Projects, Projects Everywhere

I started this little project to decompress from a few lengthy tutorials in a row over at Home Ec. and Small Craft earlier this month because it didn't involve sewing anything. It's also easy to do whilst catching up on Design Star on Hulu! I plan on turning it into this cute hat that Elsie made last year for Ruby as she has no hair to keep her warm. I also need to find that girl some socks and shoes because she's been barefoot for months and those toes are going to start getting chilly! I haven't made any more progress on the moccasins but haven't lost my enthusiasm and I have it in good faith that a certain friend has been perfecting her mini moccasin template lately. And I've seen a sneak peek of a sample. And they are cute as can be!

I've tried to get back to the crochet project a few times only to remember my hook is missing after an incident involving a certain four-year-old mindlessly unraveling row after row as he watched Thundercats with his daddy one afternoon. I came around the corner and shouted, "What are you doing!" and they both looked surprised that it was happening. That'll teach me to keep my stuff laying around for other eager fingers to work on.

So, do you have any favorite suggestions for handmade (and warm and slightly practical) shoes for little ones on Etsy that you love? There are a ton to pretty shoes to choose from but I'm most interested in hearing real reviews of things you've used and loved. Thanks in advance and I'll be sure to share if we go with any.

xoxo,
Rachel

My New Fuji Instax Wide And Some Sneak Peeks

I rearranged Ruby's space this weekend in preparation to move that crib back into the kids' room and hope for a smooth transition. There's more to put together so this is all you get today. ;)

I've been wanting this particular needlework design for awhile and have had my eye on a $68 framed one in town for over a year. One day Elsie and I were talking about the 'God Bless Our Pad' needlework and how I wasn't really as into it as I thought I'd be color wise and asked her if she wanted it. She said she'd trade me for this other large needlework she had...and it turned out to be this one!!! We were both over the moon!

My birthday present from my brother came in the mail today! The new Fuji Instax Wide was on back order so I've been waiting patiently but used up the first pack of film within ten minutes. I was trying to feel it out and see how it handled. I may be in love.

Sebastian got in on the action and shot the photo of his new dinosaur. I came into the room later in the evening and he had my camera out trying to take a picture but I had purposely not loaded the next pack of film. I know my son. We had a little talk about Mommy's new toy and that he always had to ask before taking a photo and the difference between this camera and the digital ones he's used to. Yikes!

Here's a comparison between a Polaroid from an old pack that I took about two years ago of Sebastian and one of the Wide shots from today. The clarity is pretty great since this camera comes with a cute little lens. The lens has a reflective mirror so you can have fun with self-portraits.

Lots of fun.

I'm looking forward to playing around with it and incorporating them into some art journaling. I think Elsie and Holly have an Instax and I've been gifted a photo or two at some point.

I love the Instax Mini, too, because everything is so much cuter in miniature!

And this Instax Mini Hello, Kitty version is adorable!

I'm eager to hear how you feel about yours if you've got one and maybe a link to your favorite photo? That'd be nice. I'm probably going to have to start a change jar for my next round of film. Even though it's cheaper than Polaroid film it's still hard to fork it over after being spoiled with a digital camera for so long. Thanks, Joe! It was such a fun surprise!! ;)

xoxo,
Rachel

She Takes After Her Mama

I found this red velvet zippered jumper in a little town in Southern Missouri last month and wasn't sure if I loved it until today. I paired it with a polka-dotted onesie from Target and one of the black headbands I got in a pack from Walgreens. It's super soft and if I distract her long enough after I put it on she'll forget about pulling it off.

This is my new vintage dress from the new Red Velvet Dress Shop. Elsie pulled a few from the stacks for me to try on and this one took the cake! I love the print and it's a really nice fit on a good day. ;)
That makes TWO vintage dress days in ONE week. I get a gold star!
xoxo,
Rachel

p.s. I got to see the lovely Margot this afternoon over coffee. Thanks for making the drive to see us and for the goodies you brought my kids!

La Petite Magazine=Lovely

In case you haven't yet seen this lovely collaboration between Rachelle of Kenziepoo and Jennifer you need to hop on over! I've long admired Rachelle's penchant for fashion and design for the little ones and always look forward to her Turn This Room Into An Outfit posts!

Issue One was absolutely lovely and Issue Two is full of pretty dresses, unique illustrations, and links to great online shops.

One of the contributors to Issue #2 is one of my longtime sponsors and online friends, Stacie, of Gingiber! I love her illustrations so it was great to see her work showcased in this lovely online mag.

