What inspires me today,...

Today the weather is just perfect for a summer picnic. I am dreaming of a day when we can relax and spend some time outdoors together. Life just seems to get too busy these days,..and we need to just spend quality time together. Hoping for a chance this holiday weekend. ::crossing fingers:: I <3 Summer!

Dreaming of this,....

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Pictures: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Tuesday's Tunes

This song is one of my picks for "best summer hit" (so far). I can't seem to get it out of my head! Her name is Eliza Doolittle singing "Money Box." Here she is:

The Picnic Dress (Tutorial)

With all my apron sewing,...I needed a break! I was feeling inspired by the warm summer sun and picnics out in the grass. My sister Roslyn is due with my 2nd niece any day now, and as a gift to her, I am planning on making the two "sisters" matching dresses. So I decided to start sharpening my dress making skills. :) So the picnic dress came to be.

Here is what I did!

Step 1: I found a tee-shirt dress at my local department store that would fit my niece Dakota. I traced the outline of both sides of the dress on brown paper. (without the little cuff sleeves) Cut the pattern pieces out and labeled them.

Step 2: I used the pattern to cut out both the front and back of the dress. Making sure to cut a slit in the back for easy access to take on and off. (Later attaching a small button and elastic to keep the back closed)




Step 3: I cut out a dip in the front of the dress because I decided to add a cute little bib style front with added buttons. This was a bit tricky,..but after a bit of measuring and re-cutting,...it turned out just right! I went ahead and took my pattern piece and cut out the bib. I then used that piece to cut out the white fabric. I made sure to make the bib another 1 inch bigger than the pattern, so that I would have enough fabric to attach it to the dress itself.


You can see that I ironed the front of the dress and made a very close top stitch around the seem to secure the white panel on the dress.

Step 4: Once the bib is finished,..I took white bias tape around the bottom and arms instead of hemming it. I love the red gingham fabric, but it needed something to mute the bright red. I think the white helped with that.





Step 5: I wish I owned a serger,..but I don't, so I went ahead and used my machine to sew the pieces together at the sides and shoulders. I then used my iron to carefully iron the seems open so that it would be comfortable on her (and not scratch at her shoulders).

Step 6: I attached by hand a small red button on the back and a little elastic loop to secure the back of the dress shut.

This is the final product,...Dakota's Picnic Dress! Pretty simple right? If you decide to make one, would love to see it! Go ahead and post a picture on my Face Book page!

It's as Texas as Lone Star and Dr. Pepper!

So while we were on the road from Dallas to San Antonio, Tom gets a big grin on his face and states that we were going to take a pit stop. Waco Texas is very ummm,....quaint, to say the least. Not a whole lot going on. We pulled into a parking lot next to a very old building and Tom exclaims,..."Today we are going to visit the Dr. Pepper Museum." Didn't even know there was such a thing. Did you? I was pleasantly surprised,..it was actually kinda cool! Who knew? Here are a few pictures:

Dr. Pepper was invited in the 1880's by Charles Alderton.
Dr. Pepper is NOT a Cola! It's actually a soft drink with 23 flavors.





Dr. Pepper through the years! Super cute!

This horse was made with thousands of Dr. Pepper bottle caps!

At the end of our visit Liam and I shared a Dr. Pepper float at the old fashioned soda fountain!
If you ever make it out to Texas,..why not take a pit stop at the Dr. Pepper Museum!

God Bless Texas

In April, my little family took a trip to Texas yet again. This was the final trip to see our son's doctor. (At least for now) We spent some time in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. We had an amazing time! Here are a few photo's of one of our fun dinners out in San Antonio,....we met up with a friend of ours who just so happened to work downtown. We miss you Katie! So glad we had a chance to catch up!

New To The Shop!

Summer is officially here!! :) I don't know about you, but my calendar is filled up with fun activities! I love it! With everything going on around here,...I thought I would show you a bit of what I have been working on this past week.

You can find all of these aprons at my Etsy Shop: HERE

In My Mailbox

It's the little things in life that really lift my spirits. I have been so busy lately with this and that and chasing after toddlers during the day, that honestly I have been a bit tired. Today when I checked my mailbox, I was so excited to see a package from Sweden! I don't know about you but there is nothing as exciting as getting a package in the mail with your name across the top! It's like Christmas! Last month I entered a bunch of blogging giveaways and was blessed to have won a few.

