Making and breaking resolutions

I've been making little resolutions lately- too many resolutions.  I'm not sure if it's out of unhappiness with my current state or a simple striving for something better.  These resolutions are made each day at the most random of times.  Not thinking them through - I plod through my day and when I find I haven't upheld my new resolution - I furrow my brow and vow to do better.  I think it's making me feel like I've failed a mini-test each day.  This is not good.

For example - I resolved a few weeks ago to shed the last of the baby weight I've been lugging around.  I decided that my only snacks were going to be carrots and apples until the weight disappeared.  So...last night after 2 weeks of restraint - enter chips and salsa and root beer floats. 

I've also resolved to go on a walk each morning on the "new route" that is one mile longer than my previous walking route.  Much easier to "resolve" than to "do" with 2 little kidlets and a Spring that has recently reverted back to Winter.

I've resolved so many things that I can't even remember them all...write down more daily stories in the baby books, do a little laundry each day instead of huge loads every weekend, do only 2 craft projects at a time, sew 1 hour each night for my current project, run and lift three times a week, do 2 sessions daily of "preschool learning time" with Lucille, cut back on soda consumption...the list goes on...

I think I'm writing this post just to keep myself honorable.  The solution, I think, is to pick the 1 or 2 things that really matter and focus on that resolution alone.  Until I come to my senses and put some good thought into it, I suppose I'll keep making, and breaking my little resolutions. 

Darling Cardigan Pattern is here!

Description:  

The Darling Cardigan pattern is a PDF sewing pattern for intermediate to advanced sewers.  The UNISEX cardigan is made from knit fabric trimmed with ribbing and a front button placket.   

This trendy cardigan will put a sweet spin on any outfit.  Inspired by grandpa’s closet this darling cardigan is sure to keep your little ones warm.  Full step by step instructions include tips on how to work with knits, how to apply ribbing, and more!  Full sized pattern pieces for all sizes are included.  

Sizes included: NB, 3m, 6m, 12m, 18m, 2t, 3t, Girls 4, 5, 6

Yardage needed:

Size/Age                                       45" knit fabric                                ribbing

 NB, 3M, 6M                                   1  yd                                             1/3 yd

12M, 18M                                       1 1/4 yd                                        1/2 yd

2t, 3t                                               1 1/2 yd                                        1/2 yd

4, 5, 6                                             1 2/3 yd                                        1/2 yd

Notions needed: 25” clear 1/4” wide elastic, scraps of fusible interfacing, 4-6 buttons

Even more exciting...

The first 10 buyers will receive the pattern at a whopping 50% off!  (sale price as listed)  

Shop Owly Baby HERE 

Thanks so much to all of my wonderful testers and models!  I really appreciate your hard work and patience!

Still not sewing.

My days have been full of nursing, diapers, and cheerios.  I still haven't found a good slice of time to fulfill my wishes of sewing.  I've dreamed and schemed many outfits for summer and haven't stitched an inch.

Here is the sweater I finished knitting for Lucille.  I love the little owls around the yoke.  I have *almost* enough buttons now to finish it off.  The button eyes will be sewn all the way around.

I can't resist showing off our little baby Hattie. Look at that kissable baby belly!

Also, our little girl turned 2!

 And yes, she likes to color with the wrong side of the fancy crayons!

Happy Birthday Lucille!

It's hard to believe that our little pudder has grown so big.  It makes me want to savor each moment even more when I think of how quickly it passes.

Knitting?

I'm not afraid to admit that I'm an impulsive and instant gratification type of person.  I think that's why sewing children's clothing suits me so well.  I can whip some fabric out of my stash and with a few short seams and a quick press - the outfit is done.  Adult sized clothing seems to take too long.

Here is my lastest adventure: Knitting.  Squishy soft yarn and some straight sticks.

I gave knitting a go a long time ago and decided it wasn't for me.  It takes waaay too long to see the results.  But recently - I tried it again.  I don't love it - but I love feeling the soft fabric and I love knowing that something hand-knit will be loved in a special way and passed down from kid to kid (and maybe grandkid - is that thinking too far ahead?)

