Category Archives: sewing

little blue up-cycled leggings

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I am not an expert.  There are probably thousands of excellent tutorials you could scrounge up that would be much better than what I would put out, so I will spare you.  Besides they are crooked.  But I will dare you to find a cuter belly that they are snuggly fit around.  That, my friends, would be impossible.

These pants are as cozy as they are fancy.  For they are pure cashmere.  Oh yes, I was able to score a cashmere sweater at the old thrift store and slice and dice and stitch until I got these.  I dare say they are beyond adorable.

I am not sure the soaking ability of cashmere, and I don’t intend to find out.  So, these will not serve as a diaper cover for overnights, these will remain just lounging pants.  Who am I kidding, if these boys wanted to wear them to the Taj Mahal I would abide.  Truly though they are too little yet to care for the particulars of their outfits so, it would only be mama to blame if they were underdressed for such an occasion.

Give it a go!  Make some clothes.  I have little to no background in sewing, and not even the time or patience for irons or patterns.  So if with these skills I can complete such sweet adorable outcomes, than it is clear, anyone can!  And stitching up something you yourself or your loved ones can wear is pretty rad I must say.  The feeling of accomplishment, of something from nothing, is awesome.  You can be sure ten thousand other people are not walking around in blue cashmere leggings, and as far as I am concerned that is a win right there.

And don’t forget if you want a chance at a custom banner see yesterdays post – waving (and winning) the banner of love A GIVEAWAY – to enter!  All you have to do is comment on yesterdays post, follow me, and/or share my blog somewhere.

waving (and winning) the banner of love -A GIVEAWAY-

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I decided to surprise myself last week on the thirteenth of February at ten pm and do some creating.  Lee was at the office, as usual, studying for some quiz or writing a paper (I can never keep track), and I decided to stay up late.  You see, as a rule, I hit the hay at 9:30, at the very latest.  I have no need to reiterate what my nights look like, for I have made it clear and obvious no one does any sleeping for any length of time around here.  So, I broke my precious rule and got to work.

This is what I came up with.  

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I set up a project the boys could make for their beloved daddy-o.  The next day, the boys had a messy yet satisfying time decorating their flags.

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I had a ball picking out sentimental fabrics from this ginormous pile of -to be used for something, someday- stockpile of clothes from the last 7 years of our lives.

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And I found the results of staying up late to be not so bad after all.  Of course everything must be done in moderation.  Don’t think I am going to go out partying anytime soon.  Though, wouldn’t that be nice?  I mean just once?  Sigh….

oh and to show off a bit… this is what my man came up with!  

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a bouquet of vegetables!  how appropriate!

And so to spread the love, I decided to share one with one of you!  And not just any banner.  A banner of your liking.  A custom banner of your choice up to 13 letters long, enough for a happy birthday tradition.  So…. for one drawing give me a comment.  For two, follow my blog  and comment.  For three, share this page somewhere, follow and comment!  In a week or so, I will tally them up, draw one out of a hat (I still don’t know how to do this random number generator bologna) and perhaps you will be adorning your house in a banner of your own.

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remember if you don’t play you can’t win!  

Winner is Beth W.!!!!!

by the flight of a pigeon

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In the age of tapped out thoughts on a keyboard, there is nothing quite like a hand written note delivered via snail mail.  A concept so lost in time that the once steady postal service is losing a need in our society.  A habit so deeply loved by all but practiced by few.  A quick email fades in the light of an old fashioned letter.  Choosing your paper, finding that good pen of yours, including a little something perhaps a dried flower or a photograph in the envelope, even the stamp are all enjoyable processes.  Children adore them and I know of no adult who doesn’t get giddy at the sight of a non bill related parcel in their mail box.

Upon making our last move, with a good friend who had a little one my Miles was just smitten over, we decided that we should attempt to make our two pen pals through out the coming years.  Every Tuesday at ten (give or take depending on the other little one’s nap on such day) my little man and I sit down and give the old pen and ink a whirl.  Miles dictates what he would like to tell his girl and I am his scribe.  While at times there is cajoling and encouragement for the task at hand, over all it is a tradition he quite likes.  Of course the illustrations (circles.  lots of circles and occasionally a few lines which he tells me are my big head.  hm.) in our weekly mailings as well.

There have been others.  We write to family.  To old friends.  To each other.  Sometimes, we pick at random.  Look out, you could be next.  So with all the incoming mail signed sealed and delivered to my boy a keepsake case was in order.

Nothing to it.  I have said it before and I will say it again, I am a novice at sewing (to put it lightly) and a poor direction follower.  So I am in no way inclined to include directions or how to.  It is just some thick fabric I purchased at our art schools store with a minimum amount of stitches sewn through.

Recently, a dear friend sent Miles and I each respectively a sweet and thoughtful letter.  Illustrations were not sparse.  Photographs included.  She completed a check list she knew not existed.  Now that is a cool chick.  So, in hopes that she gets the hint, (you know, that we should be pen pals) we made her an upgraded  version of miles keepsake envelope.  This one will hold LOTS of mail.  And it has a button!  Fantastic.

I hope your mailbox is piled with lovely letters today.  Who knows, there could be one from us!  Have a wonderful Weekend!

book cubby with vintage charm

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I recently acquired a giant bag full old and new hankies alike.  There were tiny ones, floral prints, tatted edges, and some were even painstakingly embroidered.   I have thought, pinned, and researched options for these beautiful squares and there are quite a plethora of options.  But, on a whim, and with my own little imagination hard at work I decided to showcase a couple on a book cubby for my boys.  It is made with a sturdy muslin and of course hankies!  Super simple, I think you can tell just by the pictures how it is done.  This kind of minimalist book cubby is for current favorites to be easily accessible.  Or, if you wanted to would be a nice storage spot for illusive library books.  (Why is it that they are SO hard to keep track of?)

Thanks goes to my sweet Nana for the vintage inspiration.  

something to stand on

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A little bathroom floor enhancement happened today.  While the real issue (the toilets, oh joy) have yet to be resolved, at least the floor looks nice?  We have been instructed to “hold it” and if we absolutely cannot then there is a McDonald’s down the street.  Oh my.  While my landlord is just about the nicest man alive, I can say this is well…not ideal.  But such is life I suppose.  It certainly could be worse.  I mean at least I have a new bath mat?  Sigh…it is the little things.

I got the pattern from Handmade Home which is truly a wonderful book.  Very comprehensive, good for beginners and experienced sewers alike.  I have tried several of the projects and they have all been fantastic!  She uses all recycled fabrics for her patterns and that thrills me not only as a thrifty environmentalist but as a cheap skate as well.

With an old table-cloth and a hooded towel that we no longer use, I made something that had been sitting in my closet for some time, into something I quite like.  It took less than an hour to complete.  What prompted me to make one was the fact that I could not buy one for less than 30 dollars.  I find this to be highway robbery.  Absolute rubbish.  I knew I could do better.  And what do you know?  I did!