What's a Girl To Do?

So, yesterday I am sitting at the computer and lurking on some blogs for a quick moment here and there and I stop in over at Silly Happy Sweet as I do upon occasion.  And, doesn't she have a picture of some fabric that she just bought from Fat Quarter Shop that CANNOT POSSIBLY BE TRUE.  Do you SEE this fabric????  Does anyone who has been around my house know the significance of this particular fabric?

American Jane for Moda Fabrics

There are my girls:  Judy, Jill and Jean!!!!!!

American Jane for Moda Fabrics

Oh, SWOON.  Now how do I resist making a quilt out of this... make that that TWO quilts as Ellie has a set of bunks waiting for her....  what's a girl to do?  I have absolutely no experience making a quilt, have no money to spend on this fabric and I am just DYING inside to make this for her room.  I mean... what are the chances that the EXACT paper dolls I choose to decorate her room end up as fabric????  It's got to be some kind of sign.

Right?

Oh, rats.

Done vs. To Do

Today I have started to make a list of the things I have actually DONE, as opposed to a "To Do" list.  That list would SERIOUSLY crush the the things accomplished.  Here's what I have so far:

1.  Picked up the LR and vac

2.  Ran dishwasher

3. Numerous loads of laundry (still not making a dent)

4.  Packed away snowsuits and the heaviest of coats (in spite of it SNOWING this morning, I am choosing to be an optimist here)

5.  Packed away heaviest of winter sweaters and boots (some boots still to go) and pulled out spring and summer stuff

6.  Finished Ellerie's birthday crown

Ta-Da!  She actually gets a little "outfit" as I came across some cheap stuff to go with it.  1.50 Fairy wand, 1.75 Target clearance glittery tutu skirt.  

A birdie for my little birdie:

More flowers and initial:

And, just to clarify (*ahem*  Meg), I've been working on this here and there for a couple weeks now.  Not just this afternoon.

And, to further clarify what it means when I work on ANYTHING except housework for any length of time, here is my sewing room/office:

Multiply that by every other room in my house (excepting the LR, which I did pick up and vac, see item 1) and you have my humble abode.  Please Child Services, don't take my kids away from me.  I do try to maintain some, albeit low, level of actual cleanliness.  

Love that Nicola has been finding this amusing lately as well!

Visiting Again

Off again this morning to see Korana and this darling little one she just popped out last week.  Hello Adalyn May; so good to meet you!

Adalyn was a sweet little doll as only a new sort of newborn can be and the older kids played very nicely upstairs so the mamas could have coffee and chat in peace.  Korana bestowed her discarded knitting things upon me (yea!) and let me sift through a huge pile of vintage buttons (double yea!).  I really think I could look through piles of vintage buttons all day.  My friend and I both agreed we could feel our blood pressure dropping, so we are pretty darn sure it actually has medical benefits.  I wonder if my insurance would cover some ebay button lots?

All in all, a lovely morning, although I have returned to a DISASTER of a house (this seems to be a recurring theme around here) and my stress levels are already back through the roof as I have also recently just figured out that I have less than two weeks until Ellie's birthday and our vacation!  EEEEEK!!!  (imagine this noise as both extremely excited and very, very wigged out)

But the baby fix was worth it, as there won't be anymore coming from me.  Yeah, as dear as she is, I don't miss the sleepless nights, the guessing what's wrong, the diapers every five minutes.  In fact, I am actually looking forward to a stage where I am DONE with diapers and nap schedules and cutting everyone's food for them.  Don't worry, I'm not trying to rush things.  I don't mind enjoying now, I'm just saying that it feels good to not be sad about leaving it ALL behind.  

Off to roll in a pile of buttons before I have an anxiety attack from all the piles of stuff all over the place here.  Kidding.  But I sort of wish I wasn't.....

Suburban Blues

Yesterday was lovely.  Going to Megan's is like going home to me.  But today I feeling bluesy about being in the 'burbs and not the country.  I know I need to focus on making THIS space as comfy for us as I can.... and I will.  But not today.  Today I am going to wallow just a bit in this darling family being too far from me and in my being too far from some acres and woods.

It was good to be outside, even in the cold.  We all loaded up on the Kubota and headed up the road to their camp.

Oh, a hike in the woods, even a short, cold, muddy one, is good for the soul. 

Heck, maybe it's good for the soul because it IS short and cold and muddy.  Anyway, it was perfect and I am itching to go back already.  Next time, with some boots ;-)

Quick Update

Just wanted to stop here quickly and tell everyone thank you for your prayers and get-well-soon wishes.  Yesterday, Tate was much better.... kept everything down (always a plus!) and was even playing.  By no small miracle, we the rest of us were all spared from this one.  Today he is back to preschool and we are off this afternoon for a visit to see my dearest friend, Meg.  Blessing to you all!

