Friday, November 30, 2007
I Never Want to Forget ...
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Cards
Yesterday I got the idea to make them into cards that the children could decorate, instead of ornaments. After I made a stack of little people cards, I thought about Christmas tree cards. Then I had to make some of those, too. And, before I knew it, it was midnight. As I was packing it up for the night, I thought about stockings. That would be cute, too, but I think I'll just have to stop here. Maybe next year. Or the next birthday party ... in two weeks.
The cards were printed on cardstock (two to a page), cut in half and then folded. The "invitation" envelopes are the perfect size for these cards. And they are readily available in the stationery aisle of Walmart. Now I just to buy some Christmasy buttons and a little more rickrack and ribbon and lots of glue and we'll be all set for the crafting portion of his party.
I finished 18 stockings. Two didn't turn out. I tried a different decorative stitch on one but the two layers of felt didn't feed smoothly through my machine (I probably should have used my walking foot). The other was when my machine started having issues. Either way, 18 is plenty.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Arrow of Light



Last night I busily worked on getting new patches sewn onto his uniform. Yes, that would mean that my sewing machine is working again. I had the machine unplugged all night and in the morning I wound a new bobbin. Then with all of my hot air, I blew away all (or most) of the felt fuzzies. It worked like a charm. Thanks for all of your suggestions. I appreciate your knowledge and expertise.
And, just another question: Have you ever used invisible thread before? I use it on all the boys cub scout and karate patches. I use regular, color-coordinated thread in the bobbin to match the uniform and the invisible thread for the needle. I am very impressed with it. It's a little bit like thin fishing line. Sometimes it's hard to tell if the needle is still threaded. Cool stuff.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
The First of Three
The first of three December birthday parties is upon me. Jackson is having his birthday party on Saturday. We talked about different crafts and foods. We decided that we would do another "decorate a stocking" craft and make-you-own mini pizza.
I cut out the stockings on Saturday night. I started to sew them last night. I bought some craft felt at the store on Saturday for $1.99 a yard. I used white baby rickrack for the hanger, like last year.
I decided to be fancy and use a decorative stitch. I regretted it shortly thereafter as they were taking about five minutes each to stitch. I finished eight. When I started on #9, I had machine problems. My new machine. The bobbin stitching was bunchy. I cleaned the shuttle numerous times. Rethreaded the bobbin and the top thread many times. Nothing seemed to help. I was so sleepy from the night before, but I was persistent and wanted to fix my machine before I went to bed. I didn't fix it. Then I heard more spooky noises. I heard a knock or something and then a voice. I packed it up immediately and went to bed, scared out of my wits and mad that I forced myself to stay up and sew when I should have been sleeping.
I still have several more stockings to sew. If my machine will cooperate. Is there anything else I should try to get rid of the bunchy bobbin threads? I unplugged my machine all night, hoping it is just a glitch and will work perfectly today.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Powdered
Joe had seven writing assignments and a final exam to finish this week. His final grade in the class? 97%. Wow! On some of his writing assignments he earned 100%. [I think those were the ones I edited and proofed. :-)] I'm so proud of him.
And remember how I was worried about flashing people in my Thanksgiving skirt? Well, I'm happy to report that I did not flash anyone due to running out of fabric. However, I have to sadly report that I think I flashed some people about three times when I was getting in and out of my car and I was sucked into a wind vortex and my skirt flew up to my face. I'm not sure if anyone was looking out the window, so I don't know if my flashing was noticed.


* * * * * * *
I feel like Night of the Living Dead. Sawyer was awake quite a bit last night with a congested nose and moaning. I brought him into bed with us and he laid across my chest and slept peacefully. Until my back started to hurt and I had to get off my back. Then I laid him between us. Then he tossed and turned and thrashed until I finally but him back in his bed.
Poor Joe has to travel today and has a long car trip to make. I feel terrible for him.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
A Thanksgiving Dress




Tuesday, November 20, 2007
A Thanksgiving Skirt

I'll wear the skirt with my staple white tee and my jean jacket. I think I'll attempt to wear these shoes again (pair #2). Although I think I wore them last Thanksgiving and I think I regretted it.

