Simple Simon & Company

Organizing My Thoughts

2012-02-14T05:17:00.000-07:00

This is a pile of all my journals...and yes, I use all of them.

I don't use all of them everyday but I use at least one of them everyday.

(I know it's weird...but I like journaling ok.)

Here's what some of them are:

*A journal for recording the books I've read along with the author and the date I finished reading them.

*A journal for each of my children where I record thoughts and feelings and experiences with them.

*A journal for writing down/sketching sewing or crafting ideas.

*A journal for recording all the embarrassing/weird things that happen to me (and yes, I do use this a lot---how I find myself in predicaments is a mystery...like the other day when two dudes at the gas station (whom I've never met) were asking my advice about a girl one of them is dating who keeps inviting him over to play Angry Birds but how he doesn't go and is now wondering is playing Angry Birds is some girl code for making out....anyways...)

*A journal of moments with my husband I don't want to forget.

There's more...but you get the point...I kind of have a journal for everything...but this year I got 2 new journals that I really like.

The first one is a 5 year journal. Each page is a different date in the year and there is a space on each date for 5 years to write one thing that happened that day. Then each year as you write you will be able to see what you did previously on that day.

Alright...I'll admit it. That was the worst explanation EVER but trust me...it's a cool journal.

Then next journal is a journal of lists. Each page gives you a topic and then you make your list and date it.

The list I just made was: "List all the things you would do if you weren't afraid."

I've never kept a journal like this before and it's actually pretty enlightening and I'm really enjoying writing in it.

Here's the question for today---"List the lines your sick of waiting in."

Me?

The line at Wal-Mart on double coupon day...HONESTLY make a no coupon line already! I just want to buy my tortilla chips and go home. Heck, I'll give you the 25 cents you are going to save if you won't make me wait for the manager to come and price match your Cream of Mushroom Soup!

Whew. I feel better now.

So, how about you?

What lines are you sick of waiting in?

PS---Um, Happy Valentine's Day.

I'm a gonna mail myself to you....

2012-02-13T06:00:00.000-07:00

I have had that song in my head the last week or so while embroidering this at night.

The first Valentine's Day that Stephen and I were married, I had just graduated from college in December and had just started my first teaching job while Stephen was still in school. And like many other young couples, we were poor. So poor that we decided that we weren't doing Valentine gifts. But on Valentine's Day, he handed me a CD that he had burned with "Mail Myself to You" on it (the version he got me was more folk-songy and a duet...and it's better but I can't find a recording of it anywhere...) and 3 yellow tulips.

It still is a pretty memorable Valentine's Day. Simple and sweet....the best kind. (We still do simple around here for Valentine's Days.)

I wanted to start this project in January, but didn't get it finished until last week. I am always trying to find ways to show more love in our house. And although the idea is not new or exciting, it's been fun for the kids to see whose pillow "our love letters" envelope gets put on each night.

And since I am a bit poky in getting mine done, you might have to put it on your to-do list for next Valentine's Day.

I made a 20 x 20 square by making a quilt sandwich with a piece of leftover dropcloth, some warm and natural batting and a scrap of red flowered fabric. I sewed the square, leaving an opening to turn it and then stitched the embroidery on the front first before folding it up like an envelope up and tacking it together.

See HERE if you need a tutorial for folding an envelope out of a square.

I then sewed the embroidery stitches on the back to hold the tacking stitches together and added a buttonhole and a vintage button.

I lastly added a love letter to the first person, left it on their pillow with the instructions to pass it on....and watched it take off. I also made the first persons' bed and the tradition continued (yay for people noticing!). What a sweet treat when I got it on my pillow last night. I wasn't feeling great this weekend and it was a nice reminder of how much I am loved. A simple and sweet tradition that I know we will use for many more love days.

And to all of you....I really do wish I could stick some bubble gum in my mouth, and tie up a big package to mail to each one of you to show you all how much we appreciate you for coming around here each day.

So, thanks....and have a happy love day tomorrow!

The Art of Homemaking Experiment---Week 1: Attitude

2012-02-11T04:30:00.000-07:00

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference."

---Winston Churchill

Monday I restarted my "Art of Homemaking Experiment". So this week I worked on chapter 1 which is in entitled "Facet No.1 The Two A's".

However, since I'm making a real go at this I decided to be realistic and tackled only the first of the "A's" which is attitude. (The other "A" is appearance...and since I'm sitting here writing in the mismatched pajamas that I've worn all day it was probably a safe decision.)

The book says, "An ideal homemaker is lovely to look at and lovely to be around...She has the courage to be happy and strives to live above the faults of moodiness, sulkiness, and complaining. She is gracious and thoughtful and is consequently adored by her family....."

So obviously I'm not so lovely to look at....BUT I have been trying to be lovelier to be around. Here's what I've been working on:

Mrs. Hoole has a list (actually she has a million lists but you'll realize that soon enough) for how to improve your attitude and I decided to just focus on the first two items on her list---gaining an appreciation for being a homemaker and visualizing the over-all purpose of my work.