Back in the Ring

This little guy has gone and got himself another GI virus.

**DING**

There's the bell for Round #2.....

Honeymooners

A new relationship can be a tricky thing.  There is always so much worry and fuss over saying the wrong thing or making a bad impression, or the sinking feeling that you know the other party will do or say something soon that isn't going to sit well with you and it'll be done.  But along with the anxiety, comes a sweet fulfillment in the ones that go the right way.  And, once in awhile, comes along a real gem; one that you know will survive thick and thin and will always be worth the time and the care and the effort it takes to really cultivate love.  

Then you get the honeymoon.  That sweet phase where almost nothing can go wrong and, if it does, you work through it with a kind of thoughtfulness and bliss truly reserved for the most beautiful of relationships.

And that, my friends, is exactly how I feel about knitting.

This hat?  A complete obsession yesterday.  I could not put it down.  Every time I was forced to (darn kids ;-)  I was just itching to get at it again.  It is not really a thing of beauty.  I didn't know how to finish off the brim because I don't know how to crochet and don't own a crochet hook, so it is just a roll brim.  The back seam is not done that well and makes me wish I had forced myself to try it in the round (something I am currently a little scared of).  It has a sort of gnomish quality that is cute in a certain way, but makes me think entirely too much of a giant nipple.  But none of it matters, because I am still in love.

That is the beauty of the honeymoon.

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Super Mama

Even Superman needs a mama to tuck him in.  What you can't see very well is that Batman is there too.... smothered.  I can only assume, with love ;-)

Bubble Bursted

So, I figured out the daisy stitch!  Isn't it beautiful??

It makes for a fabulous washcloth!  You'd pay good money for a washcloth like that right?  And, with the end of my tiny money-making job near on the horizon, I thought why not make these and sell them on Etsy?  

Only, apparently I am not       the      first      one       to       think       of        this.  Not sure I want to try to compete with that kind of talent.  I did, however, find some lovely Etsy shops! SIGH. Back to the drawing board.  

Still, I do so love the daisy stitch.

Freedom

Guess what?  All three knuckleheads have just left for their Nana and Papa's.  Here they are this morning zoning out to Martha Speaks before Cal left for school.... very excited, just a TAD too early!

I always feel a funny sort of sadness when I'm away from the kids, but I am ready for this.  I need a break... first time in six years!!!  I had their stuff all ready early to throw them out the door ;-), but it took Nana and Papa a little longer to get here.  

Yes, there is a little potty going off with them.  Seems our bout with the GI bug brought Miss Bird a keener awareness of her bodily functions.  She's not 100%, but she's using it, which is very exciting to me as the boys were over 3 before they were even interested.  And then, really only interested because I told them they HAD to be interested. 

The suitcases are a little project started WELL over a year ago and I still have to finish up Tate's.  I am the QUEEN of procrastination sometimes, but I have promised before our trip in April, it will be completely sewn on.

That project has been sent off though, with the kids, so I will have to choose something else to occupy my time.  I think a good clean up is in order, as we are forever looking ransacked around here.  But first, a date with my hubby!  And, as long as I can keep from missing the kids too much (which is complete craziness as half the time I am desperately wanting to be alone), complete freedom.

Jackpot

I have a bit of an addiction to vintage patterns.  It's not that I really have any time to sew any of them and, to be honest, I am a little intimidated when I sit down with a "real" pattern because I always sort of want to do my own thing.  For awhile, I wasted countless hours on vintage pattern sites, scouring for cool patterns in the right sizes and then, even after I wasn't buying anymore because I knew I didn't have the time or money to do so, I was still looking.  I have since repressed that urge but, when my mother came for Calvin's birthday toting this, I knew I'd hit the jackpot.

I still don't know the whole story behind these.  They came from my sister Michelle's MIL's estate.  But apparently they had been tossed and my niece (other sister) requested that they go back and dig them out???  Girl after my own heart, that Kirsten.  You gotta love a girl that "gets" vintage even at 13.  So, here is my pile of goodies and the rest are going to said niece.  

My guess is she's going to put together one of these first.

You'll note the one on the left is in a plastic bag.  That one was a "mistaken" purchase from a great site for old patterns, Lanetz Living.  I say a mistake, only because I fell in love with the pattern and didn't carefully pay attention to the size:  31 inch bust.  I'm definitely small in that department, but not THAT small... there is my rib-cage to account for and all.  And, oddly, a 31 inch bust pattern goes with a 33 inch hip, and that FOR SURE ain't happenin'.  So, Kirsty, have at!  Can't wait to see what goodies you whip up.  

More Than Meets the Eye

Well, the birthday was a smashing success.  Calvin's only requests were Transformers and Legos and both were generously received.  

