Buzzmills

The Nutcracker Prince and Clara...

Oh...I've been wanting to make the kids a set of Nutcracker inspired dolls for years now!  Two years ago I did manage two sets of Nutcracker themed peg dolls which the kids adore and love to play with each Christmas.  And, last year, their love of the Nutcracker inspired a Christmas "blazer" of sorts for Henry.  But, this year, I was determined to really do it...make dolls inspired by the Nutcracker!  

Or maybe...just some pajamas...or both perhaps!

I'm sorry to say, but you will have to forgive me, as the pictures are not perfect...you know kids aren't quite inclined to stand still for pictures on Christmas or the morning after as it seems either...

For Violet's night gown I used Laguna cotton and the pattern for all you need jammies from Heidi & Finn.  I lengthened it...a lot, and added a ruffle to the bottom.  I added a bit of stretch lace to the neckband as I was sewing it on, but I don't have a great picture of that.  Blue piping (Because I love piping!  And because, to me, that made it look more like "Clara") was added along the chest and the bottom ruffle.  The cuff is slightly ruffled as well...for this I simply cut the cuff piece about twice as long, then gathered it before sewing it onto the sleeve with elastic thread.  I worried that it'd be too long, but it's just the perfect length (phew!).  She loves it because of the length in fact!  It makes her feel "old fashioned!"

Henry's pjs are also laguna knit. I used the  Flashback skinny tee pattern from Made by Rae and the bottoms are Wild and Free Lounge pants (sans pockets) from Coffee and Thread.  I used black on the front bottom piece to mimic "boots" and painted the "belt" and "buttons" onto the front of the shirt.  He loves these pajamas!  In fact, he loves these pajamas with his new King cape!

While the pictures might not be the best...

The pajamas definitely are!

But wait!  Didn't this post start out talking about nutcracker inspired dolls?! 

The Nutcracker Prince and Clara, just like the birthday doll I shared last week, are doll panels from See Kate Sew and they are the sweetest!

Clara, has a bit of lace trim added along the bottom of her blue skirt...

A layer of tulle too...because it is the ballet after all! 

And, because it's winter a sweet little blue and lace collar/shaw...

The Nutcracker Prince got a bright red coat, with a gold tie...

I adapted the "Bunny Tip Top" pattern from Petit a Petit  and flipped it around for the coat and it worked pretty well.

He's got little knit "socks" that just pull on to stand in as his  "boots".

I love how these two turned out!  Their just so sweet!  The perfect pair!

And the kids really love them and love to play "nutcracker" with them! 

It's so nice to finally have a pair of Nutcracker dolls for their imaginary play!  Because each and every year around Christmas "the Nutcracker" is "playing" in our living room...and this will make the "show" all the more enjoyable! 

A King and Queen...

Yesterday's sock monkey wasn't the only handmade gift Violet gifted to Henry...He also requested a King's cape and crown!  Goodness this boy really knows what he wants doesn't he?!  

This kid really does love to dress up.  In fact, from Santa he requested a ninja costume...so on Christmas day he went from a ninja to a king to a prince all in one day!  

Violet was just as excited about making this costume as she was the sock monkey!  She helped me draw out the crown design on a piece of paper and then I traced and cut it onto two pieces of felt and sewed them together.  She picked a piece of ribbon for the trim which I sewed on and then, with fabric glue, felt pieces and shiny gems in hand she decorated the crown to suit it's King!  After it dried we added a bit of elastic to the back and it was complete.

Next, she drew and designed her image of his King's cape and I went to Joann to pick out the perfect fabrics...gold cording, faux fur (Violet got a fancy vest out of the "trimmings" of this!) and stretch velvet...

The play cape pattern from "Growing up Sew Liberated" has provided us with some fantastic capes over the years...and it's so very quick to sew up so that is the pattern I decided to use.  I added as much length to the cape as the amount of fabric I had provided.  The collar is self drafted using the top of the cape pattern as a guide and for the edges I simply cut wide strips of the faux fur and sewed them on... 

It was really a figure it out as I went sort of thing.

That being said, despite the "winging it" I am thrilled with the way it all turned out!  And so was Violet, the grin on her face when she saw it all come together was priceless!

And, of course, let us not forget "King Henry"!  

Who wears this ensemble constantly!  I think he'd wear it morning, noon and night if he could!

After Violet's gift to Henry came together...she wished that she too had a crown of her own...She had not given Henry a long list of Christmas wishes as he had to her, therefore, Henry was looking for ideas.  

And a Queen was made!

Henry made her her very own Queen's crown, picking the felt, the ribbon and adding on all of the embellishments on his own just as Violet did for his.  They both did such a beautiful job and each loves their crown and how well it's perfectly suited for them!

Coincidentally, while I was at Joann gathering King fabrics, I happened to come across some fun "confetti" tulle that was marked down in their "end of bolt" section...I scooped it up "just because"...

As it was, it turned into the perfect accessory for a Queen!

In a tiny moment, while Violet and Henry were out running Christmastime errands with Daddy...I whipped up a simple long gathered skirt for her.

