Heather Top by Shwin Designs

Last weekend I saw Shwin Designs asking for testers. I had a moment of massive crushing doubt that there was no way I'd be chosen to test, then that ray of light saying, "If you never try, you'll never know". Actually, I think I'll put that saying on my wall.....with the small disclosure at the bottom excluding drugs and cigarettes.  Don't need to give my kids conflicting info there. 

Back to the topic. I typed out my info and pressed enter. I was thrilled to open my email and find I had been selected to test for Shauna! 

I downloaded the pattern and read through the instructions, chose my fabric and got started. 

When I started sewing the skirt to the bodice I realized that there was an inch extra fabric, so I added a pleat and sewed it up. I knew it looked pretty long, but it was supposed to be a tunic so I figured I'd see how the fit was in the morning and sure enough, it was a dress.

I know the "red, white and blue" is a little corny, but the girl needed a 4th of July outfit.

And just cause we can't leave out a picture of this girls massive personality. 

I wrote to Shauna about the extra fabric and length and sent the pictures and kept thinking, "I massively screwed up somewhere and I'm never going to be chosen to test again." Lovely self-doubt. Don't you love how it creeps up into your mind?

Shauna was great and asked me a couple of questions and as soon as I read her response I knew EXACTLY where I went wrong. This is why having beginning sewers be a part of your testing is a good thing. Even though I read through and saw it stated one way, my brain fell back on my years of sewing and decided it needed to be done another way. Cause you know, my mind just knows better. lol 

So I got to work on a second one, but this time it was made the correct way. 

I just love the fabrics on this one. It was still a little long, but I love that since my kids grow fast. Does anyone's grow slowly?? And if in fact someone has found a way to keep their kid little longer, do you want to pass on the secret?

The pattern comes in sizes 6-9 months to size 8, so we'll be getting a lot of use out of it. 

I already have a black shirt in the works for school and am so excited to see it layered like that!

Thank you again Shauna for choosing me to pattern test for you! I can't wait to make a few more for school too. You can grab your copy of the pattern here: Heather Top.

Heidi & Finn Tennis Skort Pattern

I love Heidi & Finns patterns. They are such quick and easy sews and I love the comfort and versatility they provide. I was able to test their newest pattern the Tennis Skort this week, and again, I just love it!

They sport some built-in shorts, which with this specific kiddo is very important!

She was twirling and dancing and jumping around without a care in the world.

I really can't say enough good stuff about Heidi and Finn. I really do love their patterns and the endless possibilities you have with them. You can check out the Sporty Maxi that we made, as well as the Summer Maxi. Then the Colorblock Dress, and Playday Dresses are staples in our wardrobes and this skirt was just added to that list.

Thank you Christina for another wonderful pattern! 

Early Birthday Present

My mum called me a couple of weeks ago to tell me that she had found my birthday present. My birthday isn't until next month, but when you see a good deal, you jump on it then. How my mother is so insanely gifted with finding awesome deals, I will never know, but I am very grateful for it! Thank goodness that she is also instilled with a sense of impatience too! 

She had found 6 backdrops that were from Kiddie Kandids on Craigslist for sale. Then we started counting and realized that there wasn't just 6, there were 7! I haven't been able to take pictures in front of all of them yet, but I have been loving it and setting up my backdrops as often as I can. 

Here's some of the pictures we've taken. 

And what is a pretty field without it's zombie??

The greatest part? We found pictures of Gavin and Aevarie from 2008 in front of the same backdrop. 

LOVE my new present! You can even ask my neighbors. I'm sure they're getting a kick out of seeing me set it up on my porch! :D

Thank you mother dearest! You KNOW I love love love it! 

Jude's 1st Birthday

This time last year I was 36 weeks along and had just woken up to my water broken. Needless to say, I was freaking out. I called my mother, who didn't answer the phone. So I called my best friend, Jen. Cause hey, was I sure it was my water? It had never broken before on it's own and I did NOT want to drive 1.5 hours just to show up to the hospital and exclaim to them that I had just peed myself. After about 5 minutes of feeling like I was continuously dribbling pee, we decided it wasn't a bladder issue and started to get everyone ready. Which really meant I was taking a shower and shaving.
 About an hour later we dropped the girls off at Jens and Corey, Gavin, and I headed to the hospital.
My doctor was of course, inconveniently on vacation. They got me all set up and we waited. My contractions were weak and all over the place, so eventually we started pitocin. At around 4:10 the nurse came to check on me and then demanded I keep my legs crossed and DO NOT PUSH! She informed us that she did not get paid enough to deliver a baby and I had to wait for the Dr.
What did I do? I crossed my legs and prayed that dr was going to get there soon!
So at 4:37pm, only minutes after the dr's arrival, Mr Jude entered into this world.

He was 6lbs 4oz and absolutely perfect. Since I was 36 weeks, Jude was considered a preemie, even though I had been asking my dr the whole pregnancy if he was sure I wasn't farther along. The nurses made me laugh by saying, "You've probably never held a baby this small before". Little did they know that Jude was bigger than 3 of my "full term" babies! He didn't seem like a preemie baby at all and was just perfect. 

Here's our first family picture:

The kids all sing "Hey Jude" to him and I love it. 

I can't believe how fast this little kid has grown and how much he has changed. He came into this world with dark hair and blue eyes, and now his hair is blonde and curly and his eyes are more green. So crazy how that happens! 

Here's the timeline in photos: 

It's really hard to believe that a year has gone by already. Jude is silly and sweet and a perfect fit into our family. 

Happy Birthday to our sweet boy! 

Guest Blogging at Welcome to the Mouse House

I am guest blogging over at the amazing and wonderful Hayleys,  Welcome to the Mouse House, today. Head over there to get the pattern and tutorial for these adorable Tutu swim bottoms! 

Thank you so much Hayley for having me!!

Rat Fink 2013

Over the weekend we decided to head down to Rat Fink. It's a huge biker/car show and Gavin just loves it. I wont do much talking and just show pictures. The cars were just awesome and funny, so enjoy a bit of our weekend!