Sewing Again

It seems like every so often I pull out the sewing machine and tackle another new project. I have to say, I've been very inspired by a good friend and some of the most lovely sewing blogs I can find. I swoon every time I see Amy Butler fabrics. And don't even get me started on Moda!

I've not only discovered that quilt shops seem to be the best place to purchase the most mouth-watering fabrics, but there is a world of patterns out there that don't require you to actually have a size. This, my dear friends, is very important. I already blogged about the cutest little summer tunic - I've made two. I also discovered this tutorial on how to make a gored skirt (I had to look it up too) that actually fits MY body. That is no small task. The thing is, I love the skirt and have been wearing it repeatedly this summer. Never have I actually had a skirt that falls away from my body the way it was intended to. SO happy to have discovered this. Incidentally, I created my pattern from paper grocery sacks.

I even purchased a book (because our library in podunk USA is crappy when it comes to crafting books and the interlibrary loan seems to be a mystery to them) called Weekend Sewing. I was psyched to see the entry on PJs for everyone. I had to try it. (Caveat: the patterns DO have sizes and the largest is barely my size.) I was debating about what fabric to purchase for these lovely pajama bottoms, and just happened to walk into hobby lobby (on a different mission) and stumbled onto some fantastic quilting fabric that was on sale to boot! I snagged the last 2 1/2 yards of some super fun floral and came up with these:

I know, I know, I slept in them first. But I love them and can see many more in the future for our family. And they really did only take an afternoon to put them together. I am sure my neighbors were wondering what the hee-ho I was up to as I was tracing the pattern from the book onto newsprint I stole from my child -- the pattern was taped to the window as I don't have a giant light box and was out of pattern tracing paper (I have remedied that situation now).

I forgot how exhilarating it is to sew a project up, quite literally. There will be much more to come.

Felting Firsts

I've been thinking about felting something for a while now. I have a ton of left over wool from the lovely poncho I made several months ago. And recently a small boy came to me claiming that he absolutely NEEDED a guitar strap for his new guitar. Well, what's a mother to do?

I started looking for a sewing pattern to use -- not much out there unless you'd like to recycle a belt and then THAT pattern seems to have made it's way in various forms all across the internet. Trust me. I also found loads of covers for existing straps. Not what I needed either. I finally found a pattern for knitting and felting a belt (in one of my favorite Half Price Books finds: Knitting With Balls) that was exactly what I needed.

Essentially, used Cascade 220 wool and a width of 3 inches prior to felting for the strap. I measured the boy with the guitar to figure out what length it had to be (about 36 inches). I told myself I should write this stuff down and I forgot to, but I think I used size 13 needles and 9 stitches, but as they say, you should check your gauge before you begin. I use a garter stitch with two strands of wool together. I love the ridged pattern it produced! I wasn't sure how long to go, and I tell ya, 44 inches was a bit too long -- you can see the tail there sticking out from under the guitar. The wool didn't shrink in length very much during the felting process. (I probably should have followed the advice to knit and felt a swatch ahead of time, but really? I was WAY to eager to start the project.)

Hayes and I were able to just cut a couple of holes in the strap once it was felted and Voila! At least it prevents more dings and scratches on the poor guitar. It's practical and he loves it that I made it for him. I'm enjoying THAT while it lasts.

Locker Love

I have this thing about reusing items. It actually may be more like an obsession. I just think most things have more than one life in them and it's such a shame to waste that. I suppose that's were my artwork is born, that idea that the old can be made useful and new again.

Enter my latest project:

These used to belong to a school, obviously, but then a local photographer picked them up and used them as a studio prop. And when I saw some in his studio on a recent (and reluctant) visit, I commented about how cool they would be in my studio. He mentioned that he had two more bays in the barn and would I want one? So for $25 I have my very own set of lockers for the studio.

