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Showing posts from June, 2006

Howdy!

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I’m happy you found me! Thank you for visiting. I hope to be able to get used to working around this new blog. Please bear with me. (This may be temporary, so don’t be surprised if I move again when I find something better.) Today I’m posting my “works in progress.” This is my ironing board (which needs a new cover) with my projects lined up, ready to sew. From the left: a boy bib which needs snaps or some type of closure; some wee bunny pieces; fabric ball pieces; tissues (to remind me to make more tissue covers ); a headband for Sandy (for helping me at the pool); some crocheted blocks that I did this week (after Heidi helped me ); and a chocolate bar with handmade soap for the boys’ sports camp teacher (today was their last day). Most of these “works in progress” have been waiting for me for the better part of the week, but I hope to get to them and finish them this weekend! The boys really want green wee bunnies. 3 Comments : Happy housewarming. I hope you like your new blog home...

I'm Not Worthy

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So yesterday started off as most days do. Taylor and Carter are in their final week of "sports camp" at school; the weather was hot and humid (after days of straight rain); and boys were quarreling with each other. When my friend, Sandy, invited us to her pool and offered to help with the children, we took her up on the offer. With my large family, we don't get invited many places (pools, day trips to the beach, zoo, etc.). No one is really willing to help me with my children, so we just do small things around town and around the house. The children are fine with it, but I'm sure they will start to notice when they get older ... Anyway, Sandy had invited us a few weeks ago and we set some tentative dates. And yesterday was one of them. They boys loved it. They have a kiddie pool (that is fenced in) and 2 large pools (one with mid-size diving board and twirly slide). Spenser and Mason mainly stayed in the kiddie pool area; Jack went back and forth between the kiddie ...

A Little Bit of Everything

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First, I have to say that I have finally entered my third trimester! Today I am 28 weeks pregnant! Yipee! (Actually, it's a little scary now ... this is really happening, isn't it?) I'm just happy that everything seems to be going well for this little guy in my belly. The little guy that has no name ... but that 's for a different day. I joined my first swap. It's a Wristlet World . So today, I practiced making the zippered pouch . I haven't sewn a zipper in nearly 10 years. Actually, I was pregnant with Taylor and I made a dress and a pant-suit. They were the first two "real" things I sewed (besides a simple apron, some pillowcases, and valance curtains). And my friend Kathie helped me along the way. (By the way, happy 2nd anniversary, Kathie! Can you believe that I was pregnant with Spenser at your wedding? So much has happened!) So I conquered my fear. Today I sewed the zipper alone. Yes. I won't lie. There were problems. Not big ones. But, as...

Trying New Things

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On Saturday evening I tried a new bag style. I've really been liking green and hot pink together and decided to try a bag like this one . I used more of this thrifted sheet , hot pink bias tape, and a vintage button for decoration. The lining is this thrifted sheet . The handle was a little flimsier than I like, but it wasn't bad. Today I sewed another Wee Bunny . This time a "boy" one for Mason. He likes orange and green and we just "inherited" some scary hand-me-downs from someone and there was an orange, white, gray, and navy striped jersey shirt inside. It was way too ugly to wear, so instead I washed it, and cut it to make the back of the bunny. And this afternoon my friend, Heidi, stopped by to help me remember how to crochet. She originally taught me the basics about 12 years ago, but I haven't crocheted anything in 10 years. I've been wanting to make these adorable booties (the "converse high tops") for my new baby, but it seems th...

Bunny and *More* Capris

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When these cute little bunnies started popping up this spring, I was on bedrest. I couldn't wait to make some. Then, when I got off of bedrest, I was busy "catching up" on things I put as priority and kind of forgot about these little guys. So yesterday, when Spenser took her nap, I sewed my first Wee Bunny . He was easy and Spenser likes him. I definitely see more in my future ... The front is some leftover pink flannel and the back is made from some new "vintage" fabric that I bought on clearance. She has a little beanbag of lentils in her bottom to help make her stand. (Her mouth is a bit wonky, but that's okay.) And today I threw together a pair of capris for Spenser. She loves new clothes (she's all girl) and she giggled when I put them on her. Of course, she is posing for this picture. They are sewn from more clearance fabric I picked up over the weekend.

An Easy Project

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When I was on bedrest, Joe (at my mother's suggestion) took one of the rocking chairs from our front porch and put in on the deck so I could enjoy some nice spring weather. (At that time, our deck wasn't finished yet, so we didn't have any furniture on it.) So I"ve been sitting out there watching the children play. Usually with my laptop catching up on some blogs. And the truth is, the rocking chair isn't very comfortable for long periods of time. My back really starts to hurt when I sit there. I've suffered with back pain for nearly 15 years (for unknown reasons) and being pregnant doesn't really help. As I was browsing Martha the other day, I saw this . Outdoor pillows. Exactly what I need. Something waterproof (hopefully, because it rained last night) and comfortable. So I whipped up this in just minutes: The vinyl tablecloth came from Target. It was oblong in shape (rectangular) and cost only $2.99. Quite a bargain! I bought it on Memorial ...

