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.

More Figgy's For Linus

I knew if I bought a new pattern it would give me the impetus to get through some of the unfinished items in my queue. After finishing 3 of them, I rewarded myself by diving into a t-shirt pattern. Within an hour, I had 2 sizes traced, and 4 shirts cut out. Since one of the unfinshed items that I got around to was a pair of pants meant for Christmas, I decided to make a shirt to match (too late now for the intentioned turtle neck and vest).

The size 2/3 pants are still huge on my smaller than normal 3 1/2 year old, but that means they may just fit next fall too. Next is one for Oliver who when asked what embellishment he wanted, requested an "R". Confused, he clicked his tongue at me and said "well, Linus is Batman, I'll be Robin".

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!

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.

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.

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.

Mmm...Rasberry Jam

My friend Anita cans everything. She's got shelves in the basement stocked with ball jars full of homemade yummy goodness...from 3 bean salad, to tomato sauce, with lots in between. She was kind enough to invite us all over on Sunday after church to teach me how to make rasberry jam. Steven and Brian kept a watch over the kids (8 between us) while Anita and I were elbow deep in rasberries.

We started with this...a full flat of fresh rasberries



cooked them down to this



then put it all through a sieve to remove the seeds...this was the hard part...and ended up with this



The final result....mmm...and enough for both of our families to last through winter.

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.

Slowly But Surely

You know how it's difficult to sit and relax in a room that's chaotic or messy? I've discovered that *that* is the reason I've not been blogging. I'm not happy with the layout, it's missing something, or there's too much of something else...it just doesn't scream "Jill". I've been searching for new "skins", and trying things out on my own, but it's time consuming as I stink at Html.

So now that I've resigned myself to an excuse, please excuse me while I'm under construction. Any advice or feedback is certainly welcome...keeping in mind that It's all a work in progress.

Pattern Alterations by a Novice

I love Ottobre! Unfortunately, I only have 1 issue, 1/2008, but find ways to use the heck out of it. Believe it or not, this Easter outfit I made for my 4 year-old started as the "Ladybug Vest" and "Candy Pants" from that issue. I'm trying to be REALLY frugal, so rather than buying a pattern I decided to make things up as I went along. Sometimes this works for me....sometimes it comes back and bites me in the ass.

Originally I wanted knickers and a vest, but the only knicker pants in this issue call for a zipper. I was afraid that having not mastered zipping and buttoning quickly...he may have(potty)accidents. And since this is intended as an Easter outfit, we do what we must to avoid such accidents.



Anyhow...I thought the ties and gathering at the bottom were girly, so I made leg cuffs and took 3 tucks on the outside of the leg on both the front and back. I had to deconstruct and reconstruct this once because I had the tucks on one leg going in the same direction as the other leg as opposed to both tucking toward the outside. I added pockets (Oliver LOVED these)and cut the fabric on the bias just to add some contrast.





I used the "Ladybug Vest" pattern size 110, and altered the bejeezes out of it. First, I squared the front, and omitted the trim panels. I was just going to leave the neckline rounded, and do buttons on the front until my husband asked me to add lapels. I indulged him why? Since I already had it put together, I wasn't sure what to do about having to add facing. I put it down and traced, cut, overstitched the edges (I REALLY need a serger), and can't believe that it worked. I was seriously stunned! It's FAR from perfect, but unless I go around showing the inside...who's going to know? After all of that, it was too wide. I had to make the shoulders more narrow, and take the sides in. Then it was a little too narrow, and it made the pants poof out below the vest giving a reverse mushroom look. Shortened the length, moved the buttons over a little, and done.




Ultimately, he looked adorable. I loved the way the pants fit him and I can tell he enjoyed wearing it...egg hunt, climbing trees, to the park...obviously comfy and durable.

The lesson here? Splurge and buy a pattern.

Processes....Ugh!

Easter clothing process 2
Originally uploaded by sunshine0216

As much as I enjoy sewing, I just despise some parts of the process. Tracing and cutting out patterns is right up there. Ironing runs a close second...although I've learned that my finished product is far better if I iron when (during construction) I'm supposed to.

This project will be the death of me...oh yes, the drama of it all! Matching Easter outfits for my 4 year-old, and my 19 mo. old. Since I'm broke, new patterns are out of the question, so I got out the only issue of Ottobre that I own.
Hint ~ a subscription to this magazine is a WONDERFUL gift idea for me, and can be found at The Wooley Thread (women's and kids issues pretty please).




"It's just going to be a couple of pairs of knickers and vests" is all I said. Then, realizing that Ottobre made the patterns for one kids size and not the other. This means modifications, and I'm too much of a novice to think that I can modify an Ottobre pattern. Look at those pattern sheets...look!

Well, I'll stop whining now, and update when I've made some progress. My goal is to have all the fabric cut by the end of the weekend so that I can begin to sew on Monday. I swear...someday I'm going to teach my husband how to trace and cut patterns AND cut out the fabric. What do you think of that?