kidding around

…and click over on my “loot” page for 3/15. there is a bunch of adorable *stuff*.

This week I think I will be posting each day to show all the lovely packages I am receiving.

It’s astounding and completely humbling.

Combined with my “Made for China” packages and my husband’s green coffee bean order, our postal worker ended up just leaving a crate on our front step!

By the way, can everyone view my post from yesterday? I can view it from Firefox, but when I check on Safari my blog has my post from Saturday…Hmm.

Well, the gifts keep coming and I am feeling quite lucky. Lucky that I get to see all the fun, thoughtful gifts- I suppose that is why I want to post all that I receive. Check out the “loot page”.

I spent my afternoon yesterday doing my part… My sister (there are 3 of us, the one traveling to China lives in Ohio) and friend helped with a lot of assembly line sort of tasks. Although I don’t have a lot of completed projects to show, I do have 75 drawstring bags pinned and ready to be sewn AND 30 pencil rolls ready to be finished. I also have a dozen cuffs to make and just basic organizing…I feel a tad overwhelmed, but know once I can dedicate a few hours at my machine and tune into some podcasts I will feel much better!

By the way, I am making the drawstring for the dolls and barrettes. The fabric was donated by the good people at Fun Quilts Studio. Thanks!

Another thank you goes to my sister Kim, Katie, Ellie and Alexis for cheering me on and helping!

We enjoyed beautiful weather here in the midwest. Beautiful blue skies and the hope for more of these kind of days. We went on a hike this morning and were thrilled to see green grass poking through the earth, melting snow, and lots of mud (no thrill there).

Having 3 kids can be a joy, but it is also a lot of work…thankless at times. That’s why a day like today is needed- a break from routine and laughter over the slightest chaos during an impromptu photo session.

Hope the weekend is treating everyone well.

I finished this super easy shirt last night after I got home from work- I love it. I also love this red and brown together- so striking and brilliant.

I also gave up the last bit of my favorite red dotted fabric. I found this at Joanns a few summers ago in the clearance section and would buy a few yards each time I shopped there…now it’s gone!

I was going to wait and photograph the coordinating skirt I will be making, but I just could not wait. The skirt will be a simple A-line style with appliqued flowers. I think I will use freezer paper for the applique process.

Anyway, thanks to all of you that have been so nice to comment this week. I am kicking myself for not always responding individually. I love comments- LOVE them. Some of you had some good questions about the “fun roll” I made, here are the details:

- I DID use a placemat for the actual “roll”. I found it on clearance at Target and it was perfect. It could be a bit bigger, but I was happy with the end result.

- I used a duck cloth canvas for the driving mat. I gessoed the canvas before painting the design.

- As far as the wooden figures go, I can find them pretty easily at my local craft stores. I don’t know what to say…perhaps I need to become a supplier!

Also, just something I am kicking around in my head…would it be insane if I joined the many “etsy” stores on-line? I’m thinking of making some simple shirts, skirts, “fun rolls”, etc. I just feel a bit timid. Hmmm.

Happy Friday!

Sorry for not including pattern information, duh.

New Look *EASY* #6333

Simon Ariel + Penelope Tess= Mischief.

Let’s just say, baby powder.

Now what can you imagine…?

Okay, so as I was writing my post earlier today, this box of cuteness arrived. Come on now! These cats are too darn cute- I have a feeling everyday will be filled with “cuteness” until the 20th. Thank you Sarah in Colorado…you did a wonderful job with the cats and pencil rolls.

I also enjoyed your daughter’s sweet artwork- thanks for reminding me Spring is on its’ way.

Check out the “page” on my side bar. This time, all the gifts came from international friends. Can I just say again how grateful I am for all of you!?

Remember, the March 20th date is quickly approaching! If you can’t get a package to me, just e-mail me (carolshack(at)yahoo(dot)com)- no pressure or guilt, I just need to know!

I’d like to think I am NOT a dummy, but I did use Simplicity’s “Dummies” 4206 pattern and will happily give myself the title. I love these shirts for my 8 year old- and of course my other daughter will get a few added to her Spring/Summer wardrobe.

A few things I learned while sewing this project:

- directions printed on the pattern, sometimes can not be trusted. In the pattern, it tells you to hem the sleeve before attaching it to the rest of the shirt. When I followed this, the top of the neckline was all screwy and didn’t match up- a pain when I needed to create an even casing for elastic.

-allowing yourself to work without reading every instruction and trusting your own “common sense” can help solve above problem. I started attaching the sleeve to the shirt without hemming the sleeve and noticed everything matched up. So- hemming AFTER is actually what to do…if you use this pattern, be forewarned.

-when you get in the zone of sewing, all things can enter your mind! While I was sewing, a dream from the night before entered my head and I started laughing out loud, all by myself…I shocked my husband the night before by grabbing his arm with both my hands and sort of shook him. I concluded while sewing, that it must be my subconscious wrestling with my overactive puppy. All day, in reality, I have to let my Beagle/Blue Heeler puppy know who is boss and take him to the ground by grabbing the back of his neck. HA!

-sewing things for your kids is really rewarding. My daughter is totally proud to go to school and tell her friends I made her shirt or dress. It’s really nice. I know it may not be forever, but I sure am enjoying now!

You know when you get an idea on the brain and you just HAVE to make it, even though you have a million other things on the brain? I’m sure I can hear a resounding “YES!” and I haven’t even posted!

We were invited to a 2 year olds birthday party and with every gift I give, I want it to be thoughtful. The birthday boy is about to go on a 9 hour trip to Poland and I wanted to make him a “roll of fun” and some sanity time for his mother. I know that his attention span will be 10 minutes, but maybe my friend can bring it out every hour on the hour.

Obviously I included washable crayons and a pencil, characters to act out “Three Little Pigs”, and the best part- a car complete with a driving mat which will fit perfectly on the flip down table.

A few years ago, when I was waiting for a flight in LAX, I saw a genius mom roll out a car mat for her young son. He was happy for quite awhile and I was totally impressed. I know you can buy the mats somewhere, but I totally enjoyed painting my village. Plus I wanted to make a whole package for a busy 2 year old that fit all together.

I really MUST make something similar for my kids- they were so excited to give this gift, but I know secretly they wished they had one themselves. Love that kind of gift.