Ruffle Mini Skirt: What I'm Makin Monday

I made Lil' J the easiest little ruffle skirt right before St. Patricks Day. Sadly, I didn't take photos during the process, so this post isn't a tutorial, but I hope to make one this week. I didn't follow a pattern but I used some sewing tools that made it easy breezy, and I will share that when I post it.
It was all made with scrap fabric I had that could have been thrown away. Instead I turned it into what my mom called a little "cheerleader skirt."

She even looks like a mini cheerleader being tossed up by daddy.

We celebrated my husband's graduation and had a blast with family visits, now it's time to pack and prepare to move. Sorry I'm not very chatty around these parts lately, promise I'll be back to my normal self soon.

Shirt from Maddie's Bowtique

In the mean time, I leave you with a preview of the skirt tutorial I'm going to work on. Don't mind the name "Journey" on Lil' J's shirt. That's her "stage name" for when she does Etsy and boutique modeling. It's a cute name, but not what hers really is.

What do you think? Adorable, no?

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My little China doll: Mini Mod #16

Welcome back to Mini Mod! A place to show off your little fashionista/os!

If you've ever lived in Texas you know the back and forth weather changes can give you whiplash. I think the saying is "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes."

It got a bit chilly for a few days but thankfully it's warm again. I can deal with 70s and 80s in the winter time. Yes, this is why I left Utah!

I love spring and spring clothes! I put her in this little number this week. It's one of my favorite outfits of hers because I've always loved Chinese print and the red/black/white color pallet. One of my best friends knows Chinese and she says the shirt says "happy" or "peace". I can't remember which she told me but it was something positive.

Apparently she loves it too. She rocked the bell bottoms like no other.

Me So Zen Halter Top and Ruffle Pants: Dizzie Lizzie Boutique

(use code JL2012 to get 10% off your order).

Red Pearl Flower Bow: Belle Dezigns.

Mary Jane Shoes: Walmart

Have ya posted pics of you cutie wearing something fab lately? Add your link to the list below so we can see!

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The stylish toddler dress I stole: Mini Mod #15

I'm finally resurrecting Mini Mod for 2012.

I've been meaning to show you this dress forever! Have you heard of BabySteals (or KidSteals)? It's one of those sites where you sign up and get an email every day (or twice a day) with the deal of the day you get for like 40-50% off.

I've signed up for so many of those dang sites that I've just had to delete most of them before opening. I mustn't be tempted with cute swaddling blankets, birthing balls and toddler toys. I believe in good deals, but good deals can quickly become expensive if you're always buying them.

But one day, I saw a steal I couldn't resist.

Jelly The Pug. What the..? I know, I asked the same thing at first. But I opened the email anyway and behold, I saw some of the most darling dresses I had ever seen.

I don't think I've ever dropped $50 on a dress for Lil' J, but these were half off, so I could spend less than $30 and get the ruffled goodness before my eyes.

I caved, picked the one I thought was the cutest, and bought it (in 2T although she was only in 12 months at the time), just before all of the steals sold out.

It shipped and arrived super fast, but it didn't matter because it was so big, and totally swallowed her up. She didn't wear it out of the house for some time. But finally, one day, as I was sorting through her closet, I noticed this bright piece in the back and realized it wasn't so small anymore. I still had to tie the straps extra tight but she was able to wear it to church. And on a chiller day with leggings and a cardigan.

This is... Dare I say it... My favorite dress of hers right now. I've been studying it and trying to figure out how I could duplicate it with a double skirt, bias tape, and ruffles at the top. I searched Etsy for weeks and found a pattern that's almost identical from Create Kids Couture, except the straps are halter style. Of course I bought it (I think I'll send them some photos of Lil' J to use after I complete it).

I haven't had time to try it yet but now that the seasonal holidays are almost over (I don't see myself making St. Patrick's Day dresses, and will probably only make a couple Easter-themed t-shirt dresses) I'm looking forward to picking out fun fabrics in bright Spring colors and making dresses she can wear past the holidays. Initially I was sticking to the holiday-theme because it gave me a deadline. I only had X amount of time until Christmas and if I have a heap of Christmas fabric I needed to sew fast so she could wear it. Same with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Valentines Day.

Anyway, I'm in love with this dress, and excited to fill her closet with a few more like it, whether I'm getting another steal or making it myself.

As for the rest of her outfit. Leggings, shoes, and cardigan/ undershirt were all from Walmart. Sorry but you can't beat their Granimal deals. When it comes to solid tees and pants I love them, and they're great for t-shirt dresses. The shoes aren't my favorite. This girl has so many fabulous shoes, but most are soft-soled and those don't always fly so well when it's damp outside, or when she's running around at school.

