Pool Side Beach Party

Swim11

It’s time for some summer fun! I just love the idea summer, and sun, and all things hot… and you should too! (You are a parent of small people if you just read that in an Olaf voice.) I love that I get to spend most of my summer off with the girls while we are out of school.  We spend time at the pool, splash park, the blow up pool in the back yard, and make an occasional trip to the ever-so-awesome Holiday World.  There is a lot of fun in the sun, so this tour was a great fit for us.  Thanks to Ula at Lulu & Celeste and Deb from Sprouting JubeJube for hosting the Pool Side Beach Party and letting me join in!  The tour has a great line-up of bloggers with a lot of diverse projects to share about.

Lulu & Celeste * 5 out of 4 * The Wholesome Mama * Sew Happily Ever After * BLAVERRY *  From a Box * Élégantine! * Wining Wife * Phat Quarters * Handmade Boy * Sew Sophie Lynn * Sprouting JubeJube * MCB Créations * Gracious Threads * Sew and Tell Project * Pear Berry Lane * Creative Counselor * Inspinration * Golden Rippy * Mahlica Designs * Filles à Maman *  Call Ajaire  * Cindy Parrett  * Adventures with Bubba and Bug  *  Paisley Roots *

Now, I’m not what I would call a swim suit maker, but have have made one once (last year), and it turned out decently for my first go around.  However, I didn’t tackle the task this year because I got some great deals on RTW suits and I had other projects in mind.  I needed a task for this project and Jess from Gracious Threads generously provided me with the Swim & Surf Short pattern for the tour.  How awesome?!  I’d been eyeing this pattern since its testing call, so I was super pumped to get the opportunity.  Gracious Threads also has a coupon code for during the tour, so check that out below.

Swim3

I made these shorts by up-cycling swim trunks I bought at Walmart this season for $5!!  I was able to cut TWO size three shorts with extras left over.  I bought a second pair for the coordinating binding and to make my oldest a pair too.  I could definitely get 4 pairs of shorts out of the two I bought, so totally worth the money especially if you are impatient and don’t want to wait for shipping. Another perk to upcycling is getting a drawstring that can be reused too!  I cut the drawstring in the shorts down to size and stitched it back together at the center.  This gave me pretty finished ends on my drawstring which I love! It makes them look even more legit.

Swim1

If you aren’t familiar with this pattern, there are options for making them with and without swim bottoms attached inside as well as options for two different lengths. The swim bottom option is great for my little one in these shorts because she has NO BUTT!  Basically, she wears a size three, but a 24 month swim bottom falls off because there is no meat in the back to hold them up. This is not an exaggeration, Crack Kills People!!!  These shorts are a great way for us to cover her bum while swimming.

Swim5

And, what’s a trip to the splash park without stopping for a water enema? Right?! Everyone’s gotta get one.

Swim6

Swim4

I confess, I didn’t make these suits, but I can’t leave anyone out.  Here are the other two running around in the water too.  We just love the summer!  I hope you’ve enjoyed a peek into what our summer days look like.  Now, be sure to check out the codes below and enter the rafflecopter for some great giveaways!

The Rafflecopter Prize for Today:

$15 US gift certificate to Gracious Threads

1 pattern of choice* from Handmaiden’s Cottage

Four Season’s Cardigan pattern from EYMM

*Excludes bundles

Open Internationally

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the Coupon Codes from the Sponsors

Modkid  (use the code POOLSIDE2016 for 25% of at checkout until July 2nd)
Sew Happily Ever After with the code Poolside16 get 50% off the Nana tote in thier Etsy shop until July 4th
Also Jennuine Design (one of the prize sponsors) is having an unrelated sale on selected patterns until June 30th. 40% off with code SATYASEASON
Phat Quarters Free US shipping on orders of $25 or more with code SUMMER25
BLAVERRY 15% off with code INDEPENDENCE2016  until July 10th
5 Out 4 Patterns FIREWORKS2016 for 20% off your purchase now through Monday, July 4th, 2016. (Coupon cannot be used on PowerNet fabric)
Filles à Maman JULYONETOFIVE for 25% off everything including bundles, the coupon is valid from july 1st ending July 5th midnight EDT
Gracious Threads 40% off all patterns with code canadaday2016 Good from July 1st to 8th

Lulu & Celeste * 5 out of 4 * The Wholesome Mama * Sew Happily Ever After * BLAVERRY *  From a Box * Élégantine! * Wining Wife * Phat Quarters * Handmade Boy * Sew Sophie Lynn * Sprouting JubeJube * MCB Créations * Gracious Threads * Sew and Tell Project * Pear Berry Lane * Creative Counselor * Inspinration * Golden Rippy * Mahlica Designs * Filles à Maman *  Call Ajaire  * Cindy Parrett  * Adventures with Bubba and Bug  *  Paisley Roots *