Slow going...

It's been hard to get myself motivated lately...Monday was tough for everyone of course, and it's been tricky getting into the swing of things this week.

To clarify...there's been a lot on the "Must Do Right Now!" list lately and I'm getting worn out with it... and on sewing the have to things I don't necessarily want to ... I've just had no will to do it...

So here's my new system.  I get something done that I have to do (like the ginormous pile of files I organized on Monday) and then do something I want to do (like start a crochet blanket because I haven't done that in a while).

It's working out ok, but I need to pick up the pace. 

This week we have a lot to get done because next week is going to be extra busy (my mom is coming to visit!!!) and I want to get a LOT of stuff out of the way so I don't have to worry about it.

Scheduling Dr's appointments for the littles (check!), and dentist appointments, and getting the rest of the bee blocks done, finishing sleeves on dresses and tanks...that kind of stuff I want out of the way so we can play. 

I've sewn up some clothes that I just need to photograph so watch for that.  Posting the pictures are my motivation for finishing some sleeves...

I'm pretty excited about it. 

Easter sewing...and lots of eggs...and lots of pictures...and a birthday!

I bought some wooden eggs for the kids to paint for Easter and was pretty proud of myself for letting them use whatever colors they wanted.

 I didn't take a picture of their finished eggs, but they eventually mixed all the colors together and now we have some nicely camouflaged rock eggs...but they're super proud of their eggs!

Ben had a church activity the week before Easter and for some reason needed to get 10 dozen eggs for it.  There were extras, and we're just now finishing them up. 

We made scrambled eggs, dutch babies with powdered sugar and strawberries, egg salad and a birthday cake that fortunately required 6 eggs on it's own just yesterday for Abby's 3rd birthday.

 We had a pretty good Easter weekend.  I sewed up the Geranium dress pattern for Abby to wear to church and a matching bow-tie for Matthew, but...Abby and I never made it to church....oh well. That's a different story. 

The Saturday before, the kids got to go to 2 Easter egg hunts, saw "the Easter bunny" and had a wonderful time.  I love seeing the holidays through their eyes.  It's so much more exciting! 

So, Abby's Easter dress turned into a birthday dress and that was fine.  I'm already anxious to make another Geranium dress, they're so darn cute, and really not that difficult to make.  Plus, she loves wearing it and that's totally all the reason I need!

And for the next 6 days I have two 3 year olds at home!  I can't believe how fast these little monkeys grow up!

*Hope that wasn't too disconnected of a post...I had lots to catch up on! 

bee blocks swarming out...

So I've been making swarms of bee blocks lately to catch up for getting super behind over the holidays, and never really catching up from that set back.

For the Bliss circle of do. Good Stitches we had blocks to make from this tutorial, flag blocks (to be made today), scrappy blocks from this tutorial (way simple and cute), HST blocks from 7" squares (I really loved these...may need to make a quilt for myself out of them).  I can't even remember now if I forgot some...but be warned.  There's a lot more to come...

clothes sewing

This weekend I did a bit of clothes sewing to break up the bee blocks I've been working on (don't worry, they'll all go out this week!) and it was really fun!

I sewed with jersey knit for the first time and made The Staple Dress Sunday morning and wore it to church! It is super comfy and I was impressed at how easily the pattern comes together, even though sewing with jersey will take some getting used to.  Shirring was also easier than I expected.  I only did one row of shirring and like how it gives the dress shape but doesn't feel awkward either. 

This pattern is totally worth the $12 and I'm absolutely going to be making more of these.  I love that purple.  Got the fabric at JoAnn's during their 25% off every purchase weekend.

Sadly I only took this super classy and awkward picture in the church bathroom before Matthew went to primary.

I added about 5 1/2 inches to the bottom of the dress so that it'd be long enough for my 5' 10" self and it was.  I didn't bother hemming the bottom or doing the facing on the sleeves (since I wore a cardigan and I'm lazy).  It was pretty tricky to get the facing on the collar but it's there. 

The little guy has been requesting "fancy bow-ties" to wear recently so I made this one for him Sunday after I finished my dress.  I used this tutorial and it was super easy to follow.  I hot glued the center to keep it in place.

I've got a stack of fabric he picked out ready to make more "fancy bow-ties" this week. 

The Geranium Dress pattern is cut and fabric is ready to make the little lady an Easter dress...

...and the Wiksten Tank pattern and fabric ready to make myself a tank and if that turns out well I'm going to use my bird knit to make a maxi dress for summer. 

AND THEN! I saw that the lovely people from Pink Castle Fabrics have a sale code today for 20% off in honor of spring...

so I got a few options to make some more tanks, and another dress for the little girl.  I'm pretty excited because I got all brave and chose a VOILE (the Anna Maria Horner print)!!

It's spring break over here but the Mr. is spending the week working so it's kindof like other weeks, minus the homework part for him.  I'm excited about my growing wardrobe!!  I've always been kindof a chicken when it comes to prints and clothes and have NEVER been excited about sewing my own (or anyone's) clothes, so this is pretty darn exciting.  I'll be back to share how things turn out soon! 

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Here's hoping that did whatever it was supposed to do!

New Quilts in the shop!!

I've finished these quilts recently and just got them listed in my Etsy shop today.

First up is a low volume patchwork quilt that's super lightweight.  It has no batting and a flannel back and I kindof want to keep it because it feels so luscious!!  It's really super, I hope it goes to a good home that will snuggle it to bits!

You can find the listing for it here.

The second quilt is a baby quilt that features the Monsterz fabric line of adorable prints.  These little critters are so cute.  I can just see a little kids eyes light up as they discover everything these little monsterz are up to!  They're adorable. 

This quilt also has no batting and feels just as luscious with just a flannel back.  I love flannel, since it gets softer and lovelier with every wash it's awesome for kids since their stuff seems to gets washed more than everything else!  Both of these quilts will be great for all seasons (another bonus to no batting - not too hot and not too cold!). 

You can find the listing for this quilt here.


Happy Monday!

more catch up...

Today is going to be busy...so here we go.

Last night I sewed up some table runners for a church dinner tonight.  No biggie but I was hoping to spend that time catching up on other things. 

I also get to decorate a table at the dinner tonight and make sweet potato casserole.  Ben's going to be the master of babysitting/manning the nursery at church during the dinner, which is another bonus point of awesomeness for him. 

It's my big brother's birthday today so we called and sang at him.  He lives in San Jose, CA and is spending the day with my mom doing fun stuff so that's good.  I wish we got to see him more often!

OUR WASHER IS FIXED!!! and it doesn't sound like a jet engine anymore which is really awesome!  AND it means I can move my fabric and stuff back and getting things going again!  Like right after I write this actually.  I'm trying to get my butt to the post office today before we have to pick Ben up from work.

I caved on a sale of some stuff I've been oogling for a while and got this shirt and this bag.  With a 20% off code I had, it was asking for it.  I seriously cannot wait to wear this shirt around all the time.  I probably should've gotten two of them....

Maybe after I sell another quilt I'll get another one.  And then that sweater.  I really love that sweater. 

Tonight I'll be sewing some more, and maybe taking a break to watch Psych.  Do you watch that show?  It's my very favorite thing.  Ever.  I love Guster.  Anyway, watch it.  Especially if you appreciate the 80's.  Some of the craftiest and cleverest dialogue on TV these days. 

and...I still can't find that cord.....I'll go hide in my corner for being a pictureless blogger again....