The Kate Shirt...

A sweet friend commissioned me to sassify a plain gray t shirt for her. She gave me some general guidelines, then said, "Well, do whatever you think".

I LOVE those words.

I wanted to create a design that melded together a few inspirational ideas, such as the Flower Patch Tee from JCrew:



Here's what happened to that plain, boring gray t shirt:



Dimensional (but not TOO poufy) flower swirls with petal detail:



Think of it like a permanent but casual corsage:



I loved sassifying this t-shirt. This one took a bit of hemming and hawing on my part before starting. Often I have to sit and stare at a project for a while before inspiration finally, belatedly, hits.

Inspiration for the Kate Shirt hit right in the middle of a week long puke and poop fest of the littles. I was going slightly crazy and it was a PERFECT mental vacation to be able to escape to the craft room and start sewing.

(*sigh*) I love sewing therapy...

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on Facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

Duplos...

So earlier this week I was on the phone having a deep serious conversation with my dear Mother In Law (whom I love dearly, by the way. Not your typical MIL to daughter-in-law relationship. So when I say having a deep serious conversation with her, that's a GOOD thing! ).

I was roaming about the kitchen and family room picking up things and doing that general tinkering about that most Mama's that I know do when chatting on the phone. Bubbalu and Lil Chick were nicely playing in the living room with the duplos.

I walked around the corner to check on the kids and BURST out laughing...right in the middle of a very intense sentence of Mom's.

This is why I was laughing:



Oh yes he did.

Duplos in the fishtank. WHY? I'm guessing he was thinking, "Well, she never said I COULDN'T throw my duplos into the fish tank, so let's try er out!".

I grabbed the little fish net thingy and was able to get most of them out. Yeah, I said most of them. There are three single duplos that sunk to the bottom that I couldn't get at.

Which is why, if you come over, you might see something like this in our tank:



But hey, at least the fish now have something to play with...

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on Facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

The Dining Room Battlefield...

What to do when you don't have any blog fodder? Quite simple really.

Change darling daughter's super blow-out diaper and remove her clothing as it is full of poo. After a thorough hosing off in the shower, put diaper-only clad baby into high chair. Give diaper-only clad 16 month old a bowl of stawberry yogurt and a spoon.

Leave unattended for....oh...about 65 seconds.

And.....PRESTO! Blog fodder:



My favorite part of this whole dining room mess was a lonely little strawberry perched precariously on the windowsill:



And which is why today I geared up, cranked my Ipod and scrubbed my dining room walls, chairs, windowsill, baseboards, table, high chairs and floor. It helped that I was listening to Jordin Sparks, 'Battlefield' on replay.

Cause I felt like I was fighting a battle. Amanda VS. Dried-on Food.

I have mini-skirmishes daily in the Amanda vs. Dried-on Food saga, but attempt a full-on war battle about once a week.

Each side will pull ahead for a time, only to be slapped back into last place. Currently, Amanda is sorta ahead. However, Dried-on Food has a champion fighter on their side which will most certainly attempt to slap my lead down around dinner-time tonight:



Isn't she ferocious?

She's also a bit sassy too. I have NO idea where she got that attitude from:



A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on Facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

Swoon...

I finally found the perfect chair to go in the corner of our newly painted bedroom. I am picturing a quiet little reading nook, complete with a small side table for the books I'm reading, my Bible and my coffee to sit on. Oh, and an ottoman. Gotta have the feet up and resting. It's good for your circulation, ya know.

Also, It's a perfect color match to our Dwell Studio Perch bedding:



Don't I make my bed so very nice and smooth? I iron it every morning. And then I iron and starch the pillow shams, making them stand on end. If that doesn't work (it usually doesn't) , I hot glue them to a steel frame to keep their shape. Gotta keep your shams in shape.

This beautiful new chair will also nicely go with our Intense Marathon Teal blue wall.

You wanna see it? OK, here you go:



SWOON.

As in, a not attainable swoon.

Anthropologie, you're killing me here...

A


***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

Our New Rule...

We have a new rule in our house. A rule that needs to be repeatedly shouted, oh, about 19 thousand times a day. Our new rule is:


"WE DON'T SIT ON BABIES!!!!"


