alittlesweetness

easter dress

I know I've been a major slacker lately!  Sorry!  I have to admit, I've been enjoying the low key, taking-the-day-however-I-feel-like-it method.  Feels great sometimes, doesn't it?  Oh yaaa. 

So, back to reality, I have a few things that need to get done, and back to the computer I am!!  Not without showing you the little Easter Dress I made for Ava first though.  ;) 

My main inspiration and desire was to use some Riley Blake Chevron....aqua, of course!  I got mine from Randi at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.  Then, because I knew I wanted to be able to use several fabrics, I thought Sandi Henderson's Knot Dress would be perfect.  Especially since I already owned it.  Even perfect-er! (p.s.....I don't see that pattern for sale anywhere...???)

For the other fabrics, I used what I had on hand.  Hard to do since I don't normally buy large cuts of fabric.  So, a little give and take is necessary.  For instance, at first I wanted the top to be the pink flowers and the bottom to be the yellow flowers, but because of the amounts available in my stash, I needed to switch those two up...but I love it!  I knew if I got a pink top to go underneath it would give me that pink near her face that I wanted. 

I love the chevron straps!

I used a vintage sheet for the apron, trimmed out with Lecien Flower Sugar and Riley Blake crocheted lace (ask Kerri if she has more white). 

And, not to bombard you or anything, but here's a few pic's of Ava wearing her dress.  The sun was very bright, so sorry they aren't the best technique wise, but I'm happy to have these anyway. 

I love this one of her because she was absolutely focused for a minute on just this one dandelion that caught her attention.  So sweet!!

A good reminder to stop for a few minutes, be still and just take in the precious moments that we have with our loved ones, our life, and the world around us. 

Hugs. ;)

Tasha

spring snow

We were so surprised to see snow falling yesterday morning and it continued for about half the day.  Ava was bringing me mittens before I knew it!  Usually I like to see snow, but that's during the winter months.  When it's suppose to be Spring though, not so much.

On the positive side, I did enjoy watching Ava think it was the best thing ever! 

She thought it was pretty funny to throw snow at me!

And of course, she loved eating it.....

See ya!

 

Brrrr....that post just made me cold.  (sorry if it did you too!)

Next week I'll have some new artwork for the shop that doesn't have anything to do with winter or being cold!

Tasha

Granny addiction!

So, I know I said I was going to explain my new fabric line, and I really am going to (soon!), but I got a little sidetracked with all this Granny business going around. 

To my knowledge, it all started with this amazing quilt made by Jolene over at Blue Elephant Stitches.  She always has the cutest quilts!  I decided I would make one for Ava, since I haven't made her a quilt yet.  I know....it's a shame since she just turned 3!  I love the traditional, timeless look of the Granny Squares, so I thought it would be a perfect choice for her.  And in red, pink, aqua and gray of course. ;)

So far I've made 6 and boy are they addicting!  

The combinations are endless, which makes it easy to want to do another...and another.... Plus, they are pretty simplistic in they layout because you only need two colors (i have 3 in some of mine) and you arrange the colors in a specific way.  One color for the outer squares and then a second color for the inner squares.  So, although there are alot of options on fabric and color combinations throughout the quilt, when it comes to each individual block, it's limited.  Not a lot of room for over analyzing everything....which is what I tend to do.

So, if you DON'T want to be addicted to something (else!)....

DON'T make a Granny!

And DON'T say I didn't warn you!

Tasha

the swing of things

Is it just me, or is it difficult to get back into the swing of things after the holidays?  I think I've been particularly slow at it this year.  One clue is that I still have a few holiday decorations lingering around that absolutely must be put away immediatly.  Or else.

For Christmas I was able to turn my hexies into something for Ava.  I decided on a doll quilt in the end because I also got her a vintage doll crib and a couple of new baby dolls, so I thought it was more fitting than a pillow.

 

I'm not sure I'm totally crazy over it, but I do think it's plenty cute enough to be loved.  The part that bugs me is the aqua strips on top and bottom.  It's sort of too late now though. 

