Birthday Gifts for a 3-year old

My daughter turned three a few weeks ago.  It's hard not to go overboard in buying character toys for her (My Little Pony, Strawberry Shortcake, anything with a Disney Princess), because that's really what she loves-- she is a three year old girl, after all.  So instead we tried to find some gifts that would let her expand her imagination and creativity, as well as some homemade gifts that could (hopefully) have some special meaning over the years.   So before too much times passes, here are a few pictures of her homemade gifts:

The dress is New Look 6115, part of their Pattern Runway collection.  I've had it in my pattern collection for about a year, so it was really good to finally have an excuse to make it.  But the best part of this dress is the fabric: the center panel and bodice are made from Sarah Jane Studios Wee Wanders collection. I follow the Sarah Jane Studios blog, and if you have never seen her work, you definitely need to check it out.  She is an artist who creates the sweetest prints, embroidery patterns,  jewelry, and fabric that celebrate childhood. When they announced last year that the Wee Wander fabric line was coming out, I knew immediately that I would have to buy the sea foam Summer Ride-- a print of a little girl riding her white horse.

See, my little girl has her own white horse, Nellie, who is her best friend.  They do everything together-- hold long conversations, play outside, go to the library, sleep together--  everything.  Nellie looks a little love-worn these days, but she is very much a part of the family now.  Every three-year old should have a friend as good as Nellie, and this fabric was the perfect way celebrate their friendship.

The second handmade gift was made with a pattern from the book Oliver + S Little Things to Sew.  This book was written by Liesl Gibson, the designer and owner of  Oliver + S, Lisette, and Lisel + Co patterns.

I made the Bias Tape Apron, which is a full apron with velcro back closures, side pockets, and bias tape trim. Perfect for a little girl who loves to help me bake!

  After taking a picture of her in her dress, there was no way she was going to let me take a picture of her in her apron, too.  One outfit picture a day is her limit, and sometimes not even that many.

Finally, as part of her birthday gifts she received a doll crib that had been my mom's when she was a little girl.  To go along with the crib I made a little mattress, sheet, and doll quilt.  It's such a sweet little bed, perfect for Nellie!

I guess I really don't need her birthday as an excuse to make her things, and she does get lots of handmade clothing throughout the year, but it was fun to give them to her as presents!