I just completed a fun skirt for Ellie. I was inspired by a few bloggers and figured I would give it a go. Basically I “flared” a simple skirt pattern…
The fabric was from my sister for Christmas and I have plenty left. I just may have to make a matching skirt for Penny, and hey, why not me!? The trim is from my co-worker and I believe it came from a vintage stash of ribbons and trim. Lucky me.
Simon’s birthday is on February 15th and I wanted to make him something extra special since he will be turning 5. I feel a bit guilty because I have had so much fun sewing for the girls (new post to come) and so I came up with this nature bag. I found the pattern on craftster.org and it proved to be really easy. I think I will adjust a bit on the shape with future bags.
He recently has become very interested in learning more about birds. He and I have had some fun times comparing my bird book with his and discussing our favorite types. I love blue jays and in turn, he has become quite smitten with them as well. Ellie, with her keen eyes spotted the blue jay buttons on a recent trip to the fabric store. (I know blue jays are sort of mean for real and eat other birds eggs, but they are so pretty…hmm, maybe I should find another type to like!)
This is a test post from 
, a fancy photo sharing thing.
I finished my first dress! Considering I have been juggling my usual day I am pretty pleased that it took me no time to finish my challenge! Of course it was one of those “see and sew” patterns, but like I mentioned previously. My mind tends to complicate patterns. I remember in high school it took me a whole semester to make something…hmmm, I wonder who was in my class at the time OR cute boy that distracted me.
Of course I would have loved to have shown the dress on my model. But she shrieked “NOPE!” when I came towards her with the dress and out stretched arms. That’s okay, I am sure I will manage to photograph her on a day when the air is warm and we are outside and she is playing in her fun frock!
For anyone interested, the pattern is “see & sew”, B4489 and it is very cheap $2.99. It goes to size 8, I didn’t realize this and will have to for sure get another pattern for Ellie. Any tips on how to make multiple sizes from the same pattern? Should I tackle this?
Okay so the dress is coming along. It’s a really easy pattern, but of course my mind tends to complicate patterns. Some of the instructions are so basic, but they don’t really EXPLAIN what to do, you know? My husband agreed with me so I that made me feel not like a complete nimrod.
So I showed Ellie what I did last night and she thought it was cute, but said it would look better with all the strings hanging off. Thanks girlie, I’m not done! Then I put it on Penelope and it kind of feels tight arond her chest (maybe it’s her shirt underneath?). Oh no, what did I do? After consulting a few sewing sites, I appreciated an expert saying that people basically need to discover how to sew on their own and that it takes practice. So I shouldn’t be so tough on myself, huh?
How did that tower of laundry get there?!!?
I think since Christmas I have been in a funk. It’s not really post holiday blues or anything. I honestly think there are times that life becomes a little bit more to handle and it is time refigure how I am living, spending my time, attitude and so on.
I have had a hard time beginning and completing projects. So I am trying to face my “funk” and use the creative outlet I really love. Where do I begin? Penny’s second birthday is coming up in April and pictured below are the beginning stages of alphabet blocks. I made a few sets awhile back and my 2 older kids have always loved them. I figured the more blocks the merrier.
I also have wanted to make more dresses and skirts for the girls. So I am putting myself up to the challenge of following a pattern and actually completing it! I hope all goes well because I have a load of fun fabric that I want to use!
Here are some completely unrelated shots. We had the most beautiful snow fall. It covered all the mud, dead grass…now everything is so pristine.
Want to come over and hang out by the pool? (hee hee)
(I don’t know why, but hit this button and you can see my progress with my sewing!)
I’ve been hit…so here is a bit about me.
4 jobs you have had in your life
dishwasher
muffin mix maker
groundskeeper
baker
4 movies you could watch over and over
(I actually don’t like doing this, but here are some)
Mad Hot Ballroom
Life is Beautiful
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Spellbound
4 places you have lived
Pittsburgh, PA
Madison, WI
Whittier, CA
Naperville, Il
4 TV shows you love to watch
(I don’t watch a whole lot of it!)
ER
The Office
Little House on the Prairie DVDs (watch with my daughter)
Jamie Oliver
4 places you have been on vacation
(we spend most of our off time visiting family)
Outerbanks, North Carolina
Paris and the French Rivera(took students)
Italy (all over, again, took students)
Mackinac Island, MI (our honeymoon!)
Boy, we need to take vacations!
4 websites you visit daily
I actually visit quite a few blogs…
too many to list!
4 of your favorite foods
cheese (all kinds)
Sashimi
authentic Mexican
pecan pie
4 places you would rather be right now
California
Mykhas (a great Vietnemese restaurant nearby)
New York City
somewhere in Mexico
4 bloggers you are tagging
sheesh…too many to decide. it ends here, sorry.
It’s funny how some days you feel like you are the most dreadful mother and on other days you feel pretty good. Today I set my mind that Simon and Penny and I would have fun together and not me trying to keep both happy individually. It worked…
I love to photograph food, especially if my hands (or my kids OR Nathan) made it. It’s so simple to create little pleasures in your day- and for me it always has to do something with baking, whether I eat it or not.
Plus I like to involve the kids. I hope when they are adults they will feel confident in the kitchen (and other places too!). Unfortunately, it seems like people are proud of the fact that they don’t use their kitchen. It’s so sad to me and I am glad that our kids won’t think a cookie comes from a bag or a pizza is normally in a frozen state. Okay, enough…have a good weekend.
Last night we had another celebration regarding my birth. This time it was with my sister and Matt, and my parents. We went to a fun place that serves gelato and chocolate fondue. Ellie had a great time, can you tell? She even managed to get chocolate up her nose. Oh boy…By the way, this was not a staged shot. She did this all on her own with the intention to enjoy that marshmallow COMPLETELY.
I had fun opening gifts from my sisters. They had no idea but got me all things bird related. I loved it all! Since we moved back to the Chicago area, I have enjoyed birdwatching and am always eager to see my first Robin of the season.
This is a beautiful votive, about 8 inches in height. I will really love this forever!
The little plate is made by the same artist and is so sweet…the card I will need to frame and keep too!
My sister Susan got all of me these little treats. The postcards come in the best tin and the chocolate bar is too pretty to eat. (Thanks Susan for tempting me with sugar 
! ) The candle’s color is so fresh to me and will not be burned but enjoyed for awhile too.
Okay, so that is enough celebrating for me. I can’t believe that Simon will be 5 next month and I really think I need to throw him a party. You know, the kind with 5 year old boys that have been cooped up all winter? What should I do that does not involve handing out a wad of cash to a bowling alley or gym? Help!