I forgot (as usual) to take pictures of the before item, but this is only the first step in many. They had to be washed of cobwebs and mold and other unspeakable yuckiness. I have been sanding the blemishes and rust spots on days when it's not so muggy to think you might expire. I am FINALLY to the point that I can wash them down again and start painting! They will be a nice shiny black when I'm done with them. I'll keep the wonderful metal handles on the fronts as-is. I like how they look. I'm hoping that all my knitting and sewing materials will fit nicely inside along with some of my other art sh... ephemera.

And I can finally get rid of the entertainment center that I recycled a couple of years ago to hold some arty items. Perhaps it can live another life in the neighborhood if we put it out with a sign that says: FREE. Perhaps.

That Didn't Take Long

Ah yes, the sound of crying over homework. The frustration of sitting down to do another unfinished assignment from school. I see you are back. We thought we had bannished you from our home; but you found some small, cobwebby crack and crawled right back in! Damn you.

Two days into school and already a battle (and many tears, and ever so many hearty sobs) over homework. Is this an omen? I pray it is not. Is it a manipulation tactic? Probably on some level. Is this a reaction from the sudden rush into a structured (and I do mean very structured) environment? I can only hope.

Dear gods of education and homework and self worth, we pray that you would grant us peace and the strength to endure. And if you could see your way to a little grace and mercy, we would be ever so grateful. So say we all.

End of Summer

I can't believe we are here already. I know, I know, everyone always says the same thing. But it truly hits me upside the head every year -- the going back to school. I am never ready to see summer come to an end. Don't get me wrong, I am happy to see the humidity die down, the heat come under control, the mosquitoes go into hibernation. But I am never ready for school to start. I mean, it feels like my kid just ran all the way from the bus stop screaming, "no more school!" Wasn't that yesterday? We've been having so much fun in the garden, and at the lake, holding camp, playing games, and doing puzzles (ok, I was the one that did the puzzle). And now it's coming to a screeching halt. Our back-to-school social is Thursday. THURSDAY!

School will bring with it its own rewards (and hardships). And fall; I have a love affair with fall too. Just thinking about new school supplies, pumpkins, bon fires, crock pots bubbling, and piles and piles of leaves makes me swoon. I can already smell it in the air.

But there is nothing like the lazy days of summer. Good bye old friend. We'll miss you. (You should probably rest up; we'll be playing harder and faster next summer, I have no doubt.)

Football Scrimmage

Hayes got to play his first game - a scrimmage - where he FINALLY got to hit the other team. It was spectacular! I have to confess, I love this game.

See that Colt, #10? That's my boy! He took his man down.

And there's the coach, letting him know the play and that he has to watch the play before he runs. It's a hard lesson to learn, but we're getting there.

And there's Daddy and Hayes. We have a lot to learn, but it's going to be a great year. After all, we're on the Colts!

Little Project

These bread bags were inspired by one of my favorite blogs, Soule Mama.

We have been making our own bread as of late, an effort to eat better and save a few pennies. I stumbled across the advise, over at Soule Mama, that if you wrap your bread in linen towels it helps it to last a bit longer. I got online and purchased these two vintage linen tea towels and, voila! I love 'em. It makes it that much better baking the bread. Who could resist a slice from one of these cuties?

Sunrise Earth- Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore

Occasionally I will watch this delightful show: Sunrise Earth. It’s so quiet and slow and beautiful. If you’ve never watched it, you should. It’s a great way to start your morning. The premise is very simple. You get to watch the sunrise from various places on earth, see the wildlife awaken, the sky change, the details become clearer.

You can imagine then, how delighted I was to discover a gorgeous sunrise here at the lake this morning upon letting the dogs out. I don’t think I’d ever seen the clouds look so pink or the lake look so blue. After I took care of the girls, I made myself some tea and spent the better part of half an hour just watching the lake wake up. My first thought of course, was to grab my camera, but I realized that I wanted the moment to myself. It was exactly the sort of thing I came up here to do. I’m so glad I was the one privileged enough to see it. Lucky me.