A few things

One of my goals this year is to improve my sewing skills. I have been sewing more from patterns lately as well as learning better alteration techniques for ready-to-wear clothes. As I have learned more I have been able to duplicate a few things that I have seen online but could never bring myself to spend the money on. And since we are on a definite tight budget these days, sewing and altering my own clothes has saved lots of money while still allowing me to get some new things. 

The first big project was inspired by this dress:

Dress seen on Corilynn

I loved it, but priced at $145, it was just too much. 

So, I found a similar pattern and fabric and made my own:

Not a perfect match, but for my first time making something like this, I think it turned out pretty well (also note that I am not a model nor a photographer, plus Luke likes to be in the pictures too).

Next, I saw this dress (also inspired by a more expensive ready-to-wear dress):

Dress seen on Merricks Art

 I decided I could use my same pattern from above, tweak it a little and make it my own.

Here was the outcome:

I have learned so much from working on these projects, and it has really improved my sewing skills. 

I'm looking forward to doing more in the future, and will be posting pictures soon of some alterations I made to a $4 thrift store find. 

Until then, happy sewing!

Luke lately

Amidst cooking, cleaning, shopping, and a few DIY projects here and there, I mostly just spend my days taking care of Luke. Even though he wears me out a lot of days, I am always happy to get up each morning and start again. He is at such a fun age right now, and as first time parents we pretty much adore everything he does. 

Luke is getting smarter everyday. He already knows just what to do with mommy's phone. 

He had a hard time getting used to the weird, cold weather in Utah, but he's getting adjusted.

 Daddy is his favorite person. He kicks his feet and waves his arms every time Phil gets home from work, and he even likes dressing like him.

 Luke mostly just wears onesies everyday, but every now and then I dress him up. You can see why I just can't resist.

Enough said.

 We had a visit from my grandparents, and Luke loved Grandpa Jerry's mustache.

 He is also trying new foods all the time, but like all babies, he loves Cheerios more than anything.

 His hair was getting so long again that we had to get it cut for the second time! 

He is making new friends.

  

 He loves to swing. 

And is as curious as can be. 

I don't think I can ever get enough hugs and kisses and snuggles with this little guy. Being a mom is really the best job I could ever have.