Blog Archives

Sewing Success!

8/5/2011

For the Babe

i wanted to make another sleeveless outfit for 5 before our trip to Duluth and today turned out to be the day to do it. It was a hot, sticky, crabby day here but for some reason, the sewing went seamlessly (or perhaps seam-fully would be more appropriate).

I repurposed another of Papa Fred's shirts and got to use some of my new cotton ribbing! My parents picked this shirt up at a thrift store in Hilo a few years ago and I think it is perfect some festive baby-sized summer wear. The construction went much more smoothly this time, I'm working on a tutorial so all you lovely folks at home can turn the old Tshirt pile into cool duds for the little ones!

He would prefer to be naked, but I think his new outfit is a close second.

"Hi Dad! Check me out- I'm like you, but better-looking!"

For the Mama (finally!)

I did it! I finally finished the skirt! It could still use a bit of pressing, but that will probably never happen... I'm wearing it right now and LOVING it.

My masking tape stencil worked quite well. I used 4 pieces of tape and a hole punch, plus my new stencil brushes I got from Dick Blick. It's amazing how much easier things can be when you have the right tool for the job. I'd been using those cheap foam brushes for my stencils just because we had some laying around the house, but man did they make things go slowly! I had to be so careful to make sure I was going in the right direction, etc. Anyway, stencil brushes=good.

Tune in Monday for the First Duluth Report!

9 Comments

Keep Up Mama!

8/3/2011

3 Comments

I am a fast-growing, ever-changing stinker!

playing one of the many games he loves to play with his dad and the coffee table

This has been a week full of surprises!
My no-longer-tiny baby decided that this was a good week to:

climb up the stairs
discover the concept of games (and play them constantly!)
wake me up at 4 in the morning by staring sweetly at me

The games part is super cool, the stairs part was only scary because I didn't notice until he was on the second stair. The 4 in the morning part was less less cool.
I am not a morning person. In fact, my brain functions all wrong so so early in the morning. I awoke to my sweet babe watching me with his big eyes from about 5 inches away, he could have been doing that for an hour already for all I know. He was perfectly calm and cuddly, happy to roll over or nurse, but would NOT close his eyes. I started wondering if he knew something I didn't, like our house was about to catch fire, and he just wanted to watch his Mama for a few more minutes.... not productive.

Still Mama's Little Guy

Even though he can get himself just about anywhere now, mostly he just wants to get to me, or to whatever I have. This is a groggy, bed-headed 5 climbing the Mom as she tries to finish her new blog header. So sweet (and a little inconvenient). As you can see, I did eventually finish it- what do you think? I've been meaning to redo it since I put the very first one up as a kind of place holder...

New Goodies in the Shop!

I've been busy photographing all the good stuff I brought home with me after Craftacular and now I'm putting them all on my etsy shop! Check it out- there will be something new every day, starting with the delightful throw pillow cases!

This is Not a Skirt

I was trying so very hard to finish my new skirt in time to share with you today. I picked out the Tshirt to use, I cut out the pieces, I made a stencil and painted it on, I sewed the hem and the side seams... when I got to the casing for the waistband, my machine decided to start skipping stitches. Zounds! While this is not technically the end of the world, it did signal the end of my sewing for the day. I stomped downstairs and made myself a root beer float. Much better.

Friday will find me with a finished sewing project, come Hell or high water!

3 Comments

New Friends and Grand Plans

8/1/2011

4 Comments

Two New Friends

While we were in Madison, 5 received a fantastic percussion set from two of my mother's lovely colleagues. It is his new best friend. It's supposed to be 18months+, but I figure if there are no knives involved, he can play with whatever he wants.
He's figured out how to use the sticks to hit things and the xylophone is one of VERY few things that can distract him from power cords and stereos...
It was supposed to be a toy for Oma's house, but I'm so glad we brought it home with us!

Kai the Zombabie

Yeah, so this was one of those things that I bought "for my baby" (meaning really myself). It was the only things I absolutely HAD to have at the Craftacular. Check out the other Zombabies here.
Happily, 5 and I have pretty similar taste. He loves his Zombabie, (who is named Kai), and enjoys chewing on his ears and biting his face. If only people understood it when I show my affection with biting...

A Tall Order for Some Short Folks

The munchie has become a fan of squatting. Just had to include it.

We are preparing for a family trip to beautiful Duluth!
As usual, I have some exceedingly grand plans for the things I will accomplish before I leave.
I'm planning to:

make myself some new shorts (I made my trial pair last week and am now ready to use my "good" fabric)

make myself a new skirt (this will also involve screenprinting, because I clearly have nothing better to do)

prepare to make a Scandi-style Mei Tai. This is only a little bit ridiculous. I have to choose my fabric for the body because I'm going to get the strap fabric in Duluth. For all my shelves of fabric, I almost never buy two full yards of anything, so I actually need to buy some! I'm hoping this carrier will be a nice option for both my husband and me so we can just throw one in car for trips (instead of 3).
I promise to share the process when I actually put it together.

Totally doable, right? Oh yeah, I have to pack, too...

What's fun in Duluth? Any recommendations?