Ack, projects!

The kids go back to school in a few short weeks, and I have yet to sew them a single thing for school.  Gah.  I at least need to make them their typical “first day of school” dresses, and I was hoping to have a few extra things thrown in there for good measure (shorts, tees, casual dresses?), but I’m running short on time.  

Also, I know a few people having babies soon, so I wanted to get some handmade gifts squared away for them.  I’ve started the sweetest afghan pattern ever, and thankfully it’s working up quickly.

I also have my eye on this sweater and this bonnet, but I seriously doubt with my slow-ass knitting skills that I would be done in time.

And that doesn’t cover Halloween, either.  I’m making 3 custom costumes again this year, and they’re pretty ambitious, involving lots of material and hand-made pieces.  I have to sew a leotard.  I’ve never sewn a leotard, people.  I must be losing my mind.

Ah, well.  Too many projects? I wouldn’t have it any other way. :)

Washi Tunic Loveliness

Rae (of Made by Rae) recently came out with the Washi Tunic and Dress pattern — when I saw this entry on the pattern in maxi-dress form, I knew I had to have it.

I bought and downloaded the pattern on Friday, and spent the evening printing out the pages and taping the pattern together.

Saturday I traced out the pattern pieces, made a quick muslin of the bust to check the fit, and then sorted through my stash for some appropriate fabric.  I have some incredible dotted swiss that I almost used, but it was far too sheer.  Then I came across this squirrel fabric I had purchased during my L.A. trip and decided it was perfect for my top.  I originally bought it for the girls, but I figure I’ll get more mileage out of it.  Right?  Right.

The tunic came together very quickly — and at the last minute I decided to add piping to the neckline for some added pizzaz.  I almost added some piping under the bust as well, but didn’t want to futz with it.  I’ve only used piping one other time, and was too afraid I’d mess it up.

In my stash search I came up with 2+ yards of black broadcloth, and I knew that I wanted to make a sleeveless black version next.  So, on Sunday, I sewed one up!  It took me less than 2 hours from tracing and cutting to hemming, and I had enough time and energy left to sew Thea a quick little dress as well.

On the black top I deliberately folded the pleats away from the middle instead of in towards the middle, and I’ve decided I like it both ways.  

I’m quite addicted to this pattern!  It’s very flattering and has nice details with the shirring and the pleats to add interest even with solid fabrics.  I’ve basically worn my Wiksten tanks every single day to work, and now I can throw these into the rotation.  

Also, do you like my new, shorter hair?  I decided to chop it all off since I was sick of dealing with it.  18” shorter, baby!  I wasn’t too thrilled with it at first, but I’m getting used to it now and have decided that the length suits me. 

Hooray!

Mostly a picture post...

I can't believe it's almost the end of November already. Time has flown by so fast, and we've been busy little bees in our new neck of the woods. I sometimes miss our old life, but looking back through our pictures I can see that the girls are, in fact, adjusting well here, and we are (mostly) happy with our day-to-day.

In October, Bryan turned 30(something), Thea turned two, we had a several-days-long power outage, and then Halloween festivities.

The girls were sugar skulls, and not to toot my own horn but DAMN. I did a good job. Costumes, flower headgear, and face painting all made by me, by hand. I'm nothing if not dedicated.

Most recently, of course, was Thanksgiving. We were blessed to share the day with my best friend and some of her sidekicks. :) It's nice to have such good friends so close by, and it makes the holidays even more special to be able to share it with them.

I wish I had more time for my poor little blog, and more time for sewing and some of the crafts I love so much. With my work schedule and new commute there is less time than ever before, and I'm still (after 6 months!) trying to adjust. One day, I'm sure, I'll find that balance.

In the meantime, thanks to those of you that still swing by from time to time: I'm glad I'm still able to share what we've been up to. ♥

Pro none see aye shuns

I saw this video meme over at Sarah’s blog and decided to copycat her. Also, make sure you check out her video — her accent makes me want to dance a little. It’s fairly awesome.

So, there’s a list of words to pronounce, and then some questions to answer to gauge what term you use for things. Here’s my video (if you listen closely you can hear my dogs in the background, and Charlie goes crazy at one point).

Also, I apologize for looking like a ghost-faced killah in my video. Unless you like that kind of thing, in which case YOU’RE WELCOME!

If you want to participate (and I hope you do — leave me a comment so I can check it out) you can see the words and questions below:

Words

Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught

Questions

* What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
* What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
* What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
* What do you call gym shoes?
* What do you say to address a group of people?
* What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
* What do you call your grandparents?
* What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
* What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
* What is the thing you change the TV channel with?

I was going to do it a second time and bust out my Southern accent, but one video of my pasty-ass is enough, I think.

Various and sundry

I have stuff floating around in my head, so I’m going to vomit it here. On my blog. Which is, I think, supremely appropriate.

1. Did any of you see that Amazon boycott/public outcry over the pedophile book?  Amazon ended up “caving” to public pressure, and took it down. I’ve seen backlash over it lately, and all I can think is what the shit, people? Really? No, a book does not a pedophile make. Don’t be idiotic. The fact that Amazon would CHOOSE to list that book for sale is disgusting.  A book that gave instructions on molesting kids.

As someone that’s given Amazon thousands of my hard-earned dollars over the years (and for other reasons I won’t discuss) I took a personal and intense interest in getting that shit off the site.  And no, this is not the same as the church banning Harry Potter.  Keep it in perspective.

Also? It doesn’t make you cooler for not jumping on the bandwagon, so get over yourself.

2. In two days I have to take myself, Thea, and Marissa on a plane to SoCal. I am dreading the crap out of the flight, layover, and second flight. Let me just say this: the first person that looks at me sideways when my baby cries is getting a swift and forceful finger in their face, and should thank me for not punching them in the guts. 

3. Speaking of said flight, I’m really struggling with cloth or paper diapering Thea for this plane ride.  She will be cloth diapered when we’re there, but I can’t for the life of me decide whether I should just let it go and use paper for the plane ride itself.  I’m having a huge mental block against buying paper, but as far as space goes, I really think I have to.  I’m leaving this until the last minute though, in case something changes.  Like they invent a bag where you can stuff a house in it, but it magically shrinks and is super small and weighs almost nothing.  And smells like cotton candy.  And is embellished with rainbows.  *fingers crossed*

4. I was trying to sew a t-shirt for Thea the other day, and my machine was just eating up the knit like a monster.  I saw some tutorial that said to use a walking foot, so I ran a quick search to price them out, and LO AND BEHOLD.  I discovered that my machine came with one when I bought it.  I was so happy I think I squealed.  Saved myself $35, and made sewing the shirt soooo much easier.  It’s not done yet, but when it is I promise to post pics.  I know you’ll barely be able to concentrate on your life until I do, right?

That’s all for now.  I must go stress about babies and laptops and suitcases and TSA agents touching my junk.