'Tis the Season!

I've marked down a few things in the Etsy store, so you might want to drop by and check it out!

Sweet Sixteen

My niece celebrates her sixteenth birthday this week.  I've been struggling with this birthday for a few reasons.  For one thing, it means I've been out of high school for about sixteen years, and I can't quite grasp how fast it's all passed.  What happened to that silly little Monkey?  More importantly, I'm struggling with the idea that she's growing up.  I'm even more nervous about her birthday because I remember what I was up to at her age.  All of those issues aside, what do I get her for her birthday?  Gas card?  iTunes card?  Cold hard cash?  When was the last time she opened a present from me and not just a card?  Unwrapping presents is one of my favorite parts of birthdays!  So here is what I came up with:

What?  There's no peeking!  You're just going to have to wait.  Or keep reading.

I called my brother to find out what she wanted for her birthday, and he told me that my sister-in-law bought The Not-so-Silly Monkey a sewing machine for her birthday.  I had to ask him to repeat his response, I was blown away.  The Monkey wants a sewing machine?  My hoop-shooting, soccer-playing, Volleyball-Wiz wants a sewing machine?  It makes a bit of sense, because she can be quite the fashionista when she wants to be.  It is important to say that both of her grandmothers sew, as well as her cousin's mom and her cousin's Tutu, and of course, I dabble a little in sewing.  Tutu is quite the quilter, really. Had all of the sewing that Tutu and I do given Monkey inspiration?  Has Pinterest's DIY boards made enough of an impression on her to have her request such a cool gift?  Maybe she's just exhausted all other gift options?  She is pretty close to having everything! 

When it sank in that I wasn't on an episode of PRANK, and I realized that they were, in fact, giving her a sewing machine, I started beaming.  My niece wants to sew!!  I missed the boat when my older niece, KLo, asked me to go with her to pick a sewing machine a few years ago.  I went with her, but looking back, I could have done a better job outfitting her, and I feel like I let her down.  Like most crafters, I learn from my mistakes.  The wheels started turning.  What should I have given to KLo when she purchased her first machine?  What would I want gifted to me with a new sewing machine?  What do I feel are necessities for any sewing space?  I called to make sure other gift-givers were on the Notions Route, and hit the local Black Friday Sale at JoAnn Fabrics.  I'm an Olfa girl, myself, but who can resist 60% off Fiskars notions?  Not this gal. 

Here is a list of what I consider "The Basics" for anyone looking into basic craft sewing:

Self-healing cutting mat:
I say the bigger the better, but honestly, I have five of these:  One little rectangular mat, perfect for squaring up blocks and taking to classes or craft-nights with the girls; One long, skinny mat for working with strips, or for a take-along; One 12"x18" June Tailor mat, complete with ironing board on the back (This one is perfect for those of us crafting out of a closet, as most of us do); One 24"x36" mat that currently resides with my mother, who is working on an adorable baby quilt for one of my cousins, who was born three years ago - Love you, Mom);  And the gigantic fifth mat is waiting patiently at the North Pole for a Christmas Day delivery.  I love all of these mats, as they make smaller projects and quilts so much easier to work on. 

Acrylic Rulers:
These come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  My favorite is the  6"x24" ruler that has grids.  It is so easy to cut strips and square up fabric and quilt blocks with this beast.  I have a few template rulers in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they are not necessary.  They can make a job go much faster, and I do use a lot of mine, but I was lucky enough to have inherited half of them.  If you see these and like them, treat yourself to one ever now and then.  I picked up a new diamond rule last night, and it was well worth the four bucks!

Rotary Cutter and Extra Blades:
Let's face it, the ruler and mat are nothing without these tools.  Having extra blades on hand is essential.  I like to keep extra everything on hand for two reasons:  1). I live too far from a craft store to "drop by" for more supplies, and 2). I usually run out of whatever I need in the middle of the night when the store is closed, so even if i did live close to a store, I couldn't get in for what I needed anyway. 

Fabric Scissors:
My favorite pair are Ginghers, but $45 is a bit steep for me.  I'm not a complete scissor snob, and used Fiskars and any other pair of fabric scissors under ten dollars until last year, when Santa put a set of Ginghers in my stocking.  Good job, Big Guy.  I tie a ribbon on every pair of scissors meant for sewing, to avoid confusion when people are looking for scissors to open anything or cut paper. 

Seamstress Tape Measure:
If you need to know why this is a Must-Have, step away from your machine and make an appointment to see me.  Even if you aren't making clothes, this little tool can help any project along.

Seam Ripper:
Every machine I've ever owned has come with a seam ripper, but having two is a good idea.  I keep the factory seam ripper in the cute little compartment on my sewing machine.  As you faithful readers know, I have two velcro'd to my machine for convenience.  I'd estimate I have a half a dozen seam rippers floating around here, and I usually pick up one during the big notion sales just in case.  They do dull out after a while, and have a way of getting lost. 

Thread:
What's a machine without thread? 

Wonder Tape:
While this isn't a necessity, really, I consider it a valuable notion.  There are some fabrics that don't respond well to pinning.  Any of you that have worked with any linings, satin or minkee know what I mean! 

Pins:
I grew up with metal pins, with tiny heads on them.  When I had my first job, I decided to get my own set of pins for my sewing needs, and saw these cute little flower-headed pins.  A friend of mine explained that beyond fashion was function, and these pins were popular with quilters, due to their thickness, length, and flat head.  Having a strong pin to go through multiple layers is essential to quilters.  Having the length keeps a project in place a bit better than a shorter pin.  That being said, the shorter dress maker pins are also an essential tool, as they are for more delicate projects.  Pins aren't all that pricey, so recommend buying a package of flat-heads and dressmaker pins.  You'll decide which you prefer.

Fabric:
Do I really even need to comment on this?  I'm wondering how many of us bought fabric before we even bought our machine!

So what did I wrap up for The Monkey?  Like all of us, I'm on a budget, so I didn't go totally over the top. I did, however, invest in these lovely products:

I think she may have been more excited to open presents than anything else!  There was a sigh of relief when she opened the mat set, as my kids and I told her it was an autographed Justin Beiber poster.  Regardless, I am hopeful she will enjoy sewing as much as I do!  Happy Birthday, Monkey!

New Coupon Code!!

Are you ready for some Holiday Shopping?  Here is a coupon code to get you started:  WINTER2012.  Enter this code during checkout on any purchase in my Etsy store.  Enjoy!

Tip Tuesday: Week #10

Before I get into the tip this week, I want to share with you a picture of a quilt I’ve been lugging around for almost twenty years.  I started this quilt the summer after my sophomore year of high school.  This was back during my days working at House of Fabrics. 

