Monday, January 30, 2012

Right Now

Right now, I'm loving...

 



...girl time. With Little Brother always around, it's hard to remember what it was like to have girl time, just Mama and Audrey. When the opportunity rolls around to get out as a twosome, we savor it like one might savor, say, a tall gourmet hot chocolate with extra whipped cream. May we all begin our week with something to savor. Happy Monday.

Friday, January 27, 2012

In The Grip





 



 
 
I have really been in the grip of a major sewing whim lately... today was project number... um... I dunno... four? A carrier for Big Sister and her oh-so-important babies, from a thrifted pink and purple polka-dot cotton sheet! The whole time I was at the sewing machine, she was hovering over my shoulder, asking, "Is my carrier for my babies ready yet, Mama?" It really took me about an hour to put together, start to finish, if you don't count the extra time added by my remedial skills when it comes to hand-sewing snaps. Anyho, once I presented the finished product to AudreyMama (as she calls herself), there was much excitement... it was quite well received, and with much enthusiasm (whew).



It has been hard to spot her without it ever since. I would call that a success (pattern from Creative Play for Your Toddler: Steiner Waldorf Expertise and Toy Projects, 2-4s, by Christopher Clouder).

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Garden Basket Bag

While surfing the wide plethora of garden harvest baskets and balking at the cost of them, I came across this article and was totally inspired. What was even more inspiring was the fact that I had exactly everything I needed to make a first attempt at my version without spending a penny!

The pattern in the article has you make cutouts so the handle loops are part of the basket fabric... all one piece. However, I thought it would be more fun (and eliminate a bit of error) if straps were actually added to rectangles instead. So that's "MY version."

Step one: procure rustic wooden handles


Step two: let the girl child, and recipient of the first garden basket bag, choose her fabric. Sew together two rectangles of her color choice, right sides in, leaving space to turn out.


Step three: close flap and continue seam all the way around the rectangle, so you in effect have double-sewn all the edges. Then do the same thing to smaller rectangles, which will become the handle loops.

Step four: pin loops at narrow ends of larger 'basket' rectangle, pinning carefully after measuring that the loops can in fact accommodate the chosen rustic wooden handles! Sew in place.






Step five: insert wooden handles, fill with stuffed animals (or veggies, if it's not off season!), and enjoy!




For Henny's, I used one big loop on each side because upon finding the right branches, he'll have more of a longer, curved handle. I folded the corners of his loops almost as you would fold wrapping paper on a fancy gift, to keep the edges from poking out and fraying.


Aaaaaaaaand for mine, I used a dish towel (from Ikea, actually), and chose sticks slightly smaller than the width of the towel, so it would bunch up a bit and be a little more parachutey, so to speak...




These were so incredibly easy, even for a novice like myself. Can you imagine the fabric combinations? The possible handle materials? The veggies that will fill them up? I can't wait!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Right Now

Right now, I'm loving...


All-consuming, child-occupying, big and fluffy bubble baths





 

80-degree days in late January





 Dual sibling bath time

We start this week feeling very blessed, and hope the same for everyone. Happy Monday.