Have ya posted pics of you cutie wearing something fab lately? Add your link to the list below so we can see!

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Mini Mod #13: Toddler Poncho and Animal Print Dress

I'm happier than I've been in a long time. Maybe ever. And this little one and her daddy are the cause of it all. I could go on wish gushyness but I'll spare you for now and just leave it at the plain and simple fact that I'm blessed.

Continuing my weekly edition of Mini Mod, where we link up and show off our kids and their cute clothes here's a piece of her fall wardrobe.

I am starting to get the hang of sewing, if everything gos according to plan I may be able to show off a variety of Christmas outfits I make for Lil' J next month. Then, after I master that, maybe crocheting is next. I'd love to be able to make her a cute poncho like this someday. Anyone crochet and know how hard these are to make?

I got this cute one from CrochetPlay. Love this store! I have two of her dresses and a few of her bows too. If you order a dress from her tell her I sent you and she'll throw in an extra bow!

Lil' J's dress is by MudPie and I got it from Lollipop Moon, as you already know by now, is one of my favorite online boutiques. They have some of the best deals on MudPie and I love their funky holiday lines.

Her shoes are from Classic Kids in Oregon, they were gifted by a friend of mine at EVO and I was so excited that she can finally fit her feet in them. If you live in Oregon check them out, they're having a HUGE sale through Christmas.

And her sweet little clippie is from Cambria Laine.

What did your kiddos wear this week? Link up!

Happy Friday!

PS: Lil' J pooped in the toilet this week. If you don't follow me on Facebook you may not know but you cna read all about it on my BabyCenter blog.

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Mini Mod #12: Houndstooth print dress and capelet from a La Modish

Dress and reversible Capelet c/o a La Modish

Holy smokes!! Happy 11-11-11!

This week it got into the 60s, so I got a little excited and busted out some winter wear. I'm in love with this houndstooth dress and caplet. I liked it before trying it on her, and I contemplated saving it for her to wear in December around Christmas time but once I put it on her I realized I couldn't wait. Since the caplet is reversible she can wear this a few times and it'll at least look different.

It's totally inspired me to try to step outside of the box when it comes to sewing. So far I've used lightweight cotton print fabrics but I can try even more with corduroy (which I typically am not a huge fan of but this has turned me into a believer) and other fun fabrics I'm just now discovering.

I can't go crazy though because I already have tons of fabric I need to make dresses out of before I move on. I'm finding it's fun to buy and fun to make but my desire to consume is faster than my desire to create. But I have created 8 dresses in the past month or so which isn't too bad.

This dress she's wearing is from a La Modish, which seriously has some of the most GORGEOUS boutique clothing I have ever seen. No joke. Matilda Jane has nothing on this store. If I could produce something this gorgeous I'd be tempted to quit my job and just make her things like this all day. But I can't, so I'll keep working and save for one every now and then.

You can also use code "BABYMAKER" to get 20% off your entire order from now to Thanksgiving. They have a great sales rack, but I have my eye on the Flower Fields and Plum Rose dress, one of them may end up being my daughter's Christmas dress.

Now I  want to get a little caplet for myself. Look how Lil' J is stylin like the stars!

Source

What were your little ones sporting this week? Link up and show them off because I'd love to see!

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Mini Mod #11: Halloween Costume Edition

I know Halloween is so last week but I didn't get to show off cute photos of Lil' J in her lamb costume because I was too busy falling asleep before 10pm (I'm very angry at myself about this... When I'm sleep deprived, I feel accomplished and productive, when I'm well rested, I suck at life).

So I wanted to let everyone see her in her cute costume. Note, the lighting at her school is weird, night photos obviously needed flash, and these aren't edited at all (sorry, no time today). I made the body suit myself by gluing quiting batting squares closed after stuffing them with pillow/ stuffed animal stuffing.

Her hat I ordered from a friend... Mary Sue. She's my hat lady and actually makes a lot of Lil' J's cool hats. I just send her a picture of what I've seen and she makes it, and doesn't charge an arm and a leg.

I was so excited when I sent her a picture of the lamb hat I wanted made and imagined my daughter looking so cute in it. She told me when she put it in the mail and I knew it would only take a day or two to arrive. But when it did I was so confused because it didn't look like a lamb hat. There were two pieces, and the hat was flat and round, like coasters. I flipped them around and tried to see how they maybe could be lamb ears but my imagination wasn't seeing it.

