Normal Clothes....almost.

Today I dropped Lily off at school. It was the first time in a while that I was able to wear normal clothes....well, almost. I put on my best supporting bra, tummy tucking undies, a pair of homemade maternity jeans and a jersey v-neck top. Of course, I still have a long way to go in order to get close to my original weight but I can at least see it in the distance.

So of course, I was on Modcloth today drooling over all the dresses I hope to wear one day. I should really be getting paid for talking about them so frequently. But they really do have a fabulous selection of dresses.

These were a few on my spring wish list. Hopefully in a couple months I can start dressing to impress again. I got to tell you, sweatpants and knit tops are so depressing. They make me not want to brush my hair and put on makeup. Look out spring here comes my waistline!

Sweet and Sentimental.

I've definitely been into keepsakes lately. Probably something to do with just having a baby:) If you too long for personalized adornments take a peak at Julian & CO.

This locket below is my favorite from their collection. It's a nice reminder when you are away from your baby.

After wearing many hats on her work path including an executive and cafe owner, Tania Condon and husband, Tony were eager to start a family. She soon became pregnant, but at just 29 weeks along, their excitement was interrupted when her water broke and she went into preterm labor.


Their son Julian was born at 3lbs 4oz and 11 weeks early. The long days and nights at the NICU were spent loving, holding and watching our Julian fight for his life and become stronger. Six weeks later their miracle was able to come home.

Tony bought a bracelet at a baby boutique and had it personalized with Julian’s name. But when they went to put it on, it was much too big. She didn’t want to wait for him to grow into it, so she set out to design and make a sterling silver id bracelet for Julian.

Eventually she became an expert at precious metals, using tools, even soldering and the first piece to their JULIAN & Co. line was born.
But her inspiration didn’t stop there - filled with joy to finally have Julian home, she wanted to celebrate his life every moment of the day. She handcrafted sterling silver disc pendants adorned with Julian’s own hand and feet prints. She added his name and his birth date, and Tony and Tania wear them on leather cords.

They have received so many compliments on Julian’s tiny albeit stylish bracelet and their necklaces. Orders from family and friends poured in and the business seemed to grow overnight.

Since then Tania has always loved fashion, jewelry and creating. The entire JULIAN & Co. line is heirloom quality.

And until February 7th, enjoy 20% when you use coupon code: JULIANSALE at checkout.

Overnightprints.com Free Business Cards GUEST GIVEWAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

I know I've been meaning to get business cards for years....even when I didn't have any reason to have them. There's something exciting about seeing your name on a tiny piece of paper that I can't resist.

If you too are also looking to create your own business cards or just personal calling cards take a look at this neat giveway.

Overnightprints.com is offering one lucky grosgrain reader 500 free business cards. Upload your design online and your order is printed overnight. They print business cards, postcards, greeting cards, bookmarks, brochures, posters, letterhead, envelopes, stamps and more.

Many of you said that you would like to enter more giveaways, but have various issues with linking. Of course, I want anyone that is interested in entering a giveaway to be able to do so.

Therefore, from now on, giveaways can be entered in three ways:

1) By linking (to your blog, facebook, myspace, or any other site)

2) By leaving a comment without a link or

3) By linking and leaving a comment (this will be worth 2 entries which will better your chances of winning). Find more info under the FAQ page.

If you are leaving a link just use the 'create a link' at the bottom of this post or simply creating a post on your blog and including this link.

If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.

Create a Link

Ode to Scallops

I just received the Mini Boden catalog on Wednesday. In it, besides the cute kids clothes, was this sneak peak of their adult line.

I TOTALLY fell in love with this jacket.

$198

I'll have to try and make one myself if I want the look but I think it would be doable.

We're home.

Meet Eloise Matilda Place. Born Janurary 21st, 2010, at 11:35 am.
Born 6lbs 6oz with blue eyes and blond hair. (That last one shocked me!)
You'll see more of us later. For now we are recovering at home. Thank you for all your kind words! I loved reading them through the haze of Percocet:)

Sweater Surgery Hat Tutorial

Since you know how much I love refashioning old items, check out A Hoot and a Holler's Old Sweater into a Hat Tutorial.

