Sewing in the Suburbs

Celebrate the Boy...or the Girl...whichever you choose

2011-02-24T08:40:00.003-06:00

If you haven't already, you should be checking out the "Celebrate the Boy" month going on at Made and Made by Rae. The ideas aren't *just* for boys...there are plenty of things that can be girl modified! I have already added a few project ideas to my ever growing list of things that I really, really want to accomplish one day...in the near future.

50 Followers! Well, whaddya know...

2011-02-15T17:20:00.003-06:00

I really don't have a ton to say about this. Thanks for thinking this blog is even remotely worth your time. I know I haven't updated it much (at all) lately. Maybe I will soon. Thanks for looking!

A cornucopia of projects, if you will...

2010-12-01T13:00:00.007-06:00

Let's go in backwards order, shall we?

First up, here is the most lovely texture I've been working with for a scarf for my eldest. Organic cotton, people! It is so smooshy soft...which, by the way, is the only stuff she likes. She has rubbed her face on this piece of a scarf like a cat 80 times already. Love it!

Next up...a knitting boo boo turned ok? Well, see I just started this whole knitting thing and the previous scarf I knitted was for a child and so it was less than one skein of yarn. This was supposed to be an adult scarf...but I only had one skein and it was from my mom so it was some weird specialty kind. So I made it into a mobius cowl! It made me learn how to stitch two cast off ends together, so it was a good learning experience all around.

Yes...it's on a child, but it really fits an adult...
Wear it longways...

Or loop it around and make it more snug...

Anyway, kinda fun! It was a chunky yarn and I used sz 15 needles! That is some instant gratification!

Now, back to the the very first knitting project: The child scarf! I love it so much and so do the kids...both of them...which is why I am hurriedly knitting another one! Cotton again. I think that's really the only way to go for kids...no itchiness whatsoever!

Done with knitting stuff, on to sewing!

Tree Skirt: A Study in Tediousness

Ok, so it is pretty cute, but OH. MY. GOODNESS. It was literally the most tedious, small scale sewing I've ever had to do. I was so anxious to just get through it that I would shout out my progress to the rest of the family after every few I finished. There may have been a celebration dance upon completion and I may have forced my husband and two daughters to join in...

Can you smell the tediousness??

Why would I iron this? I was already up to my eyeballs in mundane tasks, there was no way I was going to do any dreadful ironing. Besides, "the annual ironing of the tree skirt" is not a Christmas tradition I want to start...

See?! I do sew and knit things...I just don't document them and post them in a timely manner!

Hope everyone is enjoying the season!

I did it!!

2010-11-10T13:06:00.003-06:00

I'm pretty excited! I learned how to knit!! I went to the knitting group and a very helpful person taught me. It was awesome! Now, I really only know how to knit...not purl or cable or anything fancy at all. In fact, I don't even know how to end the thing. But a wee little scarf is in the works. Only 16 stitches wide so, obviously, it's for one of the girls.

I'm amazed at all the different styles and types of yarn out there. I am going to try to stick with natural stuff. I'm using cotton right now, but I really like the feel of the bamboo/wool combo yarn too. The acrylic just seems so yuck. It's plastic. Plastic yarn. It kind of feels like I'm cheapening the craft if I use it. I find knitting to be a very earthy activity...using your hands, bamboo needles (I do, at least) and then to use plastic yarn? Anyway, stepping down from the novice's soapbox now...

Let's talk Christmas gifts. I have a whole MESS of ideas for gifts! Some sewn, potentially some knitted, and some other just homemade things. I always really love making and giving homemade things for gifts. I think last year was the only year we didn't do ALL homemade gifts. I honestly have no idea how well received these homemade gifts are. I HOPE well. Or at the very least, I hope they know they are made with effort and love! Anyway, planning some fun things!
Is anyone out there planning some homemade goodies?

Knitting...it's a start, right?

2010-10-29T13:45:00.002-05:00

So it's not exactly a New Year's Resolution, but I really, really, really want to learn how to knit! It has become my super goal of the moment (Super goal=the one I will probably accomplish before any of the other 100 goals I have; the goal that is the most fun). This is as far as I've gotten:

Yes, all I've done is "cast on", but that counts for something. I've joined a knitting group that I'll meet with for the first time soon. Hoping they can teach me...a lot. It's an excellent lesson for the kids anyway...they see me excited to learn something. They see me try to figure something out. They see me practicing and (hopefully) getting better. All good things.

Halloween costumes are DONE! They have been since last week actually. I will try to take some pics and post. Super easy costumes and the girls LOVE them! It's a lot easier when they are young and kind of have similar interests...you'll see!

Now, for the yummy part! The whole family has been down this week with colds and when I get sick I really just want to make simple, vita-packed foods. So here are two things which fit that description:

Butternut Squash "Fries"

Preheat oven to 425

1. Peel, cut in half lengthwise and scoop seeds out of squash.
2. Cut in half short?wise...I don't know how else to say that...(so you have 4 pieces)
3. Cut those pieces into french fry like size and shape.
NOTE: about half of a butternut squash fed my family of 4...so don't cut it all up at once if you don't intend to make more fries within the next day or so)
4. Put the fries in a bowl and lightly coat with olive oil and kosher salt. (Probably about a 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil)
5. Place on cookie sheet and bake for about 25-30 min or until they have a little browning on the edges and corners of a few of them. (Mine only take about 22 min bc my oven is exceedingly hot)

Probably the healthiest "fry" you'll ever eat!

Oatmeal Biscuits

Preheat oven to 375

1 1/3 c. whole wheat flour
1/3 c packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (if you like, I did)

Mix all that up

Cut in 1/3 c of butter or margarine until it looks like big crumbs
Add 1 c. rolled oats
Add 1/2 c. of milk (and maybe a splash more)

Mix all that up. It'll be thick, but moist.

At this point you CAN roll it out and cut out biscuits. I am lazy. I just roll a ping-pong sized ball and squish it to make a biscuit-like shape. It'll make about 10 biscuits.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 15-20 min.

It's kinda like a slightly sweet, cakey, oatmealy breakfast cookie!

Enjoy these two recipes! They are both great for this slightly cooler fall weather we've recently gotten in North Texas! Hope nobody else has been suffering with this terrible cold that's going around. I'm just really hoping it is gone by oh, say, tomorrow(!) so we can have some fun on Halloween!!

Air Plants...who knew?? Probably everyone, but me...

2010-10-06T14:59:00.006-05:00

I've had this glass thing for I don't know how long. It has always been empty. At first, I appreciated it's simple, emptiness. Now, I am sick of it's emptiness and I feel it should be filled. With what, though? I'm not into decorative balls or pinecones or that sort of thing. I do, however, love plants. There aren't many plants that grow indoors though, with little natural light and, well, maintenance. Especially plants that are not totally boring looking. (Yes, some plants are exciting and some are boring.) I thought about a terrarium, contained type, but I just don't know about having constantly wet dirt and plants in the house...seems like mold would grow...?
What to do, what to do...
Solution: AIR PLANTS!! What in the world?! A plant...that doesn't need dirt...or sun. That's two of the three things plants normally need, right?

And they are so pretty and unique! These next pics are from To Hold on Etsy. Very reasonable.

The best idea ever: suction cup some in your bathroom and you will never have to water them...the showers you take will take care of that!

I love repetition in design.

Anyway, I'm about to put a million air plants all over my house!! I love them!! So, I think I'll just take the top off that glass thing and air plant it up!

PS-- I am adding a new category, out of necessity, called "Why Haven't I Ever Heard of This Before??"

Two Things Tuesday-- something free and something cute! Who could ask for more?

2010-09-21T14:39:00.004-05:00

THING ONE: Smithsonian FREE MUSEUM DAY is this Saturday, Sept 25th! Go here and fill out the form and get in to a museum for free!! Lots of museums around the country are participating. I love free stuff, don't you??

THING TWO: Ok, this is just the cutest thing I have ever seen...no other motivation...just sheer cuteness. I don't even have boys, but come on...the cuteness. It's overwhelming! Knitted aviator hats for newborns might just be at the very top of my threshold for cuteness...

Cuteness overload provided by NewBabyPhoto on Etsy.

I've got to learn how to crochet, knit---something! Actually, knitting/crocheting is in the "curriculum" for my oldest this year. I'll be learning right along side her!

Something inspiring...and anxiety causing!

2010-09-20T16:10:00.004-05:00

"Kids Clothes Week Challenge" at Elsie Marley...I'm not participating, though I SHOULD be because the kids do need clothes for fall...they always need clothes. Instead, I will sit back and watch everyone else create and then become so inspired that I can't stand it anymore and I simply must make something. That's my plan anyway! In procrastinating on making any fall clothes, (and I can, I live in Texas and we are still wearing tank tops) I have rearranged my oldest's room, painted picture frames, supervised the installation of a bathroom counter/sink/faucet, etc, etc...avoidance at it's finest.

A very late Two Things Tuesday

2010-09-14T20:38:00.004-05:00

I know, what am I doing up at the late hour of...8:30pm??

THING ONE: So I am in major panic mode about my oldest and her clothes situation.
1) She's in "big girl" sizes now, which are NOT cheap! There are no cute little Old Navy, Target or Children's Place closeouts to work with. Even the clearance in her size is more expensive than I'm used to paying. Ugh.
2) She's got nothing, and I mean nothing that fits here in the way of fall clothes. Save one pair of jeans...one.
3) I just read a weather report that says we will be having fall temps very soon...like in a week or two! AHHH!!
So, here's what I have my eye on: Heidi & Finn. That Chic Cocktail Swing Coat pattern is calling my name! As is the unisex hoodie, princess leggings, etc, etc.

Chic Cocktail Swing Coat

Unisex Hoodie

THING TWO: I am in "redo" mode which means I really want to go buy a bunch of stuff, but I can't, so I will rehash, redo, repaint, rearrange, reorganize anything in the house I can get my hands on. I believe my oldest girl's room is 1st on the list. Just some general rearranging there.
Then the big task...painting the hideous, gigantic brick hearth thing in my living room. I really don't know why we've let it go this long. It's terrible really. We have always greatly disliked the color of the brick on our house, and it is the same color brick...only inside...and taking up basically one whole wall of our living room! I just honestly don't know what color to paint it. I want something simple, bright----but not garish. We already have a spring green kitchen so I don't want to completely blind anyone. I don't know...but something will be done!! Something MUST be done!
Oh yeah, and painting the bathroom. I accidentally painted it avocado green...5 yrs ago. And I really do go back and forth about it. Is it too 70s? Is it retro, but still ok? I think in the end I've decided it's too retro for a house that is literally retro. So I'm thinking some sort of bluish green, maybe leaning toward a turquoise...again, it's unclear. My daughter thinks we should just go rainbow with every room. She has said that our house is too boring and we should just move---she's 5 people, 5 yrs old!

Just barely squeezed this post in there, huh? Well, bedtime is approaching and I have a lot to do tomorrow! There's your Two Things!!

Kids grow (rapidly)...who knew??

2010-09-08T16:30:00.004-05:00

My 5 yr old has grown several inches since the beginning of the summer. I think only in her legs because all the cute, little skirts I bought when it began to get warm are now just that...little! Some of the skirts have become her favs and part of her weekly wardrobe (especially since I bestowed the new responsibility of letting her pick out her own clothes!)
This orange skirt was just too young to die...so I gave it a stay of execution by adding a band of that orange polka dot fabric to the bottom. Yes, the same one I used for the curtains and lamp...that may be a little "Sound of Music"...oh well...I love that movie!
She can still wear the skirt she loves (and that could really be for at least another month) and keep the modesty a 5 yr old should have!

I've got nothin'...well, nothing to share...right now

2010-09-02T13:42:00.002-05:00

Dreadfully sorry, but there's not even a "Two Things" this week. I am in the middle of pre-birthday frenzy and it's not over yet! I am sewing though! Sewing up some princess dresses for the girls for the PRINCESS BIRTHDAY PARTY---AHHH!! In a million years, I never thought I would be all into a princess party...but I am...I'm in it up to my elbows! It's a little bit of an out-of-body experience, but you have to go with the flow. Little girl wants a princess party--LET'S DO THIS!
Anywho, so I haven't had time to take pics or edit or write more than what I'm writing right now. I'd say, "Sorry I let you down" but I don't post that regularly to begin with...so everyone should be just fine with this I think! ;)
Princess dress pics to come!

Two Things Tuesday...done with one type of fabric...

