A Lesson on Memorial Day

Yesterday was Memorial Day and we decided that our daughter was old enough to begin to be taught about it all. We took the first part of the morning to go to a memorial in downtown Milton. Many other people had the same idea.


It's a decent size memorial and we had a lot of fun talking to our daughter about the soldiers (some known, some known only to God) who gave their lives so we can have freedom and what the different things there meant.


People had come and left all kinds of little things around the area. There were flowers and mementos left only by those who truly knew the person whose name was in stone. We reflected on how great of a sacrifice so many have made and we thought about those who we have known who lost their lives for our country. Their blood brought us freedom. Just like the blood of Jesus gives us freedom from our sins. Powerful to think about. Every year we plan to make a special day of this day so our children will really understand the meaning of Memorial Day. It's more than just a cookout day.

Honor and Remember: A National Campaign of Remembrance

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends."
John 15:13

We thank you all of you who have served and are serving, along with the friends and family who stand by your side. Thank you.

Take 2 Maternity Top

Here is another top I did a few weeks ago using Simplicity 2657.

I made the back piece a lot longer width wise so I could just shirr it and not have to add a zipper or anything. Easy to slip on and off.

The bottom part actually came from I dress I had in my "refashion" pile. I would say it went to good use :)

I have plans to do the "My Favorite Top" tutorial and a few other pieces of clothing, so be on the lookout if you are interested. PS, Shannon did an AMAZING Maternity Sewing Tutorial Roundup. I highly suggest you check it out if you are preggers and sew! Enjoy your weekend :)

The Out for Lunch Pattern Winners

The two winners of the pattern from the blog are (using random.org):

1. Krista

2. Monica Gee

Thanks for all the entries and kind words!!!!

I will announce the Facebook winner on the fanpage.

A New Kind of Headband

I was contacted the other week by Rose and Heather of Sew Stylish Boutique about a new style of headband they have come up with.

I was very intrigued and happily agreed to accept one and see how it worked and all.

I have to say that this is one of the best ideas for a headband that I have seen. It is so lightweight because the band part is made from a thin nickel free wire. It doesn't even feel like you are wearing it on your head! This is perfect for those with sensitive scalps or for little ones who don't like things on their head. My daughter quickly forgot it was on!

I like how it wraps so well around the head and can fit any size head, from infant to adult. This means that my new little girl to be here soon, my 3 year old daughter, and me can all wear it!

It came with instructions on how to wear it and a page full of great info on their product. I highly suggest checking their products out.

Their hair pieces are cute, fun, super comfy, and the prices are great!

Thanks ladies for letting us try one out! We love it :)

Charming Clay Flowers Tutorial

I have to admit that I'm one of those moms who enjoys playing play dough with my daughter. I find it fun and relaxing to sit down and create with it and then smoosh it up and put it away. There's no agenda, it's fun to squoosh in between your fingers, and the colors are pretty. Every now and then we also get clay, the more grown up version of play dough. I saw this brooch and flowers on BHLDN and decided to take a trip and buy me and the little one some clay to play around with.


My daughter got a pack with some pretty colors and I got some plain ole white. We sat down and began to create. She made towers and I made these:

Aren't they just so elegant looking? It makes me want to go find some fancy dress to wear with it.

Originally I was just going to make the brooch, but then I had extra leftover and thought a pair of earrings would be lovely as well. Maybe I'll make a ring or make some for a necklace next?

I'm sure by now you are ready to find out how to make them! Here is what you will need:

-Clay (the kind you bake to harden it)
-Something for the center (I used a vintage earring on the brooch and a small bead on the earrings)
-Wax paper
-Pan to bake it in
-A strong glue (I used E-600, industrial strength glue)
-Clay glaze (I used Sculpey Glaze from Micheal's)
-Desired backing (earring backs, pin back, etc)

On wax paper, I started off by softening the clay some. The wax paper helps not make your work surface messy and at the end you will just lift it up with the flower and place it into a pan.

Then for the brooch, I made ten balls about the size of the end of my thumb. For the earrings I made ten balls as well, but they were a lot smaller.

Then I molded each one into a flower petal looking piece.

Next, create a ball and squoosh it flat. This will be what you rest all of the petals on. Make sure it is size appropriate.

Lay the first layer of five petals down. Push down at the middle to squish the petals to the round bottom piece.

Then place the second layer of five petals on. I alternated the petals so you could see the edges of both layers. Squoosh the middle of the petals down again to make sure they are secure.

Take the object you are using for the center and press it into the middle to create a mold of where it will go. This makes sure the piece will fit in place after baked. See the earring impression here?

Now lift up your wax paper, with your creation on it, and place it into a baking tray. Follow the directions for your clay on how to bake it.

Once it is done and cooled off, paint on a coat of the glaze. I did the top, let it dry, then flipped it over and did the underneath of the petals.

Then put some glue in the spot where the middle piece will go and place the piece in place. Let dry.

Last but not least, add your backing. I used the same glue again to make sure everything stayed in place.

Now you have some charming clay flowers to wear, use for decoration, etc. The sky's the limit!

If you make some, please share with us here! I love to see your take on things :)

New Pattern Release and Giveaway (CLOSED)!!!!! The Out for Lunch Dress

Yay yay yay!!!!! I'm so glad to be able to release this pattern now! Without further ado, I present the Out for Lunch Dress:

As always, I was inspired to make this dress for my daughter and decided to go ahead and create a pattern.

The pattern is for sizes 18 months - 8 and is designed to be about knee length for most.
Chest Height

18 months	19”	32”
2	20”	35”
3	21”	38”
4	22”	41”
5	23”	44”
6	24”	47”
7	25”	50”
8	27”	52”

{circle skirt option and shoulder bows}

There are two skirt options, circle and gathered, and there are instructions on how to create the shoulder bows. The dress is created with an elastic waistband for an easy fit.

The instructions are 30 pages, full of lots of pictures to help. My pattern testers help ensure that it is written well and is as easy as possible to understand for even beginner sewers. It is emailed in PDF format and comes with three attachments: instructions, pattern pieces, and a Happy Together Pattern's Sewing Reference to help beginners understand sewing terms (also full of pictures).

{gathered skirt option}

{photo courtesy of Nina at Intentional Moments}

I had a lot of fun using up fabric from my stash to create the three dresses I did, but let me tell you what. My pattern testers blew it out of the water!!!! I think they did fantastic jobs. I want them to make my daughters dresses! lol Here is their creations:

From Nicole Scott of Cole's Corner and Creations:

{Circle Skirt Option}

From Corey of Living and Loving Every Moment of It:

{Gathered Skirt Option}

From Beth of From the Hive and Mama Bee Designs:

{Circle Skirt Option}

{Gathered Skirt Option}

From Micalah, the creator of Project Run and Play:

{Circle Skirt Option}

From Dixielee:

For those of you who cannot wait, I have a few patterns listed in my Etsy shop.

And for those of you who would like to win a copy, I'm giving away 3!!!! Two here on the blog and 1 on the Facebook fan page.

To enter, just leave a comment. That's it!

Please make sure to include your email address if it isn't linked to your profile. Otherwise I can't get a hold of you if you win.

{GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED}

Now I leave you with a "trash the dress" session we had impromptu ;)

(It cleaned up fine though :) lol

PS: Someone usually wants to know, so if you are interested in testing patterns, please email me with some pictures (or links to) of things you have sewn. Also let me know what you are interested in sewing. Thanks!