2 Weekends In Pictures

STAR WARS BIRTHDAY PARTY
birthday cake - chocolate cake...cream cheese chocolate chip filling...chocolate buttercream icing.



oliver and lydia...cousins and besties!



party fun...look at linus in the background




oliver gets to ride the scooter alone for the first time.



lightsaber



had to do a leia do for the occassion



art...acrylics and oil pastels...3 of them are linus'...can you guess which ones?



kitty love



ugly dress that i wore 1 time, 9 years ago...will be transformed into something lovely (or I'm going in jeans) for a wedding next month.



repurposed a skirt and made a cool tunic...this is me trying to get a picture of the back to see what alterations still needed to be made...REALLY need a dress form.



bangs!

Oliver's 6th Birthday

Although a few weeks late, we finally celebrated Oliver's 6th birthday. He asked for an art-themed party at Kids n Stuff. I knew immediately that I wanted to design the cake to include my favorite painting of his. I took it to the printer and had them reduce it so that I didn't have to make a double sheet cake just to accomodate the painting. The cake was not nearly as elaborate as my original design, but I just didn't have the time to do everything I wanted. He asked for vanilla and chocolate with a cream cheese filling. Since he was giving me carte blanche on the icing, I got crazy and made a rootbeer buttercream (it wasn't very rootbeer-y...will have to tweek that recipe). I made the palate out of fondant, and used primary color decorator icing for the border and "paint". Each guest was provided an easel (we got these from IKEA for .99 ea), and a 5x7 canvas, and got to do their own painting to take home. Our party room was right next to the art room which was very convenient. The kids all had a great time, and everyone seemed to leave happy! Aside...It was the first time Oliver invited school friends, and I think it will be the last unless I know the parents personally. Of the 6 that were invited, only ONE responded (2 hours before), and was the ONLY ONE TO SHOW UP! What happened to social etiquette? Thankfully, Oliver didn't seem to care. Between family friends and cousins, we had quite a crowd. Yes, our overly-ambitious 6 year old was very happy indeed.

5th in Queue

So excited when I got home and found my new Figgy's pattern had arrived. Totally bummed that I have so little time to sew, and 5 other projects in queue before I can start. Check out the vintage "theme park" knit that I picked up last year at Arts and Scraps for almost nothing. It's going to make for some really cute pajamas for Linus and Oliver.

Speaking of sewing for Linus and Oliver. One of the things in my queue is their Christmas outfits! Do you think it will be too warm on Easter for corduroy...it's baby blue?

Mary Go Round Dress

Two of the most talented seamstresses out there have combined their design talents, and have launched a new line of patterns for children's clothing that I just love. Shelly of Figgy's Kids, and Karen of One Girl Circus are the creative genius behind these heirloom quality designs.

Which one to try first...I was really on the fence. Do I sew something for my own boys, or do I give in and sew something girly? Because I love all things reversible, the Mary Go Round Dress won. I had the fabric washed and ready before the pattern even arrived.

Aside...I rarely use patterns (except pieces here and there) and follow directions, so this was a departure for me. But I know Karen (in real life) and know that I could only improve my skills by imitating her techniques.

Getting started...I cut my fabrics. The pattern piece says cut 2 each of main and lining fabrics (knew this had to be wrong). Looking in the instructions, I saw that cutting 1 of each was correct.

I stitched the shoulder seams, and then both dresses together along the outer edge. I wrapped it around Linus to check length (this is only done when Steven isn't home), and thought it needed additional length...or something that would allow for movement and play without showing panties ;o, so I decided to cut a pair of bloomers to pair with it.

Now the next step is a testament to my inability to properly follow directions. I clipped the armholes, turned them toward the inside, pressed, pinned together, and topstitched...them together. Yes, I should have stitched them separately, and even while I did it was thinking...how am I going to be able to turn this right side out?



After un-sewing 2 armholes...yes, I came to my senses before sewing all 3...I turned, pressed, topstitched. THEN topstitched the armholes which were now messy, messy, messy.





I opted for buttons and an elastic loop closure, and rounded the bottom edges as I do with my own reversible wrap skirts. Added ruffles to the bloomers...because, who doesn't love ruffles?







