Summer sewing!

I've been busy doing  "summer sewing" projects!  Baseball uniforms, aprons, hems, alterations, curtains, wiksten tank tops, shorts, and so much more!  I honestly don't have enough time in one day to complete 1/100th of the things on my "To Sew" list. 

We have also been enjoying the wonderful weather.  Ice cream cones, backyard explorations, and trips to the zoo are our favorites.

What's on your "to sew" list? 

I'd love to make a chiffon button down top and a chambray dress.

The Great Minnesota Get Together!

Hello from the Minnesota State Fair!

We had a marvelous time at the fair.  

We ate some alligator, cookies and cheese curds.  

We explored all of the barns and marveled at the animals.  

Lucy especially liked the pigs and goats.

I liked looking at the quilted arts.

  This one was king sized.

Both of the girls were thoroughly exhausted and fell asleep in the car about 2 minutes after getting strapped into their car seat.  

This shot of Charlie and Lucy is my favorite.

Just one of the wonderful memories we've been creating this summer.   

Today I learned...

That when it's awfully quiet - your 2 year old might be playing with Sharpie permanent markers. 

On the wooden furniture. 

That was handmade by your husbands grandfather. 

YIKES!

But thanks to Google - I also learned that Colgate TOOTHPASTE will remove all those permanent marker lines, circles and dots that were so carefully placed on the desktop.  It takes some elbow grease but all the marks are gone.

I thought I'd mention this just in case you might need that handy bit of cleaning info in the future.  Google also says that Colgate will remove scratches from DVD's.  Good to know.

And now Lucy keeps repeating "Naughty - drawing on desk."

Behind the scenes

I've been busy (who isn't!?) with so many things lately that I haven't posted in um...a while. 

I've been making tags and preparing envelopes for shipping

Playing around with quilt blocks for my Lucy's big girl bed quilt.  I'm not a real quilter so this is very difficult for me!  Sherbert Pips!  Feedback is very welcome - the carpet areas in between the blocks will be white.

I've also been making some strawberry jam!  Juicy summer strawberries that are best eaten right off the plant!

I'm also working on the romper pattern.  This means that it's in the top half of my to do list. 

Leave of absence...

It's been a wonderful feeling to leave the pressures of creativity for a while.  When I say pressures I'm talking about self imposed pressure.  While I haven't made any new patterns for sale lately - I've done a bit of dabbling and refocusing and a bit of unfocusing.

I've been dabbling in knitting and exploring the knitting world via Ravelry.  (see my profile here)

I'm thinking about making a romper pattern.  Hattie looks unsure about my fabric selection.  It was a great idea until I saw the hot dog vendor at the MN Twins game - same exact red and white stripes.  I felt like an evil Mom for dressing my baby the same as hot dog vendor.
The pattern would likely only be for babies because I think a toddler might look ridiculous in this getup.

Or I might make a racerback dress pattern.  I like this...the front armholes need a bit of tweaking.  Thoughts anyone?

But mostly hanging out with these two characters.  One of which figured out she can now reach items on the counter tops - including blueberry muffins. 

That looks like a vicious bite!

And Harriet is 4 months old! (I had to throw in some cute baby photos for the Aunt Vicky).

If this doesn't make you smile I don't know what will...

Hasta luego!

Happenings

::Duck feeding (notice the lack of ducks and Lucy eating the bread!)

::Easter bag-sket switching.  Whose bag is that?

::Hanging out with Dad - time!

::growing up way too fast!

::Quality time with grandpas

and the biggest happening...

::Harriet's baptism!

Dress made by my Aunt Pat - which I also wore for my baptism

Dad, Mom and Hattie

What a wonderful cause for celebration!

I've been...

*wishing for warmer weather, but been staying warm in my first hand-knit sweater

*sewing a cute shirt for myself!  (and drafted a personalized sloper)  It's a pale blue blouse with a small peter pan collar, long french darts and a bow!

*cutting out more napkins to sew for everday use from this fabric collection

*refraining from sewing a baptismal dress for this cutie (she will be wearing the same dress I wore  - and that my aunt made - for her upcoming baptism)

*but did crochet this bonnet for her special day (photo and pattern HERE from Aesthetic Nest)

*enjoying the beautiful new chalk in our driveway

*and looking forward to some Dundas Dukes summer baseball games

Quiet Time

Sometimes it's nice just to enjoy some peaceful moments. 


For me, it's the time before anyone else wakes up. 


I like to make a little tea, read the paper and enjoy the silence. 


Even if I have to get up a little early - my quiet time is worth it. 


Here's the view I got from my quiet time last week.