For some unknown reason (other than the fact that he is a BOY and is feeling quite sick of being cooped up inside all the time), Bubbalu is having a REALLY hard time following this new rule.

Poor Lil Chick. I'll hear a muffled squeak, groan and cry coming from somewhere in the house and I freeze, try to determine the direction from which the muffled sounds are coming from, and sprint to her rescue while screaming our new rule at the top of my lungs.

I try to throw in various decibels and tones to keep Bubbalu on his toes. Also, in an effort to increase the effectiveness of the reminder I put emphasis on different words in the rule each time I yell lovingly and gently say it:

"WE DON'T SIT ON BABIES!!!!"

"WE DON'T SIT ON BABIES!!!!"

"WE DON'T SIT ON BABIES!!!!"

"WE DON'T SIT ON BABIES!!!!"

"WE DON'T SIT ON BABIES!!!!"

Sometimes, I even pull out the Emphasize The Entire Rule strategy:

"WE DON'T SIT ON BABIES!!"

But that one's saved for dire emergencies. For example: When I hear only a teeny tiny squeak and then.....SILENCE. Yep, that's when the Emphasize The Entire Rule strategy works wonders.

Followed up by a reciting of Bubbalu's entire given name with reminders as to what toys and privileges he holds dear and what may happen to those toys and privileges should he fail to acknowledge and obey the aforementioned rule.

I did say she'd have to be a tough, feisty girl. What with FIVE boy cousins and, ya know, a professional BABYSITTER for a brother.

Yeesh, it's been one of those days...

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

Wearing Maternity Clothing While NOT Pregnant, Episode 2...

I had to laugh at all of your comments in reply to my Maternity clothing question from yesterday. So, I'm NOT alone! Some of you DO have some cute maternity clothes that pass for "regular" wear.

However, most of my Facebook friends stated that they don't wear ANY maternity clothing items when not pregnant.

I must admit, wearing maternity clothing while not actually pregnant is a gamble.

• First of all, someone might actually ASK YOU where you purchased, oh, I don't know, a CARDIGAN and you have to be all vague and not answer in complete truthfulness.

• Secondly, someone might suspect that you actually ARE pregnant. However, my style consultant has let me in on a little secret: If someone IS pregnant, they try to HIGHLIGHT their belly....if someone IS NOT pregnant, they try to HIDE it. Good to know. ( And I never never NEVER ask if someone is pregnant unless I am assisting them while they deliver their baby. You shouldn't ask either.)

• Thirdly, maternity clothing might actually make you look BIGGER. You need to have an in depth discussion with a good full length mirror before trying this. Also, you might want to enlist the opinion of a friend or ( if he has good taste and will actually answer HONESTLY) a husband.

• Fourthly, Get to know your seam ripper and take those incriminating tags OFF your Maternity clothing!
  

There, those are my rough guidelines.

My biggest reason for choosing to wear some maternity clothing while not pregnant is that over the past four years maternity clothing was the cutest, newest, and most stylish clothing I purchased....strike that, the ONLY clothing I purchased.

Our clothing budget last year was a big fat $0.00 and I had to improvise. Which is why I hauled my Maternity clothing stash up the stairs to my sewing room and started cutting and resewing them....all sassified, of course, and taken in on the side seams so I didn't LOOK pregnant.

Refashioning Maternity (or any other) clothing can be tricky and at times frustrating, but in the case of a low budget with a splash of creativity...it's a perfect fit.

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

While In Line At The Costco Food Court...AGAIN...

On Friday I was in line at Costco's food court to get a (*ahem, 2) mocha to sip on my drive home. It was quite a long line as the lunch crowd was getting all antsy for their chicken bakes and slices of pepperoni pizza. And by slice I do mean the equivalent of a medium sized pizza. But in slice form. HUGE slices.

Anywho.

So I overhear these two young women chatting behind me in the line. They were dressed in workout gear and all cute and sassy. Best of all?

They had British accents.

