Ever Changing List of My FAVORITE Etsy Items!

Friday, July 8, 2011

The Everyday Skirt

Perfect for everyday wear!  






























 
Collect your supplies!
     1. 1/2 yard of fabric
     2. 1 yard trim
     3. elastic (I used 3/8)
     4. coordinating thread
     5. scissors
     6. sewing machine

This skirt is very simple and practical for the girl who loves skirts and dresses but also loves to run, play and get dirty! Warning: I started off taking step by step photos, and then got wrapped up in sewing and stopped. If you already know the basics of sewing, this is going to be no problem to follow, if not...my apologies.



 1. Cut your fabric to size. I had a 1/2 yard of fabric and decided to just even it up and use the majority of it. My daughter wears a 3T-4T and the amount made a full skirt without being overwhelming. Next, you are going to start making a pocket to put your elastic. Start by folding over about 1/4 inch and sewing. Then fold over again, this time about an inch and sew this down. Make sure to leave a little opening to pull your elastic through.
2. Attach a safety pin to your elastic and run it through the pocket you made. Measure your girl's waist. Clip off elastic at desired amount and sew together. Then sew up the opening you had left.





 3. Next, cut your skirt to the desired length. Make sure to account for the length of the trim. (I ended up cutting off about 8 inches from the skirt.) Attach your trim. Make sure your trim is evenly pinned onto your skirt, you don't want your skirt gathering at the bottom.
 4. Sew on the trim. I also went back and top stitched the bottom of the trim, just because I wanted to. I also ran out of pink thread and couldn't find my white (who can't find their white thread?!) and I didn't want to drag the kids to Hobby Lobby, so I used yellow instead. I like it.
5. Trim off all extra thread and TA-DAH! You have an easy, cute little skirt.

If your trying this and you're confused, my apologies. You can always leave a comment and I will answer as best I can! Happy sewing!

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Thursday, July 7, 2011

Things I'm Making Today

I woke up this morning with the "sewing bug!" Which was great becuase my great friend's the Kuntzs' just had their second little boy and I was wanting to make little Graham a present. I am also overly excited about some new additions to my family (arriving in February!) and decided to make them a little "I can't wait to meet you" gift! I'll post some photos when everything is finished, and I am working on a tutorial for a little "Everyday Skirt" I made for the Crazy girl, but for now, here's some of my inspiration...
Buy the pattern here to try for yourself (or find one online for free!)
  
Find the Tutorial here
You can buy this hat here             


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Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Who Has Two Thumbs and Got Intern of The Year?

This Guy!
Ok, so it's just one thumb, and the Doc is seriously going to KILL me for posting this (and he's a Doctor, so he knows how to do that sort of thing), but how awesome is this picture? We are seriously proud of the Doc! He worked his buns off this year (seriously, he like lost 10 pounds) and received the very cool award of "Intern of the Year." YAY Hubs!

Just Some Pics For The Peeps


Love that Sweet Boy's hands are in his pockets

1st family photo in about a year!

2nd family photo....now we have Christmas Card options

My Crazy Girl

Two Sweet Boys

My Hot Doc

Harper smiling, Luke pouting. Awesome.

They really so love each other, although I think Crazy is smothering Sweet in this picture!

NEVER take pictures, but it was pretty and my kids looked cute, and I felt like should, blah, blah, blah.

Grampy and kids checking out some goats

It was a long day
First of all, I have no idea why that first picture is off to the side, but I was tired of trying to fix it, so there it stays!

We we were able to go to our good friend Adam's wedding this last month. It was in BEAUTIFUL Colorado at the most amazing site! We took (well, my camera ready Mother-in-law took) lots of pictures that I thought I should share, since I am pretty bad at posting family photos and I know like 85% of you are family that really just want to see pictures of my kids...so this is for you family! Enjoy!

Shut Your Mouth Oatmeal Recipe!

