kidding around

To help ward off the winter blahs, I am starting another series of photos that will actually last throughout the year. Since my “30 days of living”, so many of you have created similar series and it was so fun to see images of people’s lives…plus, I think a vast majority of you enjoy your cameras and see the world through a photographic eye.

Anyway, if I don’t have any projects to share or anything of interest, I will post images of life here in our household or in the community and just mark it “living”- I totally enjoy approaching each day with my camera and I hope in turn you will too!

Okay, I know if I ask for some sewing help there is bound to be someone who can answer my question!

I am taking some time this morning to clean up my work space and I am going through fabric and patterns. Anyway, I bought this pattern this summer and CAN NOT believe time has gone so quickly that I never made anything from it! Where did the Fall go? The size for the pattern is for 2T, but I really would like to make this for Penelope and want her to wear it for more than a month…she is closer to a 3T in size.

My question: would it be so bad for me to cut out the pattern larger? Giving myself an inch all around each piece? It’s obviously not a complicated pattern and I think it would work.

Sorry if this seems really ignorant- I am still fairly beginner and I fear I am a bit too willing to not follow the rules (that’s why I am asking my question here and not at the fabric shop). I have a few other really cute patterns and may just offer them as a give away…too many can be a bit overwhelming and I would rather share.

This weekend was fairly productive. I took the kids to see Charlottes Web, managed to complete my first silhouette collage, visit IKEA without buying more than I had on my list, took 3 walks, organized toys…not to say that my patience wasn’t tested. These winter weekends can be so long!

I know that I could accomplish a lot if I didn’t have the distractions of kids fighting and of course wanting to just plain enjoy them. I feel like I am constantly stopping myself from making “to-do” lists and just accomplishing one thing at a time. I’m sure many of you can relate…I mean, what I am rushing to? Why do I think I have some sort of deadline? Geesh, I wish I could calm my head some time…

I really do want to jump in and start sewing some clothes for the girls again. BUT before I do so, I am doing a HUGE clean up…a good, satisfying cleansing! So of course I am just eager to begin, but I am reminding myself to ENJOY what I am working on and RELAX.

Anyway, this piece is obviously of my son. And no, those are not palm trees! They are the beginnings of dandelions- I’m sort of working as I go and this is how I work best. I have plans to reconstruct old frames I have found at the thrift store.

Has anyone created a “shadow box effect” with old frames?

On a completely unrelated issue- I will be watching my sweet niece for 2 weeks again this Spring Break. In return, my sister and husband are kind to have my 3 kids for a week. The kids are all at fun ages and this will certainly be a time for them to remember with their cousins. SO- Nathan and I plan to go out west and visit family and friends in Portland/Seattle. I’ll be sure to be asking for advice in visiting the Northwest…I’ve been through once, but was in college and poor and on my way to Vancouver. Hurrah for summer plans!

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know in my last post I said I probably wouldn’t be posting until mid-month…this is partly true.

I am happily taking down Christmas, wiping shelves, organizing and relaxing in the evenings. I am just too eager to share what I have been working on and will post images as I move closer to completion.

Although I won’t reveal exactly what the end result will look like, I will say that I am doing my version of the traditional silhouette image. I have freezer stenciled the image and have “collaged” bits of fabric and thread. I am just so happy to be working on something that I love…it brings a lot of joy to me to be creating again. It’s funny how this image reminds me of “Jennie’s Hat”…I discovered this last night as I was staring down at my work- one of my very favorite children’s books, by the way!

At first I was going to dig into a stack of vintage patterns I received, but decided to challenge myself and begin some work I have had swimming in my head.

I hope you are all well in 2007 so far…thanks for even checking in on me and even CARING what I am doing. It’s such a delight to draw so much inspiration from so many…