Dwelling in Possibility

Summer is Over

2011-10-06T10:09:00.001-07:00

which is good because I needed a bit of slowing down and coming inside. I had so much fun gardening this summer. I still have some cabbage and Purple Peacock broccoli relative growing but for the most part the gardening is done. Now I am not one to waste time between hobbies so I have been sewing up a storm! I am currently working on a vintage dress pattern for myself (pictures coming soon!) Very excited to be fitting into any kind of vintage dress pattern (even if it IS labelled size 18!!) now that I've lost a grade total of 35lbs in 5 months. I've gotten excited about sewing for myself again now that clothes look better on me.
Here's what I did last night in under two hours!

in the tiniest garden..

2011-08-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

cherry tomatoes +

baby sugar pumpkins +

pineapple crush strawberries producing about two dozen berries daily +

a few onions left +
a bunch of flowers I didn't plant and a few giant flowers I did plant =

happiness

Greens

2011-07-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

Inside:

avacado chairs: done.

Outside:

blueberries

jalapeno

mini pumpkins

onions

lavender

potatoes

chives

Like Sister, Like Brother... and Other Goodies

2011-06-28T12:51:00.000-07:00

The best part about not sending your kids to preschool, you ask? Saving that extra 200 bucks a month. Yes it's a little extra work on my part but I wouldn't have it any other way. David and I recently went to a home school convention and ended leaving empty handed but inspired. Here is a very Montessori inspired project. We wrote out the sight words we are working on and then cut yarn to glue over our words. Bella asks me every day if we can make more yarn words. Here she is pictured searching the Banagram(super fun Scrabble-like game) letters to match to her yarn words.

Elliott searching too. He also has yarn "words". hehe. So cute.

Also, look what I made:

Freezer jam! With only 1/2 a cup of honey in 4+ jars! That is my kind of jam. To make this I just washed and cut my bunch of rhubarb and boiled it for maybe two minutes. Then I strained the rhubarbs and added it back into my pot. I added washed, mashed strawberries about four pints. Brought that to a slow boil and added the pectin according to the package. Super easy. My next challenge is canning it next time!

summer readiness

2011-06-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

My kids don't need anymore clothes! They are all set for summer which is great for them but I've had an itching to sew lately. I pulled out all my patterns determined there had to be something we needed that would be worth my time. I came across this sun hat pattern that I've been wanting to make in this book.

The best part about this hat is it is reversible. Can you guess which side Bella picked the fabric for? She was very excited to hold the pattern piece over my scraps to figure out which ones were big enough to use. I had to secretly limit her many scraps down to her three favorites because I am controlling like that. I love the little loop on the hat too. Sun hats never hang properly on our look coat hooks.

Don't let these fool you. He never actually wears the hat for more than two seconds.

Sibling interaction now:

A year ago:

oh, so much has happened between then and now. It hurts my brain to think of how much they have grown and experienced since then. They look like babies compared to now. I'm sure I'll be thinking the same thing next year.

This Month This Week

2011-06-14T14:53:00.000-07:00

Sewing circle's sewing project this month was to finish something you've started. So instead of the usual "ignore what has been collecting dust in corners and piles all around my sewing area" project I had to dig through, find and name the projects to finish. Oh boy, were there plenty! Apparently I hate mending. Because that is all I found. Don't get me wrong, I love the idea of mending and making something work again, or pretty again, but the act of mending hardly scratches my creative itch. Here is the third or forth mending project I completed this month but the one that meant the most to me.

My grandma made this for me almost ten years ago and I practically ruined it. It had 30+ holes where the fabric had worn through. I didn't know how to properly care for a quilt made with older fabrics. Now I know, do not throw it in the wash once a month. It will only be hand washed and spot cleaned from here on out and I think it should last many many more years.

My big accomplishment this week was running my first official 5k. Now to most people this would be small change but I was that lazy kid in middle school who never even really even tried to run the mile in gym class. I'm not sure how I did it but I got out of gym all together in high school. So anyway, this was a big deal. I think I'm going to try and train for a 10k now!

Before:

After:

[notice the change in face color]

My brag about it project:

I made baby Evan a Mei Tai using mine as a pattern. I spend no money on this using fabric I found on the side of the road a year ago. Sweet!

Late night project:
After finishing a handful of mending projects I decided I was done with that nonsense and ready to get back to what I love. Making clothes for my kids at almost no cost. Here are some shorts I made out of an old pair of pants.

You can't tell from this picture but I top stitched a fake fly on the front of these. I don't know why but it just looks so cute and all the store bought shorts have fake flies. So, why not?

Preview:

Newest project, avocado chairs.

Finally, photos I found on my iPod taken, unknown to me, by Bella. Love these even if it does look like an Elmo crime scene.

status update

2011-06-02T21:41:00.000-07:00

mending:

quilt grandma made for me when I was a wee babe.

baking:

dough. toppings: red onion, broccoli, grain sausage, olives, mushrooms, sauce, cheese. yum.

breathing:

reading:
Little Men. I don't know that I will be finishing this anytime soon. I finally picked it up after giving up on Women In Love. My New Years resolution to read a book a month is 4 months behind! I've only finished two books. I need some really good book recommendations for this reading rut I am in!

running:
my first official 5k June 11th, but practicing 3 times a week.

losing:
on average 2lbs a week which puts me at just over 12lbs gone!

watching:
Party Down finale tonight.

A New Meal and Finally, Park Season!

2011-03-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

A simple simple dinner that I like to make at the end of the week. Saute all left over veggies in olive oil. I had a couple carrots, celery, onion, garlic and kale. Add 1.5 cups green lentils, stir for a minute. Add 3 cups water, curry, cumin, salt and black pepper. Cover and cook until lentils are done. (35mins?) I don't have any exact measurements or times because I like to cook improve. If you do serve it with beets, as picture, you want to start boiling those before cutting any veggies.They typically take anywhere from 45-75mins depending on size. YUM! I topped it with a scoop of plain yogurt which I must admit I had to work up to. I always grew up eating yogurt sweet with berries or granola but I highly recommend trying it with this dish.

