Smile

Hip Hip Hooray, it's Wednesday! I'm looking forward to a relaxing end of the week here. It seems this time every year the hustle & bustle starts to get to me. I want to be out in the sunshine, playing with my kids, with no daily to-do list. Ummm... well, that never "actually" happens. I do have four kids and a husband after all. I would need a nanny, cook and housekeeper, gardener to make that a reality, and then I'd be far too bored. 

I do look forward to the simpler days ahead. The calmness and free rhythm that Summer brings. Having done both traditional public school and homeschool with the kids, I'm really starting to miss the homeschooling. I love, love, love their current school. Mostly I miss all the time together that homeschooling afforded us. Both methods have their good and bad qualities. No, there isn't a move back towards homeschool happening here, again. I'm looking forward to the freedom of summer. Long afternoons lying in the grass watching the clouds with the children, parks full of happy toddlers and their new puppies, tending the garden and watching the flowers grow and blossom. Sleeping in... please, just a couple times kids? 

I'm feeling a little ho-hum and lackadaisical theses days. Just drifting through, not much inspiration to sew, or create or clean. Just looking ahead with a countdown flashing brightly in my eyes. Only a few more weeks. I feel like I am the one in school again, watching the clock tick away slower & slower at the last hour of the day.  Freedom awaits us. Smile brightly. 

New Quilt

 A new quilt for my oldest. This was "supposed" be finished in time for Christmas. Better late than never I guess. Sometimes getting gifts just because on random days is better than a holiday anyways. A nice unexpected surprise upon returning home from school.

 It's the perfect size to drag all aroundd the house wrapped on his shoulders, or a nice lap blanket while reading. It looks super cute laid across the center of his bed too. It has a nice mix of my favorites, and his favorite fabric prints. I love it for all it's colorful, crinkly goodness. I love him for his creative soul, quick whit,  and determination.

More Sewing

 I definitively got my sewing mojo back. Hooray! I've been on Sewing for Boys, pattern kick. Have you seen that book? I LOVE it. So often the only patterns for little boys in books are pj pants and some random toys or accessories. A WHOLE book of boys clothing... unheard of! I think it's full of cute patterns not, not lots of repeats or filler. Very important when you have 3 sons and only 1 daughter.

I made 3 of these t-shirts the other day. Love this one! The main panel was made using a thrifted t-shirt. They are quick & easy to make. I had a little issue with the neckline at first. If you make these, MAKE sure you cut the fabric on the grainline as indicated for neck. Also, I had to cut a strip a bit longer so these fit over the boys heads. ** test the collar over their head before attaching it is key** I made the 4/5 for both. It fits my 4 year old snuggly, but not too tight. Looser on the almost two year old [I know, HOW can he be almost two already!] I think I prefer making 1 size up. The shirt will get a few years use then. How awesome is that for a $3 shirt!

The little shorts are also from the book. Easy, quick = perfect. I just want to say how much I ADORE the Little peeps line. Finally cut into this castle print. Also made a shirt with the coordinating king & queens fabric. adorable!

Man I love this kid!

For Baby

 
A new cousin joined the family last week. Super excited to meet him! Unfortunately, they are not in town, so I made this little sweater/shirt to send their way until I get to hold the little guy myself.

The pattern is from One yard Wonders. My "typical" newborn gift is the kimono top from Heather Ross's Weekend Sewing. I'm not crazy about the inside ties on that one though, and haven't remedied that yet.  I wasn't so sure about this pattern because honestly, I don't really think the one in the book is "so" cute. It's the fabric & color choice, just not my style. I took a gamble because I liked the simple lines if the piece. I love it in this soft, flannel and neutral bias print. It was really quick to make {except making the bias tape. Didn't have any hanging around} If you used store bought bias it would be SUPER fast. I love it so much I wanted to make 5 more right away. Alas, I do not know five newborn sized babies, so I fought the urge.... hmmm, maybe I should have another one, just so I can dress him or her in these. {Here that sound, it's the sound of my husband fainting at the mere though}

Back to sewing

I'm sewing again!! My lack of motivation has passed. It was a much needed break, but now that I'm back, i'm making up for lost time. haha. In a few shorts days, I made a dress, 2 stuffed toys, 3 shirts, a clutch, 2 pillows, custom Kunklebaby order, and some shorts. phew!  This dress kicked off the sewing spree. It was a very late birthday gift for a family friend. Happy late birthday Ellie.