Corners of My Home

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A fireplace in our formal living room (a.k.a. "the red room"). The actual fireplace is in the basement below this one. This fireplace has a cast-iron gas stove hooked up to it. On the side of this fireplace are some neat old cabinets (and on our dining room fireplace , too). We have yet to paint the interior properly, so they are not being used. I've been bugging Joe to take care of it! I'll have to take a picture of those some day, as they are really cool.

Baby Update

Oops! I almost forgot! I went to the doctors today. I gained five pounds. Dr. U. said that my placenta will not be going anywhere at this part of my pregnancy. My next appointment is in 2 weeks ( aaah! that means 3rd trimester !!!) and they will send me for another sonogram at that point. So, a cesarean is inevitable. They routinely do c-sections at 39 weeks (unlike Hopkins' recommendation at 37 weeks). So, I guess my first c-section is going to happen ... I'm just not going to think about that right now.

Fabric

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This first picture is a thrifted sheet that I picked up last week . It wasn't washed until this weekend, so it missed the post. Jo-Ann's was having a big sale this past weekend. I stopped in and found these fabrics on their clearance aisle. I got some pretty sweet deals, too (besides the fact they were all 50% off their clearance price). Because two of the fabrics would have left remnants on the bolt, I was able to purchase them for an additional 75% off the clearance price. I was able to buy an extra.875 of a yard of one for like 37 cents and a yard of another for 44 cents. I must have really liked the pink floral fabric from the vintage collection, because when I was putting away the fabrics, I already had some. At least my taste is consistent. These next two pictures were home dec fabric samples for 50 cents apiece. Because they are home dec fabrics, they are sturdy, and therefore would make a great bag. AND, a tiny (ha ha) bit of wool felt to make those adorable Bitty Boo...

Spenser and Some clothes

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I sewed a pair of capris (and a matching bag) for Spenser last week from this thrifted sheet. The picture is kind of dark, so I'm adding a picture of Spenser wearing the pants (while running through the sprinklers). Her pants were wet and starting to come down some. (And they're a little long.) So yesterday, I made another pair for her. It is hard to get a good picture of her modeling the capris because she is so busy "posing" for the camera. And this picture was just cute. I needed to prove that she doesn't wear pink every day ... just most days. She is wearing her ballet leotard that I gave her for her 1st birthday (with her pink tutu). I forgot she had it, so it's the first time she's worn it. She loved her outfit. She kept wanting to go into the bathroom to look in the mirror. And I love how brown her hair and eyes look! I never knew I could have a brown-haired, brown-eyed child. What a surprise and a blessing!

A Little Day Trip

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This would have been Friday's post, but I was too exhausted (and sore!) when we came home. And with my anniversary and Father's Day tributes, it had to wait until today. On Friday we went to the National Zoo in Washington, DC. We got to see the panda bears, which the kids were totally loving. We saw two while we were there and this was the smaller of the two, but still very large. To keep track of the boys, we had them "buddy up" with another brother. This is Taylor buddying up with Mason in the Amazonia building (at least, I think that's where we were...). And check out Spenser's reaction to the animals. I think she was watching the tigers. The next picture in the lot was of a tiger, so I'm guessing that's what she was watching. I was too busy watching her amazement to remember where we were. It's a priceless picture. Spenser loves all animals and belly-laughs when they move, fly, make sounds, etc. And we couldn't pass up a chance...

Happy Father's Day!

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When they don't think anyone is looking. Joe is sitting with Spenser watching the boys run through the sprinkler. Again, holding Spenser's hand, Joe is watching the boys play in the creek. Joe with all of the children at the National Zoo in Washington, DC. And finally, the Father's Day tradition is to make mini pies (4 1/2 inch pies in "tart" or "pot pie" tins). These are given to a few of the neighbors who are widowers. And some are donated to church to be distributed to the fathers in church. However, this year, only store-bought pies were picked at church. So, despite the fact that I made pies after everyone was in bed last night, and, despite the fact that I could hardly walk or stand, I made pies last night. No one in church took my pie, so I brought it home to Joe (who stayed home to take care of sick Spenser). Joe appreciated it, as did one of my neighbors (the others will be delivered when they are home later today). So ... at least someone app...

11 Years

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Eleven years ago today, Saturday, June 17th, Joe and I were married. It's hard to believe all that can happen in just 11 years ... Several moves, 5 1/2 children, and many, many business trips. When I look back to the day we were married, I feel that I really didn't know Joe very well. Kind of funny to think about now. It's great being married to Joe. He always takes care of me. When I am pregnant. When I'm sick. When I'm sad. When I'm achy. When I'm on bedrest. He helps to take care of sick children. (Like last night when Spenser awoke with a croopy cough. He took her downstairs to the family room and took care of her all night so I could sleep.) He's more medically knowledgeable than I. He removes splinters, ticks, warts, and loose teeth. He cleans up throw up (because it makes me want to). And he apologizes to me if he is not home to clean it up. Same goes with poop in the bathtub. He cuts the boys' hair so we don't have to spend $50 a month ...

