Things are moving at a snails pace over here.  My 7yo has the flu, he’s had a low fever since Sunday, and has not been at school.  In fact, he’s going to miss picture day tomorrow- good thing they have retakes!  My days have been spent trying to keep him and his sister engaged in things other than the television!

On the weekends- to achieve a balance- I let myself sew for pleasure and don’t feel guilty if there are orders still outstanding.  This weekend I bought some fabric to make a fall pillow, something along the lines of the one I did last year.  After I got everything washed and ironed, the project took a while new direction…

…and I ended up with this lovely new fall shirt for my daughter!  I used Simplicity 5537 and added a 1″ brown linen hem, and embroidered my own details on it.  Here is a close up of the tree and leaves.

I think it will look great paired with dark jeans and her brown mary-janes.  On the off chance that it actually cools down here (highs still over 100 and lows in the 80’s), she has a great cardigan sweater she can wear over it!

This afternoons craft also follows the fall theme- we made fall trees.

I cut out a bunch of maple and oak shaped leaves for the kids- they drew their own trees and then glued on the leaves.  I made the 7yo (tree on the left) write 5 things that happen in the fall on the back (gotta keep him learning even if he can’t go to school!).  I went ahead an uploaded a pdf of the leaf pattern if anyone else wanted to try this craft too.  Oh- and there is also the fall garland pdf from last year…

By the skin of my teeth I was able to finish this before we leave.  It has flaws…and it takes a lot of self control to not point them all out to you (although, i did point one out if you click through to flickr).  I didn’t have time to make a pattern for the shirt I really wanted, and hope to do that when I get back.  Also found this blouse online…i want to make one like it too; and maybe this one too but with a different collar.

Now, if you’ll excuse me I have to: run to the post office, vacuum the van, fold laundry, pack suitcases and make sure I don’t forget any one’s toothbrush!

I could also call it the dress from h-e-double hockey sticks.  Putting sleeves in a sleeveless dress- way harder than I thought it would be.  Big thank you to my friend Kate for her emails of support!  Once I got the sleeves in I thought I was scott free and the rest would be cake.

Despite my handheld guidance, and big blue tape for security, I still didn’t get the zipper even.  Perhaps if I had sewn it sometime before midnight maybe it would have gone better.  Then I tried it on and it was too baggy under the sleeves and cut off my blood flow tight around my lower rib cage.  Thankfully the skirt has gathers and the top had darts, so I was able to fix it.  My seam ripper and I spent quite a lot of time together last night.

And?!  What was I thinking posing in front of the bookshelf with pearls and heels on?  I look like a 1980’s Olan Mills outtake.  This is what happens to me when I stay up past 1am, I loose my sense of judgment.  I threw a 3/4 sleeve white cardigan over the dress before church and I felt more comfortable.  I’ll probably wear it again.

thank you for the advice on the dress…I *think* I’m going to do the V in the back and lower the neck just a bit in the front, because I too can’t stand a really high neck.  I’m planning on making it this week, getting it ready for Easter Sunday.

This weekend I made myself a new spring skirt using a print from Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern.

I used New Look pattern 6843, and would not recommend it.  I bought the pattern years ago-back in college- and used it successfully once before.  Because it is such an old pattern, it is designed to be high waisted, me, I’m a big fan of anything low rise.  I cut the pattern a bit bigger so that I could wear it lower, which caused problem with the darts, and then it didn’t hang right.  I tried a new way (rather than the successful way I’ve been doing it for years!) to stitch the zipper…which caused some puckers.  Then the center back seam created a pleat.  There was much time spent hunched over with a seam ripper in my hand.  I finally got it wearable, however the waist is still higher than I would like.

Anyone want to recommend a skirt pattern- something simple that can be dressed up or down?  I think I need one more new skirt.

p.s. the sewing room always looks like that when I’m in the middle of a project.  A total mess.

Are you getting tired of me using this pattern over and over again?  I can’t help it, I just love it!  My daughters friend Mia turned 3 yesterday and this was our gift to her.

