This is.. an update

I have been a naughty lazy blogger as of late. I really don't have much of an excuse except for life and we all know how that goes. Our computer is on the fritz so I am lucky if it stays on long enough to read a post let alone write one.

This is what we have been up to...

-Enjoying every ray of sunshine possible , soaking in spring, staying outside until dinner, catching ladybugs

-Preparing for the 2nd birthday party for the Cub. I made him this outfit (oliver + s playsuit in brown linen) and crown for his gala. The oliver + s pattern was so simple and it is so cute, I sure wish they had more boy patterns! The only thing is, he will not wear or let me get near him with either one. He sees them and states in a very nonchalant way "Don't wanna" this is usually followed by me convincing him how awesome the outfit is all the while him believing one word I say. I have decided to embroider a tiny owl on it and give it a go because he loves owls. I also have some beyond cute acorn buttons that have yet to be sewn on so heres hoping that the final product will be a little more enticing to his particular sense of style.

This is the house that I am hoping and praying with all of my being that we are able to buy. There are some stipulations to the sale and some problems that we do not know the full extent of. I am hell bent and determined to do everything in my power to make it ours. We walked (without permission but it is empty) and fell in love. It had such great energy and I have always wanted a yellow house so it must be fate! Some positive house buying vibes sent my way would be much appreciated.



I have been reading these books:
(Homeschooling : take a deep breath--you can do this! by Terrie Lynn Bittner. The well-adjusted child : the social benefits of homeschooling by Rachel Gathercole.Teach your own : the John Holt book of homeschooling / John Holt, Patrick Farenga.)
and seriously considering homeschooling, it feels right. Today at the park we met another homeschooling family who invited us to an event next week, it will be nice to talk to other women who have been doing it for a while. I never thought I would be a homeschooler but it really feels like it is what is right for us. We will see! Any other book or resource suggestions would be great!

I missed last weeks "this is" chosen by Dees from Daisy in Lala Land so here it is..
This is my unconditional, passionately loved and favorite book... I have changed my mind a few times since I knew what the topic was, it is really hard for me to choose I have so many favorites but here is one that makes me cry everytime I read it and I think I will always be able to relate to it now that I am a mother it is a heart felt book and the story behind the book is so moving also.

Love you Forever

I also love, Oh The Places You'll go and Everything is Illuminated but if I listed those that would be more than one.
I have been tagged coming next along with some fun birthday goodies found on etsy!

This is my latest discovery

I am loving this Built by Wendy pattern, it is so easy and cute! I have had it sitting in my drawer for a while and just finally got to it. I sure wish I would have got to it sooner so I could have an entire collection by now but I am getting started. Knit Owl chose this "this is" weeks theme. I have been so sick for a couple for weeks now and was so happy to feel better just in time for Earth Day, one of my favorite days of the year. The festival was Earthy as always and there is nothing better than a good drum circle...

My little Cub is turning 2 soon and getting ready for his Woodland Friends party is taking up most of my crafty free time. He is oh so excited yelling "Owl Party, Yea" every time anything about a birthday is mentioned. I must admit I am getting a little excited my self! The beginning of the invitations ...

First Sewing Project

Cutting

The needle

Stuffing

The product and pride (both his and mine)
We had such fun making this little pachyderm together. He wants to sew everything now, time to set up his own sewing basket. I can't wait to see the things he creates!

This is..

my Knick Knack/Jewelery Box or boxes I should say.....

a peek, my favorite bird necklace, pasta bracelet made in preschool, and other lovelies that I rarely wear.

The newest edition, a thrifted bird container. I can't wait to fill it up!

Thanks Anastasia for choosing this weeks "This is".

One day I will do this post on time!

I am working on it!

I have a few works in progress. I get bored with things before I finish, start five new things and never finish any of them. I always have something to do though. This is some evidence of my crafting ADD. 1) a pocket for a sling bag I am working on from my own pattern 2) a blanket from Stitch n Bitch I am knitting and have been knitting a little (very little) at a time since I was pregnant with the Cub, I may finish it by his 2nd birthday. 3) Day of the week dish towels, I am not loving the way she is coming out, my beginning embroidery is not doing her cuteness any justice. Not pictured, I have started Built by Wendy 3835 and Simplicity 3507. I also have some fabric waiting for me to cut it up to be a quilt, I am dying to work on this Cathedral Window Quilt with instructions on Hyenas in Petticoats. Some day I will finish everything and not know what to do with my evenings, right?

