Sweetness for Baby Girl

I've shared on other media how this has been a difficult week for my family. I've appreciated the prayers, thoughts, and kind of comments from everyone. (I shared on my family blog here as well as on the Rose & Ruffle facebook page...yes, there is a facebook page!

I'm extremely appreciative of the orders coming in recently. It feels so good to contribute to our adoption fund in this way, so as always, thank you! Now that summer is quickly approaching, I will be making and listing items ahead of time in various sizes, and not taking as many custom orders. Here is one of the first things for Summer 2015:

Flutter Sleeve Rosebuds Seersucker Infant Dress with Bloomers

Size 1-3 Months

**please note that Picasa and/or Blogger are making these images appear darker and washed out- grrr; this is a true crisp but soft white with medium pink rosebuds**

I love how this set turned out! So sweet and feminine!

The dress is on the longer side, measuring approximately 15 inches from shoulder to hem, and the style is roomy and comfortable, so Baby will be able to wear it for a longer time.

The bloomers are my favorite!

 

While I do normally work only with cotton, occasionally a fabric strikes my fancy and it just so happens to be a cotton blend, like this one. It's cool and smooth for delicate baby skin, and the seersucker resists wrinkles and holds its shape nicely.

This would be adorable for a portrait session, too! Sweet details but not too much so as to distract from Baby.

Lastly, I'm wondering if people are interested in more things for little boys. Here are some cute boxer shorts I sold last year. I'm thinking of making some more in other fun prints, as well as some shortalls...any interest? Thanks!

Specialty Summer Nightgowns Coming Soon!

Wow, has this week flown by! It's school vacation week here, for whomever kid that even applies to anymore, ha, and between keeping their days fun and interesting, trying to keep up with the house/meals/laundry,etc..., and sewing orders, I am just about done. Done. I was thrilled to see some lovely green things poking up through the ground in the past few days, though. Finally!

If I haven't said Thank You!!! for a while, please know that I am truly grateful for everyone who has supported me and our lengthy adoption adventure. I've enjoyed working on custom orders for you, but I'm already sensing that as we get closer to summer, and then to homeschooling full time in the fall, I won't be able to keep on top of everything. So the custom orders will be phasing out very soon and instead I'm going to make some pretty nightgowns (and even dresses and rompers!) in various sizes to list them in the shop.

Here are some samples/examples of what's coming- they are all original designs of mine and I think they're just so sweet for little girls:

You can find my shop here:

Rose and Ruffle

Have a good day!

Friday Favorites...and a BIG Announcement

One of the most fun things for me as a designer- and an unapologetic lover of fabrics- is to see all the finished products for my wonderful customers. It amazes me how something as simple as a bow really changes the whole look of a nightie or dress. These are my favorites so far!

This yellow and white floral print is even lovelier in person! It's so cheerful and happy!

Sweet birdies on a medium pink background...love!

 

This is my fourth "nightie" that is being used in wedding portraits! I've made this without a bow, and I adore it; I tried a white bow for this dress, which looked lovely but a little too nightgown-ish for pictures. Pink to the rescue- it's my favorite now! 

Here's an example of mixing and matching fabrics for other items as well. This color combo looks even prettier in person. (I was rushing out the door like a madwoman when I was trying to get some photos of this, so I know it's rather awful...see below for better pictures of how my baby bonnets really look.)

 

These have been selling fast! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

It's so important to have something practical yet beautiful to protect your little one's delicate skin during those summer months.

The colors on my screen look wonky...I'm hoping they don't look like this when I publish the post. Oh Google and Picasa, when will the insanity end? ? ? For the record, the colors are soft and pale, very old-fashioned and charming.

Soooooo, for the announcement...

As of last week, we are officially en route to finding Baby #5.

EEKS!

I'm so excited I can't stand it! Stay tuned for details...   =)

A Cute Dress Tutorial & A Question For You About...Ironing Board Covers

Good Monday morning! We enjoyed a beautiful sunny weekend with lots of time at the park, birthday parties, hanging out with friends and then around the fire pit making S'mores for the first time this year. It was fantastic! (Though I shall go down in history as The.Worst.S'mores.Maker.EVER. ha ha) You wouldn't think you could go wrong with something so simple as S'mores, but I'm here to tell you that yes, you can. What a gooey albeit yummy mess!

Soooooo... I've been sewing nearly my entire life and have picked up most of the things I know from either A. my Mom and my Gram; B. figuring things out on my own; or C. from asking around. And now I'm going to ask!

I have tried several different types of ironing board covers over the years and end up loathing every single one of them. They stain, they scorch (even when I'm not using super high heat), and they generally just behave miserably after such a short amount of time. I have used Scotchguard treated ones and non-treated ones, cotton jersey and woven cotton. They all end up a spotty, stained mess, which makes me considerably anxious and paranoid when working with white cotton. The staining can transfer, obviously, or just dull the crispness of the white. Not good!

The sewers in my life haven't offered me any wisdom here, so please tell me, what has worked for you? Have you found a cover that stands the test of time? Was it expensive, because I'm not gonna lie, that would be painful. Any thoughts or recommendations would be greatly appreciated....thanks!

I am still trying to get Isabelle's Easter dress photographed. In the meantime, here's a link to a fun tutorial for you from a couple of years ago, perfect for this lovely spring weather! Enjoy!

Find tutorial HERE