Twas the Night Before Disney

Outfit 107 - 2013-14 School Year

Twas the Night Before Disney and all through the house, all the creatures were scurrying - all over a mouse. That's right, tomorrow is the last day of school before (the much needed and anticipated) SPRING BREAK!!! So, we head to Orlando after school tomorrow for some time at Disney World (for the whole family this time because the boys ended up jealous) and will end the week on the Disney Cruise! Mama is looking forward to some down, fun time with the kiddos and the hubs. No homework, projects, studying - just plain, ole family fun.

So, that brings us to our end of the week wrap up. This dress is actually in the wash right now for the trip tomorrow. We went fast, cute and easy with an upcycle Rachel Knit Dress from Funktional Threads. http://www.etsy.com/listing/151376483/instant-download-rachel-knit-dress-diy?ref=shop_home_feat_2. I got the shirt from a gal in a Disney Garage Sale group that was selling it for cheap because it had a small hole in it. Frozen clothing in my daughter's size is almost completely unfindable here, so I snatched it up knowing I could make it into something she would love. Here is the pattern view of the Rachel Knit Dress

And here is our Frozen upcycled version

I love making these because they all look so different, they are uber comfy and they are fun.

And thank you to everyone who sent well wishes and thoughts about her braces. She has handled them like a champ. My husband took her lunch (Chick fil a soup and a shake - not too shabby) and then of course, she was spoiled with some Baskin Robbins after school. She says they are uncomfortable but not unbearable.

To everyone heading out on Spring Break - safe travels and warm memories wherever you are heading. We will have another outfit a week from Monday. However, we are leaving again right after school on Monday to go to my son's state archery tournament where we will be spending the night. She won't be at school on Tuesday due to us being there. So, after that, Wednesday will be the next outfit.

Have a wonderful, wonderful week! And until next time.

Curiouser and Curiouser

Outfit 106 - 2013-14 School Year

Every day has something new and today we embarked on a new adventure. We have known for some time that we would be facing orthodontic intervention. She has had a bite problem for a few years now; however, our dentist wanted to wait until she had more of her permanent teeth in before we started that road. Well, the time eventually came a few months ago to be referred to the orthodontist. When we went for our consultation, we found out her back permanent molars had drifted, so we had to wear headgear for a few months to rotate them before we got the braces put on. And, so, today was finally our big day.

This is before we went in the orthodontist

(she brought Barry the Bear for moral support :) )

And this is the after

She got the pink and black rubber bands for our Disney trip (Minnie colors). She is pretty miserable tonight but I think she looks beautiful. And hopefully a few days of Motrin and chicken noodle soup will help her ease into her new braces. She will be in them for about 2-2.5 years.

Today, I wanted her to have something easy and comfortable to wear since I knew she would be in the orthodontists chair for a few hours. So, I turned to our friends at Create Kids Couture and did a fun and easy Alice in Wonderland Cosette. http://www.createkidscouture.com/cosettes_tweens.html.

I didn't do the belt on this version because I didn't want to lose any of the Alice graphic. I also just did the band at the bottom and no ruffle. I picked crazy fabrics to go with the fun and whimsy of Alice in Wonderland. I think she looked adorable and her new braces are just some fun new accessories :)

I think next time if I do it without the sash, I might scale down the width of the skirt so there isn't so much volume. But, the good thing was is that it was loose and comfy to get her new metal :)

So, tomorrow is the last day of sewing for a while and it's a good thing because Mama here needs a break :) Come back tomorrow and see our last outfit before Spring Break! Thanks for stopping by!

I Like Warm Hugs

Outfit 105 - 2013-14 School Year

So, where did Spring go? Last week we had on shorts and flip flops and now fleece and long sleeves. The low is supposed to be 32 in the morning. Ugh. But, on the bright side - check out the weather for our first full day at Disney World on Saturday

Minus the 50% chance of rain (its Orlando, there is always at least a 50% chance of rain AND we have ponchos) that sounds AMAZING. Counting the days, counting the days.....

Oh, back to the blog. So, if you remember, I had to do my own finagling (*I* say thats a word) to get a Belle dress together last week. Well, now she wanted an Elsa dress. First of all, even finding the Disney version is impossible. Finding a tween pattern for one? Another difficult task. So, here's what we mashed up to make our version.

For the bodice, we used the Whimsy Couture Enchanted https://www.etsy.com/listing/178612869/whimsy-couture-sewing-patterntutorial?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=enchanted 

The skirt came from Fairytale Pattern Design's Irelyn Peek a Boo. I somehow have this pattern up to a 12, but the current Craftsy listing only has it going to a 6/7. I really dont know why. But, here is the link to the Craftsy http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/clothing/irelyns-peek-a-boo-ruffle-dress-pattern/28495

I know Elsa's dress has a more sweetheart neckline, but I used the peasant style because she is VERY self conscious about ANYTHING related to her chest. So, this style made her more comfortable, plus it was chilly today here. I modified the bodice to be two fabrics and in the back gathered the snowflake sheer cape fabric into that seam to make the long cape in the back. I used a silver corded trim on the bodice and on the ruffle trim. 

