Summertime Edition of "While They Were Sleeping"

This summer I was on the go with three kids pretty much on a constant basis. You'd think I wouldn't have had a chance to get anything "extra" done.  I did, however, implement a rest time every afternoon.  This allowed for some sewing time!  I knocked out several projects that had been on my mental to-do list for a while so it felt great to get them done.  I kept on sewing, thinking that this fall I could really hit it hard.  Ironically, since school started I haven't even touched the sewing machine!  A flood of other projects, school commitments, and an altogether different routine hasn't left much room for the "extra."  Here's to hoping I don't have to wait until next summer to sew again.  What I managed to squeeze in over the summer:

A superhero cape for a friend...and my first ever applique!

One shopping trip for fabric brought out that I had never made anything for Cooper! So I made him a set of pillowcases from fabric that he picked out.

Of course, once I realized how EASY pillowcases are, I couldn't stop!  One for each girl came next. (Aren't my models cute??)

Baby blanket!  My cousin welcomed a baby boy this summer and I was so thrilled to have a baby to sew for. (I also threw together some burp cloths, but forgot to take a picture.)

And another blanket for a friend's baby that will be here soon.

Girls!  Seems all the sewing ends up being for them!  Penny LOVES it when her and Ellie match, so how could I resist TWO dresses from only one yard of fabric?

The Season We're In

What is not to like about Fall?  For us it means tons of celebrations from birthdays and anniversaries to holidays.  It also means cool weather and football which facilitate fun activities and time with friends and family.  The Fall is always a busy time and this year even busier as we get ready to become a family of five.  I just thought I'd take a minute and record specifically what season we are in. (And before life with a newborn renders me unable to blog regularly!)

Cooper completed his first soccer season!  He had so much fun and so did we!  I think Cooper learned a lot about how to play, listening to a coach, being on a team, and the thrill of scoring goals.  He was so excited to receive a trophy and proudly displays it on his dresser.  We think 5-year-old soccer is just about the cutest thing ever!

We are trying to pay special attention to this little mess, hoping we can help her transition from little sister to the "middle child."  Mama and Penny both are enjoying the time together and we think (hope) it is helping.  Penny has gone from refusing to acknowledge that a baby is coming to asking to give Mama's growing belly kisses.  When we told her she was going to get to be both a little sister AND a big sister she said, "NO!  I am the BIG sister!" (This is progress, if you know Penny.)  She even helped me pick out a baby book in the store the other day.  

We've been ranchin'!  We have managed two day trips and one overnight trip to the ranch in the last three weekends.  All the outdoor exposure has been awesome!  Cooper is having the best time "helping" Pa-Pa and Daddy get some tasks done around the ranch.  We feel so fortunate to be able to have this opportunity.

I've completed the last of my baby sewing...in the last month or so I completed one more blanket for our little one to come, a pink pig pillow for Penny (so she would feel included in all the baby prep), and some burp cloths for both our baby and a friend's baby due two weeks before ours.  I could keep going (my sewing and baby boards on Pinterest are out of control), but the time has come to shut it down and start focusing on other aspects of preparing for a baby and for the holidays.  Only six more weeks!!

Sewing for Baby

Over the last few weeks (specifically once the kids went to school), I have been able to coddle my interest in sewing.  I knew a few expectant moms and this was a perfect excuse to hit the sewing machine.  With the help of Pinterest and online tutorials, I was able to create a few baby blankets (I hope the moms liked them!)...

I was so pleased with how they turned out, I was able to use sewing to coddle another  urge of mine...pregnancy induced nesting!  I have really enjoyed the sewing I have done lately for our baby girl!  (Of course now, Penny is a little jealous and has requested that I make her something...She specifically requested a pig pillow, so I guess that takes priority over the burp cloths I was going to do next.)  At any rate, here are a few projects I have completed in preparation for Baby Girl Kirk!

Baby blanket like the ones above...I found the tutorial for this at http://thecraftingchicks.com/2011/08/minky-baby-blanket-simplified.html.  I had all kinds of trouble trying to bind the blankets (I am no quilter) but found an easier way at http://eveninginthegarden.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/blanket-binding-tutorial/.