And Rachelle's daughter, Kenzie, has one of the trendiest little wardrobes ever! I'm always looking for unexpected things to add to Ruby's wardrobe and Kenziepoo never fails to provide that inspiration. Have yourself a little look see!

xoxo,
Rachel

Front Porch Buffet

I got to spend a lovely afternoon with my kids working in our front yard on Labor Day after a fun lunch/froyo date with the RVA girls. The weather was warm but breezy and everyone kept themselves occupied with something long enough for me to transfer flowers to pots and fertilize and add mulch to the elephant ears.

Our front porch has had some foliage on it all spring and summer but nothing too exciting. The last two years we've been at this house our neighbors have brought mums over from an event that were extra and we've always enjoyed them. This year, however, I've jumped the gun because I want to enjoy these fall flowers as long as the weather allows. I picked up a few new pots on sale that coordinated with what I had and some potting soil and got to work. It didn't take long for Ruby to appear by my side to investigate.

It wasn't long before she'd gotten a hold of some blooms and proceeded to pick the petals off and spread them around the porch. We had a lesson in gently touching the flowers (above) but as soon as I removed my hand her gentle touch turned into an enthusiastic grab and pluck.

And then a taste test before she was removed from the premises.

This is how she felt about her relocation.

As Sebastian would say, "It's fun to try new things!"

I hope your weekend was memorable.
xoxo,
Rachel

EDITED: Thanks to a concerned reader, I am now fully aware that the leaves and stalks of Mums are toxic to children. I'm not sure that the petals are harmful but that was Ruby's last snack on the front porch!

Plenty To Wear These Days

I spent some time purging the kids' wardrobes this week since a new season is upon us. I have kept a few special pieces from Ruby's early months but what can't be transitioned into the fall and winter months is going to a friend. With limited space for all of her clothes/socks/shoes/blankets/crib sheets, I have to keep things as easy to look at as possible or it gets overwhelming.

Ruby has more closet space than Brett and I put together. Old houses = Lots of wardrobes.

I have been saving vintage dresses and smocks since before we knew we were having a girl almost a year and a half ago and Ruby is finally big enough to start wearing some of them. I have had some luck recently with a few pieces but most of these were thrifted in Springfield and surrounding areas as well as gifts from sweet readers around the time Ruby was born.

Plus a few more that were in the wash and one that was so delicate it was torn in the dryer. Sad face.

Sebastian, on the other hand...

... has one measly piece of vintage clothing and I only just found it this weekend. Somehow, I don't think he minds. This poor boy does own more clothing but it was sitting in a clean pile in another room that also included a sleeping baby.

If it isn't from Target or Old Navy, it's been thrifted, handmade, or given to use by sweet people. The mailman hat, for instance, was delivered by our favorite mailman after Sebastian told him he wanted to be a mailman someday. The wardrobe is just a billy bookshelf from IKEA that I found for free four years ago, added a curtain rod to, and covered with wood grain contact paper. This is what it looked like two years ago when his shoes were so much smaller!

Ruby wore a vintage red sailor dress and one of the vintage Mexican dresses shown above this weekend while hanging out with the RVA girls. I think the dress shop is her new favorite place!
More on that soon...

xoxo,
Rachel

Ruby Wants What She's Got

(Pardon my loudness.)
Ruby and Penelope were born 10 days apart and share an affinity for being barefoot. Penelope also didn't know why her grandpa was holding another baby. What was he thinking.

xoxo,
Rachel

Small Craft Online Class [Details & Registration Information]

I'm thrilled to introduce you to our brand new online class called Small Craft! Small Craft is a six week class full of fun projects for kiddos (newborn to age 10). Projects are primarily designed to make as fun gifts for kids with some interactive projects that children can participate in as well! This class is designed for anyone who has a cute kiddo in their lives that they'd love to craft for!

What is Small Craft?

This 6 week class is open to students worldwide. Tutorials are posted throughout the week and students are encouraged to work at their own pace, there are no deadlines! The class includes 30 Project Tutorials with 6 video sessions included in those projects! The class starts September 13th and runs for 6 weeks. There are two video Q&A sessions with Elsie & Rachel included (Students get to ask questions in advance and we answer them in one big private video... it's so much fun!). Note: There are a few sewing projects included in this class that require access to a sewing machine.

SMALL CRAFT
$60

*These are just a few peeks at projects we've created for this class! Rachel and I both agree that this is one of the most inspired classes we've created. We've had SO much fun developing it together.

Meet Your Teachers...

I'm a work-at-home mom of two! I love coming up with D.I.Y. projects for my son, Sebastian, and daughter, Ruby. I love interior design and have created some amazing kiddo bedroom projects for this class!

