Pippi!

Here's Louisa dressed as Pippi Longstocking for Book Week dress up. The brief from the description in the book was a blue dress with red patches. I made a pinafore dress, expecting the weather to be a bit cooler than the higher than usual August temps we've been having! I used a light denim with my favourite red fabric for the contrast band, pocket and heart patches.

I used a easy pattern that I've used for Louisa before. That time it was size 5 and it was way too big. This time it was a size 7! I did want it to be bigger so she could wear it as a dress next winter, but still - it made me realise yet again how quickly my girls are growing up!

We teased her piggy tails to make them stick out (I tried using pipe cleaners but Louisa's hair is too thick and heavy), and used some red coloured hairspray. Stripey stockings and some freckles completed the look.

A big bouquet!

Just a quick post to mention how wonderful it has been to receive comments from Natalie, Becky, Andrea and Novy (Little Munchkins) over my last couple of posts. I've been a real slacker with my sewing and keeping up with the EB online sewing community and I feel so happy to know that people are still reading about my little adventures. Thankyou for taking the time out.

I have high hopes of keeping up one day. I may even get some sewing done soon, as Louisa has BookWeek dress up coming up. I must admit, I'm loathe to get out the machine though as the house is currently immaculate ( it's on the market) and I'm a terribly messy sew-er.

Off to blog crawl!

Lizzie's Party!

We held Lizzie's party yesterday at one of our favourite parks. Magical weather and lots of fun playing with her friends, and, of course, a cake. In the shape of a four, per Lizzie's request, and decorated in her favourite colours.

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

My 'baby' is turning four tomorrow! I can't believe she's that old now, and I'll have to remind myself not to treat her as a 'baby' now. For a start, I guess I should stop carrying her everywhere.

She is starting to show signs of being a real little girl now. Our conversations are hilarious, and she's showing a lot more confidence and enthusiasm for being out and about around other kids now, shedding that shyness and timidness that I thought was part of her personality. It seems it was just a stage, part of getting used to the world.

She's a real character, with a magical imagination and a talent for drawing and making her family laugh.

Happy Birthday Lizzie!

Louisa's party

What is a teddy makeover party?

I'm glad you asked. I had this question a lot when I sent out the invites to Louisa's party recently. Basically it was an idea Louisa and I had which was 1) closer to home than the Teddy Bear Factory and 2) more fun. A teddy themed party probably isn't something you could get away with beyond six, but I think the term 'makeover' made it seem a little more grown up.

We asked the party guests to bring a plain bear from home (or borrow one of ours). Most babies and children seem to get way more stuffed toys than they could ever possibly play with, so this was a chance to drag those neglected teddies out of closets and storage boxes and actually use them!

We spent a short amount of time choosing new outfits for the girls bears that I'd sewn, and putting cheap jewellery on them, and then onto playing games (including Musical Bears instead of musical chairs and a Teddy Treasure hunt) and having fun.

I cheated a little by using a very easy summer shirred dress with ribbon straps. It's a good thing teddy bears have all that fur to keep them warm! I sewed party bags but cheated by using a non fraying material and simply folding a rectangul in half and sewing two side seams and tying up with some curling ribbon. Great effect, without much effort.

We had a low key cake this year too, just a love heart shape with pink frosting and sprinkles. If we had grandparents and other relatives nearby, we'd most likely not have had a party this year, but with no family dinner as a substitute, I'm happy to give the girls a party each year, just not too over the top.

I think the guests had a fun time, and I know my two certainly did. Now to plan Elizabeth's party for next month!

Happy Birthday Louisa!

Louisa's birthday is coming up, and my last chance today to organise and wrap presents. Apart from some Belville lego, it's all books (including a lockable diary), so it doesn't look all that exciting. So I've quickly sewn some PJs to add to her presents.

The applique is very rough here. I disobeyed my own 'always use stabiliser rule', but as they're pajamas and not to be seen in public, I'm not too worried. I know she'll love the unicorn fabric.

Anyway, off now to sew some teddy bear outfits for her teddy bear makeover party!