MashUp Blog Hop

Today I'm participating in a fun MashUp Blog Hop with a group of amazing bloggers!  There's so much amazing MashUp inspiration so start hopping and show these ladies some love:

1. Knight Hoodie + Bimaa Sweater by Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts
2. Alleycat Daydream Dress by Call Ajaire
3. Rainbow Princess Dress by Rae Gun Ramblings
4. Ash Jumpsuit + Vintage Style Flutter Sleeve by Amanda Rose
5. Burda Harem Pants + McCalls Dress by Lil Bit and Nan
6. Sugar Plum Princess Dress + Poppy  Dress by Bee Quilted Beauties
7. Dress #13 + Pants #2 by Sprouting Jube Jube
8. Katie Fancy Pant + Field Research Pant by Scientific Seamstress
9. Jumpsuit Mashup by Sew Like My Mom
10. Lullaby Line Body Suit + Grand Slam Tee by Peek-a-boo Pattern Shop
11. Cherry Pie Skirt + Socialite Peplum by Sewing Sober

Because Sometimes I'm a Fun Mom

While I was offered compensation for trying out Sands Alive! all opinions here are mine.  Spoiler Alert: I really am this crazy about messy activities, hehe.

If you follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me use #sometimesimafunmom, but for the most part I feel like things can get pretty bland around our house.  Bean and I get into a routine of reading, puzzles, listening to music, and the occasional lego/train adventure, mostly because we enjoy it, but also because I'm not a big fan of making a mess.

Alley Cat Daydream - MMUp Details and Features

It's the last Thursday of September so it's time for some features from the MMUp link-up and a few more details about the Alley Cat Daydream dress.

Secret Garden Dress Turned Top

The Secret Garden Dress is pattern collaboration between E+M Patterns and Sprouting Jube Jube and the result is just lovely.  When I first saw it out in blogland I fell in love with the gorgeous back.  The bow detail is so lovely, but the v-shape above it makes it all come together so perfectly.

Starlight City and Socialite Peplum

Jessica from Lil Luxe Collection (*affiliate link) released three new dress patterns over the weekend and I was fortunate to help test two of them: the Starlight City Dress (*affiliate link) and the Socialite Peplum and Dress (*affiliate link).

The Butterfly Sling Purse - SSW

It's another Selfish Sewing Week and I'm super excited about this one.  I've been sewing SO MUCH for Bean's fall wardrobe that it'll be fun to take a break and sew for myself.  Whether you call it selfish sewing or self sewing or whatever, take some time this week to sew yourself something pretty!

Go Go Gadget - Minus the Gadgets... Project Run & Play

It's time yet again for a fun season of Project Run & Play!  A few of the designers this round are friends so I encourage you to vote on your favorite look.  It takes only a minute and having been there before, I know just how much the designers appreciate EVERY SINGLE VOTE.

Alley Cat Daydream - MMUp (9) Sewing the MashUp

It's a busy day on the blog, but don't think I've forgotten about the fabulous Alley Cat Daydream mash-a-long!  Today we're sewing the MMUp and this one couldn't be more simple.

September Showcase: Meridian Cardigan

Over at Frances Suzanne, they are celebrating indie designers this month with a September Showcase as a part of their Flip This Pattern series.  I adore indie patterns, so I am thrilled to participate.  Today I'm sharing a lovely pattern by one of my favorite people, Rachael from Imagine Gnats (pssst she's competing in Project Run & Play this season and you HAVE to check out all the awesome over there and vote!!).

Alley Cat Daydream - MMUp (9) Reveal and Alterations

It's time for the September Monthly MashUp (MMUp) mash-a-long!  Today we'll go over the pattern pieces needed for the mash-a-long and open the link up.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway to win the patterns for yourself and as a reminder the Alley Cat Daydream mash-a-long schedule is:

Thursday 9/4: Introduce the patterns and open the giveaway (giveaway ends on 9/17 at midnight EST)
Thursday 9/11: Reveal the MashUp, alter the patterns, and open the link up (open until 9/24 at midnight EST)
Thursday 9/18: Begin sewing the MashUp with the Giveaway winner announced on Facebook and Instagram
Thursday 9/25: Share the details of the MashUp and features from the link up

And now for the reveal...

Sew Japanese - Kids Clothes Sewing Lesson Book

Today I'm over at Nutta with her Sew Japanese series.  Shino's really delving into a few specific designers so there'll be a lot of great info this week and I urge you to check it out.  She asked us each a few questions as part of the series and you can read my interview here.


A while ago I won this book (*affiliate links) in a giveaway from the Japanese sewing series run by You and Mie and I was so inspired by the series that I couldn't wait to get it and start sewing.  Then it arrived, and was put to the back burner in favor of quicker projects.  Since I had never sewn with a foreign language pattern before, nor do I know ANY Japanese, I was hesitant to start what I was worried would be a long project.

Poppy The Panda - Sew Many Books!

It's no secret that Bean loves Pandas, so when I had the chance to be a part of Nap-Time Creations' Sew Many Books series, I knew exactly which book she'd choose: Poppy the Panda by Dick Gackenbach which is her absolute favorite.

Alley Cat Daydream - Monthly MashUp (9)

It's the first Thursday of the month so it's time for another Monthly MashUp (MMUp).  For September the MMUp patterns are the new Alley Cat Romper from the Lil Luxe Collection (*affiliate link) by Jessica Bustos and The Daydream Ruffle Dress by See Kate Sew.  The Alley Cat Daydream mash-a-long schedule is:

Thursday 9/4: Introduce the patterns and open the giveaway (giveaway ends on 9/17 at midnight EST)
Thursday 9/11: Reveal the MashUp, alter the patterns, and open the link up (open until 9/24 at midnight EST)
Thursday 9/18: Begin sewing the MashUp with the Giveaway winner announced on Facebook and Instagram
Thursday 9/25: Share the details of the MashUp and features from the link up

Tinley Tee and Love Me Knot Tour

Today I'm sharing the Tinley Tee and Love Me Knot Short from GYCT Designs.  I am happy to be a part of a fun tour like this one: