Busy busy and a sewing first.

We've been busy busy around here. In a good way but man has the housework been neglected. For the next couple days I will be in catch-up mode. We took I don't know how many pictures so I have lots of blog posts lined up, which is great for busy days, or days when I can't come up with anything to write about.

Guess what I did(not much of a guess with pictures down below I guess ;) I made clothes. Oh yes I did! I haven't sewn clothes since high school, well anything I finished or want to lay claim to anyways. And I'd never before sewn kids clothes.

It was for my beautiful little baby niece who turned 1 in September. I thought I would break out of my box and try something new for her. I've been wanting to sew for my girls but hit a block I guess. I do that, it's a fear of the unknown, fear of change, fear of failure thing. But no more!

I had set backs of course, but nothing I didn't figure out eventually. It took me longer than it should have, but I'm sure I'll get quicker with experience.

I'm not sure you can see in the pictures but it's made from some really nice soft lightweight cord. And the cherries? I LOVE the cherries. I was really hoping they would be appreciated and they seemed to be, so YAY!

They were both patterns from Ottobre, Spring 1/2008. I made the pants a little longer because I was afraid they would be to capri'ish for the winter. I also added belt loops and the belt. I followed directions and sewed the elastic right to the waistband, then regretted it as Sophia is really really tiny and I was afraid the pants would slide right off her. So I just added the belt loops to help her keep them up. I think they ended up being pretty cute.

Can you see the gather detail below that first line of navy? I love little details like that. It was also fun to learn how to put in those detail stripes. I think little details like that make all the difference in the world. My only reservation was that I don't have a serger, I really feel things don't look as nice(on the inside) without it. So I double folded hems wherever possible to make it looked more finished, but I wish I had a serger. I doubt I will make to many outfits to give away until I do. Of course, that is the perfectionist in me coming out. Sigh. But it really was fun and I have a list a mile long of things I want to make for Christmas gifts and this has given me confidence to go for it! But first, I have to finish Pay's Halloween costume!

So this blanket should have been received by it's recipient by now so I'm going to share it with you. I really love this fabric, when I bought it I had no idea what I was going to use it for(I also bought some cowgirls in flannel for the girls, maybe jammies?). But when a friend of mine moved to Alberta, I teased her about becoming a cowgirl. Then when she had a baby boy I knew where this fabric was headed!

Because there is so much going on in the fabric and just love it the way it is I decided to keep it really simple. Added really soft dotted minky to the back and top stitched in red to finish and ta-da! A cute little cowpoke blankie for a very cute little man!

Is everyone enjoying fall? It's by far my favorite time of year. From Oct through Dec. The gorgeous chill in the air, the tree's putting on their party clothes, being able to wear sweaters(I love sweaters), fuzzy socks, pumpkin patch visits, and so much more. I'm feeling an urge to knit this fall which is really strange since I don't knit, or crochet. It's on my want to learn list but I have so much else to do for now that it will have to wait. I'm thinking after Christmas I'll give it a go. I'll probably be posting for help with that! I guess in the meantime I'll have to settle for some fall/Christmas sewing, of which I have a lot! Oh, I guess I should think about Halloween costumes first!

Is't this little guy with the lasso cute? I think he's my favorite!

The results

Now that I have finally given the blanket to it's recipient I can share it with you(I have another one to share but can't put it up yet.) I absolutly loved working on this blanket and was happy with how it turned out. I didn't want to give it away! This blanket it made from wool sweaters that have be felted(or fulled) in the wash. This binds up the wool and makes it thick, dense, and strong, but leaves the wool a nice texture. I used this book as a guide, Warm Fuzzies 30 Sweet Felted Projects
It was made from 4 sweaters, and I still have some pieces left for other projects. I just noticed that the green sweater pieces look brown here. They are actually a moss green.

Here is the full thing laid out. I didn't think to measure it, but it's bigger than a baby blanket but smaller than crib size I think. I made it longer than the book suggested. It will be able to be used for quite awhile.

