Wednesday, March 30, 2011

score! sweater love

Since I've found myself battling K on Sunday mornings over clothes...but so-and-so wears jeans...and I'm not so-and-so's mother either, so put on something decent for church.  I used my last bit of time before picking the man up from preschool to hit up the thrift shops.  I knew I could win K over with plaid shorts for the summer but, the assortment of dressy apparel was slim.  I scored a couple of really cute things but, I wasn't particularly satisfied with my loot until I came across this...



While K thought it was cute but, wasn't overly excited about it.  I.  ADORE.  THIS.  If they had one in my size, you can be sure that I would be wearing it at this very moment!


And guess what?!  It's all hand sewn!  When I discovered this, my wheels were spinning at a million miles per hour.  I will duplicate this.  I swear to it.  I'm in love with this sweater.



Sunday, March 27, 2011

ok, really quickly now

Had to take a quick sec to post these pics of the final baby shower gifts.  I made three fold and snap bibs, a softie doll, and a travel changing pad (the outfit - I bought.)  Funny how it perfectly matched the changing pad though.  Totally unplanned.


My favorite was definitely the travel changing pad.  It's so functional and cute and soft and I just want to pinch it's little cheeks.  Oh sorry, getting a little carried away there.


Finished, it was about the size of an 8.5" x 11" phone book.  I was a little rushed with all the commotion with lice and the ripple effect it has recently caused in our life but, I'm happy to report, we are all lice free.  Hope I'm not jumping the gun.  (Although, I feel this strange paranoia that just won't go away.  We're still checking heads, I joke we're like a bunch of little monkeys now - constantly sifting through each others hair.  Humor is necessary in the midst of the storm.)


Unfold once and you find that super soft minke that's oh-so-cute!  The red and white floral is home decor fabric from Wal-Mart, remnant bin - yay!


Unfold again and that black piece of bias tape is where I introduced the vinyl for the changing area.  And guess what?!  I opened the other bias tape maker and that there black bias tape is custom made - yes - by yours truly.  It wasn't so bad and I think it looks quite nice, you agree?  It adds such a polished look.


See, there it is, completely unfolded.  Finally, I attached the little Velcro pieces so that it created a little pocket where you could insert an outfit (see the first photo) and a travel wipes container with a diaper or two.

I worked non-stop on this Friday and finished it in the nick of time Saturday before the shower.  I ended up using the measurements and the rounded flap from a tutorial and the rest was all mine.  One day, when I actually find some spare time, I'll try creating a tutorial of my own.

What's next?

I'm getting ready to start on a set of these oven mitts courtesy of Raechel MyersYou know I love her tutes!   And these look quick and easy!  They will be donated for a Relay for Life auction.  I'm not sure what else I should make.  Still thinkin on it.  Suggestions?

Other than that, K is hassling me for some p.j. shorts.  It's warming up and back some time ago, I scored two twin size flat sheets on clearance at Wal-Mart for two bucks each!  I was so excited that day, I could've burst!

Hope you had a wonderful weekend, I did!

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

the L word

Can I just start off by saying, I am exhausted?  Physically and emotionally, I am spent.  For the last couple of weeks, we have been dealing with lice.  Yep, I said it, LICE.  I can now say it without feeling ashamed and embarrassed.  Here's our story...

So it began.  A letter came home from school saying someone in K's class had lice.  No biggie.  We checked her head every few days or so and found nothing.  I thought we were in the clear.  Then, while getting ready for church one Sunday, K was complaining that her head was really itching.  I checked her scalp and there they were.  I didn't know what "they" were yet because I'd never had, nor ever seen lice.  Out came the microscope she'd gotten for Christmas and upon a double check with Google images, it was confirmed - she had lice.

In a panic, I drove at demon speed to the closest pharmacy.  It was closed - DANG IT!  CVS was the next closest and EUREKA!  They were open!  In a rush, I embarrassingly asked the lady at the prescription counter where they kept products for lice.  It was right there in front of her, how nice for me.  There were at least 4 or 5 different brands and various different products.  Being new to this, I found myself confused about exactly what I should be purchasing.  Over to the counter I ran and asked what brand they recommended.  Well, this now required attention from more pharmacy employees.  The lady whom I first spoke with and the pharmacist were happy to help and didn't bat an eyelash.  It was the technician behind them that gave me the stare down.  This was truly giving me a complex.  It was hard enough to actually say the word LICE.  Then a thought crossed my mind.  God forbid I get it, we'd never get them out of my curls! 


