Mary Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow?

Yay for spring! I love spring. I think I love it even more now that we're gardening. I've never had a garden before. I fear I may have inherited my mothers black thumb. That coupled with my intense fear of all things creepy crawly just might spell a gardening disaster for me. In the mean time I'm going to enjoy it. What better way to have spent an entire Sunday with my family? The girls loved gardening. Children even girl children love getting dirty. Though both girls were a little uncertain at first. Their uncertainty faded quickly. I found myself very surprised to actually be enjoying the smell and feel of the dirt on my hands. I couldn't believe the soil actually smelled good. Little Turkey enjoyed the smell so much. She decided to taste it and keep tasting it. Gross! If she has a sudden growth spurt we can thank the miracle grow. Already some of the little plants are growing taller! We planted corn, tomatoes, peas (a little late for those), green beans, cucumber, squash, watermelon, blackberry bushes, raspberry bushes, blueberry trees, and several different herbs. We are so excited! We're doubtful the corn or watermelon will grow very well, but we shall see. Hoping and praying for a good harvest.

Oliver + S

When I first started sewing, I got into it because I wanted to quilt. The very first things I sewed were two hot pads. I still have those hot pads somewhere. They look so sad with there crooked lines. I was very proud of those hot pads though and I was in love with sewing. I had found a new hobby. Someday I dream of being proficient at free arm quilting. For now, while my girls are small and will still wear what I make them, I've been enjoying sewing clothes. About a year ago when I was looking online for inspiration, I remember seeing a children's pattern with the sweetest little paper doll on the front. At the time laughably I thought they were vintage. I didn't purchase any at the time. I felt that they weren't really a style I was interested in. It's so funny how much one's tastes can change in just a year. I've since learned more about these patterns and I'm in love! They are the sweetest patterns with the sweetest details. I've spent a shameful amount of time on the flickr group looking at all the different things people have sewn with these patterns! I must say there are some talented seamstresses out there. If you are ever looking, for children's clothing inspiration, you should take a peek. The patterns are phenomenal! The instructions are very detailed and thorough. I recently sewed together the playdate dress. I found a very helpful blog and made good use of the Oliver + S forums when I got stuck. I had never sewn a yoke before and that had me stuck for quite awhile. I did eventually figure it out at 12:00 am. I loved how it all came together and will be much quicker the next time I make one of these. I made a 6-12mo. size for little Turkey. Whenever I'm researching clothes to sew for my littles I like to know what size others picked for their littles. So helpful when deciding what size pattern to use. Little Turkey is very small for age only in the 3rd percentile. She is currently in 12 month clothing, but depending on the brand 12month clothing sometimes is big on her. I'm pleased with the fit. I think she would have also fit the 12-18 month size. I think the next time I sew one up I will make the seam larger on the yoke. I have to pull pretty hard to get it over her head.