Taylor, Author at TaylorMade

Fox Costume

October 30, 2013 By Taylor 14 Comments

Meet the Fox!

When my oldest son decided he wanted to be a skunk for Halloween, I had no other choice but to dress his brother in a fox costume. The cutest little fox I’ve ever seen.

I had a hard time finding fabric that was the right shade of “orangey/brown”. I looked and looked but then I found this heathered burnt orange t-shirt in the men’s section at Wal-Mart. I bought two XXL shirts and took them to the cutting table. I used my new favorite pattern again, The Bimaa Sweater for the top. I sewed strips of brown knit to the bottom of the orange before cutting the pattern. And I added the ears before sewing the sections of the hoodie. I used interfacing in the ears but I also did a little extra step to get them to stand up. After the hoodie was sewn, I flattened the ear down and sewed a few stitches right on top. Then I bent the ear back the other way and put a few stitches on the inside of the ear too. They stand up really well now!

For the pants, I used the Fancy Pants Leggings Pattern from Tichy Threads. Another very easy and very satisfying pattern! I used the same method and sewed brown fabric to the orange before cutting out the pattern.

The tail. The cutest little tail ever. It’s just stuffed and sewn right on to an elastic belt that sits under the shirt.

I love that he can wear the top as a shirt later on. My kids love play clothes so I don’t think this week will be the last time I see it :) I also want to make more Fancy Pants Leggings. This kid has a big butt and this pattern fits him great. To say they are excited is an understatement!

And just in case you don’t have the song in your head yet…

Be sure to check out his brothers Skunk Costume too. How many more years do I have left for “themed costumes”?

Skunk Costume

October 29, 2013 By Taylor 15 Comments

A few months ago we were in the car and my oldest announced that he wanted to be a skunk for Halloween. Kind of awesome and pretty random. But I just knew he would change his mind. Then a few weeks later he asked if I made his skunk costume yet (smart boy). He is very in to super heroes so I was still thinking he would change his mind, but then on a trip to Joann’s, he pointed out fabric that would make a good skunk costume. I guess he was serious.

First, I bought a black long sleeved shirt and some black pants. Then I got some back and white fur and thought about how it would all come together. But I spotted this post from Ari where she used Sarah’s Bimaa Pattern to make a Viking Hoodie for her adorable son. Both of these ladies are super talented InstaGram friends of mine :) I knew it would be the perfect skunk head. I already had the shirt so instead of making a new one, I just did a little hacking!

I used the pattern for the hoodie part. I added my little skunk ears before sewing the panels together. Then I used the Bimaa pattern to make a new neckline so the hoodie and shirt would match up correctly. Yall, this pattern is awesome!

I cut a strip from the white fur and sewed a hem around all four sides, that fur is messy business. I pinned it right down the middle and sewed it directly on the shirt (before I added the hoodie).

For the tail I used the fur, batting and a clothes hanger so it stands up! I just used a piece of elastic for the band around the waist and that is what the tail is sewn to.

The best thing is this costume is really comfortable. It’s soft and cozy and I had to bribe him to take it off after out photo shoot!

So there you have the skunk. I love how it turned out! Stay tuned tomorrow for his brother’s costume reveal, it’s another woodland creature… any guesses?

The Boys Shared Room

October 24, 2013 By Taylor 10 Comments

When we moved this summer, the boys really showed an interest in sharing a room. I loved the idea but was tentative because I didn’t know how well it would work. They are 18 months apart but one is a night owl and one is an early bird. My youngest had just started climbing out of his crib when we moved so it was a good time for a big switch anyway. I figured it would make them feel more cozy and on hard days it would teach them about sharing and compromising. It’s been a little over 4 months and its going great! I love knowing that they are together. The funny thing is that we moved from a house half the size and now they want to share, go figure! In the adjoining room (connected by a bathroom) we have the playroom. That means their bedroom houses just two beds, and their clothes.

For the first few weeks, I didn’t have a game plan. My oldest was sleeping on a borrowed bed and my youngest was done with his crib so we went and bought two twin mattress’s and then I froze… it was bad.

We had the mattress on the floor and an old, broken, garage sale dresser to hold the clothes… so pretty much it looked like a frat house for toddlers.

I googled and pinned fun “shared room” ideas but with the configuration of this room; none of those were going to work. My husband wanted bunk beds but I thought they are too little (not to mention they are hard to make). Then it happened… I found them. Two vintage, wicker headboards painted red.

We already had the quilts, curtains and the world map tapestry. I found the grey striped sheets from target. We had the kids bedrooms painted white when we moved in to brighten it up.

It unintentionally started going a little sailor/nautical/mapish… which I love!

Like I said I used a lot that I had. But I bought a few things for the walls that I loved…

This “dream big little one” growth chart is from Gus and Lula (zulily deals)

This Sailor Print is from Urban Outfitters (also where the map tapestry is from). The other framed piece is from a shopping bag and I just cut off the handles.

Chalkboard Map Print is from the Caravan Shoppe. This dresser was my husband’s when he was a baby :) I want some wood in there but I don’t know if we should stain it, or maybe even paint the handles?? Any ideas?

It’s still a work in progress like the rest of the house! But it sure beats two mattress on the ground (which I have a feeling the boys didn’t mind as much as I did!) Do your kids share a room? Also, any thoughts on the dresser; what would you do?

Project Life Card Holder

October 22, 2013 By Taylor 49 Comments

A few months ago I was playing on Instagram and looking at the hash tag #craftroom because it’s just plain fun. I came across an awesome Project Lifer, Miriam and her pretty feed. I looked back through her photos and fell in love with her Project Life Organizer! My husband is really handy so I started drawing up some plans. Spoiler Alert: he built it and it’s amazing!!!

The one I saw on Miriam’s Blog is a lot larger but mine has to fit on a shelf so I had to keep the size down. I gave my husband the dimensions and this weekend he went to work! Mine is 30″ long and 9 1/2″ deep.

My husband even made risers in each section so my cards have stadium seating. He glued and nailed the dividers in and I sprayed it white. In other news I need to stop buying Project Life Kits :/

I have been using the plastic trays that the kits come in so the cards stand up. I find it SO much easier to use something if it’s already out. Not only are they handy but now they are even prettier in my new holder! When people walk in to my craft room they always say “what are these pretty papers?!” They are their own decoration :)

Thanks Bryan for building me the best Project Life Holder Ever!