She calls it a "Sweater Surgery Hat" which I thought made it doubly ironic to post about since I am currently recovering from one myself:)

Enjoy.

Neige $100 Gift Card Winner!!

I've decided to post new winners to the front page of Grosgrain and/or on the sidebar so that more people can see whether or not they've won.

Please email grosgrainwinners@gmail.com.


The lucky winner of the Neige $100 Gift Card is Lynette of "A Hodge Podge of Randomness".


Please contact me to claim your prize!

Project: Storybook Cape

So often I love seeing how Grosgrain readers are influenced by what I post.

Check out Lemon Cadet's Storybook Cape project. It was made from the Storybook Cape Pattern I posted a while back.

If I must say, so adorable.

For more good projects by Grosgrain readers check out Grosgrain's flickr group.

Today is the day.

As you are reading this I am probably in surgery hoping everything goes okay. I have been very nervous about this birth. With my last pregnancy, the anaesthesiologist punctured my spinal fluid when doing my epidural. I did not find this out until I began to get a terrible headache days later that could not be dulled by any of the strong pain medication I was taking. It wasn't until I was about to be discharged that I was told about the puncture and that my headache was caused by a leaking in my spine of the fluid surrounding my brain causing my brain to sag. Gross. I've read that this happens in about 1% of epidurals.

I also had to have a blood transfusion because I became dangerously anemic and throughout the six days we spent there, none of the physicians could find a vein out of the 200 or so times I was poked and prodded. I left the hospital quite sore and black and blue from head to back.

So now I am a little leery about routine hospital procedures and I'm about to have a gazillon done to me today. I'm so nervous. Especially for the epidural which I never particularly looked forward to.

It's strange knowing the exact day, almost hour, that you are going to have a baby. I don't think I particularly like knowing. I like the anticipation and surprise of rushing to the hospital. However, I am now SOO uncomfortable that having a definite end date has become a welcome blessing. Read my TumTum Tree post on Pica.

I have a few more posts scheduled while I am in the hospital so please come back again later for more sewing and fashion fun. But until I can get back to a computer I will not be able to post anything about the baby or approve comments so please don't be offended if your comment doesn't post until next week. Hopefully Sunday or Monday we will be back home.

Wish us luck.

{image courtesy of Modern Child}

Sew Much Ado Ruby Lou Doll AND Pattern GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

Homemade dolls are so much sweeter than store bought. There's a personal feel that separates them from other dolls.

Most recently, Abby of Sew Much Ado, has found her new passion, pattern designing. She found that it's the best way to share her love of sewing and designing with others.



Happily she is offering TWO lucky Grosgrain readers a piece of her sewing efforts. One lucky reader will receive a ready made doll, handmade by Abby. One more lucky winner will receive a PDF pattern to make Ruby Lou Dolls of their own.

Just leave a comment indicating whether you would prefer the doll or the pattern or either.

Make your very own Ruby Lou Doll! Ruby Lou is 17” tall and has attached shoes. As a bonus, this pattern also includes a reversible skirt pattern! Your little girl will love her new playmate.

This pattern is a fun project for the beginner to intermediate sewer. Beginner embroidery skills are also required.

This is a PDF pattern and includes detailed instructions with color photographs and full size pattern pieces – no need to fuss with enlarging pieces.

The Ruby Lou Doll Pattern is the first available, and more are to come in the near future.





Abby has loved sewing since she was a little girl and never stopped. She grew up sewing her own clothes, and now that she is a mother, she sews less for herself and more for her two sons.

Also, check out her sewing blog for lots of tutorials and sewing tips at sewmuchado.blogspot.com.

Many of you said that you would like to enter more giveaways, but have various issues with linking. Of course, I want anyone that is interested in entering a giveaway to be able to do so.

Therefore, from now on, giveaways can be entered in three ways:

1) By linking (to your blog, facebook, myspace, or any other site)

2) By leaving a comment without a link or




3) By linking and leaving a comment (this will be worth 2 entries which will better your chances of winning). Find more info under the FAQ page.

If you are leaving a link just use the 'create a link' at the bottom of this post or simply creating a post on your blog and including this link.

If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.

