dressed up onesies

I've been making lots of onesie dresses and tie applique onesies as gifts.

The tie applique onesies  couldn't be easier! I made these for a friends new nephew.



I used Char's perfectly sized tie applique pattern + tutorial.

The dresses are easy to make and fun to embellish.

These dresses (plus a few more that are identical to the ones hanging on the line) are for friends that have recently had little girls. I am keeping a couple for my little girl though!

When I sat down to make these dresses I tried to reference my tutorial for sizing only realize I never finished it and posted it. Oopsie. I am so behind in blogging. Hopefully I will get caught up soon!

this monthly picture thing is starting to get difficult...

Gemma is six days shy of seven months and after several attempts I still don't have a decent six month picture of her.

Do you have a secret trick to keep an active baby still? Do tell, please!

birthday totes

Each year I have one item that I make for my sisters and sisters-in-law birthdays (though I admit that I have missed a birthday or two. Sorry sisters!) This year the gift is tote bags! You can find the tutorial here if you want to make your own.

Two of my sisters-in-law celebrate their birthdays this month. Jen's birthday was the 4th. I made her a yellow chevron with brown trim tote bag. I love the yellow chevron! I got it at Hancock for 50% off. The trim is a brown linen I've had for years and the lining is a white canvas. Jen recently moved to Asheville, NC and I am missing her lots!

Today is Jessica's birthday. (Happy birthday Jessica!!) She is pretty amazing- she has four children, teaches preschool, and is finishing up her masters degree. She is a superwoman!

I made Jess' tote bag in brown linen from my stash. The trim and lining fabric is Flea Market Fancy Sprout by Deniyse Schmidt, one of my favorites, which sadly, is no longer available. I made a dress for Sutton years ago (pre blog days) and after making this bag I only have scraps.

HAPPY WEEKEND!

sewing for me: the most flattering shirt

I haven't sewn clothing for myself in a long while. When I first learned to sew that was all I made. I miss sewing for myself. I also miss having clothes to wear... I am still carrying an extra 20 lbs from my last pregnancy (not to mention the enormous boobs that go along with breast feeding!) so not many of my regular clothes fit. I am sure the weight would come of faster if I exercised with any sort of regularity but in my limited "me time" sewing usually wins out. Maybe someday I will be better at balancing all the things I want to do.

I made this top from the Most Flattering Shirt Dress tutorial at Prudent Baby. I obviously made it a shirt length rather than a dress. It was a quick top to make and I think I will probably make at least one more and probably a dress once I am no longer nursing Gemma. I got the fabric from Wal-mart- $3.47/yard. I really liked the blue and white medallion type print and the price can't be beat! It is soft and light- a necessity in the brutal summer heat!

lake house pictures

Our three days at the lake were so fun! I married into such a great family. We all get along so well and enjoy each others company. It's a rarity, I think.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the lake.

Gemma

Ezra and Aunt Jess

My beautiful niece Eliza

the gorgeous house we rented

Niece Eliza and nephew Garrett in the canoe

Nephew Noah and Sutton fishing on the dock

My Father-in-law, Mike, Sr and Michael

Sunset

And my most favorite picture from the lake maybe even ever. Sutton and her Uncle Andy- both sporting what we call The Crazy Eye. Sutton has been making us laugh for years with The Crazy Eye but we just realized that Andy shares the same... talent.

Can't wait until our next Lake Trip!

fruit and barley salad

I love, love, love this recipe! It is so yummy and healthy. I got it from my friend Meredith's vegetarian cooking blog, VegetriaNation. As usual, I have tweaked it a bit for my tastes. I also scaled down the recipe because the original recipe made a TON which is good for a crowd but not so good since my kids refuse to eat it. That's okay, more for me!

fruit and barley salad

3/4 cups pearl barley
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh or bottled (I use whatever I happen have on hand)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 medium peach or nectarine, cut into ½ -inch pieces
2 small tomatoes, cut into ½-inch pieces
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Heat 1 1/2 cups water to boiling over high heat. Add barley and 1/2 teaspoon salt; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 35-45 minutes or until barley is tender and liquid is absorbed (barley will have a creamy consistency).

In large bowl mix lime juice, olive oil, sugar, pepper, and 1/2 teaspoons salt.

Rinse barley with running cold water; drain well. Add barley, peaches, tomatoes, green onions, and cilantro to lime dressing; stir gently to coat. Makes 4-6 servings.