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When I saw this fabric at Joann's and had to have it, so I decided the smallest gentleman in my life needed a robe. This is the first thing I've ever sewn from a commercial pattern (See & Sew B4635). I was very nervous and at times a little confused, but actually it required no tears and very little frustration, plus it turned out super cute, so I'm calling my first pattern experience a success!
Here's to cozy little gentlemen!
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I'm on a roll with this whole finishing projects thing ... I started this chair makeover before halloween, and it's finally done! I knew I wanted a chair for my bedroom, but I didn't want to spend much, so I scored this swiveling, rocking, beauty on craigslist:
And with a little paint, some IKEA fabric, a whole lot of staples, and a fair amount of swearing ... it became this:
I am really happy with how it came out. Somebody else is pretty stoked too:
What do you think?
Here's hoping it gets plenty of use, and not just as a place to fling clothes when I have "nothing to wear!"
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I really love when a project is finished, it means I can start ten more! Quick little things have been my go-to these days. Here are two super-fast projects I've recently scratched off my list.
Project One: Matches in a Bottle
I made this match bottle to replace the very ugly blue box of matches that had taken up residence in my bathroom. Here's how: take a cute bottle, trace the bottom onto a piece of sand paper, cut out the sand paper and stick it to the bottom of a bottle with glue dots, fill with matches, and that's it! When you need a match, simply shake one out, and strike it on the bottom. Cute, fun, free: my kind of project.
Project Two: Navy Issue Parka
Jude was given this really cute parka for Christmas, and while I dig Old Navy, I'm not a huge fan of how they feel the need to plaster their name all over their gear. So, with a fifty cent patch, Jude's parka went from Old Navy to New Nautical.
There you have it, two things I've actually managed to finish. Which means at least twenty more projects in the queue.
Here's hoping your weekend rules!
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I'm super excited about Celebrate the Boy month hosted by Made and Made by Rae. Those of us crafty moms with boys can always use more inspiration. I plan to try my hardest to complete at least a few of the projects this month. I'll be sure to update you on my progress. It should be interesting since I sew slower than a snail, but I do love a challenge, so first things first: toddler pants.
Hooray for boys, they deserve cute homemade stuff too!
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We go together like: cheese and wine, sand and sea, dewdrops and rainbows ... you get the idea. It's a fill in the blank valentine. And a heart-day gift from me to you! Go ahead, print out a pdf, or two, or twenty and wish somebody special a Happy (or at least Funny) Valentine's Day.
Download Pink valentine Download Red valentine
What do you think? Do you have any good ones?
Here's hoping your Valentine's Day is so full of love, so hopelessly romantic, that Hallmark could never do it justice!
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So I realize that I have quite a few visitors to my little spot on the web who stop by for one reason, and one reason only. They don't care much about this or this or this they are here for this:
Jude is doing so great! He is growing by the minute and becoming an independent toddler right before our eyes. Here are the updated stats:
Weight: 29 lbs!!!
Height: 33 inches!
Teeth: 10
Words: nice, ball, hot, mom, dada, yeah, no
Skills: running (towards danger + cats), climbing (furniture + stairs), sliding, toasting (as in "cheers!"), cleaning up spills, feeding himself with a spoon ... being super cute!
Favorite activities: being outside, reading stories, going for walks/trike rides, playing with his dump-truck-shape-sorter, sweeping, eating, and bath time.
Least favorite activities: going to the doctor (he screamed through our entire appointment), coming inside, and diaper changes.
And since I like to give the people what they want:
There you have it, Jude the Dude in all his 13 month glory!
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As you may have noticed, I have many hobbies and passions. Most of them involve my family: cooking for them, sewing and crafting gifts, enhancing our home and garden. But there's one thing I do just for me: dance flamenco.
Every Monday night for two hours I go to Flamenco Arts and study the beautiful, powerful, intense movements and rythms that are flamenco. It is my time. Class is so challenging and fun, my mind and body are so happily occupied, I don't have a chance to focus on anything else. For those two hours a week I am not a mother, nor wife, nor sister, nor daughter. I am simply ... a dancer.
This art form allows you to express deep emotion with power and grace (not always grace in my case, but an attempt). Furthermore, with themes like exile, persecution, and lost love, my "problems" feel a lot smaller and more manageable. I'm pretty sure it's the only reason I'm not totally wackadoo.
I can't say enough good things about the teachers and students at Flamenco Arts. If you live in or around Sonoma County, I encourage you to give them a call, all ages and levels are welcome. (I should mention that flamenco is not a partner dance, a common misconception.) Also, if you live in or around Seattle I highly recommend Ana Montes.
Viva Flamenco!
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