 

 

 

The store I worked at was closing, and there were some great deals on fabric.  It was a great time for me to take up quilting.  If I made a mistake, I wouldn’t be out a lot of cash.  It is important to say that aside from an outfit for school, I didn’t actually make any money during my days cutting fabric and back-folding the calico wall.  My poor mother lost money on the deal, as well.  She drove me to work on rainy days, and picked me up at night so I wouldn’t have to walk home in the dark.  Unfortunately, she would end up shopping.  I remember on more than one occasion, she shopped for my entire evening shift. 

As most of you quilters know, there are stages of quilting.  I don’t mean prewashing, cutting, stitching, ironing, and actually quilting.  I mean the emotional stages:  Excitement, confusion, despair, resolve, perseverance and success.  Some of you know exactly what I mean.  Every “new” quilt starts with that excitement stage, when I can not wait to get my hands on the new fabric.  I cut away, cheerful and singing, stitching and ironing, clipping and sorting.  Eventually, I run into an issue.  It’s important to mention this issue is usually encountered late at night, when my eyes are having trouble staying open, and I’ve misunderstood something.  I should know that it is time to get some rest, and try again in the morning, but sometimes the excitement hasn’t waned completely and I want to push ahead.  Then despair sets in, when I’ve realized I have made a mistake, and should have stopped when the confusion set in.  I call it a night, possibly avoiding the project the next morning, and eventually move to the resolve stage, in which I’ve found a resolution to my issue.  I drudge through whatever seam ripping or re-cutting that needs to occur, and then it happens.  Sweet Success.  There is nothing sweeter than that moment I finish that last stitch.  I run my hands over the designs.  I run my fingers along the binding.  Each new pattern brings a new skill.  I am working on a few new patterns here that I am hoping to try out in all this free time I have with the kids in school.  Those of you that know me KNOW I would have used a sarcastic font for that last line.  I’ve had less free time since they’ve started school than I did when they were home with me all summer. 

 

Where is the tip in all of this?  Have you ever sat down with a Veteran from any war?  I mean really sat down and talked to someone who has served their country or fought for something they love?  I run into Veterans from time to time, and I try to make the time to hear their story.  I see something lost in their eyes when we say our hellos, and somehow they come alive when they start reminiscing about what it was like to be a young soldier.  They talk about their first love, or their first deployment.  They say they don’t want to bore me, as I’m sure their kids and grandkids are tired of hearing the memories.  I listen.  I hear.  I wonder how these men and women survived some of the situations they endured.  I hear the pride in their voices, and see the sparkles in their eyes, and the glow that gleams of their face as they tell their tale.  Good or bad, their experience shaped them, and made them the people they are today.  I’m happy they want to share their story with me, and so happy to listen. 

Talk to a quilter, and they spin a similar yarn.  I’m not trying to be disrespectful, please don’t take it that way.  But imagine a conversation I had with a fellow quilter about putting together a Lone Star quilt.  I had shared a picture of a “Starburst” quilt that I had made in 1994.  She insisted it was not a Lone Star quilt because of the color placement, and I agree, to a certain extent.  She asked me why I chose such a difficult pattern for my first quilt.  I explained that I knew I would be spending a lot of time with the quilt, and wanted something I would like for a long time.  I bought the fabric for twenty-five cents a yard.  That’s right.  Twenty-five cents a yard.  I was new to quilting, and was learning a technique that was new to the industry called “Strip Quilting”.  Armed with a rotary cutter, mat and pattern, I set out to assemble the quilt.  The woman and I talked and talked about color choices.  She spent months gathering her fabric for hers, I spent ten minutes.  She cut diamond after diamond, carefully piecing each one.  I cut strips, sewed strips, cut more strips, sewing more strips, and so on.  She shared her tips of the trade for quilting her masterpiece, and laughed at my batting choice for that first quilt.  It was nice to talk to this quilting veteran.  Where was she when I was working on this quilt?  It would have been nice to have some input.

Every project gives us a new experience.  Every stitch we rip out and re-stitch is a new lesson.  I encourage you to take classes, talk to people you know, join a quilting guild, and enjoy your time creating.  What’s my tip this week?  Jump into the deep end and start the project that you adore but are afraid of.  Buy that fabric you love when you see it, and tuck it away for later.  You know what you like; you’ll find the right pattern for it some day.  Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know what you are doing, and don’t lie about what you can do.

 That concludes my Ten Week Tip Tuesday! 

Tip Tuesday: Week #9

Purge your projects from time to time.  We all have UFO's (unfinished projects) from time to time, and sometimes letting go of them is the best thing we can do.  I come from a long line of pack-rats and clutter-bugs.  I'd like to think that I could be the one to break this cycle, but the fact that I have a fabric stash that could overflow a standard sized closet, I'm guessing I won't.  When is it time to let go and move on?

I had a friend give me her yarn stash a few months ago.  I like to knit and crochet, and found it really tough to turn down the yarn, although I was given the option of donating it.  I know of a few knitting circles that participate in some wonderful charity events, like making hats and blankets for preemies and newborns or for the homeless.  I thought of all of the things I could make with the skeins of yarn.  There were about forty of them, all labeled efficiently with little sticky dots to mark dye lots.  What a great idea, Leslie!!  Anyhow, I looked through pattern books, printed out online patterns, toyed with some of my own ideas, and still, the collection of yarn sits.

If you live in Sonoma County, you may know of a wonderful craft thrift store called The Legacy.   It is out in Sebastopol, CA.  Call ahead to make arrangements to drop off fabric, yarn, notions, books, magazines, patterns, and yes, even UFO's.  The store has a regular staff of volunteers who process the donations and set up the store like, well, a store.  Patterns are priced at fifty cents - except for vintage patterns - that's right, VINTAGE.  There are binders full of vintage patterns, all priced pretty reasonably if you ask me.  The fabric is sold by the pound.  It's something reasonable, like, $2/lb for fabric.  I've met teachers there that pick out scraps for their students.  I've met wonderful volunteers that come in to sit and knit/crochet items to donate to sell.  All of the proceeds from this great shop go to fund the Sebastopol Senior Center.  How cool is that?  I will admit, it's sad when I've witnessed a large delivery, and it hits me that someone has passed, and this is their sewing room, piled into box after box.  Right about the time I tear up, I'll see a young mom with her children in tow come in the front door, and they head to the button bucket to pick out buttons while their mom shops.  I smile, remembering that The Legacy is carried on, whether we pass it to our children, or strangers who find our stuff in the store.

I have dropped off items there from time to time.  I had volunteered a couple times while my son was at preschool.  I sorted patterns for a couple hours, while my daughter looked at buttons, or helped me put patterns in the correct boxes.  The staff is caring and pleasant, and while they prefer an appointment for larger donations, I've never had them turn down a bag or two of my purging.  What a wonderful way to achieve a guilt-free purge of my craft room!  I've acquired patterns and scraps of this and that for making dolls, or piecing holiday decorations.  I've found beloved out of print books that I have loaned out, only to have them never return.  I've scored amazing vintage buttons in excellent shape, and some uplifting conversations from fellow shoppers and volunteers. 

