Shirred Sundress with Bow

Wow summer is so so busy and flying right by, we have a summer bucket list going.  One of the things on my list was to make some matching sundresses for my girls,  yep I am one of those people that doesn't mind being matchy, matchy.  In fact on little girls it is probably one of my most favorite things and  I have to take advantage of this time when they aren't embarrassed so....
 

I saw these dresses on Ashley's blog over at www.makeit-loveit.com, she is amazing. These little dresses went together so quickly and didn't overwhelm me at all and that's saying somethin cause I have four kids eight and under...yeah these dresses are super easy!

The bow in the back is nice and fluffy and also serves a purpose in keeping the dress right where it needs to be.

Awww they look so pleasant and they actually didn't fight at all during their photo shoot...major accomplishment! 

Like I mentioned before something about the matchy, matchy dresses just makes me giddy.

They are also very functional...play dresses, church dresses, swimsuit cover ups...whatever you want dresses.

If you're interested in making some for yourself click on read more for the tutorial

Little Boy Work Coveralls

My little boy loves to go outside with his Dad and do what they like to call "Man Work" they water the plants, mow the lawn, change the oil etc.  The other day after they came back in from changing the oil out in the shop my little boy so sweetly asked if I could make him some coveralls like just like his Dad's.  Did I have any idea how to do this?...nope. Could I say no to his sweet little face?...big nope.  I looked on line and found some for way out of my price range, so I got to work and kinda learned as I went along.

 Sometimes Super Heroes wear coveralls.



 "Hey mom I don't have time for pictures I'm off to do some man work!"
 But would ya look at that collar...so dang proud that it actually worked.

 Tutorial coming soon...

Linking up with www.somewhatsimple.com

Banana Bread

I wasn't really a big fan of banana bread until I tried a slice at my Mother-in-laws shortly after we were married...I was smitten.  I immediately copied down her recipe and it has been a family favorite ever since.  My Mother-in-law's secret ingredient in pretty much anything is a "little bit of sugar" (we both have a sweet tooth).  I think what won me over was the little sprinkling of brown sugar and chocolate chips on the top.

Recipe

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 cup oil

3 eggs

Blend well and add:

2 1/2 cups mashed bananas

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 tsp soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

Fill pans to 1/2 to 3/4 full, sprinkle with brown sugar and chocolate chips.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr.

Patriotic Ruffled Flag Tee Shirt

 It's a little bit late for a Fourth of July tee shirt tutorial but I figure you can where a patriotic shirt all year long so I am posting anyway.  I have been seeing some adorable flag shirts around and I love the idea of a homemade shirt...ok obviously I love the idea of homemade anything! 

 Look at all that ruffly goodness...ahhh.

She is happy with it and feels extra special that I made it just for her!

 

I made these shirts just before we headed off for our family reunion camping trip for a few days and right before our friends came to stay the night with us so I was making shirts and cleaning my house and packing so it could be a little bit scatter brained...sorry!

First off we had a shirt from last year from Wal Mart...you know the ones with the year right underneath the flag so everyone knows how old it is..I don't know why they do that?  Anyway I made a heart template out of paper and placed it on my shirt then traced around the template with disappearing marker.

  Cut out your shape, you now have a really weird shirt.

 I had a bit of Pelon laying around, it is a stiff backing fabric you can use for all kinds of projects.  You can find it at most fabric stores.  Trace around your template on to the Pelon but make it about a 1/4" inch bigger than before.

I have been saving up old tee shirts for a while now and was excited to put them to use finally...I was beginning to look like a tee shirt hoarder.  Cut out one inch strips of red white and blue tee shirt fabric and gather, I have a tutorial for this here.

Now lay your gathered pieces across your heart shaped Pelon and pin them down.  Sew them down to the Pelon with matching thread.

Ok this is where I forgot to take a picture luckily Ashley from www.makeit-loveit.com had a similar project.  Pin your ruffle covered pelon to the back of the tee shirt now carefully sew around the edge...I went around twice for good measure.

 

That's it...enjoy your new ruffled flag shirt!