I messed up the bodice by ignoring the cardinal rule of sewing “RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER”, my mind was elsewhere and I didn’t catch my mistake until after I had clipped the seams and the corners.  sigh.  I didn’t have enough time or fabric to cut out another bodice.  Thankfully the interfacing is soft and it shouldn’t be a problem to wear it against the skin.

“Green” wrapping.  I made a small tote bag with the scraps and folded the dress into it.  Now Ms. Mia can carry all of her treasures when she wears the dress.

Last night I got an email from a friend of mine, it was full of pictures…of me…from behind.  Do you remember back in august there was a balloon launch for the Nielson’s at the Mesa Temple grounds?  Well, I went and dragged my 3 year old with me.

See, here I am, front and center with my white shirt and little daughter at my leg.  Looks almost like I am posing, but I promise if I knew there was a camera pointed at me I would have picked up my daughter and hid behind her.  See the woman behind me with a cute aqua bag?-that’s Jaimee Rose.

Let me say, I don’t know who took these pics- as my girlfriend assembled them and sent them to me, if they are yours and you want credit for the images- email me and I will gladly give you credit!

Next shot, look for the orange-y arrow.

I like this one, it is a bit more of a close-up.  I guess my jeans don’t “hug” me as tight as I thought they did.  Is this a good thing?

Here is the last one, I think this is when my daughter started to cry about having to let the balloons go.  She was very upset and wanted to keep them.  I had to remind her that there was a pink balloon waiting for her in the car.

Oh- the jeans are “Long & Lean” by the Gap.  I think it is funny that my bum (we are a G-rated web blog) was posted all over the web!  Thanks Jaylee- for watching my back (side) on the Internet!

I have a daughter, she is not very dainty.  In fact she really likes to get dirty.  Awhile back I found her in a white shirt sliding on her stomach along the sidewalk- on purpose.  I didn’t worry, it was a white shirt- I could bleach it.

Well, as magical as bleach is, it couldn’t get the stains that all that dirt and oil left on her shirt.  Yesterday morning I took matters into my own hands and re purposed the stained shirt.

The birds are strategically placed to hide the dirt marks! I used some old scraps of Heather Bailey’s Freshcut line because they had a dark pink that matched her pants.  I used fray check on the edges and the used “steam a seam” to adhere them to the shirt.  I top stitched in the same dark pink to help the shirt coordinate better with the pants.  There is still a dark spot in the lower corner, so I added the word “chirp” to draw attention away from the stain!

Not only does my daughter love her shirt, but my son now wants one too!  I’ve uploaded the bird template HERE (oops!  having scanner trouble, I promise to get it up this weekend!), so everyone can enjoy the birdie love!

Today is the last day to sign-up for the Patchwork Pillow Giveaway, I’m going on a date with the husband tonight and won’t turn comments off until I get home- make sure you have your comment in!!

I made myself a skirt this afternoon, using an old sheet and some ric rac.  It turned out too short, maybe it will make a nice hostess apron?  I still have enough of the sheet left to whip up some soft pajama pants for myself and the daughter though.

My son asked me if he could eat some Honey Dew Melon with a melon baller instead of a fork.  Who was I to say no?

Many of you are long time NieNieDialogue readers and some of you have only begun reading about her life recently.  You are all here because we have a common desire to help Stephanie, Christian and their family.

One of the things that really drew me into Stephanie’s online life was her beautiful portrayal of daily life.  I don’t believe for one minute that her life was roses all the time, but I do believe that she chose to see the good in everything that came her way.  I’m sure like many of us she could have complained about the diapers, or the messes her kids made.  Yet, she didn’t.  She chose to find the humor and the fun and the sweetness that comes from being a mother and wife.  She reminded us that “Men (& women) are, that they might have joy”.

So, here’s to helping the Nielson’s & for finding our own daily joy!  Be sure to check out the complete list of auctions here.

I’m offering 2 auctions today, a J Crew Blouse & a Fabric Bunting (click the links to go directly to the auctions for each item).  Please be sure you read the “rules” before posting your bid.

Another repuposed/upcycled outfit for my daughter (made using Simplicity 3511)!  I found this sheet at a local thrift store and just loved it, I paired it with some pink thrifted bias tape and voila! I love this summer sewing thing, next week will be pajamas for my son!  Only 1 more day to enter the contest!