Lillian Dress and Top by Mouse House Creations

A lot of us have been waiting for this one for a long time. The follow up to the Norah (I posted about Norah here) and the Caroline Party Dress (I posted about Caroline here and here) by Mouse House Creations is finally here! I present you Lillian (affiliate link).

This top has passed the JubeJube test and she's requested to wear it to school. This means a lot because since starting kindergarten she has been very picky with what she wears to school. 

There are two sleeve options for this pattern, short and long, both have elastic casings at the hem. The neckline is simple, no fuss. Love the details of the pintucks on the front of this top. 

The back features a keyhole with ties at the back of the neck. No button wholes, no zippers.

Here are some of the pattern details:

• Sizes range from 3 months to 12 years
• Easy to follow tutorial with photos
• Designed for woven fabrics, but would also work in a knit fabric (I haven't tried it yet, but when I do I'll be able to give more details on how it turns out)
• 2 sleeve length options
• Dress or top length
• Full charts on fabric requirements for each size
• I would rate this pattern for intermediate due to the required precision of the pleats.

There's also instructions and pattern pieces to line this dress if you wish to use a more sheer fabric or a fabric with eyelets.

Get it here (affiliate link) while its on sale, this is one pattern I promise you'll use over and over again!

Until next time, xx.

Otium For Me!

Yes, this one is for me! Ever since I saw the first Otium Sweater by Sofilantjes I knew I was going to make it, I even bought the pattern when it was released in Sofilantjes pattern shop. I even knew what fabric from my stash I was going to use, and what style I was going to make...and finally I made it for me.

There's an easy giveaway at the end of this post so make sure read all the way to the end...there's a 12 patterns up for grabs all going to one lucky ready. Also so many stops on this tour from all over, go take a look, you may even discover your new favorite blog.

First, you can thank my sister and Pinterest for getting me into those fancy high boots and leggings, something I would not have done a little over a month ago. Second, lets thank Annemieke for such a fun pattern. Put them all together and there you have an easy comfy look.

I made the short sleeve version with the bow at the back. I added a couple of inches to the length of the top to make sure it would go past my hips when pairing it with leggings. I also used fold over elastic at the neckline instead of the fabric binding used in the pattern. Other than that I kept everything as is.  

This pattern was a dream to make. Printing, taping, cuting and sewing...2 hours. I really need to consider making more of these for myself using the other options, long sleeves and 3/4 length sleeves with the full back.

In case you're wondering, sizes range for the women's only pattern XS- XXXL, and for the girls' sizes they range from 12 months to 14 years, get the bundle and you get all the sizes included.

You may have recognised  Amelia's little face here...she got 2 Otiums (she may have to share with JubeJube though).

Monday, January 26th

Huisje Boompje Boefjes - Pienkel - Straight Grain

Tuesday, January 27th

From a Box - Shaffer Sisters - Friends Stitched Together

Wednesday, January 28th

Mie Katoentje - Lulu & Celeste - Rebel & Malice - Work, Pray, Sew

Thursday, January 29th 

Sew Starly - The Berry Bunch - Sprouting JubeJube - Mllikepoinen

Friday, January 30th

Rebekah Sews - Gloria June -  Sew Out of Control - Jaime Sews

Saturday, January 31st

LisaLisa Designs - Vaahtokarkkimonsteri - DIY Crush - Unikuun Terapiahuone - Golden Rippy

Thanks to some fabulous sponsors we also have an amazing prize package up for grabs. Here's what you have the chance to win just by entering the rafflecopter giveaway:

• Otium Bundle by Soflantjes (both the girls' and  women's sizes)
• 2 patterns of choice by Filles a Maman
• 1 pattern of choice by Ginger House Designs
• 1 pattern of choice by Straight Grain
• 1 pattern of choice by Golden Rippy
• 1 pattern of choice by MCM Studio Designs
• 1 pattern of choice by Mouse House Creations
• 1 pattern of choice by MandyK Designs
• 1 pattern of choice by FABulous Home Sewn
• 1 pattern of choice by E+M Patterns
• 1 pattern of choice by My Little Plumcake

That's a total of 12 patterns for one lucky reader! 

One last thing...To celebrate this tour the Otium Pattern is on sale for the duration of the tour in the Sofilantjes pattern shop...If you purchase the bundle (includes all girls' and women's sizes) there's a 30% off and if you purchase the just the girls' sizes or just the women's sizes there's a 20% off. No coupon code needed.

Until next time, xx. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Otium Sweater Blog Tour - Day 1

Today we're kicking off a blog tour featuring Otium, a sweater pattern for girls and women desiged by Sofilantjes. We have an all-star line up of bloggers so make sure to follow along every day. 

