ToBeContinued: March 2013

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Easter Basket stuffers round-up

It's almost Easter- a time for those of us who are Christian to remember Jesus rising from the grave after dying on the cross. Of course, in our culture Easter has also become a time for bunnies and baskets, dresses and hats, candy and eggs...a hodge-podge of Springy goodness. As kids, we always had a great time hunting down our baskets in the house, and seeing what kind of note the bunny left us. We always had the Robin's Eggs candy, Jelly Beans, and a chocolate bunny along with some kinds of special gift.
For my kids, I do the same! Last year as a 2 year old, Lola Jane really got into it. This year, I think both of my girls will have a blast. (Although I had some explaining to do when LJ found the requested Care Bears in the back of my van the other day...I had to make up a story quick!)
I thought I would put together some fun and affordable basket stuffer ideas for those of you are wanting some inspiration or are not sure what to put in a basket for a very young child. Here are 50 ideas!

1. A new little ball
2. A book (Target has cute board books for $1, or hit the Christian bookstore for an Easter book!)
3. A photo of the family pet wearing bunny ears
4. "puff" snacks in plastic eggs
5. New flip flops or special shoes to wear with their Easter outfit (depending on what you have to spend)
6. Crayons
7. Stickers
8. Homemade toddler muffins
9. Pureed fruit pouches
10. New toddler flatwear
11. New sippy cup
12. cool panties or underwear with their favorite character
13. Cute cloth diaper cover (We shop at Toasty Baby)
14. A bible verse or a compliment written on a slip of paper inside an egg
15. Silly Putty or play dough
16. toddler-safe nail polish
17. tiny figurines (dinosaurs, ponies, etc.)
18. a jump rope
19. bubbles
20. craft paint or finger paint
21. coloring book or plain notepad
22. alphabet flash cards (the Dollar store always has these)
23. animal crackers
24. maracas
25. harmonica
26. music CD
27. glue sticks
28. pipe cleaners, googly eyes, pom-poms
29. hair things or a hat
30. New socks
31. A little purse or "treasure pouch" with something inside
32. Lacing cards (or use a hole punch to make your own out of cardboard shapes)
33. Dehydrated fruit in plastic eggs
34. felt race track pieces (will stick to carpet- make them yourself by cutting curvy shapes from black felt)
35. Wind-up toys
36. Bean bag pouches (if you sew you can make them)
37. Stuffed animal (you can get Easter-y ones at the Dollar Store)
38. mini oranges (like Cuties)
39. alphabet magnets
40. teethers
41. toothbrush
42. toothpaste
43. new shampoo or soap
44. bath toys
45. hot wheels
46. sandbox toys
47. goldfish crackers in plastic eggs
48. single serve nut butters (like nutella!)
49. hair brush or comb
50. Don't forget a note from the Easter Bunny!

I hope some of these ideas work for you if you get stuck in a rut! Have a happy Easter!

Monday, March 25, 2013

I'm back...and some vintage finds!

Hello! I'm finally back! We have been super busy with our move to Louisville, KY. Yes- we have moved back South! My husband was raised in Tennessee and we met in Nashville. He is ecstatic to be back in the South, I am a little wishy-washy. I miss my friends and family back in Indy but at least we aren't too far away!
Needless to say, between the holidays, the move, Stella's first birthday, and having a house on the market...the blog has taken a major back seat. I REALLY miss my sewing machine. She has a home in our current basement, but all of my stuff is in a million boxes and it is frustrating to go down there and try to do a project since I can't find anything I need! I hope to get some time to organize it all soon. We are trying to leave as much in boxes as possible since we are renting for a year and will be moving again once we figure out where we want to buy a house!
Okay, enough about moving! On to the vintage finds- I am so excited that I found some absolutely adorable vintage girls dresses and outfits at a consignment sale! Can you believe it? I am going to let Stella wear some, but some of these are available on my ETSY page. If there is one you want that I don't put up there, send me a message and I may be ready to part with it :)
I plan to use some of these dresses to inspire a pattern or two, yay! I am trying to figure out a way to do printable patterns more easily. If you have suggestions let me know in the comments section.

Modeled by the always willing Stella (okay...if I feed her mini marshmallows) here are the things I came across!

The Buttercup Dress
This is a sweet little dress! It is a soft buttercup color, with extremely lightweight fabric. It has pleats to make a full skirt, and little heart shaped flowers with green stems embroidered across the bodice. Lace and a bow on the bodice and puffed sleeves complete this sweet little dress! Go HERE to buy it!

The Calico Cutie
This little calico dress is such a sweet vintage find! Who doesn't love a little calico? The fabric is the best part of this dress and the puff sleeves add to the vintage appeal. With some simple lace and a tiny satin bow across the bodice over the top of the gathering, the dress is complete! Click HERE to buy it!

The Ruffle Sleeve Tunic

This is a tunic length on my tall little baby, but for a tiny one it could grow up with them- use it as a dress when they are shorter and a top when they are taller! The ruffle sleeves stand out so beautifully, and there is that pale yellow again! So sweet. The pin folds, lace, and embroidery just add to the "sweet" factor on this one! I think I have to keep it for now, but if you really must have it, email me and I might let it go!

The Sweetheart Dress

This is a dress with a huge collar, a little floral embroidered heart, and the babiest of baby blues. I love so much about this dress! Puff sleeves, lace, embroidery... The white of the collar is a tiny bit yellowed, but I think it may come out, and is not that noticeable. I am considering making a pattern inspired by this one! If you must have this for your little one, buy it HERE!

The Little Sailor Girl

Oh my! Look at this classic cuteness! A sailor dress is not something I have ever put on my girls, but now I am a convert. This is absolutely adorable, patriotic, and might be fun to recreate with cotton. This is a knit dress. You can buy it HERE!

The Silky Sweet Cardi

This little jacket is made of a soft, silky fabric! It has kimono sleeves, gorgeous pink embroidered flowers, a pink crocheted border, and satin tie. Absolutely beautiful! Buy HERE!

The Sun Hat Girl Suit

I LOVE this outfit. It is a two piece sunsuit, and the bottoms are plastic lined! It was truly made to play by the seashore. I am keeping this one, but I have a feeling Stella will outgrow it very soon, so keep an eye on the ETSY shop or let me know if you want it reserved for you.

Red gingham, applique, embroidery...I think this one is pattern worthy???

The Little Blue Sun Suit

This is the blue version of the sun suites I bought. It is SUPER cute. Everyone loves a ruffly bootie on a baby, right? And the little bib top is so cute. Pattern Alert!!! Buy this one HERE!

The Little Pink Gingham Sun Suit

The same as the blue one, but PINK!!! Love it. Keeping it :)

Had to use this one- that face!!! HAHAHA!

The Just Ducky Pinafore

This cute little pinafore is a year-round find! Wear it over a simple dress in winter, or all alone on a hot summer day. I really love this one! Look at the lace, the little embroidered ducky, and the big back bow. So CUTE!!! Keeping it!

I hope you enjoyed a look at these vintage finds as much as I have enjoyed having them! I am sad to part with every piece, but I just can't justify keeping them all!!! The good news is, I will sell the ones not for sale after Stella outgrows them. If you want something, let me know and I will tell you when I'm ready to sell it!

And let me know which one you want s recreated pattern of first!!!