Maybe it's my current obsession with 'Pride and Prejudice' that is making me love a British accent right now. I read through the entire book last week. Yep, in ONE WEEK. I've actually started it a few times but never got past the first 50 pages or so. Now that I've watched the latest movie version ( yes, yes, I realize that it's sputton (aka: sacrilege) to you die hard Austen fans who prefer the A&E version from 1995 or maybe even the BBC production from 1980.) I think I understand the story line so well now that it was an absolute delight to read. I'm now on to 'Sense and Sensibility'. After that maybe some Emma. I've also been told that 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' is quite good. Not sure what THAT'S all about but I think I'll give it a try.

ANYWHO. Got a smidgen off subject there.

Back to Costco.

So the sassy British accent woman says to me, "Excuse me Miss, where did you purchase your cardigan? I've been looking for a short sleeved cardigan and can't seem to find one?".

NOW. I was feeling all proud of myself for actually sorta dressing cute that day. I had a hot date with the hubby that morning at the office. Nothing like some drilling and sealants on a date! But I wanted to look cute so I retired my faded-to-gray yoga pants and actually tried to put an outfit together.

Dark yellow fitted tee, black short sleeved long length cardigan with hot pink flower pin, a black necklace, Diva jeans from Old Navy and my normal black wedge shoes. I was so proud of myself for mixing colors.

When she asked me I paused a bit before answering her a vague, "Oh, somewhere in the mall?" smiled and turned back around.

I hope she didn't see my flaming red cheeks.

You see, how do you explain to a young, hip woman that you are not currently and haven't been pregnant for about 16 months but bought your coveted cardigan at MOTHERHOOD MATERNITY and are STILL WEARING it?

I just didn't have the self-confidence or nerve to tell her.

Methinks it's time to get the ole seam ripper busy and take that incriminating tag off of my black cardigan.

And I think I'll be sticking with my vague, "Oh, somewhere in the mall..." answer.

Hey, at least I looked cute and had a mocha (*ahem, 2) to sip on while driving my non-pregnant but maternity clothes wearing self home.

C'mon ladies, spill it. Do YOU have a item of maternity clothing that you STILL wear despite not being preggers?

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and see the latest Vintage Dutch Girl posts in your news feed. Oh, and it'll make my day :) ***

Palm Sunday...

We had a lovely Palm Sunday.

I was singing on praise team with my Mom-In-Law and Bubbalu was scheduled to sing a few songs with all of his fellow preschoolers during the service.

We were right in the middle of a song at the beginning of the service as the kids were being led down the aisles, waving their palm branches with gusto, and being arranged on the front steps of the stage.

I had hoped he wouldn't see me. I figured he would act up if he saw me.

However, he found me.

"MOMMY!!! HI MOMMY!!!" He is standing with his back to the crowd, waving his palm branch at me with the HUGEST grin in this universe on his face.

I know I smiled, and I'm certain I missed a few notes.

He kept looking at me and then got this strange look on his face. I'm thinking he was wondering why I wasn't going to him or acknowledging him.

Then....tears, huge crocodile tears, open mouth...and wailing.

Thankfully his wonderful Little Lambs teacher stepped in and comforted him. Poor kid. Musta though his Mama was completely deserting him.

He managed to go back up and maybe even sang a word to two during their songs. Gotta love little bitty kiddos singing their hearts out...or twirling in their new dresses...or making faces at their parents :)

The kiddos did a great and adorable job (per the usual) and then were dismissed...to do it all over again during the next service.

So next service (while singing) I backed up farther and hid behind my Mother-in-law so Bubbalu wouldn't have a repeat performance. I KNOW there were people in the crowd watching me hide while Bubbalu craned his neck looking for me. I may have distracted one or twenty-two folks. Sorry bout that.

Almost three days later and it still makes me smile to think how happy he was to see me and of his cute little face singing, "Hosanna in the highest!"

Ya know, after the crocodile tears were wiped away.

A

Spring Green Lace Trimmed T-Shirt...

I have a bag of brand new Old Navy T-shirts just waiting to be sassified. I've actually had that bag for a good month now and just this morning FINALLY got around to attacking one.

It felt GREAT to be back to my sewing machine. I took a sewing holiday for awhile, but am feeling the sewing twitchies coming back full force! If only I had a clean sewing room in which to fulfill my sewing creations...looks like I found my Saturday clean-up project.

