{ A Ponderosa dress and a bit of summer...}

I have the feeling that Blandine's summer wardrobe is pretty full! So now I have started preparing her autumn / back to school outfits. 

I was really attracted by the Ponderosa Dress by Elegance and Elephants, it has been in my library for a long time now. 

I also have decided that my fabric stash being full to the brim, I didn't need to buy more fabric and would have to use what I have on hand (which is only awesome stuff of course!!) . 

So I went for a combination of mustard jersey and this gorgeous french fabric called "Tatouée pour la journée" / "Tatooed for the day" by Aime comme Marie. I think I got it from Cousette last year. 

I love the design of the dress: I think it is so so clever.

But I regret how the top part is cut around the shoulders and armholes. Although I cut an 8 for my girl who is just under an 8 in heigth and way under in terms of hip and chest, the dress is really on the tiny side. It is not something I encountered when sewing other patterns by E&E, for instance the Hemlock tee. So I don't know, maybe I did something wrong while sewing. 

I want to do another version of this dress, because I really love that  look. But I will probably cut in size 9 and make the armholes a little wider. 

Because the the dress was a bit too short, I did not hem any parts: I just used my serger foot on my machine and stitched around the hems, leaving them pretty raw for a more sporty look. 

The construction of the dress is very easy. I did not even use my serger. It is a quick and easy sew, perfect for summer sewing!

 I made an infinity scarf with the same mustard jersey to go with it.

 

 Oh! this girl! she will soon be nine and I still can't get over it! She is a very special girl, but we are working on softening her character on a daily basis. It is not an easy task, but we are making progress and God has given her a good heart and a creative spirit. 

As for daily life:
we are still enjoying the slow rhythm of summer, one month in our break.
This week-end she made these legwarmers for her brother's teddy while I was napping!!

Which make for a happy brother!!

These two are ALWAYS together and they play continually, pretend games or fun songs! Blandine spends a lot of time bossying her little brother around:) 

I actually have to force them to go get some quiet time, each of them in their own room. They need this time, otherwise they end up getting on each others nerves!

If you follow me on Instagram you may have seen that I keep on trying to learn to draw! I am enjoying watercolor and capturing daily beauties. I have come to realize that most of the creative things I do tend to come down to just this: I love capturing the beauty in the mondain, may it be through scrapbooking, drawing or painting. It is a way of expressing my gratitude for the small things that make life good!