The other day I think I caught the vision---

you see, it was a rough morning...

Here are the facts:

We couldn't find Simon's library book.

We were out of milk.

The bread was frozen and I unsuccessfully tried to thaw it out in the microwave and the toaster.

The tongue of Simon's shoe popped off while he was trying to put them on.

Simon didn't have any clean socks.

Simon lost his lunch box at school the day before.

Simon's levis hadn't finished drying in time for him to wear them to school.

I realized we were out of juice boxes.

As I stood in the hall watching for Simon's ride while drying Simon's levis with my hairdryer...while Simon was wearing them...while Simon was eating a partially frozen peanut butter sandwich I wondered, "What the heck am I doing?" and then as I sent him out the door with his lunch (a caffeine free diet Coke, Doritoes, and a mini Hershey's) packed in a sack I thought, "Seriously...this is the best you can do?"

And then I turned around just in time to see Grace run down the hall with the pack of Oreos and notice that while Ruth was playing on her blanket she had a massive baby blow out. AGGGGHHHHH!!!!!

It was a mom fail of epic proportions.

True story.

I LOVE to stay home and play with my kids. Absolutely love it...but honestly there are things I HATE about being a homemaker. Two of those things being laundry and grocery shopping.

But the other day after my pitiful display I realized what Mrs. Hoole meant by visualizing the overall purpose of my work. If I would have had the big picture in mind the laundry would have been done and Simon would have had his regular lunch stowed away in his backpack instead of getting to be the most popular kid in the lunchroom. (Simon came home and told me that his lunch was AWESOME and can I pack him that kind of lunch everyday...)

I'm happy to say that the laundry is now done. Heck, it's even all folded and put away (not just piled on the couch). And the lunch supplies are restocked. And I completed each chore happily. Seriously. I just tried to remember that I do laundry to keep my kids clean and warm and so that they won't have issues with hairdryers. And that I go to the grocery store to make sure my family is well fed and healthy even if will jeopardize their cafeteria status.

I know it sounds nerdy and lame but this week when I tried to remember WHY I do the mundane chores that I do it helped...I did things better and things went much smoother---even with a sick baby who hasn't been sleeping. (And that is saying something.)

This week I will continue to work on my attitude---I think it does make a difference. I'm going to keep trying to remember the big picture and I'm going to incorporate another item on Mrs. Hoole's list---a good attitude starts with gratitude...

Wish me luck!

(Hopefully by this time next week I'll be sitting here just being "adored by my family".)

PS---Is there anything you dislike doing as much as I hate doing laundry?

PS---Does anyone have any awesome tips for doing the laundry efficiently?

From Claus to Cupid---A $5 Friday Red Velvet Re-do

2012-02-10T04:30:00.000-07:00

Sometime last summer my mom found this little red Christmas dress for Grace. I brought it home, hung it in her closet and then forgot about it until about a week ago when I was going through her clothes. (Nice.)

Now Christmas is over and there's no way the dress will still fit her next December but I still want her to get some wear out of it before she grows out of it. So I came up with a plan.

Here's what it looked like yesterday morning:

And here's what it looks like now:

It was the easiest up cycle ever.

Here's what I did:

*I removed the velvet flower and leaves with my seam ripper.

*I chopped off the long sleeves, making them short and finished them with bias tape.

*I added some white lace to peek out underneath the heavier velvet ruffle.

As you can see it didn't take much to change this dress from Christmas to Valentine's.

(Now I've just got to find her some little white gloves and some white patent leather shoes!)

And it got me to thinking---about this time of year thrift stores are starting to get a surplus of these kinds of red velvety Christmas dresses (loads of them with the black belts with the buckles, you know the kind).

How easy would it be to pick one up for a couple of bucks and make it over for Valentines Day?

Super easy!

Have a great weekend.

Guest Post: Nesting with Delia

2012-02-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

Hey!

Today we are over at Delia Creates participating in her Nesting series.

Have you been following along? If not, you're missing out. It's a baby fest over there!

Go and check it out.

And today you'll see why my baby Ruth....

...is wearing this guys name on her bum...

...although if you know who Xavier Roberts is you can probably figure it out.

And if you don't you probably aren't old enough to have kids.
(I'm kidding, I'm kidding...seriously...don't send me hate mail...)

Have a good Thursday and really, don't worry if you don't know Xavier...you may know some of his friends: Gem, Optimus Prime, Darth Vader, He-Man, the Thundercats....

The Winner of the Riley Blake Giveaway

2012-02-09T04:00:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Riley Blake Fat Quarter Bundle is...

"Callin and Kristen"

(who said that she would like to make some skirts for her 3 girls)

And to everyone else who entered...thank you for making yesterday so much fun!

(And keep watching---we will be having another GREAT Riley Blake giveaway again next month!)

Guest Posts and a Giveaway!