Wordless Wednesday

This is...

the contents of my handbag



Ok, I have a lot of stuff in here and I just cleaned it out last week!
Bulletin from the Craft Mafia Spring Line up, gray kids socks,wallet, sunglasses (mine and kids), point & shoot camera in it's new case, OLD WEEZER pin, Artista Muerta card, yellow ducky, 2 softies my 4 year old made, bracelet from my mom, coins, car, tweezers, vegetarian meatball recipe, banana hand cleaner, buttons, gift card for restaurants, postcard for a patchwork show, note/sketch pad, package of wildflower seeds, a loose piece of old gum, a Hello Kitty pin(have no idea where this came from), Uncle Milton's ant farm club official membership card (it's not official without a card!), pen, pencil, outlet cover?, Quilt Craft Sew Festival coupon, bookmark from charinacharina, there was a purple bunny but it got snagged by little hands before I could even snap a picture.
Iris + Lilly picked this weeks this is. I always wonder what people keep in their bags and always imagine it is a lot more interesting than what I have. Now I will be able to find out!

Yesterday I had a girly day with my buddies and went to The North Park Craft Mafia Spring Line up. Where I asked a very tall man to take a picture for me. It must be hard being so tall. My husband is very tall and people ask him things that short people would never be asked so I felt like I was in the club via marriage and my request was not too obnoxious.
It was so crowded and there were so many talented women. I am doing a super thrifty no spendy month otherwise I could have spent a lot of money in there. This was a true test of my saving because there is nowhere I would rather spend my money than in a room full of local women artists. It is so inspiring to be around so many things that were created by hand. I wanted to come home on this inspiration high and start on a project but instead I watched kids splash in the tub with daddy, put them to bed and laid on the couch with a case of craft show fatigue.

This is....

My demon, fear. I have over the years acquired a lot of fears. They cause me a lot of anxiety and stop me from doing things that I think I would do otherwise. I am trying with all of my might to get rid of many of these fears and not let them control my life. I figure maybe I can trick them into thinking I am not afraid and they will go away, kind of like an opossum playing dead. I have been getting a lot better in conquering this demon and at times it returns with full strength backed by an army of germs, death, failure and separation. I just have to remember I am strong and if I can't control it not to worry about it.
I don't have an image to go with this week if I could have taken a picture of the deadly seahorse I would have, seahorses are one of my fears( the most ridiculous one).
They are creepy.
Thanks to Drewzel for this weeks thought provoking topic.


On a totally unrelated note, I made these wide leg pants from Amy Butler's In Stitches. This book is so great! Sorry about the wrinkles, I finished them late last night and they were just begging to be worn to bed and then for the most part of the day. I think I am going to make myself a pair of these a day! There is nothing like wearing a new pair of jammies every night especially when they are this comfy.

I was having a little sneaky relaxing minute when the boys found me. My 4 year old took this picture with my SLR camera that weighs about as much as he does. He saw my lounging in bed and looked confused, "What are you doing? Can I take your picture?"
"Relaxing and sure"
Relaxing over, jumping started.

Bug Day

Wordless Wednesday

Eastery Goodness

We had a pretty great Easter aside from some funky family stuff, what are families for though?
I love how magical holidays are to the kids. Blake was very interested in the Easter Bunny and how he got in the house and fit in in the tent to hide a basket. I always wonder how convincing I am answering these questions right off of the top of my head. I need some kind of reference book. This is such a great age, it is going to be sad when he questions magic and what I tell him. Blake wanted me to take this picture of him with his "favorite Easter present"Craft Sticks! I love this boy! Craft Sticks were his favorite. The answer may have changed if I ask now but it brings me pride that at one point he loved Craft Sticks enough to ask me to take a picture of him with them. Cubs loved his owl books, one of which was Little Hoot
It is such a cute book and the illustrations are wonderful! We have checked this out at the library and he was very sad to return it, now it is his forever. That little guy just loves owls!

I made this apron for my sister for Easter. I really wanted to snag it for my self but I gave it up. I tried to get her to take a picture in it but apparently her animal print shirt did not match the spring floral so here is me in her apron. I was having a weird bra day so please excuse that, at least now I know, it is amazing what a picture will reveal.

Now on to some new projects, I would really like to make myself a couple of summer outfits. I am going to use some patterns from Sew U and try a couple of my own. I don't have any patterns for tops though. Does anyone have any patterns they love?

Hope your Easter was a big fun mess!

Pay it Forward Exchange

I found out about this fun exchange on Who Put Me In This Minivan and followed it here to Meg's blog where I was lucky enough to get in. I am excited to see what she is going to make and excited to send something out myself so here it goes, this is how it works.....
“I will send a handmade gift to the first 3 people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this Paying It Forward exchange. I don’t know what that gift will be yet and you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days, which is my promise! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (if you have one)”

Hurry Hurry!