I didn't do batting inside, just some fluffy pink minky-type fabric on the back and I quilted it pretty lightly, so it's nice a cuddly.....perfect for wrapping around baby dolls.

See, someone is very happy about it, so I think it worked out.

Now, it's off to put away some decorations.  Like immediatly!

Tasha

giveaway winners!

Thanks to everyone who played along in my little giveaway!  It's such a treat for me to be able to share a little something here and there throughout the year.  I'm always so grateful for the support and encouragement I recieve and friends made along the way.  Plus, aren't giveaways just plain fun?  oh ya.  

I thought it would be a cuter post if I had Ava to help me announce the winners!  This is what she did when I gave her the embroidery hoop and asked her to show it to me.  Oh well, you get the idea.  (I hope.)

The 3 WINNERS of my Embroidery Pattern giveaway are:

#12...

Anita said ..

I love them all but I love the angel the best.
Happy holidays!

#29 ...

Melanie said ...

Laundry day - so cute :)

and...

#63...

Kristal said...

Everything is adorable, but since my daughter had a hedgehog for a pet, I'd get the patterns that have a hedgie on them!

Each of those numbers were chosen by me asking my 3 oldest boys to tell me their favorite number! 

I hope you have fun stitching up something sweet for your home or another's.  Either way, ENJOY!

(Anita, Melanie and Krystal...if you see this, please email me at pthorsley@comcast.net since none of you have links). 

I'm not sure I'll get back to the computer anytime soon, so I thought I'd leave you with this adorable little video message, so very appropriate for this time of year.  It's just 2 minutes and you won't be disappointed.  ;)

Click here to watch "The Coat"

As for my shop, it'll be open, but I won't be shipping anything until well into the first week of the new year.  I'll probably check on it here and there and send of patterns, but generally I'll be taking a break. 

Thanks again, for a wonderful year! 

Merry Christmas!

Tasha

stitching, stitching...

Now that I've got my sweet Christmas Angel all stitched, I just need to figure out what to do with her!  I loved going all red....so simple, yet makes a statement, don't you think?

I love the crisp, classic look of red and white, so I've collected up a few items that will help make her into a timeless treasure. 

I'm pretty sure what I'm doing, hopefully I'll get it done before Christmas!!

The other thing I've been working on in time for Christmas is a hexie pillow for Ava.

I know you've seen these before, but this time they are all stitched together!  It's been one of those very slow moving projects for me, so I'm happy to see it (literally) coming together.  Yay!  My inspiration to do this was from this darling pillow, so I've just kept that image in my mind to be able to get this done for Ava.  Don't you just love finding inspiration to keep you going?!  I do! 

Today I'm off for another busy day, so I better get moving!  :)

Tasha

pretty new dress

When I saw this beautiful fabric from Denyse Schmidt's newest line at Joann's, Sugar Creek, I knew it would make the prettiest dress for Ava and I had a coupon, so it was a done deal.  I started it right away, but then got stuck on what to use for my coordinating print and how to embellish the top.  I overwhelmed myself so much that I ended up putting it aside.  Last weekend we had a big family gathering, so the dress got finished up so she could have something cute to wear.  

I think it turned out adorable!  I bought the pattern off Etsy from Growing Up With Charissa. 

This morning Ava was amazingly willing to get dressed up again and let me take some pictures....so I moved quickly! 

This is about the best shot I got of the top of the dress, embellished with polka dot fabric, white ric-rac and pretty little buttons, which are Riley Blake and sold at Sew Deerly Loved on Etsy. 

Here's a few more I took:

     

I know....generally she looks pretty sweet and she acts all shy around other people.  And she does have her sweet moments.... 

But trust me, this girl is FULL. OF. IT!

C-ya!

