It's midnight... and I'm still up.

...Watching the first half of the Oprah/Dr. Oz, extreme life extending show. I caught the last half this morning. I thought what I've seen was pretty interesting. There was a man that had an accident while working on his hobby airplanes. He cut off part of his finger. His brother was a doctor, and so he used some powdered stuff, "extracellular matrix material found in pig bladders" to regrow his finger (in 10 weeks). He said the nail actually grows faster on that finger. Like I said, it an interesting show.
I just got home today, and am now caught up reading my loads and loads of messages from my yahoo groups, and my email. That's what I get for being gone 4 days. Whew!
We are enjoying spring break for the rest of the week, and this weekend I'm headed to a kid's resale to scout for some things for my kiddos to wear this spring and summer—right after I take stock of what's in their closets and drawers. I agree with Kathleen, I love to find a deal, that's half the fun.

Her thrifty dress giveaway.
Summer of 69 Thrift Store Refashion Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Look Mom!

1stdollquiltswap_13.JPG, originally uploaded by twolilacs.

Sad to say, I didn't make this for dd, but she is a wonderful helper, and will be getting her very own soon. This was my first quilt, first free motion quilting, first quilt binding... you get the idea. I participated in a doll quilt swap, so this is going off to my partner in sewing, shortly.
I tried to incorporate the following things based on her answers to some of the swap questions... including, flowers/roses, green (for grass), white (for freshness), children playing... and some little secret hidden things - there is an apron hanging on a line in the yellow roses, her dd's name is free motioned in the bottom corner, kind of on a slant, and a heart above that...
The children playing is from my grandma's stash. I basted it with another piece of cotton because it was kind of thin. Hope I did that right.
I actually felt like the binding took the most time... but maybe it was because I was trying to get done.. Oh yeah, and cutting those stinking roses with my giant ruler... LOL.
All in all, this was a fun project, and I hope she likes it. If you want to see other pics of it, you can check my flickr.
References I used: Sew Mama Sew doll quilt sew-along, Vicki's binding tut, and some free motion reference from Crazy mom.

On the bandwagon

Before & After Do, originally uploaded by twolilacs.

Well, it must be the time of year that everyone is looking for something new. I have decided that my hair needed a change. A drastic change. Honestly, we have a well & septic, and incredibly hard water. It was, literally, taking about 20 minutes to comb after a shower, with leave in conditioner. I did a rinse with baking soda and water while it was still long, and that did make it feel better.
On the bright side, I have been wanting a new hairstyle for a while. I grew out so long, so that I could put long layers and a little style into, and then I went and cut all my hard work right off. I am really happy with it though. It's probably been 15 years since my hair has been this short.
Other than the hair, I am just trying to stay somewhat organized around here, keep at the sewing, and keep the kids busy. I'm working on a little doll quilt at the moment. Hope to have it finished up in the next few days, since I need to mail it out.... my eyes are bulging out of my head because I should be done already. In my defense, I have not had much time to myself the last couple weeks, and the next few weeks will likely be the same.
Oh and on that note, lunch is little late today.... haha.

Christmas doll

Well, she's not really a doll, but she's my doll. Her dress is the Cilla dress from Otto 06/08, #5. (The toys are her brothers.) I thought the dress went together pretty well. I cut the yoke upside down the first time, even after reminding myself... oops. It was tiny, so I recut and moved on. I used dark green for the inner yoke, and snaps instead of buttons. Snaps were a new challenge for me. I chalked the back and lined them up where they needed to go, and they work.
I love the style of this pattern. I was thinking about a valentine's dress, but it would be great for everyday too.
Most of our family lives a few hours away, so we are usually traveling over the holidays. We spent Christmas eve with my family and Christmas day with dh's family, and then had our own Christmas at home friday morning. The kids got to play and visit, and bring home some goodies. I made my MIL a cover for her huge toaster, that came out nice. I'm glad I made a stp dummy to have at home. The cover is in the same waverly print she has as wallpaper. I got the fabric free off of my local freecycle. I didn't think I'd be lucky enough to find any since it's several years old. So that was cool! I didn't really do any other hand made gifts, but I did make my mom a nice red/green plaid gift bag (to wrap her robe). I also bought some yummy smelling soap from WashableArt on etsy, including legos, oatmeal cookie dough, and some pink cupcakes. I'm not sure if it was her or another soap maker, but I saw bubbles, round bubbles in a small mass somewhere and cannot relocate them... wish I would have favorited them. Oh well, that's it for now.
Happy New Year!

Winter Sewing and a giveaway

No giveaway here, but over at Grosgrain, Kathleen has an adorable green party dress. Click here: Dinner Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

I am going to trace out the round neck dress from the latest Ottobre for my little girl. I got two great fabrics from a local sewing lady, for super cheap. Did I mention they were super cheap.... like $4 for two yards. I just love the red ribbon fabric.
I'll add a pic shortly of the fabrics. (She has a loft for her sewing room, which is awesome, and a whole wall of fabric on shelves. I'd love to trade rooms.)