2010-08-24T15:19:00.004-05:00

I am in a bit of a rush this week because it is the count down to my littlest girl's 3rd birthday and birthday party! Which means guests who will stay and guests who will visit and I always have this last minute "oh my goodness, I haven't done ANYTHING to the house since the last time lots of people were over" madness. It is a true sickness. I have people over to my house quite regularly actually. It's just really around the birthday parties, Thanksgiving and Christmas that I get all in a tizzy. I'm really hoping that saying it "outloud" will be some sort of therapy. I KNOW no one is really expecting anything...like I said, it's a sickness , an inexplicable one. Anyway---

THING ONE: New curtains! This is a project that has been on the list for 2 yrs *whince* and I finally bought fabric and completed it--yippee! I Have really been on the fence about my house's color scheme lately. I thought I was going to go green and turquiose-ish, but now I think I may go green and red-orange. Maybe some turquoise will still get in, although that seems like a lot of bolds. I found this fabric on sale at Joann's for $1.99/yd--couldn't buy them at IKEA cheaper (I tried). Very simple, not much to them. That pattern is so busy I thought it was enough. (PS--Curtain rod, IKEA, $1.99, 'nuff said)

Obviously, this is the playroom....someday, turned guest room. Those dots are so fun and modern, how could I pass it up?

THING TWO: Then I went orange dot fabric crazy...slightly. I have had these two floor lamps (other one depicted above in curtain pic) from Target for...ever. They had a crinkly paper thing going on which, I don't know if you know or not but, paper rips!! Kids grabbing stuff to hold onto+paper lamps= horrible looking!! So I did an impromtu recovering of that white one in the pic above. It was ok, just sorta boring. Well, give me a little extra orange dot fabric and TADA--new and interesting lamp shade! I really can't decide if I truly like it or not. It does give off an orange-ish glow I'm not used to.

Here it is, turned off, so you can see what it really looks like.

The recovering is amazingly simple. Measure the length, add a little for a seam. Measure around the metal rings at top and bottom and sew a tube to match that measurement. Then I just folded the fabric around the metal ring to the inside and handsewed all the way around. I literally just tore that paper lamp shade thing off the metal rings! It was pretty much no going back from there! Had I known how easy it was, I would've done it a long time ago. I also found out that those types of lamps give you a big range of length to play with. I went pretty short with the plain white one, and longer with the orange dot. Something to think about...

So, there are two things with one fabric! Hope my hubby recognizes the house when he gets home...!

It was an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, yellow polka dot...SHIRRED HALTER!!

2010-08-17T15:25:00.004-05:00

Yes, it's true...I have successfully integrated shirring into a project. I just started with a simple halter top for my 5 yr old. I have been hanging onto this yellow with white polka dots forEVER and it was finally it's moment to shine! I love it!

Here's what it looked like when I was doing the shirring...not very gathered until I did the ol' spritz and iron!

Yep, that's a real plastic flamingo in our backyard...not a photo shoot prop unfortunately...

A little tie halter...

I am officially in love with the shirring. It adds a cute detail very quickly!

Shirring---VICTORY!!

2010-08-10T20:07:00.003-05:00

I really want to take a line from my kids and say, here and now, "NANA NANA BOO BOO!!" to shirring!! You have NOT conquered me! I have, in fact, conquered you, shirring!! Go check out this video tutorial about shirring on Grosgrain. It has saved my shirring self-confidence. The main piece--- SPRITZING AND THEN IRONING! If you have tried to shirr many times to no avail I say, watch this video! You will have springy, tight shirring in no time. YAY!!

Easy Livin' T-Shirt Dress 2

2010-08-06T16:05:00.006-05:00

I am in LOVE with making these little dresses! They are super easy. They are comfy. They are endlessly customizable! Knit is so much easier to work with for me right now. Any little additions you make will actually look ok once you wash them. I always have trouble adding stuff onto reg cotton fabric because once you wash and dry it---it looks different, wrinkled, yucky.

Sweet little pleated neckline...

The addition I made this time was these little pinched rows on the bottom. I have no idea what the proper name for these might be...

Close-up view. A very easy detail, very hard to mess up. I think next time I'll try some that are kind of uneven, wavy almost.

Anyway, just another something quick to whip up. This one was made out of one of my old tees. It ends up being a good length for a 3T, with the gathers ofcourse. I'm thinking these will also be cute with leggings and a long sleeve underneath for the colder months. Assuming we actually get some colder months before they outgrow these suckers!!

Post-Storytime Bargain Browsing Pays Off!!

2010-08-03T15:55:00.004-05:00

The girls and I have been enjoying storytimes this summer at Barnes and Noble. We were never able to get to them when the in-home daycare was up and running...so now we are hitting them up pretty much every week. Plus, it is air-conditioned and it is OVER 100 degrees here right now so...

Usually, after storytime we browse. Browse the children's section, browse the parenting section, browse the cookbooks, browse the sewing/crafting section and ofcourse, the bargain section. Well, today I found a BEAUT!! Lookie, lookie!!!

Love this!!! I love sewing knits and now maybe I can figure out how to sew knits ...ahem ...correctly! But the best part...did you notice the BEST part??!

That's right! $7 for a $25 book!! WOOHOO!! That made me happy for the rest of the day! Needless to say, I've been pouring through it and really want to sew up some stuff! But I promised myself I would read all the way through before starting any projects inspired by it. It is excellent so far...so many, many valuable tips in all facets of sewing that I honestly have not read on any of the bajillion sewing blogs I've stumbled onto. That's pretty rare I'd say!

Lesson of the day: ALWAYS take your kids to storytime. HA!

The Easiest Dress EVER!!!

2010-07-30T13:59:00.007-05:00

I've made a few of these super-dee-duper easy t-shirt dresses for my 5 yr old. They are just that easy...easy to make and made for easy livin'. No fancy schmancy-ness, except for the uber cool snaking ruffle ofcourse! It is made from a man's grey tee, no more, no less. Chop off the shoulders and sleeves inward at a slight curve, then cut the rest of the way down in an a-line fashion. I ended up taking it up a bit and hemming with a double zig-zag stitch bc it was a little long for something so plain and simple. Put it over her and exactly measured and pinned* where I needed to take it in on the sides so half her body didn't show through the armhole. Then just sew up the sides. No stitching ANYWHERE ELSE!! No sleeve stitching, no neckline stitching--glorious!

*exactly measured and pinned=pinched it with with my fingers, closed one eye and squinted the other while tilting my head slightly askew :)

I just love the way it fits her in the shoulder area...it's an amazingly good fit despite...errr, I mean...ofcourse it fits well, you know, because of all that measuring...!

She's wearing a hat we got today so that when we go peach picking this weekend her scalp doesn't get fried, which is a real problem for those who love the piggie tails. It's from Children's Place and it is sooo cute! She has stated that she cannot wear it everyday, but she can wear it today, tomorrow and the next day...
{Check out the expression on that face...backyard modeling is serious business}

Close up of the ruffly coolness...

Answer: This Blog

2010-07-29T13:43:00.002-05:00

What is...things that are hard to keep up with???
DING, DING, DING!!!

Yes, I am having a really hard time keeping up with this and making stuff...and all the other things I have to do and like to do to keep the family happy and healthy. I started this thinking that it would be cool to share some ideas and projects in an unobtrusive manner...like without having to drag out projects and say, "hey, lookie what I did!!"

I'll try to be better about sharing--it's just so hard to opt for, say, editing photos over FUN summer activities!

Hopefully, I'll get a pic or two up of some things I've done soon...

Until then, let's all just enjoy summer while it lasts!!

Two Things Tuesday--Yummy and well, not yummy...

2010-07-20T14:23:00.006-05:00

THING ONE: Bakerella!!! Again, probably way late in the game on this...but OH MY GOODNESS I LOVE THIS SITE!! I was checking it out and my eldest walked by, caught a glimpse, and said, "Can you make that?? Do we have all the ingredients?? Can you make it right now??!!" My thoughts exactly, little one...

Exhibit A: Brownie Pillow Cookie??!! How did I not know this existed?? I'm ashamed of myself...
Exhibit B: Cake Pops. I have made cake balls, but cake POPS takes it to a whole new easy, not messy, cute level. I believe I have found what I am making for my youngest's bday...which is right around the corner!

There are many, many other reasons to go over and drool on this site...mini popsicles is one more. Also, very well organized site so you can find what you want to drool over quicker...yay!!

THING TWO: I really have too many projects I want to accomplish right now. Being that I am a former elementary school teacher, I think I have developed this weird inner clock that starts ticking at the end of summer--- "You'd better hurry up and do everything you wanted to get done...free time is about to end!!" Clearly, I haven't quite adjusted to being a stay at home mom, fully, because I still feel that rush to get it all done. Just when I had finally (sort of) come to peace and realized that I can relax a little, I do have time to get everything done throughout the year---termites!! Ugh...horrible, burrowing, disgustingly clear, EXPENSIVE termites! So all leisurely buying of fabric is on hold until the home itself is structurally sound. I don't say the "h" word often...but I HATE TERMITES!

Ok, so these two things couldn't be more opposite. Just be glad I didn't include a picture of a termite as they are truly gross! Even my husband got the heebie jeebies from seeing them. Geew....

Vacation

2010-07-19T11:17:00.006-05:00

Haven't posted in a while because I was so busy looking at this:
(these are real pictures, completely unaltered, that we actually took--not postcards, which is what they could be!!!)

Gorgeous!

Relaxing...
Lush!

Beautiful!

Lovely!

Awe-Inspiring (double rainbow--no joke!)

Ahhh...New Mexico! It was a wonderful vacation...hope we get to go again before another 5 years goes by!

One Thing Wednesday??

2010-07-07T13:29:00.004-05:00

So...I forgot yesterday was Tuesday. Not that I have no concept of time and had no idea what day it was, just forgot to do Two Things Tuesday! Honestly, I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off getting things ready for a vacation. A real, really real vacation! We haven't had one in about 5 yrs...we are due! Needless to say, all I've had on my mind is packing. The temp is going to be cooler than it is in Texas and you know, you just kinda forget what 70 degrees feels like when you've been in the 90s for so long. I feel like I am packing every article of clothing we own (plus some I frantically made).

Since it's that time of year, I figured I may not be the only one who needs this:

How to Pack a Suitcase from Real Simple magazine. Enjoy, my fellow travelers!! Roll, not fold---GENIUS!!!

Did you ever just NEED a backpack...?

2010-07-02T15:58:00.004-05:00

One that sits on your shoulders just right and actually STAYS on your shoulders?!

...big enough to carry a few toys in...

... and ofcourse, you're REALLY lucky if your mom was nice enough to put a velcro closure and not one of those fussy clips, snaps or zippers!

All in a day's work, my child, all in a day's work...

*I'm not certain that I will be doing a tutorial on this or not yet. I still have some tweaking to do and I'm genuinely considering putting something like this in the ever present, ever empty etsy shop with my name on it...hmm, not sure...

Two Things Tuesday

2010-06-29T12:31:00.004-05:00

THING ONE: Sunglasses for kids-- 2 for $5 at The Children's Place. You can't beat that for some super cute, retro-polka dot little numbers! I think that's where I've bought them since my oldest was born. I will say though, that we always buy a size up...maybe I have big headed kids, ok?! That just means they're smart, right?? Yes, it does...

THING TWO: Travel pillow for kids. I had no pattern-- just a confusing amount of orange fleece and my determination. I've made two thus far. They have both been categorically rejected by both girls in favor of...a plain, long skinny, rectangular pillow made of the same "awesome" orange fleece. They have given several reasons as to why they dislike them...you can clearly see them all in the fakeness of the smile I got...

Why orange fleece?? What was I going to make with it? I'm sure it was purchased from the sale rack, as so many things are. I obviously have a hard time with passing up anything that's on sale! I thought the pillow itself came out quite well for having not ever done one...though the orange does make it very life jacket-like. Eh, who cares! It's for sleeping and drooling on in the car--we're going function over fashion on this one.

There's your Two Things...now you go make a life jacket/travel pillow! You know you want to!

Homemade Pasta...yep, I did that!

2010-06-25T13:12:00.003-05:00

I will tell you that everytime I home-make something I think, "I wonder if anyone I went to high school with ever would've imagined I would do this?" The answer is always the same---never in a million YEARS!! So anyway, I guess I've come into my own with this whole homemade living. It's only recently that I've even been interested in making stuff from scratch...cooking wise. It's not that I'm not a good cook, I'm decent. I'm able to put ingredients together without a recipe, if needed. But I don't just LOVE it...

