Little Pretties

It was another really great week visiting my parents. We didn't shop, we didn't go out to eat, in fact, we hardly left the house. Perfect. We made lots of messes, but they were "productive puddles" so, it was OK.
I worked on my 4th in a series (pictures to follow) of this top. The ruffle really took me forever (especially working in 15 min. increments), but I think I'm really going to like it. Though no one would ever really describe me as a "ruffly girl" (or lanky, for that matter, but oh well.), I think it's fun for a change. The other 3 tops like this I've made have been sans ruffle.
I also made some more diapers. It was a flannel sheet windfall. Mom ripped it with her big toe. (funny image), so I got, or rather Ellie got the spoils.
I also worked on my sock, ransacked Mom's trims and buttons for other projects. All in all it was a productive, fun week. As you can see, my usually so tidy Frances got in on the fun. She's such a tidy little girl. Obviously not inherited from her Memsie or Mama.

Labels: crafting with kids, sewing

Made some presies for the birthday boys I know. For some reason, red + motor vehicles was a big trend for me. The little crown is for my nephew Braidon. I'm sure it stayed on for, like 3 seconds (he's a quick, wiry little one year old!), but maybe for birthdays to come.
I zipped the card together, too using the scraps. Love that quick card thing.
I totally shamlessly lifted these ideas from two places: first, Soule Mama's blog (she writes one of my very favoritest crafty blogs--this woman is amazing! I don't know how she does it all with three unschooled kids. That's my inspiriation, really, to stay creative and productive myself while unschooling my kids--a few years from now.
Anyway, lots of the stuff she makes me want to bite my fist at how cute/creative it is. And makes me remember when I'm feeling stressed b/c I haven't had time to make anything, much less shower, that this creative life with children is a dance, really. Creating with your kids--not despite them. Using the time and space you have now and being OK with that. Also, taking what you can get and choosing to be satisfied. Yes, choosing satisfaction.

Anyway, off the tangent and back to the point. The 2nd source of inspiration/idea stealing is from Jenny Hart's Sublime Stitching.
Yay. Happy Birthday, boys!

Labels: sewing

Wow. I'm a full-time cloth diaper user now. I was sort of one of those moms who used them at home only--when we were out and about, I used disposables and then for naptime and night time (we have a liiiight sleeper on our hands, and I was thinking that being wet and uncomf. would wake her prematurely. But since she's almost always awake anyway, what the heck??!!)
Well, since I wasn't sure if I'd like to use cloth diapers and wasn't sure it was going to be worth the time washing them would take, and worth the initial investment, (which, as I was shopping for them, I realized could be just as expensive as using disposables for two years--after you figure in cost of water, detergent and most precious of all, time), I didn't buy cloth diapers, no, no, no, my friend.
After lots of thinking and lots of soul/internet searching, I decided to make some fitteds and some covers. Then, more recently, after I got my new-to-me serger (though not quite sure how to use that thing as of yet), I made some pre-folds.
Which brings me to today: Why , after investing so much time in making these things, am I still buying dipes? Also, we're trying to save money in any way we can (which, as I found out, does NOT include buying Japanese craft books or going over your cell phone minutes....yikes.) and not buying diapers is definitely a way to save some cash. Also, it's one less thing to think about--"will I have enough diapers to get me through?..."
So, my problem was, what can I use for nighttime? Well, lookie, lookie here. Eleanor is modeling her recycled sweater wool soaker. Here are the instructions. I've made two so far and am felting another sweater today in order to make another. The fact that they're not washed after every use really grosses MG out, but he still has not discovered the absolute genius of wool.
So, there you go, dear Readers (both of you): My Cloth Diaper Story. And it was a long one. Now the only problem is getting pants to fit over Ellie's...generous curves plus the bulky diapers. Guess it'll be high time to get crackin' on that next!
Let me just add, as I was searching the internet for diper patterns, I came across this recipe for baby wipes. Using cloth wipes is just too crunchy for me--not to mention cloth toilet paper (yes, there's a tutorial for that, too), but when I found myself stranded with no wipes in the home, I came across this. And I had everything I needed, and they work great! I totally feel so thrifty when I make a new batch of these. Gotta make up for that last trip to Jo-Ann's somehow.

Labels: kids clothes, sewing

Mom made it for me! It was a Christmas gift fashioned from her formerly favorite sweater, and now it's keeping my mug cozy. That's pretty great when you're obliged to abandon your cuppa joe to fish a tissue out of E's mouth or to "hep, Mama" with a Franny craft of some sort.
Anyway, I'm adding this b/c I thought it was a fantastic idea. Namely, it was my idea! Ha, that's right, my creative mother took a cue from me. The thing is, the way she executed it was waaaay better than I had thought in my head. Though it was a quick make, mine would've probably been more,well, slapped together. Mother, on the other hand, lined hers. Also, there is a bead detail added at the top. She always knows how to top me.
I have to keep it in mind, b/c lining is such a simple touch, but makes everything oh, so nice. The hot water bottle covers would totally have been great lined. Sigh. Oh mother...

Labels: felt, gift, sewing