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!

Of Chuck Taylor and a Can of Worms

I woke up in the middle of the night on Friday thinking..."where are those Chuck Taylors?" You see, when Noah was little, I bought him a pair of vintage Chucks on Ebay. It was my attempt at being mathcy-matchy with my kid...when your mom/son...sneakers are as matchy-matchy as you can get. Noah didn't like the way they felt. When they fit Peter, HE didn't like the way they felt. Hoping they would last, I packed them away knowing 8 years down the road they'd fit somebody.

Saturday morning, poured a cup of coffee, and set off to find them...somewhere...in the attic. I opened the door, and immediately wanted to shut it and pretend that I didn't see that huge mess. As luck would have it, I immediately saw a box labeled "boys size 7 pants, size large dress shirts, size 1 boots, size medium sweatshirts, and...CHUCK TAYLORS SIZE 1. Evidently, THAT box was packed in one of those OCD moments, which are rare...oh, shut up...yes they are! Anyway it was taped up like Fort Knox, I got it open, grabbed the chucks and searched for Oliver like the he was Cinderella or something. Please God...let him "like" the way they feel, I prayed. You see, Steven and I both love Chucks (we're both in need of new ones) and if we don't have at least ONE kid that loves them too...well, theirs always adoption!

HE LIKES THEM...HE LIKES THEM...HEY MIKEY!!!!
Um....now we have to teach him how to tie his shoes, because in this world of velcro and slip-ons, I'm afraid we've neglected to do that.




Back to the attic to re-stack the boxes, and despite every instinct to turn and walk away from the mess...I couldn't. Darn...cleaning the attic was NOT on my list of things to do, but I just couldn't help myself.

Before I tell you what I found, let me tell you that I had just...and I mean JUST told Steven that Oliver needed 2 more pair of school pants (trying to make it through a week with 3 wasn't happening), and at least 1 more pair of play pants. Linus needed all new winter clothes, underwear, and PJ's.

Fast-forward 3 hours later, I had found an entire winter wardrobe for Linus, and a whole other box of spring/summer for next year. 10 pair of Linus-size underwear, more PJ's than I can fit in his drawer including 6 footed sleepers. That's gold to me...I hate bying PJ's...it PAINS me to spend money on PJ's. Then...get this...I found 2 pairs of Oliver-sized khaki pants, and a nice pair of Hannah Andersson play pants.

I also managed to fill 2 boxes with baby clothes for a friend, a huge bag of 3T stuff for another friend, put away and labeled all the heirloom/family/handmade things that I'm saving for, ahem, grandchildren...not that I'm old enough or anything, but it doesn't hurt to plan, and 2 bags of maternity clothes for Goodwill. All of this because I wanted to find a pair of shoes! See how God works? He knew that attic needed to be cleaned...he knew my kids needed clothes...now several people get to benefit from the little middle-of-the-night obesession about finding those sneakers.

Now...about the bathrooms that didn't get cleaned because I was putzing around in the attic all day....

Our New Home

Last weekend we headed out to the new house. I want to get everything cleaned before moving all of our things in. Steven insists that moving is simply "throwing everything in boxes and putting them on a truck". Funny, isn't he? We all know it's a little more involved than that. Luckily because we're in such a small space now, I'm pretty organized, but it's still a lot of work. So here are some pictures previewing our new space.



This is my favorite feature...A MUD ROOM! With 4 boys who are forever coming in the house covered in water, dirt, snow etc., this room is simply the best.



The kitchen offers lots more space than I'm used to. Cabinets galore...yay!





Dining Room



Living Room



Parlor/Study (Steven's Oasis)




My Sewing Room...needs wallpaper removal and a coat of paint, but LOTS of space for my machines, and I can finally have a cutting table! No more bending over the dinning room table tracing and cutting.




Here are the bedrooms. Noah and Peter could have each had their own, but quickly decided to continue sharing (neither wanted the small room). Small room or not, I think they're just used to it, and would miss eachother. We'll finally have a quest room! We have some paper removal and painting to do up here as well (except for the Master).






We have a great yard that's fenced-in, thank goodness! This is a photo of the overgrown Japanese Garden. I'll have lots of fun getting that cleaned out...there's a pond in there somewhere which right now is inhabitied by frogs, which of course, the boys think is great. Let's hope I don't find one in my bed!



We've found an excellent school for Noah and Oliver in Marshall. The Marshall Academy is a charter school about 20 minutes away, and is K-12, so I have only 1 stop! Noah will go from being 1 or 250 to 1 of 25, Oliver will just LOVE the kindergarten program, and they offer Latin...oh boy!

Our house is only 1 block from the main street in town, and we're within walking distance of the library, the park, and my in-laws. Steven and I may get a date night more often than once a year...woo hoo!! And of course, Kids-n-Stuff is right around the corner. It's Oliver's favorite thing about Albion, and I'm sure we'll be spending lot's of time there.

We have to be all settled before school starts, so we've got a busy summer ahead...off to do some packing.

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!

Playing Catch-Up

Oh it's been a while...how many times have I said that? So much happening, so many changes, so many tests of faith...patience...the whole kit and kaboodle.

I've been doing some more sewing for my own kids. I'm determined to have them in more handmade this summer than store-bought. I started with these alien outfits. Took my board shorts pattern from last summer, and mixed it up a bit. Oliver designed the alien.





I made these pants last year, and was about to list them in the store when I noticed the back had a few splatters of something resembling yellow paint. The green linen is from a recycled table cloth, so it could be just about anything. Happily, I upcycled a tee with a few appliques, and now it's one of Linus' favorites.



Easter was spent in Rockford with family. We had 1 or 2 days of nice weather and took advantage of visiting our favorite park.









While in Rockford my cousin Eileen was diagnosed with colon cancer. She has since had surgery to remove the tumor and will soon start chemo for 6 months. As a wife and mother of 6, anything other than a complete, cancer-free recovery is not an option. Please keep her, and her family in your prayers. Her complete abandon to the will of God is a testament to the strength of her faith. I can't say that I would show the same strength. Anyway, all I can do (aside from pray) is offer to make some hats...so that's what I'm doing.



This one I made because my cousin Steffie, who's a CRNA asked me to make some scrub caps to wear in the OR. But not only is Eileen going to get a couple of these, but I think I may make some for myself. This one matches a skirt I just made for myself (needs tweaking so no pics yet), and the best part is that I can fit ALL of my hair in there. Looks a bit "rasta" too, doesn't it?




So as if all of that isn't enough...there's a move on the horizon. But that's a post for another day. Just pray that our house sells.

Ugh...Not the Toilet!

If you read my blog, you know that Linus has an affinity for putting things in the toilet that don't belong there. Well, toilet paper does belongs there...just not 10 rolls at a time. Anyway, we were at my in-laws yesterday, when Linus runs into the back room holding his great-grandmother's dentures asking "who's this...your teef?"

Aside...Linus says "who's this", when asking any "who, what, why, where, and how" questions.

My camera was in my purse, so no pictures of that moment...but it was hysterical. Upon further investigation, we found that his adventures in the bathroom amounted to more than just finding Grammy's dentures.




Later, he found Peggy's measuring tape. I wear mine around my neck while I'm working, so that's just what he did.



Oliver came in at one point...tapping finger on cheek...and said "I need to make a list for room O"

Don't ask...life with Oliver is one non-sequitor after another.

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.