The underskirt is pink laguna cotton knit and the overskirt is simply the tulle folded over on itself with a few wool felt balls tucked between the layers...an added sparkly knit elastic waistband and that was it!

Henry was surprised by this accessory for his handmade crown but thrilled and excited as well, because he knew she'd love it!

And love it she did!  

She's definitely more of a "Queen of the woodlands" than of a fancy palace though...

Both kids immediately donned their royal attire upon opening on Christmas morning, they pulled them on over their pajamas...and then again later over clothes as well.  And, they've been worn consistently since then as well.  

I do so love how much these two like to pretend and imagine.  I also love how much thought they make and put into each others gifts, those are the kinds of gifts that are the best to give and the kind that are oh so loved when they are received!

Sock Monkey...

One day last month I overheard Violet and Henry discussing Christmas gifts...well, to be more specific, I heard Violet asking Henry what he wanted for Christmas.  I actually missed the answer at the time, but soon after Violet gave me the run down...He had chosen some good things to ask for from Violet!  Even better because many of them could be handmade!  

I'm not sure why or how this came about, but he asked her for a stuffed monkey.  Perhaps he was remembering that he gave her a stuffed angel last year and wanted something soft in return this year.  Really though, I think it's just because he loves stuffed animals and he does have a fondness for sock monkeys!

When Violet first told me about the stuffed monkey wish, I'm not sure she was originally anticipating that we'd make it.  But, as it turned out, we already had the quintessential socks on hand (part of the crafting/making supplies that were handed to me after my husband's mother passed away) so why not...

I've never made a sock monkey before, it seemed like an odd thing to miss out on especially since I've made so many other stuffed animals and dolls in the past!  Plus, I knew that Violet and I could work on him together!  She helped with some of the sewing, did all of the stuffing and helped me to draw the different pattern pieces.  She made all of the design decisions, including making and adding super awesome pompom to his hat...

Picking out his eyes and the perfect bellybutton (also from my mother-in-laws handed down stash) and a fantastic little upcycled sweater bow scarf to wrap around his neck!

I did add one little design detail of my own though...

This guy turned out so well!  He is amazingly soft and squishy!  

He's truly got a little personality!  

And, the best part...

Henry adores him!

Well done Violet, I'd say this gift was perfectly well received! 

Faux Fur and Plaid...

Many years I attempt to make a Christmas outfit for the kids for Christmas Eve...Though, I think, that last year may have perhaps been the first year I made something for both kids.  In years previous Violet was the lucky one with a new skirt one year and a new dress another.  It seems that she's keeping that lucky streak going because she was the only recipient of something new this year.  It should be known though, that Henry was offered something new...he turned it down.  He really just wanted to wear his Easter suit and shirt to church, in fact, he was adamant that he ought to wear a suit.  He did, however, agree to wear last year's bow tie and a handmade felt poinsettia flower to look a bit more Christmasy.

This year, Violet too, had a vision...

She really wanted a red, flowy, plaid skirt.  That's it.  Easy!  Of course...I found this amazing rayon red plaid at Joann and wanted to keep it for myself.  I so hoped that she wouldn't like it when she saw it and change her mind.  She didn't.  I also nearly didn't get it made.  I literally was making it on Christmas Eve morning.  But, I finished it!  Even with a few hours to spare and with a little time to finish up some tiny details for another Christmas gift! 

I must admit though...part of the reason I was sewing up the skirt at the very last minute was because I got sidetracked...

You see there just so happened to be the tiniest bit of faux fur floating (literally) around the sewing room one Monday after Violet and I had fervently been working on a gift for Henry over the weekend.  It was too much too simply throw away, but it was shedding it's fraying edges all over the floor and everywhere it moved!  I also happened to have some of this amazing and sparkly silver metallic ponte sitting there (minding it's own business mind you!) and the two seemed a quick match made in heaven!  

So, when I ought to have been making the requested skirt... I, instead, decided to whip up something she didn't know she wanted!

But she loved as soon as she saw it!  And felt it!

I used the explorer vest pattern from the Oliver + S  "Little things to Sew" book just as I did for these vests last year, which still get tons of wear!  I, again, kept it simple and didn't sew any pockets.  I added a bit of length to the bodice and little ribbon tie at the top instead of buttons.  And, again...it's reversible!

Because sometimes you are in the mood for a little sparkle...

And oh boy does this ponte sparkle! 

And sometimes you want a little faux fur...

But wait, let's get back to the skirt...because, after all, we wouldn't really be here if it weren't for it!  

Yes, the vest was fun and exciting and really pulled it all together, but it was one of those happy little extras...the skirt was what she really asked for!

It's voluminous, it's twirly, it's got pockets...

It's really everything she wanted.

I used the skirt part of the Friday dress pattern along with it's pockets to make the skirt, because, when discussing what kind of skirt it was that she wanted she said "like the kind that is on my yellow dress"...and so it went...

She couldn't have been happier when I finished it in time, I know she doubted me for a bit there, but when she tried it on she really was delighted!  Something nearly like this...