2012-02-08T04:45:00.000-07:00

Today we have two guest posts for you! And a GIVEAWAYYYYYY!!! (The best kind of day!)
This Giveaway is now closed! (Sorry!)
First, we are over with the lovely ladies from iCandy Handmade. We had the chance to meet Jen and Autie when we were all doing Project Run and Play together, and we have loved them from their first projects! We will be sharing an easy $5 Valentine Shirt for their "Think Pink" week. And you should see their other amazing pink projects! Go HERE to check them out.

And secondly, we are sharing a tutorial for these little Spring Skirts today at Riley Blake Designs. We made the tutorial for someone who is new to sewing....or someone who got a new sewing machine for Christmas and hasn't opened it yet. So, if that is you, you can open your box and make something today! Yippeee!!So go, and then come back because we have a huge GIVEAWAY from Riley Blake too!

And now for the BEST part of the day....

Riley Blake is giving one of you lucky ladies a fat quarter bundle of

their Daisy Cottage line.

It has 25 fat quarters in it and retails for over $70 dollars! WAHOO!!!!

All you have to do is leave a comment about what you want to make with it, and you are entered. You can have a second entry by telling us which of their new fabric lines you are most excited about ....and third entry if you follow our blog (just let us know you are a follower). Please leave a new comment for each entry.

We will choose a winner tonight at midnight, and announce who the lucky girl (or guy) is tomorrow morning!

This giveaway is now closed!!! (Sorry!)

Have a great Wednesday everyone!

Special Occasion/ My Signature Look

2012-02-07T06:18:00.001-07:00

I showed you a sneak peek last Friday....and lucklily I finished up the dress early in the weekend and Hannie and I did a fun photoshoot on Saturday afternoon. She was all for getting her hair done, some pink lip gloss and a 15 minute cold photoshoot (not her usual self). And she was a trooper! (I think the pink lip gloss helped her spirits a bit ;)

The inspiration for this dress is a dress my mom wore in a wedding when she was in college (late 60's -- sorry mom for dating you ;) that my sister and I used to play dress up in. Her dress was a lace bodice and a chocolate brown velvet A-line skirt with a large burnt orage ribbon that tied around the middle.

And I have been dying to make a lace bodice dress (I almost made one when we competed in Project Run and Play), so I was happy to be able to finally get to make one on this dress.

The best part of this dress is that it IS vintage lace, that I bought at a Church Rummage sale late last summer for 50 cents, and there are still a couple of yards of it left. The bottom is a grey-blue satin that I have had in my stash forever. And while I wanted to use that bridesmaid dress as inspiration, I did want it to still feel girly and young and modern. So, I added a gathered skirt instead of an A-line skirt and a much smaller ribbon to just give a hint of color. I also made a bodice with a slight boat neck and lined the whole dress, except for the fitted sleeves, which I finished so they would be pretty from the inside too!

The back has an invisible zipper and I still need to sew the hook and eye on the top (hence the bit of wonky at the top--I was trying to match the lines of the lace). But I can do that this week while decompressing in front of my nightly shows (Downton Abbey this week).

This dress took me a while to sew, much longer than past projects, but it was well worth the efforts (and the unpicking--I kept making the DUMBEST mistakes on this dress....like gathering and sewing the whole skirt on backwards....DUH! That was a massive unpicking session. Whew.)

But seeing my cute girl in vintage lace...is so well worth it!

I can't wait to see all of your signature looks......

The All You Need is Love Skirt

2012-02-06T04:22:00.000-07:00

Last month I shared this skirt tutorial over at Somewhat Simple but thought I better put it up over here before Valentine's Day was over. (Although, if you are like me---you haven't really thought about Valentine's Day yet....)

I'm calling this skirt the "All You Need is Love Skirt" but it could be called "The World's Easiest and Most Inexpensive DIY Valentine's skirt".

(It's made out of a dollar store T-shirt and some scrap felt and took me less than an hour from start to finish.)

Here's what you'll need:

*A T-shirt

* Felt

*Embroidery Floss

*Liquid Stitch (optional)

*General Sewing Gear---a measuring tape, scissors, a sewing machine...the usual...

Here's how to do it:

#1. Find out the needed length of your skirt. Do this by measuring your little girl from the waist to the knee (or how ever long you want the skirt to be). Then add an extra inch and a half to your measurements (the extra is to use for the elastic casing at the top).

#2. Now lay out your T-shirt, measure from the bottom hem up and cut. (I cut mine at 11 inches.) ***Notice that the bottom of your skirt is already hemmed for you from the T-shirt---nice huh? (I told you this was going to be easy.)

#3. Cut out your letters from the felt. I just free handed them with the scissors as I was cutting the felt scraps. But if you like you can draw the letters out on copy paper first, then cut them out and trace them onto the felt first. (I'm just not that technical---or perhaps I'm just too lazy...)

#4. Next I "Liquid Stitched" my letters down onto the skirt. I did this so they would stay in place easier while I was stitching them. But this isn't necessary.

#5. Pull out your embroidery thread and stitch around the edges. (Since the skirt is for my 3 year old I wanted it to look kind of kiddish and silly so I didn't worry about making sure all the stitches were the same size or perfectly straight and spaced.)

