While Tangerine Dreams

Sheety Diaper Bag

My best friend from high school had a baby. Her second. This fabric totally reminds me of her. She's super groovy and use to sport all kinds of flower power type prints (at least I think she did - high school's still a kind of all a blur). So, I made an Amy Butler Nappy bag all from vintage bedsheets and pillow cases.

Some of the interior pockets. Skipped out on the cell phone pocket because, well, we don't have cell phone coverage out here. And, the bottle pocket. Lots of reviews on the pattern states that these are a pain in the ass to install and I don't she's a bottler anyway. Did I mention she recently moved out to these parts? That's pretty cool (Peace Sisters 4 Evah! - yeah, we were pretty cool back in the day). So, with her first babe she lugged around this giant backpack for a diaper bag. Totally cool if she's still down with that but just in case she can use this to stuff with goose feathers and take a much needed Mummy of two siesta.

Butt First

 

It's been a week of firsts for Edie. Above pic is clue number one.

First horsey ride at her buddy's fourth birthday party;

witnessed her first rainbow (gawd, seeing her little eyes light up when she saw this was one of those moments I've only experienced a handful of times and only as a mom where it feels like my heart grew an inch in a single spurt);

and, her first haircut. Again, this was one of those few (okay, many) moments I've experienced during my gig as mom when I had to step out of the room momentarily because my crying would confuse the child. This was actually her second haircut. I cut off 2 mm when she was a year old to promote hair growth but I don't think it counts as a haircut if your able to snort up all the hair trimmings. I cut a few inches off all over and then she really wanted me to cut her bangs so when she goes to her playschool the kids will say, I actually couldn't believe she said this for some reason (in her mock deep kid's voice) "Edie, did you do something to your hair?". So I did, asking her about twenty times, "now, are you sure?" and, oh my god, she aged, like, a year. So I had to step outside (luckily the bathroom door leads directly outside) and wipe the tears away. It was so weird. Craig thinks she looks like a Little Miss Beauty Contestant now. I want my little Ragamuffin back! Just kidding. I'll just cut back on the baths from 10 to 15 days now.

There's little Miss and Mr Sunshine. These two lounging around on Father's Day. Edie's sporting by the way the Tea Party Dress I spoke of over here. So cute, she picked out the fabric because Strawberry Shortcake is her alias. The pattern comes with bloomers I made but she's not into wearing. Not sure why. I would totally wear them myself. Hmmm....

What's with the Lawn Face?

It's tricky to catch full-self portraits in these parts. I need a full length mirror in my sewing room at least. Craig's office is just behind this window so after some time the man felt for me and quickly snapped a shot from his desk.

I'm from the camp of taking about fifty shots of the same thing to increase chances of a keeper or two - you know, like a million monkeys in a room there's bound to be one in there typing or something like that. Craig's a one shot kind of guy (not trying to be punny this time). He was super busy with a project at the time so it was; "you look like a lawnchair" >snap<. So, I was surprised I didn't look totally offended in the end product. I guess I have delayed facial expressions. Just looks like I'm sporting a wheel barrel bracelet (never mind. Can't see it in the actual post)!

This is a Built by You dress from Simplicity (3964)  (again, check out Leya's frickin' cute one here) and I was actually all proud of the fact that alot of my projects these days have been utilizing vintage fabrics I scored at the local Yard and Yardage sale in the spring. Sure, I look mildly coked-out or l should be hanging from Scar Face's window sill but I just made a five dollar dress! Six when you count in the fact I bought the pattern on a $1.00 on all Simplicity pattern sale. Brace yourself and grab your sunglasses for there's more frugal fashions coming down the pipes in the next while. This pregancy's made me into a sewing maniac.

Amy Butler's Beer Belly Apron

I made an apron to go with my Amy Buttah skirt. It's like buttah and my developing beer belly is growing comfortably over the waistband. Yes! I can wear it all summer according to my winter plans.


And there's the back of it. It's the Barcelona skirt pattern too. I like it and been wearing it lots. Over the skirt, over my cords, over my tights; all over it. I'm loving sewing these days. Craig's mom's in town now so I'm hoping to get some more projects crossed off my list. Craig says no more clothes until Edie's bedroom curtains are done but, baby needs a tea party dress first (and I need to dye the silk I got for the curtains first. Guess what colour. You'll never guess.).