Since Karen and Shelly are generous enough to allow home sewers to sell their designs, I will surely be making these for my Etsy store, and adding some to my rack at Dandelion's. I think next time I will try using bias tape around the armholes as the pattern suggests as an alternative option. For now, this little number will go to my niece who will not care how messy the armholes look.

Patterns by Figgy's #2??? I think will have to be the board shorts and matching hoodie. While I have my own board short design, theirs is much more trim, and of course...I have to make that hoodie!

Etsy Treasury Feature

Well lil' ole me made it into an Etsy Treasury. Yay!
It's a lemon-lime theme, and will get you craving lemonade. Take a look here.

Oliver Turns 5

Last Sunday we celebrated Oliver's 5th birthday. Where has the time gone? It seems like just yesterday when he was placed on my belly and I yelled "it's a boy"! Steven and I remember the moment differently, but I know that the way I remember is the way it happened. Those moments of birth are etched into our memories in ways that men don't understand (sorry Honey).
We went to Jungle Java with cousins Lydia and Violet, and then out for pizza. Of course, a dinosaur cake was requested. It was a bit of a cop out. My plan was to do a whole scene with sculpted dinosaurs and a volcano, but time got away from me.

When we asked what he would like for his birthday, he said to surprise him (I love that). Since he's uber active, a new bike was in order. Thank goodness the weather this week has been bike riding friendly...I can't seem to get him to come in the house.







I was finally able to get a handle on the reorganization required to accomodate my new serger. I'm almost finished, but here is what things look like at this point. I used the leaf from a table that we no longer have as a shelf, and the brackets that are holding it up have lovely scrolling on the side in which sits a dowel I found in the basement to hold ribbon and my scissors. I love my new table...$20 at IKEA...can't beat that! One more trip for a new chair on wheels and I'll be really happy.



Noah and Peter seem to be having similar issues in school this year...on and off. We seem to be on a bit of an upswing again...thank goodness! So on a positive note, I thought I'd show off some of their recent work. Noah has become very interested in art and science this year. Some of his work is very abstract...but that's not surprising.



Peter spent time with his Pere Pere (Karen's dad) last Saturday who owns a metal shop. He came home proudly displaying his accomplishments.


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Sigh...they can be wonderful...can't they? The same day, they also did a bedroom remodel. I'm not pleased, but I've been told I have to let it go.

Busy Week

No, we haven't enrolled Linus in hockey. The poor thing has been cursed with "bad" teeth. A small chip this past summer turned into a recurring abscess which his dentist attempted to rectify twice with antibiotics and 4 pulpotomies. The battle was lost, and so is his tooth. Bless his heart. Despite being our most rambunctious child, he is the BEST dental patient. He loves Dr. John, and according to his staff, is the most cooperative patient they've ever had. He also produces an abundance of high acid-producing bacteria which has subjected him to no less than 6 cavities. We pray that his adult teeth are more healthy.



On a lighter note...happy birthday to me...I got a new serger! I'm more excited than you can imagine. However, to make room for it, I've had to do some reorganizing which is still ongoing. Steven took the children to the Science Center yesterday for a few hours and I got a large portion of it done. A trip to IKEA for my work space table, and I'll be back in business. I think it's been 2 weeks since I've made anything, and my work is piling up.



You know your a mom when your grocery list is written in crayon on a piece of coloring book paper.

My New Website...Yay!

Thanks to Weebly.com, I finally managed to get my own website up and going. I purchased the domain name eons ago, and have since, just kept putting it off, or only giving it a few minutes here and there.

It's pretty basic, a little less high-tech than I wanted, but the price of FREE was right up my alley. There were times when I wanted to throw my hands up and beg someone to help me get it looking the way that I wanted too, but I persevered and got it done myself. If I had known a little more HTML, I could have really jazzed it up.

Anyhoo...I'd love to get some feedback, and suggestions!

And I have lots of photos and stories to share that have been piling up...I just never seem to make it here. Soon...very soon.

The VanHouten Quilt

birds.tagged
Originally uploaded by sunshine0216

My mother recently sent me a quilt that was used on my bed as a little girl. It was made by my great-great Grandmother Van Houten. After giving it a good cleaning, I could only salvage about half of it. I decided to remove the squares that could be used, and make these pretty little birds. I'm packing them up and sending them to everyone in the family so that everyone has a bit of the Van Houten family to pass on.

birds.tagged2
Originally uploaded by sunshine0216

I Want a Pair Too!