While Violet was the only one that got something new this year...the plaid shirt or skirt of dress for mama and santa ties for the boys got nixed for lack of time...

The rest of still managed to clean up pretty well...

Though, not all of us, perhaps, got the memo to stop singing and smile!  

(Note to self...my husband can't be in charge of the camera remote anymore...)

"Woolies" and Long Johns...

A "ski-trip" has been something we've been wanting to do with the kids around Christmas time for a couple of years now...But, dude...planning a trip around Christmas takes time!  Which, of course, we often feel as though we don't have enough of between holiday obligations, gift buying, making...and other holiday fun.  This year though we were determined to make it happen...our family Christmas gift...a trip to Lake Placid!

We told the kids ahead of time, because there was no way we would've been able to keep it a secret and because it was important for us that they knew this was part of their Christmas gifts.  Plus, there were skis to rent, helmets, goggles, ski jackets and more...

Of course, once we booked the hotel and acquired the necessary goodies we sort of stopped the planning until the drive up...which didn't end up being too big of a deal actually.  We chose Lake Placid because, while far away, it was still a drivable distance...and that long drive allowed for some car ride planning!  Plus, we knew that no matter what happened there would be loads of things to choose from because aside from downhill skiing there are so many other fun things to do between Olympic venues, ice skating, dog sled rides, sleigh rides, tubing (which we didn't do as it was sold out, who knew?!), cross country skiing and more...we were constantly moving from one winter fun adventure to the next!

We stayed downtown, right alongside Mirror Lake which was perfect!  I'd actually been to Lake Placid before, years ago when I was in high school my mom and I went for a weekend in February on a whim...I remember it feeling so quaint and magical...I've been wanting to revisit ever since.  Being downtown afforded us magical lake moments, walks to dinner across the lake and down the town's streets. 

It really was the best and most magical "winter wonderland" trip!

(we made this fun pennant as a memento at a shop called ADK outlet)

It was also COLD! 

We hadn't yet had much cold weather before Christmas...we'd been riding a pretty mild exit from fall and entrance into winter.  The weather in Lake Placid, we knew, would be colder than we had felt thus far this season.  As we sorted through the clothes we had and the clothes we needed I quickly realized that the "snow clothes" I made a couple of years ago no longer fit and the kids needed some warm layering clothes to wear under their ski jackets and snow pants.  I initially thought that we'd simply purchase a couple of pairs of long johns for each kid...but goodness...these layering clothes were adding up, quickly!

Then I read this post from Erin on Imagine Gnats about sewing with wool jersey...and remembered that I had recently purchased some performance knits from Joann as well...and I just couldn't bring myself to buying super expensive long underwear for fast growing kids.  So, I did what any sewing mama would do...I ordered some amazing wool from Imagine Gnats, stayed up until 2am making the kids each a pair of "woolies" and a pair of long johns, tucked them into a box, wrapped them up and put them under the tree! 

I was one tired mama the next day...but the excitement over long underwear on Christmas morning...yes, there really was excitement, made it oh so worth it!

Also, these clothes were pretty much the only things that each kiddo wore the entire time we were in Lake Placid.  The high temperatures while we were away were in the low 20s.  And, while on the mountain skiing and in town the wind chills dipped to the single digits.  These kids stayed snug and warm!  

The rambouillet wool is super soft, soft enough for each to wear alone.  The kids really loved wearing these!

And, I just love the colors...so pretty!

It has only a 25% two way stretch but it's just enough for tees and leggings.  I've been washing and drying these along with my normal everyday washings with no problems.  

Because the wool doesn't have quite the same stretch recovery as the performance fabrics they were a bit baggier, which also made them perfect for layering overtop of the other long johns...

The performance wear long johns on the other hand are super stretchy and "slippery" making for adding layers over top a cinch!  

For Violet, since she is getting to be sooo tall nowadays, I didn't have quite enough fabric for her shirt...

So, I improvised and added different sleeves and colored blocked the back with some nylon/lycra I still had left from these pants and this shirt...

I actually totally love the way it turned out too!  Hooray for accidental awesomeness!

Between layering with sweaters, fleece, each other, and snow pants these long underwear ended up being the perfect base layer to start off each and every day.  Of course the fact that they were called long underwear caused some confusion for Henry, as he thought that he didn't actually need to wear any other underwear...

What's surprised me though, is how versatile these pieces are now that we are back at home.  The wool shirts are such a lovely color and are so comfy and cozy that each have been worn simply as shirts, as have the other shirts...and the pants are perfect for gym class or layering under dresses, etc...

Whether it's because I know they fit just right...or because I'm too lazy to print out other patterns... the tops are all  Flashback skinny tees from Made by Rae and the bottoms are all Wild and Free Lounge pants (sans pockets and panels, etc...ie the super simple version) from Coffee and Thread.

I've been making a ton of these shirts and pants of late...some you've seen on Instagram and have yet to be blogged...and some I've actually blogged about...either way right now, this is a total winning combination for me lately!