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Both sides of the Rocket Ship Reversible Coat

So, boys stuff....that's what I'm trying to do...but since it's hot as ------(insert your own explicative) out I am having a very difficult time remaining focused...all I want to do is lay in front of the air conditioner and read (The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman)...alas....I've got a whiny toddler, one ennui afflicted teen and another who's having a midteen life crisis....summer fun!!! Well, all is not difficult... off to the beach early today before it gets too hot to even be outside.

poor Lily....forced to model a wool bonnet on a 95 degree day...no wonder she's whiny!!!

green and gray...my new black?

this is why I keep sewing...because every once in a while a project comes out exactly how I envisioned it.... green and gray is officially my new favorite color combination...should I try to make a grown up version of this coat for myself? I think I shall....

Willie and Henrietta Giveaway!!!!!

Willie and Henrietta is a lovely blog that features all kinds of products for babies and children...GORGEOUS things (as Edina Monsoon would say) from clothes to playsets to skin care products. So, when they contacted me to ask if they could feature my Etsy store and post an item for a giveaway, I was thrilled, naturally!!! Today's the big day! If you would like a chance to win the "Little Dear" dress go here
http://www.williehenrietta.com/2009/08/giveaway-with-little-bird-fly.html leave a comment and you will be entered!

Creative Space

what's going on....well, what should be going on...I'm throwing in the towel today and taking the afternoon off !

Childhood Redux - The Salem Willows

When I was little, growing up in Malden, my family would pack up the car with a grill, tons of food, the dog and usually my best friend Jean, to make our annual summer pilgrimage to The Salem Willows. We would leave super early, this had a dual purpose - the first was to allow time for the inevitable "getting lost" (I don't think we ever got there by the same route twice) and the second reason was so we could get the best spot - a picnic table under a tree, next to the ocean. Oh how we LOVED going to the Willows! It was such a treat! Perfect place for little kids. It is a park filled with gently rolling grassy hills, and huge old willow trees set beside the beautiful rocky coast of New England. Even better, for kids, is the added bonus of a row of old fashioned arcades and ice cream and pizza stands. Remember the movie "Big" with the "Zoltan" fortune telling machine? Well they had, and still have "Zoltan", not to mention a machine that would press your penny with the Declaration of Independence and a beautiful old carousel and the best popcorn ever and a concoction called a "Chop Suey" Sandwich. Back in the day there were rides like the "Tilta-Whirl" and a mini rollercoaster. Three beaches just perfect for exploring and swimming just make it all add up to wonderful! And, it was kind of "spooky"! Salem is famous for its witchcraft trials of the 1600's and my friend Jean and I knew all about this and would wander all around the park imagining that it was the setting for all kinds of scary and thrilling deeds...ahhh!!! so much fun!!! Now, 30 odd years later, I live in Salem, in fact, I can walk to the Willows any time I want. Last Sunday morning, as Mike and I were taking a walk by ourselves(what a rare and awesome thing!) and we were passing through the Willows, It struck me that every year I say to myself that we should do the pilgrimage again, and we never do....and time is fleeting. So, this morning my parents got up crazy early for their retired selves and drove to our house at 8AM, we packed up the cars and headed down the street...no getting lost this time;). We set up in the most beautiful spot and fired up the grill. As the grill heated up we drank coffee and ate luscious coffee cake bars that my Dad made (he's an incredible baker). Then my Mom worked her magic and made what for me is THE TASTE of The Willows of my childhood, Egg, sausage and cheese english muffin sandwiches. As my parents say ,they are not Egg McMuffins but Egg MAC Muffins (my parent's last name is MacDonald) and they are scrumptious! We had a fabulous morning. The sun was shining and the breeze was blowing and we were all together and it was just so perfect. I am so happy that we made it happen and here's to many more perfect days with the people I love most in this world.

Three generations :)

A thing of beauty!

Papa and his girl!

Mike and his sunshine!

My babies :)

Now that it's summer.....

all I can think of is fall.....so I put the air conditioner on full blast, poured myself a cup of tea and I'm sewing wool coats...

Navy blue wool and gorgeous gray fabric with pale, pale aqua polka dots

This is the other side...my photos don't do the polka dot fabric justice , it is really, really lovely...

.....reversible and of course the whole thing is machine washable....practical luxury soon to be for sale on my Etsy store :)

Done!

So, I did some sewing this week...quite a lot actually...10 dresses for a local store. This is quite a feat for me, since having Lily I have been much less productive, sometimes maddeningly so. But, back to my old groove I went this week, with a day off for good behavior, and it feels good! I also got my first Etsy sale this week as well, so, it appears that maybe this sewing of children's clothes thing may actually work out after all :) My dresses will be for sale at Crunchy Granola Baby here in Salem, MA, and this weekend they are having a great sale to mark their 3 year anniversary! Congratulations Jennie! If you haven't been to CGB or visited their website you really should...Jennie has fabulous baby stuff and her store also offers classes and workshops and playgroups. Such a great resource for parents and their babies!

Some pics of the dresses below and I will also put a couple of the designs up for sale on Etsy. Have a great weekend everyone!

Little Deer

Parisian Baby