A little reading, a little sunshine ... lots of fun!

I am loving Cal Patch's book, "Design-It-Yourself Clothes: Patternmaking Simplified". 

A simple ball and a simple swing ... they make all the difference on a sunny afternoon.  So, no ... I did not sit in front of a sewing machine today.  Hmm.  Wonder how much sewing I am going to get done this summer.  Oh, well!

What happens if...

So, what happens when you have this urge to sew something.  Now, I am not talking about logically finding a project to use up some of the stash that you have.  I am thinking about the urge to sew something for which there not a stich of premeditated planning.

Answer: Raid your husband's closet!  Heehee!

Okay, so it was a pair of pants he was already willing to donate; hence, they were fair game.  I have had this copy of Ottobre sitting on my sewing desk for months -- A European design magazine with lots of ideas.  The problem is you have to have a lot of know-how, too, in order to make your way through the maze of patterns and lack of detailed instructions.  And, well, I am a bit of a novice at best in the sewing world.  Maybe my big sis, Jenny, can share some wisdom as she took sewing lessons in 8th grade.  Me?  Couldn't be bothered.  Where is that 4H class now?  However, the sun is out, spring has sprung -- and I had a surge of confidence.  That is, until I looked at the pattern sheet again...

Hmm.  Anyone with colored glasses?  Wish me luck!

But here is an Easter family pic of my husband, smiling -- just as he will be when he sees his pants!

By the way....

ANSWER:  The red truck in my second to last post is from Forks, Washington.  Yep, I admit it.  My friends and I took a road trip last February ... and that is Fork's version of Bella's red truck.

Why haven't I been at my computer? It's spring!

Even my unfinished "Easter" chicks found their way outside to enjoy the sun!  Hey, come back here!  You still have pins and stuffing coming out of you.  Plus, where are your eyes?  You can't see where you are going! 

Neighborhood kids playing together even have taken off their shoes and socks for a day of romping in the grass.  Why would you want to be inside for this?

So, the projects will continue to sit and wait for a rainy day.  (Tomorrow -- according to the weather guy). 

 And the flowers on my table will sit to remind me to head outside!  I love spring!

Cool Crewel

This is one of my garage sale finds on Bainbridge Island last summer.  New to the area, I would pack the kids in the car with snacks galore and head off in search of garage sale signs.  I saw this crewel from the sixties and loved it.  It is close to four feet tall ... try walking across a busy street carrying this and trying to hold on to a 1.5 year old's hand and keeping the five year old glued to your side.  Who said garage sale-ing wasn't an adventure?!  When most people are tossing these crewels, I wanted to bring it home -- it just makes me smile. 


This huge piece of art found a permanent home on top of a freshly painted hutch I found on craigslist.  A perfect match!  ... Do you notice that red car in the photo album beneath?  Know where that picture was taken?  Hint: No, not Spoons, Washington ...  Post your guess!

Also, here is a my version of a pincushion I made from a pattern found in Anna Maria Horner's book, Seams to Me: 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing.  I used up some scraps I had in my stash.  I am always trying to use up all my stash before I buy any more fat quarters.  Yea, like that works. 

 In the works today ... two Spring Chicken stuffed animals for my two little ones' Easter baskets, and a new Easter doll dress to put into an Easter basket too!  So, more on that soon...  But I thought I should blog something since one of my few followers, (ahem, big sister Jenny), was complaining I hadn't blogged for awhile.  If only my other sister, Jody, would send me the photos of our trip to Denver we all took last week including an adventure in the random snowstorm to see John Mayer (15 inches of snow in one night), Breckenridge Snow Village, Indian Cliff dwelling photos, and our amazing food pictures, too.  Yep, that is what has been keeping me from blogging.   If you have any sunshine like we do today ... I hope you take time to get outside and play on a wee (2 year old translation: a swing).