Exhausted

Early Sunday morning we got back from our week-long trip to San Diego/SoCal.  It was an absolutely amazing experience: Squarespace sent the entire family for a vacation.  We got to hang out with friends and family that we haven’t seen in far too long, and go on some incredible adventures.

Of course, we got up early every morning and stayed up late to make the most of our days.  We’re terribly tired, but I can’t wait to share our pictures here, once I’ve had a bit of time to recover.

I didn’t realize how fiercely I miss my mother, those blue skies and palm trees, and the long freeway drives.  Sweet memories.

School Photo Dresses

Awhile ago Oliver + S was having a pattern sale, so I snatched up the School Photo Dress pattern. I love the detail in this dress: the collar, the sleeve bands, and the hidden kangaroo pocket.

It calls for an invisible zipper, which seemed very daunting.  After some consideration though, I figured it wouldn’t get any easier if I didn’t try it at least once, so I pushed onward.  You guys, I am so brave.

I bought some corduroy prints in two color ways, some white lining material, and 2 invisible zippers.  Then I got to work.

I made Charlie’s first, and had to re-do the pocket 3 damn times.  I couldn’t wrap my brain around it, for some reason.  Once I figured it out, though, it was so easy.  And then I smacked myself.

Charlie’s zipper turned out *ok.*  Not great.  It’s not truly invisible.  It went in just fine, no fuss, but I really wanted it to be completely invisible.

When I made Phoebe’s, I really took my time on the zipper part, and I nailed it.  I am so proud of the back of her dress that I might just make her wear it backwards.  For realsies.

I think these dresses will be great through spring, since they can be work with or without tights, and the sleeve length is great for warmer or cooler weather (with a sweater).

I even hand-stitched the lining, just like the pattern told me to.  I’m so good at following directions.

Anyway, I’m really proud of these, and again, I can’t stop raving about Oliver + S. The instructions made it so damn simple, and here I have two beautifully constructed garments.  I feel like a real sewist.

Dumpster diving FTW!

The other day while I was at work, a co-worker ran up to me and asked if I wanted to go dig through a dumpster. I said no. Then he shrugged and said, “Ok, well they’re throwing away fabric.”

Two seconds later I was out on the street with another co-worker, digging through a dumpster.* Across the street from my work is a textile/fabric shop, and I guess they were getting rid of old inventory, but whatevs. FREE SHIT!

A few of the people in my office made fun of me and told me I’d get bed bugs from the material, and that I shouldn’t bring it into the office.**  I’m pretty sure they were just jealous of my haul. Suckers.

I scored some cool stuff, including several yards of some type of polyester sweater knit. It’s fuzzy on the inside, but it looks really retro and I thought it would make some cool shirts for the girls.

When I told my mom about my treasures, she told me I should make them a dress out of the sweater knit. I (almost) always listen to my mother since she birthed me and is clearly made of magic, so I did what she said, and made the cutest dumpster dress you ever did see.

I used the cowl-neck dress pattern from Heidi and Finn, and modified the collar to be a split neck. I even stabilized the shoulders and twin-needled the hem, y’all. I was serious about this dress.

It turned out even cuter than I pictured. And now, I’m going to start digging through trash on a regular basis. Who’s with me?

*I clearly work with some amazing people.

**Some of them, however, are lame-o Judgy McJudgersons.

What I love (by Phoebe)

Phoebe brought this paper home from school the other day, and it was too cute not to share.

What I Love

My Parents, TV, scooters
My 3 sisters, music
My 2 dogs, pop tarts, pizza
My School, Ice cream
My teacher, my friends
horses, bookmarks
ducks, french toast
fairs, ham, summer
books, cake
fish, brownies
hamsters, fish
frogs, cupcakes
jump roping, bunnies
turtles, birds
cats, hopscotch
kittens
rainbows
New Jersey
West Virginia

xxoo

A visit from The Godmother

The godmother has had time off from work since she had baby Lincoln three months ago, and I insisted that she come out here with my godson (*squee!*) and whadayaknow? She did.

She was able to stay for a week, which sounds like a long time but really isn’t. We were so lucky that she could bring Lincoln with her, and I made the boy one or nine things for their troubles, which I’ll share shortly.

I have to say, it was strange having a baby boy in the house. Belle had a moment of panic when changing his diaper for the first time (a penis!) and I accidentally called him “little mama.” Oops.

He’s the happiest smilingiest baby I’ve ever seen. So sweet. I took a few days off of work which coincided with President’s Day, so the whole family was able to hang out and soak in the magic baby smell.

I miss them already.