kidding around

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!

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!).

Oh, it was so gratifying to freshen up my living room curtains this week.

Not only did I experience the joy in snipping all these annoying strings off my curtains, but I was able to make these fun ties with scrap fabric…at no cost.

To be honest, I have been on the hunt for fabric and just have not seen anything I like…I’m not a “drape” girl with tassles and pleats, but I do like something on my windows to add a touch of sophistication.

When my IKEA curtains started breaking one by one (the strings snapped), I knew my 5 year stint with them was up. Sure, IKEA is pretty cheap, but when you multiply 7 curtains there is a bit of a cost involved. I purchased our linen window covers when we first moved into our house and they just fit perfectly into our quirky sized old windows.

ANYWAY, I was mentioning my dilemna to my smart husband and he suggested I used ribbons to roll up the fabric. Since I was not finding fabric I liked other than plain natural linen…like I already HAD! I liked his idea, but of course needed to involve something more, well, involved.

I basically cut blocks of fabric, sewed them into strips, finished one raw edge and folded the other edge under.

I love them! I also am jazzed that I used what I had!

So there- that’s what I have been up to. Just trying to get the house in order before winter hits and our windows will be what connects us to the outside.

Can’t believe it, my sweet niece is almost one! I made this portrait for her…but really for her parents too. In my mind, the 1st year with a child is cause for celebration. So much adjusting, bonding, and love.

I have a few things up my sleeve. Hopefully I will get to them in time. I have been experiencing some pretty intense pain in my jaw, cheeks, and head. Maybe TMJ? Sinuses? No one knows. All I know is that I have a new sympathy for people with chronic pain…I will look forward to the day that my head stops reminding me that I hurt. Bleck.

I don’t think there is any end in sight with my apron-making and dress production. The great thing about all of my recent sewing is that I am using my stash. I have been holding on to fabric waiting for the “perfect thing” and I realized making some new clothes for Peppy is nearly perfect.

Yep, I used Burda 9978- like I said recently, this pattern is so easy with an endless “cuteness” factor.

What will my sewing machine be doing next? A cover for a large pillow- my pup needs a soft spot to rest and he has been more than patient. Again, I will raid my stash…that feels good!

OH!! I also wanted to share this happening (my husband’s blog).

I’m on a roll.

I made this dress yesterday and think it turned out pretty darn cute. I also really love it with the apron I made last week. The dress pattern is from Burda 9978 and it is so simple that I think I will go and cut out a few more dresses for Penelope.

One main reason why I like this particular pattern is the fun way you can mix up the fabrics. Last year I made this dress and attached an apron to the front…and a huge plus is that there are no gathers to contend with (I don’t mind them, really) or a zipper. The pattern also includes simple pants you can wear under your dress which is just so cute and practical for our midwestern winters.

Okay, little one…now you can take a nap. Thanks for the photo shoot before your snooze.

I finished the dress that I was intending to go with the apron, but I really despise it.

While making the dress I was pretty happy with the way everything was coming together. I even figured out a few things without following the pattern directions- why are instructions included with patterns SO confusing? It must be me.

The lesson I learned- if you are not feeling total enthusiasm toward your fabric choice- STOP. I kept convincing myself it would work out. It’s not like the fabric is dreadful- I mean, I did buy it.

Not all is lost- I think I will cut the dress to a nice shirt length and I will like it much much more. Isn’t that funny?

As far as the apron goes, I plan to make a companion dress. This time, the fabric will be exactly what I want.

Oh- and the pattern for the dress and apron is Butterick, circa 1978…10cents at the thrift store. Gotta love THAT.

Much better. I’ll probably make something with corduroy for the Fall.

…myself with bias tape.

I just love how this apron has turned out. There is more to share (couldn’t wait!), but I will wait until I finish hemming the dress I made to go with this cute little thing…and perhaps I will get my “cute little thing” Penny to pose.

I see way more of these aprons in our Fall wardrobe and many more handmade clothes for some members of my family…mostly the dress-wearing/skirt-wearing types.

I’m thinking I need to stop beating myself up for not making my 3 kids baby books. There is no question whether or not their lives have been documented- it’s just all jumbled up in a box…3 marked ones, mind you.

This past Saturday night, something got into me and I finally completed the 3 silhouette collages I completed way back in January. Remember them? It took me nearly 9 months to finish the edges and frame them- hey, I could have had a baby during this time! ANYWAY, I love them and they are hanging very simply in my reading room- just off our bedroom.

I was deeply influenced by paper collage, icons, and of course the old fashion silhouette portraits…using the freezer paper stencil as my technique.

I gave each of my kids various words that I hope they will continue to hold close to their hearts. Their “words” or the title of each piece I marked on the back…I’ll share…

“pure”- my hope is that Ellie will be pure in action, thought, and spirit. she has such a wonderful presence and I want her to be a person of integrity, sincerity, and kindness to her friends and strangers.

“wonder”- Simon has such a sense of curiosity and amazement. If we lack wonder, our lives are stagnant- I imagine this kid will use his wonder to be a strong member of the world.

“joy”- Penny gives to so many joy and happiness. There can be a little bit of stubborness thrown in, but her positive attitude and genuine love for everyone is already evident. Love that.

Okay, sorry for the sap. I really didn’t mean to go on and on…

I really enjoyed making these and I am thinking of making custom portraits. Would anybody be interested? I would have you send a photo and a description of your child or anyone really…pets too. I really liked this process and would love to make more…