I'd love to stay and chat but I'm at the restaurant again feeling weird and worried that I've been gone too long again. I'll sneak out again sometime soon.

Farm I See

 
I know, my puns are getting weaker and weaker; I'll blame it on the hormones like everything else. Our little not-so-underground-anymore (they asked me to take pictures for the local paper - you know, because they know about the blog now  - kidding! Because I was the only nerd with a camera) farmer's coalition meeting this weekend encompassed a tour of these two member's farm. It was really quite outstanding. The husband having been born on the homestead in a little cabin still standing there across the garden way and his parents have been farming there forever so everything is super established. The amount of food they produce is inspiring. They only spend about $100 a month on toilet paper I think they said (don't drink the water from the tap). We had our usual amazing potluck and our hosts brought to the table borscht made with only ingredients they grew or raised, fresh baked multi-grain bread and the most amazing canned peaches straight from their orchid. It was heaven. Among the eye candy we saw ducks, chickens, beehives, cows...

...cutes looking at cows...

... and cutes hiding under their mamas' new skirts they just made.

This is the under skirt I wore to the tour and I then finished the apron overlay on Sunday just in time for our dinner guests' arrival (can you tell my energy's creeping back?) but haven't had a chance/keep forgetting to get a picture of it. Chances are good it will happen soon since I've been wearing it everyday since (well, it's only been two days this morning I guess, but I want to wear it everyday). And that's my girl, Peggy! She's my sewing/knit buddy and I'm her cake tester. She makes amazing cake. AND, she's the farmer behind the famous Fabulous Farms. Her fabulousness has been captured here before. Oh yeah, she's a natural building specialist, too. She helped us finish some plastering in our house before we moved in here. There's nothing this woman can't do!

Garden Hoe

It's been a dreary week but it's promising to be a scorcher of a weekend. Perfect for gardening. Unless it's too hot. Man, I'm picky these days. I'm looking forward to sewing up another gardening outfit. Turns out we're going to take care of our next door neighbor's garden as they'll be away this summer. This works out just fine for we're just working on getting our soil establish, saving up for some serious deer fencing to keep our pet deer out and general need to get organized.

So this works out for all parties involved. This garden's a short, magical stroll/tricycle ride away and is nicely established and brimming with strawberries, raspberries and a cozy vine-covered gazebo that grows tasty grapes that will also nicely shade Edie's turtle sandbox.

And the progression of the Happy House garden. Craig rototilled a large circle (ooooo, circles!) around the pre-pubescent maple tree and (now) we're thinking of overlapping circles around and around, kind of like Olympic rings (not to get all controversial).

One of the many original plans that have been scrapped. But the fun is in the process and team-building exercises, right? Here's a fun website for other garden hoes. Happy gardening/gardening outfit making!

Sewing and other Kneads

It's been a fine, fine week. I had a cold last week, nothing too gnarly but  enough to be ugh-ing it and wondering when exactly does the first trimester end so I can feel like my normal self again!!!? I knew once the cold fades away i should be out of this hormonal hangover and sure enough these days I feel pretty darn tootin' good comparatively. Yay - because I have a whole whack of spring projects lined up and I'm raring to go. To celebrate, my friend Kimberly came over and gave the whole family a massage. Edie went first...

And then she promptly fell asleep about five minutes after this second picture was taken. Craig carried her to the couch where she woke up and was upset because she didn't get her 'face cheeks' massaged yet. Luckily she got her other cheeks massaged as she was so looking forward to. Kimberly had a pregnancy pillow so I could lay face down for 45 minutes without having the bun squished. I'm only thirteen weeks along (today, actually) but I'm totally showing and feeling something squishable already.

Still, the only crafting that's talking to me these days is sewing. And I have my (and Edie's) Spring 2008 collection to get started on. I have a few projects I'd like to crank out sooner than later and have some ideas that are a little more realistic (after spending a day in garden) and practical for what my my day to day routine and girth are bound to dictate.

The Barcelona Skirt has been in my collection plan pre-Drippy Head so I had to adjust the skirt pattern to make it a medium at the waist and small at the hips. As a Mother's Day gift Craig took us out for brunch then made himself and Edie scarce to help me get some sewing out of my system. I was able to get the A-line skirt done today. I'm washing some paisley cotton I found at this year's Yard and Yardage sale to use as the apron over-lay's trim. Skirt fits great. For now anyway.