So when is it time to give up that UFO?  Have you lost interest?  Does it keep you from starting something new?  Are you feeling guilty?  Answering yes to any of those questions means it's time to move on.  Don't think of it as abandoning it, or giving up on something.  Think of it as giving the project new life by handing it on.  I assure you, a feeling of relief will pass over you.  I am on the verge of donating two totes of fabric that I've lugged to four different homes, each time intending to make something from the fabric, and each time putting the tote on the very bottom of the to-do list.  I'm not sure what my attachment is to these items, but I am starting to feel like letting go would be very liberating. 

Find a local charity, Senior Center, or classroom that could wrap up that project for you.  You're doing a better service to give it up and let it go than you are to weigh yourself down with it!!

Next week will conclude my Ten Weeks of Tip Tuesday!  What would you like to see on the blog in the upcoming weeks?  Tutorials?  Giveaways?  Contests?  Leave a comment below to let me know what you're looking for!!

Tip Tuesday: Week #8

I'm sure you've read my rant on threads, and if you haven't, *ahem, get to it.  Anyhow, I know I was pretty harsh about brands.  Maybe I had a few bad runs of luck when it came to manufacturers.  Maybe I bought thread that had been on the shelf awhile, or was just faulty.  I don't know.  What I do know, is that it is easier to label my thread with the date when I buy it, so I can avoid it snapping on me later because it is old.  This was an easy task in the beginning, because I always bought my thread at once, when it was on sale.  I realized later this wasn't always the best way to buy thread.  Having worked in retail, I'm skeptical about sales and expiration dates.  Sales are a great way to move product that could be at the end of its lifespan.  I'm not saying this is true for thread, but what if it is?  What if all that thread that gave me a headache was simply just... old?  If there is a way to see the "born on date" like a popular beer brand boasts on their product, I want to see it.  For now, I'm content with buying thread when I need it, rather than buying it because the price is right.  I also buy just what I need for a project, and try to keep no more than one extra black or white thread on hand to avoid thread becoming "expired". 

 

How about the question of, "is that a black bobbin or a navy blue bobbin?"  Well, I love sharpies.  I'm pretty sure the stationary supply store loves me when I come in.  I adore sheet protectors, sharpies, shipping supplies, and I'm a sucker for binder clips (more on that next week).  You've read some of my uses for sheet protectors - like storing machine notes and patterns - but did you know that I have three recipe binders stuffed with sheet protectors?  I loved one of my holiday cookie magazines so much, that when I wore it out preparing for Christmas one year, I bought a second one, and carefully cut the pages, sliding each one into a sheet protector, compiling them all in a binder for future use.  The stationary store loves me, magazine makers label me Public Enemy #1.  Anyhow, back to the sharpies.... What a bird walk!!

I use sharpies to label my bobbins.  I label one side, and always put that side up when I thread the bobbin.  This makes it easier for me to remember the direction of the thread when the bobbin is placed into the machine for sewing.  My Kenmore Machine has "K" written on the bobbins, and I wrote "BL" on my Babylock bobbins.  What does this have to do with Navy and Black?  Well, I don't know about you, but sometimes late at night, I can't see the difference.  So I mark one with sharpie so I can see the difference.  It doesn't matter how you mark it -write NAVY or BLACK on it, who cares?  I personally label my black bobbin with Orange Sharpie.  Why?  I'm a San Francisco Giants Fan, and when I think Black, I think Orange and Black, so orange sharpie it is.  That being said, if I were a Detroit Tigers fan, I'd probably label my navy bobbin with orange.  But I'm not, so I don't.  Where was I?  Go GIANTS!!  And Label your bobbins to avoid confusion. 

Did you know that I post to the blog at other times during the week?  Not just on Tip Tuesday?  You might want to check in for updates on what is coming to the Etsy store, or craft fair dates...  Or maybe there might be a contest you can enter for free stuff?!?!  Who knows?  Check back, and even sign up on the right hand side of the screen to follow this blog by email. 

Tip Tuesday: Week #7

Making or modifying patterns is essential to what I do.  One of the advantages and reasons for sewing is to make a custom item.  Think of all the possibilities that can become reality when you make a pattern.  I started adjusting patterns for my own clothing over a decade ago, and I continue to make my own patterns for accessories like bags and wallets.  My daughter is very tall, and very slender, so I rarely have an opportunity to make her something straight out of the envelope.  A lot of her dresses are "Trim here, add several inches there," which is one of the reasons I sew so much for her.  When I finally modify a pattern, sometimes beyond recognition of its original format, I find myself frustrated at how fast the pattern deteriorates.  I get that patterns probably aren't made for multiple use, but I'm a tight-wad.  I typically don't spend more that $2 on a pattern, and I certainly don't throw it away when I am done.  I have learned over the years that it is easier to trim a pattern down, than it is to fold it over, keeping the sizes intact for future use.  Buying multiple patterns for the same pattern, but for different sizes is a much simpler option. 

But what about that pattern that fits just right?  The pattern that you use over and over again?  The pattern you made from tracing your favorite jeans or shirt?  The design that you worked up on a scrap of paper and trimmed using taped sheets of paper? 

Paper patterns are great, don't get me wrong, but I like to use muslin to make my patterns.   Draping the fabric over the person I am making the item for saves me a bunch of time.  It's an easy way to take something three-dimensional and turn it into two-dimensional.  I can see exactly where something should have seams, where it should be taken in and let out.  Using my Baby Lock Melody, I can embroider information on the muslin including what the pattern is for, the size, if it runs long or short, what the actual measurments are...stuff like that.  My favorite part about my obsessive compulsiveness in this pattern making matter is that I happen to know two little girls that are younger than my daughter that are facing the same fashion challenges she does, so all of my late nights of drafting and altering patterns, then transfering the alterations to muslin was far from a waste of time.  I found one brand of leggings that fit my daughter well everywhere but in the length, so I cut them open, and traced them on muslin to make a pattern adding length, of course. 

When I was in high school, my mother made me a half a dozen dresses from the same pattern.  Each one looked very different because of minor changes like length or material.  I'm sure she still has that pattern tucked away in her sewing room, and I can only imagine how dilapitated it is from all of those dresses. Think of how many times she pinned it down to fabric, and how many times it was folded and unfolded.

My tip?  Buy muslin by the bolt when it is on sale, and use this wonderfully affordable fabric to make and/or alter patterns.  You never know when all of that muslin will come in handy.  It's great for making patterns, making dust covers for just about anything, or even for making re-useable shopping bags.  I know a lot of women who put together a muslin outfit before cutting into expensive fabric.  There is nothing worse than cutting into Liberty of London fabrics only to find something doesn't fit.  Why not have a test run instead of potentially ruining pricey fabric?

