DIY Upholstery

The ingredients:

My grandmothers chair

Staple Gun

Denyse Schmidt County Fair Fabric

Foam and Batting

Stain and Polyurethane

Sandpaper

Place in a garage in 97 degree heat, 70 percent humidity for 6 hours.  Add a sprinkle of perspiration and determination.

BEFORE

Slightly old foam - did I mention that my grandmother's chair she received as a wedding present over 55 years ago?

DURING

Tea Party (I couldn't resist)

AFTER

My, what beautiful pleats you have!!!

The "new" chair sits in our living room and is my new favorite place to sit!

Estoy de vacación

We went on vacation about as far from Mexico as you can get in Minnesota!  It was a wonderful break and many fish were caught and consumed.  I would normally feel bad for those fishies dying, but they were well used and delicious.  It was rustic and beautiful and reminded us all of what is really important: a fishing rod, some hot tea, and your favorite 8-tracks (and family, of course)!

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!

Kid's Clothes Week

I've been busy sewing and *trying* to snap a few photos for Kid's Clothes week from Elsie Marley.  It really is a challenge!

It's already the third day and I haven't posted anything yet - but I've completed 2 sunbonnets and a dress for Harriet.  The bonnets are fully reversible - which is fabulous!

Here are the bonnets - Peekaboo Bonnet pattern from Made by Rae

The dress pattern is Dorothee from Citronille.  The patterns are written in French (I don't know a word of French) but if you've sewn a few garments before you could figure it out.  They also include very helpful diagrams.  I'm not sure I love the dress - the sleeves are a bit puffy for my taste.

(photo soon - once the girls go down for their nap!)

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