Non-official Sewing Day

My day started off with me lying in bed, staring at the ceiling anticipating another day at the dentist. Hmmm, maybe one of the kids will have to stay home sick, or maybe the car won't start, or maybe just maybe a huge snow storm will blow through knocking out all of the power in the city and the dentist will have to close down for the day. Just as these thoughts are going through my head the phone rings...it's the dentist's office calling to cancel my appointment because the dentist is sick. Now I'm not one to wish any ill will on anyone else, but if the dentist had to get sick - it does happen you know - he couldn't have picked a better day. So now my day has opened up - no plans - it's an official sewing day. I've been chompin' at the bit to get some more pads made...hmmm...that doesn't sound so good together but you know what I mean. Speaking of pads, have you seen the Cloth Sisters flickr group? Tons of pictures of cloth pads and 16 members already.


The sun is shining the birds are singing, I have fresh bread and it's a sewing day. Would you like to join me? Come on, cancel all those plans, throw dinner in the crockpot and let's just sew today.

Sacajawea

While I was sick and resting, I finally had a chance to make the Sacajawea doll that I had planned on making for Sara for Christmas. I used a pattern from this book that I got at the library. Everything came together really well. The yarn that I used made the hair come out a little puffy for my liking, and I think next time I would stuff the head the little more.

I modified the coat pattern to make her dress and added some beading at the bottom.

Of course just when I thought I'd finished, Sara pointed out that she needed some moccasins. What was I thinking? She is soft and hugable and made a trip to school this morning.

Making it through the night...

I finished this tea towel from Alicia's Free Pattern, and added my own saying rather than the days of the week for reasons that I mentioned in my last post. I think it came out really cute. Don't look too close at those stitches though.

The saying on it ran through my mind at about 3am Saturday. I couldn't get to sleep for some reason, so I was laying in bed awake when Sara came in crying that she didn't feel well. I heard some strange noises coming from her as she made a mad dash to the bathroom. I was running behind her and arrived just in time to see her get sick at the doorway of the bathroom. As I'm staring at the floor assessing the situation and trying not to get sick myself, I heard a little "sorry mom" come from further in the bathroom. My heart ached for my sick little girl who was worried about me while she was bending over the toilet.

Today I'm still nursing her back to health and pretending that I'm not getting it myself.

Oh, I almost forgot...I found a bread machine at a yard sale for $5, and made Amanda's WHO bread. That and some Jell-o for Sara should make us through the afternoon.

Budding Artist

If you can believe it, I found this awesome easel at the thrift store for $5. A little elbow grease, a few supplies bought with a Christmas gift card and Sara was in business.

I loved watching and capturing her creative process.

Motion...

Contemplating...

Going in for the next color

Waiting for the colors to dry before adding the next color was definitely a challenge for her, but she had a great time creating a few masterpieces

I've been making a few items for the Etsy Shop and have been working on a set of these. Since I have such a hard time keeping track of what day it is anyway, and my confidence in my ability to have the wash done so that I could have the appropriate towel up on it's day, and the fact that the towels come in a pack of 5 -and I only bought one pack- I decided to go with a little twist. I'm going to choose my favorite 5 designs and add the following sayings from a Little House Chapter book:

Ma was always cheerful while she worked.

Ma’s hands were quick and steady.

It seemed to Laura that no matter what Ma did, it always turned out perfectly.

Laura thought that Ma looked especially pretty while she hulled the corn.

Ma hummed softly to herself while she did the ironing.

The house was beautiful when Ma had finished.

Another problem is that I have 6 sayings and only 5 towels. Who knows, I may have to go in for that 2nd package of towels. I'm also thinking about going for some other pictures like corn or an ironing board. We'll see. Off to finish a book. Yah-I’m a little embarrassed that I’m reading it but a lot of people around me were talking about it and I thought I’d check it out. I know, it’s the 2nd book in the series, but I got sucked in what can I say?

Hanging with the boys

Just a quick update...the boys are done.

These three heros are ready to go play. I think the doctor is my favorite, but the fireman and the police officer are are pretty close second.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wooden People

Last week found me wandering around at the thrift store - ahh such comfort. I have a system where I head to the "outdoor" area, even though it's indoor and look through all of the big items, baskets, frames, lamps and goodies, then I browse through the furniture on my way to glasses, dishes, other various house hold items, crafts, sheets and finally the books. I think I spent a good two hours in there.

I walked away with a few books, a thermos for the hubby, pictionary (an old version), and among other things a bag full - 150 to be exact - of wooden dolls! There were two bags and now that I've been fiddling around with them, I regret not buying the other bag. I did make a second trip and of course they were gone.

So I've been painting

And creating...

Taking others' advice - these were Josh's idea...

And, in the end, having a lot of fun

We played a heated game of pictionary, using some wooden dolls as game pieces. It was Sara's -8- turn to draw and she got one that she didn't know so she asked me what it was - a record player....now I really feel old!

Fat Day

I'm having a fat day! I saw the pictures from Sara's baptism and I thought, that's it, I need to go on a diet and get a new hair style. Then, three of the ladies that I talked to yesterday were talking about the weight that they've lost and they all had new hairdo's.

So naturally this afternoon I made this...

What? Pineapple...hello...fruit group.

The Dress

First of all, thank you all for the emails about teeth - your kind and funny thoughts were appreciated!

Warning: Spell check is not working - I take no responsibility for the poor spelling you are about to experience.

A few posts back, I mentioned that I was making a dress for Sara.
I just love the way it came out! The tiny polka dots on the brown top with the larger polka dots on the pink skirt. Mmm...mmm...mmm - and the top fit her, well, like it was made for her. The pink material was actually a sheer fabric so I added a layer of white silky material underneath the skirt. In the picture it looks a little bunchie around the waist, but in person, it's perfect for twirling.


The Wizard of Oz quilt I've eluded to is now unoffically named There's No Place Like Home and has reached the finishing stages. Everything is pieced and the borders have been added. Now onto quilting and adding all of the little details. While picking out the borders, some ladies were ooowing and ahhhing over the quilt (blush) and when I droped in the next day to pick up a couple of fat quarters, the owner was telling my husband (yes, he went into a quilt shop-he he) how talented I was (blush) and she told me that I should put together a pattern for the quilt. I'm telling you all of this not to brag, but because it was so exciting. I've put a lot of heart into that quilt and I think it looks great, but for someone else "in the field" to compliment me feels validating somhow, not to mention justifying those shopping trips.


Off to sew - I actually have a "play date" today.

Counter Quilt?

Is that what you would call this? It started out as a bath matt, but I just couldn't bring myself to throw it on the floor. There is a spot next to the sink that I set all of the hand washed items to dry - you know, the pots, pans and other things that don't go in the dishwasher. I usually end up throwing a tea towel up there to soak up all of the water, but I think this will do the job and look fabulous. The kids all agree that I should make a big one for snuggling.
My inspiration was a stack of the boys old jeans that I couldn't bring myself to throw out. With the knees blown out and stains here and there, they weren't good enough to thrift, so I just piled them up in the laundry room. The chick was inspired by something, a quilt maybe, that Amanda had done a while back.
Some fun machine and hand stitching, a thrifted sheet for the back and viola - Counter Matt/Quilt.
Sometimes, it's just the little things in life isn't it? A little counter matt with your kids jeans and a little chick to make you smile while you wash those dreaded dishes.