I made this pinafore for the August and September Tie One On. My goal was to do it in under two hours and to use what I had. I had never made a pinafore or my own pattern before. I took some quick measurements using Jane's school uniform and started drawing. And phew - it worked!
I am very happy that it all came together so well. It was a huge accomplishment for me to make my own pattern and get it done in a little over the two hours. It makes me smile when I see it because it has a lot of sentimental value, too. When Jane was smaller and we would be fabric shopping, I would point to different fabrics and ask her, "Do you recognize this?" It always kept her busy in the shop while I made my purchases. Sometimes we still do this, but more often it is Jane asking Kate and me instead. When I gave the apron to her, I asked Jane if she recognized the fabric. She didn't (I didn't think she would). Then I told her, "This is the fabric you had in your room when you were a baby. It was the bumpers and the bed skirt on your crib." She looked at me wide-eyed and then smiled. She said, "I remember now." Although I know better, part of me thinks she just might.
Back view - sorry for the fuzzy photo!
Painting the bathroom is my only work in progress. I did manage to finish something, though. Here is Kate's Olive. Isn't she cute?
Jane's Olive is almost finished, too - she's just waiting to be accessorized. And have you seen these? Too cute!!! They will have to wait, though - I need to make the Archies first!
The bathroom renovation is almost complete. All that is left is some drywall repair on the ceiling, a little more tile work and painting. In this house, I am the painter. So instead of crafting, I spent a couple of hours this morning priming woodwork and some new drywall. Yawn. At least the fun part is next - color! Because this is Jane's bathroom and because she wants pink, pink it will be. Ribbon Pink by Benjamin Moore to be exact.
I had originally thought that the bathroom would be green. Jane shares the bath with our guest room and I thought pink might be too sweet for anyone under over the age of 12. As I thought more about it, I realized we have a lot of green around here. A lot. We probably don't need too much more. And I like pink. It is one of my favorite colors. And pink is sweet. And sweet isn't a bad thing for a 6 1/2 year old girl. Actually, it's quite nice.
There is a basket of flowers on our front door during the spring and summer. When I took a look at it yesterday it looked just too summery. Time for a change. When I took the basket down, I scooped out this tiny bird's nest that I had noticed some time in July. It was obvious then that the mama bird had deserted it. We don't use the front door much in the winter so I think the increased door banging drove her away sometime in the spring. Sad, I know. But this little nest is so amazing...a little work of art with three hollow eggs.
One is a tell-tale robin's egg blue, but the others are kind of pink. There was another cracked, cream speckled egg sitting by itself in the basket. It makes me shudder to think that we probably "knocked" it out of its nest. But I love the nest and can't bear to part with it. So I am not going to - not right now, at least.
Unrelated, I made these cute sweatshirts for a friend's nieces. I apologize for the bad photo, but I had to take it under artificial light or miss the opportunity entirely.
I thought they turned out cute. As I look at them now, I think that little worm needs some kind of a face - an eye and a grin, perhaps. Next time!
Over the weekend I picked up this book:
As I have said before, I am not big on making my own clothes. Mostly this has to do with the fact that they don't turn out like I had hoped. This book may change all that. It is well written and very easy to understand. The illustrations are like eye candy - they make me want to sew up a storm!
Wendy uses three basic patterns - one for a skirt, one for a shirt, and one for pants - and then shows you how to make variations on the basic shape. She gives lots of good ideas for embellishing, trimming, altering these designs to make them your own. Just take a look at these...
I love that plaid! And although I wouldn't be caught dead in a mini, I would definitely consider lengthening this denim one that is trimmed in bias tape.
I live in t-shirts, but this blouse is speaking to me!
Although I would love to jump right in, I think I will have to wait. I may get some muslin and play around until I figure out exactly what I want to do. Too many projects, too little time!
We spent Friday and Saturday trying to stay dry. The amount of rain was crazy - at one point I heard that we got five inches in four hours. And it kept raining and then raining some more.
Everyone in this house was a bit restless. The girls were bickering and getting on each other's nerves. I was in an especially foul mood starting Friday night when I realized my weekend plans were not going to pan out as I had hoped. To top it off, I was having small issues with the Olives, no doubt exacerbated by my state of mind.
I took a shower and cleared my head. When I came downstairs, the girls were collaborating on this:
Jane made the horse and Kate promptly made some grass for grazing.
Amazing how some popsicle sticks made me smile! The day got better with the end of the rain, the arrival of the babysitter, and a date with my man.
Isn't it great that the movie tickets were the color of sunshine?
Thursday...
dropped off consignment items, grocery shopped, did the laundry, went to Lowe's, mowed the lawn, painted wainscoting, bathed kids, made dinner, put the kiddos to bed...
...rewarded my self with a glass of wine and watched season premiers of Boston Legal (on TiVo) and Grey's Anatomy with Fatty. Soooo good!
Friday...
went to the grocery (again), paid the bills, ate lunch with Jane at school, played soccer mom to 4 four year-olds, went to Lowe's (again), came home to craft...
And because one Olive is not enough, I am making two.
Saturday...
who knows? Probably more painting and hopefully some family fun. Definitely a date with my hubby...dinner and a movie, I think. Praying for no more trips to Lowe's. Happy weekend to all!