Sweet Puddles

face pillow

One of our dear friends had a birthday this week and the girls really wanted to make something special for her. Cassidy usually does this on her own, with out much help from me but Haydn still needs guidance. She gets big ideas and has a hard time with the follow through. So we worked together. 

And she came up with this adorable kitty pillow!

The process was smooth, cut out a circle and piece the face together with felt. Then, at the end, she thought it looked more like a dog. She got super bummed about it but still gave it to her friend. Luckily it was well received, but I didn't doubt it for a second! 

One on one time with her like that is special. Time that often doesn't happen because her sisters are always around. It brings out a different light in my girls. Maybe its that I am more relaxed or that they feel completely heard with out two other voices to compete with but its always enjoyable. I find that we come out of it stronger, more connected too. 

These face pillows are so cute! I kept thinking about all the different ones we could do. (maybe for the shop?) Sort of reminds me of this face pillow by Land of Nod. And on your bed? One of the kids in my sewing class was saying you could make a body blanket and put the face pillow at the top. Genius. These kids are sewing inspirations for sure. 

Geranium Chicken Dress

I cut this out in hopes to get it done during Kids Clothes Week but couldn't quite get to it. Its the same pattern as this dress but in a size 3T. I did the scoop cutout and made it sleeveless cause this girl loves her tank tops (even in dead of winter!). I added some more piping, of course. Seriously, I think everything looks good with piping now! 

The fabric is from andover fabrics and I got it at bolt on Alberta (if your local). I actually saw the fabric right after we bought our chicks and knew it had to come home with me. The dress took less than a yard, which was great.

This little three year old of mine loves her chickens. She is quite the helper too. Although, all she wants to do is hold them. (until they poop on her, that is). They have made it into her top 5 favorite things, next to dogs, cats, the color pink, and maybe her mama. Oh and she loves flowers too!

 

Happy Mothers Day!

I know, it was Sunday and today is Wednesday but I'm always up for extending celebrations. Especially for us mamas. At least thats what I told myself today when I bought an ice cream sandwich just for me. Happy Mothers day to me! 

My mothers day started a bit rocky with some canceled plans. I let it get to me for a bit and then took a good look around at my people. Each one of them hiding out making special little gifts for me. I realized the whole reason why this day was suppose to be special was because of them. I wouldn't be a mother without these three crazy, silly, fun, challenging, eye opening, beautiful girls. Each so wonderful and unique, bringing so much into my life. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for my girls. 

So, we made new plans. We finished up the coop for our chicken ladies and introduced them to the outdoors! They had never been outside in their whole little lives, not seen grass or dirt or even the sky! They huddled together for a bit, unsure of how to act but soon got the hang of being a chicken. Pecking away. I love new beginnings. 

Then we did what we all love to do most as a family. We went hiking in the woods. 

A perfect ending. What a lucky mama. Hope yours was great too!

a slow pace

This isn't such a good picture of the sweater I am making. Maybe this is a better one. Its for the almost 10 year old. It probably won't be finished until the spring. But that's how knitting is for me lately and I kind of like it. 

To be honest, I haven't been knitting at all really. A hat here, a cowl there but nothing big. Ever since I got my sewing machine, sewing is what my head and hands want to do. The winter was mild here too, and cold weather seems to make me want to knit. So there you go. 

The outcome is similar but for me they are so different. Sewing is much faster. A dress can be sewn in three hours (for kids that is). Even the harder parts, the stuff I'm teaching myself, doesn't take too long. Like 20 minutes of learning and doing. Its not that it all comes easy and perfect, its just that the machine helps it go fast. Sometimes I like fast. It feels productive.

Knitting is not fast. Its slow and more meditative. It comes easier to me. From the first time I picked up a needle my hands knew what to do with it. I love that its portable (which is great with dance and soccer). You can sit and not have to get up to iron. Even learning new parts come slow. One step at a time. I never read ahead with knitting, just follow along and it gradually unfolds itself. Like life. I need that right now. I need to sit and let it unfold because everything is feeling too fast right now. Too much going on that I have little control over. So I come back to the knitting. Even if it is 80 degrees here and even if it means just for a few minutes.

Maybe under this tree? Oh yes, this tree! We found out its a cherry tree. Can you imagine the screams of joy in this house when that was realized? Can you see the baby cherries? Excitement! Knitting under my cherry tree on mothers day. Lovely. I hope it doesn't rain. 

 

Behind the scenes: designing

While I was sewing like a mad lady last week my girls were doing some of their own designing with Rosie Flo. Have you seen these? 

They are pretty great coloring books and the girls often add different design elements to make it more their style. You have to add in the head, legs and arms which in itself is fabulous. They love them and color in them almost daily. I love what they come up with!

It reminds me of the Fashion Plate Design  kit I had as a kid. Remember those? Man, I spent HOURS doing that. They were amazing! Wouldn't it be great if I still had them? My mom probably sold it at a garage sale for ten cents, like all the other amazing toys my brother and I had. We still love her though and to be honest, I could see myself doing the same thing. Maybe I'll keep the Rosie Flo's though. You never know! 

KCW: Project 4 and 5: Hopscotch Dress and Stamped Tank

So I am going to post two today and that will be it for the Kids Clothes week for me.

They are both in knit fabric and actually most of the projects from this week were jersey knit. It was good to get the practice but I still don't feel super confident. Its mostly the hemming! It gets all wonky and stretched out, especially with jersey on the thinner side. Maybe some stay tape would help with that. A serger would be nice too but that doesn't fully address the hemming issue. 