($24.99 x 2) + ($8.99 x 3) = $76.95
Don't you love that label, "With a single application - Kills lice and their eggs"  What a lie!

Thirty-five dollars later, I was headed home.  We treated her hair and spent the next THREE hours combing through her hair and picking the nits out.  So much for a joyful and restful Sunday.  Now, it was time to wash everyone's bedding; disinfect the mattresses, pillows and furniture; sanitize all the hair brushes, combs, clips, and pony tail holders; wash every stitch of dirty clothes lying around; vacuum six hundred times; and panic some more.

This was all quite fun - NOT!  Then, disaster struck.  C checked my head and yes, I had them too.  Holy mother of God, this can't be!  It was, sister.  At this point, I was tired and now mentally ill.  I broke down and cried and cried.  And felt pity for myself and our lice-y household for the entire day.  We treated my hair and I remember thinking, 'OK, I've done it all by the book.  Down to the very last word.  We're good now.'  Not so friends.


$14.97


We have treated our hair twice since then (with different brands even) and cannot seem to get rid of these creepy crawlies.  Just today, I discovered that the man has lice too.  So, I've scoured the internet and found that lice are quite resistant to these chemical treatments that contain carcinogens and neurotoxins known to cause cancer, nervous disorders, and more.  Wish I would have done more research before I went out and poisoned us! 

($1.38 x 2) + ($1.84 x 2) = $6.44

Unlike what people think, that lice come from "dirty" people, they prefer clean, dry hair because their eggs or nits stick best to the clean hair shaft near the scalp.  So, I've decided we are not washing our hair for a few days.  Sounds gross, huh?  Well, it's better than having lice any day.  We'll also be playing barber shop tonight and shaving the man and C's hair.  Next, I found that they do not like rosemary or lavender.  So, I stocked up this morning.  I bought these shampoos and conditioners by Suave...soothing lavender-lilac and rosemary-mint.  I'm told these work, we'll see.
$3.37



$2.28
I also read that you can put sprigs of rosemary in your pillow cases to speed the process along.  Then, I watched a really annoying but helpful video on you tube about using Listerine in a spray bottle and spritzing your hair with it.  I did this as soon as I got home and it made my hair kind of stiff and a little sticky-ish but, it smells minty fresh and that's the price I'll pay.  Lastly, I read that Denorex, a dandruff shampoo and conditioner-in-one will get rid of them and Dawn (the original blue Dawn, $0.97) helps.  In any case, I'm ready to do battle.


$7.43
We have spent over $100 on special lice products and I'm interested to see if any of these non-pesticide methods will work.  If so, my spending for today was just over $20.  I hope this helps someone out.  If not, it was just therapy for me, I had to get out my frustrations.  I will definitely do another post on how effective these methods were or were not.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

progressing

I've slowly been working on the baby gifts for C's cousin.  I think I've made improvements with the bias tape but, I'd love to try some 1/4" tape.  So far, all I've used is 1/2" and it seems like a bit more than I need, I'm not sure. 

Remember the first one?  OK but, not so great.



Presenting the second bib...see, better, huh?


Last weekend with coupons in hand, I paid a visit to Joann's and came out with these...

~ BIAS TAPE MAKERS - dun, dun, dun ~


~ They're so scary, I've only managed to take one out of the package! ~

Instead of continually purchasing packages of pre-made bias tape, I thought I'd buy those and some fabric to try my hand at making my own bias tape using this tutorial.  It'll be cheaper in the long run.  I'll let ya know how it goes.  It doesn't seem all that hard. 
Fear of the unknown - gets me every time!

Finished and ready to go, I also have this...a softie doll!


This got me into sewing and was "our" first project.  C knew more about sewing machines and sewing than I did.  So, he helped make the first 2 or 3.


My final project for the baby shower gifts will be a travel changing pad.  I can't decide between this one or this one.  I'll probably print them both out and use pieces of each.  Crazy, isn't it?  That's me. 

Why is it that I use everyone as a Guinea pig? 

Food - quite a bit, I make food for church using recipes that aren't tried and true.  I am a tried and true kinda girl.  Once I find a fantastic recipe, I stick with it and I make a copy for my family recipe book because one day when I'm gone, I want my children to have all of the recipes that they loved.  And even the ones that just I loved.  Because food, it's comforting.  My grandma was the best cook in our family and my cooking most mimics hers.  There are times when I miss her so and long to have the recipes that would help me feel close to her again.  There are still good cooks in our family and I call on my mom when I need cooking advice, she's a good one too. 

