I am so excited that I have met some great local (Portland and Vancouver) photographer friends! It’s so nice to get together and visit, chat about our kids, life, cameras, ideas we have … I spent most of our evening together gabbing with the ladies but I did manage to pick up my camera for a few snaps. I can’t wait to play again soon!

I have been a little quiet around here… May is our families super busy month with 3 birthdays just in our house! I have also been photographing some great families, kids, seniors and had two beautiful weddings! I am an editing machine!!!! This shot made me smile while working on Krissy and Jason’s Academy Chapel Vancouver, Wa wedding. The full blog post for this wedding will be coming up soon.

xoxox

I LOVE making things. Simple sewing projects have been a long time favorite of mine since learning to sew a few years ago.

Being a super busy mom of four girls and having a my own photography business doesn’t leave me with a whole lot of time, which never really holds me back too much from having at least a few creative crafty and sewing projects going on at all times.

I have learned to work on things in 10 minute increments here and there.. or better yet, come up with quick and easy projects. Instant gratification is my middle name.

Yesterday I posted a couple of instagram (@sarahecosta if you wanna follow me)  photos I took of the twins wearing I whipped up for the twins after my eyes and brain needed a break from editing. I had several friends, clients and facebook fans ask me about making them…. So this morning I picked out a couple of my favorite fabrics in my stash and went to work on a little tutorial for you. (I am a textile addict.. my stash is pretty impressive I will have to share some photos of that one of these days) …

* These skirts are made to fit my girls who are almost 5 years old. I think this pattern would fit most little girls from 3-6 or so. I literally made both of these including taking the photos and exporting them in less than a hour.

You will need:

1/2 yard of super cute fabric

coordinating thread

1/2 yard + of 1 inch wide elastic (measure it around your little ones waist)

big safety pin

sewing machine, cutting and measuring tools

basic sewing skills

Start with 1/2 yard  (or two for twins) of your fabirc fabric and matching thread.

(18by44 inches)

Trim up any access and selvage, then iron

Make a rolled hem on the bottom of the skirt. I don’t measure, just eyeball half an inch or so and iron, then fold it over again leaving a nice clean edge with no frays. Sew the hem 1/4 inch or just use your sewing machine foot as a guide.

Once you have your bottom hem done put the two wrong sides together. Stitch up the side of the skirt. This will look wrong but will end up giving you a nice finished edge enclosing the hem. 

Fold the hem to one side and topstitch down the right side. This will make everything lay nice and flat. 

(if you have any problems with this step google french seam… its really easier than it sounds)

Turn the skirt inside out with right sides facing each other. Fold the fabric 1/4 inch and fold, just like you did on the bottom hem, then again about one inch to make room for the elastic.

topstitch around the skirt leaving about 2 or 3 inches open in the back to get your elastic in.

That’s it! Super easy and fun. You can make skirts for all seasons and special occasions. **hint hint… they would be adorable for our next session together

Hope you enjoy and have lots of fun making these simple skirts. Once you get this down you can start pintresting all kinds of great free skirt patterns. I have had my eye on a few twirly and ruffled skirts I need to get started on for summer.

The weather outside today is a sure sign that Wedding season is quickly approaching!

I had the opportunity to photograph this wonderful couple’s engagement session who’s wedding we will be photographing in the fall in Ridgefield, Wa. I am so grateful for the beautiful weather and wonderful clients that I have.

Thank you so much!

xoxo,

Sarah

Just a quick little peek at some of my new studio work. Little Owen had so much fun in the tub. He is a water baby for sure. I can’t wait to share more from his session… now back to editing. I have a beautiful wedding, engagement couple, adorable kids and a family coming up soon!

If you have a chance come check out my work at Fizz soda pop and candy shop during the month of May! Special event tonight… im thinking red wine and chocolate covered cinnamon bears will be a great combo! Come check out some of my art photography and visit this great place! 6-9pm, 21 and over.. the rest of the month all ages… bring the kids, mine LOVE it there!

Two Moms and eight kids on a spring break get away to the Oregon coast. Watching kids play on the beach has to be one of my top ten favorite things to photograph. Michelle and I have been friends since we were wild and crazy teenagers. We lost contact for a number of years but when we reconnected we both had four kids including twins. Its so nice to have a great friend to embrace the chaos with! Thanks so much for such a fun trip Mushy and especially for cooking all of the yummy food for us! I can’t wait for the next adventure!

xoxoxo

I love watching toddlers explore the world around them. Sweet Maysen loved playing with dandelion wishes, dancing in the bubbles and best of all giggling with my twins! I feel so blessed to get to meet and photograph Maysen. Just a year ago she had a very serious health scare. She beat the odds and proved herself to be a strong survivor! Thank you so much for playing with me Maysen. I loved meeting you and your awesome Mama. I can’t wait until next time

xo,
Sarah

The twins are almost 5! Registering for kindergarten today and on our way to our check up with the dr. I cannot believe how fast this time has flown by! I think it feels faster with these two than it did my older daughters. I think maybe I am just way more busy now. I am excited for them and watching them grow makes my heart happy. At the same time it’s a little bittersweet that my last babies are no longer little bitty anymore. Luckily I get to photograph sweet babies and toddlers, that makes it a little easier!

lots more blogs coming soon!

A quick preview from the beautiful wedding we photographed last weekend!  So many more to come!