#6. Next I made the casing for the elastic around the top and inserted the elastic for the waistband. I know there are a million tutorials on how to do this but just in case you'd like more instructions on how to do this step you can click over to HERE.

#7. Enjoy---your all done. Easy Peasy.

Just make sure you don't let slip who you'd like your Valentine to be...that can be pretty embarrassing!

Have a great week everybody!

The Art of Homemaking Experiment 2012

2012-02-04T20:03:00.002-07:00

Almost a year and a half ago I started an experiment that I wasn't able to finish....

but I CAN'T LIVE with unfinished business.

I need closure.

So this week I began my experiment again.

And this time I'll do it right...and I will complete it.

An experiment is "a test or trial undertaken to discover or demonstrate something".

My experiment is based on the book "The Art of Homemaking" written in 1962 by Daryl Hoole.

(and just so you know Daryl is a woman)

How I found this book, why I bought it, and how I came to appreciate it are for another post.

This post is about my idea to try living Daryl's instructions to become "the ideal homemaker".

In her book Daryl compares the ideal homemaker to a diamond that sparkles because of the variety of facets in which it is cut. She then outlines 20 facets (qualities) that must be present in a homemaker to make her as brilliant as a diamond.

This week I reread the book and reviewed each facet. I also decided that I will begin with Facet 1 and work through each Facet in the order that she has written them in. In my original experiment I tried to conquer one Facet each week but soon discovered that, for me, was futile.

This time I will take as much time as I need to give each Facet a real attempt. My only rules will be these:

#1. I need to attempt following the instructions for each facet.

#2. I need to have finished attempting all 20 facets by December 31, 2012.

That's it. Only 2 rules.

And just so we are clear Mrs. Hoole says, "An ideal is something for which we strive. It is our standard of perfection and excellence...we can't be ideal homemakers in every way at all times, but we do need a goal..."

I don't think I will ever be the "ideal homemaker" but I do look back on the generations of my grandmother and great grandmother and see how they indeed turned homemaking into an art. I believe there is something to be said for that...and something that can be learned from it...and possibly even an ideal to strive for. And there in lies the purpose of my experiment.

Can I work these values into my 2012 lifestyle?

I guess only time will tell. As for this week I'll be working on Faucet 1 (which I'll tell you all about next Saturday). Wish me luck.

PS---I search every thrift store I enter for Daryl's books---I love to give them as gifts---and I'm always afraid that one day I won't be able to find them. But tonight I found that if you go HERE you can download the entire original book in digital form for only $7. Sweet!

A Sneak Peek

2012-02-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

I promise you will see more next week......but here is a sneak peek of my special occasion dress. In the meantime, my computer is freaking out (not good) and I need to get a zipper put in!

Have a great weekend everyone! Any fun plans?

Ruffled Suspenders Tutorial

2012-02-02T05:19:00.048-07:00

I know, I KNOW....it's supposed to be Thrifted Thursday.

I even scheduled a lovely vintage post for today. But then, this afternoon I made these and I couldn't wait. I'm sorry about the lack of thrifted goodness but I am super excited about these:

Awhile ago I made Simon a pair of plain suspenders and I love them. The look like this:

And I planned on making a pair for Grace but got side tracked and forgot. Until this afternoon when after I watched Grace yank up her pants for the 30th time I decided it was time to finally get to work.

Here's what I used:

The entire project from start to finish took about 20 minutes. I just followed the same steps I used when I made Simon's. (You and find the complete tutorial HERE )

The only thing I did differently were these two steps after I measured what length of elastic I needed:

And I after that I just followed the remaining steps and was finished.

It was easy and they totally work! No more saggy baggy britches. I love it.

I like them so much in fact that tonight I started her another pair---the new ones are made out of lace and I might like them even better than these ones...I'll share them with you soon...very soon.

PS---Can you see my big mistake in this picture?

Yes, I forgot to change my white thread to a matching shade of pink. Dang it! Oh well...next time (and there will be a next time, several...in various colors) I will remember to put in coordinating thread.

A small project and a question....

2012-02-01T05:48:00.006-07:00

I am sharing a secret with you today.....I have never made a zipper bag. Ok. There. I have said it. It's a bit embarrassing, but totally and completely the truth. I have made tote bags, diaper bags, drawstring bags....and although I have put zipper in a lot of other things...I have never made a zippered bag.

And why did no one ever tell me how quick and fun they are? Ok, you probably did, I just wasn't in the mood to listen.

Well no longer. There will probably be a lot more of these babies in the future.

I had some Riley Blake laminate that was given to me and the night before leaving on a family trip, I decided I needed a new make-up bag. (Yes, I am always that last minute.) So, I cut two out and sewed them up in about an hour.

I roughly used this tutorial to make them (and do.not. be afraid of the zipper...it's much easier than when I learned to put one in a skirt) from Sew Together (great blog to read if you aren't already), but I added gussets in the bottom to hold more makeup. The only other thing I added was two small pieces on either ends of the zipper, because my zippers were thrift store finds and super short.

