kidding around

Recently I made an absurd amount of skirts for Penny. Like 10.

Or perhaps, I had an absurd amount of fabric that needed to make its way OUT of a pile and actually turn into something. And the fact that we are going to California (woot!) in 2.5 weeks, which means we can shed our winter clothes (woot! woot!).

All I know is that it’s completely gratifying to make simple, cute clothes for at least one of my kids.

Next up-dresses. Yes, there will be at least 4.

There are 2 schools of thought when it comes to winter.

One, enjoy winter sports and watch LOTS of sports.

Two, hibernate and start a bunch of projects and MAYBE complete them all!

I know there are a lot of you that probably do both, but right now I am choosing to tolerate winter and get by with a few sewing projects. I have a new partner joining me in hibernation…Ellie! She has picked up the knitting bug and I am so proud of her persistence.

This past weekend, we stopped at the library and found a jackpot of all sorts of knitting books that she has been pouring over ever since…in fact, there are a few more not pictured (I’m sure they can be found in her bedroom which consists of piles of books!).

Every time we go to the craft store, she is buying more yarn and needles…that’s my girl!

The only problem, I don’t know how to knit or know the language of knitting. Thankfully, a friend of mine offered to show her some new stitches. I wanted to repay her in some way and since winter=hibernation=projects, I thought I’d make her a gift.

I used a pattern in the Impatient Patchworker, a book that was given to me and I really like! Very simple projects for people like me…impatient (remember, I don’t knit!).

It’s projects like this that prevents me from moaning and groaning about the weather. Reading helps too. I have a few more projects in production that I will be sure to share in the coming weeks. Everything from new dining room curtains to redecorating the girls’ room to finishing Simon’s ceiling to a Pascha basket cover…I know I am thinking big.

And then, just like that- it will be Spring!

What are you doing to keep things lively?

Your mama was not joking when she told you to leave your hat on while walking to the bus stop!!

Living in the cold midwest, I have become totally attached to my hats. I don’t go outside without one on my head and don’t really care if I have hat head…thank goodness for a no fuss hair style!

I love all the fun hats you see everyone wearing and thought I would try my hand at creating some fun gifts. Unfortunately, I don’t knit so I needed to figure out how I could use my sewing machine.

The hats pictured above were so easy to make! I bought a few inexpensive knit hats at Target ($1each!) and used my fabric scrap pile to create a daisy chain. I used interfacing or some sort of applique stuff I had in my stash to give the fabric flowers a bit more structure. For the “rainbow flower hat”, it was even easier using some wool felt that needed to be used (this one is for Penelope…shhh.).

I found this muffler/hood idea in a craft book we were perusing for gift ideas. I love how they turned out!

The only thing I did differently was sew the right-sided pieces together, leaving a section open so you can turn out the scarf. Then, you fold the scarf in half and sew an approximate 9″ seam. Oh- I cut 2 pieces of fabric (light wool, flannel, something warm!), measuring 10-12′x52″…I used a 10″ wide piece of fabric, it fit a little one’s face better!

I’ll be back tomorrow with some sweet treat ideas.

Sorry for not posting on Friday, I had a slight catastrophe with a overflowing toilet (THAT WOULD NOT STOP).

…about a piece of wool cloth I made as an 18 year old in art class. It has traveled with me to college in California, stayed with me during the beginning years of my marriage in Cali. and came back with me (a young mom of 1 and pregnant with #2) to the midwest and has since moved to 2 houses. I feel like I should give this cloth a name. It has waited patiently to become SOMETHING.

I have used it as a blanket, but it’s an odd shape…approx. 24″ wide and 9 ft. long! It has managed to have candle wax dripped on it and dog hair collected in it’s weavings, but I am now determined to turn IT into SOMETHING.

I’m glad I avoided making clothing out of this…remember 20 years ago? Early 90s?

So what have I decided? 2 lap blankets made out of collected wool, cashmere, and quilting fabric. I figure this is them most useful thing I can think of, especially since winter will soon arrive and I will not use a “Snuggie”.

Usually when February hits, I get an urge to sew. I have dismissed sewing garments for myself and Ellie is now getting to be too old and cool for her mother’s fashions (boo). SO- Penny is my last victim and I believe there is still about 5 more years of sewing ahead of me.

Anyway, I decided to kick off my rampage with this adorable “Valentines inspired” skirt. I made it so we can still have months of usage, but looks festive for the upcoming holiday. The pattern? This one (you can locate the pdf file on the sidebar). I love it. Another thing I love…I used fabric I had and even used ribbon that came on a Christmas gift this year.

The skirt would EASILY take someone an hour or so, but there have been interruptions this week with sickness (3 out of 5 down) and other life events. Hopefully I can crank out a few more before Spring and be prepared!

Before the holidays even began, a friend asked if I could make her a birthday themed “table dot”. I was flattered she wanted one and was willing to wait after the Christmas season. It was perfect to jump into a craft project- I think this is my favorite one so far. I aimed to keep it simple and concentrate on using wool felt and use “heat and bond” with fabric I had from my stash.

Unfortunately I didn’t take a lot of time to set up shots of the completed dot. The weather is crappy and we haven’t seen sun in days, so the prospect of a nice shoot is “zero”. But I managed to take sections and photographed them so I can remember for next time…I think I may make a few to sell at my sister’s specialty shop and maybe on Etsy. What do you think?

…last day of school photo with the beginning of the year alongside…I now have a middleschooler, a 3rd grader, and a *gulp* kindergartner! What a great school year- wonderful teachers, no divisive and cliquey girls, lots of learning and one last year I had with my baby! And time marches on…

We are in full blown summer vacation around here and it’s nice to have a different routine… and maybe not so fun to hear more squabbling, but we are working on it and I’m working on ignoring the conflicts!

