kidding around

Okay, I am the luckiest girl! I am having so much fun getting all my “Made for China” gifts. Please check my sidebar under “Pages” for the most updated round of “loot”. I am truly amazed with the generosity out there. It is so exciting to hear from people all over the world wanting to help. So, I will include where each package is from- fun to see where kindness abounds!

We have hit our number goal for Linus blankets and painted wooden dolls! Thanks. I am still in need of cuffs (especially for boys). If anyone would like to make these easy gifts, let me know.

I plan to have a crafting day with my sister and a few others. Hopefully we will be able to fill in the gaps and get a lot accomplished. I’m thinking some drawstring bags for the wooden dolls and barrettes.

Thanks again friends!

I’d like to think my son is flattering me with such declarations because I feed, clothe, and love him, but it’s not…he and I both have a little bit of Pacman Fever. He is so impressed with my strategy and how I clear the board fairly consistently. He would rather watch me play, then play himself…nice for me!

My parents gave Simon the game that you can literally plug into your TV and become easily addicted and competitive! I know you can get all sort of games from the early 80s at Target for $15. Remember when Atari was a huge luxurious item? We never had it, but boy was that ever the big ticket indulgence back then- how things have changed! I just remember saving my quarters to play Pacman whenever we went out for pizza or a movie and it was a real thrill to play. Now I have it in my living room! Oh, wait- wasn’t the gift for Si?!

Peppy has become a fan, but enjoys when Pacman gets eaten. She laughs hysterically which completely annoys poor Simon.

Speaking of Simon’s birthday, we are having his party this Sunday. His very first kid-invited party. We are having it at a pool and were crazy enough to have 16 kids attend. Am I crazy, yes. I am even more crazy to be walking around in my bathing suit looking very pale and just wintery sick. Oh well, it is not about me.

We will be handing out mixed CDs to our guests, which seems to be a huge hit. I figured no more sugar is needed since the giant chocolate chip cookie pizza will have plenty of Swedish Fish, frosting, and other candy on top. Total indulgence for sure and totally Simon’s idea.

Happy Weekend! I will be updating the Stats for Made for China this weekend and adding more Pages to my sidebar of new loot I have received (thanks Beki!).

Remember when I made this shirt last year? It was really one of my first attempts at sewing clothing. I promised myself to make more out of this pattern, but never did. It was fun to see others in blogland making shirts from this pattern, whether from reading my blog or just stumbling upon in it in the pattern books.

Since making the Spring 2006 shirt, I have used more clothing patterns and have gained a bit more confidence in the process. Can’t say it has been easy, but I am proud that I have figured out a lot alone…coupled with cries of frustration! Why do I do this to myself? There are just so many cute fabrics and patterns out there that I can’t pass them all up! It is magical to watch a shirt come together- even if I have to tear out the seam a few time to get it right.

Okay, so here is what I learned:

- don’t think you can alter a pattern if you are a beginner and impulsive. I thought I wouldn’t like the exaggertated flared sleeves so I cut my arm pattern and learned the really hard way! After tearing up my shirt 3 times, that is right 3 times I realized that my snipping probably influenced the initial awkward fit.

- putting your project away for nearly a month really does help clear your brain. Sewing this shirt, after buying a new pattern because I HAD to get the sleeve piece literally took me 2 hours to make.

- never use a piece of fabric you REALLY love on a pattern you never have sewn…especially if you are a beginner and/or impulsive. I decided to put my shirt #1 into the scrap pile, saving it for something, but it was very hard to get to that point. The fabric of shirt #2 was cheap, clearance fabric…something like $2.30 a yard. Not bad.

- snipping the threads fairly short as you sew really makes the finishing a lot nicer.

Above is the obligatory shot of me in the Spring 2007 shirt, by the way, it is Simplicity 3887. What does one do while shooting…look straight at the camera, chop off the head, look away?

Now some questions:

- how do you finish the raw edges? I know after a few times of washing, there will be some unraveling which is just so annoying. I don’t have a serger or a lot of patience, so what do some of you recommend?

- the sleeves on the shirt are fine, but I sort of feel like I am wearing a choir robe or an angel. I can’t really remember what I did, but I think I shaved off an inch of the length. This really screwed me up. The neckline and the arm hole did not match up AND it made the bust of the shirt really tight.

