FLIP This Pattern

Today I'm over at Frances Suzanne to share my "FLIP" of the Oliver+S Rollerskate Dress, click here to check it out.

Belgian Style Dress

 A couple of weeks ago I shared my Belgian style dress over at StraightGrain for the Kids' Clothes Belgian Style series. 

 My inspiration was a dress designed by Inge van den Broeck. I was so drawn to the rich colors and unique color combination.

 Just in case you'd like to create a similar dress I thought I'd share the details about it:
Pattern: Oliver + S Fairytale Dress
Fabrics: bodice (and bodice lining) in copper satin, skirt in navy blue Kona cotton, bow tied belt in tomato red 100% organic cotton sateen.
Modifications: sleeveless, collarless, the width of the skirt is 44 inches (which is the entire width of the fabric) and not the 52.5 inches that is called for in the pattern (so the skirt is not as full), instead of gathering the skirt I inserted 4 pleats in the front and 4 in the back (each pleat was about 1-1.25 inches deep). I also added the details of topstitching around the neckline and armholes. I added thread belt loops following this tutorial, these belt loops really help in keeping the belt in place. To make the .5 inch width belt, start by cutting 2 inches by 56 inches of fabric. Fold in half lengthwise and press. Open folded fabric, then fold the fabric's edges in toward the center crease and press. Fold in half and press again. At the 2 ends tuck in .5 inch and topstitch all around.

Happy sewing!

Champagne Cork Mushrooms

 {Kid Summer Creativity}

Today we painted champagne corks to make them look like mushrooms. We have a large cork collection and surprisingly there were only 3 champagne corks to be found, but that was just enough for a fun little project. We got the idea here. Just a few supplies of red, white, and green paints and a paint brush. Mostly what is needed is patience for a coating of paint to dry before applying the next layer.
So don't forget to save your champagne corks!

DIY Ice Cube Tray Crayons

 {Kid Summer Creativity}

On the last day of school when the kids got home I had them fill out My Final Day of School interview sheet (free print out). This was the first year we did that, but I hope to remember to do it every year.

They came home with bags full of stuff, including school supplies that weren't used up.

Looking for something to do with all those crayons?? We gathered similar colored crayons, removed the paper wrappers, placed them in a small jar that was placed in a small pot of boiling water on the stove. Once all the crayons were completely melted we poured the melted crayon mixture into silicone ice cube trays and waited for them to harden. And voila! New fun shaped crayons!

PS Those number crayons are how old my 2 youngest babies are turning this summer ~ I'm in complete denial!

PPS We use a lot of jars around here, if you are looking for more ideas on how to reuse jars, have a look in my archives where you will find a month of 'repurposing a jar'.

Balloon Decorated Flip Flops

 {Kid Summer Creativity}

Or another name could be Camp Mumma, but whatever you call it, it is in full swing this summer.

After a quick trip to the dollar store to gather the inexpensive supplies we decorated flip flops for Nicaragua for Craft Hope Project 22 which is going on until July 10. Super simple craft of tying balloons to flip flops. The red and white striped ones remind me of The Cat in the Hat. More ideas on decorating flip flops can be found here.

Happy crafting!

Kids' Clothes Belgian Style Guest Post

 Hello! Long time no see... we currently have our 3 month summer break and are enjoying one of Minnesota's 10,000 lakes... eating all different kids of popsicles...

 ...decorating nails...

 ...not much time for sewing, but this past month I did sew one dress... Belgian style! An from StraightGrain has been hosting a Kids' Clothes Belgian Style series since February ~ you must go over and check it out!

Please stop over here to see my guest post about this dress.

Hope you have been enjoying your summer so far. See you soon, maybe tomorrow? (!)

Popover Sundresses

This was the first time I tried the Oliver+S Popover Sundress (free online pattern sizes 2-8). Once the fabric was cut out, it was a really quick sew up, just one hour. For those beginning to sew, this would make a great first dress sewing project.

I did French seams for the side seams, hoping to make them stronger as these are headed for Uganda and will most likely be washed on a rock in the river. Pillowcase dresses are being collected until May 31st for Project Yesu. I sewed 6 dresses total, most size 8, just one size 7. I wanted to sew the larger sizes. I had longer lenths of fabric (1 yard+) and wanted to maximize the number of bigger sized dresses as I could because I recently sewed a bunch of baby dresses for charity.

Happy weekend!