In the blink of an eye

Could these be my children? Was this really taken just two years ago? I almost forget what life was like when they were this little. Erin was only 23 months old and Ava was still 4 and in preschool. Today Erin is making her own lunch (PB&J) and Ava is reading chapter books. I just want to hit pause, no rewind and spend the day with them again beside the river looking for treasure. Their birthdays are fast approaching. I'm sure they will be 5 and 8 before I know it. Then 15 and 18. How quickly they grow.

Meet Taylor

My Wee Wonderful Make-a-long Story doll is finally finished. This little one will be going to Taylor for her first birthday next month. I'd love to make her a jumper and backpack before she goes.

Buying local.

Reading the book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle has really got me thinking about where I get my food. It seems like I'm not the only one picking up on this trend. Cooking Light had several stories this month about the benefits of buying local. Not only are you getting amazingly fresh delicious food, it is also so much better for the environment. This weekend our family went down to our local farmer's market and stocked up on veggies, beans, spices and homemade tamales. Yum!
To be fair, I also went to Target and Costco today. Buying in bulk has its advantages too. Didn't want to give you the wrong impression of me.

Here is what you'll find....

... on my coffee table. ... by my girls bed.

(Come on. Could these illustrations be any cuter?)... on my table.

... in my bowl.

You must try Life cereal with walnuts and blueberries (thanks Chris).

First day of Spring

Re-Inspired (again)

Here is a look at my updated inspiration board. Lots of color and frilly tops. I would love to make some of these for myself but I'm having enough trouble getting through little sundresses.

On a side note, I got to spent some time in my daughter's first grade classroom today. It was such a treat and I love that it meant so much to her. I was really just stopping by to drop off some lunch money in the cafeteria but a quick hello turned into a lunch invitation and then "please stay for the afternoon mommy". How could I say no. The teacher read a story, they practiced math as a group and then paired up for a science and writing activity. I learned that Ava gets a little lost in the crowd and is happy to sit back and daydream instead of attending to numbers on the board. She is my child. Even as I tucked her in just now she thanked me for spending the day with her. As hard as I try I still need reminders like this to stop doing things for my kids, and do things with them.

Too ambitious?

This stack of Spring freshness will transform into skirts, sundresses and a new apron. That is all but the funky toadstools. I'm not sure what those will be but I had to have them. When the time is right they'll let me know.


The lady at the cutting counter thought I was a bit ambitious but today I got a got quite a lot accomplished.


My first goal was skirts.

The weather is warming up and my oldest has very little that fits her. My mom took the girls to Target for some Spring clothes shopping but many of the items won't fit for a year (or two). I'll save my rambling about getting my kid to eat protein for another day. Anyway, I decided to exchange the larger sized items for a stack of basic t-shirts. There seems to be a preppy, nautical theme out right now which I gladly carried over to my fabric selection. The seersucker and linen are perfect for these lazy day skirts.



By 10:15 I had these three skirts finished and ready for a fitting.

Next up was an apron for me. There are just too many cute aprons out there on Etsy and in blog land. I've really wanted to get one made and this lemon fabric could not wait another day.

Today I was reminded once again that sewing is a learning process.

Doh!

I decided to toss out the mis-cut side pieces and go with just the center panel. The problem was these wing thingies that were to attach to the sides. After a little more sewing and cutting I think I solved the problem or at least made lemonade out of lemons.

Not perfect, but I'm happy. One day of sewing done. Now, what's left in my stack?

For my man

It is rare that I get to make something for my husband. He requested a pillow for the hammock in our backyard. A quick snip, stitch and stuff and his wish was granted.

What's in my sock?

While I was sewing the other day my three year old came in and asked me...

"What's in my sock?"
"I don't know, a rock?" I responded, only half paying attention.
"No."
"Is it a sticker?" (Stickers have been known to pop up in random places around our house)
"No. Do you want a clue?"
It was then I realized we were in the middle of a guessing game.
"Sure."
"It has beans and rice."
"A burrito?"
"No. It's beans and rice."
And then I looked down and she pulls this out.


"Oh, I guess you did have beans and rice in your socks."

The next few went like this.

"Guess what's in my sock"
"What?"
"It's green and you color with it."



Here is my favorite. She could not really give me a clue for these but the bulge was a little hard to disguise.


You can't plan for that kind of entertainment.

Starting Spring clothes

Before

I'm not sure when I put this skirt together. It's been sitting in my unfinished pile for awhile. After our string of warm days I was inspired to pull it out again. I created it on the fly without a pattern and it ended up more like a pencil skirt than a twirly one. It was originally made for my youngest daughter but when she couldn't walk in it, it got thrown in the 'opps' pile. Luckily for me I had extra strips already cut out so I just took out the seams and added 4 more panels. Now my 6 year old can wear it which makes me really happy, she is the one in need of clothes at the moment.

After

This window really is the best light in the house. I think they were more excited about standing on the furniture than the new skirt. I'm excited about another project finished.

Please ignore the frames with nothing in them behind the girls, I do. Someday these will hold lovely pieces of art. Just another project waiting for me.

bedhead, barefeet and breakfast

Here are a few pictures from my study of Erin in the a.m.

"Are you done yet?"