Thursday, May 29, 2008

Tag, I'm It!

I've been tagged for a "get to know you better" blog questionnaire by Claire of http://sewingislikechocolate.blogspot.com/! :-)

1) What was I doing 10 years ago?

Gosh 10 years ago I had just became a mommy to my first born! I quit my job the day she was born and have been at home with the kids ever since. I am so blessed to be able to stay home with them. I cherish that I've been able to watch them each grow from a helpless little creature into fine young people. God is good ~ children really are such a wonderful blessing!

2.) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order):

These are actually for tomorrow since the day is almost over.

a) Get the kids up and off to school.
b) Go to Portland to pick up some bulldozer parts for my hubby (he may leave work early so e can go together).
c) Laundry and dishes (a day never goes by without those jobs since there are 6 of us in the house).
d) Embroider 6 pairs of bloomers for a customer (my side business - PoshPunkins)
e) Take the kids to their last swimming lesson until fall - they have all come so far in 5 months, I'm one proud mama!

3) Snacks I enjoy:

Well chocolate of course! I also really like ice cream (strawberry is my fav) and popcorn too, just depends if I'm in a sweet or salty mood.

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

I honestly don't think we'd change our lifestyle much. I'm not really much of a glitzy-glam gal, but I'd definitely have hubby quit his job right away! We'd pay off our house (and maybe even get a new one, but I do like our house rather well), build our deck, expand our kitchen & laundry room, take a Disney Cruise with the kids and then spend 2 weeks at Disney World (I'd fly Vonnevo & her hubby out to go with us because I know how much they love all things Disney!), and get a housekeeper (maybe Alice Nelson from the Brady Bunch would move in???). I'm sure there are other things I'd do too, but that is right off the top of my head.

5) Places I have lived:

Just Washington

6.) Jobs I have had:

I haven't had too many jobs. My first actual job was a junior volunteer (aka Candy Striper) at the local hospital. I started when I was in 8th grade and worked until the end of my junior year in high school. I loved that position and can see myself going back there once the kids are older. I volunteered more than 400 hours and it was always an enjoyable time for me. My first paying job was at Burger King when I was 15 1/2. It was short lived because they only wanted me to come in and smash trash on Sunday during lunch time. Then I got a job at Papa Murphy's Pizza. I worked there for about a year until I got a job through my high school at a local engineering office as a clerical assistant. I held that job from the end of my junior year though my third year in college (only work on summer break and Christmas holiday while in college). Then I moved on to First Interstate Bank as a teller (where I met DH - he was my customer), I worked there for one summer break and one Christmas holiday. My last job was at a local bank and I worked there for a little over a year until I had my daughter.

7.) 6 peeps I wanna know more about (and in no particular order):

a) Amy at http://www.alittlebusy.com/myblog/

b) Jeannine at http://sewpink.wordpress.com/

c) Stacy at http://www.stacysews.com/

d) Dawn at http://twoontwooff.blogspot.com/

e) Karen at http://lifewithellabella.wordpress.com/

f) Lilia at http://www.bloglines.com/myblogs

The fruits of my labor in black & white

Who doesn't love black & white? Well I sure love the combination! I purchased a wonderful black & white cotton/lycra woven fabric at Mike's in LA during the PR weekend. I knew I was going to make a skirt with it, but which one was to be determined. When we had a hot streak a few weeks ago, I wore one of my favorite skirts I got at JCPenney a few years ago. It's a very mild A-line skirt, nothing too exaggerated. Since I love that skirt so much (I actually have two), I decided that was the perfect skirt shape for this fabric. Low and behold, the March BWOF came to my rescue (#122). The shape is nearly identical to my JCP one and I couldn't be more pleased with the end result. Including the cost of the fabric ($2) plus my lining and zipper from Joann's, my skirt was under $5 to make! Without further ado, here is my final result! And yes I know it's May, so you probably are wondering what is up with the boots. Well it was raining outside and we were on our way to church when DH took my picture - hopefully summer with come soon.

The shirt I'm wearing with it is also something I made this past weekend. It's another Ottobre Woman gathered from t-shirt (2-2007-5). I used a black cotton knit from my stash. I have no clue what the exact content of the fabric is, but it's so darn soft and yummy! I do know I got it at Fabric Depot in Portland, so next time I go, I'll have to see if they have more of that and in other colors.

Here is a close up of the skirt so you can see the general shape without my shirt covering up the top. I'm really pleased with the outcome and will definitely make more. The changes I made to the pattern were some minor tweaking to fit my body and I did decide to put the zipper in the back like my other skirts. Here is my review on PR if you're dying to know more. ;-)


I got so little sewing done this past weekend. I had high ambitions going into the weekend, but hey that is how it goes. Three things done (a black tank top I neglected to mention was also finished), so that isn't too shabby.

Friday, May 23, 2008

Another Jalie Sweetheart Top

I made this a few weeks ago, but never got around to take a picture of me wearing it. It the Jalie Sweetheart sans the center elastic gathering. I think I actually like it better without the gathering and will definitely be making more!