Friday the kids and I went to The Bellevue Botanical Gardens and enjoyed the fresh air even if it seemed we only walked about 100ft. I went back Saturday with middle school bff Bailey and actually got to see the whole thing. Beautiful!

For Sara Because She Often Listens To Me

2011-03-10T07:41:00.000-08:00

Once a week meal posts. My dear Sister flatters me with her compliments of my cooking. She requested I post some of the things I've been cooking up. I don't usually make up my own recipes so I'll just post a link. I almost exclusively cook from the internet which is why the lap top is always in the kitchen.

Last night we had the yummiest sweetest cornbread I've made so far. Recipes from Bob's Red Mill. whose flour and cornmeal I buy often and love. [I also use their gluten free flours when entertaining my gluten free family members.]

The main course was from Cooks.com. I've never been a big fan of Cooks magazine beside the beautiful illustrations. I used to browse through it often on slow days while working at Metropolitan Market. Most of the recipes had meat in them and required too many things I don't usually have around. Anyway I googled cabbage and sausage because I had splurged and bought some vegan sausages from Field Roast Grain Meat Co. These are probably my favorite fake meat product. They are definitely a "sometimes" food at my house because they are expensive and super processed. I do love that they are made in Seattle and 100% cruelty free. You can find Cooks recipe here.

I am rating this recipe 10 out of 10. It was easy to follow clean up was super quick because all I used was the dutch oven, a knife, cutting board, and mixing spoon. Everything beside the cabbage and sausages I always have on hand so it doesn't take a lot of forward planning. Also, everyone ate it and liked it! There is nothing more satisfying to me than making a dinner my whole family will eat and not having to worry about if it is too hard for Elliott to chew or too soupy for Bella's tastes or having to remember to hold the vinegar for David.

The Not-A-Lot-To-Say-About-This-Shirt Shirt

2011-03-02T15:29:00.000-08:00

The pattern was easy enough to follow and aside from the elephant sized sleeves I had to adjust it was true to size. I am not crazy about the final product but I don't hate it either. It will definitely be worn again. I am going to keep trying new patterns until I get a top I LOVE. Until I find/make that ONE I'll just have to put up with these so-so tops. Ok! Lets add up some points!

Lets add up some points!
* 5 points per yard of fabric used
* 10 points for fabric being vintage, thrifted or upcycled
* 3 points for every pattern used that you've never sewn before
* 10 points for using a pattern/fabric you've had for more than a year
* 20 points for integrating a SCRAP (not a piece of fabric you cut) less than 1/2 yard into your garment

+5 points for one yard of fabric
+10 points for that fabric being thrifted
+3 points for never having used the pattern before

Total points: 18!

Brown Bear Brown Bear

2011-02-25T11:24:00.001-08:00

A Very Basic T-shirt Disaster

2011-02-23T09:48:00.000-08:00

If I had to choose one word to describe this shirt it would be.... UGH! I figure each garment, whether I wear it or not, is gained experience. Here is what I learned from this one:

Never buy plus size patterns with size 2 models on the front. Usually I am good at picking out what would or would not be flattering on me and I was so so very wrong with this one. Secondly, what is the point of making your own clothes when they are so so boring! I mean this top looks worse than most things I would try on in a store. I try to ignore the fabric because this was free fabric I was practicing on but even with nice fabric in a color that didn't look like hospital scrubs this is boring. Thirdly, I took the time to do all the suggested measurements and ended up making it two sizes bigger than I wear in the stores and the end result, although not a flattering cut, fits perfectly. I love when clothes just lay on you not hug you. Also, the practice with sewing on knits with my regular machine is always appreciated. I think I got the hem looking... wearable. I ended up serging (<3<3<3) the raw edge and then hemming it with my sewing machine. The pattern recommended using a double needle which I want to attempt at some point with something that doesn't make me look like I'm wearing scrubs. [yes I realize this is the most boring detailed sewing post yet, but this is what excites me]

Try to use your imagination to make these two bad pictures into one good picture.

Lets add up some points!
* 5 points per yard of fabric used
* 10 points for fabric being vintage, thrifted or upcycled
* 3 points for every pattern used that you've never sewn before
* 10 points for using a pattern/fabric you've had for more than a year
* 20 points for integrating a SCRAP (not a piece of fabric you cut) less than 1/2 yard into your garment

+5 points - for one yard of fabric
+10 points - for the fabric being thrifted
+3 points - for never having used the pattern
+10 points - for using a pattern that i've had for 3+ years
-20 points - for knowing I will never wear this and now having to find this pattern a new home! [i decided this needed to be added to really evaluate this project hehe]

total: 8 points!

Next project:

Oh, and I've been making these for Bella's friend's birthday gifts. We have had a surprising number of them this season!

Do you recognize it from anywhere?

A New Skirt.... For Me?

2011-02-16T06:40:00.000-08:00

I know I know! I never wear skirts so I was a little unsure about spending money on this project. Well, to my surprise it doesn't look horrible and I may just make it again with nicer fabric. For now my $0.99 goodwill linen look alike fabric will have to do. The pockets are made with this adorable piece of scrap fabric Grandma gave to me a couple months ago. It was a rather large scrap so I've been saving it for something special. I was inspired to make this skirt by a dear friend who has the exact same one but in a wintery red flannel from L.L. Bean. (I think she found it at the Goodwill too!) She let me borrow the skirt to use as a pattern. Woo! Pattern cost: $0! Thanks Liz!