Anywho, I grabbed a lovely spring green T-shirt and give it some good ole Vintage Dutch Girl lace-trimmed t-shirt action. I love how it turned out:



This is NOT your Grandma's lace collar shirt!



You can find this springy green t-shirt listed this in the Vintage Dutch Girl Etsy Shop, hopefully more to come soon.

You know, after I clean up, purge and organize my sewing/crafting room... OY.

A

***Didja know you can find me HERE on facebook? True story. Become a fan and make my day***

The Olive Hope Shirt...

Awhile back I donated a t-shirt sassification for a fundraising auction. I finally was able to finish it and am naming the t shirt design in her honor, Olive Hope. We haven't forgotten this tiny baby girl, who is now resting peacefully in Jesus' loving arms. Rusty and Lynette, we are still praying for you!

The recipient and I chatted about general design and style and then I ran to my sewing room to attack it. The Olive Hope shirt is full of lots of circles and O's that ruffle up when washed and create a lovely flower effect.

Here is the Olive Hope Shirt in White:



Lots of dimension and ruffly goodness:



And yes, I DO know that these pictures make it look like the shirt is gray. Really now, I must get in the habit of taking photos when it is bright and sunshiny!

A

Getting To Know Me...

I KNOW I should get back to blogging. I enjoy it, its my life journal, I can share my crafties, it's fun to chat with and make new friends online...

However.

Sometimes I just don't have "it".

Some days I compose blog posts in my head all day long. Other days my head is like, "Dude! Take a break from all the mental composing and just chillax!"

We are currently on an extended chillaxing season.

However. I miss it and miss you! Back to it I go!

It's been quite awhile since I posted some great stuff, so in the interest of getting to know you and getting to know all about you, getting to like you, getting to hope you like me (Yep, hum the song from 'The King and I' along with me please) I'm filling out a bunch of questions about me.

Because Vintage Dutch Girl? She's chillaxin and has nothing fresh and sassy in her head right now.

Here goes:

High heels or boots? Depends. If it's THESE high heels:



then by all means yes, high heels. But I've discovered they don't quite go with everything. Like my used-to-be-black-now-faded-to-gray yoga pants. Not a great look.

If it's THESE boots:



then by all means yes, boots! And these look MUCHLY better with my used-to-be-black-now-faded-to-gray yoga pants. However it makes me look like a slubby slob. No one wants to be a slubby slob. Still love my rain boots though!

What time did you get up this morning? I slept in til seven. I know, such a rebel.

Diamonds or pearls? Uh, both!? Love me some pearls, but diamonds??? You know what they say about diamonds and being, you know, a GIRL.

What was the last film you saw at the cinema? So long ago I don't even remember. Because really? Spend $25 to sit in a stuffy or freezing theater with someone stinky sitting in front of you, someone laughing too loud behind you and coughing all over you (ewwwwww) or spend $1 on a new release movie from those handy dandy DVD dispensing machine thingys and get yummy takeout??? HELLO. Duh.

What is your favorite T.V. show? This is sorta embarrassing, but 'Say Yes To The Dress'. I have NO idea why I'm obsessed with weddings. I just love em. Yes, I got married TEN years ago (celebrating getting to double digits this summer!) and have zero plans for having a recommitment ceremony or anything, but I surely do love me some wedding dress shopping.

What do you usually have for breakfast? Flavored sugar-free creamer with a splash of coffee, bowl of healthy cereal or yogurt.

What food do you dislike? Super spicy food, curry

What is your favorite CD at the moment? Seeds Family Worship. LOVE THESE. Thanks to Missy for the recommendation awhile back.

Favorite Clothing? A good well fitting pair of jeans and a LONG perfect t-shirt....hopefully individually sassified by me of course.

If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Just give me a warm sunny beach, my husband, a book, a bikini, some light sunscreen and a fruity iced drink and I'm good. Pick me up in a month or two.

Are you an organized person? Um. Yes? (Stop laughing Mom. And Lance...you can pick your jaw up off the floor now.) I'd LIKE to be organized. We are in an a major house revamp/organization/clean/purge overtaking right now. Which reminds me I'm supposed to be in the garage purging as we speak (Type). Ah well, gotta have a break now and then, right?

Where would you like to retire? See the vacation answer.