A Belly Shot

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A gratuitous belly shot taken by 3 1/2-year-old Mason yesterday. I'm 26 weeks. You can call this my "work in progress" for Friday ...

Corners of My Home

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The "new" little reading nook of our family room. I wanted to put the bookshelf in front of the french doors (which used to be the home of our spacesaver treadmill) so we would be able to open up both doors on nice, breezy days. Our old rocking chair was Joe's great-grandfather's (I think only one great). The seat has been re-caned.

Yesterday's Thrift Finds

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Sheets from the thrift store. The one on the left is more "modern." I will make a springy bag and some capris for Spenser out of that. It is cute. It has flowers and little girl faces. I couldn't pass it up. I love the one on the right. It has flowers and strawberries. (I bought the flat and the fitted sheets. No pillowcases.) And some pillowcases. The stripey set on the left end will probably be used as linings for bags. Although it is modern, I thought the color scheme would look good with some of my floral prints. The pastel floral pillowcases (I found 4) are very nice and soft. I may even keep these to use on my pillow! The second from the right actually is a pillow cover (it has a zipper), which I didn't realize until I took it out of the dryer. I'm sure I can salvage the zipper, too! (Although I haven't sewn a zipper in almost 10 years!) And this final, wrinkly pillowcase was a loner. It, too, is very, very soft. I think this will become a pillowcase dr...

Seeing Red

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When I went to the post office to check my mail today, I saw red ... literally! At first I thought it was Netflix (which it was, too). Then as I pulled out my mail from the box, I saw a lovely red Mailorder envelope! Yipee! Can't wait to get started on it! This morning I ran into town to have my glucose tolerance test. Yuck. I think that's all I have to say about that test! So, as I had an hour to kill in the waiting room, I smocked (Christy, you should be so proud of me!). Christy was teaching me how to smock while I was on bedrest and she's been bugging me to finish ever since! I also had grabbed my ipod on the way out the door, and without little ones to share it with, I listened to my music and smocked. It was a very peaceful hour ... until ... I had a "sad song sneak attack." It caught me by surprise. The song was I Believe by Diamond Rio. It reminds me of my sister, Kristen , who was killed in a car accident. I wasn't ready for the tears. Big fat, juicy ...

Here, but Not Here

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We are having phone line problems. No phone since Saturday. Didn't realize it until Sunday night when Christy stopped by. Haven't really missed it either! Our DSL (through the phone company) is only working sporadically. Surprised that it even works at all! I think the phone company can't be here for like 2 more days or something... I say, "Blame it on the birds !" Dang birds! In the meantime, check out my friend, Kim, who rode her Harley to my house on Sunday afternoon. ( Yes! I had two friends visit me on Sunday!)

Introducing ...

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Cuddly More ! Every morning Spenser wakes with crazy hair. Joe had dubbed her "Dudley Moore" (remember the Friends episode when Phoebe cut Monica's hair like Dudley Moore, instead of Demi Moore?), and we laughed about it every day. However, she is so cuddly in the morning, we decided to name her "Cuddly More." Even when we ask her if she is "Cuddly More," she shakes her head yes. So here she is: And, hopefully , the final report on the mystery sound in my A/C vent: When Joe came home from church yesterday, I told him again of the scary noises being emitted from the ducts. He went to the basement to investigate. He found two birds in the basement, so he opened one of the outside doors to let them escape. He thinks they were trying to get out of the basement window right below the one family room vent and were banging against it (not in it). He checked last night and the birds are gone, so I will see if the sound returns. I'm so glad he fou...

It's Baaaaaaack ....

Yes ... it is! I was about to report no sightings or sounds of noises coming from my A/C vent (since my original post), but then I heard it!!! It sounds like a bird. I think I heard some wing flapping going on down there. I didn't close the vent this time, just covered it with a toy. Same vent, by the way. Oh crud! It's going crazy in there! I'm going crazy out here!! It's trying to get out! I can hear it thumping and flapping and scratching! I didn't feel well this morning, so I didn't go to church. Joe took all the children, and because I am a big scaredy cat I'm dying here alone ! Joe didn't get home from work on Friday until after 8 pm. Then he had to work yesterday and didn't get home until after 7 pm. He hasn't had time to investigate, but in all fairness, I have not heard anything since Friday. I think I'm getting crampy now ...

I Finished What I Had

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After reading about Finish What You Have month, I thought, "I don't have any unfinished projects." Ha ha ha. I think I had just "forgotten" about my unfinished projects. I remembered a little baby kimono I started working on for Spenser before I went on bedrest. I pulled it out yesterday and finished it! I'm not sure if it will fit her anymore, so I decided to hang it up in her room. It is pink flannel, lined with some pink lining stuff (not the real silky kind, I forget what Christy called it), and has a green vintage button closure. Sewn from this pattern: Then, oh my goodness , I totally forgot about this thing. It's a little fabric book. It had been washed and cut for, let's say, maybe 5 years ... In fact, the pellon that I used on the inside still had the tag on it, and I'm pretty sure I bought the book pattern before then! (See below) Yes, that does say 10/16/01 ! Then I mended a few things. Spenser has two baby-doll strollers. One from...