Far Far Away Unicorns and Weekend Sewing!

Have I mentioned how much I love having a little girl to sew for?  Her summer wardrobe is super cute so far.  I really love everything about this dress - the double cotton gauze, the cute unicorns or as Ellie calls them, "pretty horses".  If you know me you know restraint is not one of my better attributes and I of course bought this print and all the others in the Far Far Away line by Kokka Japan in every color-way.  My intent is for my nieces to have the same dresses, if of course my mother ever measures them . . . (please mom, take the tape measure to babysit with you this week)

My own summer wardrobe consists of long flowing tank dresses from Target.  I have really been loving the length and thought since the last dress for Ellie was a short playdress, maybe this one needed to be long and flowing . . . so glad that I kept it long!  Perhaps if it really bothers her and gets in the way, I will shorten in.  But hey, sometimes you have to suffer a little for cuteness sake.

Earlier today a wonderful photographer, Clare Barboza, took pictures of the kids at Yaddo Gardens in Saratoga Springs.  I met Clare when she took the photos for my sister's wedding last August.  We tried to sneak in a session when we were in Seattle, but it never came to be.  She has been on a month long tour up and down the east coast and I was thrilled by the opportunity to have her photograph the kids.  The goal was to get a shot of all three of them together.  Some goals are just not meant to be accomplished.  The kids were wild and not all that cooperative.  Especially Ellie, who lately thinks she is the boss of the family.  Actually, she really is.  I took all these shots after getting home from the gardens and she of course could not get enough of the camera for me!  Why she wasn't turning on the charm earlier I will never know.

Love this picture because it shows the wonderful drape of the fabric and what a wonderful choice for clothing it is.  Also since Sam's birthday the bubble mower has become the favorite toy and is always running out of bubbles.  Maybe this is the one toy we will have to give in and get two of.  Just prior to this picture Ellie bit Sam when he tried to claim back the mower and then he ended up pulling her hair . . . it is hard to share when you are both just two!

We worked it out by taking turns, she mowed up the driveway and he mowed down the driveway!

This is the final test for any clothing item for Miss Ellie, can you hang in it?

Goodies from Japan - fun for all

I have fallen in love with all things Japanese, a long time ago actually. . .

now it extends to the new obsession, sewing.  I have a stash full of Japanese prints and just had to have a few more.  Oh, how I love ETSY.

All three kids got a kick out of the package.  Max wants to take the envelope to school for show and tell.  He has researched the yen and wants to compare cost of shipping.  Ellie and Sam love the Care Bear tape on the back.  They have been pointing to the flowers, stars, moon, clouds, bears, etc.  for over an hour.

The main reason I ordered this time was for these two books,  the photos look great, but I think I am crazy to try and sew from them.  I think my inexperience might shine through.  We will see how it goes.

A few fabrics I just had to throw in since the envelope was coming all the way from Japan!