Well, I hope you got a few tips from all of that mumbo-jumbo.  Three more tips coming your way!

Here comes Fall!

We were off to a late start this summer, as I posted before.  This was the last summer before my kids join the ranks with all of the other school-aged children.  I felt a rush to do the usual summer trips I heard other parents planning.  The Summer Bucket Lists I've seen are pretty intriguing, and include anything from simple stuff like "Take the kids for ice cream" to "Go on a great vacation to somewhere warm, sunny and somewhat educational,".  Watching the other moms rush around to cross stuff off of their lists made my head spin a little, I admit.  I wanted to enjoy just one more summer of relaxation before the kids realize the pressure they might fall under during the school year.  One more summer to just be kids and not worry about schedules and time lines.  We skipped the commercial theme park passes this year, and they were not missed. 

Here's what was crossed off of the standard Summer To-Do List:
Play at the beach
Go Camping
Make s'mores at a campfire (not the cheater microwave kind)
Play with cousins
Plant a garden
Play in the water
Build forts
Paint-paint-paint
Spend time with Grandparents
Attend an MLB game
See Pixar's new blockbuster
Have ice cream/frozen yogurt
Ride bikes/power-wheels/go-karts
Play with more cousins
Get new stuff for school

I'm sure I left something out, and I am positive that I will take full advantage of our 2013 Summer Vacation, once the reality of being locked in to a school schedule sets in. 

The coming of Fall is exciting for everyone in our home.  For one thing, my in-laws have an apple orchard that we can raid for things like healthy snacks or delicious pies.  Our fruit trees are a bit young still, and we lost our peach tree during a frost last year, so we are fortunate we have someone to share homegrown fruit with us.  Aside from the delicious pies, it is the part of the year that I feel I get a second wind and start regaining some momentum.  I start wrapping up projects that missed the New Year/Spring Cleaning lists.  I dream up new ways to decorate for the up coming holidays.  The pumpkin spice lattes start appearing, giving me the official nudge to start having my hair colored a shade or two darker.  The kids and I start talking about costumes for Halloween, and I start sketching new patterns.  With Christmas around the corner I start making some serious progress to my collection of stocking stuffers and gifts.  The leaves start turning to beautiful shades of golden yellows and bright oranges that make even my husband smile. 

I am particularly excited and nervous about this Fall.  With both of my children attending school, I will have two new opportunities this year.  The most important of those two is taking on the role of Unofficial Teacher's Aide, filling a role that all parents should.  With overcrowded schools and strict teaching guidelines, Teachers are under a tremendous amount of pressure.  I've heard stories about parents being bombarded with homework - that's right.  THE PARENTS are saying THEY have homework.  I asked around to see what this was all about, and found that parents were simply being asked to reiterate the day's instruction.  I am aware that all of us are a bit short on time.  We work hard every day, so coming home to more work isn't exactly what most parents have in mind.  Am I looking forward to sight-words and sounding out words?  Honestly?  Not so much.  Am I excited that my kids will be learning new things that will help them become better readers, opening the door to a whole new world of discovery and learning?  YOU BET.  If I moan and groan about the homework, wouldn't that give my kids a full license to whine about it, too?  If homework is seen as "unnecessary work" or "busy work", or even to quote another parent I spoke with, "a waste of time", doesn't that set my child up for an entire school career of dread and possible failure?  I can groan every time I see a math worksheet come into this house, or I can smile, encourage, and assist my kids with their "work", and hope that they have a positive experience with their school work.  After all, they will be attending school for the next 17+ years, why not have some fun with it?

Speaking of fun, my second opportunity will be to work uninterrupted for blocks at a time on all of these sewing projects I have stacking up around here.  I am very thankful for all of the special orders I have received.  From stitching buttons on to sewing custom men's shirts, from quilts to quilted totes, from skirts to Gnomes, I am enjoying the steady stream of projects that have been heading my way.  Thank you to those of you who have placed your custom orders, and thank you to those of you who browse the Etsy Store! 


 

Tip Tuesday: Week #6

This may seem like a simple tip, but keep your manuals for your sewing machines near your sewing machines.  And I don't mean just the manual that came with your machine, I mean the one you make for your machine, too.

Each machine has its own quirks and requirements for maintenance and operations.  I spent an afternoon playing with my ruffle foot to see what setting did what.  I labeled the strips of fabric with the settings before running them through the machine, and then adjusted the foot to those settings.  I saved all the ruffles stapled to card stock for easy future reference.  It's also a good idea to compile a sampler of different decorative stitches.  It's nice to have a quick reference instead of having to try out different sizes before finding the one I want.  I like to make note of tension settings on my serger.  I have the standard setting labeled on my machine (Thanks, Jim), but I also keep a list of what settings I use for different fabrics.  And Blind Hems?!?  Who Loves blind hems?  Not this gal.  BUT, I have a sample of fabric folded for a blind hem, because no matter how often I look at the manual, it just doesn't sink in.  That little scrap makes blind hems a breeze.  Most of these little scraps and things fit into sheet protectors, that can fit into a binder.  Mine are all shoved in Ziploc bag that came with my machine.  I'm not even going to post a picture for you to laugh at.  Someday they'll make it to a binder.

I want to get the most out of my machines, so knowing their features inside and out is imperative.  No matter what machine I have, or how much it cost, I want to know exactly what it can and can't do.  It's the best way for me to get my money's worth from the machine I have, and construct a thorough list of features I would like for my new machine, should I need to purchase one at some point in the distant future. 

Did you get your coupon for my Etsy store off of the Back-to-School post?  There's a 15% off coupon floating around in there you won't want to miss.  The coupon is good through the end of September, so you'll want to hang on to it.  With the kid starting school in just a few days, I'll be back at the sewing machine, wrapping up iPad and Kindle covers, quilts and cozies.  Stay Tuned!!
 

Back To School

Both of my kids are off to school in less than two weeks.  While it's a more traditional start date, it is very late compared to the other schools in our area.  For my son, this will be his second year away from me, and for my daughter, it is her first year of preschool.  I'm wondering how it will go.  I hear about moms crying on the first day of school, and wandering around feeling lost for that first hour or so, wondering what to do without their kids.  I admit, the first day of preschool for my son, I was pretty shook up.  He lined up with his class, and I called out to him, "Have a good day!" and refrained from saying, "I love you!!" (I still remember the horror this phrase can send through a young student's body).  He barely glanced over his shoulder at me, and went off into class, leaving me clutching his little sister as if she was a life-preserver I found on the Titanic.   She stood there crying because she wanted to go to school, too.  I think this year might be a bit easier.

How about a little something to help you with back-to-school?  I will have new items in the store including new purses and iPad covers.  Enter this coupon code for 15% off of your purchase:  BACKTOSCHOOL2012

Keep checking back for new items!!

