buoy that's a cute coat

I want to share another super cute pattern from Anna Marie Horner's book Handmade Beginnings.  I picked out the fabric and my super sewer mother-in-law put them together.

They are so incredibly cute that I wish there was a pattern for Thom's size. But I doubt he would wear it. He's getting pretty picky these days about what's cool and what's not.  I'm not too pleased about this new development.

Wondering what the kids are holding? Lobster buoys.  My in-laws took a trip to Maine and they came home inspired to have the grandkids paint their own buoys. My father-in-law carved each child their own. I must confess. I had to paint one too. They are so much fun. We hang them on our fence.

It was damn near impossible to get the kids to stay still for photos yesterday.  I started sweating and the photo session had to end.

This photo wasn't taken on a nature hike. It's in my backyard. Things are a bit on the wild side right now.  Believe me, it's the least of my worries.

Thanks Mom for making these super cute and special coats. And for coming up with fun projects to do with the kids like paint buoys.  I love that my kids are growing up surrounded by art and creativity.  They will become crazy art people just like us.

Maine Lobster Buoys by Bill Revill

girl crush

I have a girl crush on Anna Marie Horner.  Her fabrics are so my style.  I would love to spend an afternoon in her studio with her. Just watching her create.

This woman has six kids.  She runs her own successful business. She creates amazing things. She makes the most artful quilts. She's on my short list of people I want to be like (minus three kids).

I don't have the time to sew all the projects I want for the kids in Handmade Beginnings.  I'm a beginning seamstress and it takes me a long time to get things right. So I handed off my projects to my mother-in-law who is a sewing maven.  Like seriously.  Back in the day she used to sew dress shirts for her husband.  She's hard core.

She did a beautiful job on the kids pants just like I knew she would.  I love to dress my babies alike. Obnoxious I know, but I think I'm entitled to a wee bit of obnoxious mothering considering all the time and effort I put in.

Yes that is a bald spot on the back of Frankie's head. His hair style just keeps getting better and better.

I used the fabric I had on hand to make these pants, however, if I had been more patience, I would have bought some of Anna's.

This  is my all time favorite fabric from Anna's collection. I used it in my studio.

The above photo shows the Folksy Flannel collection. Dying to get my hands on some of this.

All of Anna'a patterns are dreamy.  Me thinks I need that skirt.

You can buy a signed copy of Handmade Beginning as well as fabric and other goodies directly from Anna in her on-line shop.

I just ordered the fabric to have my mother-in-law sew jackets for the babies. I really like this arrangement.  I get meticulously sewn clothes for my kids and she gets, well..., a project. Hmmm. I might have to throw something her way to sweeten the deal.

All photos are via Anna Marie Horner except the ones of my kids of course.