The thing I do like though is the satisfaction of knowing EXACTLY what is in the food I am serving my family. I really dislike looking at a label and seeing words that I have to think about to pronounce. It's oogie. It makes me want to run to my computer and look up that bunch of consonants--but I don't. I've looked up things on the internet before and it doesn't matter what it is, it says it's bad for you. So, my solution is to make as many things I can on my own with REAL ingredients that can directly traced back to something found on Earth. We don't do this all the time, ofcourse. I figure the occasional pre-packaged, preservative laden foods is better than eating that stuff all the time, right? Right.

Ok, no more rambling--- Homemade Pasta from Blue Cricket Design. I made it today for lunch and it was VERY easy and only takes 2 ingredients (eggs and flour)! It turned out wonderfully well and the girls went on and on about how yummy it was! I was highly pleased with the whole experience! I lightly sauteed some zucchini with olive oil, garlic powder(didn't have fresh, which was kinda dissappointing) and italian seasoning to go with it. We had a little leftover grilled chicken from last night so I threw that in there, too. The pasta itself I just tossed with some olive oil, garlic powder and parmesan. Turned out lovely! Next time I'm going to try it with whole wheat flour and see how that is. We normally eat the pre-made whole wheat pasta, but I decided to follow the recipe exactly for the first try and then trick it up later.

So go make your own pasta! It's easy! You can do it!

PS-- Just went and looked at the ingredients list on the pre-packaged pasta already in the pantry, there was nothing oogie. It lists semolina flour as the only ingredient though...so how is that being held together?? No eggs? Weird. I can only assume that there is something else in there they aren't listing, right? I don't know...

Two Things Tuesday

2010-06-22T08:02:00.006-05:00

THING ONE: One of my many goals for the summer is to spruce up the backyard. We have no seating or tables or anything back there. It's basically a play area/dog area...that's it. I know I don't want a "patio set," so I think I want benches. Ofcourse, benches are EXPENSIVE!! So, I will (hubby will) probably be making these suckers. Here are some inspirations.

This first one I already have the materals for actually---just a little on the plain side...

Fan Back Bench

I love the organic lines of this one...but I have no idea how to a) acquire wood like that and b) how to put that together.
Garden Bench
This one I am DIGGIN'!!! Maybe not this exact style, but the whole "reusing the door" thing is awesome! It wouldn't be black, for sure. Maybe have the back part be slightly shorter so it's not so formal looking. What a great idea, huh?

Door Bench Who knows what I'll end up with! It may not even happen this summer as I already have umpteenbillion other projects in line, waiting to be done!

THING TWO: This one is random. Literally. I just stumbled upon it. So no--I haven't been contemplating sponge holders...

I'm only showing 2 because the other ones I saw seemed like they would collect water in the bottom and these two seemed like they would drain better. The verdict is still out for me with using a sponge to begin with. I KNOW they are breeding grounds for all kinds of gross stuff---but I am addicted to it. I can't see having a bunch of rags hanging around...and would that even be less of a breeding ground? I don't know. I wipe the counters down many, many times a day so it seems wasteful to use a new rag everytime. I do the microwaving it thing to kill bacteria every couple of days. No one has fallen ill from my sponge usage yet, so I guess I'm doing ok.

Digressing...

Here's one that's really a card holder...but could also be a sponge holder. Notice the open sides for maximum drainage...YES!

Card/Sponge Holder

This next one is just plain cute! I dare someone to tell me that seeing these cute little birds right before you are about to wipe down the counters wouldn't cheer you up...just a little bit?

Chubby Little Love Birds Sponge Holder

Happy Tuesday!

little grey dresses for a special occasion

2010-06-18T14:01:00.004-05:00

So this week I sewed THREE dresses!! It was a crazy, frenzy of sewing but I actually got all three done in just three days! Which is really hard because I really only sew at naptime and after the kids go to bed (aside from sleeves which need to be fitted). The first one was the grey knit dress for me from the previous post.

This one came from Made. This Shirt Dress is fairly simple and turns out really cute! Plus, it involves repurposing, which is excellent. I used a coordinating fabric for the sleeves. Like she says in the tutorial, it really does fit a skinny 2T-3T EXACTLY. Which was perfect, because that's what I needed!

I didn't elasticize the arm part of the sleeve because I liked the ruffly sleeve look.

Just another shot of the top part. Elastic is amazing, isn't it?

This dress cost approx. 10 CENTS to make---recycled men's shirt + scrap for sleeves+ elastic. Not too shabby!!

This next one is of my own design. It's basically a knit skirt with the elastic casing folded OUT, not in, as I have been doing lately. I did the same basic sleeve as the the other one, but not as ruffly. I think it's kind of couture-y looking...maybe I'm just used to the simple, non-embellished stuff I normally make. Maybe it's because of this odd, non-chalant, model-like pose my daughter struck in this photo:

Now this pose is more like herself!

Oh yeah, and I added a HUGE bow! I don't know why the oversized bow appeals to me so much on kids' clothes...but it does. Maybe it's because I'm a child of the 80's...?

I also figured out how to do this little gathered pocket using 1/4" elastic on the inside. No casing, just sewn on the inside. I'll be using this technique in the future because it is wonderfully simple and gives a nice even gather--quickly! I'll give a tutorial on it later...

Pretty fun! Now we've all got dresses for my Grandparents' 60th Wedding Anniversary!! YIPPEE!!

Two Things Tuesday

2010-06-15T07:18:00.006-05:00

THING ONE: WHOOP WHOOP! I did it!! I made a dress for an adult!! Namely, me. I have several people to thank for this accomplishment:
1) Old Navy-- for providing the back-up dress that I purchased to take the pressure off. It was promptly returned...
2) The iron in the hotel with which I burned the dress that I cut apart and used as a pattern for this dress!
3) Charlotte Russe for providing a cheap, polyester dress that I didn't mind cutting apart...though I was mad about the whole iron burning incident.
4) Myself! For looking in my stash one more time to double check to see if I had two yards of grey knit, and I did!!

These photos are hilarious to me because I have used every available space in my backyard for a photo shoot---now I'm just standing by a tree. I just can't see going "on location" though, I think I'll look like a weirdo!

THING TWO: This next one is something both weird, yet intriguing. I'm sure there is a tennis enthusiast that would love these? Well, this is repurposing alright...

Wait, I really need to relax on the tennis courts, maybe something like this??

Oh, don't play tennis? Maybe you are more of a winter sports person?

These are from Great For Sitting on Etsy. It's a creative use of sports equipment, you can say that much!

Well, there are the Two Things for this week! Enjoy!

Baked Zucchini "Fries"

2010-06-11T13:13:00.004-05:00

That is some yummy stuff right there! I have been propagating this "recipe" for quite some time now. I finally took note of the temp and time so that I could write it out for people to actually have. Amazing, I know...

Here it is:
-zucchini (one could easily cover a family of 4 as a side)
-ranch dressing
-italian bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

-Cut zucchini into sticks about 1/2" thick.
-Paint on some ranch...just enough so the bread crumbs have something to stick to--not dripping.
-Dredge in bread crumbs and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
-Bake for 20ish minutes or until bread crumbs start to brown up.

My kids love these things and have since they were first eating table foods. The beautiful thing is that this can be done with broccoli and green beans, too! You could use caesar or honey mustard dressing---all good combos.

That's it!

Get those veggies in those kiddos! Yeehaw!

Two Things Tuesday

2010-06-08T06:55:00.003-05:00

THING ONE: A skirt...but it didn't start that way. I was trying to make a dress, but it was a complete FAIL!! So I chopped it and made a skirt for me and my oldest little girl. Also, I found out that my waist and chest measurement under the arms is the same. Is that normal, or am I just a rectangle? Anyway, I am in love with using knits of any kind...this crinkle knit was fun! I used a really wide elastic for the waist (2"?) and folded the casing for it on the outside instead of in.

It is such a cool, summery shade of green, yes? I didn't even hem it bc since I double layered it as it was so thin...I liked the double layer roughness at the bottom. The one I made for my little girl was a bubble skirt though.

THING TWO: Just another wall vinyl thing on etsy...but what a novel way to use them! I had never thought of putting on the glass shower!! I don't have one of those anymore, but when I did I always hated the fact that there was really no way to hide all the soap and scrubbies and stuff. I bet you could even buy a cheapie clear vinyl shower curtain and give it the same treatment. Custom showers, who knew?

There's Two Things---yay!

Gnats---BEWARE!!

2010-06-03T13:56:00.004-05:00

What could be MORE summer-y than...killing annoying bugs??!!

Well, I'm kicking my summer off right because I made a Gnat Catcher! Super simple and non-toxic--who could ask for more? I used this tutorial. Instead of just adding a bow, I wrapped the bottom 2/3 in fabric, held with hot glue. Then added the bow, also hot glued.

I have, thus far, caught only one gnat, but I haven't seen anymore around so maybe it also wards them off too...

This might be the grossest craft I have ever done. Just goes to show you can make almost anything a little prettier...

Two Things Tuesday---NOT!

2010-06-01T07:49:00.003-05:00

Yikes! With Memorial Day and everything I kinda lost track of days and, whoops...it's Tuesday already!! Well, I didn't sew one single stitch this weekend. I made some more bows, we worked outside, we painted things, we thought about painting more things, we went to the Arboretum and most of all we reveled in the thought that this is my last week as a PAID childcare provider...from now on it's just going to be volunteer work! ;) Our family is about to embark on a true adventure...homeschooling! It's exciting and scary all at the same time. So anyway, with all of this going on I haven't really had a chance to let my mind wander and get inspired to do some sewing. Maybe later in the week!

My new favorite blog...other than mine ;)

2010-05-28T13:59:00.002-05:00

Check out this one:
How About Orange

They already have tons of "followers" so I'm sure some of you have seen this blog already...but if you haven't, here's why you should:

1) Collections...as in "Want to make a bag? Here are 12 tutorials on cool bags."
2) Food links on the side...they help further my fantasy of becoming a fantastic family chef!! (Esp Smitten Kitchen...look on the side...you can see all the recipes organized by ingredient!! YESSS!)
3) Repurposing galore

Ok, that should be enough--just go look at it!

Two Things Tuesday--Condensed Version

2010-05-25T13:39:00.005-05:00

My oldest was sick yesterday. So why the condensed version today? Simply because eventhough she's playing and eating and doing well today, yesterday everything stopped to take care of her...so all the stuff that was supposed to get done yesterday is now happening today, PLUS all the stuff that is supposed to happen today...

Here we go...

THING ONE: BENTO!!! If you have never heard of this (as I had NEVER heard of this until literally 2 weeks ago) you are about to be blown away! It is awesome! Basically, a bento is a meal/snack that has lots of variety and set up in an artistic/aesthetically pleasing way and it's in a little box. That's the gist I got anyway. They originated in Japan, but the few sites that I have looked at have been from all over the world. Here is the one I came across while browsing liaspace ... Bentolicious. It is so wonderful and I am completely obsessed! Check out these pics, keep in mind, this is FOOD people!! You eat it!!

This one was for a bento contest. Contests for bento---I wanna go!!

So cute! What kid could resist??

The variety of fruits and veggies is what really appeals to me. My kids aren't even picky eaters, but I think it would be so fun to eat little flower shaped foods! I mean a bear?? Seriously, it's ridiculously cute! But if you do have a picky eater I think I would definitely try this.

Another bento blog I found is http://www.americaninbento.blogspot.com/. She makes food that would probably appeal to most Americans. Check out that white, car shaped item in the center of the box on the left...know what that is??

It's a hard boiled egg!!! Apparently, there is such a thing called and "egg mold" where you boil an egg, peel it, stick it in an egg mold and then refrigerate it--voila! Cool shaped egg! My kids LOVE hard boiled eggs (for some odd reason) and I thought this was just too adorable! I looked up egg molds too and they are only like $3...sweet!!

You can get lots of bento supplies off ebay...but I found a local place too that I'm gonna try first. Mainly so I can ask lots of questions and probably annoy the tar out of them.

Anyway, something super fun to try!

THING TWO: I can't shirr!! I tried and tried. I followed the tutorials from SEVERAL websites and it just won't work! Uber frustrating! There is just no bunching happening. I'm using elastic thread, I wound the bobbin myself, I tried both increasing the tension AND leaving it normal. I don't know what I'm doing wrong. I'm hoping I break will help me figure it out. I REALLY want to shirr some stuff though! That is a sad "thing" to report on...but that's what I got. Ofcourse, after that fiasco, I had to get the bad juju out of my machine--so I sewed up a cute little skirt with ruffle pockets for my sick little girl, all made from one of my hubby's old shirts. It worked perfectly so hopefully the machine is now officially...cleansed!

Bow-ish Clippies!

