Boys Can Wear Pink Season 5!

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"But, Pink is a girl's color" ...

Oh, my son. Have the previous 4 years not taught you anything? Pink is just a color. It does not belong to either gender.

After all. If Jason Momoa can pull off pink, and not just pink but pink Velvet, then any guy can wear pink!

Welcome to my stop and the last day of the "Boys Can Wear Pink" series! Such some awesome outfits this year. Don't forget to check them out after reading through this post!

Seriously though, 5 years ago Handmade Boy brought about the Boys Can Wear Pink series and it is still just as amazing!

Check out the past years we have made up by clicking on the corresponding picture! My little guy has grown in the past 5 years! And this year we added a little one!

What I sewed up this year is inspired by some finds from online. And my need to be carefree and worry-free. And don't mind my quick phone photos. It's been a whirlwind of events here testing my patience to make these "no worries" shirts! Missing camera, a baby not sleeping. But I did not give up! They are done! And, in true mommy fashion, I think my boys are cute!

So Shaka stenciled color-blocked tanks are just what seemed to fit the bill!

My big guy's top is a Maui Muscle Tee from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop. I color blocked in the pink and blue horizontal stripes.

My little guy's romper is the Romperall from Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop.

And in true worry-free fashion, I totally got confused on the stenciling and put the Shaka on the back of the romper. I did not realize however until it was complete and after we wore it for a day (before I had taken pictures even!) I almost put his in the middle and I think I should have.

I did not fully think through freezer paper stenciling on a seam!

The entire time I was sewing up these outfits I had a song Husband and I learned on a bus ride to a luau while we were honeymooning on Oahu. "Just hang loose, and just have fun. Sitting on the beach lying in the sun"...  Oh, how I would love to be by a beach right now...

My big guy is excited to have a "no worries" shirt. And one that matches his beloved baby brother to boot!

And, don't forget to check out these other awesome makes celebrating that colors are just colors and are not assigned to a specific gender!

Monday: Wild & Wanderful

Tuesday: Handmade Boy max california

Wednesday: Tales of a Tester Handcrafted by RED

Thursday: it's Liesel Sprouting JubeJube The Fairy Dust Bin

Friday: Paisley Roots Made by Jack's Mum The Berry Bunch

Back to School Wardrobe: Planning Update {kids clothes}

I know it's not back to school anymore. It's already nearing the end of the semester! But... Back in August I talked about the kids' clothes for going back to school and looked at different planning tools/worksheets with which to build their capsule wardrobe for school. You can check out that post here.

To be honest, that post super stressed me out. documenting what the kids had and trying to find the holes (which is what I have been attempting for my own wardrobe for the past, I don't know, 4 years?)... I gave up documenting the girls' clothes. We are blessed to receive hand-me-downs and it's not necessary at all. Through the good graces of friends, we have not needed anything for them.

My oldest is in need of clothes, however. I was still overwhelmed by trying to document and find holes in his wardrobe. Totally overkill for a 7-year-old who still has tons of shirts he has yet to grow out of and a taste as simple as {tee + pant + shoe} and an aversion to layering shirts. No button-ups over graphic tees, or graphic tees over polos here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that maybe he might decide to try that combo. I always thought it looked rather sharp.

The simplest approach for this mom of 4 is simply, did we make it through the week without the blaring "mom, I have no clean pants!!!"? I've since put a box in the kids' closets and much better about telling them to take off what they are wearing if it doesn't fit and put it into that box.

We've since made it to the point where he is in need of pants (about another 2 pairs). I got lucky with clearance items at both Target and Walmart, but since have stopped looking. He could probably use a khaki pair and another blue denim. He has blue denim (2) and a black denim (1).

He is also in need of another 2-3 long sleeve shirts. He currently has 2 graphic tees (1 is getting a bit snug) and a long sleeve school shirt.

So, I'm making a plan. I miss sewing. I want to sew him a couple shirts, and maybe store buy another 1 (or 2).

Shirt 1:
He likes Spock from Star Trek (the original series) and a shirt for that would be awesome.

Looking at this picture, I am thinking a raglan maybe modified with a v-neck but without the high neckline. It's moments like this where I wish I had an embroidery machine, or cricut maker, or silhouette. The symbol will have to be freezer paper stenciled on.

Shirt 2:
He likes Pokemon. Now, with it being super popular I was hoping to find a shirt like this in kids sizing. I have not had luck in my semi-non-thorough search.

I will use a basic long sleeve shirt pattern and color block in the black, red, and white parts. I am thinking either applique the circle, or sew a set in circle. either are an option.