Overall, she and I were very happy with the outcome. So, I present to you our interpretation of Elsa from Frozen. Some of her friends thought she was supposed to be Cinderella - but, hey its a Disney princess, so I say I am at least in the Ballpark ;)

She is literally standing in the woods belting out "Let it Go." No joke. :)

As close to an Olaf as we get in Georgia this time of year ;)

She likes warm hugs. :)

So, tonight we let her pick dinner for her 'last supper'. We ended up at Cracker Barrel eating French Toast (mmmmm). Tomorrow is her big day - getting braces. She is really nervous. Of course, she has had all kinds of kids at school tell her how bad it is going to be. So, she will have a "new" smile for you guys premiering tomorrow. Wish her luck!!

See you tomorrow!

Let it Go!

Outfit 104 - 2013-14 School Year

So, let's shoot straight. This wasn't the outfit I had planned to do today. The weekend ended up crazy and time got short, so I ended up going to a pattern that was a.) already cut and b.) quick to sew. This week will be seeing some of one of my baby girl's favorite movies - Frozen. So, as the song says, sometimes you just have to let your plans go. The good news is that the other dress will be ready for tomorrow (as soon as the neck casing gets sewn down and some elastic threaded through.).

So, what is your favorite 'Let it Go' version? I personally like the Idina Menzel version

Both of the kids like the Demi Lovato version

                                      

And we all agree on this version

 
                                      

If you have a favorite version, let me know. 

Tonight we are back with the Funktional Threads Rachel upcycling a Walmart Anna and Elsa Frozen shirt. https://www.etsy.com/listing/151376483/instant-download-rachel-knit-dress-diy?ref=shop_home_feat_2 

So, here we go!

We were a little concerned that we wouldn't be able to get pictures. She had a pretty rough afternoon. She had that big tooth (see the big gap in the back) pulled this afternoon. She ended up with a bad headache and feeling queasy. But, we needed that tooth to come out before we get our braces on Wednesday. She worked on trying to pull it out by herself this weekend, but it just wouldn't go. But, now it's out and after a quick after school nap, she had some chicken soup and felt better. Tomorrow night we are going to take her to the dinner of her choice before her braces go on Wednesday.

And now for the big announcement. I know everyone is anxiously awaiting the winner of the Christie's favorite things giveaway. The winner is  

Congratulations, Kate!! And thank you to all who have supported the blog and who entered!

Thanks for stopping by and we hope to see you tomorrow!

MINNIE Thanks!

Outfit 103 - 2013-14 School Year

I would just like to give much (and MINNIE) thanks to everyone this week who has had kind words to say regarding the 100th outfit celebration. It has been a true labor of love and there are days where I am so happy that I started this and days I cringe knowing an outfit has to be made. I have done the best I can not to encroach upon family time to make this happen and that has meant some long nights, but it has all been worth it.

We are going to wrap up the 100th outfit celebration week with a nod to a designer who has been an absolute joy to know. That designer is Linda from Juvie Moon http://www.juviemoon.com/. Juvie Moon was one of the first PDF pattern companies I discovered while I was searching for older girls patterns. Unfortunately, we are probably in our last while using them as I'm pretty sure she will be in a 14 at the end of this school year. However, it has been a privilege while it has lasted and we will be whipping these up for as long as we can. All of her styles are wonderful boutique on trend patterns and the patterns themselves are easy to follow and well written. Juvie Moon patterns were where I was able to get through my fear of the shirr and master that technique. These patterns were also some of my go to patterns while my shoulder was on the mend after I broke it last September. As a matter of fact as I write, I am brainstorming and I think I may have a whole week dedicate to Juvie Moon patterns before the school year ends. They are perfect for spring and summer.

Today's dress is the Zinna http://www.juviemoon.com/zinna.htm

I constructed it using a sweet Minnie Mouse fabric from JoAnn and some cute pink polka dot from Robert Kaufmann. It was a very warm day in Georgia today and it was a perfect outfit to wear. 

Here is our Minnie Mouse Zinna from Juvie Moon

Don't forget about the giveaway! If you haven't stopped by in a few days, go back to Monday's post where you can win a Christie's favorite things prize package including two tween patterns from Everything Your Mama Made. You have until Sunday to enter and the winner will be announced on Monday's blog.

Tomorrow is an early release day from school as they have their annual Renaissance Festival that evening. Then, only the next week until Spring Break. I am SO ready for it. Some Disney and some sun and fun, sounds like exactly what we need. And tomorrow is also my 16th anniversary. I am so blessed to be married to an amazing man (and photographer). So, Saturday we are going to go out to dinner to celebrate. And some time this weekend, we are going to go see Divergent. The boy and I read the series, so I am excited to see what they did with the movie.

See you all next week! Have a safe and wonderful weekend!