It's a wrap skirt so no worrying about if it will fit just right. One size fits most.

So it is no secret that I like points and challenges so when I found this challenge over at Sew Weekly I decided I needed to add a point system to all my homemade creations! I'm adopting their point system because it makes so much sense. It looks like this:

* 5 points per yard of fabric used
* 10 points for fabric being vintage, thrifted or upcycled
* 3 points for every pattern used that you've never sewn before
* 10 points for using a pattern/fabric you've had for more than a year
* 20 points for integrating a SCRAP (not a piece of fabric you cut) less than 1/2 yard into your garment

Points for my skirt:
5 points for one yard of fabric
10 points for it being thirfted
3 points for never having used that pattern
20 points for integrating a scrap

Total skirt points: 38!

New Years Resolution Update: I finished A Lesson Before Dying last night which is why my eyes are all red and puffy this morning. David and I tried to have a conversation about slavery last night but it got too upsetting. Sometime the masses can be so disappointing. I hate to compare slavery to global warming but it seems like in both cases people knew what they were(are) doing was(is) wrong but didn't(don't) want to change because it would be too hard. I wonder if that is human nature or just American culture. It seems like the rest of the world is trying to improve a lot faster than we are on a government level.

Kitchen Helpers [read: this may turn you off from ever eating at our place again]

2011-02-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

So I have the most eager kitchen helpers in the world, which, as I'm sure you could guess, slows breakfast/lunch/snack/dinner to a halt. Usually I try to distract the kids with objects found in the kitchen like, whisks, silicon baking cups, wooden spoons, measuring cups, anything that will keep them out of my hair and my way for, oh say, three minutes. Last night in desperation I handed Elliott the closest thing I could find. It happened to be a big fat yam. Now this kept him busy for quite a while but unfortunately for me it was so cute I had to stop and take pictures and watch him try to figure out what to do with this giant piece of uncooked food. Eventually he did get a couple bites out of it. Note to self: wash before handing raw produce to Elliott.

Transitioning Boys and New Routines

2011-01-31T20:20:00.000-08:00

Let me tell you a little about Elliott. At 13 months he knows exactly what he wants and how dare you suggest it isn't safe for him to eat, or climb on, or play with. He has the most contagious laugh I've ever heard and is oh so easy to tickle. He loves being flipped upside down, being diaper free (oh yes he can now pull off the Velcro diapers!), and everything outside. He especially likes sticking dirt in his mouth when I blink. Blink, I tell you! This boy of mine is quick unlike his sister who at 13 months would at least think about it for a couple of seconds giving me time to stop her. Well my dear baby boy, who is not so babyish, thank you for proving me right all those years when I said "dirt don't hurt" Elliott has three words he uses regularly now, Mama, Papa, and uh-oh. Uh-oh is so appropriate for a just barely one year old who insists on using his own fork, spoon, and CUP. Yes, he insists on a cup, preferably with a handle. (Imagine where the uh-oh comes from!)

So for the last 6 months, which feels like eternity, Elliott has been waking up between 5:30 and 6am. This wasn't too big of a shift from the newborn awake all night every night routine so I guess I didn't think too much of it, except of course when I would mention it to other mothers and they would look at me with pity and admit they sleep in until 7:30 or 8 every morning! Ok, enough back story! Elliott is now sleeping in until almost 7am every morning! wooohooo. Not only that but when he does wake up (in my bed) I can usually convince him to go get some books from his room and bring them to me. Then I can lay in bed even longer and read him some stories. Sometime during this time Bella usually wakes up and morning bedtime silliness begins. I love these kids and all the giggles they bring into my life.

New Years Resolution Update: Month one completed with one whole day to spare!

More of the Same Only Different

2011-01-18T12:16:00.000-08:00

I must be on a sewing kick to have this many projects to post in one week. I feel like I am playing catch up with all the projects I've wanted to do since before the birthday/holiday marathon started. Here is the first real successful top I've made myself. I see me wearing this a lot in the summer. I like it so much I may start sewing more wearable things for myself. This top ended up costing me 15 dollars in fabric. (actually free because I used a gift card. Thanks to Ben and Julia!) I already had fabric for the facing, thread, and the pattern.

These produce bags are technically for my sewing circle project even though the project was to make a tote. I can't imagine getting excited about making a tote when I already have around 15. I am not exaggerating when you count all the reusable grocery bags that keep finding their way into my home. Does anyone need or want any reusable grocery bags? Of course you don't you probably have as many as I do. I thought I'd ask! So back to the bags, these were all made with scraps which is why they are all different sizes. I took a lesson for my grandma who uses EVERYTHING and used selvage for the draw string. I resisted the urge to go buy something new that would look perfect with these, but seriously they are produce bags. Who cares what the draw string looks like? I think the selvage adds character. =P

Our Dinning Room Gallery

2011-01-16T10:17:00.001-08:00

I May Not Be Posting... Believe Me I Am Sewing

2011-01-15T18:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a quick run down on whats come out of my sewing nook. The best part about these projects are that they cost me almost nothing and required very little "new" materials. I know being green is on it's way out but something about using little AND saving big will forever be appealing to me.

Some how most of what I sew is for Bella. I think even she is getting burnt out on that. It's just so easy and fun to sew for little girls, not to mention a lot easier to find fabric.

I spent 99 cents on this pattern and probably have enough of this fabric left to make another dress. Since I started sewing my grandma has been ~~dumping~~ giving me me lots of fabric. Not necessarily fabric I would have picked out on my own (most of it left over from the 80s when we were growing up) but so far I've been able to turn them into things I like.

Some PJs for Bella from the same stack of free fabric. This time at zero cost due to me having the pattern already.

A couple upcycled toddler t-shirts turned into a not so pretty but not horrible necklace. I look forward to trying this again with an adult sized t-shirt.

