Family Pics!

Right before our trip I got the semi-crazy idea that I wanted to take some family pictures of us in the Redwoods. Well, I guess the idea's not that crazy- the semi-crazy part was deciding I needed a new dress and Ansley needed a new shirt and skirt (that looks like a dress) b/c I wanted certain colors for the pictures.

This just might be our Christmas card picture!









Check out my platysma hahahaha. Or don't, I look weird.



This is my diplomat dress, made with a lovely lisette lawn. (yes, it's the same fabric as my lisette market shirt. And yes, I should've hoarded more b/c I love it and it's sold out at my store and online and Ansley wants a matching dress). My pattern envelope actually calls it Simplicity 0284 instead of Simplicity 1878. However I'm really liking the dress in polka dot diamonds and have that fabric in my stash. . . . I used a shiny sulky thread that matched perfectly but it kind of slid the fabric together as I was sewing and there's more puckering than I like, especially on the side seams where I added pockets (double my fault). I'm prepping another diplomat dress in a linen blend and will be using normal thread, which will hopefully eliminate the puckering. Pockets sure are nice but maybe I should try it without and see how the seams look. Anyway, I LOVE the fit and the neckline. I'm turning into a super lisette patterns fan(!) and especially like how this one doesn't feel like I'm choking (I'm a little claustrophobic around my neck) and looks nice but is so easy to wear.



Cutest picture ever!!









Ansley's top and skirt is Simplicity 1627. The floral fabric was a great clearance find at Hancock fabrics. The polka dot was in my stash from Joann's and was going to be a Minnie Mouse dress but don't tell Ansley b/c I don't have enough left. The yellow ruffle is a kona cotton solid, which is lovely but a little too thick for the ruffle (or I should've used less length). I also tacked the ruffle to the wide straps/sleeves on each side of the straps to keep the ruffle from pulling the top down. The side zipper went in easier once I realized the zipper is supposed to zip down and not up. I found this yummy double faced satin ribbon for the back.

Tyrone's shirt and pants are from Old Navy this summer. Once in a while I do make things for him. Ansley told me she wants him to wear his "dancing clown pants" (her nickname for his pajama/lounge pants hahaha) on the blog but it might not ever happen.

Thanks to Aleah for snapping some of these pics!

Rogue River Gorge

Tyrone's parents and littlest sister came to see us the day he got back from high adventure with the Scouts at City of Rocks. We had a quick visit here and then they were back on the road (they drove here from Wisconsin!) and we piled in our car and headed west. It was a very smoky day and we decided we needed a rest and ended up at the Rogue River scenic turnout, which was actually a set of interpretive trails and not just a scenic overlook. I'm glad we just happened to stop!

(all of these pics are unedited. The smoke really warmed the colors in these pics)



A living stump.





Lava tube across the gorge.

















Back on the road. . . .

Ansley's Maxi Dress

This is Ansley's current favorite dress b/c it "drags on the floor" and b/c she picked out the fabrics (coquette by chez moi for Moda). I used McCall's M6736, with the goal of making view B. It turned out that I didn't have enough fabric for three ruffles at the bottom so I went with two. The bodice is a size five and the length is a size four, pretty typical for Ansley. The pockets called for a lot of extra fabric, which I found a little strange. I should've reinforced the top straps, since the dress is fairly heavy. I also omitted the zipper and currently have to pin the back of the bodice b/c the weight makes it sag and drag even more on the ground. The pattern is rated "easy" and it was easy but had lots of steps and was pretty time consuming.

More Summer Fun

(different day, no need to worry. Ansley's swimsuit blogged here).















A few pics when my camera decided to work. After letting it cool off (we'd been outside, in the shade, on a day that was 100 degrees) it has seemed to work fine but it was probably overdue for cleaning/servicing.

What We've Done This Summer

Hello friends! Hope you've been having a great summer!!

We entered a few contests (both now closed for voting).

Cow Appreciation Day:















Ansley's dress- top is Simplicity 0351a again, minus the elastic in at the bottom of the sleeves (Ansley's choice) and the skirt is just two width of (not prewashed b/c that's when our dryer was broken ha) fabric pieces gathered together.

Me- Colette Sorbetto Top minus the pleats and lengthened by the scientific amount of the width of a receipt plus sleeves and Oliver + s lazy days skirt pattern.

Tyrone- super cheater tie. I traced one of his ties and sewed the two pieces right sides together. I could've added interfacing but was lazy/running out of time and he generously said he didn't care.

We broke even this year as far as the free meal goes but since everything will fit next year, it'll be even better.

I posted a video on youtube. It's not as perfect as I want it to be but at least the lapped zipper of my dress looks good. :)

I also became obsessed with Castle, read all of the books by Castle, did some more sewing (pics to come), went to the Redwoods (coolest place ever! lots of pics to come), had another miscarriage on our trip (boo), and sent my camera in for cleaning. Don't worry, I've got a nice back log of pics to share. Or maybe you should be worried. . . .