Shirt 3:
Who doesn't love comic characters? DC or Marvel, gotta love them all. Flash seemed fun (plus Sheldon had a few Big Bang Theory episodes where he "ran fast in the flash costume" according to N.
Now picture something like this...

in this pattern

It's the Thumbs Up Tee by OUSM Designs. (Feeling Nostalgic at the moment. Seriously, my little boy was so cute!) I will be freezer paper stenciling the symbol on the shirt too.

Fingers crossed I will be able to accomplish these things! My machine is still hiding in it's case!

Making an Announcement {Motherhood}

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I have managed to keep this secret (kind of) from the social media world. Mostly my general facebook account and other media outlets. Yes, it has come out in some of the groups! It is so hard keeping something like this a secret! Especially when it feels so exciting! How long have you kept something a secret?

It was the beginning of December when I first suspected. It was way to soon to really tell, but I had a feeling. My husband just laughed at me when I told him, but I could see the wheels in his head turning.

We told the kids New Year's Eve. We weren't just celebrating the coming of a new year, but also celebrating...

the coming of a new...  Baby!

We are beyond excited!

We found out the gender a little over a month ago, and we couldn't be happier the baby looks healthy. The most important thing is a healthy baby.

I know Nikolai is beyond words excited he is getting a little brother!

2 of each.

Our little guy is due to arrive on or around August 24th.

I figured I should probably say something if I wanted to share some new items I am working on for a mini capsule (and the need for it since I got rid of most of my maternity clothes!) Oops!

Yes, I made the kids shirts! How could I not?! Especially after how much I loved these!

Nikolai's

GYCT Primary Tee. size: 6 in width and 8 in length. It is perfect.

Samara's

GYCT Tinley Tee. size: 4. I made it with the flutter sleeves and without the waist binding.

Kiera's

GYCT Tinley Tee size: 2 taken in a little in the width. Also with flutter sleeves and plain hemming.

Baby Boy

PAB Rompalls. size: newborn. Pants length. It seems so tiny and yet so big for a newborn!

I used a freezer paper stencil to make the design on the shirts (though I am wishing I had a machine that worked to cut some htv!).

I love these so much! I'm hoping we might be able to use the baby boy's as a going home outfit or something. Either way, I'm excited!

Bonus! GYCT is having a summer sale until the 20th! Perfect time to pick up the tinley and primary tee!

Sewing Summer Tees: GYCT Bowmont Tee {kids clothes}

*This post contains affiliate links. I make a small commission only if you make a purchase and at no extra cost to you. All views expressed are my own.*

The thermostat on my car yesterday said 96° outside. It's hot here in the southwestern desert, and looking through my kids' wardrobes I can see they are missing some hot weather clothes!

GYCT Design's Bowmont Tee was the perfect solution to start building their summer weather wardrobe.

The pattern:
The options are perfect to last year round. Long sleeves for winter, short sleeves and sleeveless for summer. It has a cowl, hood, and a kangaroo pocket.

I chose to go with the sleeveless for both my girls. My boy opted out of a shirt this go around. I had some ideas and none of them were working for him. So just the girls are getting something this time.

This first one is a pink slub knit from a local discount fabric shop. It's super thin and light, perfect for summertime. I've seriously had this stuff in my stash for at least 2 years!

I cut her shirt out at a 3 width and a 4  length. the neck is a 3 and the widest part of the head is a 4. 

I used the same fabric for the arm binding, waistband, and hood. I tried to talk her into the cowl, but she demanded hers have a hood. A hood and no pockets. Seriously, who swapped my kid out for another one? I've never known her to deny pockets!

The second one, in blue, is also a slubbed knit. This time it is the thin stuff from Walmart. I know. Walmart. But I had it on hand as well. Might as well use it! And it is so soft!

Unlike her sister, this one demanded pockets.
The patterns are gumball machines. I got it from a friend decluttering her supplies.

I was originally going to turn the hood so the gumballs were on the outside but totally didn't process that one right. and I am glad I did it wrong from how I intended. It looks good. Plus there is no way I am risking holes and seam ripping to turn the hood the other way!

I like the way the gumballs play peek-a-boo as she walks around.

I love hood options even with things that are sleeveless. My girls' scalp burns in the sun, and if they aren't wearing hats then I would much rather them keep something on their little heads! Plus, it's a lot harder to lose something when it is attached to your shirt!

I think I might need to come to some agreement with the boy so he can have a GYCT Design's Bowmont Tee or two for the summer as well.

What things are you planning on sewing for your kids with this warmer weather?