet details and everything is thought out so well. I always feel I've made something really special in the end.

She took it for a ride on her duck rocker.



And then we made some silly faces. This one being my favorite.



Last night I had to replace the zipper after she wore it because the pull just fell off. Oh, I was mad but, I quickly replaced it after finding a vintage zipper in my stash which was so much better made then the one I had purchased. I don't know why this happened. I guess it was just a poorly made zipper. Though the bonus was the zipper sewing turned out out much better the second time around.

azalea crowns

I made azalea crowns today and then we had a wedding in the garden by the apple tree.

city weekend quilt top

I really love how this quilt looks like summer.

The colors and prints are just gorgeous and play off each other so nicely. It reminds me of sunny days, ocean waves, ripe berries, cotton candy ( my parents never bought me cotton candy), flowers and dotted dresses. It's the kind of quilt you might want to take a nap with amongst wildflowers or bring to the beach.

When I started this quilt I really had no idea about the proper way to put it together but, after doing several blocks the hard way I started piecing it together properly and after that it was easy. Plus, I met my goal by finishing two quilt tops this month. What can I say, I like setting goals for myself.

I still have a lot to learn about quilting but, for someone who three years ago was seriously intimidated by them I'd like to think I've come far. Really though there is a lot more to learn.

The quilt top measures 58" x 96." There are 108 blocks. Really? I just counted.... couldn't believe it myself.
I wanted something that made the colors pop so I chose natural white to offset the plus shapes. I'm not sure what I will put on the back yet. Maybe dots and white?

Now to iron it, trim a million threads and finish it. Sigh. I think I need to work on some clothes and smaller things first. I'll shoot for June 15th for completion.

It's just so hard to photograph quilts, isn't it?

Unrelated but very exciting: My boy lost his first tooth last night! I was thrilled to be the tooth fairy and also happy that I had a little felt toothpouch made up already. We are celebrating today with popcorn. He loves popcorn.

easter

A very Happy Easter we had.
I painted some papier-mache eggs and decorated them with die cut scrap pictures.
Eggs were hard boiled and blown out and dyed.
Egg hunts.
Baskets full of goodies, books, handmade bunnies & bubbles.
S learned to blow her own bubbles and had the best time blowing them in my Mom's garden.
A walk on the beach on a gorgeous sunny day.
A delicious dinner and so much dessert and that's not counting the beans and the chocolate bunnies.

a walk through branchbrook park

I used to go to see the cherry blossoms at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for many years but, the past three years we have been seeing them closer to where we live now at Branch Brook Park in New Jersey which has a nice amount of cherry trees.

This year was the coldest Spring I can remember and I don't think it is the best year for blossoms but, still very pretty. Maybe this will make them stick around longer?

Trees in bloom are really one of the most wonderful things in the whole world and each time it's like the first time.

I was looking back through my photos from last year in April and realized that there was so much more in bloom- bleeding hearts and my lilac tree are two that come to mind. So, that only means there is more to look forward to.

I feel lucky that behind my house is a gorgeous huge magnolia tree and that I have fruit tress in my front yard.

Okay, I'm off to make some tea since i've managed to catch a cold which will mean I will be sitting in bed tonight with my stitching.

my birthday

It was rainy. I ate an english muffin and a cappuccino for breakfast in bed.
I noticed Mick had bought me peach roses. I put on my Nadinoo dress, a friendly ghost and a sweater I knit with tights and oxfords.
We played with a giant red balloon and 3 red balloons with white polka dots.
Matthew drew my portrait.
My parents came to visit. They brought flowers, soap and a journal. They took us to lunch. I had a mocha and a brie, tomato and avocado on 8 grain bread.
I did some laundry
I went to the post office, the bank and then the nail salon to get my nails painted. I chose Passion by Opi. The manicurist complained about my nails. I explained I am very very busy with them and haven't been taking care of them properly.
I bought a dress.
I played dollies and ate a petit four. I had Matthew take photos of me. They were not bad photos.
I worried about my age. I am way too hung up about my age.
I vacuumed.
I went outside to look at my peach, cherry and apple blossoms while it was drizzling.
I ate hummus and pita chips from Trader Joe's. I cooked the kids dinner and encouraged them to eat it. A bowl was broken by a fork.
Mick came home. I opened more presents. Very nice ones. Maison Bouche chocolate, a gift card to Purl, a necklace from Tiffany and Co. and a candle. I never got a blue box before and laughed about it.
Mick and the kids sang happy birthday. The cake was homemade by Mick. It's apple spice with a goat cheese frosting. I never had goat cheese frosting before. It was good.
I read stories. I played dollies and bunnies some more. My eyebrow was rubbed by her little fingers.
I did some knitting.
It was my birthday.