To start off the tour today we're heading over to Straight Grain with An, Huisje Boompje Boefjes with Maartje and Pienkel with Nienke. These ladies are so creative I can't wait to see what they've done with the Otium Pattern.

Monday, January 26th

Huisje Boompje Boefjes - Pienkel - Straight Grain

Tuesday, January 27th

From a Box - Shaffer Sisters - Friends Stitched Together

Wednesday, January 28th

Mie Katoentje - Lulu & Celeste - Rebel & Malice - Work, Pray, Sew

Thursday, January 29th 

Sew Starly - The Berry Bunch - Sprouting JubeJube - Mllikepoinen

Friday, January 30th

Rebekah Sews - Gloria June -  Sew Out of Control - Jaime Sews

Saturday, January 31st

LisaLisa Designs - Vaahtokarkkimonsteri - DIY Crush - Unikuun Terapiahuone - Golden Rippy

Thanks to some fabulous sponsors we also have an amazing prize package up for grabs. Here's what you have the chance to win just by entering the rafflecopter giveaway:

• Otium Bundle by Soflantjes (both the girls' and  women's sizes)
• 2 patterns of choice by Filles a Maman
• 1 pattern of choice by Ginger House Designs
• 1 pattern of choice by Straight Grain
• 1 pattern of choice by Golden Rippy
• 1 pattern of choice by MCM Studio Designs
• 1 pattern of choice by Mouse House Creations
• 1 pattern of choice by MandyK Designs
• 1 pattern of choice by FABulous Home Sewn
• 1 pattern of choice by E+M Patterns
• 1 pattern of choice by My Little Plumcake

That's a total of 12 patterns for one lucky reader! 

One last thing...To celebrate this tour the Otium Pattern is on sale for the duration of the tour in the Sofilantjes pattern shop...If you purchase the bundle (includes all girls' and women's sizes) there's a 30% off and if you purchase the just the girls' sizes or just the women's sizes there's a 20% off. No coupon code needed.

Until next time, xx. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ultimate DIY Bundle - Sleep Over Tote By Gingercake

These past few days have been all about the Ultimate DIY Bundle*. We colored some Doodle Art, Amelia got a new Norah, I looked over some recipes for cookies, cakes and breads in Gift it From Scratch and today I'll show you what JubeJube asked for, the Sleep Over Tote.

This tote was a fun little project, and its the perfect size for a sleep over. The drawsting opening makes it easy for a little to pack her own bag and keep everything she needs inside.

I used a canvas from my stash (that I've had for the past 5 years) for the outer shell and handles, and the inside is a quilters weight cotton. Depending on what you'll be using this bag for you might want to add interfacing to the wrong side of the outer shell fabric to reinforce the handles. I used a wide twill tape for the drawstings.

There are two inside pockets perfect for thoothbrush and hair brush. 

The instructions are really clear and easy to follow, and there are many helpful suggestions on how to make this bag smaller or bigger depending on your needs. 

The more I look at this cute tote the more I want one for me! Its a great size for a day at the beach or going to the store (and not use any of those plastic bags). Its just a great on the go tote!

Only the 25th and the 26th of January left to buy this huge bundle...Already the e-books I've used total 29.99 (the Norah Pattern - 9.00$, the 2 Doodle Art books - 10.00$, Gift it From Scratch - 3.99$, Sleep Over Tote - 7.00$) not to mention I have the Parisian top pattern ready to go so I can make something for me (12.00$), and I have had a good look at the DIY Organic Beauty Recipes (24.95$). That's only 7 of the 76 combined e-books and e-courses that are included in this bundle.

Tomorrow is another day, maybe I'll have time for one last post on this amazing offer...

Until next time, xx.

Disclosure: I have included affiliate links in this post. Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.

Ultimate DIY Bundle - Sewing Norah by Mouse House Creations

Norah by Mouse House Creations (affiliate link) is one of the patterns featured in the Ultimate DIY Bundle*. I had to make one so I took out some activities for the girls and got my Norah pattern together. 

I let Amelia pick her own fabric then went through the list of options to know what she wanted.

• Long sleeves or short sleeves.
• Dress or top.
• Collar, collar with ties or no collar.

I love letting the girls choose what they want me to make. This is not at all what I would have chosen for fabric but Amelia is quite happy about her new top, and this means she will get some wear out of it.

I really do love this pattern, it was the first one released by Mouse House Creations and I'm still so honored to have been a part of the testing team way back then. You may even recongnise Amelia's little face in one of the testers' photos at the end of the e-book. Hayley makes sure that everything is just perfect when her patterns are released so no need to worry about the quality of the pattern.

