amy butler jumpers

I finished these 2 dresses a while back but it feels like it has been raining ever since and getting a good picture wasn't even a possibility! Today is a nice Spring day, perfect for these little dresses. I made these from Amy Butler's Daisy Chain line. Just a simple little jumper pattern with 2 buttons, easy on and off. Pattern is from New Look and so easy, I made these at the same time. Kate is warming up to the blue one, but since it is "not pink" she has yet to wear it!!

heather ross's weekend sewing smocked sundress

I first saw this book on another blog and was really excited to hear about it. I love Heather Ross's style and her fabrics are so fun and different! I got this book at our local book store and have been looking at it daily since. So my first project to try had to be a little dress for Kate of course. I loved her picture of the smocked sundress and liked that it had some sewing I have never tried before. It involves elastic thread, which I have never used. It was really rewarding and fun when it all worked out! And it took me under 2 hours to completley finish.

this is the 8 rows of smocking completed

I am such a visual learner, and I could not find any finished pictures of this dress online yet but Heather's drawings and instructions were easy to follow. It says that it would fit size 12 month-4 and Kate is a size 3 and it fit just fine. Although there was no more width so I am not sure a size 4 would work. I used a Japanese pink polka dot that I had gotten from Purl Soho. Anyway, I could not get her to model it yet but here are some pics to share. Hopefully I can get more if she can slow down enough to let me. It looks so sweet on her.

Other projects in this book I am looking forward to trying are the blouse for me, another girl's dress (too cute!) and a great tote bag. Heather has a new line of fabric arriving soon with some great whimsical prints. Can't wait to get some. You can see more pictures from the book by going here.

birthday wishes

Happy Birthday to Oliver who is turning 3!

Our business names stems from the youngest of our 6 children: Oliver and Kate. Here they are together wearing their Olliekate shirts to a party! It is fun to have little models to try out all our designs on. Like a walking billboard really :)

Hope your birthday is full of lots of fun little guy. We love you!

s.i.m.p.l.e

Sarah Jane posted about this fun print the other day and I wanted to share it over here too. Why? Because I think it is cool, retro and such a great reminder for us every day. Keep it real, keep it simple.
And because you can download it here for free from their site. Maybe a little daily reminder is helpful for all of us on these busy days of mothering and doing all we try to do.

on the table

The little one and I got to baking yesterday and had so much fun together. When I slow down and let her help, it is usually very rewarding to make her part of the process. I would love to share this recipe, it is worth trying out. My favorite for a quick, sweet bread!

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread from the Biltmore

2 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

3/4 c. sugar

1 1/3 c. mashed banana ( about 3)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/2 c. veg. oil

1/2 c. walnuts

1/2 c. choc. chips

Mix the 1st 4 ingredients. Make a well in the center and add the banana, egg and oil mixture.Stir until moistened. Then add the chips and nuts.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour in a well greased loaf pan.

Enjoy!

heading out of town

A quick trip across the border into Tennessee is just the thing for the middle of winter blahs.. We headed to Chattanooga to go to the aquarium and some other fun spots. The night in a hotel was probably the highlight for everyone. A hot tub and pool for all of us to enjoy. I started to think we could have just gone down the street for the fun that gave to all the kids!

We got to see a great aquarium with amazing displays, a kid's museum that I wish we had closer to home and even hit a tour of the Mayfield ice cream plant. Yumm... It was fun to relax, engage with the kids and be together as a family. We had the added joy of coming home in a snow storm crossing over the mountains. Oh, and a snow day today to top it off! Yeah!