I added a B to the pocket, that was the babies first initial, but I guess it could also stand for Baby. It's far from centered, I think next time I'll sketch the design that I want on first then felt on top of that instead of free handing.

I dry felted the B directly onto the wool using wool roving(carded but unspun wool). You use a special needle to poke at it until it blends with the wool backing and becomes firm. It was great fun, I see more dry felting in my future!

Close up of the leaf and little x embellishment I put on. I just sewed a simple x with embroidery thread. The backing is flannel which I found in my stash. I totally lucked out with that because I was so excited to get going all of a sudden I realized I didn't know what I was putting on the back and it was the night before the shower! I don't have much for flannel, or boy suitable fabric in general. I do think the pattern of the flannel works with this blanket though because it's all wintery, I think that suites a wool blanket perfectly!

On the weekend is my Niece's 1st birthday party, so today I am busy scheming up something I can make for her! And I am also starting on the girls Halloween costumes, an advent calendar, and various Christmas gifts! It's going to be a busy 3 months! OIY! ONLY 3 MONTHS! Smile! I love it!

Balance

I've been having trouble finding balance lately. It's not a new thing for me, I think it has something to do with not being very organized. I have days when I get tons done at home but feel I didn't spend enough quality time with the girls. And days when I spend tons of quality time with the girls and make sure we get outside time, and we all get enough creative time(which is as important for me as it is for them), but then my household duties get neglected and I get frustrated with myself. I'm sure there is a happy medium that will work for us I just can't seem to find it.
I know I am a person who thrives on routine, yet I rebel against structure. Or at least the idea of structured routine. I want my days to be fluid, to be able to embrace a sudden change of plan. But I know I need more routine than I have, and I really know that Payton does. She is a go go go-er, whose first question in the morning is "So what are we doing today?" And if I know, I answer and she'll respond with "how about after that?" or "what are we eating?". She really is a kid who thrives on routine.

I have been researching online what works for other families and trying to decide what I want to try with ours. I need some sort of menu plan, I'm always frustrated when it comes to deciding what to eat because I've waited until it's time to start to decide what to have. I'm also horribly bored with what we've been eating, which leaves me uninspired when it comes to cooking. So a menu plan, and shopping list is on the list.


Also I need a plan of attack when it comes to housework. Something easy to maintain. It's not important to me to have a spotless house all the time. I mean lets be realistic, I have 2 small children. If spotless was a priority then something else(like playing with my kids) would have to suffer. But I do like things neat with things in their "homes" when not in use. I've done a lot of decluttering and that has certainly helped. And I don't want to spend hours upon hours everyday on housework either. I've been trying to decide what would work as far as a basic housework schedule goes. Certain things on certain days? A general list with so many things to be done each day and I pick according to what I feel like doing? Setting aside a specific hour each day instead of just doing things when I decide to? Don't know, but there has to be something that is easy to maintain.


I need to work in time spent outdoors everyday, I've been feeling a little low the last few days and I really believe it's due to the grey rainy weather that we've been having. So I really need to grab some sunshine when I can, and if it's not sunny some fresh air at least. I always feel uplifted after soaking in some of God's great outdoors.


Other things that I know will make me feel more balance(whether I am or aren't lol) are getting enough rest and exercising. I've turned into a horrible night owl and need to concentrate on getting to bed before midnight on a regular basis. Early I don't think is realistic for me but I think in bed by 11 is reasonable.


Simple Mom has been very helpful for me, if you haven't checked out her site you should. She had a great series lately entitled How to be disorganized and unproductive at home, which I will be re-reading. I also downloaded her ebook, Spring Cleaning for normal people. Which looks great, I've printed it out and am going to give it a good read. I'm hoping to find some solid inspiration there.


So what works for everyone out there? What helps you keep balance in your lives? Cleaning schedules? Meal plans? Share any words of wisdom you have for me, as well as any websites/links you've found helpful. I think this will be a continuing topic for me until I get this figured out!