And Daddy's cake is always cool, but even more so when it includes just one more toy...

Cal was SUCH a good boy all day.  When I said, "See, doesn't it make for a nice time when you act like a good boy?"  he responded with, "Yeah.  Maybe I should try to do that most of the time."  Way to sneak that "most" in buddy.  Yup, I say it every time, but I think we're going to like 6.

This little monkey had some struggles last week and I am suspicious that they were, at least in part, jealousy related.  But he got some good grandma and grandpa lovin', so I think that helped.  And Calvin has been pretty good about sharing his loot.

And Baby Girl?  Well, she MOWED cake.  "Mo' peeeese"  We actually had to cut her off.  And the crown seemed to suit her too.  I think she's practicing for next month....

All in all, a lovely weekend.  Now, on to Monday.....

Good Day, Sunshine

We all went outside yesterday.  Oh, the power of a little sunshine and warmth after shivering in our woolies for so long!

Don't you love Ellerie's hat?  A gift from Nana Sue by Adrienne Kinsella at Etsy.  We loved this one, of course, because of our little Birdie, but she's got some beautiful things to check out.  I'm so glad it is going to fit her for a couple of years.  This one is a keeper, for sure.  

Tate started out with mismatched mittens and rainboots, as it wasn't quite 50 degrees...

.... but the sun brings out happy play, laughter...

.....and, yeah.......naked feet.

Today is Calvin's 6th B-day!  I sent him off to school this morning with a bag full of gummy fruit snacks (thanks Sherrie!) and his crown.  He told me he loved it, which is just enough to melt my heart, even if he never touches it again after today.  We've got some special things planned for tonight.....anyone see Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium?.... and the party is tomorrow, so pics of that next week probably.  It's practically tropical here for march, so hopefully we'll all get out and enjoy it.  

All That Glitters

A few days ago, I laughed when a friend told me she had trouble containing her urge to put glitter all over some artwork she hung in her nursery.  Glitter?  Please.  I am NOT a girlie girl.  I am immune to the pull of shiny baubles and glitzy bling.  PUH-LEASE.  

Only, apparently, I am not.  The first sign was that I could barely contain myself at Joann's from buying EVERY pack of these clearance shiny threads.  Focus, Liss.  You have ONE project currently requiring such a thing.  But, oh my, it IS pretty.

Like Kryptonite.

So, I used a bit of it to schmancy up Cal's birthday crown, cutting every piece with care to waste as little as possible.  This is GOLD people. ;-)  And, it was pretty fun.  But then, oh then, I discovered one that was thin enough to thread so nicely right in my machine.  Suddenly, I knew what Korana was talking about.  I want to sew EVERYTHING from now on with shiny thread.  EVERYTHING.  I could barely contain myself not to keep scrolling designs all over the "good king" side of Walvy's crown.

But I did.  And the "bad king" side has a lot less bling.

Hope he likes it, 'cuz otherwise I'm wearing it, just as proof that I can control myself.  

I still have a lot of thread left though.....

Wordless Wednesday: Boys' Bookshelf

*please note*  This image was not taken today.  Currently, this shelf (and their entire room) looks like the contents were recently poured out of a blender.  Happy Wednesday!

Oh, and you can blow this one up if you care to snoop in their library at all...

Back To Life

Well, we seem to be coming back to life here. Ah.... it's good to consume coffee again.  Thank you to everyone who said prayers and wished us well.  Now if only it would get warm enough to throw the windows open and breathe in some nice fresh air.  Everything here needs a scrub-down today as we head into Cal's birthday week. I'm working on his crown (good king/bad king reversible) and trying to figure out what the heck to send in to school for some sort of birthday treat that won't break the bank or make me crazy.  (Suggestions are welcome)

In the meantime, here are some pics of Tate's purple scarf.  Note how nicely it goes with the purple shadows under his eyes... poor baby.  

But he does look rather cool in a jaunty sort of way, doesn't he?  Yup, he's rockin' the man- purple.

I've managed to beat out a couple cotton dishcloths too.  We really need them and they make such great little practice squares.  I finished the double seed stitch one at my folks' and I really love that pattern.  Then I did one in a small basketweave... MEH, it's ok.  This latest one is taking it's toll though.  I think I am taking my aggression out on my needles, as I am wearing the tips right down.  Maybe metal is more the material for me:

The knot stitch is worth it though....even the little blister it's creating on my finger....I love it!

I've been following patterns and instructions from Teach Yourself Visually: Knitting.  It has been a VERY helpful resource (thank you Sue!).  And, the instructions are very similar to the daisy stitch I've been wanting to attempt, so I think I get it now.  For sure, that one is up next.  

But first, bleaching the toilets. ;-)