Oh I poured over sketches, and cut out bits and pieces of paper in an attempt to make elf shoes to go with Linus' halloween costume, but just couldn't get it right. Who to turn to? Google, of course, and in doing so found this pattern at about.com. The directions were vague, and a little wonky to say the least, so I just used the pattern pieces and made my own adjustments. I didn't have any felt in the right color, so in an effort to be frugal used what I had; some scraps of green flannel, recycled denim for the bottom, and the last bit of brown striped ribbon that matches the ribbon on his elf hat.
I love them! They're far from perfect, but a couple more pairs, and I'll have the process down to a science. I think they'll be making an appearance on Etsy. One may think "aside from Halloween, what would the need be for elf shoes", but I've seen some pretty strange things flying off the "shelves" on Etsy...anytime of year.




Here is a picture of his hat which I don't think he'll keep on...we've been practicing, and have only made it about 20 seconds so far.

New Design ~ A Holiday Party Dress

I was busy, busy, busy this weekend. I've had this design in my head for a while and did no more than put pen to paper. Until Steven, while I was away visiting my mother, happen to be at a rummage sale and snatched up 2 bolts of silk for $3.

It's your basic baby-doll style, but instead of the usual zipper or buttons on the back, I've made 4 button-holes through which is laced a beautiful organza ribbon that ties on the top. The bodice is black organic cotton, and the skirt is 100% silk available in the burgundy, as shown, or orange (picture of fabric below). I'll be adding it to the store soon...I have some reorganizing to do first, and it will be available in sizes 12mo, 18mo, 24mo./2T, 3T, 4T, 5T, and 6T.

While the Boys Were Away....

boys room curtains
Originally uploaded by sunshine0216

Without the older boys underfoot, I had the opportunity to get in their bedroom and give a good cleaning, and a bit of a facelift. The batik curtains I made a few years ago when I made the bedspreads, but I always thought the basic tie-back with ruffle top looked too feminine. Plus when making them, I ran out of fabric and had a curainless window (to the left of the bed), as I could never find the same fabric. So I took the 4 panels of fabric that I did have, and created an updated look by hanging them above the old rod pocket, eliminating the ruffle top, and using the tie-backs to give a shade effect, securing them with groovy green buttons.

I still love the bedspreads I made a few years ago, but having become a more seasoned sewer since then, I notice all the flaws. The photo doesn't do the fabric justice...it's a stretchy, "hairy" verigated fabric that I backed with some cozy fleece. The texture is really cool, and reminds me of the fur on Sully from Monsters, Inc. Peter has Asperger's and just loves things with texture, fringe, hair, etc. Notice the tie-die pillowcases to match.

They already have a lava lamp, so I'm hoping to run across a bean bag on Craigslist or Freecycle to toss in a spot I've cleared for that very thing.

Birthday Gift for Harmony

It started out as an order, but with her birthday somewhere around here (she keeps it a secret), I'm just going to gift it to her.
Her request was for a swimsuit cover - up like this one. on Etsy. I thought it would be easiest to start with a t-shirt, and pulled this together in no time.
I definately see more of these coming up in the near future.

Oh Stop! Don't!

Recently, for the first time, I had a customer send me a shirt out of her husband's closet and asked me to make a dress for her daughter. I took pictures of the shirt, and had intended to use the process to create a tutorial as well. Umm...as you can see, there has been no tutorial, and not even any finished pictures of the dress. I was nervous as heck, because this particular design has a fitted bodice, and despite careful measuring, my finished product turned out narrower than I had promised. I held my breath for days after mailing, waiting for a request for a refund...I was sure it was coming. To my delight, the dress fit Hope perfectly, and my customer Karen left me feedback that I just can't help but share.

A little conceited? Hell, yes, but I'm going to post it anyway.

Love it! Love it! Love it! You did a wonderful job making my husband's shirt into a cute sundress. Every seam is finished to perfection! I love the rickrack you added for a perfect touch! This is soooooo adorable that I don't want my daughter to wear (I want keep for my daughter's daughter!) Thanks for creating something so perfect!