One thing I am determined to accomplish this summer is to work on projects together. Enjoy the time we have and scrap my “to do” list. My kids are at such fun ages that it’s my goal to be totally present with them. I am such a focused kind of gal that I’m afraid that I may allow time to “slip by” before I know it.

First thing: a handmade beach blanket for my sister’s birthday. The kids all designed their own block and took about a day to stitch. It was so fun to sit in the living room and just work together- it wasn’t all peaceful (especially since there were lots of tangled floss ), but it was time I could tell the older kids really appreciated.

Didn’t it turn out cute?

Okay, so the last time I posted I was bragging about my lovely daughter and her debut as a solo violinist…

Here’s an update of the month:

* Enjoyed the beginning glimmers of Spring and denied the few days of snow and freezing temperatures.

* Had a lovely visit with my sister and her kids. Unfortunately our kids Spring Breaks did not line up, we still managed to enjoy our time with shared meals, hikes, playing games and just being together. (my parents pictured with all their “grands”)

* Ellie managed to read all the Harry Potter books in 3 weeks and is actually re-reading them now. Yikes.
I finished reading The Book Thief (LOVED) and I’m almost finished with The Piano Teacher (it’s OKAY).

*I finally completed Penny’s quilt- sorry this shot is so boring, but you can see what it looks like. I thoroughly enjoyed hand sewing the binding on…and was so happy to see Penny thrilled to receive an early birthday gift.

*I filled out a job application that took a lot of my focus away from regular life, but completed it in 3 days and I’m just waiting…oh, it’s to be a part time Art teacher…actually at the high school I attended. I would love the position, but consider myself lucky that I love what I’m doing now too. Speaking of which, my schedule has increased and I will be baking more…so, that will probably mean you will see more baking photos and less sewing, but…

*…I do have a few sewing projects (always have to!). I am loving this simple sun dress I made for Ellie and plan to make more and just tank tops. It’s McCalls 5419 and you can make something in less than an hour- no hemming, no buttons or zippers and totally my thing.

* I have also been pretty distracted with Facebook, THE BIGGEST TIME SUCK, but my guilty pleasure. Want to be my friend? My husband has over 300- I guess he has an advantage over me with being a teacher ( a cool one, you know).

* I’ll be posting later this week. It will be filled with fairies, cupcakes, and a very happy almost to be 5 year old.

Every Spring and Fall I get focused on sewing for my girls. I’m really not sure why because I often feel frustrated and defeated. This year, my focus will be on simple skirts, tank tops and sun dresses. (thanks joannes for you $2 pattern sale this weekend!)

Considering that all 3 kids will need some new clothes for the upcoming warmer months, it’s a tad bit overwhelming especially when the cash flow is becoming stagnant. SO- I really am challenging myself with using fabric I have OR using my coupons here and there and MAKING SURE I SEW SOMETHING WITH IT THIS SEASON. Sure, I will buy some t-shirts for the girls but the rest will be made by my me…Simon will just be the one with all store bought clothes, I don’t do boys clothes…especially for an 8 year old.

Anyway, here are some details on the featured dress:

1. Burda 9978…why oh why did they discontinue this pattern?

2. I needed to make adjustments on the dress since the pattern was cut out for size 3. Why did I do this? I should have cut out the largest size and then trace…lesson learned.

3. Yes, Penelope is on our kitchen table.

4. Why? The light was bad today and so the table was our best bet.

5. I took about 50 photos of this kid. She made me crack up with all her modeling moves. Completely her doing.

6. I added the apron. I used a flour sack cloth that was meant for me to do some cute embroidered kitchen towels.

7. I’ve had this fabric for a long time and was waiting to use it for “something special”. Ever done this?

8. I totally enjoy having some embroidery to work on…I imagine that’s what some of you knitters experience while waiting for kids, watching movies, etc. I finished this apron on Saturday night while watching Babette’s Feast. I love that movie.

9. I’m in a winter slump. How can I be with this girl at my side? Maybe I need another photo shoot with her.

10. Anyone else finding themselves sewing more for themselves or their kids? What patterns are you using?

By the way, thanks for all the kind birthday wishes for my Simon!

Since Ellie’s birthday in August, I set some serious goals in regards to gifts for the kids handmade by me…

1. Create and Complete each kids’ baby book.

2. Organize all of their photos from baby to present.

3. Make a quilt for their bed (did this for Ellie in 2007).

I am pleased to say that I HAVE FINALLY MADE SIMON A BLANKET FOR HIS BED! I have been promising him one for at least 2 years and now their is no reason to feel guilt.

Things I learned:

1. I love fabric and get all nutty when I have to choose just a few designs.

2. When I put my mind to something, I can actually get it done within a reasonable time.

3. I have no patience and did not hand stitch the binding. I did this for Ellie’s twin sized quilt. Good grief, full sized would have me really crabby.

4. Hand stitched binding is really the way to go. Glad my personality is reflected in Si’s blanket. HA!

5. It really is beneficial to pay attention to when organic batting goes on sale.

6. I am not a quilter and really appreciate those that do…

7. I had to remind myself to set aside my ego and enjoy making something for my son. Who cares if it is not perfect and there are wonky stitches. Simon doesn’t care, he will be thrilled to have something made from me!

I’m sure this list could go on, but now I am off to make curtains for his room. I’ll be sure to share shots of everything in use. And, yes, the other goals with photos and baby book are being checked off too. Nothing like the winter to get things accomplished.