2010-05-23T19:24:00.008-05:00

I know...there is a previous post of mine where I say "we don't really like bows, we like clips in this house..." or something to that effect. I'm s-l-o-w-l-y coming around. Don't get me wrong though, if you call my kids 'bowheads', I'll be deeply offended. I found a website that made a tutorial from me COMPLETELY unnecessary--yippee! This lady can make some bows! Here ya go: www.theribbonretreat.com/custom/free_projects.aspx When all you need for a project is a clip, ribbon and hot glue--who can resist??

So, I made these cute little ones by wrapping a regular clip. Easy and fun!

After I made those according to the website directions on how to wrap the ribbon, I went wrapping-clippy-crazy!! Here are some alligator clips that I wrapped. I tried a double bow-like thing for these. These aren't on the website, but once you get the gist...you got it!

Here's the side view so you can see that I only wrapped the top part...not the bottom or the part you pinch.

THEN--I went to Hob Lob and found these crazy things. Big flat top part, teeth to hold my little girl's super thick, curly hair! Faboo! I'm imagining all kinds of fun stuff to do with these...

...but then I wrapped it again. HA! Double loop bow anyone??

Side view of this beaut!

These next ones are also on that website...but I actually already knew how to do these. Score one tiny one for me!

I guess this could be considered Part 3 in the 'Clippy Crazy!' series. Although, they are quite bow-ish...but still clippy!!!! I won't give up the clippy!!!!

Ok, multi-tasking time is over--LOST finale is on and it's getting good!

Two Things Tuesday: Reasons why I like sewing

2010-05-18T08:34:00.007-05:00

There are several reasons why I'm glad I learned to sew...these are two of them.

THING ONE: Being able to change your own home decor WITHOUT having to spend an absolute fortune is awesome! I greatly disliked the previous pillows that were in this chair. They were cream colored blah and filled with feathers which were always poking people and ended up all over the floor. Annoying. I've had these little $3 IKEA pillows forever...they are just fills. Covered them with fabric and...voila! Better in every way...and quite cheap!

A little topstitching on two ends...

I LOVE this fabric. I think it's from Hancock's. It's actually very thin and gauzy, so I lined it with a sturdy plain ol' white fabric too. It's so vintage-y looking...just couldn't pass it up!

THING TWO: Being able to whip up a little something for your kiddos. A very little something. Hmm...what is that, you say?

Oh, ofcourse---it's a pillow and blanket for a polly pocket princess!! Almost perfect...

Ahh yes, add in a watch box bottom and you've got the perfect tiny princess bed. That Prince should be along any minute now...

This 5 min effort caused such an exciting ruckus that I declared outloud that I LOVED BEING ABLE TO SEW!!! The sheer joy and mass amounts of squealing---it's wonderful to be able to make them so happy!
Granted, neither of these projects took great skill, but maybe that's the point. Simple is often better. And if you are talking about proportion of enjoyment to effort, then I'm WAY ahead!

Plant a garden, why don't ya?

2010-05-17T13:35:00.006-05:00

So, 2 weekends ago one of our "family" long-term dreams was realized---we planted an organic vegetable garden!! My hubby and I have been literally pining for this for years...and we finally did it...with help from the in-laws! But really, it is super easy and I am now a firm believer that everyone should try it!
It's pretty simple--- Get some 2 x 4s and screw them together. We lined ours with plastic because we used reclaimed pressure treated wood...and although the really deadly stuff isn't used on wood anymore, I'm very particular about chemicals and so I figured better safe than poisoned...
Like so:

Literally, put them on the ground, stacked them and screwed them together. We did have to do a little digging to level it out so the entire bottom actually touched the ground.

20 bags of topsoil and 1 bag of humus (dig the hole, put in some humus, then the plant), 12 veggie plants later and your got yourself a garden!! We planted okra, cucumbers, banana peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon. I am in LOVE with this garden. It was sooo much easier than we thought it would be...I wished we would've done it much sooner!

We have some things still in pots ready to transplant soon. These are from seeds, planted about 3 weeks ago? We just need another raised bed to plant them in now.

Beans--look how tall they are??!! Amazing! I swear, they grow an inch or two a day! (They have cute little chalkboard paint labels...unfortunately it rained and they washed off. Fun idea, but not practical for an outdoor plant.)

Butternut Squash---also from seed.

And I'm telling you, I'm not known for being a green-thumb at all...but I really want to be! It's working out so far. I'll post pics as soon as there is something to harvest...hopefully there actually will be!!

Next garden-related project: composter! Hubby has found plans on Instructables. Love that website!

I also want an herb garden...I'm totally obsessed now, can you tell??

Two Things Tuesday

2010-05-11T07:19:00.007-05:00

Happy Tuesday!! Here are Two Things I've actually accomplished this week!! Hooray!

THING ONE: I am such a scrounger! Nothing gets thrown away anymore. Even the hubby is in on the game now---everytime he's about to get rid of a worn out something he says, "Well, could you use this for something?" Yes...yes I can!!

Case in point--just another skirt, huh?
Ok, ok...the fabric is pretty cool...

Oh WAIT!! What's that?? The waistband is different, somehow...it's a PAJAMA SHORTS WAISTBAND which I scrounged from some pjs where the shirt was too tight/too short. Waste not, want not!!

PS-- That perfectly matching shirt is a tank top from Old Navy if you happen to need a match for that fabric too! (I've seen it around quite a bit)

THING TWO: So I've started experimenting with the Triple Thick. I made bottlecap magnets! I've been collecting bottlecaps lately for just such an occasion. I basically glued a circle of scrapbook paper and "embellished" with some stamping and stickers. Nothing too crazy since these were the trial run ones.

I krazy glued a super strong magnet to the back.

I ended up putting a few coats of the Triple Thick on each. It dries in about 5 min so it was no biggie. Yep, they're magnets alright! Again, a repurposing!!

In conclusion, I am apparently addicted to repurposing! And that's just fine---it's probably the absolute cheapest addiction possible!

Impromptu Fabric Basket

2010-05-09T18:31:00.008-05:00

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned these two things before:
1) We live in an older house
2) I don't like clutter--particularly loose objects such as wires, little tiny animals, markers...

Let me paint you a picture. The dining room table ends up as the catch all for all sorts of projects. Lately, Sleeping Beauty Color Wonder artwork has been going on. (Why don't they sell a little case or baggie or something with these sets to keep it all in. It's probably something you have to buy seperately...and I'm not falling for that one!) Anyway, so there have been markers sitting on the table for like a week. Only they don't "sit." They roll. Why, you ask? One might say, our house is less than level. I say, we live in a constant state of "tilt."

So, the need for an impromptu marker basket arose. I answered the call--with fabric, ofcourse!!

Here's what you need:
-scrap fabric, I used a fat quarter
-fusible interfacing
-rubber bands or some other binding thing...ribbon, thread, whatever...

Here's how I did it:
1) I needed a rectangular basket so I folded the fat quarter and cut off some so I ended up with an 11"X 14" piece WHEN IT WAS FOLDED. Slip an equa-sized (Is that a word?? Well, it should be.) piece of fusible interfacing in the middle. Iron all of that together.
Side note: You can get fusible interfacing prepackaged...but then the price is RIDICULOUS. Buy it off the bolt!
2) Sew all the way around. You could fold in all the edges and make them "neat." I chose not too because it's not getting washed AND I'm kinda diggin' the rough look lately...
I used a cute stitch that actually has a scallop to it. I feel like the cute-y, complex stitches on my machine are way underused...that was really the only reason.

3)Do you have one of these? I bought this rubberband ball thinking, "What am I gonna use all these for? This is unnecessary..." But I loved the colors, so I got it! As it turns out, I have used it so many times I will probably end up buying several rubberband balls in my lifetime. Never thought I'd say that!

4)Pinch a corner, wrap a rubber band around it!

5) Keep going on the other three corners and you've got yourself a BASKET, baby!! I ironed the sides into a crease AFTER placing rubberbands...out of sheer OCD of needing that crease.

I am really in love with this basket. It's not breakable, it's colorful and fun, and most of all...simple!

Coordinating thread with rubberbands...feeling good about that one! I have that feeling where, after having made one of these, I am about to make a MILLION---in all different sizes and styles and materials...

Now, YOU go make some!!

Happy (Crazy, OCD) Mother's Day!!!

Two Things Tuesday

2010-05-04T08:06:00.003-05:00

Hello there! I have discovered some WONDERFUL things for this week! Check it--

THING ONE: Paper craft continues to elude me. I'm not the most precise when it comes to cutting. Fabric is quite forgiving...paper is not. Which is what makes me LOVE paper crafts like these. I always hate spending money on things I think I could probably do myself. I know I can't do this, so I wouldn't feel bad at all...
These are from Crafterall on Etsy. Monocromatic greatness....agghhh (drooling).

Set of 4 cards for $16.00?? COOL!! Or I saw that you can get a customized one in the shape of a certain body of water, $30 for 8"X 10"---also very reasonable.

THING TWO: I realize I am potentially way late jumping on this bandwagon--TRIPLE THICK!!

This is one of those products where I really have no idea what exactly I'm going to do with it...but I'm excited about the possibilities!!! I experimented a bit last night. I think a coat of Mod Podge FIRST and then this over it may be best for working with paper, as I was ( I know...I just said paper craft eludes me, but I never give up!!). I actually went to Hob Lob with the intention of buying some Mod Podge "dimensional"...wasn't there---but THIS WAS!! Seems like it'll be a lot of fun!

Enjoy these Two Things! If you have some project suggestions for Triple Thick---bring them on!!

Mysteries of my Spring Top Week Contest Entry

2010-04-29T14:13:00.018-05:00

Some things are unexplainable.
Why does the letter "O" make a "W" sound in the words "one" and "once", but no other words (that I can think of anyway).
Why, eventhough, "garbage" and "garage" are so similarly spelled are they pronounced so differently?
Why don't we ever say "the bad girl" instead of always "the bad guy" when, clearly, there are MANY bad girls? (We watch a fair amount of princess movies around here..."the bad guy" is usually a fairy, queen and/or mother) ~this was the question posed by my 5yr old daughter last weekend~

Here's another one for you: How did I make this Spring Top??

It is a true mystery...well, not exactly, but it is not a process that I am able to explain, nor do I have pictures of the whole, convoluted journey. I'll tell you this much, it involved: seam ripping, adding triangular pieces of fabric, cutting things---after having been sewn on (EEEEK!), probably some under-my-breath cussing and a whole lot of singing. The playlist included such timeless classics as: "You Gotta Know When to Hold 'Em" and "Another One Bites the Dust"...if that isn't revealing, I don't know WHAT is!!

BUT--after all this, I do indeed have a Spring Top to enter in the contest over at Made by Rae!! And it's even ON TIME!!! Holy goodness!! So enjoy the few pictures I was able to squeeze in. I actually like the way my little top came out and I WILL be wearing it this spring and summer.

Some stats:
-grass green knit
-Phillip Jacobs cotton print...so uber Springy!

Just a detail of the shoulder straps:

There it is! What a beaut! Lots of toil and trouble, but worth it...I think!

Two Things Tuesday

2010-04-27T08:01:00.007-05:00

Thing One: I dislike electronics. Well, I like having them sometimes...but I really don't like looking at multiple things all stacked up and their snaking cords all over. It kinda drives me nuts. Add in the remotes and I'm on the verge of an anxiety attack! So, maybe that's a little dramatic...but you get the picture. I already don't like the TV sticking right out in the middle of our built-in. We hardly ever turn it on, but we can't get rid of it altogether because occasionally the girls need a princess movie fix! Here's what we had going on...so embarrassing!! (the other side was equally cluttered with scrapbooks and shutterfly photobooks...those just don't offend me as much)

Made a little curtain from some IKEA fabric and literally pinned it up with push pins from the back. VOILA!!

Here's the full view. Obviously, getting some cabinet doors on the bottom is in the VERY near future. I think the little curtains help though...and break up the brown, brown, brown of the built-in. Yes?

PS--The fish tank is NOT yellow in real life, just showed up that way in the pic!!

Thing Two: I am SOOOO happy to be able to make things for family and friends. Particularly, their babies and kids. One of my friends just had a sweet little boy and she mentioned he may be starting on a paci. I whipped up one of these paci holders based on this post over at liaspace. Mine's slightly different...double layered cotton, a snap and an applique. Super fun and easy, and hopefully, useful! Here are some pics:

Enjoy your two things. Be glad they even got posted because I find blogger to be a highly frustrating program...you really should be able to manipulate pics once they are in the post. Who's with me??!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent--my version!

