It has become evident...

1. When I am making designs and patterns up as I go I encounter interesting road-blocks... like, what exactly was my game plan for the straps for these backpacks I made the boys? I still don't know. I will have to make that up sometime when I haven't been making things up all night.

2. I sure do have a "look" I keep going for don't I? What would happen if the next thing I made had nothing to do with anchors, sailing, red, mustard, navy, or turquoise? Would I die?

3. Hours were spent on details my kids won't give a hoot about. I lined this bag and gave it an interior pocket and made sure the top flap was lined... my kids surely won't notice the adorable vintage, nautical fabric inside--they just want to make sure one doesn't have more fruit snacks than the other.

4. It's also apparent that I go to great lengths for even a glimmer of promise of silence at church. That's what these are for. One day a week. Lined and hand-stitched and lined again and my own pattern... for one hour, really, a week. Great lengths my friends.

5. In spite of all these earth-shattering revelations, I still had a fantastic time making these backpacks with good music in the background and the image of how excited they'll be to have something their very own with their names hand-stitched on that their Mama made with love .... and the hope that they'll zip it for a few minutes, I'll take just a few, at church.

Making things.

By myself, with you, my kids, Thomas, with my mother-in-law...


I've been making a lot of things lately and I like it.

Ladies of the Society! Let's make a resolution!

To be more creative in 2011!

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I went about six months not making a thing and it wasn't any fun. All of a sudden I am finding big and small ways to be more creative. We are on a tight budget (isn't everyone?) so the phrase, "Make do and mend" has been my mantra lately.

It's easier than you think. Haven't been wearing that one pair of pants because you lost the button?
Put a random one on and give it some flare:

Kid's chair scraping your bamboo floor every time they scoot it around?
Hand stitch felt on the bottom:

Bam. Problem solved. Oh, and maybe fix the top that's falling apart while you're at it...

Husband gone recording drums for hours upon hours and the kids are in bed?
Piece a new family quilt instead of browsing lame, stupid Facebook for hours!


Need some motivation? Browse crafty blogs that rule school or make a sewing mix to hum and stitch to. Mine is playing on this here blog right now and it kept me pumped all night as I designed, cut, sewed, ironed and squared out a quilt top and bottom. Magic.

Who's with me?

Let's get crafty together this Monday (Jan 3) after your kids are in bed!

I'm gonna start sewing around 7:30. See you then!

Sewing Society: Help wanted... inquire within... the post. Thanks!

When I don't have work I get to blog more and make more stuff. It's fun! So, we have been making a lot of food around here and making everyone crazy since I have been reading these:


every time someone turns their back for a second... book six, I'm comin' for ya!

But anyway, last night I finally made these:

Huck Finn pants for four little Huck babies named:
Gideon

Asher

Calvin

and Shiloh

There's something so appropriate about Huck Finn pants all on a clothesline like that:

I have one more awesome project almost done... just getting a friend to help me with the last step and I can't wait to show you!

Oh yeah, speaking of help from crafty friends- anyone have a favorite Roman Shade tutorial? I've had the stuff to make them for the boy's room sitting on my floor for months. I think this is a pretty good one from What's New? Although, I'll admit the process intimidates me slightly.

Jenny at Little Green Notebook has a great alternative, but will it last and hold up to heavy fabric, plus black out fabric on a big window??

I need help! Anyone have experience in the Roman Shade department?

I asked Ambrose for help because he's crafty, but he was too busy constructing this:

Oh well.