Bathroom Make-over Part 1 - Painting

Amy from Nap Time Crafters is hosting The Sew Off, which I've been really excited about. This isn't like Project Run & Play, where it's just all about kids. This sew off hits kids, home decor and ME.

The theme for week 2 is Home Decor. Now, we have been in our house for 2 years (on the 18th) and I really don't have much decorated. I thought this challenge would be a good push to get a room done. I immediately thought of the kids bathroom. The kids wont use it and have been using ours instead. It is driving me insane! So I am hoping (fingers triple crossed!) that by finishing it and making it more "warm" the kids will somehow decide they would rather use it and it's teeny bathtub, rather than ours and our lovely big one.

Too, because I am doing a total make-over, I'm going to turn it into a couple of posts rather than one giant massive-get-bored-of-me post.

Sadly I don't have a picture of what it looked like before we started trying to fix it. I had originally painted it light blue and half way up the wall, painted it brown. I seriously did have a cool awesome idea planned, although I can't for the life of me recall what that awesome idea was. It had to be awesome though, cause I just don't do anything other than that. lol

So here is our beginning process: Painting

Prime over ugly brown.

Employ children as slaves and repaint it light blue and wait for it to dry. 

Chalk lines, (again employing children):

Tape

We washed the chalk off the stripes to be painted. 

Put paint on sponge (just enough to get it wet, you should still be able to see the "spongyness")

Sponge until you get desired look

Take picture of yourself taking pictures (very important)

Remove tape

Wait for paint to dry then wash off the rest of the chalk

and viole!

Next is decorating! 

Our lives of late

I've been reading back through my recent posts and man! Life has really been crazy lately! With 5 kids, do I really expect it to be any different? Not realistically, but a girl can hope. I really wanted all of these to have their own little posts, but we are about to take on watching a pregnant Chihuahua for the week and I am petrified! I've been going around the house like mad picking up anything we don't want demolished or that she could choke on. Dogs don't usually go into labor early, do they??

 Anyways, here's what we've been up to. 

Number 1 - Kid sewing day, making dolls (this will still get a post, eventually):

Gavin getting his hair cut

And us re-decorating the kids bathroom. It's a total work in progress!

Once decorating has been finished I will do a full post on the transformation, but you get a pretty good sneak peek! 

I think I am now going to look up "what to do when your chihuahua goes into labor" just for good measure. Maybe we'll be making her a "labor gown", cause you know, laboring doggies need those comforts too! 

Out to Sea Chevron Dress

It's Chevron week over at Project Run & Play. I have to admit, I am totally cheating. This week has been chaos with Spring Break and Easter and since our "Kid sewing day", I havn't touched my sewing machine. I still wanted to participate though, so I thought I could use my "Out to Sea Chevron Dress" that was technically made last November. All but the chevron fabric was used out of a pile of scrap fabric I won from Matilda Jane. YAY to free fabric! I even used one of their yellow mesh bags that their clothing comes in for the ruffles. 

I modified my Knot Dress Tutorial (size 8) to add the "World Map" panel in the front (the sash is thinner too). We have family and friends all over the world, so it was fun pointing out where "so and so" live on her dress. 

Have I mentioned that this child is a ham? She used to be so good at taking photo's, but now she has this "mind of her own".  

This is her "scream at the top of your lungs" pose:

Her "trying to chain herself up like a puppy" pose: 

Her on the move:

And I have no idea what is going on here:

Oh well, who needs a perfectly posed child? lol 

And if you are interested you can check out my tutorial. The amazing Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House had me guest blog post yesterday! :D

Clean Slate Patterns

Have you heard of Blank Slate Patterns? If not, you should check them out. You should check out Melly's blog too. She is the brains behind the patterns and is amazingly talented. Her boys are adorable too. 

I've been sewing up some of her patterns. I have tons more cut out ready to sew, but I can only do so many projects a night. 

So here is the Beachy Boatneck Shirt paired with the Schoolday Skirt:

And then the Clean Slate Shorts:

And here's the action shots:

And yes, both of them are wearing the same shirt. I originally made it for Aevarie, but when Gavin saw how big it was on her he declared that it should be his. He loves it and wants me to make more. It has been declared the most "comfortable" shirt ever. :D

I did modify the shorts too. My son is almost 10, but wears size 12 pants for the length, but seriously has the waist of a 6 year old. I just added 2 inches to the length and think they turned out perfect! :D Oh, and the pockets were one of those awesome mistakes that afterwards you just say you originally planned them that way.......

He also made me laugh cause when we were pulling up all the photos he said, "Mum, I have GIRL hair!" Ummmm, yes. But it's beautiful hair and when I asked him if he wanted to cut it, he said no. It's getting super close to his goal to donate it. It will be so weird when he does have it cut! 

Anyways, those are my most recent Blank Slate Pattern projects. Seriously check her out. :D 

Oh, and Gavin wanted me to post how awesome these are to do Handstands in. He is getting so good at this stuff! 

Have a great and happy day!!

Note: In no way was I paid for my review. Melly's patterns are just incredible and again, I just want to share the love!

Riding Pants by Me Sew Crazy

I really love to pattern test. It's just so much fun and the women who make these patterns are incredibly talented. This week I got to pattern test for Jess from Me Sew Crazy.  

Jess came up with these Riding Pants that are just adorable! I love that they are a more "classy" step up from regular leggings. 

I used some zebra stripe stretchy jersey fabric. For the buttons I thought I would have fun and try out fabric covered buttons. I used a shocking pink microfiber material for the patch and to cover the buttons. I really can't believe how easy these were to put together! :D 

Love the button tab detail on the leg!

I paired these with the "Lucky Cat" tunic from Ottobre 1/2013. I think it makes a great combo. :D

These leggings are on sale now here.
You should definitely go get them! These are ones we will be making more of!

Note: In no way was I paid for my review. I just love this pattern and wanted to share that love!

Color Block Dress by Heidi & Finn

I've been following Heidi & Finn's blog for a while now. I really love their patterns and have been dying to pattern test for them. So on Thursday when I saw them post for pattern testers, I jumped on it! 

This is for their "Color Block Dress". She said we could dress it up however we like, but when my eyes fell on these linen solids that I had in my stash, I couldn't resist and ended up keeping it how it was. I've knick-named it her "Color mixing dress". Cause you know, yellow and blue make green. :D Does anyone else knick-name their kids outfits? 

The greatest part? I totally got all the seams lined up! Although I really have to credit the pattern for that. Heidi & Finn do amazing jobs with their patterns and step by step instructions! 

Now, one thing I need to clarify, this dress is supposed to be knee length. But if you notice, this girl is all legs. I wonder where she could have gotten that from..... ;P

Aevaries favorite part was the button closure. She thought it was the greatest thing ever that I used one of her ponytail holders (a tip from Heidi & Finn!). She went on and on about it. That girl cracks me up!

You should check out Heidi & Finns Facebook page for more looks here and their Flickr page. I'm seriously blown out of the water with the other versions of this dress!
The pattern should be released soon and if you havn't already, check out all their other amazing patterns here!

Just a note: I was in no way paid from Heidi & Finn for my review. I just love her patterns!