2010-04-23T19:22:00.004-05:00

Made some homemade laundry detergent based on this post over at Sew Much Ado.

Here's what I did differently:
-I left out the baking soda.
-I used castille soap instead of the Fels-Naptha.
-I added in a few drops of grapefruit essential oil...I love that one, so invigorating!

Just so you know, I found the washing soda AND borax (which I already use for cleaning anyway) in the "laundry" aisle and the castille soap in the "bodywash/soap" aisle at KROGER!! I was really not looking forward to going on the wild goose chase all over town to find the ingredients---but there they were, all in one store, which I already go to for groceries!

I literally mixed up 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup borax and 2 cups finely shredded soap bar and put it in a pasta sauce jar. That amount fit perfectly! I'm thinking I will "customize" that jar someway, somehow. For now, it's gonna stay plain jane...it IS in a cabinet.

Here's is the best part---you only use 2 TABLESPOONS for a load!!!! That blew me away! How much money have I wasted all these years buying giant, unwieldy things of detergent that I had no IDEA what was in it?? Anywho...I had fun making it and patted myself several times on the back for finally doing it. YAY for putting in a little time and saving a LOT of money!!

Two Things Tuesday---Earth Day Edition!

2010-04-20T12:58:00.006-05:00

I've got Earth Day on the brain...probably because I teach preschoolers and these are the kind of days we do lots of projects for! I've always been a little on the "crunchy granola" side anyway---I recycle, eat *mostly* organic, don't like using chemicals to clean with...etc. I am about to officially embark on our homeschooling journey and through that---there are cutbacks happening left and right since we will go from (gulp) two incomes to one. I am repurposing EVERYTHING, I may put a clothesline in the backyard, I want to plant a vegetable/fruit garden. It makes me wonder if being poor is what started the whole "reduce your carbon footprint" thing...hmmm. Anyway, what EVER way it came about in this house---I am way into it now and I REALLY enjoy those who upcycle...particularly those that do it with style! Without further ado...

THING ONE: Recycled Stuff on Etsy! Man, I thought I was creative for repurposing clothes...into other clothes...well, maybe not so much. But these wonderfully creative folks have really wrapped their brains around upcycling in a way I don't think I ever could! Kudos to these thinkers:

Brooch made from recycled plastic?? Isn't the form just so organic and natural looking? Never would've thought of that one! This one is from ekoista, which is based out of Poland. They have some necklaces too made from this turquoise plastic which are totally awesome, too!

This jellyfish is nothing short of AMAZING!! This is from TwiddleLee...and I think this would be wonderful in a kiddo's ocean-themed room!

Drink that soda and down that wine because you need a new set of glasses! I don't have the know how or tools to smooth out the lip of a cut piece of glass...but these people do and they put it to good use! Those IBC glasses are calling me bc a LONG time ago the hubby and I used to LOVE these...ahh, memories!

These are from YAVAglass:

These styled up numbers are from CarrollCreekGlass:

I thought this one was simply genius...recycle those VHS tape covers and make them into notepads/drawing pads!! I can't think of a better thing to do with a VHS tape cover, can you?? Unfortunately, being the extremely poor college kid that I was, I totally sold off my VHS tapes to pay the rent. But, if I still had even ONE...I would be doing this with it. Planes, Trains and Automobiles sewing journal...doesn't get much cooler to me!!! They even use the back...seriously awesome! What a great gift for a movie lover, too! DustyMoon made these and some other fun ones like Star Wars, A Christmas Story, An American Werewolf in London, War Games...hellooo...let's play Global Thermonuclear War...on Earth Day!!

THING TWO: I do a LOT of repurposing/upcycling around the house. I find it hard to throw away things that I've hung onto for no apparent reason. For example, we went through a "we like everything Asian" phase and bought all kids of stuff with various calligraphy and symbology on it. And then, we suddenly decided we didn't like our whole house decorated in the American version of Asian style anymore. Did I throw everything out?...nope. I repainted or covered it! Painted lots of stuff just plain white...because that's what I like now. Mod Podged some frames with scrapbook paper that I just couldn't give up either. Anyway, I'm just saying, before you garage sale-it...think about changing it!

Getting back to the repurposing...Craigslist is the mecca for all those who want to try making something blech into something wonderfully useful! Hence my $20 purchase, seen here:

This WILL be the new home for my pile of fabric! It will be neat and organized....possibly by color. I just have to sand, paint and add some sort of fun detail to this unsightly item first! Soon, it will happen SOON!!

In conclusion... YAY, EARTH DAY!! Celebrate by recycling/upcycling/repurposing something your self! Or just buy something someone else recycled! Either way, you'll feel good about it!

Partially Upcycled T-Shirt Dresses for Kiddos

2010-04-18T17:27:00.014-05:00

So, I finally cleaned out the girls' closets this weekend. Took out all the too small, too wintry and put all the warm-weather clothes in their rightful places! (Just in time for one last chilly day, ofcourse...!) That led to a frenzied making of dresses---made partially from old clothes, partially from fun fabric! YAY!
Here's what I started with:
The shirt will be used for the neck and sleeves of the dress and the blue cotton will be the skirt of the dress. BTW- This is going to fit a 3T kiddo, the top is a 2T though, just for your info.

Here's what you need:
-too small shirt (mostly too short, but still fitting in the head and arms areas), cut off the bottom. I only left about 5" from shoulder to cut.
-cotton fabric, I used a piece 16"X44" for the skirt and a 4" X 44" for the tie-back.

Here's how I did it:
1. Put the right sides together of your cotton fab and sew it up to make a tube. Sew on the 16" side.

2. Hem one of the ends of the tube. I double fold, iron and zig-zag stitch.

3. Now to sew the t-shirt top and the skirt part together. The right side of the cotton is on the inside, and you have the shirt right side out. Put the t-shirt top head down into the tube. The right sides should be facing each other. Make the seam of the cotton fab line up with the middle of the BACK of the t-shirt. Start by pinning the middle of the front, back and sides together. Then start your pleating. I pleated very symmetrically, starting from the middle front and back. I also sang "Pleat It"...the sewing version of the Michael Jackson song, "Beat It"...that part is optional, but not for me. I have to sing it everytime I do pleats...

4. Sew that all the way around, I straight stitched, pleats up. So, now it looks like this:

You could stop here. But my girls tend to be on the skinny side so I made a tie back so it would be less potato sack-ish.

5. I made a tie-back next by using a 4" X 44" strip of the cotton. I folded both sides in and then folded that over...iron and sew a straight stitch down, closer to one side. Find the middle, pin it to the middle of the dress where the t-shirt and skirt meet.

6. Then sew it onto the dress with another straight stitch, now closer to the other side so it just looks even. I just sewed from one side seam of the shirt to the next, not on the back at all.

YAY!! Partially upcycled dress!! Saves lots of time not having to fiddle with sleeves or neck line finishing...and the knit on the top makes it easy to take on and off.

I really liked the super short "top" of the dress. I also thought it looked sort of modern meets country. Benefit of the shorter tie back: the 2yr old can't reach back there and untie it herself---HAHA!!
I did one for big sissy too (bc you cannot make something during naptime for one girl and NOT make something for the other too!!)

With hers, I sandwiched a ruffle of t-shirt leftovers between the t-shirt top and the cotton fab when I sewed the tubes together.

Here are some more I have planned: The stripey tank top is paired with an old denim skirt of mine---uber upcycling!! I particularly love the purple and yellow together...fun!

Headband with Elastic- Redo!!

2010-04-16T13:08:00.005-05:00

I think my head is a weird shape because I just cannot get one of these to fit right:

I always end up having to push it too far back so that it doesn't look right anymore. Well, I have a bunch of them--because I kept buying them thinking, "THIS one will fit correctly!!" ---they didn't. Plus, the ones I have are so blah...
What about making one with this lovely fabric:

That just screams summer time/by the beach fun...that coral-ish pattern...ahh, summer!!

Here's what you'll need:

-Headband with elastic

-elastic

-scrap fabric

Here's how I did it:

1. Cut the elastic of the headband and SAVE IT. Use the fabric part of the headband as a template for the new one. Cut about an inch OUTSIDE of the edge, like so:

2. Burrito fold (yes, that's a real term...that elementary school teachers use!) the fabric and iron. That overlap will be on the bottom, don't worry!

3. Fold up the ends a little, iron that too!

4. Stitch the fold shut. You could do this any old way. I did a wavy little thing here for fun!

5. Sew the elastic back on with the rough side IN. I also took it in a little to account for the weird shaped head problem.

6. Wear your headband...out in the garden. Ok, so I really just wanted to show off my gorgeous irises that are in full bloom right now. It is one of the MOST lovely things about my neighborhood, and many around here. These grow WILD!! These particular ones were transplanted from the alley behind my house...yes, the alley! Cool, huh?

There's something quick for ya! Why did I buy so many khaki items once upon a time?? Did I think I was going on safari or something? I don't know what that was all about! Anyway, all better now!

Two Things Tuesday

2010-04-13T12:56:00.003-05:00

Thing One: Something ELSE with fake wood design. This is from Sabineadesign on Etsy. Super cool fake wood ring...made of steel and copper??! Awesome! If only I could go back in time, say, almost 10 years to when my hubby and I were picking out rings and see this!! Ah well...coulda, shoulda, woulda....

Thing Two: Japanese Masking Tape?? I have never seen anything like this...but then, I haven't exactly been looking for it either. These are from Downtown Fabrics, also on Etsy. So many things from Japan are cool...why is that?? Alls I'm sayin' is that would be one fancy moving box...
Ok, for real though, I'm thinking a plain, white box with some of this on it would be a pretty spiffy wrap up for a birthday gift. What else could this be used for?? It says scrapbooking in the description...but I'm sure there are like a million ways this could be used. Wonder what people in Japan use it for? Probably something totally cool...

PS-- I am about to go on a serious sewing/repurposing binge. I have 2 projects in the works and about 5 more swirling around in my head. It is supposed to rain all weekend so that will probably keep me inside and busy at the sewing table...yippee!!

Can literally be done by a CHILD! One very smart and obviously talented child, that is!

2010-04-12T12:42:00.012-05:00

The felt envelope has been recreated by a friend and her super awesome kiddos! They created two, one for each girl (as it also goes in our house). They put their initials on the back...good for telling them apart! I love the sweet little flower buttons they used-adorable! Cecilia is in ELEMENTARY SCHOOL and did the pink one almost all by herself...check out that really wonderful handstitching! Way to go Cecilia!!

You are famous, Cecilia! Take a bow!

Lindsay, thanks for sharing and sewing these with your girls--they are great!

Why don't I have a new sewing project to share?? We were outside ALL weekend...some of it spent at the Arboretum doing this:

A little of this...

...and did I mention this?

Springtime in Texas...short, but BEAUTIFUL!!

Two Things Tuesday

2010-04-06T10:22:00.009-05:00

THING ONE: A little before and after. Our house was built in 1968 and apparently all the previous owners saw no need to update ANYTHING over the years. Fine. We will! We've replaced the counter tops and the tile backsplash this time. I think every homeowner should have an old house to fix up...we've learned how to do sooo much from living here. I think the only thing left is...plumbing...not looking forward to that "lesson."

Before:
And after: (hoots and hollers, please!)

TA-DA!!! Counter tops are, ofcourse, from my beloved IKEA!! Cheap and unique! I thought wood-like counter tops were appropriate since a) I love fake wood grain on stuff b)we have stained concrete floors...so there should be wood grain SOMEWHERE, right??

THING TWO: Speaking of fake wood grain...

Well, isn't that a cute little make-up bag made out of FAUX BOIS OILCLOTH!!!!!!!! Where did I get such a totally awesome fabric, you ask?? This weekend I went to THE most fabulous fabric store in all of DFW and, quite possibly, the tri-state area!!!!

It's called City Craft. Located in the uber boutique-y Inwood/Lovers Lane shopping center, it's is literally a dream come true...for me. I live in a "suburb", which by default, has no cool fabric stores...just the regs. This place is a tiny, little slice of fabric HEAVEN! I spent way too much time deciding on what to get. I did manage to decide on this wonderful wood grain oilcloth. Also snagged some Phillip Jacobs super flowery, spring-like stuff...maybe just right for a certain Spring Top contest...? Picked up some super cute Amy Butler fab too...on the 50% off rack!!! Everything was very reasonably priced, in my opinion. I picked up some fun ribbon for my friend who makes bows for her little girl. Anyways, sorry to gush...but I have just NEVER seen anything like it. It's a sewing lounge, and it looks and feels every bit of that. They even have a "lounge night" on Thursday evenings where you can bring your project, use their machines and drink wine! WHAT??!! Let's see if Hancock's starts instituting those soon...HA!

