September seaside party

So firstly I'd just like to say that anyone who manages to organise a party and take beautiful photos of all the details has my total admiration.  Despite months of forward planning I was still running round like a headless chicken the whole time during Bea's 4th birthday party.  So that's my disclaimer for the not so brilliant pictures, here they are!

We went through quite a lot of theme ideas from Bea before she decided (with persuasion - she had some pretty crazy ideas) on a seaside party.

I of course started looking for inspiration on Pinterest (my board is here) which is where I saw the idea for lolly invitations.

My husband made a lovely sprinkle number four to match the invitations and I sewed up some simple paper bunting.

Instead of lots of chaotic party games we set up a few activities for the kids.  We had Catch a sea creature (bath toys in a paddling pool to catch in a net) which was suprisingly popular, Get a glitter tattoo, and Make your own windmill.  We also had a colouring table with seaside themed pictures to colour in, and we did pass the parcel at Bea's special request!

After all the fun the food was served in yellow boxes with a lolly name sticker on each.  The food in there was pretty healthy, to make up for the jelly and ice cream and ice cream shaped cupcakes that came afterwards!

I was really pleased with how these looked, and apparently they didn't taste too bad either.

Loved these mini honeycomb decorations from Ikea.

While the kids were eating we served fish and chips (from a quick dash to the chip shop) for the adults in cones.  The birthday cake was another wonderful creation by my sister - a sandcastle of course!

The party bags were mini buckets and spades full of goodies including a stick of rock and real seashell.

All the photos I took of Bea at the party are literally a blur as she was whizzing around having such a good time.  This one was taken before the party and is of her 'excited' face.  Her dress went with the theme pretty well!

Phew, thats the birthday parties done until next summer.  On to Christmas then!

St Ives

When I woke up this morning there was a very definite autumnal nip in the air.  Even though it looks like we are forecast some warmer weather still to come it feels like the end of summer today.

Backing up the photos on my phone I found all those I took on our holiday to St Ives, Cornwall at the beginning of August.  It was the first time visiting for the children - the all day drive down has put us off since they came along- and they had a fantastic week.  The weather was a little mixed but we mostly had glorious sunshine and made the most of the beautiful beach.

It is such a pretty little town, although packed with visitors in the high season, and I quite enjoyed walking up and down the streets with the pushchair trying to get Nell to sleep!

Nell had her very first splash in the sea and was very enthusiastic, we had to hold her back from walking right in.

Bea was not so keen on the paddling but had days of sandy fun building sand castles and dams.

St Ives also has some lovely little shops.  I can't remember the name of the shop in which I took these photos but they had lots of pretty things.

Goodbye summer, until next year!

A Geranium for Nell

After making a Geranium dress for Bea I loved the pattern so much I wanted to make a coordinating one for Nell.  I also wanted to try cross stitching onto fabric using waste canvas so I decided to combine the two projects and came up with this cross stitched heart Geranium.

I lined the sleeves again just because I'm not a huge fan of the raw edge look, this time using the floral fabric on the outside as well.  I cross stitched a simple heart on the bodice and was really pleased with the way it turned out.  The waste canvas was great and I love a bit of embroidery on handmade kids clothes, it makes them feel a little bit more special.  I used the same linen look cotton for the skirt as it is so soft and lovely, especially after a few washes.  I may even make myself something from it!

I made the dress back in July but only recently managed to snap a couple of photos of her wearing it - she never stays still these days!

My little flower fairy turns one

It was Nell's first birthday last week (boo hoo!) so we celebrated with a little family party at the weekend.

  The theme was flower fairies and Nell looked lovely in her pretty dress and tiny wings.  She didn't keep them on for long but I managed to get a couple of photos!

I had fun finding fairy themed gifts for the party bags which I packaged up in pretty paper bags decorated with mini doilies, ribbon and a flower fairy tag with each child's initial.  Even the boys got one of these very girly bags but I did put boy stuff inside so hopefully they can forgive me.

My sister made some chocolate cupcakes and I made toadstools from fresh strawberries and mini marshmallows to go on top.

My sister also made the fantastic toadstool house cake.  It was a crime to cut it.  We did though.

Pretty fresh flowers on the food table.

Three days later I haven't taken down the honeycomb balls or bunting yet.  They look lovely with the green kitchen walls and its nice to feel festive while eating breakfast!

For the food I went tea party style with 6 kinds of sandwiches and finger food followed by scones, macaroons, cakes and biscuits and yummy fresh berry cones.

I think the birthday girl enjoyed herself - Its hard work turning one!

Bea's rainbow dress

I found this unfinished dress that I started to make for Bea last summer.  It was mostly sewn up - it just needed a button and some details.  I'm thinking it was probably the arrival of little sis that put this project on the back burner!

Luckily it still fits (just a bit shorter than intended!) so I decided to finnish it off.  It definitely needed colour so I added some little pockets made from vintage fabric.  When I showed it to Bea she insisted it was lacking in the rainbow department so after a brief head scratch I added a quick running stitch rainbow to one side.  Its slightly crazy but I like it!

Stop the bandwaggon, I'm hopping on

I've finally made my first Geranium dress!  I've seen so many beautiful versions of it floating around the web and when I came across this linen look cotton fabric it came to mind as the perfect pattern for the colour block dress I had in mind.

I made the age 5 with fingers crossed (the pattern only goes up to age 5 so I was praying it would be big enough) but luckily it fits really well, with even a little room for growth.

I wanted to line the flutter sleeves in the same fabric as the bodice lining as I thought it would look cute peeping out so I rejigged the sleeve pattern piece a bit to allow for the extra seam.  I love how it turned out.

The fabric is really soft and drapes nicely.  I went for the gathered skirt option.

Bea objects a bit to my button choice, but at least she can't see them once its on!

And Miss Fussy is happy with it thank goodness!  I will definitely be making more geraniums for both girls.  I can see why the pattern is so popular!

Stanley

Just popping in to introduce Stanley, my latest one of a kind handmade toy.  He is listed in the shop now.

Summer sewing

I've been cheating on the blog a bit lately with instagram (@juliastaite) but here is a look at some summer dresses I made for the girls recently.  The pattern is the madeline dress by sew sweet patterns on etsy.  Its a lovely classic dress with a great collar - very cute!

The pattern was simple and came with clear instructions.  Its quite a quick dress to whip up apart from the dreaded buttonholes (my worst part of sewing!)

I did however have major sizing issues -  Bea is pretty tall so I cut out the age 5 for her (shes three and a half) but after partially sewing the dress together it was very clear it was way too small.  So as not to waste the fabric I cut it down to fit Nell.  Shes 9 months old so I cut out age 2 after the first came out so small and as you can see below its fits - but probably won't for long!

I made Bea a bigger one (age 7!) and it fits well for length but still comes up a bit snug in the width.  Its a shame as its such a sweet little dress.  Maybe it was just me but I would recommend going up at least two sizes if you're making your own.

Hello Penelope

I have just listed a new one of a kind toy in my shop.  Penelope rabbit has got a little bit more detail than my other soft toys have had so far and I really enjoyed working on her.  I have a new cat on the way too but sewed one side on inside out so he needs a little more work...