Good Mail

Yesterday's mail was great! New reading material. I should've ordered more winter, less spring.... but the goal was to have some new ones for spring.... so I'm really on track.
I can't wait to make something out of 03/07. Such cute stuff. I got 02/04 for the swim wear mainly, so I hope I can make that a go sometime next year.

I had my niece here for the latter part of Thanksgiving weekend. We went to Joann's for the fleece sale on Saturday and picked a few things. I made her a cute new scarf to go with her white puffy coat. This one here is a matching one for her younger sister. Mittens are next on the list, once I find a pattern. I was going to use Otto 04/04, but they aren't big enough.
Other than that, things here are a little dreary and I am tired. Tired of cleaning up spilled pop, spilled milk, pee accidents and dog vomit. Totally disgusting. Someone's either not paying attention, playing with their food and slinging things off the table, running around without a diaper because she knows where the potty is.... or at least I thought she did..... and lastly, the dog. He's just having a bad day I guess. I really wish I had a cleaning lady this week, or a magic wand. I really have to get moving on the office stuff, organizing, containerizing, and so on. The counter top is ready to pick up, and the rest should be ready within 1-2 weeks. Not much time to get through the paper jungle. LOL.

Why I should not virtually window shop

I was browsing Paper Source for bookmaking kits. I made one several years ago for one of my bridal showers and wouldn't mind making another one some day. They have a bunch of cute stuff on their website now, including beautiful, and hilarious file folders. The entertaining ones above, totally relate to my idea of filing. More Crap = Important things I should not throw away. =) But really, they have lovely stuff there and it is an all time favorite store for me, even though I don't get there too often.
I am not really on an organizing kick, but I am trying to be. We ordered new cabinets and bookshelves to make our kitchen office area official. Everything is on order and should be here mid December. I can't wait, but in the meantime, I am trying to make time for the things that are piled all over my current desk. I'd take a photo, but it's kind of embarrassing... maybe after I get a little bit put away I will. A before, and then I can post an after. Here's a layout.
I am on the look out for things to keep my new space tidy and interesting. I thought about using some Amy Butler or other scrapbook paper to embellish the fronts of my 3-drawer ikea paper holder, and some magazine holders. My aunt offered some metal paper trays, so I may paint those white. There was an article in the June issue of Home magazine, that had a cute set up, several things appealed to me. It's very similar to my future setup, except I have more counter space. That'll be about the only time ever, that I have more space than the picture in the magazine. They used colored file boxes, and decorative file folders, and tucked in some extras to fill the space. Anyhow, I hope to get a good start, as making messes seems to happen overnight.
I guess my big ugly printer is going to be hidden away in the base cabinet. I will try to fit all my paper printing supplies and computer extras in there.
So my organizing for the day, has led me to get out the winter box, put out all the recyclables, and make a pile of laundry. So, I'm off to continue the process before I start window shopping at the container store's website.

Camera style

Grosgrain giveway for photographers. I'd really like something for my camera. I haven't even put the long strap on it, which always makes me extra careful holding it. I would be so happy to win, but if I don't I'm going to have to get my strap out and make my own cover. I want to make a wristlet too. More for my own to make list. It would make a nice Christmas present, too, for some budding photo happy person.
Custom Camera Strap GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Watercolor portrait

Another great give away from Kathleen. This time it's a painting by Susannah Rodgers. I've always wanted to paint or draw a portrait of my kids, but I take forever, and I really haven't done any watercolors, other than a few still lifes in college. How fun, stop by and check it out and make a link for yourself.
Commissioned Watercolor Portrait GIVEAWAY!!!!

Stepping into fall.

I love the smell of fall. The leaves of the wild cherry tree, and it's berries are dropping all over the front yard, and the large (ash, elder?) is about half yellow. I was thinking about where to put some pumpkins so the kids can see them from their rooms before bedtime.
I have one plant flowering right now, a purple aster. The phlox have mostly set seed, but there are a few stragglers with a bloom or two dangling. Time to get out there and divide things for next year, and pass along some things to my nice new neighbors.
Little girl has been exhibiting her independence lately. She told me she had to potty about two weeks ago, and really went. She just turned 23 months. So, we have been adjusting day to day routines to promote this new found skill. Although, I have a hard time telling when it's just a game sometimes. She is so proud of herself, and daddy and brother must come acknowledge her business and clap and applaud. =) It's cute. (She also wants a potty for her bunny.) I saw one at target with a baby doll, but the price tag was staggering.
The kids and I went to the park last thursday for lunch and that did not turn out as expected. There were instantly bees. Note to self: no picnicking in september. One stung me on the leg, and it is now Sunday and my leg is still sore, but not as red. I am glad though that it was me, and not the kids.
I finished up a pair of pants from the last kids Ottobre for A, and they fit her great. However, we went to lunch and she sat on a mandarin orange.... It's a stubborn stain, but much of it has come out. Oh well. I definitely want to make more of that pattern.