Be sure to check out their blog, too. They show off cute ideas and new fabrics they carry--that's how I found out about the oilcloth!

Now, what to do with the rest of that beautiful faux bois...

Tank with Ruffle and Skirt...frantically made the night before Easter...

2010-04-05T09:32:00.006-05:00

No tutorial...just showing you bc I made two skirts and a tank the night before Easter and I just thought the world should see it since I stayed up SOOOO late working on them! The tank was made from one of MY old tanks...tutorial to come for that later, still some kinks to work out. Another tutorial will come from this crazy, staying up late sewing...the skirt has a repurposed aspect of it too...LOVE, LOVE, LOVE repurposing!! Happy (late) Easter!

Felt Envelope for Tiny Creatures

2010-04-02T14:16:00.007-05:00

Yes, technically, this felt envelope could be used for any number of things. Today it was made to hold all manner of tiny animals, bugs and other teeny-tiny little toys my little girls LOVE...and leave everywhere. They also have this thing about wanting "special toys of the day" to travel with them. TA-DA...felt envelope...with a surprise on the back! You'll see...
Here's what you'll need (aside from the basics):
-felt, I used 11" x 4"
-embroidery thread
-button
Here's how I did it:
1. Cut felt to appropriate size. Fold up one side to the half way-ish point.
2. Cut the unfolded side in a rounded, hill-like manner.

Tip break: To thread a needle with embroidery thread see pics below:

That was fun! OK, back to it...

3. Using embroidery threaded needle, sew around the three sides of the rectangle to make a pocket. PS- You don't REALLY have to do the bottom...I just like the way the embroidery thread looks. :)

4. Whipstitch around the edge of the "flap" of the envelope. Just makes it a little sturdier and little kids are going to be using these...so it's necessary!

5. Cut a button hole in the flap (pinch and snip the fold). Whipstitch around the INSIDE of the button hole...also for durability. Check my "excellent" handstitching skills...a little bit of the handmade look isn't bad, right??

6. Mark where the button should go opposite the hole by holding the flap down and taking a pen and marking right through the hole. Sew a button on the main envelope part and...DONE!

But WAIT!!! Did I mention these are for my GIRLS...so I think we need a little something extra...

Here is the other one I made. Two girls=two of everything!

And the backs of both...SPRINGY!!

Finally, our tiny friends have a soft, little space of their own...and they are ready to travel and not end up in a crevice in the car! FANTASTIC!!

Two Things Tuesday

2010-03-29T13:21:00.014-05:00

Thing One: The Spoon Rest Quest

We just put in brand spankin' new counter tops and a tile back splash...all by ourselves! But for some reason, this has burdened me with the long, arduous process of finding the quintessential spoon rest! I think I have clocked more time trying to find the perfect spoon rest than I did picking out counter tops and tile combined. It's all in the details, I suppose. Here are some contenders (all found on Etsy, ofcourse!):

Floral Coaster in Moss Green by Claylady42

Warm Brown Spoon Rest by JimandGina

Tea for Two by CWPottery

Hand Built Persimmon Leaf Plate by Sumiko

And ofcourse, the one the girls think would really "complete the look":

T-Rex Spoon Rest by TexasCeramics

Who knew a spoon rest would end up being the final "piece" of the kitchen makeover?? Which one gets your vote?

Thing Two: This book---

I fell in LOVE with this book last summer and I made some totes and organizers from it-- this one I made for my sister:

Reasons why Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter is great:

a) VERY simple, step by step instructions + patterns!! (I haven't used any of the patterns yet...the tutorials are THAT easy to follow)

b) It was the first sewing book I'd ever owned. So, you can do the math, I've only been seriously sewing for less than a year....EEEK!! That's hard to admit. I've done a few pillows and a set of curtains sprinkled in before that...but that was it. I'm not one of those that has been sewing since I was a little girl or anything...though I wish I had been! I recently found out that my great grandmother was a professional seamstress, so maybe that has something to do with my newfound love of this craft! So essentially, this is the book that started it all for me--I hope by highlighting it, someone else might "get started" too!!

Clippy Crazy 2---Ribbon Alligator Clips!

2010-03-28T14:46:00.007-05:00

The newest naptime filler--these little ribbon alligator clips! This isn't going to be a tutorial in the truest sense bc they are so dang easy it's hardly tutorial worthy. Instead, I'm just showing some pics and giving some tips!

Start with your hot glue gun on the inside of the clip and work your way around. I did a section at a time so I wouldn't have to hold it open the whole time--kinda hurts your thumb! When I used the narrow ribbon I wrapped it all the way: inside-outside-around the bend-outside and inside again.

Here I used some wider ribbon, and another one of those unused scrapbooking embellishments:

With the wide ribbon I didn't go around the bottom of the clip's "mouth" bc I didn't think that would be too easy to get into my girls' curly hair...at all...

Here's a detail of just how far I went around with it:

Try them! I bought a set of 8 alligator clips at Michael's for $1.50 (I'd call them medium sized). I got the ribbon the narrow ribbon there too---60-75 CENTS per spool!!!!! What a deal!!! They're Spring-y, simple and CHEAP! Who could ask for more??!!

Pleated Little Girls Tanktop from Mens T-Shirt

2010-03-26T19:46:00.009-05:00

YAY for warmer weather! I am making tanktops for the girls and all is right with the world! This one started life as my hubby's gray t-shirt...and is now a lovely little Spring/Summer shirt for my 5 yr old!

Here's what you need:
-Mens t-shirt
-embroidery thread(only if you choose to do the flower embellishment the way I did)

Here's how I did it:
1. Turn the shirt inside out. I measured 11 1/2" from the bottom hem to the middle. That creates the "body" of the tank. Then you need a "chest band" piece. For this I measured a 12" X 7" piece from the middle of the shirt. Then from the shoulder of the sleeve I measured down from the shoulder 5 1/2" and 4" wide. See pictogram:

2. The chest band is a snap. Take your two 12X7 pieces and fold them right side out lengthwise. Then sew the two short sides up so it makes a circle. Like so:

3. This is a weird sounding step, but once you get the hang of it it makes sewing two tube like things together easy! You are going to pin the body to the chest band. The body piece will need to be inside out, and the chest piece will be right side out. Insert the chest band into the top(ragged edge part) of the body piece. The good sides of both should be touching each other. Then find the seams of both and pin on the outside (the body side) of the "tube." Find the middle of the two other sides and pin to the outside. So now you have 4 pins in at equal distance with extra hanging out for the body. Like this:

4. Pin your pleats. I just take it section by section. Start in the middle of each section, make one pleat and keep going on either side from there. Then your pleats will be very even, which is nice! When you've pleated your little heart out it should look like this:

5. Sew it with the pleats facing UP. Then turn it right side in and check it out. Now, theoretically you COULD stop right here and have a cute skirt...you just have to hem it up probably. But I'm after a tank top, so I'm gonna keep going!

6. Straps. There are probably a million ways to sew straps. I just fold in the two long sides until they meet, then fold that in half again. Iron that down and I just straight stitched them on both sides.

7. Here's where it's handy to have either A) a well fitting tank top already made to measure against or B) a live model. I had B! So I just had her try it on, placed the straps, marked them on both the chest band AND the strap...and then pinned it once it was off my lovely model! This is the back of the tank and, as you can see, I angled the back straps in for a little added interest. The front straps are just in straight.8. Sew them on...again could be done a number of ways, I just stitched across and back--DONE! Cut off the excess strap.

Well, almost...I added a flower. When I cut off the excess strap, I just cut some little triangles from that. Sewed the middles all together. Then I took soe embroidery thread and made a little flower center, and covered up the ugliness of the petal sewing. I did also sew the top petal to the strap by just sewing a few stitches...only catching the back layer of the petal so you wouldn't see the stitching in the front.
So it's tunic-y and pleated and has a flower. We layered it on a short sleeve white shirt today, but it will be standing alone for the summer!!

Thanks to my lovely model who was willing to travel to far off locales (the backyard) and try this on as many times as was needed! Love my girls!

Two Things Tuesday!

2010-03-23T08:46:00.005-05:00

This is something new I'm trying. TWO THINGS TUESDAY is exactly like it sounds...it's two things I've been thinking about, or found, or did, or want...

Thing One: Moonsty and Floonsty!!! If these aren't literally the CUTEST things you have ever seen...well, there is something wrong with you! How perfect for Easter???? These are called Sugar Bunnies--and if they weren't made out of felt I would just eat...them...UP!!!

And my kids would have ENDLESS hours of fun with this tiny gnome village. I'm dying---they are so stinkin' adorable!!

Now, something I desperately need---a ring bowl!! I am constantly leaving my rings all over the house. Everyone else always seems to know where I left them...I'm the one that has the trouble remembering. I feel, though, that if I had this lovely set of nested felted ring bowls I would surely put them in there and actually remember where they were!!

They have many other wonderful things, many bunny-related items that could make for a one of a kind gift! Check them out!

Thing Two: It's possible that this installment should be called "Two CUTE Things Tuesday" because this is also uber cute. Sock and Glove, a super awesome book about animal toys you can make using only socks and gloves. Have you seen this book??? Have you poured over it with your kids and bought all kinds of crazy socks???(found some REALLY fun ones for $1 at both Michael's and Joann's)
I made the cat for my little girl for her 5th birthday. She LOVES cats right now, so it was a natural choice. Meet "Meowy":
Meowy only took 2 socks, and about an hour and 1/2 bc I modified the arm/ear/tail attachment by cutting a slit in the main "body" and pulling the stuffed arm through to the inside and sewing it shut. Plus, I have never attempted an embroidered face of any kind...so that was a bit tricky for me. So, I'm thinking the next one might take like 45 min. Anyway, fun and simple and you could totally change it up. BTW: Just realized you can't see the tail in that pic...he does have one, it's just like the arms.

Well, there are Two Things...hope you like 'em!

Bow Headbands...and a resolution!

2010-03-19T12:35:00.010-05:00

Have you seen these...oh, I don't know...EVERYWHERE??!!! Well, I have...in every form. So, I decided to try to make one of these bow headband deals for two reasons:
1. I have a puzzling amount of headbands in the bottom of my drawer for no apparent reason since I think I have only worn one of them...once.
2. I resolve to "accessorize" more. Nothing crazy. I just feel like I've forgotten that side of me (yes, it used to exist!) and I'm going to TRY to remember it!

Here's what you need:
-hot glue gun
-fabric strips or ribbon
-unattractive headband

Here's how I did it:
1. Cut strips of fabric (if that's what you're using). I cut mine diagonally...don't know why. It doesn't matter how long bc you can pick up in the middle---I'll show you!

2. Get unattractive headband...done! (This shouldn't be a step....just wanted to show you how very bland this is...)

3. I folded the strips, right side out, bc hot glue will go right through that cotton quilt fabric...and burn you!!

4. Cut some little rectangles, fold them in half lengthwise and glue them on around the ends of the headband. Gives it a "finish" at the end and is much more confortable to wear.

5. Get your long strip ready, fold it in half lengthwise(you might want to iron it---I didn't). Put a dot on hot glue on the OUTSIDE of the headband, right on the fabric you just glued down. Then you can fold the cut side under, wrap the strip around it and glue that down over it. All so you don't see a raw edge.

6. Keep adding glue and wrapping. I only glued on the top/outside edge of my headband bc mine was the kind with teeth on the inside.

Here's the part where I needed to add a new strip:

7. To do that, cut the new strip edge straight across and fold over, like so:

8. Then put a little hot glue on that folded edge and apply on the BOTTOM side of the headband. Wrap it around so that doesn't show and keep going! At the very end I used the same technique to finish it off.

9. The bow...well, I don't know how to make bows. I'm sure I could look it up or...ask...but that takes time and sometimes when you are making something you just can't stop to look it up. So, I made it up! I cut a rectangle, wrapped a spare piece of fabric strip, tied that in a knot on the back--done! I thought the raw edges on the bow might make it a little "cooler." We'll see...

10. Glue that bow in an oh so askew way to your headband and voila! That's is pretty close to what I've seen in every store lately!
*PS--Notice how it matches that Kangaroo Pocket Skirt I made...would that be too matchy-matchy to wear it together??? Hmm...

Here's a ribbon one too! Yes, they are both brown---I wear a lot of brown, ok?!

1000 hits...SWEEEET!!

