Making it Monday

 Well, Easter will be here before you know it, and in reality my kids actually have outgrown their spring/summery dress clothes. You know what that means? I'm going to have to start sewing like a crazy lady for the next couple of weeks, not just so they have new Easter clothes, but so they have something for warmer weather that fits. The good news is that we inherited a lot of clothes for the 2 yr. boy from my nephew, and of course the 6 month old can wear hand-me-downs, too. So even though I would like to make everyone a new something. I will be happy if I can just get something made for my daughter. She's grown almost six inches since last year!

To say that my daughter has very particular taste in her clothing is putting it mildly. She would spent 30 minutes putting outfits together when she was only three (she's five now). So, I never, ever, sew or buy anything for her without getting some input as to what pattern she wants and what material or colors to use. However, her request for this dress has me a little baffled. I'll try to explain it as best I can.

Here's the pattern she chose. Cute, right?

Butterick 6324, from the 80s I think.

Here's the color scheme she wants...or so I thought, until she corrected me.

My interpretation of what I thought she said she wanted.

Here's the way she said was right.

What she says she actually wants.

Guess I'd better get busy. Stay tuned to see how it turns out.
Do your kids have their own style? Do you let them choose what they wear and how to wear it? Are you going to have to get new clothes for growing kids this spring?

A Reminder to Take "Little Bites"

"I squeeze my creative endeavors into my life in little bites. Once or twice a year I might have an uninterrupted half-day to myself, but generally all my sewing, writing, painting, and decorating get squeezed in among the daily things of caring for a family and home.

And here's how..."

An excellent reminder to all of us moms, or women in general for that matter, on how taking what time we have instead of complaining about not having more time to do the things we need or want to do. Click here to read the rest of the post from Pleasantview Schoolhouse. Anna always has beautiful photography and projects as well as encouraging words. Be sure to drop by and read about her amazing sewing skills and check out her etsy shop while you're there. 

I'm Linking This!

A weekly attempt to share what I've enjoyed or been inspired by in the blogosphere this week.

Cute spring craft idea for littles from The Imagination Tree. 

Anna at Pleasantview Schoolhouse showed off some gorgeous reverse applique.

From The Common Room: chocolate chip cookie bowls for ice cream. Quite possibly one of the best ideas. Ever. 

Chores for toddlers from Growing Home. Take note kids, more ways to help mom.

Because I love anything yellow (although I can't always wear yellow), and I love blazers. This blazer made by Amanda at Amanda's Adventures in Sewing is so completely awesome, too

I love this silk *gasp* printed dress that Justine at Sew Country Chick made for her daughter and how she talks about sewing for kids as they grow up. Makes me want to drop everything and find some printed silk for my daughter.

I found this outfit from Solanah at Vixen Vintage really appealed to my inner librarian and Dr. Who fan. I think I would like to wear something like this, and often. 

Some classic 2010 from Phil Johnson was presented by the lovely folks at Teampyro about Christian Liberty. Very timely I think.

The Dreamstress has some helpful and encouraging tips for handsewing garments, something I've been too terrified to do.

So, here's some of the places I've been this week. What caught your eye this week? Let me know with a link in the comments.

Funny Friday: Take 2

Sorry I didn't get this posted on an actual Friday, but yesterday was a birthday in our home, and that means nothing but party and fun all day...and work and stress for mommy. And in honor of our oldest son's second birthday, today's Funny Friday will be all about Jonah Boy :)

"What are they going to name the baby?"-Me
"Um.....Football!"-2 yr. old son's enthusiastic response after attending a baby shower.

"Who's boy are you?"-Me
"Um...Jonah's boy!"- 2 yr. old boy's response is only funny because he usually says Daddy's boy, but I guess on his birthday he was his own man.

"Where Daddy?"-2 yr. old boy.
"At work."-Me.
"Where Papaw?"- 2 yr. old boy.
"At his house."-Me.
"(Sigh)...I wish Papaw live at Jonah's house."-2 yr. old boy.
*Awww*


And now he's two, and looks more like Papaw everyday. Say's "peas" and "tank ou" and still wraps his arms around mommy's neck when I lay him down to change his diaper. He gives some of the best kisses ever and loves to make others laugh. *Sigh* He still makes my heart melt when he says "Mommy, love ou." Excuse me while I cry a little over how quickly he's growing up.

So, what has you getting all sentimental this week?

Making it Monday

 So, sewing, and creating anything in general, has been really slow this winter. Things like multiple bouts of sick kids and husband, holidays, crazy happenstances, and mommy trying to keep the usual going has seriously interrupted the flow of the fun stuff, like sewing.

But, a need for warmer weather clothing for some of the kids, easter outfits, and just a desire to do something different, has me forcing time for sewing. (YAY!)

I currently have two UFOs (unfinished objects) to complete before I can move on, and I have a ton of things around the house that I either want to sew or need to be sewed. And yet, I'm dreaming of pretty things to sew! *sigh* Things completely unnecessary and just plain purty. 

So, for the first Making it Monday I though I might show you some sewing patterns from my collection that I hope to get to make soon. And before you ask, no, they're not all the same size, nor all my size. So, I would have to do some adjusting ;)

First up is Simplicity 1390, a pattern for dickies, cuffs, collars, and hats/caps. I have never used a dickie, but perhaps by next winter I could have some of these sewn up and be prim and proper. I especially like the collar and cuffs with the bows, and the cap and large collar could work for.....Thanksgiving?

