little zippy top.

hmmm...apparently it's been a while since i've been around these parts. no worries, i've been making stuff, just not taking the time to blog about it. i blame instagram. it's so much easier. so, if you're missing me, head on over and follow me. be prepared to be bombarded by margot cuteness though. you've been warned.

this post is also going to be full of margot cuteness. with spring upon us, margot is in need of some comfy, easy breezy clothes. goodbye endless layers. hello shorts, flip flops and tees.

this is my first little zippy top by see kate sew. i actually bought this pattern in the adult size too, hoping to finally break through my fear of sewing me sized things. i choose to think of this mini version as my trial run.

it's a pretty great top. it sews up quickly, fits great (i made the 3T size), and is basic enough that i can imagine making a million different variations. and that zipper!

it was definitely the selling point. i was actually playing around with self drafting a shirt just like this when i came across the pattern. and after pinterest stalking all of the adorable zippy tops around blog land, i was sold. and the pattern goes up to size ten! so it's totally worth it.

i love how simple this pattern was, but i didn't really love how the zipper was sewn in, so i changed it up, sandwiching the zipper between the two facing pieces, rather than just sewing it into the inside. this, i think, makes for a neater finished product. i'm still not totally happy with how i did it, so if you have any suggestions on how to sew a zipper like this, i'd love to hear them.

i can say with certainty that i'll be making more of these for margot this summer. and hopefully even one for me. what's on your list for warm weather sewing?

valentine printables.

it's february, so there's no ignoring the heart shaped, chocolate covered elephant in the room...valentines day.

i'll admit, i'm not much a fan of valentines day, and we don't really do anything special for it (except for the couple of times jon has tricked me into celebrating...). i am a sucker for a cute card, though, so i thought i'd make a few free printable designs to share with you all. all three of the design below can be downloaded here!

first up, hot dogs. because nothing quite conveys the adorable side of love (or like) like a couple of frankfurters!

and if hot dogs aren't your thing, then how about legos? they're currently a fav around our house, with margot asking almost every evening to 'play with daddy's legos' (because yes, most of the legos bought in our house are for jon, not our kid...).

these two cards are both bi-fold style, so you can add your own sappy valentines message to the inside. to make, simply print off your card of choice, score along the left hand side of the card with an exacto knife (all the way across the paper makes it easiest), and then fold along the score and cut along the remaining three sides (cutting through both layers). easy peasy.

and of course all of this card making got me nostalgic for the good ole days of elementary school, where your biggest valentine's woe concerned who to give the cardboard card from the back of the box to (or was that just me...). so out of pining for the 'good ole days' i also made school style lego valentines. these print four to a sheet, and have the classic TO: and FROM: spots, perfect for sharing with classmates. they kind of make me wish i was back in elementary school...

so, whether you want to express your true love through meat or building blocks, or if you just want something cool to send to school with your kids, go get some free printables. or if you know a friend who just needs to have one of these, share the link!

a sewn fox pillow.

thanks to winter storm jonas, and living in southern virginia where snow removal infrastructure investment is not a top priority, i just had a pretty swell snow week. it involved a lot of hot chocolate drinking, fire sitting, bounding around in the snow with a tireless toddler, soup making, soup eating, and even some sewing, including this guy. he's my new favorite thing.

he's so fluffy!!

i bought the amazing mauvy (??) faux fur awhile ago, and wasn't really sure what i was going to do with it. it was too amazing to pass up though. seriously, it's the softest fabric ever.

when i finally decided on making a fox pillow, it all came together fairly quickly (and adorably). i was pleasantly surprised at how easy the fabric was to sew with (less easy to cut and much less easy to clean up after...) and am super excited about how it turned out.

the little details are always my favorite. the ear fabric is a floral print from and old blouse. and those rosy cheeks really put him over the top in the cuteness arena.

margot thinks it's her fox pillow. i'm pretty sure he's mine though. i just love him. so soft and the perfect spoonable size. don't tell margot...

i'm thinking about making some more and posting them for sale. if you're interested, let me know!