Spring, Bowls and Bottoms

Spring is here! I am not a cold weather person at all. Hopefully this sunny season will bring some energy along with it's warmth. I have felt like such a slug this winter. I am ready to play outside, garden, camp, walk in the evenings and soon enough swim!
We spent this lovely spring morning in the backyard. "Can I be naked? It is so warm!" My 4 year old asks me "Me too" says my niece, Cubby is soon to follow in this naked enjoyment of the sun. It has been a long time since Blake has played naked and I thought he was done with it as he has been rather modest lately. He even changes with the door closed or in the bathroom when he has company. I am not sure at what age I became aware of my nudity but I know it was older than 4. We put so much importance, sexuality and shame on nudity in this country and I am trying to teach my children how normal and natural bodies are and let them be comfortable with themselves. Obviously there are rules to this naked play, like in the backyard or house only and we had a good talk about how our bodies are ours only but after that pure freedom!
About 10 minutes into playing in the yard the big kids run screaming "Cubby pooped on the slide" and yep there it is right there at the top of the slide and Cubs is at the bottom singing "Poopoo in the potty" We are potty training and while it was not in a diaper it was not exactly where I was hoping it would be. It was hard not to laugh, his potty dance is just so cute and he was pretty proud of his creative placement. Sorry about the poop post, but I am sure many of you understand, Poop happens and sometimes it is on the slide.
Other than cleaning poop off of the slide I have been trying to finish up some Easter gifts. Easter is sneaking up on me this year, I am usually pretty prepared. There is a really cute tutorial on Bitter Betty's blog on how to "Pimp your bunny" since i am not really doing any candy except a chocolate bunny for each of them I figure it might as well be super cute. I plan on making them Wee Bunnies too but we will see I might be a Wee too late (sorry, cheesy I know)
I am very excited about Easter though it is one of my favorites along with Christmas and Earth Day.

The bowls up top are my Thrifted Tuesday find and I love love love them! They are perfect spring bowls, I wish I could carry them with me like an accessory. I am sure I could figure something out it probably would not be too functional though and I am all about functionality these days, functionality and spring.

Edited to add: You can also see my bowls on Hyena In Petticoats who runs Thrifted Tuesday! I am so proud that she put them on there, she always has the most amazing thrifted goods and check out her Nongs!

This is....

This weeks theme is "What I create" chosen by Betty the Geek

I made this Amy Butler Messenger Bag with some fun Alexander Henry fabric.
I feel like a better title would be "This is what I made" I think creating comes more from within. I am creating my life, happiness and memories. I did not want to get too deep here though, it is St. Patrick's Day after all. So I am sticking with my bag.
It was a labor of love! It was a complicated pattern for my first one. I set it aside for a long time while I worked on a lot of other projects and came back to it the other night and finished it rather quickly. Once I got a better understanding of patterns it was not too challenging but it was kicking my ass when I first started for sure! I do love it now. I am going to have to find some stuff to message now that I have a messenger bag. I figure I can carry my photography portfolio in it once I get it together. I need to find a good binder for it.

Wordless Wednesday

Hoots hanging in the living room

This is....

Looking out my front door

I joined the "This Is" meme that Angela from Three Buttons started. This week's topic was chosen by Brooke. They both have very inspiring blogs!
The view from my front door is not nearly as exciting as many of the other posters, there are some great shots out there. The plant was a little aloe plant from my grandma when we first moved in a year and a half ago that has taken over my front porch. I can't wait to give it and us a new home which will hopefully happen sometime in the near future.
We have a meeting with a Realtor in a couple weeks to come and see about putting our house on the market. I am so excited! I am sending out so many positive real estate vibes and hoping we will sell fast, I am talking a week and find a new perfect home the next day! Hopeful much?

Pretty in Pink

I finished my first dress yesterday for my niece! It is certainly not perfect but I am a little proud that it can at least fit on a human body, this is more than I was expecting from my first (non pajama) garment. The hem is not super straight but besides that everything is pretty right on. I will just say that the hem was just a creative decision! It is from Simplicity 7454 circa 1967. I just love this short simple style on little girls.


Sewing for boys is so much harder or should I say finding things to sew for boys. I have spotted a few patterns that I would like to try including the Favorite Things Hooded Jacket .
A few months ago I bought a couple of 40s vintage patterns but I think I need a little more practice before I tackle them, they are for coats, maybe I will have it down before next winter comes along.
That is not a super fancy soft focus editing technique on the bottom of the picture above it is smudge in the perfect shape of a teeny tiny finger, I wonder where that could have come from?

Hero's Hose

Wordless Wednesday