Summer Sewing: Thanks Mom and Marissa!

When the kids and I went to visit my family in Washington, I brought along this embroidered linen that I wanted to make a dress from. My much more talented little sister, Marissa, had the perfect wrap dress pattern (and a wrap top she made from it that I tried on to see where I should make adjustments for me). Thanks Missy!

My seasoned pro seamstress mother let me use her machine. WOW, I had no idea what a HUGE difference it made to sew on a better machine! When I came back to my "beginner" machine, I found myself much more stressed and ready to use explicits at times :) (not really but you get the idea).

It was WONDERFUL having my mom right there to ask questions and demonstrate tricks for me. Oh and she has a serger, so that was a nice bonus while making this dress. It took some self control on my part to not just ask her to do things sometimes, but now I can say I did it all myself (with occasional guidance).

Summer Sewing: Pioneer Day

Our Primary had and a Pioneer Day celebration that nursery kids and their families were invited to. I found same large scraps I had gotten from the free fabric distribution that worked well enough for the dress (and guess what its linen :)) and some smaller pieces I pieced together for the pinafore apron. The bonnet is some broad cloth I got but never used to line a skirt. I had no idea what I was doing with the bonnet. The bill turned out well, but the back is the wrong shape, but I think I know how to do it for all the pioneer days to come :)...

We "made" a poncho for Jack (he was a Mexican pioneer) for that was just another sample fabric with a hole cut out for his head, so that doesn't count as sewing. (Post on the activity to come).

Summer Sewing: Thanks Melissa

The inspiration for these next 3 I credit to my obscenely talented friend, Melissa.

Wrap pants: Got a tutorial for these from Melissa. They are EASY, comfy, and stylin' summer pants and can be tied in the front or back. I have an extreme obsession with linen and linen blends this summer, so naturally I made these pants a stripe textured linen.

Elyette's Smocked Top: YES, more smocking. I apologize for the lack of a full and complete picture of it here (cute pic though). Using scraps from my easter shirt, I tried a version of this shirt (another wonderful idea from Melissa) out on Elyette first before trying one for myself (her cute little figure is much more forgiving). It looks a lot like that easter shirt of mine, so again we get to be "like twins".

My Smocked Top: LOVE the fabric for this one, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out...heck I'm wearing it right now.

Summer Sewing: Off to the Beach

Loved the color of this swim suit, but I personally wanted a little more coverage and interest in my beach wear, so basically everything white you see is what I added. Please ignore the model.

Summer Sewing: "Like Twins"

I like to buy extra fabric (when affordable) in case of mistakes or when I can use the scraps for something else (for Elyette mostly). Its fun having a little one who wants to be like you :). I made my tiered skirt one Saturday and Elyette thought is was "so pitty" so the following morning I whipped her up one. Yes, ok, it was Sunday, I know, but she was so excited to be "like twins" for church. I think hers turned out particularly adorable!

Summer Sewing: For Brynn

No, this is not Brynn. Thank goodness she is much prettier. Brynn is my newest niece, born to Brooke and Evan (Boz's brother) just 5 weeks ago. First week of June I made her 3 outfits. Unfortunately, I didn't think to take picture of them before giving them to Brooke, but I do have this one (from a previous blog post) of the Spring dress, modeled by the oh so handsome Jack. The other 2 outfits included a smocked romper and just a simple little green skirt with a pink ribbon (to go with this cute strawberry onesie I found). Babies/Kids are fun to sew for!

BUSTED!

Slow Down, Please!

I've been rather emotional about losing my babies the last couple of weeks (probably brought on by Jack being too busy for me now). I know they are both still super young and I have many wonderful years to come, but I can't help but feel like time is already going WAY to fast. Its so exciting to watch them learn and grow and, as Boz would put it, "become humans", but can't they just slow down a little? PLEASE!!!

I'm feeling like I want to drink every last drop of a river thats rushing by. I'm gulping down whatever water I can, but this river just seems to be getting faster. Any suggestions?

I guess I could try to dam up the river...but then it would never reach the ocean.
Hmmm, maybe I got giardia...

Welp, here's to the ocean!

New Song

Ok, I just finished a new song. Actually, it's not a new song, it's an old song, just rearranged and re-recorded. Hence the name.

Sorry, no lyrics, because I'm quite bad at the lyric/melody/singing thing. I know it's a bit long. The final version will have one chorus and part of one of the verses taken out. Enjoy.

Song 6 Redo

Think Happy Thoughts

Freedom

udeFor many of us, Independence Day evokes thoughts of freedom. Some argue "freedom is a natural part of the human condition". I think Jack would agree.
Like a little gold fish peering out of his bowl, Jack dreams of the ocean. In fact, on many occasions he has run head on into the patio doors (no injuries thus far) in hope of escaping. Much to my dismay, he has figured out how to open the screen door. I've grossly underestimate how fast he has become! Is eating dirt also a natural part of the human condition?

Even You Can Own a Home in the Bay Area

With just some cardboard, duct tape and an utility knife, you too can own a home in the Bay Area.

Add your own custom paint, curtains, and even french doors and its sure to impress.

This 2 room + patio, 8 sq ft home is cozy and inviting- AND it can go anywhere! Est. value $5,757 (based on average price per square foot in the area).
Testimonials:

"Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we'd be able to own anything in the Bay area, let alone a place with so many custom options. This home really says us!"- Maegan

"This is FUN!" - Elyette

"Everybody dance..."- Boz