Tip Tuesday: Week #5

Ever step on a pin sticking up in the carpet?  Lose a needle somewhere?  It happened to me on a regular basis.  When we moved into the home we live in now, we had the opportunity to put in new flooring of our choice.  While my husband likes carpet in bedrooms, I am a huge fan of having linoleum or hardwood flooring in every room.  I have terrible allergies, so I take any chance to avoid harboring pollen and dust mites.  Honestly, having two children, I would prefer flooring that could be pressure-washed, possibly even flooring with a slope down to a drain for the ease of cleaning up spilled milk and muddy footprints.  I explained to my husband that carpets were a Lego's worst enemy, and that Play-Doh would become our nemesis.  If you've ever taken carpet up, you've seen the dirt that has sifted through the carpet, settling between the carpet and the mat.  It didn't take long to convince my husband that carpet wasn't the way to go.  After careful review of installation costs and the actual lifetime of the flooring, we came to an agreement:  Linoleum for the bathroom, laundry room, and my craft room, with hardwood for the rest of the house.  We went with Bamboo for the majority of the house, and we love it.  It has worked out very nicely, as I do not feel carpet ever really comes clean, and I can definitely see when these floors are clean or dirty. My favorite benefit of our flooring, is that my pins and needles are easily found. 

The Tip?  Regardless of what flooring you may have in your workspace, get yourself a magnet to locate rogue pins and needles.  I have a magnetic pin cushion I "borrowed" from my mom in addition to those cute little pin cushions I love so much.  During the actual sewing phase of my project, I don't have time for putting the pins back into a cushion, so this magnet helps me speed things along.  These magnetic pin cushions are available at most sewing or office supply stores.  Keep an eye out for a wand version.  I found one at a children's toy store, and it's handy for finding pins and needles. 

On a side note, do you see the squares hiding under the shade?  Those are post-its.  I have a lot of things on my to-do list, and each one of those items is scheduled on my calendar, but is also written down on a post-it.  The post-its are organized and re-organized on my window to help me prioritize which project is in the fast lane, and which project can wait a day or two.  Try it out, you might like it. 

I'm halfway through my Ten Week Tip Tuesday bit, and I'm thinking it's time to get some more likes on the Facebook page.  Who's up for a give-away?!?  Leave a comment below!!

More fabric?!?

I've had an unusual week around here.  Most of our summer days are filled with playing in the yard, building forts, and making a mess with play-doh.  We spent a lot of time on the road during the previous school year, as my son was attending a school about 25 miles from our home.  I've been avoiding trips anywhere to give my kids a break from freeways and car rides.  We're wrapping up our summer fun and preparing for school.  I've made my rounds to get school supplies, purchasing backpacks and lunch bags, pencils and erasers, jeans and shoes.  I'm compiling a list of healthy lunch ideas my children will actually eat.  Patterns and fabrics for school clothes are taking over my sewing table.  So what makes this week so weird?

This week, I've hauled my kids to town every day to pick up packages.  Every day.  It started with picking up two orders of fabric at the post office Monday.  Not so unusual for a woman in the business of sewing, really.  Monday night brought notification that I would be receiving a second Big Brown Truck shipment Wednesday, in addition to the shipment I was expecting for Tuesday.  Wow, packages on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday?  Wow.  My head began to spin when I received a notice for another delivery on Thursday!  Add in a third parcel due this week at the post office, and Good Golly!!  That's SIX boxes in one week!!  I'm doing my best to get them checked in, pre-washed and put away, but my goodness!  That's a lot of fabric!  I am surprised that everything is coming in one week, as I was told most of what I ordered had could have a September delivery date. 

Here I am, trying to wind down Summer, and Fall is already taking over.  I had planned for the fabric to be received the week before the children started school, so I would have time to wrap up Summer before I jumped into my new Fall sewing schedule.  If my calendar could make faces, I'm pretty sure it would be smirking at me right now.  I'm not sure where the summer has gone, or how my fabric showed up so fast.  Here I am, staring at the closet I use for my business, shaking my head in disbelief that I will actually be able to hit the ground running and get some great new products listed for this Fall.  It feels good to see my plan coming together, fabric and notions tucked neatly away, waiting for the Ginghers and rotary cutters to work their magic.  The next couple weeks are filled with special orders, but I'm hoping to sneak in some items for the store.  I am debating posting a picture of what I have received, but I think it might be more fun to have some completed items posted to the Etsy store!

Tip Tuesday: Week #4

I am always looking for  different ways to save myself time when it comes to sewing.  I find the actual machine stitching is the fastest part - especially if you have a machine that runs smoothly.  Most of my time-saving tricks happen during the preparations portion of a project.  Cutting out a pattern takes so much time, and ironing pieces that have been sewn is a necessary evil.  I have found a way to cut down on the time it takes to pin things.  I've heard of women using glue sticks to baste projects, and that's a great idea.  I have mixed feelings about this, because I'm not sure how some of the fabrics I use would react to this.  There is a product on the market that I adore - and should probably buy in bulk:

Wonder Tape. 

Almost as cool as Wonder Woman, but a lot more versatile. 

The beauty of this tape is that I don't get it all over everything like I would glue (in stick form or otherwise), AND it washes out.  This double-sided tape is great for "basting" seams, or placing pockets, Velcro, and (drum roll, please....)  ZIPPERS.  I would dread putting in zippers before I found Wonder Tape.  It seemed like I was always fighting with pins during that initial basting of the zipper, and I always ended up getting stuck by a pin or five. 

What else to I love about Wonder Tape?  I can use it to stick spaghetti straps to my bra, or stick a creeping shirt to a camisole to keep it from shifting all day.  If I need a quick hem on a pair of pants and don't have time, I can Wonder Tape it.  It's a pretty handy product that made my top-ten list for the notions sales at JoAnn Fabrics. 

Hope you have enjoyed this quick tip!  I'm expecting The Big Brown Truck today, and I can't wait to get those boxes!

Relax. It's only housework.

It's Thursday already, and I have taken the advice of a good friend to help me get through today.  I will be channeling my inner Peg Bundy, and relaxing a bit.  I never really watched Married with Children, but I'm familiar with this red-headed housewife.  It stood out to me that her home was always picked up - well, except for a laundry basket once in a while.  Sure, Peg spends all of Al's money, and so what if she doesn't know where a grocery store is?  She's always rockin' that red hair, and despite my difference of opinion when it comes to fashion, she DOES know how to coordinate her wardrobe.  And marrying a man who sells shoes?  GENIUS.  I wonder if she gets the inside on ne fashions....  Where was I going with this? 

