small + friendly

Sparkle Magic Time

2013-06-19T09:00:00-07:00

I am the first of my friends to become a mother. I always knew I wanted to be a mom, I never even considered any alternatives. But what about all of the lovely gals that aren't so sure? I fear our modern age paints only two very deceiving pictures: that parenting is brutally hard, never ending, often thankless work, or that it is the most satisfying, rewarding, joyful endeavour ever. What if you're not sure and reading one more thing about how hard it is makes you miss out on such a special experience? And how are new parents supposed to feel if they bought into the second version and are still waiting for their bliss?

Of course, the simple and honest answer is that parenthood is often a mix of both stories. In my limited experience as a mother, I feel as though the tough times and the joyful times seem to move in cycles. Just when I think it's all just too hard, something gives (sometimes it's my patience); but often overnight, and seemingly out of nowhere, the tide changes. And just like that, we enter into what I like to refer to as sparkle magic time.

This is the bit I wish to share with anyone considering parenthood. It will be tough, boring, irritating, and disappointing; but then, as if enduring said struggles are the only way to truly understand joy, it will be magic. You know the feeling of first falling in love? The cycles of parenting allow you to experience that over and over again.

I am not suggesting that you don't love your toddler when they are saying no on repeat and crying constantly. I am suggesting that when they try yes on for size, and they make that leap to where crying and screaming aren't default responses, you fall wildly, madly, head over heels IN love with them. Sometimes the sparkle magic is fleeting, other times you can't help but acknowledge how long it has lasted. (Although, we all know this can lead to the dreaded jinx; i.e. Jude has been so sparkly lately I'm pretty sure he will drop his nap and start spitting venom at any moment.)

Oh, those sparkle magic times; those times when they are fun and funny and easy going and happy. No matter how brief those moments are, they make the whole thing worth while.

I'd love to know your thoughts. If you don't have kids yet, does this make any sense? If you are a parent do you agree?

Shorts on the Line: No Big Dill, Max California, Designs by Sessa PLUS Giveaway

2013-06-14T06:00:00-07:00

Today we have not two, but three fabulous guest posters for shorts on the line: Katy of No Big Dill, Ari of Max California, and Vanessa of Designs by Sessa. PLUS, we have an awesome giveaway!

Can you see the stars in my eyes? I get to introduce Katy of No Big Dill, which is one BIG deal! This lady is a seamstress extraordinaire. And the amount she gets done with six little ones? I am not worthy! On top of sewing the most amazing garments, she is one heck of a cook, and she and her husband are renovating a fabulous home! Visit No Big Dill today to see not one, but two, adorable shorts.

Next up is Max California. It doesn't get any cooler than Max. Seriously, this is one rad chick. She makes amazing things for herself, her son, and her daughter. And she is super sweet to boot! Check out Max California today to see her steampunk shorts.

Vanessa of Designs by Sessa knows her way around a machine. If you've got shorts to sew, this post is not to be missed. And then she always makes super cute things for herself as well. Today she's going to teach us how to refashion sad shorts into adorable knot shorts.

But wait, it gets better! You, my dear reader have a chance to win one of 12 fabulous prizes!

Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chane to win one of these fabulous patterns:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Shorts on the Line: Fake It While You Make It and elsie marley

2013-06-13T06:00:00-07:00

Woohoo! Day four of the sewalong and I get to introduce two of my favorite people: Carolyn of Fake It While You Make It and Meg of elsie marley.

Carolyn has one of those blogs where you never want to miss a post (I read every single one). She has mad sewing skills and a wicked sense of humor. She makes incredible things for herself, her daughters (1 & 2), and her husband! Just wait until you see her version of Grainline's Maritime Shorts, so cute!

Meg of elsie marley fame needs no introduction. She is an A-list sewing celebrity. Without her and KCW Jude would not have half as cool a wardrobe, she has inspired countless mama-made outfits. This outfit is one of my very favorites. As if that wasn't cool enough, I love how she has decorated her home. Plus, she has inspired wonderful conversations about homemaking. Head over to elsie marley today to see her fabulous shorts.

I hope everyone is having fun stitching along! I am personally WAY behind!

This post is part of shorts on the line sewalong hosted by imagine gnats and small + friendly, sponsored by Jo-Ann, Pretty Prudent/Pellon®, and Hawthorne Threads.

Shorts on the Line: Cirque du Bebe and Sanae Ishida

2013-06-12T06:00:00-07:00

It's day three of shorts on line! I am thrilled to introduce Sophie of Cirque du Bebe and Sanae of Sanae Ishida.

Nobody rocks a self-sewn wardrobe like Sophie; with mad sewing skills, awesome styling, and adorable photos, it's no surprise she just won Project Sewn. Oh, and I'm sure you've already seen these shorts, love! She also whips up amazing outfits for her two very lucky sons. Today she is sharing an amazing pair of Megan Nielsen Culottes.

Sanae is am extremely talented sewist, illustrator, and haiku writer. Her daughter has the most amazing mama-made wardrobe I've ever seen. Head over to Sanae Ishida today and check out not one but two stunning pairs of shorts.

The flickr group is already filling up with fabulous shorts! It's so exciting!

This post is part of shorts on the line sewalong hosted by imagine gnats and small + friendly, sponsored by Jo-Ann, Pretty Prudent/Pellon®, and Hawthorne Threads.

Shorts on the Line: Delia Creates and Buzzmills

2013-06-11T06:00:00-07:00

Welcome to day two of shorts on line! Today we have the lovely and talented Delia of Delia Creates and Jane of Buzzmills.

Delia brings great style to all she makes and her site is a chalk full of sewing inspiration and tutorials. I have personally used the Lil Mister Bow Tie tutorial several times. If that wasn't cool enough, she is also a well rounded homemaker, sharing recipes, kid's crafts, and more. Just wait until you see what she whipped for shorts on the line: her remix of blank slate shorts.

Jane of Buzzmills is one of those bloggers whose sweet and sunny personality shines right through the compter screen. When she isn't planning the best parties ever, she is sewing adorable clothes, or taking time to be grateful. Today she is sharing adorable board shorts, including a great tip for inserting underwear style lining.

I'd like to extend a huge thank you to Jane and Delia for doing such amazing jobs on their shorts.

How about you? How are your shorts coming along?

This post is part of shorts on the line sewalong hosted by imagine gnats and small + friendly, sponsored by Jo-Ann, Pretty Prudent/Pellon®, and Hawthorne Threads.

Shorts on the Line: Petit a Petit & Family and Shwin & Shwin

2013-06-10T06:00:00-07:00

It is my pleasure to announce the first two guest posters in our series, Celina of Petit a Petit and Family and Shauna of Shwin & Shwin!

Celina is not only a children's fashion designer and amazing sewist she is also one of my favorite people. With fabulous work like this circus outfit and this modern tuxedo, you know she is going to take shorts to the next level. As usual Celina went above and beyond and made not one but two shorts, be sure to visit Petit a Petit and Family to see all the details.

Shauna has dazzled the sewing community for years with her imaginative designs and impeccable construction. Today she is going to share an adorable new version of her pattern the Honey Pie Bloomers. I've never seen something on Shwin & Shwin that I didn't love, this is no exception.

A huge thank you to Celina and Shauna for kicking off our fabulous sewalong!

This post is part of shorts on the line sewalong hosted by imagine gnats and small + friendly, sponsored by Jo-Ann, Pretty Prudent/Pellon®, and Hawthorne Threads.