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.

The race is called Counting Coup. It’s 44+ miles and 8,000+ ft of elevation gain. Todd signed up for it before he decided to train for a half marathon challenge with his family. With next to no saddle time in the months leading up to the race, he waffled as whether to participate (at this point, “racing” was definitely out of the question).  I reminded him the race was payed for and it would at least be a good excuse to bike instead of run for a day.  So, he packed his bag, tuned up his bike at headed out to race like a lamb to the slaughter.

It was a torturous race that he ended by “breaking up” with his bike right after crossing the finish line.  Now, at more than a month later, I still don’t think they’ve reconciled.  At least we got to see him and snap a few photos when he was still in a “happy place” (only 3 hours into a 7+ hour race).

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

Putting aside the terrible pre-race music (Lisa Loeb and Faith Hill songs do not pump you up), Renegade Racing puts on an awesome off-road triathlon.  It’s a race I look forward to every year (2010 recap, 2011 recap).

I like to swim, but I do not like to swim with people kicking and clawing me which is why I’m always relieved when the swim is over.

1/2 Mile swim — 16:14

Leading up to the race, my poor mountain bike was sorely neglected.  Even so, i was able to cut 12 minutes off my time while dazzling people with my gunmetal Team Sparkle skirt and my awesome mountain bike skills (but mostly the skirt).

15 mile bike — 1:39:28

With a decent amount of trail running under my belt, I was far more prepared for the run than I’d ever been.  Even so, there were a few hills that tried to kill my spirit and made me question why I was even trying.  I hate that point in every race when the negative voices start to take over my thoughts.  Just in the nick of time, the uphills turned to downhills, my trusty New Balance Minimus trail shoes fiercely gripped the terrain and I was mentally back in the game for the final mile of the race.

3 mile trail run — 34:14 (cutting 8 minutes off last year’s time)

It was Elise’s first triathlon back after having the cutest baby 3 months earlier.  As much as I tried to keep up with her, I just couldn’t. She finished 2 minutes ahead of me, taking 2nd place in our division.  The girl is awesome.

Results

Final time: 2:33:54 – A 20 minute improvement on last year’s time!

3rd in my division.

___________________________

I can’t finish this race recap without mentioning the lizard.

Todd helped Brother catch a lizard who was moving terribly slow because of the cool morning air.  He was so excited about that lizard, he had to show it to everyone they passed by.

Todd told Brother he could keep it until I finished the race .  The kids couldn’t wait to show it to me.  As I passed them, only 100 feet from the finish, I didn’t hear “Go, Mommy, Go!”  I heard, “Look mom! We caught a lizard!!”

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