I enjoy starting the weekend off with a clean house.  I've blogged about this before.  This week, I'm willing to let it go.  I've got two projects due this week, AND I'm gearing up for the special orders I have scheduled for next week.  Is anyone going to notice the floors?   Forget the stack of school clothes fabric I have piled on my glider - hey, school starts "late" here, I've got time.  Ignore the fact that I haven't dead-headed my rose garden all week.  And what about those five loads of laundry that need folding?  Isn't it enough that the laundry is clean?  Hmmm.  Today I'll settle for clean dishes and more time for sewing. 

A friend of ours is celebrating her 50th birthday this weekend.  My mother-in-law and I were scratching our heads about what to get for The Birthday Girl.  I had thought about gift certificates for dining out, or maybe...  yeah.  That's really all I had.  My MIL had a much better idea.  She asked if I would make something for The Birthday Girl.  Why hadn't I thought of that?!?!  The housework will have to wait while I work on this little bit of something special: 

The fabric is Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.  I found the pattern for this on Riley Blake's Cutting Corners College http://networkedblogs.com/AGzaB.  What a great twist on a traditional nine block! 

Tip Tuesday: Week #3

When you aren't sure about a new-to-you sewing technique or maneuver, baste it first.  For example, when setting sleeves, baste it with a long stitch to the right of your seam allowance, check your work, and then stitch it on the seam allowance with the right stitch length.  It seems like duplicate work, but if you end up seam ripping, you'll be happy you have those larger stitches.  If you have a computerized machine, your basting stitch might look something like this:

Speaking of putting sleeves on, I also recommend reinforcing the sleeves with a stretch stitch.  On some machines, this stitch looks like this:

This stitch setting is for stretch materials, but I think it makes a nice reinforcing stitch.  Try this stitch out on your machine.  The needle will sew forward, then backward, then forward twice, then backward once.  (Excuse the poor picture):

 

Did you notice the blue globs on my machine?  Here's a bonus tip for you...  Velcro your seam rippers to your sewing machine!  I still lose them from time to time, but this sure helps! 

That's the tip of the week!

New Item for Etsy store!

I am very excited to announce that I will be selling Wee Mouse Tin House in my Etsy Store!  The pattern for these cute pocket pals was developed by Larrisa Holland at www.mmmcrafts.com.  If you haven't seen her blog, check it out.  She has some really cute ideas and patterns!  Those of you that know me have seen this mouse roaming around in the bottom of my purse.  There are a few of these friends available in my Etsy store.  If you don't see one you like, please contact me to place a custom order!

Tip Tuesday: Week #2 The Caddy

Invest a dollar or two in one of those cute shower caddy bins that flood stores during back-to-school sales. I found mine at the dollar store after passing one up in the dollar section at Target. I have a larger version for cleaning supplies, but this small caddy provides enough room for my Ginghers, pin cushion, pattern weights, patterned-filled sheet protector, Pilot Frixion highlighter (if you don't have one, get one for marking your fabric), a lint roller, and any notions I am going to need for my project. My sewing room isn't all that big, so I move from room to room to complete my projects. I cut out on the kitchen table, iron in the laundry room, and sew in the living room or my fabric storage sewing room. All of this back and forth can leave me looking for tools and notions all over the house. Being able to tote this caddy to each station eliminates the need to go back and forth between cutting table, ironing board and the machines. I'm also a lot less likely to misplace the elastic I've cut for my project, or all those cute little buttons I had picked out.  I've had a similar set up in the drawers of my sewing machine tables, but I find this mobile cubby to be the most convenient for the set-up I have. Maybe one day I'll have the sewing studio of my dreams, but for now, it's me and the caddy.

I've also put a little container in the caddy for bent pins, used machine needles, and dull rotary cutter blades.  The thought of finding one of these in the loose in the garbage makes me nervous, so this puts me at ease that no one will get hurt.

Hope you've enjoyed Tip Tuesday Week #2! 

Sewin', Sewin', Sewin'.... Get those Feed Dogs rollin'

Thursday is my busiest day of the week.  Mostly, I'm preparing for the weekend.  I like to start off the weekend with a clean house, despite the fact that I will be cleaning it all over again Monday morning.  Thursday is the day that I steam the floors and change the sheets.  It's the day I pay bills and finalize grocery lists.  It's the day that I start pulling out the weekend projects.  I stack the fabric on my glider and start sifting through patterns.  My family has come to recognize the signs that a sewing marathon is about to begin and I will be somewhat unavailable to them.  The first sign is the crock pot coming out of the cupboard, followed by the overflowing lunch bags on the counter.  The kitchen table is cleared and scrubbed, and the word is out the table is no longer for food or drinks, it is now a cutting table.  The ironing board comes out of its hiding spot.  By Friday, the laundry is caught up, the house is clean, the fridge is stocked, and the bills are paid.  It's time to sew.  I've definitely got my work cut out for this weekend- literally- and can't wait to get sewing!

Tip Tuesday!

Over the years that I have been sewing, I've come up with a few tips that save me time and/or frustration.  How many of us have sewn a seam only to rip it out moments later?  How much time do we waste searching for that seam ripper?  What did we do with that pattern piece that has the placement marks that we forgot to make when cutting out the fabric?  If you haven't encountered some of these sewing woes, I envy you.  For the rest of us, I have a list of ten tips to make things go a little smoother.  Over the next ten Tuesdays, I will post a new tip, so keep checking back for more!

Week #1 Managing Patterns:

Keep your pattern and instructions in a sheet protector. Pattern pieces are like tents: we know they came in that package, but they never seem to fit back in. A sheet protector will provide plenty of room for those delicate tissue pieces, as well as any notes that you may have made for the project. When the project is complete, this sheet protector can be inserted into a binder for the next time.

Check in next week for more tips!

The Sew-At-Home-Mom

When my husband and I found out we were having our first child, we decided that I would stay home with our children.  It wasn't an easy decision for me.  Over the years that I had collected a paycheck, I had a few jobs that I really liked, and a few that I wish I'd avoided - and sometimes, they were the same job.  I've had a colorful resume. I've done anything from work on a loading dock for a large retailer to office management, each job giving me insight.  I thought about the jobs that came and went, and what I had learned from each of them.  It was a rough road at times, and I wondered what life would be like without having to clock in and out.  Would I be happy without work?

My first paycheck was from House of Fabrics.  I'll never forget how excited I was to have the job.  It was my sophomore year of high school, and having a job was a rite of passage for me.  It was close enough that I could walk to work after school.  The best part about my job is that I could be around fabric all day and get paid.  I still have my first pay stub tucked away here somewhere, and my gold thimble awards stuck to my name tag.  I loved talking to customers about their projects.  I enjoyed learning about fabrics and crafts.  It was this job that inspired to start quilting.  Work didn't seem like work.  I'm not really sure I ever made money during my employment at that store, because I was forever shopping there, but the experience was worth it.