So what are you doing this holiday weekend? Me, I have no idea. I will be finishing up a skirt from the 3/08 BWOF - it's #122 and I'm using some fabric from my LA PR trip. It's looking very fabulous if I do say so myself. Whatever you do, have a fun time and be safe!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Sewing Success!

By golly, I finally had some sewing success, tho it did come at a price (more on that later). I feel like I've been sewing a slew of wadders lately. I even made a few muslins in which I wasn't too happy with either - at least not enough to tweak and get a nice fitting garment. I know we all have spells like that, but it was really start to zap my sewing mojo and I was finding I'd rather be folding laundry and cleaning toilets than sewing - pretty sad huh?

So last week I decided to switch my closet around moving the spring/summer clothes to the front. Doing so made me realize I really don't have that many short sleeve or sleeveless tops and particularly only a few things in solid colors. I pulled out my trusty Ottobre Woman t-shirts pattern and went to town cutting out several t-shirts. In an effort to cut down on switching thread in my machines, I made two short sleeve white t-shirts (one was the gathered front style), one white elbow length gathered front t-shirt, and white tank top (which I'm totally in love with and will review soon, it's in the laundry tho). I still have the black t-shirt and tank top to make as well as ones in turquoise too.

Still trying to get everything white sewn before changing threads, I decided to make the "Rose" top from Ottobre Woman 2/07 #5. It had cute puffed sleeves with contrasting "V" neckband and sleeve cuffs. I instantly thought that black and white would be so awesome, so I traced the pattern and set off to make this great little shirt. To make a long story short, after fiddling for what seemed like forever to get the gathers on the puffed sleeves perfect and then fitting the arm bands on, I decided I didn't like the top with puffy sleeves on me. Knowing what I know now, it would have been easier to cut my losses and start over, but no instead I decided to rip out the side seams and sleeves and insert flat sleeves (same issue, just the sleeves from the regular t-shirt I make #3). So here is the finished product and I like it a lot!


For more details, you can read my review on PR if you're so inclined, but it was honestly a very straightforward pattern, even with the puff sleeves. And the "V" neck went together perfectly. Ottobre Woman has excellent written instructions for a professional finish, I'm very happy with the end result plus the neckline it lays perfectly flat!

Hopefully now that I have a few good things under my belt, my sewing mojo will pick back up - fingers crossed!

P.S. Thank you for your nice comments on my cupcakes - I will definitely use ideas from the Hello Cupcake book again and again, they are all just so dang cute and even the more advanced ideas really look pretty easy to make.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Livin' The *Sweet* Life

Spring brings birthdays galore in my family. Last week we celebrated my son Jack turning 8! He had his birthday spread out over several days, lucky guy. After making the Hamburger Cake for his brother, I knew I had to make something equally as fun for Jack. I found inspiration on the Today Show of all places. A few weeks ago they had the author of Hello Cupcake on showing how to make spaghetti and meatball cupcakes. I thought it was a fun play on foods, so decided to make them for Jack's birthday party.


On Friday night, we had his "friend" party and so I made another food treat, "corn on the cob" (inspiration from the same book). I don't think the kids thought they were that cool, but the parents I showed them to thought they were pretty cool. Oh well, kids are happy with sprinkles and I should know better.

And then last, but surely not least, I got the best *treat* in the mail from Stacy yesterday. It's so darn adorable and perfect in every way - thank you Stacy!!!!!


With all that has been going on, I haven't had time to do any sewing. Last week I cut out a few Ottobre t-shirts for myself, but got no further. Hopefully today I can get one of the shirts finished. I really am sick of all this busyness, but tis life with kids.

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Happy Mother's Day!


Here is a touching Mother's day email I received the other day~


Somebody said that a child is carried in its mother's womb for nine months.
Somebody does not know that a child is carried in its mother's heart forever.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.
Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, normal is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring.
Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a 'good' mother, your child will 'turn out good.'
Somebody mistakenly thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said 'good' mothers never raise their voices.
Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.
Somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
Somebody doesn't have five children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books.
Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.
Somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back.
Somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.
Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
Somebody isn't a mother.

~Author Unknown~

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there - enjoy your special day!

Friday, May 02, 2008

Bad bad blogger

Well the title says it all, I've been a bag blogger. Last Wednesday I was diagnosed with yet another case of strep throat. I'm guessing it was a relapse of the original one, but nonetheless, I was feeling pretty crummy. I'm much better now and hopefully it's gone for good.

Then last weekend, my family went to my sister's house to celebrate my nephew's 4th birthday! It was a fun time, but went by too quick since it was just overnight. Too bad she lives so far (well not that far, but 2 1/2 hours one way is just far enough that it's a long "day" trip).

I'm starting to get a little sewing mojo back - I've just felt uninspired for the past little bit. Thankfully Pattern Review had a new contest start yesterday (May 1) that is perfect to kick start me, the Mini Wardrobe contest. I've always wanted to participate in the big wardrobe (aka SWAP - sewing with a plan) contest they have, but it pretty much makes me feel overwhelmed. This mini wardrobe contest consists of only four garments that mix & match and runs 1 month - I *think* I can handle that. Plus it would be a good starting point to get me motivated to enter the big wardrobe contest next time it runs.

So what are you working on this weekend - anyone have any plans? Tell tell, do tell - please help motivate me! :-)