kidding around

Hurrah, I finished my project I started this past summmer. I like it!

I wanted to create something for my family to mark birthdays.

I love to celebrate such occassions.

Handmade is always good and appreciated- especially by my kids.

I also love table linens and using fabric napkins for each dinner.

Since I liked making this table dot, table topper, whatever…(WHAT should I call this?) I will be making a few for a shop I will be opening in the near future. Fun?

I’m thinking they won’t all be birthday themed, but you can be sure there will be a couple because making cupcakes is just too fun.

Okay, so I had the strangest experience I want to share with you…

During my weekly work out session with a trainer, he had me box. As I was putting on the gloves I was starting to feel intimidated, then tough, then timid and finally embarrassed. Have any of you out there actually been told to punch something?

It was the weirdest thing. I hit like a girl, but man, what a work out and what a mental block I had to overcome!

And on another note, I have the best husband. I leave the bread/beer making/coffee roasting up to him. Check out this gorgeous slice of toast…to be precise it’s an “egg harbor” toasting bread and it is divine.

Enough from me today.

Not a whole lot of production when it comes to me and the sewing machine, I suppose that’s what I need.

I also know I need Spring.

I know for me, once I start a project I need to finish it fairly soon after the idea was conceived. Now there are a few exceptions, like my 2 other kids’ quilts and I fear it will be awhile before those projects are complete. Or my kids’ baby books or patterns I have cut out…okay, I need to stop this negativity!

What I am trying to share is an idea I had this summer. I started out all ambitious and then I just lost interest.
Just. like. that.
I couldn’t even look at the “thing” and was tempted to just get rid of it all together. You know, use it as a duster or rag or allow my dog to shred it.

I’m really glad I didn’t go to extremes.

These past few days have been kind of rough in the Shack house and somehow I found inspiration in my detested project. Now I am so excited and can’t wait to share the finished product.

The best part- it’s for me and my family. There may be plans for a few more to sell, but I have always avoided this subject and maybe I should just go with it…

Sunday night (not staged, I swear!).

I haven’t forgotten about my weekly commitment to produce a dress. This cute little frock (love this delicate fabric) has been laying around needing a hem and sleeves to be attached. Pretty easy, huh?

We spent most of the weekend battling illness, namely Simon, Penny, and I…we had to cancel birthday festivities and it has been a major disappointment for us all. I’m still snorting ZIACAM and drinking water like a camel…keeping my fingers crossed that I won’t come down with a fever and barfing like my 2 little loves.

Anyway, enough of the medical report.

The dress is Burda 9978 and I plan to make charcoal grey bloomers to accompany- I’m anticipating a lot of rolling in the grass and bike riding in these cute little dresses.

One thing I used with this dress is “single folded bias tape”. I liked the finished edge on the neck and sleeves with this technique and it beat me burning off my finger tips with the iron.

I’m not sure how much time I will have with the machine this week. Perhaps some cutting of fabric will do- to keep me on track!

It’s hard to believe that my winter sunshine is now 7.

Simon, 5months

Simon, 2.5 years

Simon, 7 years

I know all of you can relate to the tears I have in my eyes just looking at the above photos.

Now more than ever I feel like I have to start the “letting go” process. You know, stop helping him blow his nose or pull up his pants or reminding him to gather his school library books or not trying to make things “right” with mean kids and their comments or wiping his face.

But I do know, there are more complex conversations, more of me listening and not explaining, more responsibility, more independence and trust, more pride, more patience, and more of me wanting to be his support…

just promise me you won’t eat something special to me, like you always do.

poor creature.

no walks due to bitter cold = crazy dog.

and yes, I am posting about the weather. AGAIN.

sorry.

As I was dutifully changing 3 bed’s worth of sheets yesterday morning, I heard the first of this season’s Cardinal chirps. I immediately sunk into my bed and happily mimicked my favorite winged friend…I was quickly brought back to reality with hungry kids, but nevertheless I was taken to a very happy place. Thank you sir, for your happy song.

I love February (well, not REALLY) with the slight signs of a changing season. I’m anticipating a Robin sighting in a week or 2…What have you noticed?

Here’s to new week. Hopefully I will get to my dressmaking!

So I am continuing on with my commitment to make my 2 daughters dresses for Spring and Summer. I’m thinking I will try to make a dress a week. Quite frankly, I could have easily made this dress in an afternoon, but it isn’t an ideal world and I know you all know that their are many interruptions in our daily lives.

I fell in love with this fabric and I have a suspicion it was the “dots” that drew me to the bolt. OR maybe it was the color palette. OR maybe it was because I discovered that the fabric was marked to some insane amount of $1.50 a yard from $8. Whatever the reason, I made the plan to make Ellie and Penny matching dresses. Ellie was slightly against the idea, but I assured her that the styles would be much different and I begged her to give me a break (knowing next year at this time she will be pushing closer to 11 and I will have missed my window).

Of course the dress looks much prettier on my girl than on the hanger, but by the time she is home from school any sort of light is gone (bleck, winter be over!). The pattern was easy- McCalls 2590. I’m not all that excited by the puffy sleeves, but Ellie liked them and they actually are more subtle with a person in the dress (a sleeveless version would be very nice too, I’ll try that next). I really liked the black bias tape. It made her dress a bit more grown up, although Penny will probably have some on her dress too.

Oh- and I used the zipper foot without a hitch. Hurrah.

My next project will be another dress for Penny using this pattern. I love it.

voted? Do it!

After I finished reading “A Thousand Splendid Suns” for March’s book club (whoo hoo, I am a month ahead)last night, I made every effort to exercise my freedom as a woman. This book is about Afghanistan and the gradual power of the Taliban. It was a heartbreaking tale, but eye opening enough to not “bury your head in the sand”. I love books like this- the kind that keeps your mind wandering and your heart touched.

I can’t wait to watch the election results tonight. Fingers crossed…