Wax Wire Creations

We have been doing these homeworks and when we are done we work on a little craft project.  Today we made these wax creations.

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This one is a Sophia sews.  She wanted to make a skirt.  She is tough to sew with.  She has a vision of what she wants and gets frustrated when she doesn't have the skills yet to make it just sew (hehe so).  We came half way on this and it turned out pretty good.  She has a dress that is short in the front and long in the back that she adores.  So we did a little cutting on the bottom.  I was just sure it was gonna be wonky but it's not.It took us about an hour which is my limit on sewing with kids (scissors, pins, seam ripper my machine that I adore...you see where I am going with this).
I would definately do this again with her she does push my sewing ingenuity.

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Old shirts + Lil blu boo goto Top = the hour shirt!  This literally took an hour including the cutting which was laborous because I used old tshirts and I had to cut them up first. Turned out pretty good.

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Well I am in love with this one!  It was a lot of work simply because of the amount of pieces but it was well worth it.  There are inside pockets as well as the outside.  The one change I would make if I were to make it again is I would make it wider around the edges.  It does fit quite a bit though.  The directions were clear though there were a few times that I would have liked a few more pictures. 

Simple Fun

Sometimes the simply activities done together are so much more rewarding then the big ones.  Yesterday we made cake pops.  So many steps... So much time...so much sugar!  It was all just a bit too much and then today after cleaning bathrooms we sat down for a little bit of drawing.

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I needed a little makeup/junk bag for taking to the gym and back.  This little bag went together quick and go me back in the zipper sewing mode.  I see a few more in my future.

Why I question my parenting skills...

I was sewing when I looked up to find Logan sitting on the table next to me minus pants. 

He sat there quietly playing with his ninja turtle toys when I said "Logan can you put on pants your penis is staring at me."  To this he picked it up, looked it over and then smiled and shook his head "naw."

Then he went back to his toys.   I am certain this conversation will come back to haunt me in the near future.

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Ok so I have been sewing...  This was a request from Logan. Pants and a shirt out of some stash Star Wars fabric.  I have to say the shirt is home made and sometimes this is a good thing....this time no so much:)   I blew the collar and gave up opting for bias tape.  I also should have gone up a size. He couldn't care less.  The shorts with giant pocket are always a hit and I know he will wear them out.  He is pleased which always makes it a home run for me! Mission accomplished.

Simplicity

The greatest gift my children give me daily is a dose of simplicity.  

Mornings

Mornings are always so rushed.  Get here, do that. It seems the to do list never ends.  Every once in awhile I feel the pause, the breath at the inhale and the exhale and I try to tell myself be in this moment and not thinking, or doing. Today in this moment I had guests.  The birds in the trees, the squirrels on the fence and Polly at my side.

Exhale.... Momma! And then it all begins.

Logic

Logan typically has his own logic.  He wears his pjs over his clothes on days he is going to school to save time, he carries his shoes around so he can have them ready at all times and he cleans his room before bed which consists of putting EVERYTHING in the closet. I love my little man!

Yoga with a twist

I have been adding in a little night time yoga to try to unwind from a busy end of the year inventory.  I would like to say its very relaxing but I have little guests that want to relax with me.  Tonight I added Capt America.

The River

We planned to go out to Battle Ground Lake and then as always had to change plans.  To the river and through the sand.  So close to us is this place and so easy.  Wet and tired two minutes to home.  Polly went for her first swim and over and over into the water she went.  A true water dog.  Then she blasted up and down the beach at full speed.  What a beautiful sight.  The kids scouted for fairies and are sure they found a few of their drawings in the trunks of trees.  Lovely and restful perfect for a Sunday.

Liberty Love by Alexia Marcelle Abegg

Beautiful book, cute, simple projects.  I made the LuLu tunic.  It turned out ok directions were not simple to follow if you are in the beginner clothing sewing range like I am.  I need to take a class on getting a good fit. I measured ect but its a bit bulgy in the wrong places and the collar was a bit too high for me. Overall I would still mark it as a success.

Fridays mean Coffee!

There is something about getting a coffee that for me just fuels the soul.  I am on a once a week plan and it suits me just fine.

Ok OK

So I couldn't leave it alone and I did do a tiny bit of cleaning and to leave that messy picture as the end product just wouldn't do! So here is the dress in action and the room at rest.

Choices

Time... I often make choices in life based on time.  I want to do it all, but the reality is I work full time, I have to exercise, I am completing a novel, and most importantly I have a husband and two children.  So when a day like today arrives when both kids are at school, David is drawing and I am off, I have a choice.  I can do what I should do and clean or I can...sew.  No kids peeking over my shoulder the dog asleep at my feet, just sew.  So today I give you a peek at the mess that is my life and the joy in a finished project. 
Tonight when I close the door to my office I will once again dream of the pinterest boards and their organized fabric and wall to wall storage but, I will remember this hour and how Happy Sophia is with her new dress and I will be greatful. 
Greatful for time and choices.

Sewing buddy

Logan is now interested in hangin' at the machine with momma.  His questions are different then Sophia's were at his age.  He wants to know how it all works and what all the buttons do.  "What's it for momma?  Why did you pull that down?  What's it mean TEENSEEIIOON?"  And on and on. I asked him what he wants to sew.  " A motorcycle Mamma haha naw... Just kidding...  I'm a funny guy."
Sophia wants a piece of what I am doing to create something. 
Each have their own approach, their own way of taking in the world. All the while momma just hopes for a few moments to sew.

Beach

There is something about the beach.  The drive is long, the kids are singing (at the top of their lungs) and I often wonder about half way, why we are going and then we arrive...  Mysteriously all the squabbils of the car ride vanish and the smell of dog vomit (don't ask) is washed away and as the rain sprinkles down, the kids rush madly around looking for bugs, shells, and find some bizarre looking sea slug.  David and I walk behind he is the spotter, the finder of all things dead and discusting to share with the kids.  We talk and watch. This year we added Polly who runs between us all, chasing her frisbee for all who throw it.  She stays close herding us together when others approach.  She never sits, standing at attention, always watching, always on the job. Then its back to the car, my turn to drive and by the Seaside city limits all eyes, except mine are closed and the drive seems short and peacful in the quiet. 

Then I realize again why we go.  The beach gives us all a chance to breathe in our own way,  for Sophia its writing in the sand words for others to see, for Logan its finding magical weapons and jumping and twisting and landing in the soft sand, for David its exploring and treasure hunting, and for me its a chance to just watch.

Road trippin'

You ever just feel like you are gonna burst if you don't get out of town? We do so we are road trippin' it to the coast for the day.  Have a wonderful long weekend!

Awesomeness!

Sophia made this for me :)

16 out of 48 Pillow fixer

Stash busting at it's best! Mom gave me some fabric couple years back. Actual yardage and these pillows well I am embarrasses to even show the pictures but there you are.  Here's the thing... We are pillow tossers.  We toss pillows at each other its fun and that's a fact.  So these were just envelope style simple took me about and hour start to finish for four.