And now to my question for all of you....which has been on my mind for a while now....and I keep forgetting to ask. What sewing/design blogs do you read? I really want to know.

So, what blogs in the sewing/designing/photographing projects do you absolutely adore?

I'll share my two newest favorites.....because I want to design and sew like this amazing girl at Un Petit Design and sketch, draft and produce like this amazing girl at Thinking in Shapes.

Your turn, who are you loving?

Winter Roses Hairclips

2012-01-31T05:12:00.076-07:00

"God gave us our memories so that we might have roses in December."

---James Matthew Barrie

Time goes by too quickly. In my mind I just had Ruth..but "just had" just happens to be several months ago now. Every time I turn around I notice how fast my kids are growing up and at least ten times a day I wish I could freeze time.
Days of chubby cheeks and tea parties won't last forever but how glad I am to have them...a whole garden for my December.

A few Saturdays ago my mom and I were at Hobby Lobby when we found a Valentine's aisle chuck full of awesome felt goodness. It was there that I picked up a 4 pack of these premade roses for $2.99. I knew as soon as I bought them that I wanted to make them into a matching set of rose hair clips for my girls.

So, I brought them home, added tulle, beads, and a hair clip and with in 10 minutes Grace and Ruth were wearing their winter roses.

I had grand ideas for the photo shoot---white dresses, a black back drop, and two faces that I love squished together...it was a beautiful thing. However, there was dinner to be made, homework to be finished, and a last minute poster for a 1st grader to be created. By the time I was ready to take the photos my Grace looked like this:

Curled up and sound asleep on the backdrop.

(And looking, to me, like a little piece of heaven.)

It's not what I planned but most of my favorite memories weren't what I had planned either.

So I snapped the photo, snuggled my Grace into her bed, and added another rose to my garden.

I'm late, I'm late. For a very important date.

2012-01-30T05:28:00.000-07:00

Ok everyone. I am so late. I was out of town for a few days and wanted to get this up before I left. But there were some crazy make-it-work moments during the process of sewing this coat, and it just didn't happen. I did, however, finally finish it up this weekend and am ready to show you all my outerwear project from last week's Project Run & Play theme.

So, I give you.....

This coat is a pattern remix from a 1960's pattern (that I, of course, forgot to take a picture of--it's been a crazy week) and some awesome navy vintage buttons as the closures.

I love that the coat only buttons at the top and gives a peek-a-boo to the dress underneath.

I did want to add a bit of visual interest to the coat so I added some machine-embroidered zig zags to the collar and pockets. The fact that the corner looks weird still irks me, and I might take it out and redo it, but I am not sure how to get a great zig (or zag) to make that corner perfectly. Any suggestions?

And underneath the dress is a simple A-line shape, with an inverted pleat and an invisible zipper in the back, that will be perfect for Spring.

And while the 1 year old in our house yelled "Big Bird" when he saw his sister in the coat....I am pretty much loving it. I wish I were 6 and could get away with it.

And so now I am caught up.....except for the fact that I have not even started a special occasion outfit....or done anything else on my sewing to-do list, or my house list for that matter. But there is always today, or tomorrow, right?

Have a great Monday everyone!

The Art of Homemaking---Let's Go To the Movies! And A Warning---for Myself

2012-01-28T05:41:00.001-07:00

Recently Grace went to see Beauty and the Beast in the movie theater. It was the first time she had ever seen it. We went with my mom and sister-in-law. Just the girls.

Grace has a little Belle doll and Beauty and the Beast coloring books but had never seen the movie.

It was awesome.

Her realizing (and she didn't put the pieces together until the next day) that the prince at the end was in fact the Beast was excellent. It totally reminded me of when I realized that Darth Vader is Luke's dad.

(Yes my friends, I am indeed that old.)

I don't take my kids to the movies very often. Ok, let's be honest. I don't take them to the movies ever. But I don't really think about it. I don't even go to the movies myself. It's expensive so it never is an option. However, after this I'm thinking nights like this are worth the expense.

Everything was so fun for Grace---the tickets, the seating, the giant screen, the bucket of popcorn she could swim in. It was all magic. And living the experience through her eyes was nothing short of wonderful. (Until it was time to go home that is...and she wanted to stay at the theater "forever". But that's another story.)

I don't know if any of you are like me but I worry about making sure my children have constructive and creative experiences. Up until now I haven't included the movies as either constructive or creative but now I'm reconsidering.

I don't think that the movies will become a weekly or even a monthly event but I do think they will be a definite option for family outings. And I think I'm going to be on the look out for a place to see a drive in movie. (Did anyone else go to those as kids???)

****

And in other news I need to announce that the party is over. Awhile ago I mentioned that "The Experiment" would be starting again soon. Soon will be Monday morning. I'll start Monday and then explain everything a week from today. I know that this paragraph isn't making much sense. That is ok....the message is really a warning for myself. And I way to make myself get started.

The time is right. I'm excited to do this...I 've just had a hard time setting the go date.

