Sew Inspring

I guess I better start out by explaining my Friday afternoons. A few years ago, Shelli (the Stampin' Up CEO), talked about taking Friday afternoons to scrapbook in one of her little magazine blurbs. After reading what she wrote about it, I decided that I am so doing that! Since then (golly, it's been about 3 years now!), I have made Friday afternoons MY time. I don't schedule dentist appointments, visiting teaching, or anything else (unless it's an emergency or a super great family bonding experience) from 1-6 p.m. I even make freezer meals in advance so I don't have to cook dinner and have all the time possible until my hubby gets home.

These Friday afternoons are my creative time, to do just what I want to do. My kids can do whatever they want, the rule: Don't bug me, it's my time! I scrap or sew, working on stuff that I have been thinking about all week long. My Friday afternoons are essential to my life and well-being. I look forward to them all week long, and it (usually) motivates me to get done some of the have-tos during the week. It also refreshes me and helps me be a better mom. I highly recommend it to everyone!

This last Friday afternoon was so much fun. Jessica mentioned awhile back that she would love to get together for lunch, as her daughter wanted to play for a bit with my girls. So I finally got my schedule together and had them over last week. I decided though, that lunch was just not enough time to spend with fun friends, so I asked if Jessica wanted to bring her sewing machine and stay for the afternoon. Can I tell you? It was "sew much fun, and sew inspiring!"

So here's some stuff we did:

Jessica worked on her quilt top (isn't it lovely!) I'm guessing she used the Amy Butler Hexagon Quilt pattern, though you'll have to ask Jessica for sure :)

I really should have made her peak over the top of her quilt :)

I also worked on a quilt top (and got it done) but didn't take a picture, so you'll have to hope I get it done soon to show off the whole finished product!

This is me working though,
And this is what I made!


The Sweet Pea Pilot Cap! I love this little hat! Jessica also made some for a co-worker of her husband's who just had twins. The pattern was very easy to follow and these little hats whip up really quickly. And it's knit--this is a big step for me. I always thought I had to wait until I had a serger to successfully sew with knit! Thanks to Meg and this great pattern, I feel pretty confident!

I think David likes it too!


Jessica is so inspiring and it was fun to sew with someone! I haven't done that for years, I think the last time was about 6 years ago when Jenn came over to help me finish up a Relief Society Service project! As a self-taught sewer, it was fun to learn some new tricks.

What are you planning for your next Friday afternoon?

Diaper Update

Well, it's been just over a month since I got more than 3 changes of cloth diapers. And the results are in: I think I love cloth diapers even more today than I did then.

I didn't think I would be a full-time cloth user, but I can't even remember the last time I used disposables! After I got my Gro-Baby diapers, I did need a few things to round out the diapering experience.

The Wet Bag!

I love this little bag, it just makes me happy every time I use it! I got the cute fabric from The Stash, a tiny little store that carries yarn and designer fabric. This fabric is Morning Call's Big Dot Olive. I used this great zipper tutorial and put some PUL (waterproof) fabric on the inside. It's so awesome, I can take cloth anywhere now!

The other necessity was night-time diapers. I got this set from Mother-Ease and I am in love! Since using these diapers, our middle-of-the night diaper/clothing/sheet changes are no more! No more tired, screaming, wiggly baby, no more exhausted, frustrated mama. Just dry jammies, a good nursing, and back to bed for everyone. I use the diaper with 2 inserts every night. I call them the humpty dumpty diapers as Baby D's bottom is about twice as big as his waist when he wears them.

(though the photo doesn't do it justice).

And I also sewed up some diapers! Special thanks to Jessica, who had them cut out and the soaker already sewed it them. All I did was basically put in elastic and sew on velcro. The pattern was the AIO Pattern from Very Baby. It was pretty slick and easy to use!


The cool thing is that David can still wear them! They are supposed to just fit up to 16 lbs, so I don't know for how long, but they've been tested :)





I had someone ask me what I like best about cloth diapers. My quick answer is "They work better!" And the second best thing? I smile all the way though Costco and Sam's Club knowing that I don't have to buy diapers!