New Years Resolutions

2011-01-11T16:03:00.000-08:00

I guess this would be a first for blog posts from me (although I have many many failed New Years Resolutions.) My offical resolution is to start and finish a book a month. I'm going to stick to fiction since those are the only kinds of books I can read cover to cover, in order, in a timely manner. I figure blogging about it here and posting what I'm reading will motivate me to stick with the resolution past February.

Here is a short list of books that I am interested in reading this year.
Sons and lovers
The Tea House Fire
A Lesson Before Dying
Some book Crisa said that I can't remember the name of?
and..... I'm open for suggestions.

These will most likely change.

On to the not so official resolutions that will most likely be forgotten at any given point through out the year:

strive to be more mindful
find time to meditate everyday
continue running 2-3 times a week
cook more
eat less
be more affectionate
write/call friends more
oh, and blog nore.

My poor blog has suffered since Elliott was born. (not to mention my poor second child has an empty baby book, no photo album, and hardly any pictures taken by me. How could this happen? I swore I wouldn't be that parent!) I've got a new ipod with picture taking abilities so maybe, just maybe, this blog (and you) will see more of our world

Busy Day's Ride Home

2010-12-03T12:46:00.001-08:00

Bella told us first thing in the morning she didn't sleep well last night. I laughed thing she had over heard one of us saying it. I think she was being truthful. She hardly got out of the stroller today and promptly went to sleep in the car on our way home.

As for this little face, it is always sleeping on the way home.

Now If I could only master getting them both inside without waking them!

Photo by Bella

2010-11-24T14:03:00.000-08:00

The first snow of the year!

2010-11-22T10:15:00.001-08:00

Snow before thanksgiving. Oh boy, we have a serious winter ahead of us.

Bella's 3rd Birthday Party (a little late)

2010-11-18T09:28:00.000-08:00

I must admit I had a lot of fun putting together Bella's ballerina birthday party. I made a couple tutu's and dancing wands with ribbons. Ordered the cutest pinata from Mommy Do on Etsy. I asked a couple close friends and family to help me out and bring some side dishes and bought you bake pizzas to save some money. My goal was to keep it as simple as possible... except for the cupcakes. Early to mid summer Bella started talking about wanting a strawberry birthday cake. I used my mama magic and convinced her cupcakes would work too. I am not so sure about my cake decorating skills mostly because I've never tried. I am kind of proud of how these cupcakes turned out so here is my cupcake tangent: I knew finding good strawberries in October was going to be a stretch so I froze some of the most delicious in season local strawberries over the summer. Not only were they sweet but they were also bright red. I used this recipe and absolutely no artificial anything. David started teasing me because I was so excited about the sprinkles I found that were colored with beet juice and the jelly beans colored with fruit juice that I guess it might have been mentioned to, well, everyone. Ok, now for the good stuff, photos taken by Faustino. He was paid in cupcakes.

And... my little baby girl is three! I have really cherished these last couple of months. She is growing in so many different ways. Her interests expand every day from different relationships and how they relate to her to the changing weather. I love that she can tear all the cushions off the couch and jump until she's sick or sit and color for an hour. Either way she is perfectly happy as long as she is doing something.

Autumn at the park

2010-11-03T17:46:00.001-07:00

Handmade for Mama

2010-10-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

I know! It's not very often Mama gets something new to wear. I haven't had the best of luck making clothes for myself so it has been a good year and a half since I have attempted anything. Since I left off I have learned that woven tops cut on a bias just work better because of the added stretch. AND that I love knits of all kinds and when given an option I always go for a knit top.

This one was made with some fabric I already had as a practice run. I used Simplicity's 2456 The front and back panels were cut on the bias which I learned will not work with plaids! Look how ridiculous that seam in the middle looks. It does fit perfectly so I plan on making it again. I plan on wearing this around the house until I find a better use for the fabric.

This shirt is made out of a knit fabric I picked up and Pacific Fabrics a couple months ago. I am not in love with it. I really think I picked it up because it was the first knit fabric print I've seen that I didn't hate. Because Knit is stretchy, I made a size smaller and even though I used the same pattern pieces I only made one panel for the front. I am really not crazy about the center seam. This shirt am really happy with. Even the hem isn't TOO bad. I wish I were a better garment photographer. This may be something to work on.

Big Boy Activities

2010-10-22T19:21:00.000-07:00

Elliott is really starting to enjoy our trips to the park and not just from inside the moby wrap close and snug (and safe) with mama. Our last few trips we have braved putting this very mobile, walking, crawling boy down. He has loved it! This seems like such a small step but in a really big direction: Independence. I guess this was inevitable, I was going to have to share him with the world eventually.

Oliver + S Jacket: Complete!

2010-10-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

So I finally sat down and forced myself to tackle the rest of Bella's jacket and to my surprise it went really smoothly.

I really like the unconventional use of color for the lining. I wasn't too sure how the dark lining would look but having spent so much money on the pattern and then on the Amy Butler Fabric I figured I would have to cut the cost of this jacket somehow. I happened to have a couple of yards of the lining fabric. Yes it cost me more to make this jacket then it would have to go to my local big box shop but I know this jacket will last a long time because I made it to last with quality fabric. I think if I were to buy something similar in quality and style it would have been a lot more. I thoroughly enjoyed making this jacket, even learning how to set sleeves. It turns out setting sleeves isn't as tricky as one might think.

I think I'm going to make one for Elliott with some red corduroy my grandma gave me (free) to feel less guilty about the 16 bucks I spent on the pattern!

Two Kinds of Productive Sundays

2010-10-10T15:44:00.000-07:00

Mama took two kids to Pike Place Market for french pastries, new licorice root, spices, and tea, and bagel sandwiches. Yum! Not only was it nice to get out of the house and visit our dear city to the south. It turned out to be the most ideal autumn day. Light sprinkles, over cast and gray followed by light sprinkles and sun. [I know I'm not the only one who loves light sprinkles and gray.]