Back to school and on with the sewing...

and serging! I got my serger back from the shop. I reviewed my manual, and am starting out with the 3 thread overlock. I have no idea what I am doing, but I'll learn what I need to, as I go. I practiced on some scraps, and then I did the edges of a shirt I'm working on for dd. Then I decided it would be useful to do the edges of all the fabric I need to get washed. It was fun, if you can imagine, and I can't believe how fast it moves. That is an adjustment since I tend to take my time at the sm.

Anyhoo, ds went back to school this week. He didn't even give the goodbye hug when it was time to go in. He was too excited to deliver his "mail" to his teachers. So I am glad he is happy to go back, and has a few old familiar friends too.

I am nearly to the end of making the kukkerus kimono from Ottobre 04/08. It has turned into a little bit of a bear project. I wish I was done already so I could move on to something else. It's a combination of things that is making it slow, but mostly I think it's just me. I have been worried over the flannel back satin. So far, it's going ok. After I stitch the other underarm and side, I'll be moving on to putting it together with the outer shell. I hope I will eventually get better and faster.

Kathleen at Grosgrain is having a playful giveaway. Make Believe Frock GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!
I hope I win it for my dd. Of course, in the meantime it will be great for dress up when we have playgroup friends over. I think I might use my handy dandy serger to make some scarves and playthings. The projects on the want to do pile are growing ever higher. =)

Mixed thoughts

I can't wait for September! August has been a mixed bag, but mostly not nice. Near the top of the naughty list, someone stole the portable dvd's from our truck right after we got back from vacation. The day after that my hubby got rust stuck in his left eyeball. It took two trips to get pieces removed, and more discomfort, and now I think he is feeling better. No more red eyeball. At least he wore his safety goggles the next time he went out into the garage.

Vacation was the highlight of the month, and hearing baby girl say her name for the first time, and then repeating every word I gave her to try. So exciting! And our little guy heads back to preschool after this week is over. So glad he will have his buddy in his class again this year & another friend from our playgroup who will be new to the class.

I am on fabric overload. I really have to quit shopping and get to sewing. Our little, independent fabric shop just got in some of Sandi Henderson's Farmer's Market and a few of Michael Miller's first sight fabrics... and they reorganized to fit better all the stuff they are getting in. I love it when I see new stuff there, especially when it's one of my favorites. The owner just turned 90 yesterday, I guess they had a big party for her. I hope she had a great day.

I posted a pic of a birdie that was out on the feeder a few weeks ago. I'm not sure what he is, but I'm sure my aunt will know. I'll guess a red headed cowbird or something, I'm sure I'm way off base, I don't even know if that is a real bird but it sounds familiar. =) I don't have much for pics right now as I've been spending all my time reading everyone else's blogs, and learning about Stephanie, and printing out HB's pincushion tute and catching up on the photos in the Otto flickr pool. Not much time for sewing when I keep distracting myself.

Back Home

We are back from vacation. This was the annual family trip with my husband's family. A whole week of walking down to the lake to play and fish, and watch the hummingbirds. Nice sunsets, nasty little mosquitos. The kids had a wonderful time swimming in the warm waters of Kentucky. Normally we go to northern Minnesota, so there is a big difference in how the water feels. They had a neat pirate ship playhouse for the kids. I wondered if it was Amish made since there are communities not far from there. Went to Dairy Queen, too... =)
While they were resting, I made a little pillowcase for A. (I couldn't take my machine, so I took some supplies and my Ottobres.) She loves bunnies, and I just got this cute yellow fabric before we left. I thought maybe I'd use it for the Misty skirt, but it was a perfect choice for this project. I'd like to make a bed sheet to go with it, so that's on my list.
I spent last night getting laundry sorted and oiling my sewing machine. I cleaned out a small amount of dust, a button, and a piece of construction paper that a certain little boy put in there a long time ago. Then I moved on to the serger. I oiled it about two weeks ago and let it sit, but last night I could still barely move the wheel by hand. It was slightly better, but I don't feel ready to tear it apart and oil the entire inside. I have never sewn with it, so I'd like to know how it's suppose to feel. So, I'll be sure to oil it on a regular schedule in the future. For now, I'll be waiting a few weeks to get it back. I'm sure I have plenty of other things to finish up. Ta ta.

Weekend excursion

Weekend finds, originally uploaded by twolilacs.