Another Simplicity in my collection is 5862. It's obviously from the 70s, and so ridiculous that even the blond in the illustration is laughing. And yet, I really like this pattern. It makes me giggle. I would like to someday sew up the long version in a similar color to the one illustrated. But the question is would I ever be brave enough to wear it anywhere? And who'd have thought you'd need a zipper for an overalls style dress? Only in the 70s...

Simplicity 4756, from the 40s? Ah, the practical bed jacket. Nope, I have no idea why I would need a bed jacket, but they look so pretty, and I'm sure they'd look much more glamorous than usual t-shirt or tank top I often end up wearing to bed. And talk about great for nursing babies! (Sorry, between our two sons, I've been nursing a baby since March 2011, with only a small break while pregnant with second son. Can you tell I'm a little tired of it, and the baby's only 6 months old. *sigh*)

Ok, this is semi practical. I could totally make this for my kids or as a gift for someone else's kid. I've never sewn toys before, but love the idea.

This, I think, must be a late 30s pattern. It's a mail order pattern from Capper's Farmer (?) 2422. And yes, it's a dress for an adult! Maybe it's because I still think like a little girl when it comes to clothing, but I love this. <3 nbsp="" p="">

This next one is from the 80s! Simplicity 9281. I have no idea why I like this. I was born in the 80s, so maybe it reminds me of my mom? Anyway, I like it, and perhaps by next fall, I'll make the separates with long sleeves. It would be nice to wear to church on a cold morning I think.

McCall's 8960: A 50s circle skirt! No, I don't have that perfect waspy waist. No, I cannot imagine doing housework in heels and pearls, but I can imagine twirling A LOT in one of these. I fancy the blue one with vertical stripes, and if I make one I will wear it with my heels and pearls at least once to greet my husband at the door when he comes home....that is if everything else lines up perfectly so I can get a bath while the boys nap and still have time to fix my hair and makeup....well, I could still wear it sometime, somewhere, right?

And here's a sneak peak at one of the UFOs I'm working on. Simplicity 2265 in the 3/4 sleeve length with this plaid. I'm not sure what kind of fabric it is, but it's thick and unravels easily and has a slight sheen to it. (How's that for knowledgeable?) I confess, I cut this out in November, and sewed up the bodice. I could probably finish it now in a few hours, but it's still languishing in pieces. I'd better hurry up and finish it before the weather gets too warm to wear it! Eek! Oh, and I didn't realize that my daughter's doll had an arm in at the top of the picture. ;)

So, what do you make, or would like to make if you had time? Do you daydream about all the pretty things you could work on, or do you only think of the practical? 

Funny Friday

Little babe was 6 months old yesterday.

Funny Fridays: A collection of funny things that were said or done in our home this week, even if they weren't funny at the time...

"It feels strange to live in a taco."- 5 yr. old daughter who obviously has a wonderful imagination.

"I don't have time to train like a ninja." - Sweet Husband (I was trying to get him to exercise with me.)

"Forgot to buy Miterman!!!" (Spiderman) - almost 2 yr. old after leaving the grocery store, when I asked myself out loud if we had remembered everything.

"I can't get my work done for you getting in the way all the time." - 5 yr. daughter after I let her do mommy's work instead of her school for an hour trade off. She did decide that even though she likes mommy's work, mommy is better able to do it, and I think we both feel better about school.

"Are you even a grown-up?" - little girl who started taking violin lessons from me yesterday. I'm taking this as a compliment.

Hope this brought a smile to your face today. What funny things have happened at your house this week?

31 Days To Clean Homemaking Challenge: Day One :D

Okay, so first know that you don't have to purchase the book, but it definitely will help you to follow the challenge. Second that the idea of the challenge isn't really about always having a spotless home per se, but more about examining our hearts and growing in our understanding of how keeping a home is glorifying to God.

Each day has a Mary and a Martha challenge.

Day One's Mary challenge is to as the question, "Why do you want a clean home?" and to come up with a mission statement. This is to keep you motivated to be consistent (the main problem I have). You are to place it where you can read it each day and it should take you no more than a minute to read it. I am long winded in everything I write or say, so here are my reasons. I've written them for our family, mostly in the hopes that I can teach these to our children. I call them my Dirty Dozen (I wasn't aiming for twelve, it just came out that way).

Mrs. W's Dirty Dozen:
1. We clean to honor God by being good stewards with what He has given us and showing our gratitude for it.
2. We clean to honor our husband/father by making and keeping our home a welcoming and restful place.
3. We clean to be an example of productivity and stewardship to each other and to others outside of our home.
4. We clean to practice self-discipline.
5. We clean to practice self-denial.
6. We clean for the sake of cleanliness, sanitation, and sanity.
7. We clean to serve others, and not just those in our family, but also our guests.
8. We clean to keep from falling into the temptations of being slothful,        
laziness, and idleness.
9. We clean to keep things orderly and create a beauty in our home reflective of God's order and beauty in creation.
10. We clean to keep things where we can find them easily.
11. We clean to reduce stress, anger, and frustration.
12. We clean so that we may truly set aside a time of rest from our work.

Day One's Martha challenge is to gather supplies. Oh yeah, I've got that one down ; )