2010-03-16T11:38:00.003-05:00

YAY!! Over 1000 hits! Thanks for reading my irregular and infrequent posts(and commenting on them)---I honestly didn't know if anyone would! Hopefully, once I become a full-time SAHM I will have more time to create, and therefore, post. Just wanted to say thanks for the support!!

Kangaroo Pocket Skirt

2010-03-07T19:37:00.008-06:00

Today was chilly and rainy...so I made a summer-y skirt, ofcourse!! A Kangaroo Pocket Skirt to be specific. I live in tank tops, flip-flops and skirts all summer long...and this summer will be no different!

Here's what you'll need:
-1 yard of fabric, cotton preferably.
-coordinating thread
-1 inch wide elastic

Here's how I did it:
1. Cut two pieces 22" wide, length is up to you--mine was 21 1/2 " long. This is for a "medium" I would say...
2. Next, cut a 14" x 14" piece. Fold in half and cut a curved L like piece out of the corner for the pockets. Hem all sides, except the top, of that piece. It'll look like this:

3. Pin this kangaroo pocket onto one of the 22" pieces, lining up the tops.

4. Sew the pocket onto that piece, top, sides and bottom---make sure you don't sew the pocket openings shut!! YIKES!

5. Put both 22" pieces right sides together and sew down both sides(the 22" sides).

6. Now for the elastic...fold over the top and make the little part for the elastic. Sew it up almost all the way around, leave a few inches open so you can put the elastic in. Measure yourself where you want the skirt to sit, that's how much elastic to cut...but you will also take it in a little bc you want the skirt to stay ON! Push the elastic through and sew it together. Then sew up the opening by just continuing on the line you started.

7. Once the elastic is in, push the gathers all around so they even out. Then sew a line at each seam line THROUGH the elastic so it won't turn...and if it does it'll be easier to turn back!

Here's the fold over:

8. Hem it! I did a double fold because there is the potential that someone COULD see that one. The other ones I don't really worry about...

9. Ok, so at the last second I decided to add a pocket to the back. It was just a 6"x6" square, single folded on all sides. Pinned it on and sewed the bottom and sides onto the skirt. Easy Peasy! Here's a shot of that pocket close-up, and consequently, my bum:

Completed skirt! Just in time for...more rainy, chilly weather. Oh well, it made me FEEL like it was warmer, and it kept me busy during naptime!

Front:

Back:

Side:

I LOVE Fabric-Wrapped Frames!

2010-03-06T19:54:00.007-06:00

In looking around my house, I have noticed a few things:
1. I like the color kiwi green.
2. I like repetition--repeated colors, repeated patterns, repeated shapes...
3. I like fabric wrapped frames/wood as art.

So, enjoy this montage of fabric wrapped goodness!

Living room (Ikea fabric, can't recall name--origami-like forest animals):

Master bedroom(got this fabric from a decorator's fabric store YEARS ago...no idea):

2 yr old's room(quilt singles from JoAnns):

4 yr old's room(quilt singles from JoAnns):

So. to make these you simply nail together some 1X2 pieces of wood into a frame shape and cover with fabric...same way I did this, only these are open frames. In the last set of pics from my 4 yr old's room, I varied the depth of the frames....and I really liked that effect. If you are going to use quilt singles, like I did, I would recommend covering with white cheapo fabric first and THEN covering with the cute stuff. Fabric as art is nice bc it adds interest with both texturally and visually. Plus you can change it as much as you like---we usually just wrap the new one right on top of the old one, if it's an opaque fabric!

I really hadn't thought about how MANY fabric wrapped frames we had in this little house! Hubby didn't even notice until he saw me working on this post--then he even said "We DO have a lot of fabric wrapped frames in here, huh..."

Sweet lil' half apron

2010-02-21T20:54:00.008-06:00

There are about a million kajillion tutorials on aprons---let's add one more to the stack!

Here's what you'll need:

-20" x 43" fabric #1, for the bulk of the apron (I used cotton, Elvis faces--why not?)
-6" x 43" fabric #1, for strap
-6" x 21" fabric #2, for strap
-2 pieces 10 1/2 " x 7 1/2 " fabric #2, for pockets

Here's how I did it:

1. Cut that one long strip of fab #1 into two, equal pieces. Put fab #2 strip in the middle. Sew them up, right side to right side. Like this:

2. Fold the strap right sides in, and starting at the folded corner, sew a 45 degree angle and then straight down the rest of the way. Note---I had started with the navy blue thread, then ran out and then realized that I didn't have anymore and that maybe gree would look better anyway. That's why there are two sewn lines, and then one abruptly ends...

3. Turn it right side out, use a point turner to make the points pointy and iron.

4. Now the open end. Cut the open corner off at a 45 degree angle and then fold it in--iron. Topstitch that end and the other end so they'll match.

5. Meanwhile, hem all four sides of the large, 20" x 43" piece. Double fold it in, I do about a finger's width.

6. Pinning the apron the the strap:

Pin the ends about 3 inches beyond the contrasting section of the strap. Then find the middle and put a pin there. (The scissors and point turner are just in the pic to show you where the pins are) This will be the inside of the apron.

7. Pleat the sections between the pins, as evenly as possible. I personally dislike pleats that all go in the same direction. On this one I made both sides "face" toward the middle. Does that make sense? Like they are all looking to the middle...like the pleats have faces...

8. Sew the strap to the pleated apron, I used a good ole straight stitch.

9. Pockets: Double fold the top edge of the pockets, iron and sew. Then double fold and iron the other edges. Lately, I have been making the pockets on stuff by folding the bottom triangles straight in, like a 45 degree angle. It seems to come out much smoother for me than trying the make a curve at the bottom of the pocket. Pin them wherever you like them, and sewing the sides and bottom only, ofcourse.

I really like the wide strap bc it looked good whether you wanted to wear it high waisted, retro style...or low, slung modern mommy-style. The pockets are deep so they could actually be functional. I thought of it as an all-day sort of apron...to cook in, pick up polly pocket shoes in, keep chapstick in, etc. Anyway, I know there are lots of these out there, this is just a very simple jumping off point for you---have fun tweaking it and mixing it up!

Cleaning Naturally...with STYLE!

2010-02-17T14:19:00.010-06:00

My sister recently got married and got a new FABULOUS place to live and so I wanted to get her a lovely housewarming gift. So, ofcourse, I got her...cleaning supplies??!! Yes, I did that. These were no ordinary cleaning supplies though, they are natural, environmentally friendly cleaning supplies! I did, however, feel the need to explain the gift a little just to reassure her that I was NOT getting her this bc I felt she needed to clean the place up...but I was just giving her things that are necessities to a new place. Hopefully, that message got across! Plus, I am a cleaner and anyone who is a cleaner, or knows a cleaner, should know that if we give you a cleaning related gift it is out of love---love of you and love of a clean house! :)

Here's what I put together:

-an assortment of empty plastic spray bottles

-a plastic basket

-some various scrubbers

-a few key essential oils (I chose sweet orange oil and rosewater)

-typed out some recipes of natural cleaners on scrapbook paper (some from my own recollection and some from a book, but you can seriously find these ANYWHERE on the web!)

-sewed some of those cute rubber gloves with the ruffle on the cuff, so hat's some scrap fabric and rubber kitchen gloves

-terrycloth and bias tape for some fun cleaning rags

Cleaning doesn't have to be dull...does it??

*Now, I was sending this in the mail so I kind of had to leave out some of the heavier, yet essential, items on a natural cleaning menu: vinegar, borax, washing soda, olive oil, baking soda and lemon juice--to name a few. If I were able to give this in person...I would def put these in!!

Here's some things I did:

1. Cut rectagular rags from terrycloth and sewed bias tape all around the perimeter. I had never used bias tape before and I thought this would be a good experiment. If you haven't either I would definitely recommend going with the WIDE to start. Also, I did see a tutorial on the "right" way to sew bias tape. But I just couldn't see why in the world that extra step in the middle was necessary...so I literally just sandwiched the terrycloth between the fold of the bias tape...and sewed. What's the big whoop? Am I missing something with the bias tape?

I did do a nice and neat little fold at each corner, like so:

2. For the ruffle cuff on the gloves I just double folded the edges of a long, skinny rectagle scrap of fabric...the longer the rectangle, the more "ruffley" it will be...I made less of a ruffle and more of a pleated skirt for the gloves. HA! I really did. I did little pleat folds and pinned it and sewed that rubber glove with skirt on WITH THE MACHINE! It was fantastic! I thought the rubber glove would do horrible things...but it was actually very easy....I sewed rubber glove on bottom, fabric ruffle on top.

3. I had a roll of lace from my mother-in-law (Thanks!) and I wrapped a piece of that around the the basket to measure, took it in like a 1/2 inch and sewed it up like a band, then put it back around the basket. Then, I hand-sewed it in a couple of places just so it would stay in place. (The basket I chose had open holes around...if yours is more of a bucket you could probably use a little hot glue.

So it's a very practical housewarming gift...just dressed up! You know it's a good gift if it's one you want too...right?!

Upcycled Sweater Hobby Horse (and accessories)!!

2010-02-15T13:20:00.012-06:00

A little boy I know had a special bday coming up and I'll tell you...it took a WHILE for me to come up with something good to make him (this was before the AWESOME ideas showing up on Made and Made By Rae for "Celebrate the Boy" month!). I decided to go with a cowboy theme because I had been DYING to make these preciously hilarious felt moustaches from Little Birdie Secrets here. What goes better with black felt moustaches on a 1 yr old than an UPCYCLED sweater hobby horse...umm, NOTHING!!

Here's what you'll need:
-Sweater you can't fit in anymore
-1/4 yd of fleece (if even that)
-scrap contrasting fabric
-two buttons for eyes
-hankerchief or like-patterned material
-two large rubberbands
-hot glue and hot glue gun
-acrylic paint and some sort of sealant
-1 1/2 inch wooden dowel

Here's how I did it:
1. Draw and cut out a horsehead-like shape from the BODY of the sweater, back and front together. It's basically like a bubble-letter "L." Mine was about 7 in wide in the neck, 14 in from top of head to bottom of neck and 12 in from back of head to tip of snout.
2. Cut 2 triangle ear shapes from both the sweater and the contrasting fabric. I did about 4 in tall X 3in wide ones. Pin them together right side to right side. Sew up the two "sides" of the ears and leave the bottom open. Then turn it right side out and use a point turner or something pointy and get everything nice and triangle-y again.

3. Now, take the ear and pinch the back of it and stick it under the foot of your machine. I sew it about half way to the "front" of the ear---now the ear will have a more realistic bend to it. Neat!

4. So, this project has a few of what I call "clever" sewing moments...here's one of them. I simply cut a slit in the upper side part of the head, slipped the ear through the right side of the fabric so the back unsewn end was coming up through the wrong side and sewed it across---head, ear and all!

And here's what that looked like from the front:

5. Now here's a non-clever moment I had, but I am hoping that that you LEARN from my mistake! Sew the button eyes on, if you can place them easily, BEFORE sewing up the head and mane. It will be way easier on you- trust me!

6. Next is the mane...cut a strip of your fleece about 8 1/2 inches wide by whatever the measurement is from the bottom of the neck to the top of the head between the ears. I actually cut mine a little longer for wiggle room. Fold it in half lengthwise and stick it open side down in between the two head pieces (which are right sides together now) from the head down the back of the neck. Sew it up all the way from one side of the neck to the next...leave the bottom open.

7. Turn that horsey right side out! Now, fringe the mane all the way down and WAH-LA! Hobby horse head mostly complete! Stuff it nice and tight, like a pillow, except leave the bottom 4 inches or so unstuffed.

8. Ok, now the stick...I didn't cut mine at all bc by the time it went up into the head, it was the perfect length. So, I just painted it blue (to tie in the blue from the ears) and sealed it with spray paint type sealer.

9. Stick that dowel up into the stuffed head and gather the bottom and slip a pre-doubled or tripled up rubber band over the bottom of the dowel and bring it up around the gathered bottom of the stuffed head. This took my husband and I together because one person held the rubber band open and slipped it on and the other held the horsehead on the dowel. Like so:

10. Tie the bandana around it in a cowboy sort of way...

11. Here comes the next clever part. My friend has wood floors and I didn't think she'd appreciate a wooden stick being dragged all over it. So, I cut the cuff (plus a few inches) off the same sweater. Turn it inside out. Gather up the cut edge just a touch and sew it straight across. Turn it right side out. PUT THE OTHER RUBBERBAND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE DOWEL. (otherwise, you will be looking at it like a dog trying to figure out what a fork is for...like I was!) Put a little stuffing in the bottom of the cuff, then put the dowel in the cuff and stuff all around it. Gather the end of the cuff up and put the rubberband around it. Here's how all that looks:

Now, I didn't cover up the rubberband on the bottom bc it was nice and tight and I didn't see how any human could possibly ever take it off.
The last thing I did was put a line of hot glue under the rubberbands between the sweater and the stick so they wouldn't slide off. Again, I needed the hubby to help lift up the sweater right there.

