Martha Stewart's clever shirt dress

I recently bought a Martha Stewart sewing encyclopedia and its filled with fab gems of info and lovely patterns that come in a very sensible CD format that means you can print them time and time again. My first project from the book is this little shirt dress/nightshirt that I made for Lottie using a mans shirt from a charity shop! It was so simple to make and a great use for any unwanted shirts. I shall be scouring for my shirts to chop up this week!

Easter Bunnies

Couldn't resist making beds for these adorable little bunnies!

Snuggle Blankets

In our house a snuggle blanket is an essential item, not because we have a cold house but more because the children have all grown up with a blanket to cuddle up with on the sofa. These blankets generally get dragged around from sofa to bed, to car, to garden, to Granny and Grandads and would possibly make it to school if I didn't intervene!

So when my new Dr Seuss fabric arrived I knew I would be making some blankets so others can experience snuggling in luxury! These blankets are backed with softest cuddle sherpa so feel like a super soft teddy bear. The blankets will be available to buy on my website in the next few weeks and at the next More than a Mama fair.

A book day happy Birthday to the cat in the hat

As you probably know it was World book day today, so our house was even more chaotic this morning than normal. Grace went as The Gruffalo last year and truly looked the part so I was rather dreading her costume choice this year but I really couldn't complain when she picked "The Cat In The Hat".  A most fitting choice not just because I have recently purchased masses of Dr Seuss fabric but more so because this week celebrated The cat in the hat's birthday! 54 years ago he was created to be an alternative to Peter and Jane books. Lottie also picked well and thankfully a much simpler choice, she went as Winnie the Witch and I confess I cheated and bought this one in my local oxfam as I just knew when I saw the outfit that Lottie would love it! So here are my girls ubba excited and raring to go at 8:30 this morning!
Oh and yes Lottie is wearing her knitted hat under the witch hat as she insisted she needed it!

My first item of clothing

I know I sew quite regularly but I have always avoided sewing the children any clothing, I think I have always found sewing patterns to seem unbelievably complicated and intimidating.
About 6 months ago I bought a lovely book called "making children's clothes" and have been flicking through it for the past month thinking I really must get over this fear of pattern following. So yesterday when Finlay settled down for his afternoon nap I got out the book and made the simplist item from it I could find and it worked! It may not be perfect and the stiching may be a little wibly in places but it worked! Its lined, it fits and with the help of some lovely Tanya Whelan fabric its quite cute!
So I quite proudly present you my first item of clothing!

New Fabric

After much pondering I took the plunge and order in a bunch of Dr Suess fabrics and I love them! It fair to say we have been a little Cat in the Hat obsessed of late in our house so it was only going to be a matter of time before I stumbled upon this fab range of fabrics.

I think they will make a wonderful range of baby products, changing mat bags, hooded towels, burp cloths and other blankets. As I have often offered a much more girly range of fabrics its also nice to have something more boyish.

Love is in the air!

Love is in the air, well OK not quite but if I am to get my valentines cards made in time to sell any then I need to get my act together now. I have 2 new designs ready to sit alongside of the traditional heart that I did last year and 2 more to follow. 

Love Bird (in case your in any doubt) 

I am a stationary Junkie

Its official I am and always have been a stationary junkie! I try to keep a lid on this habit of buying notebooks before finishing old ones but sometimes you come across a range of goodies that are just too irresistible. I therefore thought you might like to share in my excitement and have a look at the fabulous website www.artbox.co.uk where these goodies can be purchased for very little! They make great party bag fillers and there patterned tapes are a great way to decorate a dull Tupperware lunch box.

Lottie Started School Today

I can not believe it has come around so fast but Lottie started school today! She was so excited and adamant that she wanted to go in on her own and be left on her own! No tears or hesitation, I was a very proud Mum it has to be said.
So it was just me and Finlay that walked back this morning and will be just the 2 of us for 3 days a week till September when Lottie goes full time.

Happy New Year!

My Mad Hatter New Years Eve Costume

I do love fancy dress, so when my husband and I were invited to a New Years Eve Fancy Dress dinner I found myself in dressing up heaven! I think all grown ups should take time to be childish every so often and fancy dress instantly takes me back to being a child and makes me smile. 

As for new years resolutions which I know I should be making, they can wait. Christmas seems to have gone by in a blink, the fridge is still groaning and the house looks like Hamleys! I don't want the holidays season to end and making resolutions makes me feel like its over so I shall make my resolutions on Wednesday when the Grace and Lottie (first day at Nursery) go back to school. For the meantime though I will ignore the laundry stacking up and spend as much time as possible playing with the children and enjoying listening to the amazing adventures that the newly acquired Sylvanian Families are having in our house!