We are home from our weekend girl’s trip and I feel refreshed, renewed and reinvigorated.

As promised, we spent time by the pool.

Then made our way to the beach.

I returned home to kids that had a fabulous time with their daddy. I think it was a great getaway for all of us! As I returned home yesterday, I found out that my in-laws were on their way for a visit and we were going to Ikea. I always need an excuse to go to Ikea! And of course, loaded my cart with all kinds of random things. Plastic ware, chip clips, a swing for the backyard, a new kitchen rug (above), hangers… the list goes on and on. Oh how I love Ikea.

And since we seem to be on a black and white kind of day, here’s the new piano bench. Adds a little rock-n-roll to our living space!

There is something about repurposing vintage items.  The whole idea of taking something that is old and making it new again really appeals to me.  I have to admit that I have become a fabric snob.  The feeling of soft linens, that have been washed more times than I can imagine.  That have spent time basking in the sun on a clothesline to dry.  Carefully pressed, then ready to use.  How many countless nights these pillowcases caught the dreams of young and old alike.  That tooth anxiously awaiting arrival of the tooth fairy.  That road trip that wasn’t the same without that pillow from home.  Pillows thrown on the floor for a sleepover with friends.  Pillow fights.

Finding a pillowcase at a thrift store and turning it into a beautiful spring dress for my babe really gives me a sense of accomplishment.  Of course, she doesn’t have the same imagery running through her head that I do.  But, she is creating her own memories in these sweet little dresses.  Running and playing in the yard.  Catching the scent of a rosemary bush as it trails behind her on summer star filled nights.  These are the memories of her youth.  And this is the dress that will hold them.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about my stash of vintage linens. I was inspired by your suggestions and have begun to pull them off of the shelves and put them to use. Spring has been making an appearance lately and with the change of seasons comes a change of attire.

I was able to find inspiration here and here. I used a vintage pillowcase that I picked up while thrifting last summer. I made this dress for the kids cousin Camden for her third birthday.

Since the sewing machine was out, why stop with just one dress. It was such a simple and quick project, might as well make a shirt to wear to the birthday party. For this shirt, I used a vintage embroidered pillowcase. The goat seems to like it.

And another goat picture for grins and giggles. We ran across the goats on the way home from the party. There is a local farm that I’ve been meaning to tell you about. We stop there every time we come home from San Antonio for fresh herbs, veggies and some goat action. This time they had free flowers for the kids!

I’ve had my eye on this style of hair clip for some time now. Not for me, of course, but for Makena. So I got all of the supplies lined up while I watched late night television and created some new clips for her. Her hair has been so long, that most days we keep it in piggy tails. Until this week… New haircut means new accessories!

I looked all over the house for those metal clips. I even took some old clips apart to make them.  At the rate that she loses hair clips, I need to make about twenty more!

My sewing machine and I have some issues to work out. Maybe it’s that I’m horrible with directions or don’t like taking directions but I’m having a difficult time with patterns. Oh ya, I’m impatient too so that doesn’t help much. I need a project and need it done while the kids are napping. Otherwise, I find a new project and never come back to complete the old project. I’m like that with books too. I’ve started so many and quit half way through. I’ve got to get better at commitments.

There’s a great new website out there for you crafty mama’s. It’s called Burda Style and it’s rockin’ if I do say so myself. You can download free tutorials and upload your creations as well. Oooh, and there’s also sewing tips that come in handy. Some of you can whip up a handbag or skirt in no time flat so I thought you might enjoy this site.

Update on Makena’s finger:  It’s healing!!!  We went to the doctor yesterday and he did x-rays.  He said that everything is healing just fine, the growth plate is in place and the pins come out in two weeks. Woohoo!!!