I wrote her an email and asked her about the strange coasters "maybe my order got switched?" I asked. She told me it had, and apologized. But the coasters were actually Yamakas, and she had switched my order with another woman in New York. Boy, I wonder what that lady will think when she gets my lamb hat. I wondered.

So I sent the cute little Yamakas to the woman in New York (after they barely escaped the wrath of Lil' J and Snoop), and she sent me the cute little lamb hat we had been waiting for. I was so eager to try it on her, I set it on top of her head and not knowing the whole story behind getting this hat, the first think my husband said was "it looks like a Yamaka." But I just rolled my eyes and laughed to myself. I think I'll forever remember the story behind this cute Halloween costume. PS: If you want my hat lady's email met me know and I'll hook you up! She's already made some other cute hats for some of my readers!

Lil' J trick-or-treated for healthy snacks at her school, we went to a Halloween party with my work friends, and trick-or-treating to a few houses on Halloween. I'm honestly surprised she let me put this thing on her that many times, but she'd laugh every time and loved when I painted her little black nose. Maybe because she knew people would admire her and give her treats. Either way, I think she's such a trooper.

Lil' J and her little friend



The hubs, me (Bo Peep) and Little Lamb

Sadly, I don't think I got any cute pics of her just modeling her costume, but we at least got a good family shot of the three of us, which we never get these days. My husband was himself, which is scary enough. Did you dress up for Halloween?

I loved looking at all of your Mini Mod posts last week and many of you were ahead of the game and already showing off cute Halloween attire.

I loved this little Candy Corn dress I saw, and the sweet little Paisley in it at Lackey Antics. I'm going to have to make Lil' J one next year. Stop by and tell her hi! And link up your little Mini Mods below. Of course these don't need to be Halloween Themed, we're just last season over here this week.

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Mini Mod #10: 31 Days of Halloween

Welcome to Mini Mod #10! A weekly fashion link up for the minis in our lives!

If you read my post first thing this morning... I'm sorry. I call that "drunk blogging" but without the alcohol. But I guess I was tipsy from lack of sleep and I woke up today going "now what did I say again?"

Most of it is still here but I edited my typos and added the links and photos I promised you at 3am.

I'm so proud if myself; as this week, not only did I sew Lil' J three dresses, make her Halloween costume (and sustain severe hot glue gun burns in the process) clean the whole house (minus our room), keep it clean, make dinner (one night) and get the car's emissions and inspection taken care of, make my family lunches every single night this week... I also did all the crap I normally do while working a full week. I've never felt this accomplished and I feel like Super Woman.

The only thing I haven't been doing much of is sleeping. (Hence this blog post via iPhone in bed at 2:40am. )

If you're following my Facebook Page at all you've probably seen Lil' J wearing Halloween attire all month long to school.

Before some of you freak out about the assumed cost and waste of resources for things she'll wear just a few times (if that) let me explain... She's done some boutique modeling, we've done some thrift shopping, and I've made her a few things, so it's averaged out to fantastic deals on lots of Halloween fashion. I'd be surprised if we spent more than $50 on everything.

She doesn't quite have 31 Halloween outfits. Just enough for the 3 days a week she goes plus some things for weekends and parties. I didn't count everything but I tried to snap a photo on my phone each day.

Here's an iPhone collage of her Halloween Fashion. I used a cool iPhone app called Pic Collage. I think it was free, or .99 max.

I was up late making this dress for her to wear today as I knew it would be her last chance to wear it to school before the holiday is over (Monday she'll wear her costume). I messed up a bunch at the very end and it was tragic. I almost stabbed myself to death with my thread picker. But this morning, when I put it on her, it looked cute. Mistakes looked minimal to the average eye.

Dress by Mom! Pattern from: Designs by ElliEtte

I made her a matching bow, put a long-sleeved shirt underneath, and cut her some mismatch leg warmers real quick before we got in the car since it was chilly out this morning. Hopefully I'll be able to show off some cuter photos later once we get home to have a photo shoot. This one may be my favorite one I've made so far.

She wouldn't stand still for me to take a picture so here's a sneak peek from the back. And if you can't wait to see it, I posted a picture of it without her in it on twitter last night/this morning.

What did your kiddos sport this week? Link up and show it off. I've been loving looking at your links and fashionable kiddos. This week I wanted to showcase this cutie pie, little Ari from Ari's Journey Through Montessori.

She needs some love on this post so stop by and say hi when you get a chance. And visit other linkers in the blog hop. I visit you all too. Grab a button too if you so choose, so more people can join the Mini Mod party!