Papa stayed home to bottle his beer.

Both equally productive but we get to enjoy the fruits of our labor (shopping) today.

Pumpkins.... Already?

2010-09-30T21:04:00.000-07:00

Oh yes! I do love me some pumpkins. I think I burnt myself out of pumpkin last year with all those pumpkin pregnancy cravings, so I was a little hesitant to start so early. My mom brought by a home grown organic pumpkin last week and what was I suppose to say?!?! "no get the delicious thing away from me?" I roasted the pumpkin like usual, because we sure do love roasted pumpkin over here. Isabella and Elliott ate quite a bit of it just roasted and I put the rest in my best ever pumpkin soup. To remind myself what good soup is suppose to taste like:

Saute: two garlic cloves, 1/2 sweet onion and one jalapeno
Add: most of a roasted sugar pumpkin, 2 cups vegetable broth, 1 can coconut mulk, 1 tsp of cumin, a hand full of cilantro
Heat: thoroughly
Serve: with fresh cilantro and crispy sour dough bread

Sugar pumpkin's aren't the only thing being cooked up over here! Check out this super cute pumpkin I made!

Basicly this is a really big dinner plate sized yo-yo full of stuff and fluff. I couldn't pull my yo-yo quite tight enough to over the hole with just the stem so I made a little base and added a leaf. I stitched these on very carefully because I know that stem and leaf willl.... be well loved. I am still trying to use only scraps (something about this time of year makes me not want to spend money...??) so I pieced together the very few orange pieces of fabric I have. I like the homeliness of this pumpkin and I think I am going to make it some friends (at least one more for Elliott to play with since Bella has been a bit of a pumpkin hog). I am out of orange fabric so I am thinking maybe a blue or white pumpkin. And pumpkin season is officially here!!

The Line Between Art and Science is Thin

2010-09-25T07:28:00.000-07:00

Nothing says calmness like....

2010-09-21T14:00:00.001-07:00

Sleeping babies.

Scraps and Updates

2010-09-03T07:09:00.000-07:00

So last year around this time I decided to challenge myself to sew from scraps and fabric I already own exclusively. It was a fun a fun challenge and I enjoyed going through a lot of my fabrics. Ok, so I am trying again. It is almost too easy this year because I have a lot more yardage and projects in the making to use up. I am buckling down and starting Isabella's fall/winter jacket. Which I have already bought all the fabric for. I am using this pattern from Oliver + S. [which is not only the most expensive pattern I have ever bought but also the only one Isabella ever decided to cut into itty bitty pieces while I was putting Elliott to sleep. ah!] It's by far the most difficult pattern I've ever attempted but I am feeling pretty good about it. That's pretty easy to say because I've only cut it out so far.

There has been a lot less sewing and even less blogging about sewing since Elliott was born. Lately I have been in a sewing mood and somehow squeezing in one to two hour sewing projects like this one:

We found this stroller for a couple dollars and the consignment shop. The seat it came with was looking kind of worn and sad. Bella picked this fabric out of the stash and now has a stroller of her own to push her babies around in. Instead of insisting on my pushing my stroller with my baby in it. Which, as you can imagine, slows us down quite a bit. To a stop.

Somehow..... I squeezed in time to make these

2010-08-27T16:06:00.001-07:00

The best part about moving is getting to decorate. Looking for new fabrics... oooo. Trying to work around the wall colors so I don't have to try and paint anything with two kids (hahahahaha!) It's been a fun way to get the creative juices flowing.

The worst part about moving is having to decorate.

My struggle with the new house is big and dark and RED. It would be the kitchen/dining room. If you know me at all, you know a red formal looking room is not me. at. all. So I've been looking for ways to deformalize the kitchen while somehow blending my orange couch. (why the heck did I buy an orange couch?)

Conclusion: If you can not afford to make the curtains you LOVE with fabric you LOVE do not attempt to make them yourselves. Even if you save 10 bucks, It is not worth it! Net time I will just buy the boring fabric curtains and add the embellishments. It would have saved me tons of time and heart ache. Live and learn.

And this was so much fun to make.

Would it be weird to have multiple yo-yo quilts hanging in my house? Also, is there a better way to hang quilts?

Elliott is mobile!

2010-08-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

[warning: turn volume wayyy down to avoid my cackle]

Adventures in Blueberry Picking

2010-08-20T20:51:00.000-07:00

Needless to say, Bella's basket stayed empty. We had a great almost three whole hours roaming around the blueberry farm. After about 30 minutes of picking we just sat down betweens rows and ate our lunch. After we ate Elliott went to sleep in the mobi wrap and Bella and I walk around for more than two hours almost completely silent. It was definitely not your typical morning with a two year old and baby. I think we are going to try and do it again before the season is over!

August Update

2010-08-12T08:46:00.001-07:00

So we are officially moved. No, this not a hobby or life style of mine. It has just happened to be the way things worked out. Although I have been able to hold onto my sanity through these six (yes, SIX) moves in the last three years, it is getting harder and harder. Thank goodness I have these little bundles of joy to remind me what life is all about. If you ask Isabella, it's all about butterfly scones!

So we are packing everything up, our house is a HUGE mess and Bella wants to make muffins. Sadly, I have to tell her the muffin tin is packed up and we won't be able to make muffins again until we are in our new house. She shrugs and says "Okay, lets make scones". I open my mouth to say no we can't make scones when I realize we can make scones. Why shouldn't we just add to the piles of mess we call home? So Bella is mixing the dry ingredients as usual and mama is getting the butter ready. I plop the butter in the bowl and Bella without prompting picks up the pastry blender and gets to work. I just sat there and smiled. Blending the butter is usually my job, but she remembered what to do when the butter was blended and has watched me do it probably 500 times. (Of course, she needed a little help) She is probably a better baker at age two then I was a couple years ago.