Here is what I received:

A cute little submarine shirt for Liam from Yngla. I am loving this! I can't wait for him to wear it!

A month or so ago I also won this bag from o&el:
I love this bag!! It's perfect for the summer! I throw in a few diapers, snacks and a water bottle and head out to the park! It's so well made. Isn't the owl cute?

I also received this lovely shirt for myself from La Marquise des Anges from France!

Such a sweet Etsy shop filled with many beautiful things! :) Such a classic piece. I can dress it up with some pearls or just wear it with a pair of jeans.

P.S. My Clematis vine finally bloomed! Such a pretty purple!

If you get the chance, head over to these shops! I am a BIG FAN of buying hand made. It gives the gift a personal touch! Something that you can't find at the big retail stores. You can also stop on into my little Etsy shop TrendyMeg for a hand made gifts as well! ::wink wink::

Memories,....

Today I remember my Pop-paw. This song reminds me of the many summer nights we would sit on the porch swing at his house and sing songs from his "Old Kentucky." (This was one of his favorite songs) He would tell us stories of when he was a boy growing up there. All the struggles, heartache, and the joy that the hills brought him. It was always a treat when his friend Rastice Rogers back home would come up to visit with his banjo! They would sing together for hours. Such wonderful childhood memories. I can still hear the music....I miss him.

If Only,...(Paris giveaway entry)

Paris has been on my mind as I work on a few new "french fabric" aprons for TrendyMeg! I am excited to show you sometime later this week the results. Something about Paris just screams fashion, tradition, elegance, romance and honestly makes me want to kiss someone. Such an inspirational city.

I have been thinking a lot lately about traveling. Maybe because right now in our lives it has to be put on hold. Doesn't mean that it will never happen, just put on the back burner. Tom and I have been talking about taking a trip to France in a year or so. I have been once, but it was only for a day (in between my other Europe adventures). I would really like to hear Tom speak (ie. sharpen his skills)French! Paris in the summer would be lovely. To my surprise I stumbled upon this amazing giveaway! Over at "Oh Happy Day" blog they are giving away a dream trip to Paris! Beyond Amazing! If only I can win ::crossing fingers:: You can enter too,..just head on over to this link: PARIS

photo links: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Today My Motto Is,.....

Source: imgfave.com via Meagan on Pinterest

A Little Break

With all the fun that we had this weekend,... between the rib burn off that my husband participated in this weekend at our church (they lost by one vote) and the diaper party I hosted for my sister, I am a bit tired today. Thought I would take a break from sewing (just for today) and relax. To add to the amazing summer like weekend, I received word that Coldplay finally decided to release a single from their upcoming album (I have been waiting!). It's really good! Adding it to my ipod so I can enjoy listening to it over and over. Yeah, I am a bit obsessed with Coldplay. :)

His & Hers

A few weeks ago I got a very unique request! A His & Hers matching apron set. I was up to the challenge! I gave the idea a bit of thought. The aprons that I design are "very" feminine and girly. The fabric that was chosen had a lot of pink flowers. So to mute the girliness (not too much though) I went with green trim and green buttons. Then I used the same green trim on the man apron, but had to make it match without adding too much flower fabric to it. At first I thought (for a sec) I would add the flower fabric as pockets, but that was still a bit too girly. A bow tie was just the thing! It was a perfect way to tie the too together. My husband Tom was my model throughout the process. (He was overjoyed lol) After a bit of adjusting and restitching, I am happy with the results! I hope that the new Mr. & Mrs. will spend many days cooking together. You know that those who cook together, stay together!

Holiday Reflections

I have been super busy lately with TrendyMeg. Feeling so blessed. It was nice to have a little break to visit with friends and family over the Memorial Day weekend. Spent some time camping and then back home for holiday parades and BBQ. Here are some of the highlights.




Dancing/Marching with the band!


My beautiful niece Dakota.


Liam waved a lot that day!


Enjoying his first taste of a lolly pop!


Toddlers are so hard to photograph. One day I will get a good photo of the two of them (looking)...just wait,...someday I will! ::Crossing fingers::

Working on a fun project: "His and Hers" apron set for a future bride and groom! :) Will be posting about it later this week.