Create a Link

Covet Antiqued Copper Charm Necklace GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

Good Tuesday morning!! For those of you who have an affinity for jewelry I have a special surprise.

The creative girls behind Covet have decided to give away a necklace from their store to one lucky Grosgrain reader (a $90 value).

The winner can pick the finish they like best; silver, black, or antiqued copper.

Check out more of their charms and jewelry at Covet Jewels.

The creative minds behind Covet are Freedom Kezos and Chris Davis, two friends who make jewelry in their spare-time as an artistic outlet.

What started out as a church activity for their youth group has blossomed into a fun little business.

Their girls loved the items they made and they kept getting requests for more. Word got out and they started traveling all over the state doing events and parties for people. Because they are small they are able, Covet is constantly offering new and unique items.

They have teenage daughters that also inspire their designs, so they offer a range of styles from Glam to Rock edge, even some cool vintage western style. They also offer hundreds of charms that we make by hand. Most everything is interchangeable so you can create your own look.

Many of you said that you would like to enter more giveaways, but have various issues with linking. Of course, I want anyone that is interested in entering a giveaway to be able to do so.

Therefore, from now on, giveaways can be entered in three ways:


1) By linking (to your blog, facebook, myspace, or any other site)

2) By leaving a comment without a link or

3) By linking and leaving a comment (this will be worth 2 entries which will better your chances of winning). Find more info under the FAQ page.


If you are leaving a link just use the 'create a link' at the bottom of this post or simply creating a post on your blog and including this link.

If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.

Create a Link

Wedding of Her Dreams.

Throughout this pregnancy, a few of my friends and family have been kind enough to volunteer to model the outfits I sew on this blog. One of the very familiar faces is my friend, Abi. You may have seen her from the Shabby Apple Lawn Frock shoot.

During the contest she was gracious enough to enlist her friends and family to vote for my dress design and now I finally have the chance to return the favor.

Over her birthday last month, Abi's longtime boyfriend, Darrell, asked for her hand in marriage. As we all well know weddings are expensive. They don't have any funds to put towards the wedding, so the two plan on saving for over a year to marry and spending around $6-$7,000.

On a lark, she entered the Love of a Lifetime Wedding Giveaway. If she wins Philly.com and Events at ISM would pay for a May 23, 2010 wedding at the newly enhanced Independence Seaport Museum, include catering from Culinary Concepts, a custom wedding dress, flowers, photography and wedding bands all worth over $90,000.

If she wins, they wouldn't have to wait two years to marry and she'd have the wedding she's always wanted.

You should be able to vote by first registering on Philly.com here. Then go to this link: To vote for Abi, click here and click on the "Vote for this couple" button at the bottom of her profile . AND you should be able to vote one time per day, per computer. So vote often! She would be forever grateful!

Help A Good Cause with Allora Handmade.

Just wanted to quickly mention that Allora Handmade is currently having an Autism Awareness benefit sale in her shop. And today is the last day! Jessica will donate 100% of the proceeds to Autism Speaks.


Also for every $10 a customer spends in the shop, they will be entered to win $40 towards a purchase at Allora Handmade (So, if you spend $50, that's 5 entries).



January 14th was Jessica's nephew, Jonathan's 10th birthday. He was diagnosed 8 years ago with Autism, and that diagnosis has drastically changed the life of her sister and all the rest of their family - in so many ways. Every Christmas and birthday she struggles with what to get him that he will really enjoy. Since buying gifts for Jonathan is so difficult, this year for his birthday she decided to start a benefit sale in her shop.


Please stop by and support a good cause!

Twinkle Little Star Refashion Frock GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

By request, I searched for a refashion frock at the Salvation Army last week. The survey I conducted a month ago indicated that many of you would like to see more refashion frocks. I have to admit, I like these because often they are less work.


Around New Year's I had been seeing many party dresses with tulle on the outside of the skirt rather than underneath and wanted to recreate something like that.


When I looked through the Salvation Army racks I searched for a dress with a little glamour in the fabric, something the said "party". I came across the dress (at bottom).