You can see she is very serious about our baking.

Since we have been in our new home tea parties are all the rage. Almost everyday I get asked for a tea party and almost everyday I give in. I can't wait until we can start inviting friends to our tea parties. I am thinking about having a tea party style birthday party for Bella this year, complete with little kid sized finger sandwiches.

One more note and recipe from our kitchen: Bella's Strawberry Muffins

mix together: 2 cups organic whole wheat pastry flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 3 tsp baking powder, 1/4 cup of sugar
add: 1 egg, 1 cup milk, 3tbs grape seed oil, 1 cup cut strawberries
bake: at 400 for 15 minutes
enjoy: with butter and/or honey

and well this..... speaks for itself. You got to love that face!

Helping Papa Work

2010-07-27T14:21:00.001-07:00

Elliott can't pass by Papa's office with out whole body shaking and jumping. At that point we HAVE to stop and visit.

Ten Things I am Loving Right Now:

2010-07-26T23:51:00.000-07:00

1. long summer days
2. simple meals
3. trips to the lake with good friends
4. consolidating, again
5. big washing machines
6. all these "firsts" with my babies
7. summer gardens
8. david and his devotion to our family
10. cool nights

The Dinner Table: The One Place Your Camera Should Never Go

2010-07-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Yet here I am invading everyone's nice meal in hopes of capturing my favorite time of the day. Often this is the only meal we eat together as a family and not for my lack of trying.

My Ballerina Mouse

2010-07-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

This girl is growing up so fast. I'm not going to lie, I just spent the last 45mins looking at every picture I have of her on the computer. Now I am feeling especially reminiscent. Everyday she has something new to share with me and everyday it catches me by surprise.

My favorite quote from our mama-big-girl-mouse-Angelina-ballerina-errand-run:
"I smell something bad! *sniiiifffff* I think it is a chipmunk"!

Take a close look. Yes, those are pigtails.

Silliness in my bed

2010-07-16T23:35:00.001-07:00

Story by Bella

2010-07-01T22:57:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a big woman and a little girl named Bella and Mama and she had a little brother named Elliott. They heard a thump thump thump. Do you know what that was? Does it sound like a monster? It wasn't a monster it was just Papa being silly!

-Isabella Brown 2 1/2 yo

Summer Dress and a New Find

2010-06-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

Here is Bella's summer dress. I have a serious sewing itch right now so I see more clothes in the near by future. I think I am going to make Elliott some matching pants with the left over fabric. The fabric was a little on the expensive side (10$ a yard!) but I used buttons, trim, thread, and lining fabric I already had. It probably came out to be about $11 and three whole hours. (not including cutting and reading the instructions time)

I just picked up this book recently, which is where I found this project. I love making little girl dresses, but hopefully I'll get to some of the other 24 projects.

This dress was amazingly simple but required a lot of buttons which means.... a lot of button holes. I obviously was up for the challenge. I finally feel really strong with my button hole making ability after eight, yes eight button holes! I knew I just needed to throw myself in there. Also, let me note that a good machine makes everything easier. Everything.

Look what I found on the side of the road in brand new perfect condition:

I have been invisioning something like this since Bella was a baby. I have even drawn pictures for David of the little book shelf I wanted, and there is was free! I am not crazy about the red fabric but the bars unscrew easily and I think when I can't handle the red any longer it won't be too hard to replace it.

Summer are you here yet?

2010-06-18T14:25:00.001-07:00

Stop toying with us!

Summer

2010-06-13T11:56:00.001-07:00

This girl loves her garden.

Branching Out and Not Being so Negative

2010-06-09T19:00:00.000-07:00

I'd like to pat myself on the back for attempting this very out-of-the-box-for-me project today. When this project came up in sewing circle I found myself saying negative things like "this won't be as easy as it looks" and "there is no way the sides will be even." You know what? The sides aren't even, but as my husband says "it's charming." It wasn't super easy, but it wasn't hard either. I like it so much I see more fabric bowls in my future. I am thinking these will make very inexpensive gifts too. I picked up the clothes line at the Goodwill of all places for a dollar and used left over fabric to cover it. The total cost has to be less than 5 bucks. Score!

I found the tutorial here.

Vacation

2010-06-06T07:51:00.000-07:00

blonde ringlets
round babies with brand new hair
the smell of a fresh cup of coffee
my skin after spending a day in the sun
the closeness of good friends
new life
shade from old oak trees
antcipation of seeing my husband after seven days apart
good breakfasts made at home
all around happiness that surrounds a birthday party or a just because party
rest

I've had a great time in Houston. Ready to go home.

Super Hero Costumes

2010-05-26T21:00:00.001-07:00

My favorite almost 5 year old told me he wanted action figures for his birthday. If I was a cool auntie I probably would have just gone out and bought him a some action figures. Anyone who knows me knows I am not a fan of plastic toys BUT I am a fan of pretend play. I decided a personalized super hero cape would be the way to go. After doing a quick cape tutorial search and not really liking what I found I decided to fake it and came up with these.

Notice a few extra capes? I couldn't handle giving one to Noah and not Jacob since they both like dress-up AND super heros. Then I thought Bella might feel left out if both boys got new capes and were playing with them during the whole week we will be staying with them. What's just one more?

These were so much easier than I thought they would be. Probably about one and a half hours each and close to 3$ a pop. My favorite part is the Velcro collar so they can put them on all by themselves. I hope they like them!

Snohomish Antique Festivial

2010-05-16T23:06:00.000-07:00

The Brown family spend our beautiful Saturday in Snohomish with friends.