Feelin' The Love

Grandmas are great. I think this year, I'm not sure we would have had nearly as fun of a Valentine's Day if it wasn't for Grandma. We had a fun dinner and everyone got a candy bar, which was fun. But not nearly as fun as Grandma Becky's package. She sent all kinds of fun stuff for the kids as well as socks for everyone (except Dad).


Thanks Mom!

2 Friday Afternoons

See this stack? 29 scrapbook pages...done (well, except for journaling). I sat down the last 2 Friday afternoons for about 2 hours each day and assigned photos to my stack of finished exchange pages, then taped them in. Ah, it's a good feeling. This is why I like exchanges.

Now about 30 more to go!

Letters

Last week my friend, Olivia, did a post about letters. At the end she asked which letters we would write. As I was cleaning my kitchen today, I got to thinking...

Dear Crafty Bloggers,

Why do you have to be so creative? Ok, I won't blame it all on YOU, half of it is all those other crafty blogs you link to. One or two of these ideas is enough to send me to my sewing machine or scrap table, but you soon get very inspirational-overwhelming! I wonder though, do you ever clean, cook, fold laundry, or help your kids with schoolwork or piano practice? With all you get done and post on your blogs, sometimes I wonder!

Sincerely,
Have the ideas, lack the time


Dear Children,

Is it too much to ask to PLEASE eat your food, do your schoolwork, clean your room, make your bed, fold the laundry, practice your music, pick up after yourself and stay on track without having to be reminded 50 million times?

Sincerey,
The Broken Record a.k.a. Mom


Dear Old Navy,

Why, oh WHY did you close your store closest to me!?!?!? I know, I know, it's because Southlands was charging too much rent, but is that any reason to make me drive to a part of town I rarely go to? I won't visit your store nearly as much... or maybe I will anyway. I am still very sad.

Sincerely,
Clearance rack shopper


I'll end with the same one Olivia did:

Dear blog readers,

What letters would you write?

Love,
Me.

Samuel Says

One of the fun things about kids is that they say really funny things.

When we were in Utah over Christmas, Samuel had an epiphany. We were driving around and he suddenly said, "Did you know that Papa has kids?" We answered that we did and asked him who they were. His reply was very thought-out and earnest, "Jaron, Stacey, and Nick!" He was so happy to have figured it out. I guess marriage brings more kids, but he forgot about his mom, and how he is related to Papa. I love how kids think.

Yesterday, Samuel informed me that he wants to be in Papa's family because our house is boring. Then he proceeded to pack his backpack to go to Utah. By this morning, it was all ready to go!


He packed just the necessities, of course: Starting out with Steg (his Stegosaurus) and a few blocks.

In the next pocket, his trusty parachute guy (the parachute itself has long since disappeared).

And rounding it out in the front pocket with George the Elephant and Spikey the Ankylosaurus.
Now to get there... As of now there's no current plans to go to Utah. We'll have to think of something.

New Sunday Dress

I love new Sunday dresses. They are just neat.

Sarah was in desperate need of a new Sunday dress. Is it just me, or is it hard to find dresses beyond, oh...size 6x? You know, those ones that are modest; with a high neckline, sleeves, and a hem that is below the knees.

We've been pretty lucky the last few years with some great ones Grandma found and gave to the girls, cute jumpers from Children's Place and some hand-me-downs from my friend, Kim. I even sewed a couple for my sister-in-law's wedding and for Sarah's Baptism.

But, that was then... Now Sarah is in that "pre-teen" sizing that is so hard. I even looked in a few "specialty" stores in Utah hoping to find something that fit my definition of modest. But, no luck. I don't know if I just am looking in the wrong places or what, but I determined that I could probably sew one up in less time than I would take looking for one.

A few weeks ago, we went to Jo-Ann's and found a pattern (Simplicity 5645), a linen-look solid, and some trim. Less than $15 and a bit of time later:


I also can't resist putting a photo of my "helper" while I was laying out the fabric.

Tee Hee!

I got some other fabric for another dress. I hope to get it done soon, but for now Sarah has a new Sunday dress. A modest one. Hooray!