Picnic

A simple scarf

I often start the year strong, fulfilling my expectations for myself like many of us tend to do with the fresh start of a new year.  For the past couple of years, I have resolved to give only handmade gifts for the various birthday parties we attend throughout the year.  Inevitably, those with birthdays in the early months get something handmade and by the time the fall rolls around, I'm browsing the aisles of Target.  So.... staying true to tradition, Bijou's friend Edith received a handmade cowl scarf made from striped jersey knit.  It's soft, comfy and stylish and when I had B try it on for size, she insisted I make a second one for her.  She wore it to school every day last week and even declared, "I'm going to wear this everyday!"  Happy Birthday Edie!  And Happy VERY Early Birthday Bijou!

Stenciled Onesies

I recently picked up this stencil book at a shop so I could decorate the drawer full of plain onesies before the boys arrive.

 

Stencil 101 by Ed Roth

This is a simple craft project anyone can tackle and could make for a cute handmade shower gift.  One thing to note (which is also mentioned in the book), is that it is best to use a dry brush with just a little bit of paint, painting in layers until you reach a dark image.  If you use too much paint, you will not have a crisp image.  Here are the new outfits for the babies...

 

   

 

Little Boy Vintage

Who says shopping for boys is no fun?

 

Baby Hank Vintage, $12

 

Baby Hank Vintage, $24.50

 

The Fancy Tail, $12

 

Orange Appled Vintage, $5

 

3 Ring Circus, $5.50

 

Orange Appled Vintage, $7.50

       Oh!Sydney Vintage, $4

Spring Skirts

 

The Easter skirt.

  

Another spring skirt.

Spring blossoms in our front yard.

These elastic band skirts are so easy to make that I have started to make Bijou a few every season.  I don't have a pattern, I just wing it but if you'd like me to email you directions, please leave me a comment.  Thanks!

  

Gift Guide- Kids Edition

Almost as much as I enjoy making, I enjoying buying.  Here are some unique holiday gift ideas for your little ones this holiday season, that won't break the bank...

 

My bio little Market by Carton Chic

L'archi-maison by Carton Chic 

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown 

Coloring book by Madame Mo 

Yoko Sweet Mint doll by Madame Mo 

Wooden sail boat by Tweet 

Sandpaper letters by Polliwog Learning Products 

Bunting by Wunderlust 

KoolKid rattle by Mimishop 

City in a bag by Muji 

Iggy Peck Architect by Andrea Beaty 

 

Apron Shirt

My Carefree Clothes For Girls book finally arrived in the mail and I decided my first project would be the apron top from the cover.  A simple sewing project perfect for the beginner.  It did involve a button hole so I had to brush the dust of my machine's manual and re-acquaint myself with how exactly to do that.  I knew it was risky to make something for Bijou that had a button since she has been on a button strike for about 3 years now so I decided to make up a little white lie.

B: "Mommy, I don't like it."

Me: "Why?"

B: "Because it has a button."

Me: "Oh, did you think this yellow thing was a button?"

B: "Yeah."

Me: "Oh no, this isn't a button it's called a lemon drop.  Have you ever seen one? It looks like a button but it's actually a lemon drop.  Come over here so I can try it on you."

B: "OK."

It's that easy!  I hope I'm not racking up bad Karma for this but really, what is the harm in a little button?!

   
 

New Skirts!

My little one refused to wear dresses for the first three years of her life.  She is now in a full fledged skirt/dress phase and I am in full support.  To show my appreciation for her more girlie style, I made her a couple of new skirts to add to her wardrobe.

I'm really into Zakka-style fabrics right now from Japan and since my local fabric shop only carries a small selection, I hit up Etsy.  Etsy never lets me down.  All four fabrics used to make these skirts were bought at Cottonblue's shop.

 

Knowing that she would not be too happy about my brown-tone fabric choice on top, I told her that these houses were where the bunnies lived.  She seemed to approve of the skirt after hearing the story behind it.  I swear, she is my toughest critic.

This one she told me she didn't like so I told her that I would give her a treat if she wore it, knowing that after she wore it once, she'd wear it again without bribery.  For some reason, that's the way it always is.

 

Babushka-Style Scarf

I admit, I had to bribe Bijou with a star sticker on her chart to pose for these photos.  She also demanded that I allow her to get behind the tripod and snap 2 photos of me as a barter for these modeling shots. Man, she is tough.

She certainly doesn't look tough in these sweet little babushka head scarves, does she?  The pattern and instructions can be found here.

 

p.s.  I'm totally ordering the book this project came from, Carefree Clothes For Girls, after Katie blogged about making clothes for her girls from this book.  In my opinion, her girls are the best dressed kids out there on the Internet.  Here is a small sampling of their wardrobe...

 

  

  

All photos via Katie Did.  Isn't she talented?!

A Giveaway- Colette Kids

It's the start of labor day weekend which means most of us are packing the kids up in the car or heating up the grill to celebrate the last of our summer weekends.  Back-to-school time can be a mix of emotions.  If you're lucky, your kids are excited to go back and you too are excited to have them back at school.  For others, it takes a little bit more convincing that "school is fun!"  My daughter falls into the later category.  Sometimes a little back-to-school shopping will do the trick.  

As a token of my appreciation to all of my dear Picnic readers, I'd like to offer you the opportunity to win this adorable tee from Colette Kids, based in San Francisco.  The company offers unisex styled tees & onesies perfect for sibling hand-me-downs.  They are manufactured in the USA and individually screen printed by hand.  Even Matthew McConaughey's son Levi is sporting the Colette Kids Turtle Tee!

It's a size 4, long sleeve red shirt with graphic.  To enter the giveaway, simply visit Colette Kids, find out the style name of this tee, and then leave a comment to this post with the answer.  The polls close at midnight on Tuesday, September 8.  The winner will be chosen at random.  Good luck!

The lovely partners over at Colette Kids have also generously offered a 10% discount on all purchases made before September 15th.  Enter "picnic10" at check out.

I heart gingham

I had never smocked fabric before making this dress and once I saw how easy it was, I had an idea for a ruffle waisted skirt.  This red & white gingham fabric seemed like it would make for a perfect Independence Day outfit.  Bijou was courteous enough to model the outfit to me, my mom, my dad, my brother and uncle so I could photograph it for Picnic.  I'm so pleased my shy girl is coming out of her shell.

Baby Mia will be joining us at the cabin in the days leading up to the fourth.  Since dresses and skirts don't work well for crawlers, I made Mia my first pair of bloomers.  The pattern is from Weekend Sewing.