Birthday Dress and Bloomers

I haven't done a custom birthday set in a while so it was fun to pull this pattern back out and sew it up. The customer requested the hot pink houndstooth, and I love how bright and preppy it is! The fabric is actually a flannel, so the winter birthday girl will be warm and cozy for her special first birthday. I tried a new way to make the bows (thanks, Pinterest!) and I'll never make bows any other way. Having 3 girls, I've tried to make my own hairbows before, but just couldn't quite get it without them looking homemade. The tutorial I found is fool-proof and makes big, perfect bows every time. It does require a needle and thread, but I think even a beginner can manage it.
It's been crazy busy around here! Orders are pouring in, and I'm trying to keep up without completely neglecting my family. We just marked a big "to-do" off our list with Ava's spelling bee yesterday. Is there anything more nerve-wracking than watching your child stand alone on a stage and attempt to spell perfectly in front of hundreds of her peers? I almost couldn't take it, but Miss Ice-in-her-veins did beautifully. She was eliminated with "intrigue" but ended in the top 14, so we are all very proud of her. The winner was actually a 5th-grader who beat out all the 6th, 7th and 8th graders! I love it when the underdog wins.
I suspect that I may be having e-mail issues again with my Chocolate Zebra account, so if you've emailed me and haven't heard back, please leave a comment on the blog letting me know you're having trouble reaching me.
Have a great weekend!