Yay! Hobby horse, moustaches, and cowboy hat (from local toy store) and we have a wonderful boy gift! I was seriously beside myself with joy to give this one!! Now try wrapping this sucker-- that wasn't pretty...

PS-- Let me just tell you that I saw more than one adult at this 1yr old's birthday party modeling the moustaches for pictures!!

Fabby fab fabrics

2010-02-09T17:16:00.005-06:00

Hello newly acquired, freshly washed fabrics. I will be tearing through some of these lovelies this very weekend...I can't wait!! How's THAT for a teaser???
PS-- Thanks to my birthday gift card contributors...you made this stack of wonderfulness possible! :) Except for the blue and purple dishtowels...yep, dishtowels from the Target dollar section...I have plans for these too, believe it or not!!

Clippy CRAZY!!

2010-02-05T13:43:00.020-06:00

So we aren't too into bows around here...I know--- two girls---how can I NOT put them in bows everyday?? We even have a friend who MAKES wonderfully cute, creative bows, but it just never caught on at this house for some reason. We do, however, like the "clippy"--otherwise known as a clip or barrette. The problem lately has been that my eldest's hair is so darn thick that I have to buy the huge, adult-sized clippies to even sort of hold it back...and they don't come in very kid-ish styles and colors. Thanks to the inspiration from the felt/ribbon barrette tutorials from The Long Thread and Angry Chicken...my daughter's curly mane can now don cute clippies again! Check out some clippy MANIA:

The bottom one on the next pic is ribbon. Much squinchier (my technical sewing word for "slippy") to use and you have to fold down the two cut ends so they won't fray. Although, now that I think about it, I may try one without folding and just singe the edges...hmmm, yes...yes, I will...

That little felt butterfly is a leftover scrapbooking accent that just happened to be felt...could that be considered repurposing????

Here's some more:

The top 2 are felt, the bottom is IKEA fabric...love that stuff sooo, sooo much!

I did do them slightly differently than the tutorials in that I just cut a slit in the bottom piece of felt/ribbon and then sandwiched the clip in between, and sewed it up all the way around--clip still inside. It was just lazier, but with the same result, therefore, I did it! I did find it easier to sew with the back of the clip facing me bc then I could just kind of go with the curve of the clip. Also, I made mine straight up rectangular instead of the shape of the clippy bc I just thought it was a little more our "style"...you know.

Using the felt had the extra *bonus* of really keeping that clippy in it's place! Easy, fun and lots of possible variations...love it!

Upcycled Sweater Pants

2010-01-31T20:51:00.009-06:00

UPCYCLED SWEATER PANTS!!

I am seriously IN LOVE with upcycled sweater pants...they are just so good all around. Good for the environment, good for getting rid of old sweaters, good because they are cozy for your kiddos...just good!

*Yes, I am aware the pants are wrinkly in the pic...but my little girl really wanted to wear them right then...I can't say no to such enthusiasm over homemade pants!*

Here's what you need:

-An old sweater (I used a V-neck but it is MUCH easier with a crew neck. I used a "medium" ladies sweater, which is fine for a 3T or smaller---but if you are dealing with a bigger kiddo you'll need a man's sweater probably)

-sewing machine

-elastic (I used 1" wide)

-measuring device

Here's how I did it:

1. Take measurements of your child...fun stuff, right?! Or just measure a pair of pants that already fit well. You will need measurements around the waist, length and inseam. I divide the waist measurement and add an inch for the seam allowance and an inch and a half to the overall length for elastic allowance.

2. Lay your sweater out on the floor, inside out. Measure and cut your sweater up, two pieces at the same time! Make the bottom of the length measurement line up with the bottom of the sweater. The waist measurement is the top of this weird shape, then it widens with a curve as you get to the inseam length measurement to about 16-17 inches. That makes for a pretty swanky wide leg. There's no science to the curve from the waist measurement to the 17 inches...just draw a curve. Here's what it should look like:

3. Sew up the little curved parts at the top ONLY. Then fold it the opposite way so that now your two seams you just sewed are touching, like so:

What's that?? Oh yeah, PANTS!

4. Now you're going to sew up the inseam. Just start at the bottom of one leg and go all the way up and around until you get to the bottom of the other leg. The middle will be a little thick...just power through it, don't be a chicken!

5. Elastic is next! This is the SUPER EASY, possibly lazy way...I have done it many other ways that involve poking things through places...but this way is faster. Measure the elastic to the size of the waist, PLUS an inch. Sew it together so it forms a loop, overlapping by just a little. Then put that loop over the pants, which are still wrong side out.

6. Fold the top of the pants over the elastic so it covers it all the way plus a smidge more so you will have room to sew. Now, the pants are still wrong side out, but the right side is visible on the top, just like this:

7. Sew it almost all the way around. Leave a little opening so you can still pull the elastic out because now...here's where I really cheat! I pull a little out, sew it straight across to take up some of the elastic and make it "fit" your kiddo and gather up the waist a little. Then, cut off the excess elastic.

8. Here's where I would have my little one try these on...because if you need to take the elastic up a little more or add a strip on, you still have that little opening to work with it easily. If everything fits ok, then sew up the little opening you have PANTS! I also go back and put a line of stitching at each hip through the elastic so it won't go wonky in the wash.

Here's another pair I made:

Now, there are, what you might call "rough edges" on these puppies. If you are giving these to someone, you could always double fold the top...just make sure when you are measuring and cutting you allow for that.

There you go...cozy, comfy, FREE pants! Just in time for the end of winter, when you don't really want to buy a bunch more winter clothes but the old ones are just that...old! I plan on taking some of the scraps from the arms of the sweater and maybe doing some applique on a shirt so it has a match. A good idea, especially if the sweater you use doesn't match anything already in their wardrobe. These pants can't go to waste...they are too great!

Can you tell I am enamored with these??

Quick and Easy Sort of Cinnamon Rolls

2010-01-30T08:07:00.003-06:00

Well, cinnamon rolls were requested---we had none and I thought a truly homemade one might take more time than I was willing to put in to breakfast this morning....

So...SORT OF CINNAMON ROLLS were born! Here's how:

Equal parts brown sugar and reg. white sugar (I used about 1 1/2 tbsp of each)

1 tsp cinnamon (we like lots cinnamon)

Croissants from the tube

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix the brown sugar, white sugar and cinnamon up in a little finger bowl.

Unroll a croissant and sprinkle cinn/sugar mix over the length of it. Roll it up.

Bake them for about 10 min.

My kids thought I was AWESOME for making these! Also, I felt slightly better about serving these rather than actual cinnamon rolls bc there isn't a huge glob of icing on the top. I think next time I'll wrap up a slice or two of apple in each one just to take the nutrition factor up a notch. I seriously can't believe I have two cooking posts on here and only one sewing post...I'm usually not this innovative of a chef...I guess tapping into that creative side makes you creative all around!

I do have a sewing post...but this one was easy and the other one is more involved...I'll post it later, I promise!!

Cute-ing up the coat rack

2010-01-24T21:08:00.014-06:00

We have an ugly laundry room, with ugly old brown cabinets and an ugly hollow-core door which we have a coat rack on. Well, the coat rack fell down one too many times which prompted my dear, sweet husband to put a 2X4 on the door and then screw the coat rack into the door. Up to this point I had been able to ignore the ugliness...but that was the straw that broke the camel's back! So, I took on the task of making the laundry room, and primarily, the door with the wooden coat rack abomination...CUTE! Yes, I painted, but that's not the cute part. I made a fabric-wrapped coat rack. I reused the old hook system, because I don't believe in throwing away perfectly good stuff just because it's not "perfect" for the project. But, if you don't already have a coat rack...you could definitely take the cuteness factor up a notch with a better looking hook system!

Here's what you'll need:

-2X4, cut to fit the space

-white fabric

-cute fabric

-hook system for coats

-screws

-buttons

-drill, for driving in screws

-Hot glue gun and glue to match

Here's how I did it:

1. Cut a 2X4 to fit your door or area. If you're doing it for the inside of a door, like mine, make sure you allow space on either side for the door to close! Typically about an inch on each side.

2. Lay the wood down on the white fabric and cut basically like you would to measure wrapping paper for a present, only it doesn't have to wrap the back all the way. PS--If your are using a completely opaque, thicker fabric you don't need the white...I was using a pretty thin cotton so I used white as my "base" so the super ugly stuff on the wood wouldn't show through!

3. Cut the cute fabric the same size as your white fabric.

4. Using a staple gun, staple the white fabric to the "back" of the wood going down one long side and then pulling taut and stapling down the other long side.
5. For the ends, fold them like you would to wrap a present and staple it down. (There are LOTS of different ways to do this...I just chose this one this time)

*When I stapled the cute one on ALL the staples were on the back...none on the sides as I did with the white fab in this pic.

6. Repeat for the cute fabric.

7. Using a drill, screw in two screws on each of the short sides of your now beautifully wrapped piece of wood and into the wall or door behind it. (Your fabric will probably twist a bit, but it looks intentional because of Step 8!)

8. Then screw in the hook system you chose.

9. Hot glue some sweet little buttons over the four screws you can see on the short sides of the wood.

No more hideous piece of raw wood with hooks on it. Now, a gorgeous, fabric wrapped, buttoned-up piece of art that also happens to hold your coats! Ahhh...much better! (Ignore the many nail holes in the door still, it's a work in progress...)

Nursing Cover

2010-01-22T21:01:00.010-06:00

This is the nursing cover I made for my dear cousin who just had a beautiful baby girl. I used the tutorial from Little Birdie Secrets here. I saw this Batik fabric in olive green and robin's egg blue and thought it was just perfect for my free-spirited cousin! I kept it pretty simple because I kinda figured if I made it TOO super cutesy it might draw some attention. As a former nursing mother myself, I just wasn't sure how cool she would be with someone coming up to her, while she was nursing in public, to ask her where she got it from. Sometimes, blending in a little bit is nice! Anyway, very easy project...highly necessary item for nursing mommies. It has two D-rings to keep the strap in place, flannel corners on the inside to wipe a wee mouth, and boning across the front so you can peek in and see how things are going (love that!!).

I WISH I had one of these when mine were nursing...all I had was a little blanket and the desperate hope that they wouldn't fling it off and expose me to the world!

Still not a sewing project post...

2010-01-21T13:58:00.007-06:00

Ok, so this is not a sewing project, it's a cooking project. I LOVE banana bread, but my oldest isn't that into it. She LOVES apples though. So, I made a "Cinnamon Apple-Banana Bread." TADA! We all like cinnamon...so that one was a given. I have already eaten a small sliver (or a large chunk) and it is yummers! I think it will please everyone in the fam AND it has some extra fruity-vitamin goodness! Enjoy! This recipe may be out there a million different ways already, I just made this one on a whim. Let me know if you change it up and make it even better!!

Cinnamon Apple-Banana Bread

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1/2 c sugar
1 egg
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 c oil (veg or canola)
1 tsp cinnamon (see footnote)
1 c flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1 apple, peeled and chopped (I used a Braeburn)

Directions:
Cream egg and sugar together. Stir in mashed bananas, vanilla, oil and cinnmon and mix well. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Fold in apple. Bake in a loaf pan (mine is a 9"X5") for 50-60 min. Makes one delicious loaf of morning goodness!

*This would be a normal amount of cinnamon for a normal family who likes medium cinnamony-ness. We like LOTS of cinnamon...so I kinda shake some in there...keep shaking...keep shaking a little more...and then, viola, lots of cinnamon--just the way we like it!!

Hobbies

2010-01-20T14:15:00.003-06:00

Hobbies are interesting things. Hobbies are mostly thought of as things we do "on the side." Though, it seems that our hobbies usually take over our whole lives at some point. For instance, I have considered sewing/making things my hobby. Yet, I sew, go to fabric stores, write in my sewing journal, develop patterns, read about sewing/patterning, have a blog about sewing, talk about sewing and do other sewing related activities EVERYDAY! I am starting to realize that this "hobby" has become something more. My kids are now incorporating sewing and going to the fabric store into their pretend play. The other day I even heard my 2 yr old remark about "a beautiful fabric..." To say this was still a hobby would be an understatement, apparently it is now a lifestyle! And I'm ok with that...