My helper

I was talking to a friend yesterday about how Payton likes to wash the floor, which reminded me I had taken pictures of the last time and thought I would share.

My Payton likes to help. And anyone with a 4 year old knows how much "help" they can be! But I really want to encourage helping and make her feel like she's making a contribution not that I'm going to re-do it after she's done. So when she wanted to help me wash the floor(one of her favorite things to help with, I think it's all about the bubbles) I help her get started, remind her that the carpet is not to get wet, and that the floor needs to be dry when done(she creates a bit of a flood), and let her go at it.

She and the floor get oh so wet(biting tongue).

But things do get washed.

Including toes.

This one is for Kay

Kaylyn just loves mushrooms. Just ask her!

I thought I would share a little something that has been making me smile. Isn't he cute? It's a tin I found at toys r us, filled with....yes....mushroom shaped candies. Payton thinks I brought it home for her. Not so. I claimed him first.

Thought he looked a little lonely.

Much better. He usually sits on my entertainment unit, surrounded by pine-cones, acorns, leaves, and whatever else takes our fancy.

Acorns are another thing I've become enamored with recently. Gotta love a nut that comes with a hat. So fun!

I've got a couple blog posts brewing but not ready so I thought I would share some pics of my favorite girls in the world. I just love the affection they have for each other already. Of course it's not always friendly around here, but I find that more often than not they are piling on the love for each other. One of the favorite games of late has been sitting in bins, different sizes and different activities but apparently there is something special about bins.

Paytons First Day of Preschool(2nd year). Alternative title: I'm such a poser

This is what happened right after I said "Let's get some pictures of your first day!"

"How about a smile?"

Payton says "ROAR!"

After "Why don't you put your head down by your sister and I'll take a picture of you together."

Sam thought it was all very amusing.

After I asked if she was excited.

I would say that was a yes.

Pay's squishy smile that is seen commonly in pictures these days.

Sam's still amused.

The only shot that she's standing still in. After all that work to get her to stand still I like the others better, this just doesn't show her personality!

Who dresses that kid? Why Spider-Sam.

We spent some time outside enjoying the sunshine today.

There were chalk roads to build, with houses, forests, and a happy Sun. A ball house to play in, and babies to be cared for. Oh yes, and a very hungry horse family.

I've been learning a lot about my second born as she gets older. She's fiercely independent and so so stubborn for someone so small.

"Would you please stop calling me, I will look at you when I'm good and ready."

I love our little fenced courtyard. Sam on the other hand is not so fond of the fence.

"Somebody, please let me out. I'm cute. And I want to take my baby for a walk."

"Anybody?" Doesn't the diaper tu-tu bum just kill you? I love it. I must have taken 20 pictures of her back side today.

I must add of course that I did not do this to my child. She did it herself. Yes folks she's 18 months old and is already taking charge of her fashion. She brought me Pay's dance costume and was trying to get it over her head and was very pleased when I helped her get it on. Then was twirling in the living room(I think Rod got pics of that). Later she was helping me do laundry by taking everything out of the laundry basket and handing the odd thing to me. I thought she handed me the Spiderman jammy shirt to wash but she objected rather loudly until I helped her put it on. Then she was as pleased as punch. She added the binoculars at some point and spent the rest of the afternoon like that. Who am I to object? I think she looks fabulous!

That's one cute baby

Here is one of the things I was working on. A blanket for a new little one. I have to admit that I have to dig for boy suitable fabric in my stash. I have lots of girly prints, not so much for the boyish prints. I wonder why that would be lol!

I kept it really simple, I didn't have much time. It's just 2 layers, the 3 prints(4 stripes) on one side, and the fuzzy super soft dotted blue on the other. I want to give quilting a try, machine quilting not hand, but I want a walking foot for my machine before I attempt that. I'm thinking it won't be until after Christmas as I have so many other things on my list before that.

I just love the texture of the bumps. Little hands just love it.

And of course a couple pics of the blanket it action.

Isn't he a cutie?