You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May, 2009.
Is it possible to like someone without having met them? Well, if so, I found a person that I really like- or I should say, I really like her Blog. This is a Tutorial site that I found. She is amazing, and explains things in a very clear way. I also really liked her photographs.
Check it out. You may learn something!
As for me, today I participated in the Farmer’s Market. The girls wore their new dresses with matching totes. Very Sweet. When we got home, I thought I would take a picture of them together wearing their new attire. This is how they chose to pose.
Goofy Girls.
Well, I couldn’t just make ONE shirred sun dress, could I? So, today I made our little Julia one, too. And because I had extra material left over, I made each of them a cute tote as well.
I didn’t realize putting a liner in was so easy! if you haven’t tried yet, here is a link to explain it…
I didn’t follow the directions entirely, but used the part with the liner.
As soon as I gave the bags to the girls, they immediately started to think of good uses for them and places to take them. The Beach, Field trips, the Library.
I love that.
Tonight I decided to take a break from business sewing to do a little pleasure sewing.
A while back, I was looking through the fabric store and found this great Summertime fabric. It was perfect to make a Sun Dress out of, but it was expensive. I remember thinking to myself “I wonder how that fabric is made“.
I now know.
I stumbled upon this woman’s blog that gives a wonderful tutorial on
So tonight I tried it.
The finished product is very cute indeed.
One of the things I like about it is I made this dress for a fraction of the cost of the ready-made fabric or even a store-bought one.
Now I just have to make one for my 3 year old.
Can you tell I love my children? Shirr you can!
Today was a bright, sunny, warm and lovely day filled with pleasant breezes and fragrant smells. Bird and beast alike were busy working and playing all day. We were no exception. It was great to have my whole family together all day and have us all working on the house. Lots of yard work was done. My husband uncovered a beautiful little part of our yard that we didn’t know was there. The girls pulled weeds and had a picnic lunch. I started out indoors but couldn’t help myself. I wanted to be out there in the thick of it all. Only first, I needed to touch up a little spot in the moulding. Well, one spot turned into the whole thing, fast. Why does that happen? Now I have to paint ALL of the trim in the house. To match.
Because that is what happens when you touch up paint.
I did learn something.
From now on, Just leave it alone. Ha!
The day ended with terrific barbeque and bacci.
What seemed like a day filled with mundane things, was really extraordinary in its simplicity.
I hope you and yours had a Memorable Memorial Day too.
Yesterday was a wonderful but very tiring day at the Market. This week it was my husband’s turn to take over the booth for his Hand-formed Artisan Bagels. Thanks to everyone who came out to support us!
Today I took the girls food shopping. It is a beautiful day so we wanted to do it quickly and get home to be outside. As we were driving home, my oldest child spots a Yard Sale Sign (she takes after her Mama).
So we stop. Of course we do, despite the melting Rice Dream Ice Cream in the trunk.
Carson brought her own money to spend, so she wandered off in search of her own treasures. A few minutes (literally) later, she comes back to where I am with a PILE of stuff. Amongst her finds was a Samsonite Vintage hard suitcase. The woman there liked her, and only charged her $1.00 (even though the tag said $15.00).
It is really great. I cleaned it a bit, and it is good condition.
She definitely has specific taste.
Another find was a saucer. It makes her so happy.
I think she is from another time.
It was a successful Garage Sale. Everyone found something that they like.
Julia found Legos and a skirt, and I found some movies for .25 cents. Very cool.
It was exactly the way I like to spend a relaxing day off.
A few days ago, a part from my sewing machine broke. Just like that. No warning. I was in the middle of sewing pants for my little one, and snap. *Gasps*
I called the only repair shop in the area, and they don’t even carry Singers. I next turned to the internet. There was ONE place that had the part I needed. Yay.
So (sew) What do I do while I am waiting for the part??
Walk in circles while staring at the piles of fabric I need to sew before the next market…
And go to the beach.
Julia has a collecting habit, and right now it is named Treasures from the Beach. I can really get into this one. I even made her a container to store them in.
Collecting rocks is fun, but I really can’t wait until that part arrives!
I was recently turned on to a website for posting unwanted items on.
It is amazing. I couldn’t believe how many people were giving away things that were in great condition. From toys to appliances. Anything you take, saves it from the landfill.
Today I picked up some plants that someone was offering.
Most of the plants needed to be put in the ground right away, so of course this forced me to get outside and dig up some dirt. Columbine, zuccini, geranium starts, parsley, lilac, fuschia, and foxglove plants now have a home at our home. The yard looks great with our new Free plants, and it was good to get the fresh air. Did I mention that Everything is Free?