***Oh no! I've gotten some emails this morning thinking something is wrong---NOTHING IS WRONG. I'm just going to restart my homemaking experiment that I began a long time ago but never finished....that's all. The blog will continue business as usual but around my house times they are a changin...starting Monday. No need to be worried---unless your my kids :)

The Hostess Cupcake Skirt----$5 Friday Style

2012-01-27T04:52:00.121-07:00

What do you get when you mix National Chocolate Cake Day (which is today) with $5 Friday?

Well, if you're me you get this:

Early this week when I saw that today was Chocolate Cake Day I decided that I wanted to make Grace a little something fun. So while rummaging around my craft room of doom I found a left over scrap of brown fabric and the idea was born.

If you want to make one of these skirts it's so simple and you hardly need anything.

Supply List:

#1. A piece of fabric long and wide enough for your skirt. (For Gracie's I cut the piece down to a 12 inch by 32 inch piece.)

#2. Some fat yarn. (I'm sure there is a word for the thick kind of yarn but I don't knit or crochet and am not familiar with yarn. In fact, I just used some yarn I had left over from making Simon's spaghetti and meatballs costume awhile back.)

#3. Elastic for the waistband.

The How-To:

#1. Measure your skirt wearer. (I measured Gracie from the waist to the knee and then added 2 inches to give me enough fabric for the elastic waistband casing and for the hem. Then I measured around Gracie's waist. It was 18 inches and to that I added some extra inches (14) to make the skirt nice and full.)

#2. Cut your fabric.

#3. Hem (ok it's not really hemming) Finish the bottom edge of your skirt. I just turned mine over about a fourth inch and stitched then repeated.

#4. Lay our fabric out on the table (or the floor like me). Next position your yarn in the loopy design and pin. (Yes, this part is a pain but it really doesn't take that long.)

#5. Sew right over and along the top of your yarn loops. (Just remember to take out your pins as you go! Trust me, running over pins is not awesome. Not awesome at all.)

#6. Now you are ready to finish up! Fold your skirt right sides together and stitch up the open side.

#7. Make your elastic casing and add your elastic in at the top. (For instructions on how to do this you can look HERE)

All done! And look, now you have a skirt to match your cupcake.

Awesome!

But you still can't eat chocolate on the rug...even if you give me that face.

Sorry.

Hope you all have a sweet and sugary chocolate cake day!

I intended to.

Just as soon as I finish these:

(Dude, as long as Grace was getting some Hostess Goodness I thought I'd get a little somethin somethin for myself. Yummmmmmmm....donettes......)

***Disclaimer*** This post was not sponsored by Hostess. (Which is why I won't be sharing any of my treats with you. Sorry. I do, in fact, need all 6 of my donettes. There's not a donette to spare. I'm sure you'll understand.)

***Oh! And before anybody asks---Grace is wearing one of her longer tulle slips under this skirt---I wanted her to wear one for fullness and then I let her wear the long one because I liked how the tulle looked sticking out of the bottom. So the white at the bottom is a slip and not part of the skirt.

Thrifted Thursday-- A Special Keepsake

2012-01-26T05:54:00.018-07:00

I have been thinking a lot lately about why I like to sew. And although I think there are many reasons, one in particular comes to mind. My sister and I were talking one day a year or so ago and she said that she had read somewhere that a woman should do something every day that can't be undone. Because clean houses get messy; clean dishes inevitably get dirty and well, the mountain of laundry (especially this week) never seems to end. So while I have learned to like those tasks (a post for another day about more advice someone gave me that forced me to look at the mundane in a new way), I still crave to do something each day that can't be undone.

I know for each person that something is different, but for me it is sewing. Even if it is just putting in a zipper (because that's all the sewing that happened today) or putting in the arm facings tomorrow---it's something that I can do a little each day that won't be undone. And it fills me.

I like to think I got a sewing gene from my grandma Lova. Although I only knew her as a knitter (and still have several of the sweaters she knit for my sister and I), she also was an amazing seamstress. She sewed all her girls' dresses; she made beautiful doll clothes; and used to go to sewing groups with friends she called "The Jolly Seventeen."

And this little sewing machine sat on her bookshelf for years. Often on Sunday afternoons, my sister and I would ask her to take it down and sew with it. She would happily oblige with tiny pieces of paper that my sister and I could punch holes in and "sew."

Now it sits on my bookshelf....and everytime I look at it I fondly remember Grandma Lova. And secondly, it is a gentle reminder to myself that one zipper put in is enough for today. It's something done that can't be undone.

Gracie's I-Wish-It-Was-Spring-So-I-Could-Go-Outside-And-Play Hooded Cape

2012-01-25T04:20:00.049-07:00

Catchy title huh?

I actually started this hooded cape for Grace forever ago but never got around to finishing it until this afternoon.

This week over at Project Run and Play the theme is outerwear and since I can't resist making a little something to play along I pulled out Gracie's cape and finished it.

Unfortunately Gracie is a little under the weather with a cold today so I took some pictures with her wearing her new spring cape inside. But all she wanted to do was to watch the snow melting out the window and wish she was out there enjoing some sunshine. She's been dying to play outdoors for days and even though it was freezing I caved. So for the next 15 minutes we...

