One finished, one I give up!

Well, this project is done!

They look great, too. I am so happy with them. I lined store-bought twill curtains with a blackout lining, and I added the side and top striped fabric to make them more exciting. The reason for doing this: To attempt to keep my daughter in her bed past 6 AM (the morning light hits her room first). Did that work? No...we still have an early riser.


Oh well. The updated curtains dress up her windows nicely.

On to that mini-wardrobe challenge? Um, on a break AGAIN. Not for lack of trying....
I ripped the circle top out and attempted to add it on correctly more times than I can say - or want to own up to. I am giving up on this pattern. It was NOT easy, as the pattern led the buyer to believe.

Oh well. Life goes on. :)

My sweet family. Oh, how it's hard to have a non-stop talker, a copycat walker/talker, and a dog that wants to be in the middle too. But, after I've had time to recoup from it all, I ask myself, would I give it up? Nope. Not for anything.

Nathan is at that age in which he copys EVERYTHING Corinne does. He tries so hard. He's figuring out the world. He discovered ants this week. Mushrooms this month (lovely). Rocks are a favorite. Attempting to jump, like the older one, but feet never leave the ground. He doesn't care. He has a ball going up and down. I can't wait to see what he's like when REALLY gets air.

Corinne. Our sweet girl. Our chatterbox, built in entertainer. I mean, there's always something to talk about, or sing about, or ask questions about, or something to get into. Sigh. She can pick up the words to a song after hearing it one time. ONE TIME. Where does she get that? Not me. And, then, there's "special" songs. Songs she's made up. About whatever is on her mind. It's a non-stop singing fest with her around.

Yesterday, we got a new floaty for the pool. It's a lobster. It is a "seat" kind of floaty, that you can sort of recline in on the water. It's as tall as Corinne. Today, she walked into the bathroom while I was in the shower. Do you know what was on her arm, like her best buddy? Yep. The large, orange lobster, antennaes and all. AND, yes, it came to our sitter's today. He was my third child today - all the way in the back seat. So, on my ride to and work and home, I got to enjoy the view of the three of them in my rear view mirror.

No, I wouldn't give any of it up.

Summer flowers from the garden

Too hot outside? Not for these guys! They are happy in my garden beds.

Back Eyed Susans ('Goldstrum) and Joe Pye week ('Little Joe')

Excitement

Who knew, that someone showing me what she could make and the gorgeous fabrics she made those items in, that I, too, would become slightly addicted to looking at fabric? Sounds weird. I have other things I could spend discretionary income on. But with fabric...I can MAKE something! I can have a creative outlet! I mean, with a job like I have where I have to THINK so much (believe it or not), and be logical, and times at home I feel more like a referee than a mom, I have found I really like having this creative outlet. And, doing it doesn't require me to have sunlight (like gardening does - yes I still love it, but my daylight hours lately are consumed with playing like a child, cleaning, etc.), I can listen to music, or listen to a show that I love...I don't know. I am getting into this sewing thing right now...

Yes, I realize I have a tendency to obsess about something for a while, then it fizzles a bit -- I can count a lot of those experiences over the past few years :) So, I just enjoy my little obsessions as they come.

I digress...the reason for this post: Farmer's Market!



Let me explain - I have been visually enjoying Sandi Henderson's line of Ginger Blossom. I finally bought some a few months ago and cut into it for this project. I still have more to play with. I was very excited to see her new line, Farmer's Market come out. I ordered some...and today - it's here! And - the Internet just doesn't do it justice!




I have big plans for this!


Yes, big plans.


And - I think someone will enjoy my big plans. Heck, she's enjoying it now - and it's just fabric! :)

And, imagine how excited I was to find this place! It was downright amazing that they had so many designer fabrics in stock. Designer fabrics! Jo-ann and Hancock fabrics have some, when you really pay attention you might find it. But, I have yet to see the big fabric names there - Amy Butler, Sandi Henderson, Free Spirit, Moda . I can finally browse in person these wonderful fabrics before purchasing! I checked it out this week and am heading back this weekend. I know I can control myself - but will I be able to control my sister and mother who are going with me? Hmmm.

AND, the best part - Quilting Adventures offers CLASSES! A variety of classes. One caught my eye, and lined up on a day in which I am off work, hubby can watch kids, and it is so timely for the quilt I plan to make for Nathan, that I just couldn't pass it up. Call me an old fogey - I am going to learn to make QUILTS and I am proud of it.

