I love the look of a raised garden bed. Not only that, but they are a more efficient use of space.

So we  (as in my husband) built a 4×4 box, 12″ deep.

Next, we filled it with nutrient rich soil and compost. This is another benefit of a raised bed, you can ensure top quality soil.

Finally we transplanted our plants, added some lettuce, radish and carrot seeds, plus a strawberry plant for good measure.

but we couldn’t just stop there…. we then decided to put an herb garden next to it.

 

Basil, cilantro, oregeno, rosemary and thyme. We love fresh herbs!

 

So there they sit.  It’s like Christmas morning for me everyday when i go inspect the daily growth. So exciting.

Isabella told me she is so proud we are growing our own plants.

I must say, i am too.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since the new year, I’ve been taking the boys to story time at the library. It has been like no story time I’ve ever experinced in the past.  It’s one hour, once a week and the ongoing theme is called “in the garden”.

The teacher is amazing and week by week she has been building a garden with the kids.  so fun!

It has been quite facinating for both the boys and myself, so we decided to make a garden of our own at home.

We started our seeds about 6 weeks ago. We planted sweet peppers, tomatoes, basil, cilantro, and corn.

Then we waited and obsessed over them, checking them many times through out the day ’til finally, something appeared!

Here they are at about 4 weeks.

We also planted some flowers.

 

I’ve been reading Sunset magazine lately and I LOVE it! If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you should pick up a copy and I promise you will be be inspired. This month is focussed on yards and gardens.  Check out some of their  gardening tips and ideas here

Next up….our raised garden bed.

It’s this time of year that I start to really think about spring.  Although I love winter, spring is just so refreshing.

I recently sent off this dress.  It’s another make it her own… party dress and it sure got me in the mood for a new season. This Pink, orange and grey flower combo just makes me happy.

What made me even happier was when I received this picture. It made my day to see my work on her and to know they are happy. Isn’t she just so cute?

I know it’s been cold and snowy in many parts of the country lately, but hold fast, spring  is on it’s way!

A little girl named Ivy is having her first birthday. This is her party dress.

Red gingham with red trim. It’s so classic and so fresh.

I love the choice she made.

Happy Birthday Ivy!

This year I decided to give Isabella a doll for Christmas. I had a favorite doll growing up, and wanted to pass the same one along for my daughter.   I was so happy to find one on ebay since they no longer make them.

I also thought it would be fun to make them matching outfits. Of course that project got left to the last minute, (Christmas eve) but I managed. I’ve never made anything so tiny before. It was a bit finicky, but not too bad.

                                 

 

So glad I did it, because when she opened her outfit and realized her new doll had the same clothes, she was thrilled!   

                                   

                

                                           

It’s hard to believe there are only a couple of weeks left until Christmas day!

We just sent these dresses out the other day. Both are the “make it her own… shift dress”.   Such cute prints!

Isabella, my 6 year old daughter, was especially loving this one. It’s called, Mendocino Underwater Sisters by Heather Ross.

Pink with mermaids, what little girl wouldn’t love this?

I also love this adorable owl print in green tea.

It’s called, Spotted Owl by Alexander Henry

We’ve changed our turn around time now to 1 week.

There is not much time left for custom orders, but not to worry, there IS still time…

A christening dress is a special dress,  but when it’s made from a part of your mothers wedding dress? wow.

This is my latest upcycling project. I was asked to make this for a baby girl named Natalie, and I was thrilled to do it! What a great idea.

Do you have any ideas, or items you would like made?

Feel free to contact us and we’ll see if we can make it happen!

I recently discovered Oliver & S. Finally, a pattern company with modern, appealing patterns for children. I love reading their blog and I am especially inspired by their newly released fall ’09 patterns.

I purchased the jump rope dress pattern because I want to make a couple more items for Isabella to wear for school.

Their uniform shirts must include a collar, so I adapted the pattern for the dress, and made it into a shirt instead. Basically just left out the skirt (obviously) and placed some elastic around her waist line to give it some shape.

It was a bit of a challenge for me as I have never sewn a placket before. Fortunately, the instructions were well written. I forced myself to use them, and I’m happy with the results.

I also plan to make her the dress. (eventually)   The pattern offers two options.

I’m not sure which one yet, they’re both so sweet.

maybe one of each?

I’ve always thought a pocket sling seemed like a great way to carry your baby. And since I recently had a baby I decided to try it out! I made a sling using McCall’s Crafts M5678. It was relatively easy, aside from some confusing instructions. (Why do patterns always make things more complicated than they need to be?) I used a light grey cotton on one side and for the other side, my favorite organic poppy fabric. I had a boy so I figured I’d do a manly color on the outside fabric and a girly fabric on the inside for me! I sewed in some ribbon to use to hang the sling up when not in use. And the best part – Link loves his sling and falls asleep promptly as he’s placed in it.