Tales of a Seam Ripper

So, last weekend I decided to make the new patio chair cushions.  I actually found some outdoor fabric at the Walmarts.  There was no selection.  Just one choice so, moss colored cushions it shall be.  The bad news is that I didn't get enough fabric the first time and I had to go back again for more, ugh.  The really bad news is that I had an extreme case of mental block and had to rip out my seam twice before getting the strings put on the right way.  I thought I had it it all figured by the time I got to the last cushion 2 days later...nope, I did it again!  It only happened once this time so, I was getting slightly smarter.  I really don't know what my issues are.

This kind of fabric isn't very forgiving especially on a circle but, they are much better than they were.

The previous cushions lasted almost 10 years so, hopefully these ones will have a nice long life too.

Since, I was knocking out projects I decided to make a new ironing board cover also.  This has been needing to be done for a loooong time.  Sometimes you stand back and look at a finished project and just wonder, "What took me so long to do this?".  Oh well.  It is nice to have one that doesn't shift around while I iron now.  I also have a slight bit of satisfaction that the patio set and the ironing board came from Walmart and I didn't have to purchase pre-made replacements from there. Makes me smile. :-)

Before

Gross, disgusting, embarrassing and slightly disturbing
Really?  Ironing boards and washing machines...was this the best pattern out of all of them?!

After

Ahhh, much better!

Here is the new board in action...Ella was swinging and Jack was intent on the vacuum.  He likes to pretend he is cutting grass.  I don't even know why we buy him toys.

"Um mom, you aren't going to make me play with a vacuum too, right?"

She was happy when I told her no, of course not. :-)

This kid has no time for pictures.  He really has a lot of grass to mow.

What is up next on my sewing agenda?  Well, this little pair of pj pants didn't make it.  

 Apparently, I didn't take into consideration the extreme movement of a toddler in non-stretch pants.

I took the elastic out of these and will use it in a new pair...cotton jersey this time!

Day 21

Oh boy, I almost forgot to post a picture today! 

Nothing too exciting going on around here.  Just random Monday-ness.

I turned around to see Jack was over in his little craft corner cutting little strips in his paper.

 I was impressed!

I actually got out the scissors for him to try about a month ago but, I realized that it was just too involved for him.  So, I just stuck them in his colored pencils jar to use at a later time.

He told me "open and close" while he demonstrated his new abilities.  He looked very happy with himself!  It really is fun to watch them change and grow.

Jack 30 months

Good job, buddy boy!

Day 11

We had another sewing day and it was Ella's turn to be the happy recipient. 

I put together 2 new bibs for her and was quite surprised and thrilled that they went off without a hitch!  Except, for an emergency run to the Walmarts for some Velcro it was quite enjoyable.  We called it an adventure because a.) going to the Walmarts is always an adventure and 2.) I'm proud of myself for getting everyone ready, out the door and back again before someone needed a nap or food.  Thankfully, we got in and out with no problems and with some new peach tea to try!  

Side note: I read a funny blog post the other day about the Walmarts and she is the reason I call it that now.  It just seems appropriate. For your reading enjoyment! Funny, right?

Anyway, it was another fun day of sewing.  I have to decide if there is anything else I want to make because I sort of need my dining room back.  Oh a craft room, I'm dreaming about you now.

Day 10

Super J!

Today I had a little crafting session.  Jack needed some new pajamas. So, I made him 2 pairs from some thrifted 50 cent pillowcases. They were actually name brand ones (Nautica & Ralph Lauren). Now, that is high style!

This is an easy project that can be done during nap time. I also had the pleasure of hearing my toddler chat to himself while he woke up saying things like chicka-boom while making car sounds (or were they sewing machine sounds?)!

I appliqued the letter J on one shirt with the same fabric as the pants (light gray hounds-tooth) and I haven't decided what to put on the other shirt yet. Maybe a truck or something police related. Either way, I love a toddler in some lounge pants!

Toddler Boy Entertainment

Jack has been staying busy with lots of fun projects lately. Some I planned for him and others he came up with on his own. Either way it's fun to see his creativity shine through.  Most days he is happy to play with his ever growing collection of vehicles, read books or follow me around and try to do what I'm doing.  Sometimes though a project of some sort is in order.  Here are some of the things that he has enjoyed...

Water Play

Digging

Oh, how he loves to dig!

He will also spend so much time transferring grain, fuzzy pom poms, googly eyes etc. from one bowl to the next.

Googly Eyes

Yes, they get their own category! He loves them and will find multiple uses for them.  I bought pool noodles to put under our couches to help eliminate the toys that need fishing out. They didn't quite serve their purpose so I returned them but not before Jack sent every one of his plastic eyes down the hole! He also gave his metal cars a ride down them too. He had a blast!

(Yes, we are still wearing Christmas pj's. I'm working on that!)

Ironically, I'm pretty sure we had some under the couch after this activity.

Homemade Play Dough

We both really enjoyed this one.  Though, I think he liked the actual making of the play dough more than playing with it.  

He dumped all the ingredients in.

Here he is correcting himself after a little spill.  All of his transferring back and forth has resulted in quite good hand-eye coordination.

He picked blue.  I must say this dough is far superior to store bought. So soft and pliable.  So fun!

We got out his play dough kit and he played away...for awhile.

I guess the Legos in the other room were much more exciting.

Until next time, play dough!

What activities have your toddlers enjoyed?

Christmas in July, um August!

We have been doing our best to stay cool during these hot summer months.  We have been enjoying dips in our pool (storage container), smoothies in drink and popsicle form and a little preparation for the cooler months.  Christmas has been on my brain lately.  Every year,  I always try to get a head start on crafts and gifts. This year is even more important with the baby due at the beginning of December.