Tomorrow I will show you something else featured in the bundle that I hope you'll enjoy. If you haven't purchased you bundle yet make sure you do before time runs out! You do get a combined 76 e-books and e-courses in the Ultimate DYI Bundle* for one really low price.

Until next time, xx.

*Disclosure: I have included affiliate links in this post. Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.

Ultimate DIY Bundle - Showing Off Some Doodle Art

Yay! Its finally here! The Ultimate DIY Bundle is now available for purchase! Since I'm helping to promote the bundle I was able to purchase mine a little early...Yes, that's right I didn't get it for free...but this post does contain affiliate links*. 

There is something for everyone is this bundle and the first thing I did was print out some coloring sheets from Doodle Art Alley (available in the bundle). I knew I could get at least 15-30 minutes to get a few things done around the house, and if I was really lucky I would have time to look at the other goodies that are featured in this packed bundel. There's a combined total of 76 e-books and e-courses included in the Ultimate DIY Bundle.

So I sat Amelia down and she chose to color the doodle koala...

The images are so fun and creative, and so much color can be used to make it pretty, as Amelia would say. I can print them over and over again for her because there now mine!

Ok a little bit of sulking because she wants the wood pencils now...

We have a happy artist again! 

Even I couldn't resist the mandalas...

But with more urgent matters, like dicovering Make Believe and Gift it from Scratch, other e-books featured in the bundle, I didn't finish.

With JubeJube in school and Amelia playing artist I had a little extra time to get stuff done so tomorrow I'll be showing you another project in that I made using another e-book from the bundle.

Until next time, xx.

*Disclosure: I have included affiliate links in this post. Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.

Clara Dress by Blaverry

Remember Ansley, a pattern design by Blaverry? Well after the blog tour in November 2014, Christie made a few changes for the better and  released the pattern, she also worked on a brand new design, Clara. I love her designs, there always something fun and original with every pattern. There's also a brand new website for Blaverry where you can purchase all her patterns.

Yes, I'm showing off a summer dress in the cold of winter, but this is how I shake my winter blues. Thinking warm thoughts and sewing pretty dresses getting ready for that lovely warm sun.

I just love the shape of the pockets. and they're just big enough to store those tiny treasures.

The collar in a contrast fabric and the buttons down the front gives the dress a little of a retro look that I adore.

This dress was made in an evening, so I would say its an easy sew and I used about 1.25 meters of main fabric and less than .5 meters of the contrast fabric in a size 4. The siaze range for this pattern is from 9 months to 16 years...this is one we'll be using for a long time!

The instructions are really easy to follow and each step has a clear tech drawing. This PDF also features layers so that you can print out only the pattern sizes you want.

I'll keep on thinking those warm thoughts and sewing up more pretty dresses and looking forward to the warmer weather. I've got a few more to show you!

Until next time, xx.

P.S. If your looking for a way to get your creativity mojo back there's a free e-course, all you have to do is sign up for it.

Ultimate Wallet by So Sew Easy

I've been looking high a low for the perfect wallet. I know my wallet never seems to have enough space for all those cards I need to carry. I think I may have just found what I needed in the Ultimate Wallet a pattern by So Sew Easy.

.

With this wallet I have space to put identification cards for JubeJube and Amelia, my identification, credit cards/ bank cards and gift cards (I love those!) and I still have a couple of spaces left open.

There's an ever practicle change pouch and other little pockets on either side.

The next time I make this pattern I will make this pocket a little deeper so that papers and cash are not so close to the top, but everything does stay nicely in place when the outside flap is snapped tight.


I spent more time ironing than sewing, but so worth putting in that extra time to make sure everything is well pressed. I did some topstitching for all the little card pockets, that step was not included in the tutorial. I used two snaps instead of one, I just felt that it would help keep that flap closed.

Just to let you know, I did get this pattern for free in exchange for the review, but all opinions are my own! I'm going to need one for every season to match my purse now...so you better believe I'm going to get use out of this pattern.

If you like this pattern go visit DIY Crush, the perfect place to shop patterns for sewing, cross stitching, kniting and crocheting.

Until next time, xx. 

There Always Time to be Creative

Have you ever been in a creative slump? If so I have just the thing for you! Its a FREE 4-step e-course on how to rediscover you inner creativity. All you have to do is sign up.

You'll want to sign up today because its only offered for a limited time. (Contains Affiliate link)

Enjoy!

Until next time, xx.

