kidding around

What I SHOULD be doing:

shovel driveway

fold laundry

put laundry away

mop floors

dust entire house

sweep

organize out of control junk drawer

Instead I am:

dreaming of Spring dresses

Remember the days when your mom would take you to the department store (mine was Gimbels) and you chose a Spring dress? I do believe those days don’t exist anymore. What’s up with all the ugly clothing out there? Even in nice department stores. Sorry for sounding superficial, and yes, I have better things to do…

So now I am proclaiming that all my Spring/Summer clothing for Ellie and Penelope will be straight from my humble sewing machine or the Thrift store. I really want to get more than “proficient” on the machine. I’m not promising smocking or crazy details, but I do think this self-challenge is a good motivator. And, heck, something to focus on while existing through the long days of winter…I don’t want to be to on top of my other “to do” list, do I? I know once Spring hits, I will not want to be in the house. Every year I kick myself for not using the winter wisely in my Spring/Summer sewing plans.

I do dream, however, that I had the skills to draft my own patterns. I’m not all that jazzed with the size 8 and up selections. It appears that most pattern companies are trying to imitate the cheap, mass produced fashions out there…ugh.

And speaking of dreaming…I will be in “another state” tomorrow afternoon at this time. Why? I will have the pleasure of having a 5th wisdom tooth yanked (the 4 others will be staying safely tucked in my mouth thank you very much!). Remember last fall when I thought I had TMJ, it’s this extra tooth and it has been dreadfully a pain. Wish me luck!

Current obsession for Penelope- coloring.

Current obsession for Mama- the sun, I love it!

I am such a fool! Why was I all intimidated with using my zipper foot? I am so ashamed that I allowed such a thing even enter my mind…I know I dislike doing too much troubleshooting on my sewing machine (any machine for that matter), so when I did some detaching and attaching of parts I sheepishly admitted I was lame.

Anyway, here is Simplicity 5827 and it was so easy. I might as well come clean now and admit I bought this pattern for Ellie 4 years ago and was too fearful of the zipper…I know, lame. Actually, the pain was sewing the clasp on the top of the zipper.

So now that I overcame my sewing obstacle, I intend to make more of these dresses. The pattern comes with a variety of styles, but still the basic shape.

I love the “swingability” of the dress and so does Penelope.

It made me smile today when I was getting Peppy out of the car and she thanked me for her dress. Out of the blue gratitude- something a mother needs to hear!

There’s my girl- perfect blue for her perfectly blue and sparkley eyes.

just to alert you all that I am making a super cute dress for Peppy.

all I need to do is use my zipper foot for the very first time and attach the bodice to the skirt…wish me luck with the zipper thing…

details to follow in a day or two.

okay, off to warm up my car for a good 20 minutes before picking up the kids. you know, 1 degreeF sort of forces you to plan ahead…oh, and with the wind it is -13…it was ACTUALLY -14 when I took the kids to school today…not sure what the wind chill was…I think it was -34.

oh, spring…come quick!

not much stitching going on my sewing table.

a few things cut out, but never the time to actually sew.

anyway, I thought my lunch looked hopeful- finding beauty in the everyday, that’s what I need to remind myself. not in what I produce, but man it feels good to work!

Thank you everyone for giving me such warm birthday greetings. It was fun to come home after my busy day and read all the nice comments you all made!

Do you want to hear about my day? Good!
- woke up to cinnamon rolls in the oven and thoughtful cards from the kids
-sweet kids greeting me as they tried their best to be perky at 7am
-took the kids to school and realized my car had been vacumed, washed and a new CD in the player
-worked out with my trainer and felt good I have kept with it since July
-took a hot shower afterward and reminded myself of the above comment
-had lunch with my mom and sister at my favorite restaurant
-received some wonderful gifts (one is pictured above)
-drank a margarita with lunch
-my mom picked up the kids from school and took them to her home
-had time to kill before meeting Nathan for dinner and poked around and bought the fabric below
-met Nathan at the SAME RESTAURANT I ATE FOR LUNCH BECAUSE IT IS THAT GOOD
-had a hibiscus margarita
-got to chat with my mother-in-law in the Philippines
-really got started on my book club book (Birds of Fall, love it!)
-went to bed fairly early and totally thought it was a treat

I had a really nice day and thanks to my family for the effort it took to make my day so nice. Thanks!

I just took this shot of Tizzy and just had to include it, although it is random…isn’t she darling?

yes, Carol. You are 35 years old today.

I’m astonished with the thought that today is my birthday and I am now in my mid-thirties.

My age actually doesn’t bother me and I can’t help but think it’s because my life is undeniably full of wonderful people. This year I am celebrating my life- not me, but the experiences and people that make up my existence.

I am a fortunate girl.

The cake is something I wanted to make for my birthday celebration with my parents. My mom always makes delicious desserts, but I wanted to make this year’s cake. So I made a coconut cake filled with lemon curd and frosted with a swiss meringue buttercream. I liked it so much I made my husband take it to work- I would have consumed the leftovers for breakfast and lunch today, I swear.

My Husband. He just makes me laugh!

For your afternoon entertainment…

So today has been a pretty grim day weather-wise, BUT I finished my sweet sunshiny shirt that is just too cute. It’s McCalls 6120- circa 1978 and is actually a dress for a toddler, but it’s meant for my 9 year old as a shirt. I will definitely be making more of this pattern- it’s a great way to use some of your favorite bits of fabric!

I intend to add these buttons to the back straps- purely for decoration and a splash of color. I wanted to get a shot of this shirt before it gets dark here at 3:30 and it looks like I made it!

Happy Weekend.

I’m finding only a bit of time each day to sew. Can I tell you how much I love these fabrics together? I hope to bust this little top out soon- easy to sew, but other things have to take priority.

By the way, this pattern is an old one and it’s really for a 3 year old as a dress. My 9 year old likes the pattern and so it’s perfect as a shirt and it requires no elastic, buttons, or zippers…good thing I am reaching my sewing goals for the year (HA!).