Check it out.
Not only good for the environment, it is good for your pocketbook as well!
I was planning on gardening like a fool today, but alas, the rain and wind decided otherwise. I needed to come up with creative projects for my youngest daughter and myself, while still being productive. The first project was making her new thrifted “boy” shoes (her words, not mine- I actually think they are cool) look a bit girlier.
While Julia painted a picture next to me, I painted her shoes. With some inspiration from my dear friend, Jessie, and her Making Lemonade this is what I came up with.
Before
After
She LOVES them now.
Dots did the trick!
The second project I worked on was something to sell at the Market (as well as online). I came up with this idea about 4-5 years ago, and thought it would make a great addition to my recycled product line.
A Bean Bag Toss Game made from recycled and re-purposed items.
I really like this idea. It is so simple and has kid appeal. A can and some bean bags. That is it. When I think about games that children like to play the most (and have for decades), they are the ones that embody that simplicity and they wind up being the most enjoyable- kick the can, stick ball, catch, hopscotch, jump rope. You get the idea.
I started with a very large can, some fabric, and some glue.
Back to Basics. Instant Fun in a Can!
It was a spectacular day here in the Pacific Northwest! The sun was bright and warm, and there was a lovely breeze.
I spent the day down at the Kingston Farmer’s Market where people were smiling and happy just to be there. Amidst the beautiful flowers and great produce (I bought some incredible Cauliflower), was my colorful booth.
My Cloth Banner finishes the booth, don’t you think?
These are the new Recycled Crayons that I have added.
I absolutely LOVE this fabric, and I love that it went to a good home even more!
Overall, a successful day. I got a great response to using recycled and re-purposed materials, and there were several requests for adult clothes.
I am working on it!
Thanks to all of the people that came down to support the vendors, and Thanks to the Sun for making an appearance!
I had a request for pictures of what I did with all of those crayons.
I used the same method as I have in the past of melting them down using a water bath, shown here-
Crayons
These are the ones I made a few days ago.
I will be adding these to my items for sale at the Market.
See you all there tomorrow!
This is my right now.
Beach, creating, and some silliness for good measure.
I am beginning to think there is a very different way Men and Women think about going to sleep. I used to think it was just me and my husband, but the more I speak with friends, I think it is a gender thing. Men can just turn it all off and drop.
When I decide “”It is time for Bed“, I first run the dishwasher, and switch the laundry, then, I check that all the windows and doors are locked for the night. I clean up any project I worked on that night, check that the appliances are unplugged, and plugs that stay in are secure. Brush my teeth, pick up things that were left on the floor, make sure my older daughter’s snacks are packed in her lunch. I ,then, set up a movie for myself, and heating pad to warm the bed, check on the kids, take off my socks and an hour later, climb into bed.
When my husband decides he is going to bed, he goes to sleep. Almost immediately. Head hits pillow. Eyes close. That’s it.
I imagine myself at the end of the day as a hummingbird.
My husband, maybe, hmmm, a sloth?
Sloth definitely gets more sleep. YAWN.
Just a little note to all the locals.
I will be at The Kingston Farmers Market again this Saturday.
Last time I was there it was so nice to see friends that came to support me in the rain. A very dear friend of mine, Terace, let me “borrow” one of her sweet babies to hold and snuggle in the Sling.
Joy.
It was very special because she actually fell asleep on me! Incredible. That right there is trust- or comfort- or just plain good. I also really loved the warmth that comes from holding a little baby in the Sling.
Ahhhh. My oxytocin levels are full.
Please join me this Saturday at the Market.
You never know what you will find!
Happy Mother’s Day to all of you Moms out there!
We spent the early part of the day with my husband at a brunch he was putting on at his job. Then we went down to our beach to listen to the birds and collect shells and rocks and sand dollars. It was a serene way to end the day.
Here are some images from my Mother’s Day Celebration. I hope you had a great one too!
First I must start by wishing a very Happy Birthday to two very special girls in our lives.
Happy Birthday Poppy and Corinne!
Next I would like to share with you all a great project that you can do with your kids. I found it here:
I chose to make a banner for my Market booth first , so I could get the feel for it. I plan to do this with my girls too. I really like the idea of making wishes and putting them out there, blowing in the breeze. You never know where they might wind up.
This project was very easy and used up some of my scrap fabric. Plus, I got to get a new toy, uh, I mean Tool- Pinking Shears! Why haven’t I had these the whole time?? Where have they been all my life? I love them. Who knew zigzagging could be so much fun?