In my life, I work on things slowly (you can see this first hand in the amount of laundry that I have each week!)I like to know all my options, have all the information and then ease into commitment. I'm a little commitment shy. In fact I have multiple items of clothing that still have the tags on them. Oh, I wear these things, I just tuck the tag in. I actually rarely take anything back, I just have this weird thing about wanting the "option" to take it back. Well now that my secret shame is revealed, let's move on. I have had an ongoing quest to find the right diet. Not like, a weight loss diet, (although I do believe that there should be a way to eat well and maintain a healthy weight) but rather a way to eat and feed my family that is nutritious and enjoyable. There is an unfortunate amount of information out there. And for a person like me, who needs to know all this information before I make a decision, it usually leads to frustration and no commitment. I believe God gave us food and I believe in His grace he gave us good food, healthful food that tastes amazing. So what is it? I could go through the array of information that I have found, but instead I'll just talk about what is making sense to me these days.  Whole Foods. Organic Foods. Unprocessed Foods. I'm not just talking about fruits and vegetables, I am also talking about meat and dairy and fat. That's right. Good old fashioned saturated fat, found in beef and milk and eggs and BUTTER (isn't it liberating to say? BUTTER!) Now, before you think I'm crazy or decide never to read this blog again, let me clarify a few things. These foods that I am talking about are not the same ones that you may find in your grocery store, instead I am talking about eating grass-fed beef, eggs from free range, organic hens. Drinking low (or no) pasteurized, non-homogenized whole milk, butter, cheese and yogurt. Eliminating foods with preservatives, artificial flavors, hormones, partially hydrogenated oils, processed sugar etc,etc. Now, this post is getting away from me a bit, because I realize there is so much information I could share with you to support what I am writing about, but we don't have that kind of time people! My kids don't nap that long and I have a P90x workout to get to! So I am going to post more information soon, until then go here and read some articles. Also, we are a work in process in my family. I have bought Organic produce, dairy and pantry items for awhile now (HEB is a great place for inexpensive Organic Products, they carry the Whole Foods Brand "Central Market"), we just bought our first gallon of grass-fed, unprocessed whole milk (delicious, by the way!) and are searching for the best organic meat options! Anyway, here's the dang recipe!

Shut Your Mouth Oatmeal!
Soak 2 cups Old Fashioned Oats (not quick oats) in 2 cups water and 2 tablespoons organic (or raw) yogurt (cover and let soak overnight, this is going to help with digestibility)
In the morning bring 1 cup water and 1 cup WHOLE organic *coconut milk to a boil (do yourself a favor and when you open your can of coconut milk spoon off the cream on the top and put it in your coffee. To. Die. For.)
Add your Oatmeal, bring back to boil and then reduce heat for 10-20 minutes until finished
Now add some organic (or raw) butter, fruit, organic honey, Cinnamon, whatever your kids like. You can even add 1-2 **eggs and let them cook in (you won't be able to see them or taste them).

It is the most amazing oatmeal you will ever eat. But better yet, is that it is wholesome, good for you and your beautiful kids! And because they are filled up on a hearty breakfast they won't ask you in 30 minutes for a "snack."

*Coconut Oil and Milk is made up of Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCT)
MCT are easily digested, absorbed, and put to use nourishing the body. Unlike other fats, they put little strain on the digestive system and provide a quick source of energy necessary to promote healing. (Find more on this subject here)
**Free range, Organic Eggs
Besides providing all eight essential protein building amino acids, a large whole, fresh egg offers about six to seven grams of protein and five grams of fat (with about 1.5 grams of it saturated), which comes in handy to help in the absorption of all the egg’s fat-soluble vitamins. One egg also serves up around 200 milligrams of brain-loving cholesterol and contains the valuable vitamins A, K, E, D, B-complex and minerals iron, phosphorus, potassium and calcium.10 Choline, another egg-nutrient, is a fatty substance found in every living cell and is a major component of our brain. Additionally, choline helps break up cholesterol deposits by preventing fat and cholesterol from sticking to the arteries.10,14 So the bottom line is, don’t be chicken about eating eggs, especially the cholesterol-rich yolks! (Find the article here.http://www.westonaprice.org/childrens-health/1537-eat-eggs-and-have-chicken-too)

I'll post some more stuff soon! Until then...EAT UP!