And for Edie, I was inspired by the ever inspirational Soulemama, she made her sweet little girl this bubble dress. There is an Oliver + S a tea party dress that will be whipped up from some Strawberry Shortcake (Edie's alias) cotton we found at fabric land. She's big into tea parties these days too. Maybe her next birthday  will be a tea party at a massage parlour.

I have all the Built By Wendy patterns now too. Thanks to a $1.99 Simplicity pattern sale at Fabricland. This project has been inspired by America's Next Crafty Model, Leya. She made this cute version of it last month and just, ugh! So cute! Spring makes me want to sproing around in dresses all season long.

There's so much more. But I don't want to bite off more than I can chew, especially with my cravings being so shifty right now. Maybe next week I'll be into macrame.

Super Freak

You know, I look at these photos from this photo shoot and I can't get that New Kids on the Block song out of my head. So there it is. My Built by Me hoody dress made with that super dreamy hemp fleece fabric from the local (yes, we have not one, but TWO hemp stores in town) hemp store and what's the feedback I get from the familia?

Edie: Mama, that is not beautiful.
Craig: (first) Looks like an ugly housecoat.
Craig: (when I almost wore it out to the restaurant last night) Looks like you're getting ready for bed.

I was happy as a pig in a hemp blanket though to wear this to walk to the mailbox and lounge around the house. Super comfy but shapeless and not very flattering. If I make this again perhaps a smaller size.

On the Etsy front, this is exciting news (if you're familiar with Etsy, if not, this is totally "whatever"), I made it into my first treasury. The deal is more or less another Etsyian carefully composes a list of cool items he or she found and displays them in this sought after position in the treasury board. A nice compliment and great way to gain exposure. Thank you Velma for the heads up on that one (I lurve your yarn you yarn goddess you) and my newest blog buddy, Creativeredhead (and winner of my birthday contest - love how contests bring bloggers together!) got on to the same treasury too! Yay! I know, I'm a freak.

Oh Frankie You're So Fine...

What a long shot! I deemed this the Frankie Hoody because I had to Frankenstein some pink and green fabric together due to lack of yardage of one to complete it (oooo...deeeeep). I'm not sure what to make of it but I do know is I hosted our weekly knit circle last night and my dear friend Harmony freaked out when she saw it and screamed "OH MY GAWD THAT'S SO TACKY! In an awesome way." I think I know what she means. I feel very Mindy from Mork and Mindy in it. Or Natalie from Facts of Life. Kind of how I longed to be Kimberly from Different Strokes so long ago (look how little Edie's hair is there!).

And instead of a cord I used the shoelace idea from Intertwined for the hood. The yarn is felted Creative Spaced yarn from last month. (I have a new idea to once a month spin up all the excess from all my different projects. Last month turned out gorgeous (I should take a picture)! This month is a little scary fresh off the drum carder but that's what a love about this process; I'm usually pleasantly surprised!)

Being Etsy Friday; not to direct traffic to my shop or anything but if you check out this and this item, guess what? Edie was the photographer for both! She has a good eye though she begs to be in the shot the whole time.

Who's mama's little ham? Oink, oink!

Moody for a Hoody

I had one of those days (the moody part). I think I need a balance to all of this setting up shop business with some fun sewing (the hoody part). As you know, I LOVE the Built by You series from Simplicity. Wendy Mullen the designer is so cool and I love the "hey, girlfriend!" feel of the instructions (kinda ala Stitch n Bitch) - I'm such a sucker for that.

My mom gave me a bunch of fabric from her monster-sized stash and so I dug in there to fish out some comfy fleece like substance for view C I was eyeballing. Just a reminder; I'm still on that self-inflicted prohibition from buying new clothes. I have to either buy second hand, make or be gifted articles of clothing (not a hint). My outfit selection is getting rather sad these days. So I thought, ooooo pink. I love pink. But not enough yardage. There is some pink and green of the same type of fabric so I'm going to Frankenstein a pink and green the short version hoody but I have a bad feeling about the outcome. Might look "thrift store" as I shared this plan with the girl at the fabric store.

And then I remembered about the local Hemp Shop and found this: hemp fleece. Half hemp, half cotton, equals happy Kathy. Now I can make View C (view C what I mean?). Can't wait to snuggle into this dress but first I have to Dr Frankenstein the cut up pieces together. There will probably be another "ugg" shot to share at end of the week. Stayed tuned.