What was your most recent memorable birthday? A few years back I was three months postpartum with a screaming colicky child and we were booted out of our apartment (they converted them to condos) and were moving. I remember thinking, "really!? THIS SUCKS." So memorable? Yes. Good thing is it's the worst birthday I've had. Every other birthday has been great!

When is your BIRTHDAY? It was 3 days ago! Yep, my birthday rings in Spring!

What are you going to do when you finish this? Uh, revamp/organization/clean/purge the garage. Ugh.

Are you a morning person or a night person? Night! However, I have two little peoples who are VERY much morning peoples. I have to pretty much force myself to go to bed at a decent hour and while I wake up between 6 - 7 every morning I'm not really awake until nine-ish.

Any exciting news you'd like to share that is great? We bought new garage storage shelves! Woo HOO! E.X.C.I.T.I.N.G!

What did you want to be when you were little? Kristi Yamaguchi

What was the last thing you ate? Knock off Olive Garden Salad Dressing on romaine and a bottled Starbucks Mocha Frapp.

Last person you spoke to on the phone? My sweet hubby.

Favorite soft drink? Diet Coke, all the way baby.

Hair color? Dark Brunette. So far, I've pulled one gray hair out of my head. I'll keep you updated.

Summer or winter? I love each and every season. I'm one of those who says, " I LOVE this (whatever season we're currently beginning) season the BEST!" with every single season.

Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate, chocolate and some more chocolate.

Coffee or tea? Coffee! Hello!? I live in the pacific NW. Not drinking coffee is almost sacrilegious.

When was the last time you cried? Yesterday.

What is under your bed? All my gift wrapping supplies and only ONE dust bunny.

What did you do last night? Got all caught up on my Beth Moore Esther bible study (it's awesome if you are looking for one) and watched 24.

Best quality you have? No idea.

How many years at your current job? Three plus change. Before that seven years being a high risk OB RN. Miss it like crazy, but don't know that I'll ever go back. We'll see.

Favorite day of the week? Saturday!

Positive or negative? I'm positive in general. What's to be negative about? I'm saved by grace. End of story.

Nice to chat with y'all again...

A

A Quick Lil Sneak Peak...

Amazingly, I remembered to grab one quick picture before bringing over a huge box full of fun new product over to Grandiflora yesterday.

A quick lil sneak peek for you:



A

I'm Returning! Eventually...

Hey, I have a blog!?

Who knew!?

Apparently not I.

Yep, I've been gone for awhile. Sorry bout that.

One very long, very fun and very enjoyable vacation.

Followed by one very long, very un-fun and very un-enjoyable bout of stomach flu.

Blech.

However, stay tuned! I'm doing a huge craft week getting projects ready for our local Arts & Craft Show next weekend and will hopefully be listing some new funky items in my ETSY shop soon.

Missed y'all!

A

The Day the TV Died...

The day the TV died.

On the day the TV died it was quiet and still.

Sure, we were sad to see it go but thought, "Hey, no big deal, we'll just do without".

On the day the TV died Mama sat and read the paper front to back.

On the day the TV died Bubbalu missed his Sprout, Thomas and Super Why and didn't understand why.

(Fast forward two days)

We start shopping Craigslist for a cheapo replacement!

While measuring the size of the TV, we turn the TV around, and guess what?

The TV never died. SOMEONE just unplugged it.

I have a pretty good guess who that SOMEONE was...

A

A Chick Update...

Yep, I realize most of my stories are about Bubbalu. Time for a Lil Chicky update!

Lately my Lil Chick has been, uh, SMILING, like this lately:



It cracks me up. Such a ham.

She also has been LOVING her doll cradle...which actually used to be MY doll cradle. My Grandpa K made it for me when I was a little girl. It was in sad shape so I spruced it up a bit and gave it to Lil Chick to use. I thought she'd enjoy putting her dolls (Zoe and Zara) in there. Didn't think she'd want to be in it WITH her dolls. Ah well, makes for a cute photo, right!?

She's been LOVING being outside as much as possible:




And have you heard? This little woman LOVES to eat! She is staying quite tiny though...must have the metabolism of a hummingbird.

After we got home from a walk apparently Mama was too slow in getting dinner on the table:



I LOVE my Lil Chick...

A