Meet Holly

This is one of those very exciting days! The follow up to the Secret Garden dress in now officially in testing! First let me introduce you to Audrey & Tiffany PDF Patterns.  Allison and I would really love for you to visit our facebook page. You'll also be able to purchase our patterns in our brand new Etsy shop. You'll still see new stuff from E+M Patterns, and I will still continue my own thing under the name of Sprouting JubeJube, but we thought that since these patterns are a collaboration they should have their own name...with some late night (well late for me since I'm in the East and Allison is in the West) brainstorming Audrey & Tiffany was born.

Here's a peek at Holly, you'll see more next week as testing moves along.

Until next time, xx.

Boxy Bag by So Sew Easy

I think I may have just found my new go-to gift for this year. The Boxy Bag Pattern by So Sew Easy is a fun sew and as soon as I was finished my first one Amelia asked me if it was for her to put her toys in. Ha, no! This one's for me!

These little bags don't take up a lot of fabric, I was able to use left overs from another project.

I decided to really use what I have on hand and not purchase anything for this little project. I didn't have any fusible fleece on had so the next best thing was to use quilters batting and do some top stitching to to keep the batting in place. Quilting the fabric did take some time but I love how it turned out. I also added some zipper tabs to the bag.

The approximate finished measurements are 7.5 inches long, 4.5 inches wide and 5 inches tall (not including the length of the straps). The size makes this bag perfect for lunch boxes simply line the bag with PUL fabric or insulated lining to keep things cool, cosmetics, a small hobby bag or anything else you can think of. 

I love that the zipper goes part way down the sides, it really allows for a big opening and it really makes getting things in and out of the bag easy.

Just so you know, I did get this pattern for free in exchange for the review, but all opinions are my own.

Will I make more of these, you better believe it!

Until next time, xx.

2014 in Review

There's no easy way to just blurb about the past year. As I looked back to prepare this blog post I realized how much the girls have changed. I also noticed a trend in the styles I most love to sew and how the most popular posts were also my favorite. I thought that I should just round up the most viewed post every month for the year.

January 2014: Adjustable Waistband on Skirt No.1 by E+M Patterns

Almost a year ago today Allison posted her first tester call for the Twirly skirt (it was later renamed Skirt Pattern No.1) and I fell in love with her design! Many more patterns have been created by E+M Patterns since then, all as adorable and fun to sew.

February 2014: Pansy Dress by Ruby Jean's Closet

This one is a classic right from the get go! Ruby Jean's Closet patterns all have special details, you'll want to sew them up over and over again!

March 2014: Spring Line 2014 by My Little Plumcake

In March My Little Plumcake released 4 patterns. Michelle designed these patterns for all types of fabrics including silks and satins. The end result was just beautiful! I think my favorite has to be the Maddalie Dress that I made with an embroidered light weight cotton.

April 2014: Skirt Pattern No.5 by E+M Patterns

In April another post featuring a pattern by E+M Patterns had the top views, skirt Pattern No.5. This blog post also managed to get 103 pins on Pinterest! Ok so we love our skirts!

May 2014: Vintage Baby Romper by Whimsy Couture

This romper by Whimsy Couture is just the cutest thing, and I was so sad when Amelia grew out of it. Let's just hope that this summer she'll want another one, fingers crossed.

June 2014: Sweet Jane by My Little Plumcake


Oh Sweet Jane! The perfect summer time dress!

July 2014: Name That Dress

The name that won Allison and I over was The Secret Garden Dress.

August 2014: Sew Sweet Bear by Ruby Jean's Closet

You may recall Pansy from Februrary, in August I made the Sew Sweet Bear to match the dress. Amelia still loves her little bear made from the pattern created by Ruby Jean's Closet.

September 2014: Adding Pockets to Pattern No.13 by E+M Patterns


This was the most viewed post for September, and it was also the most worn dress in JubeJube's wardrobe. Adding pockets to kids clothing is always a good thing!

October 2014: Another pattern hack No.15 by E+M Patterns

Last year we saw a lot of hi-lo hems, well with the help of Pattern No.15 by E+M I created a tunic with a slight hi-lo for Amelia...and this fabric was just perfect for it!

November 2014: Iggy Learning Doll by Ruby Jean's Closet

Love this doll, and so does Amelia. Learning to zip zippers, button buttons, and tie laces has never been this fun since Iggy came to be.

December 2014: Weekend Dress by Amelie & Henri

My most viewed post in December was the newest pattern by Amelie & Henri, the Weekend Dress. This was also the dress JubeJube chose to wear Christmas Day.

So there you have the top posts of 2014,  so much more to come this year.
Until next time, xx.