A trying day

Ahh, the days of summer.

Don't you just wish that you could live these again, as a child?

That's one of the big pluses about being a mom. I get to re-live a lot of things, like summer.

Seriously, do you think she needs those arm floaties? And yes, our dog thinks the pool is her personal water bowl.

I've not posted a lot these past few weeks. We've been busy. And, my kids have given me a strong dose of patient-testing, especially with the young one cutting 4 eye teeth at the same time. Today I tried to step back and enjoy summer through their eyes. I had some smiles today, and am sharing them with you. This was the best part of my day today (other than naptime).

On the crafting side of things, it's been as slow as my posts this month. I have one work in progress going, and a finished project awaiting a photo-shoot to share. With someone always hanging on my leg, or screaming when I get out of site (this separation anxiety thing is really starting to wear on me), I couldn't get a moment to take the photo today!

Clothing inspiration

Oh, my my my! This applique skirt might be just what I needed to get out of my clothing slump! (Yes, Steph, after I finish the other curtain panel!).

I am envisioning a circle skirt in this fabric....yummy.

Kate, from Handmade Kate, referenced the skirt on her recent post. Thanks for sharing!

A summer dress

I made this dress for Corinne in late spring, but have been holding on showing it to the blog until I had nothing else to show! So, here you go.

These aren't the best of pictures, but sometimes you take the shot when you get the chance.

The dress is actually a halter top. She is wearing her bathing suit underneath, hence the white criss cross straps. (Yes, in the background, that's Nathan, he's turning up the radio!)
Now that the music is louder, we could all dance :)

I was so happy with the way this dress turned out. I still love it, and it's been warn several, several times this summer so far. It was also very easy to put together. I was surprised by how quickly it came together.

This was also the first time I used Amy Butler fabric. I was inspired by this one - Coriander. I am itching to get some more, especially from her new line. I purchased two others with the intent of making myself a new dress...they are still waiting for me ;)

This was the first time I tried a blind hem. I learned a lot from that experience, and have since done more on clothing I have bought and made. I like the blind hem a lot, although it does take some patience to keep it "blind".

The very best part about this dress - when people tell Corinne they like her dress, she smiles a big smile and says proudly "My mommy made it!".

Break on Mini-Wardrobe Challenge

Last week I finished bottom #1, the drawstring skirt. I am not happy with the result and want to convert it to something else...we'll see what it becomes. I think I am going to step away from it and figure out what to do. I have a few things in mind...I'll get my hubby to take a picture and post it here to get some female feedback.

I took a break from clothing sewing this weekend and did some home sewing. I found a lot of satisfaction in it. I think, as I venture more into sewing, that the constraints of sewing clothing for myself is not as satisfying as creating something for my home, my children, or for gifts for others. Or, maybe it's the boring fabric I have chosen? I was trying to go for practical fabrics that could blend with all sorts of clothing items...but....the end results are a little, well, boring...

This weekend we worked on Corinne's sandbox. It needed a little help.



The orginial "roof" lasted about 2 years. It was 2 green Home Depot tarps, overlapped and screwed on with grommets. I guess they don't last forever. All those strong thunderstorms didn't help.

Thanks to Jo-Ann and a 50% off outdoor canvas sale last weekend!
I bought 2.5 yards one day, then discovered I needed more to get the correct width. I went to a different Jo-Ann and bought what I thought was the exact same canvas. I didn't realize until I got home that they were actually different! But, thankfully, they are all in the same colorway, just a different size stripe. I stitched a border around the main top, and voila, a custom, fun, sandbox cover! I already enjoy seeing this outside my kitchen window much more than that green tarp!

I am sew inspired by blog world that I am having trouble deciding what to do next. I REALLY want to try something like this for Corinne's jeans that she's outgrown. I also want a new purse and am not sure which way to go. I found this and think this would be incredibly convenient - much more convenient with the two kids to keep my hands free.

Nathan's quilt keeps calling my name, too. I can't wait to get that done - it's going to be so unique and boyish.

I really want to get to work on making the office a child friendly playroom/craftroom.

Today I saw daylillies that would be GORGEOUS in my gardens and I am thinking I need to make that trip to the local daylilly sellers and check them out. I have only been thinking of doing that since we've moved here....

Someone I know asked me to make another cape for him (I'll have to get a photo of the orinigal), and little Miss Corinne has requested an apron more than once....

All those things seem more exciting right now than making clothing for myself...

Sigh - it all takes time, money, time.