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2 Little Hooligans

“Grampa’s Candy” Dress

This weeks theme for Project Run and Play is Candy Inspired. I will admit I was completely lost on this one until it came to me one night. I was going to make a dress inspired by “Grampa’s Candy”. You see, my Father-in-law passed away a few weeks ago and he ALWAYS carried Life Savers around with him. He actually carried them around in a white sock and would ask the kids “Who wants a candy?” and the kids would all go running up and reach into Grampa’s sock to get their candy. It is one of our favorite memories of him and it just seemed fitting to sew a dress inspired by “Grampa’s Candy” for this week.grampa's candy dress 009You know them as Life Savers, but in this house they are known as “Grampa’s Candy”.grampa's candy dress 015To make the dress: I used some men’s XL white t-shirts for the top of the dress and for the circle skirt underneath. The skirt underneath is the base for all the ruffles. The ruffles are made from a thin white knit that I purchased from Walmart for $1 a yard. I actually love how the fabric is wrinkly as it resembles the wrinkles in the candy wrappers. And yes, a circle skirt since they are circular candies.
grampa's candy dress 010I used the same thin white knit around the sleeves and neckline.
grampa's candy dress 006It is a very simple design and nothing inventive but I wanted a dress that can act as a layering piece.
grampa's candy dress 001It is starting to get cooler here and this way I can add one of their favorite summer tee’s over it and they have a new outfit. I am all about getting as much use out of their clothes as I can.
grampa's candy dress 002And with it being made of knit fabric it is super comfy. I even tried it under a few pinafore dresses and some of their summer dresses that are sleeveless and it looks super cute! All of the ruffles give the other dresses a lot of volume.
And as you can guess it is a great dress for twirling.

grampa's candy dress 005
I happen to love the dress alone too. There is something about kids in white that I just love!
grampa's candy dress 011
grampa's candy dress 012

grampa's candy dress 014We sure do miss that Grampa of ours! Thank goodness for sweet memories of minty candies!grampa's candy dress 016

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Comments

  3. What a sweet tribute – from the blog post to the outfit, inspired by “Grandpa’s Candy!” Breathtakingly beautiful… Thank you for sharing such a personal story with your readers!!

  5. What a sweet looking dress and very practical in all of the possibilities! Around here those are known as ‘Mom’s Driving Candy’ because I use them to stay awake and alert on road trips…there’s something about the mint flavor that keeps me wide awake. I do go through a whole bad on a trip from TN to PA though.

  6. This is so sweet! Both the story and the dress. I love that you can use it as a layering piece, just perfect!

  7. Oh this post is so sweet and touching but sad too. In that first picture your daughter looks like she is deep in thought remembering her grandpa while looking at the candy. I bet your husband and mother in law both love that pic. Well I’m sure you and anyone else close to him do too actually. Sounds like he was a nice man.

    Your dress is a sweet tribute too. It looks perfect for layering.

  8. My husband’s grandfather just passed away a couple weeks ago, so this post conjured a few tears from my eyes.. So sweet how you were able to remember him by making this sweet dress for your daughter. I also love children in white, so innocent looking!

  10. you are probably too young but if you have ever seen Song of The south your daughters especially this one in the Grampa’s candy reminds me of Luanna Patten who played Ginny right down to the pig tails.you have a handsome boy and beautiful girls,and you are a clever mom who can make a dollar stretch while raising a family