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Wednesday, May 18, 2011

"Summer, Summer, Summertime. Summertime."

Okay, raise your hand if you and your sister ever made up a dance to DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's "Summertime." Am I the only one with my hand up? Gosh, I love that song. I admit it. And I love summertime! Now, we have lived in many parts of the country and have experienced summer in may different places. A cool ocean breeze in California, a morning sweater in the mountains of Colorado, an evening baseball game in Missouri and long nights in the Dominican Republic, but a "Texas Summer" has only one description: Sweaty. It is hot and it is humid and you find yourself just trying to get from "air conditioning to air conditioning." A pool is a must. An indoor playground is a definite. And good friends to sip a Mocha Coconut Frap with is essential! So here are a few of our favorites for a Texas summer!


Old Navy

I am lucky enough to have good friends to go swimming with every week! Playing with kids, wanting to model modesty for my daughter and being around other young kids, led me to buy a new one piece (something I hadn't worn since Junior High summer camp). I bought this one at Old Navy (except mine is bright pink with white polka dots...cute!)
Buy it on Amazon

In order to feel good about yourself in that bathing suit you might need a little help from our good friend Jillian. I'm a BIG fan of a Jillian workout. She will kick your butt and she'll do it in about 25 mins! "Ripped in 30" is a progressive boot camp style workout program. You do one workout for a week and then move on to the next level. It's hard core and you may want to literally punch Jillian Michael's in the face, but just mute her and keep going, it's worth it!

Mocha Coconut Frap at Starbucks

Do you like my progression of items? Bathing suit, workout video, sugary and fattening drink, next I'm going to post a bacon burger with cheese! But in all seriousness (or as serious as you can be about a coffee drink) this drink is amazing! It is like summer in a cup, and if you need to feel better about it (like I do) order it "light" with no whip cream. Some would argue that defeats the point of having this amazing creation, but others are so thankful I just gave them this option...you know who you are.


Hippo Pool at Target

My in-laws were just in town and they graciously bought this pool for my kids. They are now obsessed with being in the backyard and playing in the water! They jump and slide and rarely run into each other or yell that someone is in their way (I said "rarely" not "never"). And the best part is; I can sit in the privacy of my backyard, in my non mom bathing suit and get a tan, while my kids are completely entertained!

And on a good summer day, this happens...

Happy (Texas) Summer!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Weekly Featured Favorite Etsy Seller

Starting a tradition, right here, right now, my friends! How excited are you to be a part of this? Every Monday I am going to feature a new Etsy seller that I have found and have been drooling over all week. Those of you that know me are thinking "no way will she consistently post something every Monday!" Well to that I have to say, "shame on you for not believing a person can change!" (and you're probably right) But we're gonna give it a big college try here people!

So, the first Weekly Featured Favorite Etsy Seller is... A.E. Wilder! You can see her beautiful and special work above! Her items are perfect for a baby shower gift or your own kid. I stumbled upon this store while creating a Treasury (find it here), my search words were "fun, colorful and special." Those words are depicted perfectly in A.E. Wilder's shop!

Please visit her shop and buy one of these beautiful items today!

Firsts

I had a few "firsts" this weekend. Now if your here just to see pictures of my kids, you might want to just skip this post, because they might not mentioned again...maybe.

I finally completed and posted my first pattern to the Etsy shop! (applause, applause). It is something that I have been wanting to do for awhile and just....haven't. The Hot Doc has been badgering encouraging me to write down my patterns for sometime and I think he was pretty proud that I actually did it.
Find the Bear Hat pattern here!

I was also featured in two fellow Etsy seller's Treasuries, which was really flattering! A Treasury is a collection of items of other sellers that usually fits a certain theme. Find the Treasuries here and here!