Home

Photos by our dear friend Faustino

It's time.

2010-05-11T20:23:00.001-07:00

Bella is doing so much better pottying,one week in, than I thought she would. We finished her sticker chart and so she got her very own strawberry ice cream cone with sprinkles!

We hit some serious potty milestones today. Not only did she tell me when she had to
go at the store but she held it all the way to the bathroom and went. I must be telling her I am proud of her a lot because everytime she goes she says "I am SO proud of you mama".

Our Offical Introduction to Princess Play

2010-05-10T09:41:00.001-07:00

Bella was invited to her first princess party. I wasn't sure how into it she would be because most of her pretend play revolves around tending to babies, making mud pies or being animals but she had a good time dressing up and I had a good time making this skirt and head band. I had an even better time seeing that she wanted to wear it. My girl is growing up!

Side note: Elliott did not dress up like a princess but did enjoy being passed around and played with.

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-10T09:39:00.001-07:00

One on one time with both of my kids. Priceless.

Dear Elliott,

2010-04-28T22:39:00.000-07:00

Could you be any sweeter? I absolutely love the way you only fall asleep if you're holding my hand with both of your little hands and with our faces smooshed together. I love the way you smile and giggle in your sleep. You are an amazing blessing. I remind myself daily how lucky I am to have such a healthy sweet baby boy. [Your sister isn't too bad either.]

Thanks for putting up with all the hugs and kisses,
Mama

new to me - homemades

2010-04-28T22:15:00.000-07:00

So recently I've joined/started a sewing circle. We've set it up so each month someone new picks a project for us all to go home and make and then the next month we bring out projects to show and tell. Here is month #3's project, which I must say I was not super excited about but LOVE now. I think I may branch out in the apparel fabrics more. So far the clothes I have made for myself have been kind of boring. Must embrace prints.

I used regular old cotton for one side and linen for the other. This makes the perfect combo for a Pacific North West spring scarf.

Another first for me: homemade deodorant. I had so much fun with this, I can definitely see more homemade hygiene products in my future!

My only complaint with this is that it almost smells TOO good. During the making process I had to keep reminding myself it. was. not. food. YUMMY!
I will be sure to use the left over coconut oil for food because, seriously, YUMMY. Oh, the recipe I used is here

Park Play

2010-04-25T12:05:00.000-07:00

Everytime we drive by a playground Bella reminds me she is making good choices.

Elliott has fun too.

Is there anything this mobi wrap can't do?

Good for the Soul Gardening

2010-04-19T17:00:00.000-07:00

We have been spending more and more time outside now that spring has warmed us up a bit. I hardly close the door during these nice days, trying to soak up as much of it as possible. Bella had her first introduction to mud pies (which surprisingly went a lot neater than I would have guessed). She is loving her new shovel set and spends most of her afternoons outside digging in the dirt.

This little girl was very excited to see her seeds sprout and is already hard at work getting their new home ready.

There is a Mama Under There Somewhere

2010-04-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Give in.

Mama-Mades for the Boy

2010-04-13T13:34:00.000-07:00

Elliott is quickly out growing everything I had for him so I have had to make a few quick trips to the thrift shops. Here's a 1$ onesie I reverse appliqued to add some my-mama-loves-me-so-much-she-modified-my-clothes touch. [Or maybe it's: my-mama-is-a-big-dork-so-she-modified-my-clothes touch]

Ooo how exciting it is to see his sweet little baby feet in these booties I made for him when he was still just a little bump in my belly. I must say these are my favorite booties and not just because they are cuter than anything I see in the store for boys (and free) but they stay on. Anyone who has held a baby can appreciate that!

I am not the only one being creative around here:

I love the looks she gives me when she knows she is up to no good. When I turned around in my chair and saw her on the floor decorating her legs I asked her what she was doing. She froze and gave me this "I know this isn't how markers are suppose to used... I wonder what mama's reaction will be look." Can I just tell you how much I love this look WHEN, and only when, it is not a big deal? I told her her legs looked beautiful and when she was done we had to take a bath. We had a great time in the blue bath afterward.

My first PNW planting season.

2010-04-08T10:48:00.001-07:00

Here we go! Pacific North West budget gardening. Wish us luck.

Bella has been showing a lot of interest in letters and words lately so I've been trying to incorporate them into everything we do which is really pretty easy with gardening because who remembers where they planted what seeds anyway? I wrote the name of the plants we were planting on the egg carton flap and let Bella pick which seeds she wanted to plant and then match the first letter of the word on the seed package to the word on the cartons. She did really well. I have a feeling she will be an early reader.

Siblings

2010-04-06T14:12:00.000-07:00

I am loving:

Spring Placemats

2010-03-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

So I have recently discovered laminated fabric at my local fabric store. At a whopping 19.99$ a yard I knew whatever I wanted it for had to be small and simple.

Next on my sewing to do list: Table cloth.

Sewing Fever

2010-03-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

Today I gave in. The house is a wreck, the bed isn't made, the floors desperately need to be swept and I decided to spend nap time sewing.

My View [almost] Every Morning

2010-03-24T10:55:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for me around 9am, I am here.

Spring Outfits

2010-03-23T10:28:00.001-07:00

I had this great idea of coordinating outfits for the wee ones. I started with a jumper for Elliott [not pictued] and after almost completely finishing it realized that even the 12mo size I made was not going to fit around my very chubby 3mo old baby boy. How disappointing, after setting the very very best zipper w/o a zipper foot! [I know! it is on my list of things I need for my newly inherited machine] I also realized how, even though I thought what I was picking was boy fabric because it was blue was actually blue girlie fabric and most likely wouldn't have put him in it even if it did fit more than once. SO..... on to Bella's outfit. A girl outfit. I know how to pick out girl fabric and her sizing pretty well so this was easy enough. I did choose a pattern out of my sewing comfort level though and made some silly mistakes All in all I think it turned out cute and I may make another one just to see how much easier it will be the second time around. Am I the only one who likes to do things twice just because it gets easier?