Elsie is a full time independent boutique owner and proof that you don't have to be a mom to be in love with creating pretty things for little people. She's an aunt and loves making things for the kids in her life as well as for her shop! ♥ We're both excited to share our projects and know they'll be so fun to work on into the fall season and through the holidays!

Projects include: Pretty, Pretty: Customizable dress pattern for all sizes, The Well-Styled Child: DIY scarves for fall, A Mid-Century Modern Fort, Abra Cadabra: Bedroom makeover tips and tricks, Here's The Skinny: Two necktie patterns and embroidery samples, Use Your Words: An art journal just for them, Traveling Puppet Theater, Modern Geometry: A block set you can both live with, What's For Lunch: DIY lunchbox, Monster Bibs, Snack Attack: Fun snacks for little fingers, Storybook Plushies, The Starving Artist's Smock/Apron, All Dressed Up And No Place To Go: Fun photo shoot ideas through imaginative play and handmade props, Upcycled Dress Up Chest: Includes three felt mask patterns and tips on creating costumes....and more!

Class cost $60 (only $10 per week or $2 per project!) Payable via paypal (button above) or through credit card in our online store.

*Private blog info will be sent within 36 hours of payment.

Questions? Please e-mail racheldenbow(at)gmail(dot)com

Hope you can join us!! We've put a lot of extra love into this class and can't wait to share it with you!

xoxo,

Rachel

What Goes Up Must Come Down

Ruby has been crawling on top of everything lately and either getting stuck or falling off with a thud. I have more proof of this on my camera but it's sitting across the room and I can't be bothered to get up and upload the photos from this week after the day we've had. It was so full of activity and projects and errands and adventures in our front yard that I'm worn out! Ruby and Sebastian are both changing right before my eyes it seems and I'm thankful that we are enjoying being on this side of a third tooth and some recent power struggles.


Speaking of power struggles, we played a new game today with one of my projects for the Small Craft class that I'll share later today. Sebastian called it the 'One-Eyed Truck' game but really it was him chasing after me doing karate chops and me hauling him over my shoulder and putting him in jail until he escaped. Again and again and again. Then we used our new contraption as a pirate ship and then it was a train. And we went to China and saw Kai-Lan. Aren't you jealous? She says Ni-hao.


Anyway, go tell the lovely James of Bleubird Vintage how adorable her new little one is and check out some of the fabulous guest posts that are up while baby and mama (and daddy) get to know one another. I've got another little tutorial over there. Congrats, James and Aubrey! She's beautiful.

Check in around 7 p.m. for full details and registration for Small Craft! I may pee my pants!
xoxo,
Rachel

Small Craft Online Class Sneak Peek!

Elsie Flannigan and I are excited to share a little taste of our Fall Online Class with you! Aptly named, Small Craft is full of projects for little people. We've created 30 projects that let your favorite kiddo explore their imagination through dress up and creative play and included plenty of style with ways to customize their wardrobe, tips on room makeovers, and hands on projects to encourage your budding artist.

My projects have already been kid tested and approved but now I'm wondering why I didn't save some of them for Christmas presents! I might still be making multiples of a few of them because every kid needs a traveling puppet theater and dress up chest in their arsenal of creative toys! We've included a little something for all ages and can't wait to share full details with you soon. Check back on Wednesday, August 25th for the project list and more photos. Registration will begin that evening at 7 p.m. CST. We hope you can join us in making their world a little more magical!

xoxo,
Rachel

My Daughter Growls

I have had this plaid cotton for at least a year and a half and FINALLY decided it was my best bet for a headed into fall type smock. I used the same basic premise as a pillow case dress but based the width off of an existing loose dress and the length magically worked out perfectly for a smock. A dress length would've been too long as she's quite the crawler and it may have even swallowed her whole.

The mint blue is extra, extra wide double fold bias tape from Wal-Mart. I used it for the tie at the shoulders by sewing it shut. It made it through the wash intact, too!

I was in a little bit of a hurry to photograph it so pretend you don't see my loose thread at the ends!

Keep pretending!

Pretty soon Ruby's two bottom teeth won't be the only ones that show up in photos. She's been working on her third these last few days, which means these last few nights have been a little hit and miss in the sleep department. It's safe to say that Ruby is looking much cuter than I am this week. It comes with the territory sometimes, right? ;)


If you are interested in the step-by-step process you can see one version of the pillow case dress here and another here and you can probably think of five more. Feel free to leave links in the comments section.

xoxo,
Rachel