Monday, November 19, 2007
Complete Randomness
- Saturday morning was our first soccer-free Saturday in over two months.
- I didn't sew my new skirt because our power went out for 3 1/2 hours on Saturday. I wore this skirt instead (the second one).
- It was freezing in our house while our power was out. Only one of our gas fireplaces was working at the time. Joe (who was out of town until late Saturday afternoon) found the above toys in the other gas fireplace. It seems that Sawyer found a new hiding place for all of the toys.
- The other fireplace is now working.

- We went to Michaels on Saturday night. Spenser decided she was "buying" this pink plastic tote for me for my birthday. Uh-huh. She also tried to buy "me" a handbag picture frame. Joe let her buy the tote. I wouldn't let her buy the picture frame. She's so cute.
- Sawyer founds some miscellaneous crumbs between the couch cushions and was eating them yesterday. He was angry when I wouldn't let him continue. Note to self: vacuum the sofa! Soon!
- I have parent-teacher conferences this morning for all four big boys.
That about sums up my weekend. Pretty boring. But I liked it.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Autumn Bliss

I haven't made homemade applesauce in years. Years. It's not cost effective for a family my size, so sadly I buy it already made from the store. It's just not the same. At least for me. Well, and maybe for the boys, too. Jack and Mason wouldn't eat it. Sawyer loved it though.
When I think of autumn, I think of apples and applesauce and apple cider and pumpkin pie. I also start thinking I need a different wardrobe ...

Thursday, November 15, 2007
A Year in the Making

Over a year ago I started sewing a pair of brown corduroy pants. They didn't turn out. Well, technically they turned out. I just hadn't lost all my pregnancy girth by the time I made them and they didn't fit. Frustrated I tossed them aside and vowed I would not try them on again until I knew I was back to my normal size.
Well, when I returned to my normal size, it was just about time for corduroy season to end and spring season to begin, so I left them in my WIP bucket. Until yesterday. It's finally corduroy season again, and I finished the pants.
To "finish" the pants, all I had to do was sew a casing for the drawstring, feed the drawstring through the casing, and hem them. Easy.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Sewing and Drawing

When I showed Joe, he said, "What the heck is that for?!" He couldn't fully appreciate it. (What does he know anyway?)

Monday, November 12, 2007
Babies, Babies Everywhere

Of course it's a baby kimono and a onesie. What else would I make? I'm thinking she'll also get a diaper/wipe case, just like last week.
And, just for the record, when I found out that Spenser was a girl after four boys, I welcomed pink. I wanted the world to know that I finally had a girl. She loves pink now, which only means that she'll be dressed all in black one day. Just like her mama used to.
The End of a Season

Soccer season for our family came to an end on Saturday. Mason, Jackson, and Carter had their soccer tournaments over the past three weeks. Saturday was Taylor's. It was cold. But I don't think it was as cold as last Saturday.
Taylor and I kept warm drinking a ton of hot chocolate.

The tournaments are "double elimination" -- after two losses, your team is eliminated. Due to rain the day before, the tournament was delayed and the halves were shortened to 20 minutes each. The Iron Eagles (Taylor's team) lost the first game and then had a two-hour break. They were tied the second game and went into a "death match" (I think that's what they call it). Each team gets a "free" shot at the goal. After about eight or so turns each, the other team won. (It sounds horrible, but it was cold and we welcomed the opportunity to go home.)
During the many times I poured hot chocolate for Taylor, I was taking my gloves off quite a bit to loosen the lid to our thermos. Because it was cold, my fingers were shrinking, too. It wasn't until after I came home that I realized I had lost one of the rings off my finger. I was sad. The soccer field was too far to go back to and too crowded. I thought for sure if it was found, it wouldn't be turned in. Sunday after church we decided to drive up and see if we could find it because the soccer field is only 10 minutes from our church. Joe, Taylor, Carter, Jackson and I searched the grass for it while Mason, Spenser and Sawyer sat in the car. Just as I was about to give up, Joe found it in the grass! I was so happy. It made my day.
(Today Joe is home for Veteran's Day. It is also National Education Week and we are going to stop by the boys' school to observe.)
Friday, November 09, 2007
It's Boring to Me