Lucky for me, I even had the right size model for it. Perfect print for a Fancy Nancy lover. I used to make this dress [Sandi Henderson pattern] for Miss {M} all the time. It was a little nostalgic using the same pattern pieces. I love this pattern! Really easy and it grows so well with the child- which means getting more for your money.

Some sewing

I have not been sewing very much lately... as in pretty much not at all. Sometimes I just need a break from things. When I do return I am invigorated and full of fresh new idea's to conquer. I have not arrived at this point with sewing, just yet. Although I am enjoying my time away devouring books.

I make this bag a few weeks back, for my mother-in-law. I LOVE the madmen-esq fabric. I had been saving this one for awhile, not quite sure what to make with it. She loves shoes and anything from this era. She's a really awesome person and like a mother to me, as well as my husband [her actual child.lol]. My children adore her and she treats them all with equal love and compassion. She understands them individually, and as a group. It actually makes it a little more difficult to make her stuff because I want it to be just right.  Now, I need to add a little clutch in this fabric on my to-do list for myself. Love this fabric!

Lanterns

With a house full of sick kids, we needed something fun to usher in Spring... and entertain the sicklings. We recently did away with tv in the house {for awhile}, and have been reading oh so much more to pass the time. Reading & reading & reading. Little {L} picked up Lin Yi's Lantern from the book pile, and I knew just what we could do. A quick & easy project that didn't require too much effort from my sneezing, coughing, runny nosed, brood.

A few sheets of paper and glue = our own, pretty lanterns to decorate the house. I love how different each  turned out. The artwork held each child's personality, very clearly. The only complaint I heard was afterward when the kids asked how we would light them. .....light them, you say?... why we are not going to light them.  Lots of grumbles & dissent with that choice, but in the end the found pleasure in them {even without the flames}. Miss M had elaborate plans to make an entire series of them, hung on  strings filling the house....until the no fire clause was added.

love.

Yesterday was a perfect day. It's been awhile since I had such a great day, just hanging out with the kids. We started the morning with some much needed, good new at therapy {and cookies}. That was followed by some impromptu, running in the falling snow at the park. The beautiful, fluffy, snowflakes descending on our tongues & hats. It was peaceful, and warmed my heart to see the boys so happy and giggling.

I've really missed the snow this year, and what better day to arrive than Valentine's Day. Lots of snuggles with the little ones to warm up tiny, cold toes and fingers, after our outdoor fun. After the older kids and Dad arrived from work and school, we quickly got to exchanging our handmade Valentines. The kids worked so hard on them this year {behind closed doors. no peeking mama}, and I was surprised and delighted by each and every one. pure love. I couldn't ask for a better day or a better family!

Weekend Knitting

 Spent the weekend keeping my hands busy & trying to keep my mind calm. Battling with strep, colds and lots of blahhh here. I have NEVER got through so many hats in such a short time period, even in kids sizes.  Sometimes when things are just all going all a little wrong, I need something concrete... something real to do. Something that I can see and hold and work through from start to finish. Often I finding reading comforting, but even that was escaping me this weekend. Maybe it means knitting, just a silly thing like a hat, but it allows me to have control over something when sometimes there is no control to be had anywhere else.

Our lives the past month has been a series of unfortunate events, one after another, after another. Sick kids, family issues, identity theft. .today Little {L} cut off his nail and part of his finger. Yeah, fun stuff like that. One after another, I think I may have an army of handknits when this spell ends. I'm keep my head high, for as crappy as things have been, there are FAR worse things out there. Things that I hope never brush against our doorstep. I have hope that "any day now".... hear that universe? ANY day now things will turn around for the better!

The hats are a mix of gifts for family & friends, and one to be sent off to the homeless shelter. I'm trying to get a few more children's hats finished for the shelter, while it's still pretty cold {we have awhile in Ohio still}. My favorite, is the one I'm wearing in the picture {although I really like the bloom at the top of the green one too}. Who knows, I may have ten more favorites by the time I'm done this month.

Busy hands

I've been keeping my hands busy to help quiet my mind lately. I've been feeling like I have not been "really" getting anything done, but when I see these all together here, it's much more than I realized. several others I've finished are not even here. 