...made new tracks in the snow...

...inspected mysterious footprints...

...and generally just ran around and enjoyed the fresh air.

However, it ended as soon as it began because Grace already has a cold and because, after all, this is a springtime looking for bugs kind of cape and not the middle of winter play in the snow kind.

Oh, Gracie, you're not the only one who is ready for spring and for hours spent playing in the yard. I've got spring fever something fierce. Anyone else or is it just me?

Project Run and Play

2012-01-24T06:09:00.008-07:00

Have you all been following Project Run and Play? And been totally blown away at the designs? Seriously fantastic designers.....we seriously can't wait until Fridays to show all of you. Every time one of the designers emails us their HTML and we take a peek, we call each other and gush. Serious gush. Because each design has been so amazing.

And the Sew Along contest....well, we have been blown away by it too. When we talked about doing this at home sewing thing, we thought if we got 4 or 5 people to sew along we would be happy. But the Sew-Alongers (what else to call them?) have been amazing. Really, great work. It really makes us warm and fuzzy to think about all of you sewing along in your houses and cooking pasta, grilled cheese sandwhiches, and cereal too because sewing took priority over a pre-planned meal. (Hopefully we are not the only ones doing that.)

And boy are we thankful we don't have to judge, and that we have amazing judges for that. Sheeshh, they really have their work cut out for them every week, because Liz and I just want to send Smarties and Diet Cokes to all!

Here are a few of our favorites from last week's Sewing for the Decades:

Left to Right: Pinafores and Pinwheels, Squibs and Crackers, Googie Mama

Left to Right: To Be Continued, Sew Country Chick, Homemade by Heidi

Left to Right: Come to the Mouse House, Lele Fia, School N Such

Top, Left to Right: Once Upon a Notion, Double Stitching, Sew Together

Bottom, Left to Right: You and Mie, Montana Chic, Cath Grace

Left to Right: That's Sew Repurposed, Mama Says Sew, Ejegmama

See what we mean? It was so hard to even pick these....we just want to spotlight everyone's! What a creative bunch you all are.

And this week is OUTERWEAR....so get sewing. You still have time, and there are fabric prizes to win! (such incentive) Just remember that it needs to be something you have sewn since Christmas and put it in the Flickr group HERE by Friday morning at 8 am.

Some Dresses

2012-01-23T06:01:00.004-07:00

Here is the last of the Christmas presents that I made this year. These two for some nieces on the other side of the family. It was kind of fun to make matching dresses for a change. The theme I had for these little dresses was a vintage prairie look (that totally makes no sense to you, I know, but in my mind it did). I wanted soft, muted colors and some fun prairie-style aprons on the fronts. I hope they liked them....

Any fun sewing projects this week? Liz and I are currently taking an advanced pattern-making class this semester and are knee-deep in learning how to measure correctly (way more challenging than I ever thought--who knew measuring people was such an art, and that you "properly" take a million measurements--and then why do we never come up with the same numbers as our Master Instructor?) making "perfect" patterns and sewing test garments. And I won't lie, feeling a bit overwhelmed....

So, tell us about your fun projects, we need some light-hearted sewing talk!

$5 Friday--Vintage Button Love

2012-01-20T06:00:00.013-07:00

Since it's been a bit of a Vintage Week around here...I wanted to share some of my favorite additions to vintage dresses and rompers....VINTAGE BUTTONS. And they are a love. Or more like an obsession.

I really think vintage buttons pull an outfit together. And this is probably my favorite collection of them. They came from someone who I am sure kept every button of every piece of clothing. Most of the buttons still have threads attached....some are very worn....but all are so pretty. Above, is the small button tin. It also came with a medium sized button tin and a large button tin (which most are from the 70's and are pure awesomeness).

Can I show you some of my favorites?

I love finishing a garment, laying it out on the floor and then finding the exact buttons that it needs. And there are so many choices that it is sometimes a painstaking decision.....but a fun one to make.

What sewing accessories do you love? Is it a button love too?

Oh hello...it's me, liZ, jumping in here at the end with completely unrelated news.

Today we are over here:

...and we are sharing how to make this:

...the easiest, most inexpensive Valentine's skirt you'll ever make.

Ok...back to thinking about buttons.

aaahhhhh buttons.....

Ruth's Vintage Silhoutte Slip...and My Chubby Little Secret

2012-01-19T04:26:00.096-07:00

The theme this week over at Project Run and Play is "Sewing Through the Decades".

It's a theme I could go crazy over. (In fact, I've started a project from the 60's that I've been using some of my precious vintage polyester for...but it's not quite finished yet....)

Anyways I wanted to make a little something to play along with the week so I pulled out a pattern I bought before baby Ruth was born but that I haven't tried yet.

It's one of Simplicity's reproduction patterns from the year 1952. I love it. All the baby items are so clean and simple. I had a hard time choosing which one to make. Finally I decided on the slip.

