My Attempts at Skirt-making

Months ago, my friend emailed me directions on how to sew skirts. The warm weather we've been having the past few weeks motivated me to give it a try. I made many mistakes throughout the process and both skirts have things that need to be fixed, but here's what I have so far:
This was the first one. I attached the two pieces incorrectly, so it has sort of a bubble look. I could take it out and redo it, but I'm not crazy about the length...so trying to decide what to do:
So on my second attempt, I made the fabric longer, and attached the two pieces differently, but for some reason, cut the pieces narrower, so it fits much slimmer (which I'm not thrilled with):
But how about that model!!!!
I think the third time will be the charm. I do plan on making adjustments to these as well. And when all is done, there will be an applique on the shirt to match the skirt. Hopefully, this will be sooner rather than later!

Lastest Sewing Project

A friend taught me how to make this bag the other night. I love this sewing thing...

so I made us a Library bag:

We Made a Dress!!

My friend JayJay has been really interested in learning to sew. She asked me if I'd help her make something so she could see what she thought of the process, difficulty, and cost involved. I told her I'd love to and asked what she'd like to make. Of course it was something I've never made before...a pillowcase dress:
I think it turned out cute. She picked out some Tinkerbell fabric and a big green ribbon. With the scrap material from the Tink fabric, I made Madeline an Zuri each a tissue holder:

Cute girls!!

This was a fun, productive play date!!!

Pj's and a Box

I'm really enjoying this sewing adventure. A few months ago I picked up some fabric for another project, and the lil ol lady cutting my fabric suggested that it would make cute pajama pants. I told her my skills were not up to pajama-pant-level, but she assured me I could do it and encouraged me to give it a try. Well, finally, a few months later I attempted it. It was seeing this cute Cars wintery fabric that pushed me over the edge. The pants were much easier than I anticipated! Originally, I was just going to have Ethan wear them with any ol shirt, but after the pants were done, I decided they were too cute for that! I picked up this soft long sleeve shirt (at Walmart for 3.50!!!) and appliqued the three squares to the front so that it would coordinate with the pants. Ethan was very excited to wear them:

Now my goal is to find a way to use the fabric to make some girlier pj's for Madeline.

That night, a box came. Madeline LOVES Marmie and Pops pretend blender and mixer they have, and she mentioned that to them on the phone one night. My mom told her that she could have it when she came to visit at Thanksgiving. Madeline asked if it could be mailed, but we talked about patience and gratitude :) However, Pop didn't understand why it couldn't just me mailed... so we were VERY surprise to open the box and find these:

To say she was surprised and excited would be an understatement:

Ethan was just as happy:

...until sharing came into play:

I love the way she just stares at him...she just doesn't get it:

Finally the meltdown was over, and we were back to having fun:

Thanks Marmie and Pop!!!

Today's Tidbits

Madeline loves anything crafty! and she spends hours a day dreaming up crafts and constructing them. First thing this morning, she wanted to make a mask. She asked for a plate and told me where to cut a few holes, then she got to decorating. When she was finished, she asked me to attached some string so she could wear it. I follow directions well, and did as I was politely asked. Then she got into character:
Growling and laughing at the same time:

On Tuesday, the kids and I went with our Moms' group to a park we haven't visited before, Reed Creek Park. It was beautiful and very close. A lady did some songs, stories, lessons and a nature walk with our group. It was a wonderful morning!! Madeline and Ethan decorated these leaves:

Wednesday, Madeline spent some time over her friend, Mariah's house. I'm sure Madeline was in her glory when she saw the fun craft they were going to get to do!!!

Last week, while my friend Renee was visiting, I was showing her how to sew one of these little snack bags. I already had some dinosaur fabric cut, so when I was done making it, it became Ethan's bag. He's used it every day now and Madeline really wanted one of her own. So this afternoon, I let her pick out a piece of fabric and "help" me sew her one. Here they are having a snack from their new bags (typically these are the bags I'd keep in my purse for when we're out):

Just because I think it's funny how much I made, here's a picture of the chili I made for Doug (and Ethan) tonight. It was my first attempt, and I was just following a recipe. The recipe apparently was sized for a competition my friend was in that had 50+ tasters. Doug now has enough chili to last him the winter!

They both played with Lego's for so long today, I had to snap a picture before interrupting them to prepare for bed:

I love our family :)

Arts and Crafts

9/30/2010
My Dad gave Madeline this painting set with easel quite a while ago. But it's been sitting in a closet waiting for the right time to pull it out (during a long Ethan-nap due to the Acrylic paints). We finally pulled it out recently and Madeline was beyond excited! She loved the easel and got right to painting like she's painted on an easel for years:
She worked so hard for so long. She took this painting very serious. Every paint stroke was very thought-out. She really got into mixing two colors to make another color too!

The finished project:

That night I made my first crayon roll (yes Mom, I said "crown roll"):

I was very pleased with the way it turned out but I have a lot to improve on. I ended up with two pockets on either end that weren't big enough for a crayon. Keeping the measurements accurate is a challenge for me right now. Hopefully I figure it out before you receive your Christmas presents!!