Here I am, almost twenty years after I had that job, and about six years since I've had a paying job.  My employers now are ages three and five.  They pay me in fossilized food that I find in the back of my SUV, and in acorns or rocks that I find in my washing machine.  I am on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  On our worst day, we've been struck by the stomach flu, but our best days outnumber the worst by far.  There was a time when I had 2-under-2, and I thought I wouldn't make it.  Having kids nineteen months apart was a pretty good spread I thought, until the time came that I actually had two kids under the age of two.  More than once, my husband came home from work early to find me napping with the kids in our bed.  I couldn't help it, I was exhausted.  I remember thinking that it was time to put all of those skills I had learned to work here on the home front, and get my life back on track.  I found myself honing in on my time-management skills.  I developed tasks lists and delegated tasks when I could.  We established a routine that worked for us, and enjoyed our long days together.
This is the first year I've started to feel like myself again.  The days of changing diapers are long gone, as are the feedings and constant wardrobe changes.  I noticed this last spring that both of the children can dress themselves from head to toe without assistance.  They can use the bathroom without me.  They can pick up their toys and put their laundry away.  No wonder I was a zombie for the first three years of my daughter's life.  Getting three people through the day is a lot of work!  The feeding, cleaning up after, changing, entertaining, buckling into a car seat... it goes on and on.  All of those simple tasks only take a few moments, but added up, my day was booked.    We were out of the woods without the unscheduled interruptions that a newborn or toddler can bring, and I could make time to get all of the housework done, play with the kids, do the shopping and errands, and still have time a little time to myself.   Both of our children are off to school this fall, and I will have a nice chunk of time available while they are off learning during the day.

Should I go back to work?  Could I go back to work?  Did I want to go back to office management or bookkeeping?  Did I want to suffer through the schedule that a retail job would require?  Should I work on my degree instead?  Could I find a job that would understand field trips and sick kids that need to stay home?  What hours could I actually work?  How far would I need to commute?  Would it be worth it financially in the end?  My husband and I talked in depth over what my options were.  We came up with the same answer every time.  I wanted to be here for my kids. 

A few months ago, someone saw a few items I had posted to my facebook page, and asked if she could pay me to make something for her granddaughter.  I was very excited to do so for two reasons:  1).  I adore the little girl the items were for, and 2). I had never been paid to sew something for someone.  I was ecstatic to receive an envelope in the mail, and just about fell over when I saw the woman had paid me more than we had discussed.  She even wanted me to make MORE things for her!  It was such a rewarding feeling!!  I loved sewing, I was able to be at home with my kids, and I could get make a little money.  With school starting in the fall, I would have a few hours every day to dedicate to sewing.  How could I resist such an opportunity? 

It turns out I don't miss that desk as much as I thought I would.  Working at home would allow me a much more forgiving schedule.  And that is how I became a Sew-at-Home-Mom. 

Here is a little project I worked on yesterday and today: 

Lovin' a little rain

Ah, the rain.  I welcome this little Northern California storm with my arms wide open.  With all of the wild fires, we need this!  I love a little rain to clear the air, dampen the dust down on these country roads, and cool down the heat we've been having.  I took a break from sewing dresses this morning, and found that I couldn't actually take a break from sewing.  While I have a few more dresses cut out waiting to be sewn, I need a temporary change of scenery.  Time for a little playing with fabric Product Development.  As I was cutting out the last of the bodices this yesterday, I was inspired to create something much smaller and universal than a girls dress.  So, this is what inspiration the rain brought me:

These are available in my Etsy Shop!!  Have a request for a custom made product?  Send me an email jaclyn(at)thesewingsmith.com

Tangerine Dresses now available in the Etsy shop!

www.etsy.com/shop/thesewingsmith

Thread, Thread again.

Sewing machine owners have a hidden motto: "If at first you don't succeed, Thread, Thread Again."  It's the Control-ALT-Delete of the sewing world.  Anytime my serger acts up, I cut the threads and start over, same thing with my sewing machine.  Most issues are about thread.  Is the tension correct?  Is it running through the machine correctly?  Is the thread breaking?   Is the bobbin wound correctly? It seems so simple.  How can such a simple issue cause so many problems?  Is it the thread or is it that malfunction between the peddle and the chair? 
  
There are a lot of brands of thread out there.  When I worked out House of Fabrics, I did my best to steer customers away from bin thread, and over to a sturdier brand.  I'm not sure why 5/$1 thread exists, as the only outcome I've seen from this product is frustration over snapping thread and unraveled seams.  I boasted about Coats and Clarks thread, which was the only brand I'd ever tried.   It was the only brand my mother would buy.  It isn't a bad thread, but I soon fell in love with the colors that Gutermann had to offer.  It wasn't until I had a serger that my love affair with Gutermann came to an end.  Anyone who has had thread snap in a serger knows the frustration of threading and re threading, only to have the thread snap again.  I returned the cone thread to the big box store I bought it at, and they were unhappy that I did so.  I pulled on the thread and showed them how easily it snapped, and they gave me my money back.  It could have been old thread, or it could have just been inferior thread.  Regardless, it was a waste of my time.  I found myself back at the shop where I bought my serger, asking for opinions and advice on threads.  Names like Mettler, Madiera and Maxi-lock topped the list for recommendations.  I started asking everyone I knew that had ever sewed what kind of thread they used, and I came up with two groups of answers:  "Mettler, Madiera, and Maxi-lock" and "Does it matter?" 

I felt like I was in the same loop I was when researching sewing machines.  Did it really make sense to spend more on something?  There were two sides of the sewing machine debate, with lines drawn firmly in the sand.  There was the group of elite sewers/quilters who stood proudly by their Berninas, Janomes, PFaffs, and Babylocks, and defended their machines like the Hatfields and McCoys.  Then there was the group that stood by their $300 machines that they replaced every few years.  All of the debates left me thinking, "Do I really get what I pay for?"  The sewing machine debate was ended by my husband, who reminded me that I never swore when I was running the Bernina Serger, but my Kenmore machines had always left me in a bad mood.  I'm fortunate to have a husband who understands that these machines are my tools.  I still wasn't so sure if investing more in a machine would ever pay off, and I felt the same about thread.
At some point during the last school year, I had been working on a project for my son's preschool.  The Queen was coming for tea, and the teacher had wanted tabbards for the boys to wear.  I didn't have time to make my way to my usual thread store, so I stopped at a higher-end fabric store and picked up four spools of Mettler thread.  Let me stop here and say serger thread is typically two strands of thread running together and should NEVER be used in your regular machine.  That being said, I'm not sure there is any harm in running 3-ply or 4-Ply thread through your serger.  Anyhow, I stitched about a dozen flannel tabbards up in no time.  The ease of sewing with the Mettler was amazing.  I didn't have to re thread ONCE.  I practically skipped through the house celebrating.  I hesitated to throw away all of my cone thread, but I knew it was the best thing.  I was wasting my time making things with thread that might break.