Yep, I'm rambling again.  Back to the discussion at hand.

Sewing - Making gifts, I go out on a whim and try something I've never made before and mix multiple tutorials and even add my own ideas.  All the while, my skills are still developing.  Who would do such a thing?

My only answer is, I have faith in myself (through God, of course), and I have courage to face the unknown, even when it's as simple as cooking or sewing.

"I can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

"LORD, you are my shield, my wonderful God, who gives me courage." Psalm 3:3


Don't worry D, I haven't forgotten to post the yeast roll recipe.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

my sleeping bully

Caught my sweet boy nappin' this mornin' before we left for school.


So I took the liberty of snappin' a few.
And woke him up.


But, not for long.
In seconds, he was out again.


Can I just tell you, I love that face.


Monday, March 7, 2011

from the weekend and a giveaway at Beth's

I worked on some stuff this weekend, so I need to share.  Because I said I would.

I've almost finished putting the bias tape on this "fold and snap" baby bib.  This was our first meeting, the bias tape and I.  It went OK, I need more practice though and patience.  I started to rush and that didn't help.  All the curves. Whew.  They threw me.  I'll admit it.


Back some time ago, I saw this on Raechel Myers blog, Finding My Feet.  Getting a kick out of it and wondering again if it was within my skill level to duplicate it, I pulled it up the other day and showed K and the man how cute it was.  They decided we had to make it.  Now Raechel is oh-so talented and did hers using a stencil she made and paints.  Clever and not too time-consuming, huh?  Well, to change things up a bit and since I don't like to be such a copycat, I decided to do a felt version and change the wording.  I free-handed some letters using scissors and white felt and used the same mustache on black felt.  Using heat'n'bond, I ironed them onto the shirt and finally, sewed them down permanently.  See?


It wasn't as snappy as hers but, I think it turned out well.  You?  I was so proud!  Thanks to Raechel for her great ideas!


This weekend, C hung a dry erase board up above my sewing table.  So, I listed all of the projects I wanted to do, a list of supplies I need, and just to make it fun - some wants. 

I have a long list of things to work on but, my project today was a Bible cover for the man.  I had purchased one for K and I a while back.  Of course, he wanted one too.  So, I decided instead of buying another, I would try my luck at making one.  So, without further ado...


I'd say it went well.  As usual, there are always things I would do differently but, isn't that the way life is?  Don't worry.  Believe in yourself but, more importantly believe in God, that he will get you through.  Do your best.  Learn as you go.  Leave the rest to God.

"Don't be afraid, just believe." - Mark 5:36

"Be still and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10

Lastly, before I leave and because I adore Beth's sweater, I am leaving you with this...Beth is a very, very talented photographer!  I love her work and follow her blog faithfully.  (I told her, I'd love to be her apprentice - she's just a little far away.)  Her spirit is kind and her words have uplifted me time and again.  To the point now - Beth's doing a giveaway.  Jenny an artist local to Beth, recycles sweaters and things, turning them into new creations.  The giveaway is for some of Jenny's stuff.  I'd love to win, so check out her etsy shop.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

this not-so good weather

It rained all night
And all day.
It rains still.

Water has pooled in areas covering the yard.
It waits for an earth who cannot hold a droplet more.


This tiny boy, he says so much.
Before bed, he prays,
"Dear God,
Thank you for this day.
Thank you for this not-so good weather."
C and I giggle.
Then regain composure.
"Thank you for all that we need.
Help us to be kind
and share love.
Thank you for all these animals.
Heal Sissy up."

On and on he goes.
He amazes me.
He does.
Four years old.
This man is.

When he was sick with strep,
he prayed one night that Jesus would touch him
and heal him up.
His words.
Not mine.
So touching.
I love this little man so.
I do.


Tuesday, March 1, 2011

me

First day back at school after being sick for almost two weeks.  how tiring.


Yes, my children sleep with their eyes half open,
it's a little eerie, I know but, I'm used to it.


While checking my blog this afternoon -
because I read it over and over and over,
trying to find mistakes - don't blame me,
it's the undiagnosed OCD, I tell ya -
I came across this over at Roots & Wings Co.

Can I just say that this post was awesome for me!
In the quest to find myself, I quit.
I gave it to God and decided that somehow, some way,
one day, I would find me and be happy with me.
That was a while ago and I am happy with me.
On days when I'm struggling
and just having a bad day,
I can find fault with me but,
I try to give me a break and get on with it. 
Knowing that tomorrow, I will wake up,
praying the sun will be shining and it will be a new day.
And guess what?

It always is.