The next morning Madeline colored a Birthday card for the little girl who would be receiving the crayon roll. We were going to her 1st b-day party:

Then, that night I finished up this project. This one should had been finished a week prior but I made a major error that resulted in me needing to remove a billion stitches!!! ugh! It's things like that that get me SO discouraged. But once it was done, I was very happy. A birthday present for our niece, Lily:

(Note: This sewing thing would explain why the blog is so far behind)

Some Odds and Ends

09/17/10
In case you ever wanted to know what he looks like when "talking" to you on the phone:
Madeline's favorite part of soccer...the cheer:

A common occurrence during games (playing with dirt/picking grass):

09-18-10

Madeline was invited to a b-day party of a boy on her soccer team. The party was the following morning at a park, so that night she helped me make him a cape (and then made sure it worked):

09-19-10 I don't have many pictures of Daddy's boo-boo, but here's one from 13 days post surgery...healing nicely!

Ethan and his buddy, Aidan, playing dress-up and tea party:

Clean up, Clean up, Everybody, Everywhere

While Daddy and Madeline were out running some errands, Ethan and I decided we would clean up the guest room as well as organize my sewing stuff (which had multiplied and disbursed throughout the house). Ethan was actually very helpful...in that he just played with his toys in the room with me. He was very excited once I was done with the project. Like most kids, he loves a room that has just been cleaned ;)
Ethan saw me get the camera and prepare to take a picture, so he ran in front of me, squatted down, and gave me this look:
See how nice and neat the spools of thread were:

He played with the spools of thread for an hour. Never unwinding them...just carrying them around, stacking them, trying to put them back...

...and wandering off with them:

But he's so darn cute, that who cares:

Finally!

I'm not exactly sure when I started making this dress, but it was quite a while ago...maybe 6 months or so. With a lot of help and encouragement from friends, it's finally completed:

Madeline was pleased with the dress, but she informed me she wants a pink one and I should give the blue one to Ethan. When I told her that boys don't wear dresses, she said that we could mail this one to her friend, Mariah, and I could make her a pink one. ...sigh...

Turned out a little shorter than I like dresses, but I'm either going to have her wear some short leggings with it, or sew on a contrasting color piece of fabric to the bottom (thanks for the suggestion, Sarrah), to add length:

I learned a lot through the process of making this dress, and look forward to the next one...a pink one :)

Madeline's 1st Sewing Project

Madeline and I ran up to JoAnn's yesterday to pick up something and while there she found the bin of fabric I think they call "remnants"? It's basically the leftover fabric of the end of a roll that they sell for a discounted price. Madeline picked up a small roll and said, "I want to get this for Ethan!" I didn't understand what was so special about this fabric (other than that it was bright green!) until I felt it. It was sooooo soft. Since it was for Ethan and the fabric was so nice and cheap, I told Madeline we could get it. On the way to the cashier we decided we would make Ethan a pillow! I already had the "fluff" at home so it was great that I didn't need to buy any other materials. So after Ethan was tucked in bed, Madeline and I sat down and cut the fabric, pinned it, sewed it, turned it inside out, stuffed it and sewed close the little hole. I loved how much Madeline was able to help with each step and she was so proud of herself with what she had made.

Grace's Baptism 6/14/09

Doug and I were asked to be Godparents to our friends', Renee and Ray, little girl Grace. For those of you who don't know, Renee and I met when we became college roommates. She is also how I met Doug :)

Here we are in Myersville at the Baptism of Grace Elizabeth Mann:

Yes, Doug and I are wearing the same thing as at the wedding...pretend you don't notice. The events were back-to-back (wedding Saturday and baptism on Sunday) so we figured it would be easier on us if we just brought one dress-up item :) (plus I think that's all we own). We figured we would be the only ones at both events so no one would notice...I forgot about pictures and the blog!

Madeline did pretty well at the baptism considering she had been couped up in a car for the previous two days and been at a wedding the previous day. Plus, she got to sit in church with a friend!! I can't believe we all survived! We just put Ethan in the nursery there and he loved it.

Afterwards we went to the Mann's for a little reception. The weather was beautiful so we spent some time out back.

Ethan loves swings, so Ray hung this up for our little guy.

It didn't take long before he was out!

BFF: Emily and Madeline had a great time playing together. They are only 6 months apart so it was great for Madeline to have someone her age to play with. Even though they live far apart and have never had too much time to play together, they always act like they're best friends when they see each other.

We told them to stand together so we could get a picture and this is what they were doing. I think they were trying to pose, but having a hard time getting coordinated:

But they worked it out:

Ethan slept through it all :)

So after making the curtains, I really wanted to try to make an article of clothing. I found this Winnie the Pooh fabric on clearance at JoAnn's so I figured it would be good for practice. I made Madeline, Emily and Grace matching dresses. They didn't turn out that great (straps too long, inside seems messy, etc) but it still was cute to see our little girls matching in the dresses I made. I have a lot to learn about sewing but I really like it and hope to stick to it. I'll just have to get some more lessons from Sarrah.

You can get an idea in this picture on how off I was with the straps. They still looked adorable together!

Madeline really wanted to hold Grace. She loves all babies (just not thrilled most days with her little brother). She was a bit concerned with the crying so she handed Grace back very quickly.

Renee and Ray gave Emily and Madeline a push-pop for being "good" at church. We opened it when she got in the car to drive back to the Harkins'. We were both shocked when we turned around to see her asleep BEFORE the push-pop was finished! That's just how tired the poor thing was.