I finally summoned the strength to cut into some of my most beloved {and expensive}, Heather Ross prints. I've been hoarding  saving, some for years now. I have no issue using making beautiful, expensive fabrics for Kunklebaby, or my children. The difference is I cut into these for me. I'm going to make a nice, cozy, throw quilt for me, and only me. Maybe a few pillows for my bed too. It's strange to think, I'd never spend as much money on a blanket as this one will cost. The fabric was a gift from my lovely husband... who I'll admit every once in awhile actually listens to me talk about silly things like fabric designers and the current trendy colors, or animals.

making

With all the knitting I've been doing, it's been nice to finish up a few projects this week {I'll share when I have pic's}. Afterward, I decided to whip up a quick & easy, little project. It's cold here, yes- winter, frigid cold and  this little guy just refuses to wear a hat for more than 2 minutes. From the back door, 12 steps to the cold car and off it goes into a multicolored pile of mama knit hats on the van floor. A full weeks worth the last I checked. I've tried everything & every hat, with him. He smiles at me in his devilish little way as I explain, "Please, PLEASE leave your hat on today, Baby J. You know Mama doesn't like it when you throw them on the dirty floor in the car. ok, then". Two minutes later and they join the growing pile of sad, discarded knits.

I decided to give a hat with ties a try for him. I'll tie it on and then he will just forget all about it. {Insert evil Mom laughter here}  Famous last words. {sigh} It lasted one single, five minute, car trip where he yelled, "Mama....help ME", the whole time. Once in the house, he decided no hat would get the best of him, and promptly figured out how to get it off immediately.

Well, in the end, it did turn out cute. Older brother has taken a liking to it. If only I had knit it a bit larger it would actually fit him. He enjoying the tiny hat/big head look this week, I guess.

Snow!

We have snow here, finally!! May be the first time this winter he's worn a coat, and not whined about it. I swear this one never gets cold outside. He'd wear a t-shirt, shorts & snow boots to drop off the kids at school each day if I let him-- EVERY day and I wouldn't ever hear a peep about him being cold. When I say put on a jacket, it's winter & cold, he always chuckles then says, " ohhhhh Mom, you know I NEVER get cold. Remember?". I sure love this one's zest for life!

sometimes..

Sometimes I just need quiet. Quiet mind, quiet soul. Moments that pass without thoughts or worries, in a smooth meditative state. In these times, these small moments of need, I usually find my knitting needles to be very busy- the perfect remedy.

 

Sometimes a steady, one-two, one-two, repeats in my mind. Focusing on the melodic, repetitive movements of my fingers. Sometimes.... just silence. A sweet, peaceful, hard to come by, silence. These days I'm enjoying the calm, seeking a silenced mind. Worries pushed aside, even if just for a few minutes, or even seconds. Peace, escape... serene. This week, I've seen a lot of my needles. Little bits of stolen silence, one string working it's way into bigger and better things, one small stitch at a time. 

New Christmas Dress

Being the only girl, among a sea of brothers, does have it's perks sometimes. Like, when Mama is sewing and would just LOVE to make another dress! I am so lucky my daughter is a girlie-girl and loves dresses. With three boys, she is my only chance at getting to dew really cute, sweet girl things. I'd love her just the same if she was a tom-boy, but I adore her love of dresses & frill.

I love my boys just as much, but there are only so many pants & t-shirts you can make before needing a dress fix. This little girl is as sweet as the candy on her dress. She's the resident peacekeeper, always getting along with everyone... and with a smile and giggle too. She loves dresses, especially one's made by Mama. I just love her so much! She'll be rocking this little number straight through to the New Year. {wow 2011 went by quickly!} Shhh, she has an equally cute one waiting patiently under the Christmas tree for her.

Cookie Day

We had a great weekend! I finished my Christmas shopping, I'm almost done with list of things to make, and I got to hang out with my little sister & niece. We fit a lot into one weekend, shopping, visits with cousins, zoo lights, cookie day and lots & lots of making of gifts. According to one excited, eight year old, we made 86 sugar cookies yesterday. He lost count of the toffee cookies and chocolate covered pretzels. I know his heart lies with those sugar cookies.

It's always this way, at this time of year. No matter how early I start planning ahead, we always have that final busy rush of activities. This year I'm just taking it one day at a time, enjoying the many things we are getting to do, and taking note of all the great, little things. The kids are beyond thrilled with the excitement of Santa's arrival, our first "snowfall" {a sprinkling of dust}, and making & wrapping of gifts. Doors have been shut in my face so many times this week, with a little voices coming from behind declaring,  STAY OUT! We are wrapping your presents!

Lots to do & lots to enjoy. I'm off to munch on some yummy chocolate covered pretzels now. Mmmmmm.