The clothing on the patterns all have been emroidered and some with little angel babies on them. I liked the idea but decided that I wanted to embroider my own angel baby on the slip. So I traced Ruth's silhouette from our Disneyland trip onto the bottom corner and then embroidered that image.

Like I said earlier I love the simplicity of these vintage designs.

Besides the design I also find all white baby clothing absolutley irresistable.

And speaking of irresistable...it's time for me to share my chubby little secret....

4 months ago Ruth was born, Elizabeth came to the hospital and took some photos and since then I've been keeping her all to myself...no photos...no posts...just me smooching her all day and not sharing.

Can you blame me?

I think she is just the greatest. Baby Ruth...my chubby little secret.

Now if you'll excuse me---she's up, and it's time to play again.

Embroidery from Vintage Sewing Patterns

2012-01-18T06:00:00.011-07:00

I have been wanting a little hand stitching project to do this year. One that I can throw in my purse (or Mary Poppins bag is more like it) that I can work on a little at a time while I am waiting at different places.

And as you all well know....I love vintage patterns! (Shocker, huh?) So, recently while going through my vintage pattern bookshelf (yes, it is a whole bookshelf--embarrassing) I was wondering why I am not using the darling artwork on the front for patterns.

I am wanting some cute vintage winter artwork to put up in my house and I thought that this was the perfect pattern to use. See those kids at the bottom, they are my first two embroidery projects.

Please know that I am only making these for myself. I know that these images are not mine...and would never copy someone's elses artwork as my own....(am I infringing on a copyright here? Now I am second-guessing myself. If I own the pattern, I am okay to use it for personal use, right?)

Ok, what I am saying is....please don't steal anyone else's images unless you own the pattern....or else we'll all get in trouble here!

Anyway, I taced the image off the pattern and then blew it up to 200 percent.

I then taped it to the window and put my fabric over the top. I am using a tea-dyed muslin that I bought for the vintage effect. I also serged the edges because I don't want it fraying everywhere. (It's hard to see here, but you can faintly see the image behind the fabric, it will be much easier to see when you are doing it.)

I used my disappearing marker to trace on the image....see I told you you needed one!

I also copied the original image and folded it and put it into my supplies bag, so I could somewhat follow the darling color scheme.

I put my all my supplies in a small bag and I am ready to go somewhere and wait...and I will probably be a lot happier about it!

Exciting News!

2012-01-17T04:57:00.114-07:00

Ok so we have some really exciting news----Riley Blake Designs has put together a Project Design Team and we have been invited to be part of it!

Riley Blake is a Utah based fabric, trim, and notions manufacturer and if you haven't seen their fabrics before you are missing out! Some of our favorite lines are:

The Daisy Cottage Line

and

The Promenade Cotton Line

On a recent visit to their headquarters Elizabeth and I were surprised to discover that we have been using Riley Blake fabrics since they released their very first line! So, we've loved them since the beginning however, during our visit we were given a sneak peak at some of the lines that will be released this year and oh my goodness....we realized that best is still to come!!! The new lines are so cool! We can't wait to get our hands on them. (Luckily for us we don't have to wait too long.)

As a member of the Riley Blake Project Design Team we will not only get the opportunity to use some of their delicious fabric but we get to share it with you as well. HoORaY!!! (I can't wait for the sharing to begin....it's going to be awesome!)

Here's how it works. Every Wednesday (starting in February and running throughout the year) a member of the Project Design team will be over at the Riley Blake Designs blog sharing free patterns and tutorials on everything from quilting to crafting. And the the projects should be great. Just look at the line up of the other members of the team!

Becky from U Create with Kids
Maureen from Maureen Cracknell Handmade
Melissa from The Polkadot Chair
Heather from Olive and Ollie
Lindsay from The Cottage Home
Jen from Tatertots and Jello
Madame Samm from Sew I Quilt Now
Char from Crap I've Made
Tam from Sew Dang Cute Crafts

Awesome ladies right? Right.
Our first turn will be the second week of February...we'll remind you when the time comes and give you all the details about how to get yourself some of the fun fabric. Until then I have a little confession and a little something to share.
See..when Elizabeth and I were at the Riley Blake Headquarters they made the mistake of letting us into their wonderland of a crafting room. And in that room they had piles and rolls and folds of beautiful fabric and we just couldn't help ourselves...and I just had to try out some of their sweet laminated fabric.

I only took 1 yard of 2 different designs and had enough to make myself a crafting apron:

I liked the large flower print and used that for the body.

But I have a thing for polka dots and had to use some of that for the giant pocket along the bottom.

When I was finished I realized that I still had enough left to make a matching apron for Grace:

She was pretty happy about it.

Her apron is just like mine but with the fabrics in opposite places.

But her favorite part was the giant pocket in the bottom.

I've never sewn with laminates before and I have to say that it was really fun. Now my mind is whirling with all the projects that this fabric would be great for.
I have more that I could go on about but I better go...the baby is stirring....so I'll just wish you all a happy Tuesday...and hurry to go grab my soda before she wakes up!
Hooray, for exciting news.