Okay, for those of you that held on until the end, here they are in all their craziness glory!

They have fun together.

Monday, April 11, 2011

This Is How We Do...

Playtime. In my house I am not a good enough mom to teach my kids how to pick up after themselves. Or how to get something out and then when they're done put it all away. I know I should. I know I will regret it very soon. But right now, the difference between my kids "picking up" their toys, and me just picking them up, is about 45 mins. So here is a very typical day in our house.
Toys dragged out of playroom into entry way

Crayons, markers and paper scattered everywhere

Art table a mess

Dirty kitchen (they get this from their mother)

At least they like each other...

and play together (pretty) well

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Somehow I Missed This

A little while ago I posted about our fun times at the Houston Rodeo. Well I had forgotten my camera (not out of the ordinary) so my great friend, Angie, had taken some pictures of my kids (also not out of the ordinary). Ang had sent me the photos, but somehow I missed this one, which might be the cutest one! The Allen boys are some of our FAVS!


B-Ball (Brady), Harper, Big Luke, Little Luke




Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The Best (and easiest) Question I've Ever Asked My Husband, My Daughter's Fashion Sense and Etsy Stuff

So, I could of split this post into three separate days of writing, but decided I would include all of; I like to have a little bit for everyone, you know?

First. I have said before that the Hot Doc and I are totally opposite! Sometimes being opposite doesn't matter. Like, he is the best person to hang out with! He cracks me up, he'll always offer to let me watch a girly movie (but I always decline, mainly because while I'm crying at Julia Roberts in My Best Friend's Wedding, when she's at the wedding and has to give the "best woman" toast, but just the day before she was telling the groom how much she loves him, and you know that even though she means everything she is saying in her speech, it's still completely breaking her heart, you know that scene right? Well Jeff would be making fun of her or me the entire time, kind of ruins the moment), he says "thank you" for everything, and reminds our kids to do the same, and even though he leaves for work at 5 am, he still takes the trash out on "trash days." But in other things, being opposite does matter. And in our house, cleaning is one of those things. So a couple weeks ago, I asked the Doc to tell me some of his top things around the house that he would like me to make sure to pay attention to. This is what he said: keep our room and bathroom clean, manage the laundry (I loathe laundry!) and make sure the kids' trash cans are emptied regularly (because let's be honest, pee diapers can really start to stink!) So easy right?! So when I can't keep on top of my daily schedule, I just make sure that the Doc's three things are finished. It's awesome! I love that he notices when things are clean and he appreciates that I am taking the time to make him happy (because let's be honest, I don't really care if the bed is unmade...but he does.)

Next. I've been documenting a couple of Crazy Girl's outfits. From a VERY young age, she has insisted on dressing herself. Sometimes I put up a fight, but other times, I just flat don't care. She thinks she looks great, and if you know Harper, it's really difficult to change her mind...about anything...ever.

Heart sweatshirt, over flower dress, over white skirt, over striped leggings

Prom picture

Blue flower shirt, over purple shirt, jean shorts, over striped tights

Drooly dinosaur shirt on Sweet Boy
As you can see, she likes the layered look.

Last. I started a facebook page for New Millie (go here, check it out, write a comment, click the "like" button!) I also have a few new items for sale on Etsy, here are a few...

Spring Time Hat

Sweet Baby Hat

Charlotte's Headband
Also, coming soon is the first of many COUPONS! What! What! (That just felt right). Discounts are coming everyone! So become a fan of New Millie on Facebook, check out the etsy page, be a fan of this blog and go find more beautiful photos like these at katielittlephotography.com! Man, I am bossy today!

Happy Wednesday!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

New Items on Etsy!

I've been inspired to get New Millie back up and running! So, I started by listing some items that I have had FOREVER! Please check them out HERE! And thank you to my sweet friends Angie and Katie who allow me to make things for their kids and their photo shoots!

Bomber Hat


Newborn Sling

Twin Earflap Hats