The material was a shimmery silver but the cut of the dress was hideous. Perfect for refashioning. It was a matronly faux two piece with no form except for the two spaghetti straps on the sides which pulled the waist to fit the person wearing it.
I bought it for $1.50 and took it home to think it over. I definitely wanted to try and go for the topside tulle look. So I went to the fabric store and bought 3 yards of gray tulle for only 30 cents a yard. What I loved about the tulle I bought was that I didn't even need to cut it. The length and width were already the perfect size I needed. All I need to do was gather it.


I laid the dress on floor and stared at it for some time. The skirt was so straight that it was very difficult to get an a-line out of it despite the fact that it was quite large.


I cut the top piece away from the bottom and then cut the bottom into two side-by-side triangles that made a rectangle using as much of the skirt material as possible.


I then pinned the pieces to my dress form but still came up a little short of an a-line on either side. So I cut out two more smaller triangles from my leftover skirt and filled in the gaps to make a perfect a-line.


I then sewed the gathered tulle to the skirt and the combination of those two pieces to the waistband. I had to take the top in on the sides. After I did that I sewed the top of the waistband to the bodice.





Finally I cut a ballerina neckline into the top and hemmed the skirt and sewed in a zipper. VOILA! A new dress!! Chan looks ready for a New Year's Eve Soiree.


I really liked how the tulle filled out the look of the skirt. I wanted a full a-line. The skirt underneath was not quite as full as I would have liked but with the overlaying tulle the look was exactly what I was going for.
All together I spent $2.50 on this dress. Not bad. See a similar one on Modcloth here.


Since I had little material to work with I'd say this dress would fit a size 2-5. Quite skinny.


Many of you said that you would like to enter more giveaways, but have various issues with linking. Of course, I want anyone that is interested in entering a giveaway to be able to do so.


Therefore, from now on, giveaways can be entered in three ways:


1) By linking (to your blog, facebook, myspace, or any other site)


2) By leaving a comment without a link or


3) By linking and leaving a comment (this will be worth 2 entries which will better your chances of winning). Find more info under the FAQ page.


If you are leaving a link just use the 'create a link' at the bottom of this post or simply creating a post on your blog and including this link.


If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.


Create a Link

Create a Link

Estate Sale Blue Blouse GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

I saw this fabric at the JoAnns and couldn't resist. It was my favorite color, cornflower blue or "estate sale" blue. At the time, I wasn't quite sure what I was going to do with it but I knew that whatever it was it would be modern and stylish.


Since, I had no intention of making another maternity dress I opted for a top for Molly. Plus the fabric was kind of expensive so I could only afford one yard.


The collar of this top can be worn either up or down. When worn up the look is very couth. In the photos it is folded down. The back of this blouse has one wood colored button at the top so it is open down the back, sort of like a smock. I put a white ballerina's leotard on Molly underneath the blouse.


You may not be able to tell from the photos but the bottom of the sleeves are bell shaped with a small gather below the elbow.

The pattern and cropped look seemed very 'french' to me. I imagined if I went to Paris I'd see little toddlers carrying red balloons in tops like this.


I wish I had taken more pictures of her shoes. They were just perfect for this little outfit, navy blue with little white bows and white trim. I bought them at the Salvation Army but originally they were from Baby Gap. Since they are dressy, with the cold weather I haven't had much of a reason to have her wear them but they were quite a thrift store find!


Molly enjoyed dancing in the little top and jumping up and down which caused her hair to come undone. I tried to pull it back in a cute little ponytail but her bangs kept falling in her eyes. Her hair is in this in between stage where there is almost nothing I can do to make it look neat. I might break down and have her bangs cut but I'd like to try and keep everything long.



Some people said it looks sort of like a backwards jacket and I happily agree! I think I've subconsciously always liked the look of backwards painting smocks. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but there it is! I should have called it the Petite French Painter's Smock Blouse.


You may have noticed that my posting has become a little sparse at times. I still manage to post every weekday but obviously I'm very close to the end of this pregnancy. I could not be happier! I'm super uncomfortable in many, many ways. I don't remember being this uncomfortable with either of my other two children. I'm actually looking forward to post-surgery.


Speaking of that, I am scheduled for a c-section next Thursday. So for a while I will be recovering. But I will try to be scheduling posts in that time so please stop by for sewing and fashion goodness.



