pretty much all of it. okay, maybe something like 97% of it anyway. and in my book, that's an A+. and that i am able to work at home on creative projects almost everyday... well, that's just gravy.
many thanks to those who visited the shop, and thanks to all for your kind words and support as i make my way through making things. it's a wonderful life, indeed. xoxo
old :: vintage tablecloth, 10 cents at a rummage sale
new :: raglan shaping; i've tried a few patterns recently and have now summoned the courage to give it a go on my own. the verdict... not so scary and way cute
borrowed :: pin tucks, inspired by rashida's bag (which, coincidentally, was purchased by yours truly the moment it became available and is even more amazing in person)
blue :: the lightest ever so wispy chambray
what i'll change next time :: longer sleeves with an upwards peek-a-boo pleat, just a wee bit narrower in the bodice, and a different neckline (sans elastic). sounds like fun to me.
wishing all a nice weekend - stay cool (or warm) where ever you find yourself! xoxo
it took an extra day to steal away some proper time to get at that pile, but even at a day late, it was worth the wait. and me thinks the kiddos (and trees) agree.
much to my delight, i was able to recreate not one, not two but four (!) kick draw skirts. one of each for my littles, and then another of each which will be available at my shop update next week. i opted for a simple drawstring this time (no elastic) so that it can grow with a twirly girl without getting tight around her middle. and since it's past the knees on my 3-1/2 year olds, they should be able to stretch these skirts into kindergarden.
preparing a proper shop update is something i haven't done in months, partially because i was lacking in inspiration and partially because i've been concentrating on making more and more for my loves. i've truly enjoyed this time of thinking + sketching, allowing my creative pendulum to find a new balance. the learning and processing along this journey is truly envigorating. and i so love Etsy for offering me the opportunity to dream and reach beyond where ever i am. thanks for that, big time.
i am really excited and interested and curious about where i'll go from here - i have a few ideas and aspirations. a few, cough cough. what i will say is that i want to ease into it - so it's not going to be a huge update, but this hint of a new direction has me completely giddy.. in addition to the two skirts, there will be the dress as well as some familiar favorites in response to warm requests. ok, and maybe one more surprise. tuesday next, 22-july around 3pm eastern. xoxo
p.s. linen on the bias is way trickier than i thought.
popsicles in the shade after hours of playing deep-sea diver.
thanks so much for all of your thoughtful comments about the woes and triumphs of kiddos heading out into the world. patty made a lovely and reassuring sentiment - they are growing up, not away. and it is most magical to see. xoxo
yesterday, the girls went to camp for 3 hours. i could hardly sleep the night before, anxious and nervous and most of all, excited for them. we've done an entire year of make-your-own preschool, filled with mama+me library, gym and music classes. playdates and playgrounds to no end. but it's always been mama+me. us. it's been great. they have grown and evolved so much this past year and i am so incredibly blessed to have been witness to such magic. and now they are so ready to spread their little wings a bit. to get out there and mingle and explore and learn. with other people, big and small. and without me all the time. yeah, that's the hardest pill to swallow right there.
so yeah, on my way to the car as they were gleefully running and jumping and tumbling, i cried. just a bit. ok, maybe more than just a bit. but i collected myself after a quick call to the hub and set out on my morning alone. got a coffee, put things into perspective, and for some cruel reason ended up really bumming myself out - i went bathing suit shopping.
the girls loved camp and can't wait for the next time they go. i think i'll opt for something a little more enjoyable next time as well. xoxo
it was a cool quiet night home alone (with a very tuckered out duo asleep upstairs), so i dove right into that little dress i've been dreaming about. the one with vintage gingham. in brown. and blue, oh yes in brown and blue. with contrasting bits here and there but still simple. and two more of those peek-a-boo pleats like in the skirt. *swoon*.
the design/pattern is a keeper, although i need to make a larger version for the girls - seems this version is more of a 2/3 instead of the 4 i was going for. if anyone is interested, i'll have this little prototype available at my shop update next week. and hopefully a few more surprises. xoxo
houston, we have a play room.
this room has never quite found its footing in the past 7+ years; once an unused guest bedroom, then a throw-junk-in-it-and-close-the-door room, and most recently my sewing room. it has always been our intention that this would be the "other" bedroom, if the girls ever decide they would like their own spaces. for now and the forseeable future, however, it's become their own land of make believe - a play space open and bright and with plenty of freedom for interpretation and imaginary play. and it's right around the corner from their bedroom.
like many, i was totally smitten by the room elly created for her daughter as seen in cookiemag. so much so that i went to the readymade archives (issue 18, view "artist in residence") to find out more. the graphic artist who created that mural project was so inspiring and empowering. and i just love loved the colors, so i decided to go forward with it, but wanted to personalize the project a bit for the girls, as well. we're all big mo willems' fans, the girls being especially fond of edwina, so i opted for trees a la mo.
after a few sketches, we headed to home depot and became fast friends with the paint department. twice in three days, as a matter of fact. project details are below in case anyone is wondering about the order of things and how much time it took with two littles in and out of the room the entire time. i confess to bit of bribery in the form of a library dvd and the promise of swimming afterwards + popcicles (which we would've done anyway, but don't tell them that).
a few other bits of "us" remain to be painted here and there, probably within the next week or so, but the kiddos are so excited (as is mama) with this space right now that i think we'll live with it for now. wishing all a lovely weekend - i'll be finishing up my own space in the next few days and look forward to an overdose of sewing. *bliss* xoxo
we were making pita bread the other morning and i explained how the dough needs to rest after play (a.k.a. kneading). so she sang "rock-a-bye, dough" and tucked her wee pitas in for a nap. i am not exaggerating. xoxo
i've been giving a lot of thought to - though, unfortnately not as much action - the idea of behavior and rewards; as in "what's the payoff so-and-so is getting for negative behavior?" and it occurred to me, the payoff is mama's attention. albeit a mama-is-not-thrilled-with-this-behavior form of attention, but it is attention being paid to someone and in turn, attention being denied someone else. ahhh, siblings.
glory be, i think i am finally starting to recognize it more and more as it is happening. which means i can take action and *hopefully* make a change for the better. positive attention for positive behavior and a lack of even negative attention for the non-positive stuff.
and you know what, she ate her lunch afterall. just fine all alone at the table, as a matter of fact. and i got to snuggle in the sunroom and hear all about peter + mary jane's wedding. and work on a twirly skirt, too.
oh! i am so excited to share what i've been working on this week, but it's not done so no pics just yet. what i can say is that the earth and the sky are in place and home depot loves me. and i think home depot is the bee's knees. xoxo