I know, I know, I'm sounding like a thread snob.  Pull out different brands of thread and look at the strands.  I mean really look at them.  There are blobs of fibers on cheaper threads, and smooth grain lines on more expensive threads.  I thought about all of the hours I put into my projects.  It wasn't just the sewing part, but selecting the fabrics, pre-washing and ironing, cutting the fabrics out, and THEN sewing the project.  All of that time and effort goes into a project, why not select the best materials?    The thread is what holds the project together, why skimp there?  If I hadn't honestly noticed a difference, I would just buy whatever was on sale and go about my business.  Now I find myself wondering how many hours I lost dealing with broken thread.   How much of that blobby thread had shed off inside my machine?  Wouldn't that mean more cleanings and maintenance for my machines?  How much time did I spend dealing with thread issues?  How much frustration did it cause?  My time, my sanity and my machines were worth a LOT more than the extra buck I would put into the higher quality thread, so why risk it?  Sometimes we forget that our sewing machines are MACHINES.  They need maintenance, and the products we put into them be problematic.  Avoid the trouble before you even start your project, and purchase quality materials - from the fabric to the thread.  It's worth it!

Summer Stories

Our backyard is a bit on the big side.  It is home to an old and dying oak tree, a lush vegetable garden, and a thriving flower garden.  Having that ol' oak tree around reminds me of the mighty oak that stood in the yard of the home I grew up in.  The sun would set and cast a glow in my bedroom that made me feel so warm and cozy.  Sonoma County can get pretty warm in the summertime, so I'd open my big window and hope for a breeze to come rustle up those leaves.  I spent most of my summers (until I could drive, anyway) with my nose in a book.  I remember the summer I read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, and Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I was all of about eight years old, and found myself transported back in time by these books.  It was like magic, opening those paperback books.  I thought about each of the girls and the dresses they wore, the dolls they might carry.  My aunt had made a Holly Hobby dress when I was five, and at eight, I wished it still fit.  Instead I would settle for tying a make-shift pillowcase-turned-apron around my waist and pretend I had chores to do.  Funny how chores are so intriguing when they aren't real....  Anyhow, while my Baby Girl is a few years shy of enjoying all those lovely books, she is ready for her own prairie dress and bloomers - minus all those hot layers.  I stopped making just one of anything years ago, so this dress and other color variations will be listed in my Etsy Store.  Prepare for The Cute.....

Delivery!

Look what has arrived!!

Growing Pains

I'm not sure about the other kids out there, but my children have a knack for growing out of pajamas in the middle of a season, when there are no suitable replacements to be found.  This phenomenon was discovered during my son's first winter, when he was nine months and wearing 18 month-sized sleepers.  My sister promptly nicknamed my son Moose the day after he was born, and his growth chart certainly held up the name.  By his first birthday, we were on to size 2T, with no blanket sleepers in sight.  I've never been a fan of having a blanket in the bed/crib of any infant/toddler, so this sleeper-shortage was a huge problem.  I searched clearance bins and the Internet coming up empty handed.  Even my dad, who lived in Washington at the time, was unable to find any sort of winter pajama.  What was worse is that we had trouble finding ANY kind of substitute for Moose's pajamas.  I took the lesson to heart, vowing this wouldn't be the case the following winter. 

For the last four years, I have bought my children three sets of pajamas that are just a smidge big, and one set for the next two sizes up as a precaution.  I have been fortunate over the years that both my mother and mother-in-law have delivered pajamas to my kids on more than one occasion, so there hasn't been another pajama shortage.  Baby Girl likes wearing her brother's hand-me-downs in a pinch, and Moose always has a size up tucked away.  It's been a good six months since any pajama fairy has visited, and after bath a few nights ago we discovered that both kids were about two to three inches out of their pajama bottoms.  How did that happen?  It's been pretty warm here, and the children haven't worn long bottoms in about a month.  Before I continue, it's important to say that I am a fabric hoarder.  That being said, my collection is vast, but organized.  I may not always have exactly what I'm looking for, but I have something to make-do with.  I pulled out the fleece bin and cut two pairs of lounge bottoms for Moose.   Baby Girl chose some flannel-backed Tinker Bell fabric months ago that, fortunately for me, I hadn't cut into, so she'll be rockin' that fabric this summer.   We stopped in a fabric store the other day for some notions and came out with some monster print softy fabric for another pair of pants for Moose.  Who can resist a five-year-old boy asking his mother to sew him something?  Not me!

And what did I learn from this post?  It wouldn't hurt for me to take a photography class!

Ahhhh Yosemite

Half Dome from Glacier Point

The Sierras have always had a special place in my heart.  When my husband and I first started dating, we made our way to the mountains about once a month.  Summer seemed to run from April to October for us, as we traveled to places like Fordyce and The Rubicon for a couple days of rest and relaxation.  We trekked through those mountains and found our respite beside creeks and lakes that wove their way through the granite and off to the valleys below.  This year, we've been so caught up in our day-to-day madness that I forgot to take a breather!  Summer has been slow-coming around here. Our regular routine of shuffling the kids to preschool and dance class ended about a month ago, and yet summer didn't officially start for me until we ventured out to Yosemite for a wedding last weekend.  We went through the regular motions of packing the vehicle the night before, and stocking the car with treats for the kids that they don't usually have.  I won't bore you with the details of our trip TO Yosemite - I'd rather not relive it, honestly- but I will tell you that it included two freeway construction sites, one lost hotel reservation, a new hotel reservation next to a railroad track, and a diner that ran out of breakfast on a Saturday morning.  Regardless of the misadventure, we rolled into Yosemite early Saturday afternoon with plenty of time to make it to the wedding. 

The roar of the river behind our hotel was so calming for me, as most rivers have been in the past.  Water has so many healing properties to it, and watching it rush over rocks, smoothing them, tumbling them, pushing minerals downstream...it's very hypnotic.  It's like watching the ocean in Northern California, the waves crashing against these gigantic rocks, washing bits of them away with every swell and crash.  Somehow the waves of the ocean and the rushing of a beautiful river erode my worries away, making mountains of problems chip off into smaller hills, and eventually rinsing them downstream and over to shore.  In those few moments of watching the river rage behind our hotel, just as if someone had flipped a light switch, I was released from the hustle-bustle rush that our lives had been during the school year.  Now it was time to enjoy my family.

Here I am one week later, sipping my coffee and taking a moment to enjoy the comfort of my front porch.  The kids are sleeping in, the husband is in the shower, the dogs are laying in warm patches of sunshine on the lawn, and the kitties are stalking something.  The short trip to Yosemite paved the way into a relaxed week of playing outside and not doing much of anything, really.    The wind is shuffling the leaves around, and if I close my eyes, it sounds like a river.  Next week will bring 40 yards of fabric to my door, so I will definitely be on track soon, but for now, I'm just going to take it all in and relax.

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