I love this tomatoey color.  Charlie called it rust.  Vicky called it orange.  The colors really don't do it justice.  There is a small pinkish hue on some areas that I just love.

I've just finished the sweater (photos soon) My second knitting project.  Complete with cables, short rows, ribbing and grafting.  If that sounds hard - it was!

I wouldn't call myself a knitter.  Yet.

Hear me ROAR...

 While perusing the crafty blogs after the birth of Harriet I saw THIS lion pillow on Anna Maria Horner's blog and I absolutely HAD to have it.  I needed it.  So what is a crafty mama to do - but shamefully copy.  Imitation is the greatest form of flattery - right? 

It makes me feel better that a I've seen a few other mamas making crocheted lion pillows too!

Here is my version - 

I hadn't crocheted in ages (okay - since college) but found that my fingers remembered what to do.  So I ran out and got some yarn and crocheted away.  I think I like my version a bit better - he looks like a very friendly lion. 

I chain stitched the facial features and sewed them on with a tapestry needle.  It was fun working with some yarn for a change.  I still miss my sewing - but I found that crocheting is an easy project to pick up and put down quickly - a necessity with two little ones around. 

He's gotten some good kisses from Lucy!

I can't resist posting a few one-month photos of our little Harriet!  She's been a wonderful baby!

 This is her signature frown.

Baby Harriet is here!

Baby Harriet (Hattie) is here!  

She was welcomed into the world at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, January 19th.  She weighed in at 7 lbs 4 oz and measured 20.5 inches long.  

The labor and delivery went well and our entire family is getting to know to our newest member.  

 

 

There will likely be much less time for sewing projects over the next couple of weeks - sleeping will trump sewing for now.  Although I'm already aching to sew again! 

Thanks so much again to my sister who has been keeping up the Owly Baby etsy store.

 

(does that count as a smile?)

 

Extreme nesting

I'm now a few days overdue and I'm quite impatiently for baby to come.  The house has been kept clean, the dishes done, laundry folded, meals have been made and frozen....

There is nothing left to do but sew!  Keeping my hands busy has been a blessing and has kept my mind off of the sleepless nights to come...

Here is what I have been up to in the last few days. 

Completed Projects

Stacked Strip Quilt Pillow

I just got a walking foot and thought I should try my hand at quilting....so here is my attempt at a stacked strip pillow with cording.

The colors make me happy.

I had fun playing with my scrap pile - and rearranging the colors over and over...

It was also my first time making cording.  

I think the red and white stripes make the pillow quite playful.

Burp Cloths

I made a few new burp cloths for the baby (and a few for the shop)

Nursing Cover

I embroidered the bottom corner of my new nursing cover to give it some pizazz.  It's also fitting for Valentine's day coming up!

I stumbled upon some beautiful quilts while looking for inspiration for my stacked strip quilt pillow.  A few of the quilts were made of hexagons that had been hand pieced.  I thought I would give the hexagons a try and now I'm hooked! 

The hand sewing involved in paper piecing is very therapeutic and almost addictive.  I know it will be a work in progress for quite a while - but piecing hexagons is great for using up scraps AND it's a great on-the-go projects (think car rides, waiting rooms, etc..).

Travel Sewing Case

So I HAD to make a little travel sewing case for my hexagon sewing supplies.  I'm so proud of this little zipper case I spent about 10 minutes just opening and closing it last night for my husband.  He was still trying to be impressed after the 15th time...so nice of him!

It holds just the bare necessities for paper piecing hexagons or other small sewing projects.

Do you see the hexagons peeking out?  They're calling my name...sew me...

Paper Pieced Hexagons

My small stack of finished hexagons.  So fun!

 Works in progress

Embroidered Artwork

I started another embroidery project - this one will hang in the kitchen.  I'm fairly new at reverse applique, but I like how it turned out.  

It's not perfect but I think there is a certain kind of beauty in the imperfections.

I think I'm reaching maximum nesting potential.  This was all accomplished within the last 4 days.  Come on out, baby!