Sewing

The 12 Days of Christmas: Welcome to the Mouse House

December 7, 2013

I am very happy to have Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House as my guest today. Hayley is a new friend and in the short time I’ve known her I’ve been amazed by the amount of things she gets done, I don’t think she ever stops. I mostly knew Hayley’s blog for her sewing – she did win Project Run and Play a few seasons ago after all. Hayley is one of those all round crafty people though and also writes about embroidery, home decor (I’m so jealous of her craft room), baking and all sorts of other crafts.

You will find a lot of tutorials on the blog and Hayley has also reviewed a lot of sewing patterns. After three years of sewing custom orders Hayley started releasing her own patterns recently. She already has the Norah Dress and the women’s Julia Cardigan in her shop and today you get to see what her third pattern will be.

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Hey guys!  My name is Hayley from Welcome to the Mouse House and I am so excited to be over here for Suzanne and Laura’s awesome Christmas series filled with so much inspiration.

Every year, I have plans. Big, big plans that involve beautifully hand-sewn clothing for both kids, a house impeccably decorated, and special handmade gifts for every single teacher.   And every year, I feel as if I have let myself down because I can’t do it.   I can’t find the time and I can’t seem to manage it all.  I think this is the first year I have realized that the only person that cares…

My kids, my husband, my family… they don’t care.  What they do care about is that I am there to share memories with them and this year I threw in the towel and gave up on trying to do it all.

My house isn’t decorated yet (in fact, it is a mess), I went out and bought Ethan’s outfit (which is super cute, by the way), and I gave up on trying to get those professional style shots that I see all over my facebook page.  The bottom line is that I am definitely not a professional photographer, but hey, I got some cute shots of my kids that show how much they love each other.

Look at these kids!   

Tonight, we are visiting Santa and we will spend the afternoon drawing pictures for all of the elves (according to Ainsley, there are 5 elves and one kitty).  I think this year is going to be awesome because they are both old enough for the pure joy and excitement of seeing Santa.

Ethan’s whole outfit is from target and I adore the button up so much with the chambray and contrasting white stitching.

Ainsley’s dress was created from my own pattern (The Caroline Party Dress will be out mid-December!) and I used Michael Miller polka dot for the main and gold lame for the collar.  The underskirt has gold tulle for a fun pop of cuteness.

It was nearly impossible to get these two to cooperate for pictures, so I let them enjoy themselves and they sure did!

They really do adore each other.

Look at Ethan’s face!

Even though the photos didn’t turn out quite like I had imagined, it was fun and I see how happy they are to just be themselves.

Thanks so much for having me!  I hope that everyone has an enjoyable and relaxing holiday season (and I promise to relax a bit).

Be sure to check out the amazing bloggers in the lineup!

craftstorming sewpony sewing like mad nest full of eggs simple simon la gang à nat modern homemade lbg studio frances suzanne do guincho hungie gungie kid approved welcome to the mouse house while she was sleeping counterpane compagnie m heidi and finn lollipop garden crafts straightgrain behind the hedgerow s is for sewing petit à petit and family Groovy Baby and Mama things for boys Image Map

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You have such cute children Hayley and those photos are adorable. Both their outfits are lovely and co-ordinate really well. The Caroline Party Dress is really special, I’m sure it will be a very popular pattern. Thank you for being my guest today!

Now hop on over to Sewpony to see what her guest, Olga of Kid Approved, has made today.

sewponybutton.jpg

On the seventh day of Christmas,
my true love sent to me
Seven swans a-swimming,
Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds,
Three French hens,
Two turtle doves,
And a partridge in a pear tree.

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15 Comments

  • Reply Suz December 7, 2013 at 10:19 am

    Gorgeous Hayley. You are just amazing with what you achieve so don’t feel like you are letting people down!! Your kids look adorable and you have some wonderful photographs here. Ainsley’s dress is very special and I think a quite a few Mums will be whipping up a Caroline party dress to wear on Christmas day!! Thanks so much for joining in!

  • Reply Trine December 7, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    That dress is fabulous!!! And what great photos. Such adorable kids ❤

  • Reply Mie @ Sewing Like Mad December 7, 2013 at 12:41 pm

    Oh these photos almost makes me cry….I absolutely LOVE them. The kids might be dressed up (very well dressed up indeed) but they show real life. Love love love. Oh and the colors in Ainsley’s dress: PERFECT! lame gold (haha) and navy – YES!

  • Reply erin December 7, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    gorgeous clothes and photos! That dress is just beautiful… great job!

  • Reply Hayley @ Welcome to the Mouse House December 7, 2013 at 2:46 pm

    Thank you SO much Laura and Suz for having me over here. I have enjoyed following allowing with this series and seeing the different styles everyone has. Thank you!

  • Reply Yeka December 7, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    Lovely dress and your photos look like taken by a real pro! 🙂

  • Reply Olga Becker December 7, 2013 at 5:22 pm

    Such great outfits, Hayley. Kind of funny that I also have a boy-girl outfit. Love the dress, can’t wait to get my hands on the pattern! 🙂 The shirt looks awesome too!

  • Reply April Boyer December 7, 2013 at 10:05 pm

    Hayley, these pictures are just adorable! Simple yet full of joy. I’m the same way about decorating. Great intentions but I just doesn’t get done. And I love her dress, perfect colors and its just adorable!

  • Reply Marta DoGuincho December 7, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    I’ve been in love with your dress since I’ve first saw it on Facebook!
    And the pictures are so sweet! Great work Hayley!

  • Reply Caroline December 8, 2013 at 12:02 am

    Are you kidding me? Fantastic! Those two remind me of my older two- adoring each other, most of the time. Beautiful dress, with a great name. I do like to party,

  • Reply jenya December 8, 2013 at 9:49 am

    Phew I am so relieved to know that Santa has kitty in the crew! The photos of the kids are great. Ainsley’s dress is just gorgeous!

  • Reply Elisa December 8, 2013 at 2:59 pm

    These pictures are precious! Cute clothes and cute kids! 🙂

  • Reply abby @ thingsforboys December 9, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Thanks for keeping it real, Hayley! Nice to know I’m not the only one drowning in a sea of tinsel…and you’re right, we are probably the only ones that care about the decorations. I think your photos look fantastic! The kids look so happy and geniune. Ainsley’s dress is beautiful! Love the gold touch!

  • Reply Heidi December 9, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    Absolutely LOOOOOVE the navy and gold! I love non traditional colors for holiday outfits and navy and gold are an all time favorite combo of mine any day of the year 🙂 Can’t wait for the pattern release! 🙂

  • Reply Celina December 12, 2013 at 10:08 pm

    oh I love these photos Hayley, better than any professional ones! The outfits are impeccable too- i love the navy and gold combination. That Caroline dress is awesome.

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