Changing pad cover...I followed this tutorial: http://prudentbaby.com/2009/12/baby-kid/diy-changing-pad-cover-tutorial-2/.

Changing pad cover #2...I followed the same tutorial as above.  What was really exciting about this one was not only is it my favorite of the two covers, but it was made out of two pieces of remnant fabric I bought for dirt cheap at Hobby Lobby!  I still have fabric left over and I think I spent around $9 total! (That is a steal considering what a store bought cover cost, and considering what minky fabric usually costs.)

Counting Down

With just over a week of summer to go, it feels like we have just been hanging out and counting down.  We have so much coming up it is an actual effort to stay "slowed down" and in the moment.  That is all in the minds of the parents of the house, however.  Cooper and Penny are always "in the moment!"

In the moment on a random weekday morning.  Mama was ironing, the kids were playing in their living room tent and "painting" themselves with pretend brushes.  Cooper wanted me to take a picture of them as "all pink" Cooper and "all purple" Penny.  

On another random weekday morning, we had a visit from the little blue crab.

I FINALLY put together enough moments this week to finish my very first baby blanket. Hopefully the receiver is too busy at home with a newborn (Welcome baby girl Batey!!) to read my blog before I get a chance to give it to her!

And in case you missed it, what we are really waiting for!  Our new baby GIRL will be here in December/January!

Halloween 2012

Halloween this year was so much fun!  Both of the kids LOVED their costumes and were thrilled that they got to wear them to school.  This was a triumph for me because I MADE their costumes!  I took on the task of learning to sew for this very reason.  I became disenchanted last year when at least three kids showed up at my door to trick or treat wearing the same costume as Penny.  Not this year!  Cooper was the only Fireman Sam I saw, and Penny the only Strawberry Shortcake...at least, the only HOMEMADE Strawberry Shortcake.  

Sewing lessons learned?  Well, you don't save any money when you make your own costumes, but the pride of doing it was mine to keep.  Cooper couldn't just be any firefighter...he specifically wanted to be Fireman Sam.  I made his blue coat from a boys' blue button-down shirt I picked up at Goodwill for $1.50 which I sewed big silver buttons to and stuck glow-in-the-dark duct tape to in order to look like Fireman Sam's coat.  His yellow hat came from the Halloween store, and was pricey, only because we had Penny with us...Especially since she was wearing the durn thing and flat out refused to take it off.  How could we say no? We were buying a hat for Cooper...And yellow pants?  IMPOSSIBLE to find...Coop's are L.L. Bean rain pants and more than I wanted to spend, but we reasoned he could wear them again...

Then there is Miss Penny's costume.  I found a tutorial online to create her Strawberry Shortcake dress and hat.  The dress is made from a white T-shirt from Walmart, pink polka-dot fabric and a strawberry applique from Joann's.   I made her hat by painting a white ball cap apple green and liquid-stitching matching gathered fabric onto it.  Her green and white striped stockings were really pajama pants and her pink shoes were $6 at Walmart.  Not too shabby!

This year our friend Libby came over to go trick or treating with us, and have "winner dinner" while we passed out candy.  (Winner Dinner is just pot roast...but it is Libby's family recipe and sooo yummy!)  The kids trick or treated about halfway down our street and came home to examine their loot.  I think Cooper could have gone longer, but Penny sort of lost interest after a few houses.  I am sure this the last year I will get away with only going to a few houses.  

Penny didn't like this house...she waited at the edge of the walkway for Cooper to get his candy.

We let the kids eat WAY too much candy...

 P.S.  Notice how ALL of my pictures are of their backs???  They were so done with pictures after the morning picture session, they wouldn't turn around!

All This and a Month to Go

Today's date is July 31st.  This signifies two things.  One, the summer is two-thirds over and we only have one third of our first, last, and only two-four summer to go.  (Two-four as in Penny is nearly two and Cooper is nearly four.)  Today's date also means I only have one month to complete the rest of our summer activities and projects before the craziness of fall sets in, and only one month to figure out how we are going to celebrate Penny's 2nd birthday on August 27th.  (This date is also the first day of school.)  The last two months have been pleasantly busy, with the kids attending various day camps, me working part time, swim lessons, out of town trips, trips to the aquarium and mall (has a play area that is air-conditioned), and miscellaneous projects around the house.  