This past weekend I went with my mom & grandma to a new (to us) quilt shop. I found some Erin McMorris fabric there. They didn't have much, but I was happy to find some just for me. I *love* the blue/green flower one, it is lighter in the center and gets darker towards the edges. It reminds me of some of the border prints that I have.
Then I found a fat quarter of the cutest bunny print. It has bears too, but I like the bunny. My dd loves bunnies, and I thought that I could work this into something for her. First I thought clothing, then I thought I could learn to make a quilt, or a doll quilt.
...... then I went to a quilt shop near me today and they have a whole room of thimbleberries fabrics. I bought a pattern & kit that includes the bunny & bear panel. So now I have committed myself to making her a quilt. Committed myself being the operative words. =)
Now, the only thing is, that the kit doesn't incorporate the fat quarter I like so much. So, maybe it will be a matching pillow case or dolly quilt.
I don't know how to make a quilt, so this will be an adventure.
So the weekend excursion led me to a find today, but I keep telling myself, I don't feel too guilty as long as I keep sewing. I don't want to accumulate fabric that doesn't get used. Whew.

Too young to drive

My little guy decided that he needed his own driver's license.
He said he needs it before vacation... "Remember, mom, last year I helped Daddy drive the boat, so I need my own license, so I can drive." BTW, his driving consisted of mind spinning donuts with the occasional loop out... fun for all.
A while back I had made him some simple cards to color and glue on for Valentine's day, (giveouts for class). So, I thought I'd take the same approach. I think some form of simple stationery that he can personalize is what appeals to him.
So, if you have a budding driver, visit my flicker and download a sheet with 6 licenses and print it out on some cardstock. Your child can draw in their own face, and maybe you can get them to practice their name and address.... ;)

So 80s

Somehow I came across a vintage toy website today, and I saw Fashion Plates. With all the sewing and patterns, and looking at what people are making on Flickr... I couldn't help to think what fashion plates would look like with Ginger Blossom, or Ava Rose, or Amy Butler, or Park Slope. I loved that toy, and I'm sure my sisters inherited it at some point, and now has disappeared.
So, I think I will put it on my Christmas list. My sister likes to get me oddball or crafty gifts, so maybe I can talk her into this one. She was kind enough to get me my first Ottobre for my birthday.
I have been taking a break from sewing, but there lies fabric for an Ottobre kimono on my cutting board. Patiently.
I received an Elna serger from a friend of my Aunt, so I have also been reading up on that. It's a bit overwhelming, but I made it through the bulk of the book mostly understanding what I read. I'd like to pick up a red or deep pink thread so I can give it a go testing out the stitches and tensions by using the colors of the tension dials. I'm thinking that I could probably make some hand towels for the house, or just practice on some scrap. Theoretically, it would be more "fun" to make something, botched stitches or not. And, if I go make something now, I may be less tempted to order more fabric for my stash. =)

Summer, summer, summer

It's a good time in the garden now, there is so much in bloom. The kids love to go out and pick daisies and coreopsis. There are far more weeds than I care to look at, but I am just trying to enjoy the highlights of the yard, and get to cleaning up when I have time.
I love the blooms on this daylily. They are pretty big, and I just love the ruffled edges. By far, a favorite of the varieties in my yard. I think I have 8 to 10 different kinds, don't ask me to name them though. It's the same with the hostas, lots of varieties, but I need to keep track of the names better before I forget.
These are out back, but I love looking at them from the house. These hydrangeas have been so hardy and reliable. I got them at a plant sale fundraiser a few years ago, from the Soil and Water district. I was able to get plants from their sale for two or three years until they decided to quit doing it.
Check my flickr for a few other delights in my garden this year.

Early Evening Gown GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!

Early Evening Gown GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!
Another great giveaway from Kathleen @ Grosgrain.
She looks like a little fairy, love the fireflies.

Ottobre Summer shorts

I finished the summer shorts for ds. I think construction wise, everything went fine. I got a little hung up on the pocket binding but I pushed my way through it. It wasn't that bad, just another new thing. I managed to match up the pockets, but didn't plan to match up the legs. Maybe next time, after I read how to do it. Normally, I would just guess, but I'm thinking that I would have to cut out 4 legs as opposed to cutting two on folded fabric.

M like them so that's good. Now to decide if they are an outfit or pj's... I'm sure he'll let me know.

Vintage buttons

My aunt and my grandma have been going through some of Grandma's old sewing supplies. She has oodles of buttons. These happen to be in their original state, card and all. There are some miscellaneous ones, like orange, teal, apples, some pearly ones. One more excuse to learn how to use the button hole device for my machine.
I also received some ric rac, bias trim and a nice tin full of embroidery floss. My great grandma use to sew quilts, so I have a small supply of some of her applique tracings. I am thinking they will look cute on some little shirts or dresses for my kiddos.
Well, we are headed outside to play.