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!

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?

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.

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.

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!

Deconstruction / Reconstruction

A few days ago I posted of a thrift store find that I was to transform into a shoulder tie tunic for myslef. Of course, being a creative creature, once I started cutting, I yearned to try something different. I kind of regret it, but have learned a few things along the way.
First I started searching for inspiration, and what better place to search than through the millions of creative blogs that are out there. First I stumbled across Jezze who even had a tutorial!

Aside ~ As someone who has been sewing for less than 2 years, I'm all about the tutorials. Just when I think I know how to do something, I look for a tutorial and find what is usually a better way...ok, the right way.

So she inspired me to keep the shirt whole on top and make pleats at the neckline. I kind of followed her method of sizing the shirt, but this shirt was huge...I think a 3 or 4X. My shirt, unlike hers, had a pleat in the back as many men's shirts do. I just enclosed that pleat in a larger inverted pleat. Once I got that done, I trimmed the necline to sit where I wanted it to, and started pleating and pinning the front. I hacked the sleeves up and made bias to bind the neckline, and was very pleased with that part of the project. The back is another story.




Once I thought I was done, I hated the fit. I mean, I am trying to hide the extra 70 pounds I don't need, but I didn't want it to look like a maternity shirt. Darts? Yea, right...I've only done darts once, and it was a project where I actually used a pattern. If I hadn't already cut the sleeves and put elastic in, I would bring the sides in. I started by adding 2 strips in the back to hold the pleats down (there is probably a technical ter m for this, but I haven't a clue). It helps with how the shirt lays in the back, but I still think it's too bulky.


Shorten it, belt it...maybe just start all over and do what I was going to in the beginning? Don't know, but will show pictures of it on when I feel like I'm not modeling for the Motherhood maternity store.