Original artwork by Cooper...completed at various day camps which included Cooking Camp, Art Camp, Drama Camp, All about Egypt and All about Mexico.  I think this last week, Space Camp, is going to be his favorite, though he was SUPER proud of the cake he made and his chef's hat from Cooking Camp.  (Though something tells me they won't hold a candle to the rocket ship he got to help build yesterday.)

Summer of course means lots of swimming!  Penny did great getting comfortable with the water and learning some basics.  I have TWO water babies!

Mama did a few things too!  I completed a few sewing projects, namely a dress for Penny and changing pad covers (see cute fabric above) for  our friends' new baby (He's here!  Hooray!!).  I also FINALLY finished painting that sun room ceiling, re-framed some old art for David's office, and organized my home office.  (No there are no "before" pictures...it was too embarrassing before!)  We have also found a resurgence in our zeal to paint the outside of our house, though that project will carry us long into the fall.

This is the last week of day camp, so next week we largely go back to me being a full-time mom until preschool begins again.  I have four short weeks to enjoy, learn, and explore with my two favorite companions.  We plan on a visit from our cousins, a trip to the museum, another trip or two to the aquarium, and just plain winding down at home, doing what we do:  swim, play with our trains, read stories, sculpt play-doh, run around outside, and watch our fave shows (Thomas and Friends, Dora, The Rubber-dubbers, Spot, and Finding Nemo).  

Oh yeah, and string beads.  Both kids LOVE to string pony beads onto pipe cleaners...it keeps them busy for an hour or more!  In the meantime, I'll be working some, momming around, painting, planning birthday parties, back-to-school prep, and sewing some more.

A project in waiting...got this fabric on sale for super cheap...it is screaming to be made into something for a sweet almost-two-year-old I know.

Another project in waiting...new cloth napkins.

August is going to rock!

Still Sewing

Over the weekend Nonnie, aka my sewing mentor, came to visit us.  Sadly I didn't think to pull out the camera even once to capture the time she spent with the kids.  I can assure you, however, we all enjoyed each other's company.  I did snap a few pictures of my latest sewing venture...With Nonnie's guidance, I sewed from a pattern for the first time ever to create a little dress for Penny!  I am quite proud of it, to say the least.  Next up on the sewing agenda is a changing pad cover for our friends that are expecting a baby very soon. (I am so, so, SO excited for them, I can hardly stand it!)

Penny's new little dress.

Closer up.

On the Days it Rains

As this storm blew in we...

Let the dogs inside.  Ralph has become terrified of storms in his old age.

Played with trains, of course!

(The cute smile is because I haven't yet announced that it is nap time.) 

Then, while the kids napped, I attended to my usual piles of P.L.A.P...

Paperwork...

Laundry...

And Projects!

I hope you are having a serene Thursday!

Sometimes, on a Thursday, We...

Build a tent in the living room and camp out...

Blow bubbles in the front yard...

(FYI...Colored crayola bubbles are cool in concept only.)

Finish up lingering projects...

I finally attempted buttons...and proceeded to sew buttons and buttonholes on whatever seemed to need them.

Ready for Summer with Sewing

A little over a week ago I posted about my first big sewing project being completed.  I sort of skipped over the third project I had completed, which really got me excited for summer!  I followed this tutorial to create a new beach bag!  Truly my favorite part of the project was picking out the cute fabric for the job, but I did enjoy learning a few things, like how (and why) to do a back stitch and zig-zag stitch.  I still want to add a button to the front pocket, but I got a little side tracked by the curtains...

I hope my next  project will be warm weather related also...sun dresses for Penny!

Learning to Sew: First Big Project Done!

I have wanted to hang curtains in Cooper's room for two years, since we first moved in, but as it happened, life happened, and it was one of those projects that just didn't materialize.  As I have now completed three sewing projects on my own, I felt I was ready for prime time.