Staying cool

After Christmas last year,  I purchased clearance fabric for a project that I thought would suit our family very well.  For months I had been putting it off basically because sewing isn't exactly easy for me.  The thought of having to change the thread and bobbin, let alone wind the bobbin-oh my, too scary!  I almost convinced myself that the aqua thread on the machine would look lovely with my fabric, ahem.  I finally decided to stop being a baby and just do it.  There was definitely frustration and calls to my mother but eventually I figured it out and then I started threading the machine without looking at the manual, quite the miracle!  Once, I figured out more of the mechanics it didn't seem as scary anymore and I actually started to enjoy it.  So, I finished TWO projects!

Jack happily played on our bed while I sewed.

I made 35 cloth gift bags in assorted sizes.  I probably will have to add to the stash after we see how the sizes work out this year ( I made a LOT of small ones) but I am pretty happy with the outcome.  It will just make life easier to throw a gift in a bag and tie a ribbon around it and be done.  This makes my husband extremely happy. :-)

I also made a felt circle garland.  We cut out the circles last summer using my Mom's die cut machine, which I love!  I purchased clear thread and it took about 10 minutes to arrange and sew them together.  So easy and fun!   Now all of a sudden I am excited to start another project...I guess we will see.

Here are some pictures from our park visit last month.  It was HOT but fun!

Jack would clap for himself every time he would throw a rock!

Jack was in a hurry to see as much as he could see.

He was quite tired when we got home and decided to make himself a cozy place to rest!

Catching Up!

Last Thursday,  I came down with a sinus infection and all the symptoms that go with one.  I was pretty miserable and to top it all off Seth was leaving for Sniper School Sunday night through Thursday night.  Thankfully, Monday I was starting to feel more like myself so Jack and I were able to get out of the house to do some errands.

I also was able to make some crafts and finish Jack's wooden blocks.  On Tuesday, Jack and I went to the Farmer's Market to pick out some apples for canning applesauce.  Oh how Jack loved having access to that bushel of apples!  Much to his dismay, they had to be removed due to being thrown and eventually made into a snack, ahem.  We canned them on Thursday with my mother-in-law and had a great time.  We look forward to eating all the fruits of our labor :-)  We were happy to see Seth that evening and now everything is back to normal!  Enjoy the pictures from our week!

Jack didn't understand I wasn't feeling up to such wild play!

Here's the wind up...

and the snack!

Paper strip pumpkins and a set to giveaway.

Here are the blocks we made for Jack's 1st Birthday!

I made a beeswax wood polish to protect them.

I used this recipe.

Here is the finished product. 

It was a very nice polish to rub into the wood.  

A great bonus was that my hands were very soft after doing all 109 blocks!

Here they all are after much (much!) sanding and polishing!

I hope he enjoys the blocks as much as we did making them for him!

I still need to make a drawstring bag to store the blocks in.

Jack gave the crank a try.

Even his foot got involved!

The finished (huge) bowl of sauce!

P.S. In case you didn't know already, you can click on any picture to see it larger.
Have a great weekend!

Sewing Adventure

The creative juices have been flowing here!  We have been working on some presents for Jack's birthday and Christmas.  All of the inspiring blogs out there have left me saying "Oh, I could do that!" and "That looks easy!" Sometimes that's true and other times well, not so much!

Let's just say that my sewing capability stinks is lacking and needs lots of practice.  I only have myself to blame.  My Mom is a wonderful sewer (seamstress?) but I never showed that much interest.  I do try but I usually end up frustrated at the machine.  Well, today I put Jack down for his afternoon nap and got right to work on a pair of pajama pants for him.  I found a cool tutorial on making baby pants from an old t-shirt.  It really was pretty easy but working with stretchy knit can try one's patience (or at least mine!).  So, my seams are horrible.  No, I'm serious...they are bad... but it was good practice, practically free and they are pajamas.

This is what my shirt looked like after I cut out the pants.

Here is the finished product! 
I found that pj shirt at a garage sale for 50 cents.

At least they look cute on him so, no one
 will be looking at the elastic casing, right?!

Dyeing Playsilks

You may be wondering why I bought Kool-Aid and why in the world I would take a picture of it!  Well, I used it to dye silk scarves, other wise known as playsilks.  I have been wanting to try this craft for a while now since Jack is at the perfect age for a game of peek-a-boo.  As many of you know, I prefer open ended, natural toys.  Actually, toys that light up and make noise cause me to cringe!  A playsilk is a perfect imaginative toy.  It can become a cape, blanket, belt, headpiece, decoration, streamer, fort... really anything a child can come up with!  It really is a fun process (well, maybe except for the rinsing and rinsing...) and older children will enjoy helping you.

I purchased 3 different sizes (35x35, 22x22, 6x24) from www.dharmatrading.com and they included 1 (8x54) free with my first purchase!  There are lots of tutorials on the web which I found very helpful.  I do recommend pre-washing the silks first.  I only did that for one of mine and it took the dye the best.  I also used gloves and I highly recommend them especially if you don't want rainbow colored hands!  As a side note: kool-aid dyeing also works on wool but I haven't tried that yet.

 The silks soaking up the dye.  The big metal bowl was for the blue silk which I did at a later date.

Jack was part of the process minus the Kool-Aid!

 The finished project!

In my experience, kids play more with their toys when they have a proper place for them and when they can see them.  For now, ours are in a basket, crib, carseat...

 He seems to really enjoy them!

Well, metal mixing bowls are fun too! :-)

I see many more of these in our future!  I think I am ready to try out the fort sized one but maybe I should wait a few more years!