When I picked up Mason, I was expecting him to be really sick. He wasn't. Thankfully for both of us. He was coughing in class and spit up a little bit. It wasn't a stomach virus, just a cough. Whew!
So after I put Sawyer down for a nap, Mason, Spenser and I sat down at the dining room table and crafted while listening to Christmas music on XM radio (via the laptop). I made gift tags. Some for Christmas, some for everyday and just in case.
I got out the craft box and the boredom bucket. They stamped. Hole-punched. Drew. Did origami. Made crowns of paper. Painted wooden and plaster things. You name it, they did it. I thought we were having a great time.
While I was fixing dinner, Mason (5) asked me if I wanted to paint. I told him I was fixing dinner and I couldn't paint right now. This was our little conversation:
Mason: "But, Mom, you didn't do anything fun today."
Me: "Yes, I did. I made gift tags."
Mason: "That's not fun, that's boring."
Me: "It was fun, Mason. It wasn't boring to me."
Mason: "Well, it was boring to me!"
What a funny little man! I'm sorry I bored him.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
For a Wee One
I finally got around to making it yesterday.

A baby kimono in red polka dots. It is lined in a crispy white cotton. The kimono is one I've made in the past and is from a vintage pattern I found on eBay. Since she is having a boy, I added a blue vintage button at the top. I love the contrast.
Then I decided that he needed a tie onesie for church. AND a diaper/wipe case.
And my friend totally needed a necklace.
I'm totally loving that polka dot fabric. Can you tell?
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
Repurposed



Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Fleece Attire
Being the only girl, Spenser's wardrobe is surprisingly lacking in clothing. She has several pairs of leggings, lots of skirts, but nothing to keep her warm. Toasty warm. Until ...

I made these drawstring pants out of some fleece I bought on clearance nearly two years ago. I had just found out that I was pregnant and thought maybe it might possibly be a girl, so I bought the fleece with hopes of making something for her. We all know how that turned out. She was born a he.
Anyway, I couldn't stop there...

I decided she needed a Sweet Wee Jacket from Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I used some more fleece from my stash and a vintage button for closure.
I used a decorative flowery-starry-snowflaky stitch around all of the edges in white, including the cuffs.
Of course, since making the warm, fleece outfit, the weather has returned to being cool, not bitter cold. I have no doubt, though, that it will get plenty of wear this season.
Monday, November 05, 2007
Giving and Receiving

Spenser had a great birthday. (Thank you for all of your birthday wishes.) She was quite spoiled the entire day from sun up to sun down. We had a small party for her on Friday night and at the end of the night she said her favorite thing was gum. Go figure.
Our oldest son, Taylor, who had gone on a field trip on Friday, bought her (with his souvenir money) a "Wilbur." I thought it was incredibly thoughtful of him (and was saddened that he didn't buy anything for himself).



And Friday I received a lovely, patchworked, quilted bag from Amanda Jean. She was having a 200th post giveaway and, out of 376 comments, I won! Me! Thank you, again, Amanda Jean. I love it!!! I am now the very proud owner of two great fall bags! Lucky, lucky me!
Friday, November 02, 2007
Three


Thursday, November 01, 2007
Boy, Was That Fun!

- We had nearly 100 or so trick or treaters.
- Spenser's leg was too sore to walk, so she rode in the stroller, as a princess should.
- Sawyer wore the same bunny Halloween costume I made for Taylor, which all five boys have now worn.
- Mason was Luke Skywalker.
- Jackson was a soldier.
- Carter was a knight, doing his best impression of a "middle-aged man who starts a town riot."
- Taylor was a soldier.
- Me, well, I dressed up as a soldier in one of Joe's old uniforms.
- I discovered at the end of the night one of the reasons Spenser had a hard time walking. I found a green ball in her boot! Not kidding!
And a group shot.
I think we have enough candy to feed a small army. (Pun intended.)