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Mini Mod #9: My Baby Loves Fashion {and Lollipop Moon Giveaway)

One thing I love about my daughter--Ok, I love everything about my daughter, but one thing I really love is the fact that she will wear and love just about anything I put her in--With the exception of some hats. But that's ok because I'm not a huge hat fan either. I have my days, and so does she. Other than that, she will prance around in cowgirl boots, tutus, giant headbands, what have you, and not bat an eye.

Not only that, she'll bring them back to be when I take them off. And now, when I grab a bow and hold it toward her to see if it will match her outfit, she reaches to her head as if to say "hey mom, it goes up here!"

That's my girl!

Welcome  to Mini Mod! My weekly linky where you show off  up your stylish kiddo!

Strangers always say things to me like "Oh, enjoy it now, soon enough she'll be pulling those bows out" or "My daughter used to wear bows, I miss those days." I'm not sure how old their kids were or if they know how old my daughter is but if she doesn't want to wear something, she lets me know already. There's no protest on her behalf.

Others ask me how in the world she manages to keep them in. "Why doesn't she pull them out?" they ask. I have no explanation--Except perhaps, the fact that she's had something on her head or in her full head of hair since moments after birth.

That's my girl!

If she grows up and turns into a tomboy, so be it. We'll just have to make sure she's a fashionable tomboy. But for now, I'm glad when I put her in something as pink and frilly as this, she can look back at me and give me this face.

What she's wearing:
Baby Love Pettiskirt and Onesie: New at Lollipop Moon
Pink Clippie: Crafted by Mommy

Want it?
Lollipop Moon is one of my favorite online boutiques. They carry all sorts of adorable baby lines including Lollipop Moon, MudPie and One Posh Kid. I'm already scoping out their holiday sales for Lil' J's Christmas wardrbobe. They were one of the first boutiques to do a promotion with me and the continue to be so sweet to my readers and I. The owner is once again offering a $25 gift card to one of you.

To enter use the giveaway form below. Don't worry, giveaways won't be taking my blog over, I'll be doing a select few. And I'm not going to offer a million different ways to enter. This is a new fun way I hope to administer giveaways going forward, to make it easier and more fair for everyone.



I'm bringing some giveaways back to my blog (but not becoming a "giveaway blog"). If you have an item you think fits the concept of my blog you'd like to have considered for a review or giveaway please email me.

Can't wait to blog hop and see what you share this week. Link up above!

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Mini Mod #8: Falling for Fall

Don't you love fall fashion? Sadly, here in Texas it doesn't really feel like fall yet. It looks like it because of the drought, everything is brown, but it still feels pretty warm. So I'm not quite busting out the boots and leggings on a daily basis yet, but I'm enjoying the fall prints for my little mini me.

If you haven't played before, Mini Mod is a weekly linky where you link up to a post where you show off your kiddos and what they're styling in. If you remember, tell us where you got their cute clothes or accessories so we know where we can find it.

I did make her another dress this week but she hasn't worn it yet since all month she's wearing Halloween-themed clothes to school. Next month she'll be decked out in fall attire. I did just get another sewing pattern for a bubble dress thanks to a sweet reader, and I can't wait to use it to make Lil' J another dress. I'll probably show them off in an upcoming Mini Mod post. ... Yes, now I have a fall sense of security in my sewing skills since I've managed to make two dresses without the use of glue or iron stitch.

Dress: Adelaide's Boutique; Bow: Oh Sweet Baby Boutique

A few of you asked me if I'd make one for you and I'm telling you... You can do this! Just get some help from a friend to get going and you'll pick it up. Plus, you don't want one that I've made because up close you'll see all of my imperfections.

As you saw a couple of weeks ago, and in many of my 365s, we love Adelaide's Boutique. I think we have about five dresses of hers now. The owner is really sweet and one of the main reasons I decided to start giving sewing a try myself (and to save my pocket book).

Apple Orchard Dress: $39 Adelaide's Boutique

Frayed Flower Bow: $8 Oh Sweet Baby Boutique

I loved looking at all of your Mini  Mod links, even though it took me all week. I'm going to try to visit right away this week. I had to share this adorable photo this week from Just Keep Swimming. Her little girl has the cutest hat (she always has cute hats!) from Lottie Da. Be sure to stop by and tell her and her little Mini Mod hi! Then link up to yours below so we can all go visit and blog hop.

Link up below and visit the others. Grab my button if you want too, or just link back so others can play along.

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Also linking up to:
Small Style