Because I love making birthday gifts and I hate wrapping them, this custom tote bag was a satisfying as well as practical gift.  After discussing ideas with my girls, I realized tie dye, peace signs and the color blue are all the rage in the 6-10 age category of girls.

Filled with a vintage inspired hopscotch games and a copy of “Boo – The Life of the World’s Cutest Dog”, I knew this birthday present would be a hit when my girls begged for a bag of their own.

Find Next Style blank canvas tote bags HERE or at your local Walmart

Find tie dye techniques and supplies HERE.

Find applique tutorial HERE.

I have a new little niece who’s been really fun to sew for.  We are already indoctrinating her to her parent’s country lovin’ ways with a Rockin’ Baby Gown” made from an old George Strait concert T.  Unlike baby shoes, it’s super cute and practical at the same time.

(to “girlify” the pattern a bit, I added an upper puff piece to the sleeve)

Find the tutorial for the Rockin’ Baby Gown HERE.

An upcoming baby shower for a super-hip mom friend inspired me to create a cute little tunic out of a sheet I picked up at Savers thrift store a few months ago.  I knew she’d appreciate the southwestern style.

To complete the look, I picked up some “matching” leggings at Gap.  Who knows if the tunic will ever fit right since I made it up as I went along, but it sure was cute in the box!

Hand dying Gerber pre-fold diapers is doable, but it’s not fun trying to get all the dye out of something whose job is to absorb as much liquid as possible.  That’s why when I saw the packages of colored Gerber pre-fold diapers, I snatched them up quick. Perfect for embellished, baby burp cloths.  Now I just need them to make more colors like brown, ivory, teal, olive and yellow.

The vintage jacquard trims are part of a mother load of awesomeness I scored a few months ago.  Perfect for a quick and easy baby gift with a homemade touch.

If you’d like to get your hands on the trim, I’ve listed some yardage in the “Raid My Stash” etsy shop: Southwestern & Mushroom

I know I’m always looking for a little bag to carry around my yarn projects so I thought my girlfriend, Kristy, as a New Yorker and avid subway knitter/crocheter might like one too.

I used a great piece of vintage fabric for the exterior and an even better piece of Michael Miller “Skulls and Knitting Needles” fabric for the lining.

Find the Truly Myrtle Box Bag tutorial HERE

I have an affinity for embroidered sweaters from the 70′s with motifs that usually include dogs, cats, mice and mushrooms. If you are lucky enough to find one for less than $20, grab it. I found this one at a local vintage shop for $19 so I swooped it right up.

To update the sweater, I replaced the sleeves with blouse sleeves I removed from a $2 thrift store purchase and the Frankensweater was born.

Princess was the only one who actually got a “new” piece of clothing for Easter. And by “new”, I mean a skirt made out of a thrifted and renewed sheet.  I used the Whirly Twirly Skirt pattern but changed the front to a flat waistband and and used an enclosed elastic waistband in the back.

The jacquard trim was one of my luckiest thrift store finds and it’s been sitting in my stash just begging to be used.  A waistband on a cheery Easter skirt seemed like the perfect place.

Homemade Easter Dresses from the past:

Vintage Sheet Dress# 1 2009 Vintage Sheet Dress #2 2009

Dresden Plate Quilt Top Easter Dresses 2010

Vintage Quilt top Easter Dresses 2012

I had planned on making new Easter dresses for the girls this year.  I really wanted to. But, there never seems to be enough time in the day to make everything I dream about making.  Luckily, Pumpkin was happy to wear the Easter dress I made for Princess a few years ago. “I’ve been waiting for that dress to finally fit me!” she exclaimed.

Homemade Easter Dresses from the past:

Vintage Sheet Dress# 1 2009 Vintage Sheet Dress #2 2009

Dresden Plate Quilt Top Easter Dresses 2010

Vintage Quilt top Easter Dresses 2012

This year, The Baby’s Easter outfit was completely recycled. It consisted of hand-me-down pants, shirt and vest from Big Brother which I topped off with a plaid bow tie I made last year during my quest to find the perfect little boy’s bow tie pattern (which I never did find BTW).  I had never finished the tie by sewing on the slider and hook, so it was practically new, except for the fact that it was made from a .10 thrift store shirt.

If you are looking for a “real” bow tie pattern for your little boy, check out my Bow Tie For Your Little Guy Pattern and tips for making a great bow tie HERE. I’m warning you though, it is not one of those 5-10 minutes projects, but it will be a finished project you’ll want to pass on to your kid’s kids.

When my neighbor passed on this never-been-worn, plaid sports coat, I knew it was meant for Big Brother’s Easter outfit.  Using The Purl Bee’s Little Boy’s Tie tutorial (with “shorter” and “skinnier” modifications) and some thrifted, then hand-dyed fabric from the stash, I made a “matching” yellow Easter tie.  The majority of the tie is hand-sewn which I normally despise, but I found it quite calming and therapeutic this time around.

And what does a little boy do when his mom puts him in an outfit reminiscent of the Miami Vice era?

You pull out your best, 80′s dance moves, of course.

Tie making tip: Instead of making yourself crazy trying to find “real” tie interfacing or skimping with some thin, iron-on, chain fabric store stuff, head to the thrift store and pick up an old tie (at my local thrift stores, they are usually $1).  Then open it up with your seam ripper and harvest the good stuff–the real tie interfacing.  Trim to match your little boy’s tie shape.