- I think I made the shirt a bit too big, but I fear in making it too small. I am usually a 10/12 or a medium depending on the style or store (I hate the sizing going on), but opted for size 14. I have narrow shoulders, but sort of a large chest and don’t really like looking as if I am busting out…especially at the park or library, you know what I mean. I measured myself and I think I need someone to help me because by the measurements I should be making an 18…uhhh, I don’t think so since 14 is kind of big, but I am fine with it. Any tips?

- When making notches, I find cut little Vs into the fabric is a lot easier. Is this okay?

- Would anyone like my second pattern with the crazy arms? I will gladly try to transfer the pattern onto a large piece of paper so that you will have a unedited arm pattern. First person that reads this and WANTS the pattern, leave a comment and you get it.

The Spring 2006 shirt I referred to is Simplicity 4589 and this year’s pick is Simplicity 3887. I know the neckline is the same, but this year’s pick has some varied styles that I really liked…check it out. I decided to use laundered cotton for my shirt, but you can see on the pattern cover the shirt is made of rayon. The cotton worked out fine if you are not so into rayon like I am- plus, I don’t think I could handle that type of fabric and sewing. Yikes.

…restored, for now.

This past weekend family came and visited. My sister-in-law and I’s main priority was to hit my local thrift stores and thankfully were not disappointed. The last few trips have been less than fruitful, but hurray, Saturday we hit the jackpot. From a set of encyclopedias to several great books to a tea cart ($5, yes!) to an adorable Japanese nightgown to fabric…you get the idea, we were happy!

We shop well together, finding one another great finds and giving up things we don’t need. The above fabric Bethany found and she was SO NICE to give it to me!

At first, I was going to give Penelope these measuring cups to play with in her kitchen. But really, will she appreciate them? Later, maybe.

Love these birds hanging out…shirt for me is in order. Now only if I can figure out this pattern.

Nope, no babies in the future for me, but these sweaters were just to sweet to pass up. Future gifts are in store…

Thanks Bee for a fun escape!

Over the past few days, I have heard more birds singing and seen lots more snow melting. I absolutely love the excitement of Spring and its’ flurry of emotional weather.

I was particularly excited to overhear lots of cardinal calls and spotting their red flecks in tree branches and rooftops on my walk today. Hurray.

I love how the kids found themselves quite far from one another during Friday breakfast…still had all chairs set out from Si’s birthday celebration. They thought it was hysterical to be calling down to one another…oh, what entertains them makes me smile.

Last week when I posted about my necklaces I made for my kids, I had a few people comment on my ring. So, I thought this would be a perfect post.

For one thing, I don’t think many of you readers were checking my blog back in the Fall of 2005, but I need to share the incredible story of my missing sapphire...go check it out…crazy huh?

The ring with my engagement and wedding band is something I picked up a few years ago from one of my favorite jewelry artisans. Anne is an incredibly talented metalsmith that I met almost 6 years ago at an art fair. She had the most unique, creative pieces that I had ever seen and I splurged and bought this cool pendant.

I had her make a custom pendant with my mom and her sisters’ photo as a Christmas gift. She is just an all around cool person. I haven’t seen in her in awhile and I hope she is still creating jewelry.

ANYWAY,back to the ring. The ring on my ring finger is the definition for PURE. I wanted something more than LOVE and was drawn to the definition of PURE (absolute, nothing other than, genuine). My husband also had a custom ring made for me for our 10 year anniversary (almost 2 years ago). It was truly the best gift I was even given from him. The inscription says “Nathan Carol Celebrate” and then inside the ring “10 years of oneness”.

I hope to one day have a ring made with my kids’ names…HINT HINT.

Okay, so there is the story about my rings. I love to read about what people notice in my photos. Just don’t look to close at my super dry hands in the first photo!

Today I will be spending the day with my sweet son. Lunch and then some pizza making are in the plans. This card he made for his teacher and I wish I could keep it!!

Time really does fly…we moved back to Chicago when I was pregnant with my Simon and I can’t believe I am now having conversations about the solar system and that “oo” makes an “oooo” sound. Age six is a pretty fantastic age. The world is opening up through independent reading, making more choices, more responsibility. Not that things are perfect all the time, but life with Simon Ariel is a joy.

Speaking of joy, this cake gets me happy! I made the cake from Ina Garten’s newest book and the frosting is Swiss Meringue Buttercream. Isn’t the frosting beautiful?! So easy to make and it looks just like a delicious cloud.

Hands off, Peppy! We still have about 9 hours before chow time.