Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Stuck in neutral

It's probably more like "stuck in reverse." This first trimester is kicking my butt. The all-morning nausea, the life-sucking tiredness, the raging hormonal moodiness - good birth control, right? It's amazing how quickly you forget these inconveniences - I suppose otherwise we wouldn't procreate.

My crafting is taking the brunt of my first-trimester neglect, I'm sad to say. I have piles upon piles of fabric begging for attention. Pages filled with sketches and ideas waiting to come to life. I usually sew during Dawson's afternoon nap but that seems to also be my sleepiest time of day and all I want to do is lie on the sofa. Then after the kids go to bed the last thing I want to do is make yet another mess that will have to be cleaned up. I just can't be bothered!

My goal this evening is to actually cook dinner (gasp!) and then SEW. Hold me to it, will you please?

Refined tackiness

Friday, July 20, 2007

These things I like



This stuff rocks my world. The Lavender scent is unbelievable - the hint of zesty citrus in it makes it modern and fresh rather than stuffy and I really think I could drink it right up! I also use the hand soap and lotion and the next time I need laundry detergent I think I'll splurge on some Mrs.Meyers goodness.




This woman is pure genius in the kitchen. My absolute favorite cookie recipe is from this book. Her recipes are so sophisticated and just gorgeous but extremely well-written and easy to execute. I haven't bought this book (yet) but it's on my wish list and I'm hinting around that it would make an excellent anniversary gift. Wink, wink.


This blog is an endless source of sewing information for me! There have been several great tutorials lately - a few of my favorites are on bag straps, zippered pockets, and a CD case. Oh, and there's a fabric store too - what more do you need?

Monday, July 16, 2007

I sense an addiction coming on


I placed my first Superbuzzy order this morning. Oh, dear. I just kept adding and adding. And adding. I had to go back twice and remove things from my cart! I ended up with some of this absolutely darling cotton/linen blend fabric - I have in mind a patchwork blanket with some linen and some embroidered animals. I am beside myself with excitement! That combination of coffee-with-cream brown and that pale, rich blue just gets me every time. It's going to take every ounce of determination I have not to keep it for myself.


The little French phrases make it even sweeter - no matter that I have no idea what it says!

Oh, and totally unrelated, but I didn't foget to post pics of my WIP from last week. I finished it and am not completely happy with the results. New fabric is on its way and there will be pictures forthcoming!

Images from superbuzzy.com

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Pay It Forward

What a fantastic idea! I hopped over to Prickly Pear Bloom the other day and joined this PIF exchange - I've never done this before but it sounds like great fun!

I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week… LOL… but you will receive it within 365 days, that is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog.

Don't forget - the gift must be handmade!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

WIP Wednesday




The makings of a summery tote - the first I've ever made, coming along smoothly so far. Fingers crossed!




Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Sweet!


My friend Amanda is just the sweetest - she brightens my day with her kind words and thoughtful gestures. Imagine my excitement when a little package arrived yesterday!



A box of goodies from the most adorable shop, Kim & Jason's Lemonade Stand! The most hilarious gingerbread cookie cutters, water balloons, an "Escape Adulthood" sticker, a coupon for free Haagen Dazs (!!) and some lemonade! What a TREAT!

Watch for pics of the already-been-chewed gingerbread men later this week....

Monday, July 9, 2007

He blesses me


Yesterday I caught him looking at our little girl. This smile completely engulfed his face - a overwhelming, beautiful, guileless, fatherly-love smile that makes me think of what Jesus must look like when he looks at us, His beloved children.

Nothing - diamonds, chocolates, flowers - will ever romance me more than that moment. What a daddy, this lovely man of mine.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

The only way I can get my husband to go to yard sales . . .


Yes, he is taking a FULL POT of coffee and an entire container of creamer with him. In the car. Crazy man.

Let me just say how much I love my husband - we spent 2 1/2 hours driving around this morning in search of good yard & estate sales. We had absolutely no success but it was just the best morning! We drove around South Hills, oohing and aahing at all the beautiful homes, drinking coffee, and listening to Delaney talk to herself.


Then we had a nutritionally-complete breakfast at McDonald's and explored Kanawha City. Again, no luck on the yard-sale-ing front but we sang, pointed out cranes, trucks, balloons, butterflies, & hot tubs (my child has a strange fascination with hot tubs - go figure).


Who would have thought that we could have so much fun driving around in circles for a couple of hours?! I highly recommend it - pick a sunny day, roll your windows down, pack some snacks, and listen to your kids.








Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Delightful!


I can't title this "WIP Wednesday" since it's not Wednesday, but I couldn't wait any longer to share this delightul little project.

My friend Lori commissioned me to make her sweet daughter's first birthday dress. Here are a few peeks into my progress - almost finished!





Monday, July 2, 2007

It's been a more than a day, I know...

I promised pictures of the completed shirt several days ago. Didn't happen. BUT, to make up for it, I have pictures of the shirt and a new bag that I made! Two firsts in one week - isn't that exciting?!
Okay, no making fun of my self-portraiture skills:


Not much of the shirt showing, is there? I was in a rush - screaming kids - so I'll try to get a better one sometime soon. The pattern (Simplicity 4589) was super easy - I mean shockingly easy. Like I said, I'd never sewn adult clothes before so I expected to be a little overwhelmed but I was pleasantly surprised! I actually made two shirts, but the first one is quite possibly the LOUDEST thing I've ever seen! The colors are way out there and it's striped. Enough said. I am really happy with the orange & linen version and some embroidery is planned for the neckline. Doubt that will ever happen, but I can dream, right? Oh, and the linen is from an old pair of pleated suit pants - LOVE that I was able to recycle them!!

On to the bag:

It's the Sweet Sixteen pattern by Rosalie Quinlan of Melly & Me and I am just too happy with it! The pattern was well-written and it went really quickly. I'm going to scale the pattern up a bit and make another to use as a tote. (Also made from the linen pants!)


See you tomorrow - I have some WIPs to share!