Tasha

back to life

 

Ava and I sat and had a divine little breakfast moment together this morning.  With all the boys off to school, we had fun arranging the flowers, mixing and sipping up juice (i taught her how to do 'cheers') and gobbling up some oh so yummy eggo waffles.  With peanut butter of course.  (You really should try it!)  ;)

Ava really is all girl and loves doing this stuff.  She loves to be right in there, definitly has her way and say!

She loved using a tiny version of my mason jar!

As you can see, my counter chairs are red now! 

Over the long weekend we did quite a bit of home improvement/projects.  Sanding and painting the chairs was one of them. 

Here's my oldest having the time of his life. (Not!)

I've done alot on my bedroom finally, getting it all painted, painting my dressers and my hubby's ripped off the old mouldings so we can put up new white pretty stuff. 

I painted.....

While Ava slept on my bed.

So, all in all we stayed pretty busy.  It's definitly a work in progress though, so no great photos yet.  I've got some ideas for my bedroom that shouldn't be too far fetched, so hopefully I'll be able to share some pictures soon. 

For today, I'm opening up the the shop and here we are.....

back to life!

Enjoy!  ;)

Tasha

strawberry fever

I've definitly got Strawberry fever, so I've been busy with a few things to help!  Firstly, I ordered some Annie's Farm Stand and have loved sewing with these fabrics.  (Kerri is doing a giveaway on her blog for some of this delicious line, so you should hop on over!)

This apron is for Ava, and of course she won't wear it......yet!  I very loosley referred to this tutorial, but also sorta made it up as I went.  Maybe not the best method, but I figured it out.  

We live in Washington state, so there was this little perfect part of the fabric for me to use in the waistband (see above).  The crochet flowers are from Riley Blake and you can buy some in Kerri's shop. 

I had the perfect vintage trim (from my mom), so I added some above the stripey ruffle.  I love stripes!

I was particularly lazy for the apron ties and used grossgrain ribbon.  Not the best photo, but you get the idea.  ;)

I can't wait till Ava cooperates and wears this little bit of strawberry deliciousness!

Another way I got out my Strawberry fever, was to draw of course!

I came up with this illustration called 'Fresh Strawberries'.  She is simple, fun and super sweet.

She's also available with a gray background.

A closer look:

She looks cute in a frame too!

Last, but not least....I had a great time sewing some Farmer's Wife  blocks!  Strawberry fabrics are mixed in here and there.  ;)

ECONOMY {29}

POSTAGE STAMP {68}

AUTUMN TINTS {2}

My Growing Pile!

Now, I'm seriously thinking about Strawberry Shortcake......doesn't that sound good?  Mmm.....maybe a good weekend treat. 

Happy Creating!

Tasha 

vintage ava

 

I used to be so much better about taking my kids outside for a little photo shoot, or really focusing on getting some good pictures when we go on an outing.  Lately....very lately.....I've been more pre-occupied with photographing things for the shop or just doing shop things in general, that I really have neglected taking very many pictures of my kids.  Let alone delving into learning more about editing or experimenting around at all. 

Today I felt the urge to do some photography!  Even though it's a wet, rainy, gray day...I took my camera and my baby girl out for a little photo shoot.  She's 2 now and I've been feeling bad that I don't take very many pictures of her.  The one above is probably a very favorite so I'm sure glad I have it now.  Rainy day or not!  

I'm definitly no pro, so for editing I've use some actions from Pioneer Woman....I LOVE them!  I've also done some of my own tweaking along with the actions.  The PW Actions I've used are 'Seventies' and 'Soft and Faded' together. 

We brought Hello Kitty (her favorite) along for the journey.  Recognize the vintage Little Red Riding Hood dress I bought off Etsy?   It was her first vintage dress....now she has a 2nd!  I'll show you soon!

Here she was talking to me.....this one I think is just Seventies and I then I did some tweaking. 

This one below isn't very good quality, but it was the only one where she felt like 'posing' for me.

I still have a lot to learn, but it sure is fun experimenting. 

Thanks for stopping by!  And go have some photography fun! 

Those arms won't be squishy forever. 

Tasha