Pattern: Oliver and S Hopscotch Dress, size 7 with the legnth size 8. 

Fabric: Some grey and purple jersey from Fabric Depot. 

To be honest, I forget exactly when I sewed this one. Its been a sewing whirlwind. I loved the pattern (it is oliver and s, of course) but I was bummed with the hems. You can see the wonkiness at the bottom and on the sleeves. She doesn't mind though.  

Pattern: Traced a tank that fits the littlest well. 

Fabric: who knows! I think I bought it when we were living in San Francisco on Haight. 

The best part about this one was the stamping which was really fun. Maybe I'll do another post on how I did it. Its pretty easy. Stars and Hearts of course. Can you tell I was over the hemming? Totally left the bottom raw. And its too big. That's one of the things about making your own pattern. Its not always a great fit. It needs trial and error. 

The neck binding I did like Carolyn from Fake it while you make it which I love. I tried to do that on the arms but it got wonky again. So I pulled it out and just left it as is. 

Matt asked me why one arm was bigger and why the bottom wasn't done and I got cranky on him. I think I need a sewing break! I still have a bunch of things cut out and ready to go but I'll do it later. I need an easy confidence building cotton fabric project too. To put it all in perspective for you I spent about 12 hours cutting and sewing this week. It was suppose to be one hour a day and I ended up pulling some late nights a couple times till about 1 am! Crazy making, for sure. Now you know why handmade clothes can be expensive! Meg has a really great example of the process. 

Yet, this week was really fun! I loved seeing what everyone was doing. There is a bunch of really crafty folks out there in crafty blog land. One person said how great it was to put all this postive energy into our kids, making beautiful things for them. Sweet right?  

KCW: Project 3: Tiny Flower Geranium

I think I have always felt drawn to sewing because of my art background. Walking into fabric stores with all the beautiful fabric inspires me the way looking at Monet's work does. Sewing is a perfect alternative to painting for me right now. It fits into my life so well and the work I do can be worn by my lovely girls. Its a good match. 

Not all sewing feels like art to me but this dress was one of those projects. The fabric is so beautiful! I couldn't resist it. And then couldn't stop looking at it and feeling it. I knew right away that it was destined to be a Geranium Dress. Even after it was done I just sat there looking at it. 

Pattern:  Geranium pattern by Rae and its a 5T (the biggest size).

Fabric: Robert Kaufman's london calling 

This is a great pattern. Its fits perfect up top but I had to add about an inch to the bottom. The flutter sleeve is what made me buy it to begin with but it has so many different options, its easy to customize which is a perfect pattern for my girls who all have a mind of their own. I had never used piping before but I might be adding piping to everything I sew now. I love it! My favorite part? The hidden pockets! She was so excited to find them and thought I forgot the pockets when she put it on. It was such an easy addition. I think I have to make a few skirts with pockets now! 

I have two more dresses to sew but I am getting side tracked and want to stamp fabric and make shorts. Then again maybe some sleep would be good. Or just sitting around basking in this beautiful weather we are having. I hope I can sneak in a few hours here and there this weekend in between dance, soccer and coop building! 

This is what she looks like most of the time. My bug loving girl!

KCW: Project 2

The second KCW project was inspired by this dress by Tea. 

Every time I get their catalogue I want to buy every dress. Then I look at the price tag and say to myself, I can make that! I cut out the pictures and put it in my inspiration book and usually that's where they stay. I rarely make them. Until now! Thank you KCW. 

The fabric is jersey from Girl Charlee and luckily she picked it out. The pattern is from Dana's Basic Tee but made into a tank. Its a 3/4T. I added the skirt portion making it a low waist dress. The sleeves I folded over to make it look more girly. The heart was added mostly so she would actually wear the dress. 

She put it on right away and I had to quick snap these pictures. I'm never sure if she'll ever wear it again. She did alot of guiding how the photo shoot went (a nice expression for bossed me around).  So thats her dancing and on the bike with kit. Ah, yes. My three year old. 

 

Chevron Circle Skirt: KCW Spring

After looking at all the great work on the Kids Clothes Week  flickr page I knew I had to find some time to sew. Something about hundreds of women all sewing together. Exciting and motivating! 

The first thing I wanted to tackle was the Figgy's Circle Skirt. Its a free pattern and pretty quick to sew. Tracing, cutting and sewing it took me 30 minutes!

Its size 5T for my thin 7 year old. Its long but will grow with her. The bottom seam is left unfinished because its knit fabric and the top is similar to yoga pants. She said it is super comfy and it twirls! It will be a spring/summer staple for sure. Three more are in order, one for her sisters and one for me (the pattern includes adult sizes!)  

some challenges

It has been a whirlwind week! My parents were in town and we got in a visit to the beach before the girls broke out in the chicken pox.  There has been alot of popsicles, games, and movies to keep their minds off the itch. I'm not sure how fun it was for my mom and dad but having them here was so helpful. Just the extra hands to help do the dishes or play uno. To be honest, I love when they are here regardless of the chicken pox! Luckily we won't have to wait too long to see them again since we are headed back east this summer. 

I really wanted to participate in the Kids Clothes Week Challenge and even had a few sketches done but the late itchy nights are getting to me. I am going to try and sew a few things this week. It won't be as much as I wanted but its something!