Many of you said that you would like to enter more giveaways, but have various issues with linking. Of course, I want anyone that is interested in entering a giveaway to be able to do so.

Therefore, from now on, giveaways can be entered in three ways:

1) By linking (to your blog, facebook, myspace, or any other site)

2) By leaving a comment without a link or

3) By linking and leaving a comment (this will be worth 2 entries which will better your chances of winning). Find more info under the FAQ page.

If you are leaving a link just use the 'create a link' at the bottom of this post or simply creating a post on your blog and including this link.


If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.


Create a Link

Create a Link

Baby's Day Out

With each of my children I've had an adorable dress bought for and packed when we were admitted to the hospital.

It was to be their 'going home' dress. This time around I think it will be too cold for a dress. So I'm looking for something warmer but still charming.

On top of that, every dress I've bought for my newborn girls have been disappointingly WAYYYY to big. I bought an adorable 0-3M embroidered Gymboree pale yellow frock and hat for Molly's 'Going Home' and she didn't end up wearing it until more like around 6M.

After seeing how tiny she really was my mother went out and bought a last minute Carter's NB dress instead but it just didn't hold a candle to my original:( Fortunately Molly looked really sweet in anything:)

Take this adorable sweater one piece I fell in love with from Baby Gap. The smallest size available is 0-3.

When Molly was born she was only 5lbs 12oz and despite my best efforts I believe this baby will also be a little peanut. Unfortunately, I don't think this Baby Gap outfit will work for my newborn but I still want something as unique and cute. (ie, not just a printed cotton sleeper).

I've been looking on preemie clothing sites but have found myself less than impressed with what I've found. Does any one out there have any good suggestions for me?

The Pajama Squid THREE Prize GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!! CLOSED.

If you peruse my sponsors you might have come across a very interesting shop, The Pajama Squid.

Tiffany King, owner of The Pajama Squid has been kind enough to extend a giveaway to Grograin readers in the form of three very creative and charming gifts starting with the little turtle on the left.

Tuttu Turtle is a unique wooden pull toy because as you pull its shell rotates. Such an adorable toy! For ages 18 months and up, by Maya Organic, with a strong emphasis on safety, quality and the use of natural dyes.
The second is Robot Self Assembly Paper Toys.

New from Israeli design house PaperCat comes, The Return of the Robots.

The Return of the Robots is filled with self-assembly toys that comes in the form of a colorful booklet with 4 paper toy Robots, which can easily be popped out of the page, no need for scissors. Each toy has fun comic-style instructions, you only need to have glue, and string.

Each toy is beautifully, and colorfully illustrated. After constructing, these super awesome robots are ready to have an adventure.
The third are these quality Upper Lowercase/ABC blocks.

A perfect starter set. 14 blocks with big, bold lettering and bright colors to match. One complete embossed uppercase alphabet and one complete printed lowercase alphabet with some extra vowels thrown in for name spelling.

Dimensions: 1.75" For Ages 2 years and up. Made by Lindenwood Incorporated. The wood they use is farm planted and harvested on industry-managed land around the Great Lakes. Their manufacturing process minimizes waste, both in their production and packaging. They use only child-safe, non-toxic inks. Their toys are continually tested and are always well within the safety guidelines of the ASTM and more stringent European EN-71.
And check out The Pajama Squid's 30% off sale of clothing, toys and accessories!

These little mushroom boots are part of the sale as well as the navy striped layette below. Both are my favorites.

Many of you said that you would like to enter more giveaways, but have various issues with linking. Of course, I want anyone that is interested in entering a giveaway to be able to.

Therefore, from now on, giveaways can be entered in three ways:

1)By leaving a comment or

2) By linking (to your blog, facebook, myspace, or any other site)

3) By linking and leaving a comment (this will be worth 2 entries which will better your chances of winning)leave comments about the site/their favorite items. Find more info under the FAQ page.

If you are leaving a link just use the 'create a link' at the bottom of this post or simply creating a post on your blog and including this link.

If you use blogger just use the "create a link" link at the bottom of this post. If you don't use blogger, that's fine too. Just create a link on your page as you normally would and I will see it using Technorati.

Create a Link