Peepers Growth Chart

Do you ever have one of those lingering projects? I finally crossed one off my list.
I literally started this Growth Chart last October & just finished it last night... actually it is done, but not even hung up in the house yet.

It's super simple to make & even the steps I did can be simplified if you don't want a weathered board.

You'll need:
house numbers (these were really wimpy & cheap, but work great for this project)
Board (I used a 1 x 6 x 7)
hammer
paint
Sharpie
ruler & tape measure
optional: chain, screw, sand paper, stain & a second color of paint.

Step 1 (optional):Beat up your board... swing the chain on it, hammer the corners good, put in a few nicks with the claw.

Step 2: paint your board. I used a mocha brown for the under color. If you are only doing one color of paint, I recommend 2 coats.
Step 3 (optional): Paint second coat of paint in second color (I used a burnt orange, left over from my last house).

Step 4 (optional): Sand your board to rough it it a bit more & have some of the first
paint color show thru.

Step 5 ( optional): Put a coat of stain on your painted/sanded board giving it a more weathered look. Wipe off excess stain with an old rag. I actually added a few more hammer marks the other night, It just didn't look beat up enough!

Step 6: Add you house numbers:

Step 7: Mark your increments with a Shaprie. I went back over my lines a few times so they were nice & thick.
Step 8: Measure your little one. I went back to his baby book & added all the milestone heights that I had previously recorded only on paper.

Thanks, Karla

Tank Dress

I was inspired by a Green Mossimo Dress from Target to make this tank dress. I used a rib tank I had & knit fabric from my stash - So in my mind if cost nothing.

The inspiration was a simple silhouette, wrap skirt, bust darts, empire waist, lined bodice with pleats etc. Very flattering fit!

So I started with my tank & cut it off about 17" down from the shoulder. I tried it on & marked it where the waist should be - I compared it to the waist position from the green dress, but know it is was from a rib and it it would stretch more, I wanted to allow for that.

Then I cut the skirt length of 24" - for this too I followed the green dress. I wanted it to hit just above the knee. I used a plate to trace the curved corners. I used the full 60" width of the knit for the skirt for a full front wrap.

Double turn & hem along the front of the wrap edges & bottom hem.
Enlist a helper if you must.

Then pin & stitch the skirt on to the tank. This has a full front wrap in that the under wrap extends all the way to the opposite side seam of the front wrap edge. I pinched 3 pleats at the outer wrap (like the green dress).
And added few gathers to the CB of the skirt (I was afraid it would look too blousy in the back).
This skirt portion has NO seams except for the hem. Just literally wrapped around with a few pleats & gathers.

Super Easy!

Thank you, Karla