Then Nonnie (David's mom) was here over the weekend and more than willing to teach me a few sewing tricks and help me tackle a big project.  She brought with her lots of sewing tools and lots of knowledge and we set to work on Saturday morning searching via internet, planning and measuring to create the perfect curtain panels that would complement the sailing/nautical theme in Cooper's room.

I found this cool panel at Pottery Barn Kids...

The navy and white stripes reminded us of ship's flags, and those colors are found everywhere already in the room.  Cooper already has shipping flags that spell out his name over his bed, so we knew these panels would really tie in.  We decided against the beige stripe and grommets at the top, choosing instead to have equally wide blue and white stripes and to hang them via ring clips.  Then we opted to hang them right under the ceiling, as opposed to right over the window, for a more dramatic look. 

So from floor to ceiling, and accounting for seam allowances, three inch hems at the bottom and two inch hems at the top, this made for some loooong curtain panels and a lot of fabric!  Each panel, before being hung and hemmed would measure 98 and a half inches!  We encountered some technical difficulties, to say the least.  Getting each stripe (5 stripes per panel) to end up the same width AND match the opposite panel took A LOT of planning and measuring, and remeasuring.  Then there was a little discourse on curtain rod color and where exactly to hang it.  More than once David suggested it would be easier to just buy the curtains.  (I will post later on the lessons I learned while doing this project.)

My mind was already made up, however, and we were going to complete this project.  I wanted the satisfaction of completing the project, and I DID NOT want to pay Pottery Barn prices...so we pressed on.  Last night after supper,  the finish line was in sight...I had about 18 inches or so left on the bottom hem of the second panel to stitch when the bobbin ran out of thread and I had to rewind it.  FINALLY the last stitch was made.  Exhausted, I switched hats and opted to get the kids in the bath while David and his mom hung the final product...and WOW!  I think we accomplished what we set out to accomplish...What do you think? (Please forgive the bad photography...)

 THANK YOU AGAIN NONNIE!  I couldn't have done it with out you!

How did we do economically?  Well, had I taken the PB Kids route, two curtain panels would have cost me $180 plus shipping.  I spent $48 on fabric and thread to create these panels.  Not bad!  

Where the Time Goes

 Recently I posted that Penny is now 18 months old and I marveled that time seems to just be slipping away.  Where does the time go? Lately, when I am not working or fully engaged as a mom,  I have been diligent about tackling my "To-Do" List for 2012, which  is my version of a new year's resolution.  This is filling in the few time slots I get to myself when the kids are entertaining themselves without any skirmishes (very rare) or asleep (less rare than when they were younger, thank goodness!). This includes various projects around the house, my learning to sew, and entertaining other interests of mine such as reading, writing, and cooking.  Here are a few things I can point to right now when I think, "Where has the time gone?"

I completed sewing project #2!  I made couch pillows to compliment the "coastal" theme we are striving for in our home.  The same weekend I did that, David hung the over-sized sand dollar I had been coveting on Pinterest for months.  

I love to try out new recipes, and I have a "system" for doing so. (That is not shocking to those that know me.)  Anyway, I have two categories for recipes that I try:  YUM!, I'll laminate this one, or DOESN'T WORK, and in the trash it goes.  Brutal, yes, but very effective.  This is one of the recipes that worked...Slow roasted tomato marinara...email me for the recipe, its flavorful...and healthy!

This Eggplant Parmesan, though beautiful, went into the "trashed" category.  It was very labor  intensive but was a little bland...I can do better...I HAVE done better.  (Don't email me for this recipe...I don't have it anymore, I truly threw it right in the trash when I was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner.)

I love a good bargain...my mom and I attended a Children's bargain basement sale recently and we scored this duplo table for a VERY reasonable price...as you can see, it was a big hit with Cooper...and Daddy.  We also found a big bag full of vintage Fisher Price Little People for only $5...and that was a big hit with both kids!  Sidenote:  See that really cute old children's desk in the corner there?  My good friend Becky gave us that and we love it!  I love when old stuff can be incorporated into a home...just saying.