Out the Front Window

2010-03-09T09:18:00.001-08:00

Bella has recently discovered binoculars. She is often caught "looking all the way over to Texas to see Noah's house". This morning, in particular, was so beautiful out. You could clearly see Lake Washington, and with the binoculars, the Space Needle. So good to be home! I love the lakes, mountains, trees, hills, sound, and ocean that stays beautiful all year long. Now that I am here I don't want to ever leave again.

[Then why do I keep dreaming Boeing is moving David to Houston?]

Stove Top - Homemade

2010-03-07T11:28:00.001-08:00

So I battle with myself every time I see cute toys I know Isabella would love. On one hand I want to foster creative and dramatic play and on the other hand I don't want my house to be full of STUFF that will break or we will lose interest in. I spend a lot of time and energy thinking about the things I buy and bring into my home. I want most of my purchases to be life long buys or things we need.

Bella recently started cooking for her stuffed animals and dolls. I think the idea may have come from her love of all things Raggedy Ann right now. If you are familiar with the books Marcella, Raggedy's mistress, takes very good care of all the dolls in the nursery. Ok so my idea here was to make something for Isabella to cook with, without bring more big boxy toys into the house.

Lucky for us we had all the materials needed already for this project. I stitched some felt circles onto a piece of fabric added some batting to make it a little more sturdy. The best part is she can bring it anywhere and when she is finished it folds up and can go into her "kitchen" bucket and put on her toy shelf.

Our First Hair Clip - At 2 1/2

2010-03-03T14:54:00.001-08:00

What a silly thing to be excited about. Not only did she let me put it in her hair and have enough hair to clip it to but she also left it in for an hour!

Playing at the neighbors house and borrowing hair clips.

taken [and slightly modified] from a friends blog

2010-02-21T22:45:00.000-08:00

Outside my window… just a moment ago... a racoon trying to peek inside

I am thinking… I had a really good time today with family and friends and how nice it is to be "home" again.

I am thankful for… my and my family's health

I am wearing… the most comfortable pjs. [thanks jessica!]

I am remembering… going to Cornish and how much fun I had there.

I am going… to start taking an online class and hopefully finish my degree [in a few years]

I am currently reading… Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger

I am hoping… we find [another] nice home like this one. and after that move we do not have to move again. EVER.

On my mind… friends and family and how important they are.

Noticing that… 1200sq ft feels perfect for my modest little family

From the kitchen… black bean burgers and sweet potato fries

Around the house… left over party decorations

One of my favorite things~ organization.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2010-02-14T19:28:00.001-08:00

Bella celebrated her first Valentines Day WITH candy today. Mama didn't skimp with the sweets either. (Please note that lolly is the size oh her face.) She gets so happy now when she gets special treats like this complete with huge dramatic facial expressions and high pitch squeels!

We had a lovely day full of love notes, sweets, love stories, and a nice long walk in which both kids fell asleep.

2010-02-12T12:18:00.001-08:00

I love love love nursing eye contact.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Snap shot

2010-02-09T12:32:00.001-08:00

Bella busy ignoring mama's pleas to go Back to bed because she know while I am nursing Elliott I can't really make her take a nap. Oh, how quick they learn.

Elliott is still as sweet as he can be. We have been enjoying looking at eachother for tens of minutes at a time.

Imagination play takes off

2010-02-05T18:19:00.001-08:00

Isabella is so sweetly carting around her babies and their toys. She takes such good care of her dolls including changing their diapers and making sure they are sitting just right when she reads to them so they can see the pictures.

Baby Update!

2010-01-22T11:19:00.000-08:00

Elliott is five whole weeks old today! Where does the time go? Wasn't I pregnant, like yesterday? Today I got TWO smiles in the same peek-a-boo where is mama session. Could these be intentional already probably not but he doesn't seem to hate the attention. I also notice he is crying more and more like a baby and less like a new born everyday. You know the yes you have met my physical needs but I am still mad at you cry. Although I hate to hear him cry it warms my heart knowing he is getting bigger and stronger right on schedule. He is still eating every 2-3 1/2 hours which has been working out just great for us. Every couple of days he wants to eat every two hours or less and right when I think I can't go with so little consecutive sleep any longer he gives me 3 1/2 hours.

Since he was born he has had to work at breathing a little harder than most babies. Before we moved up here we took him to the doctor to talk about it had lots of tests done, went to the ER and had x-rays nothing really came up but they told us to keep an eye on it. So of course being a little on the over protective side I haven't let him out of my sight. Its hard to tell if it is getting better or not because it fluctuates so much. My gut tells me it isn't anything serious and he will out grow it.

Isabella has been a great big sister lately. She sits next to Elliott on the bed and reads to him from her books. She also enjoys putting things in his hands. She some how figured out he will grab on to anything you put in his palm. So I often find him with crayons and ribbons and the like in his hand. When she can't get him to hold on to whatever it is she proceeds to putting on his head, all in a very gentle manor of course. I really don't worry too much about her not being gentle enough with him. She seems to know just how to hold him. I often find her cupping his face with her hands and getting right up to his nose and saying things like "You love me. I'm your big sister now" and "You are my baby. Me love you so much" Now don't get the wrong impression these sweet moments take up about 5 minutes time of everyday and the rest she hardly pays any attention to him at all but those are the moments I want to rememeber.

Bella has been talking more and more. She tells me things like "I just have a question for you mama" and "I will be a little bit more careful now". She has also started repeating things said to her word for word. We are staying with Bubby and Zeidy right now (my dad and his wife) and so of course every little word she says gets a response. She is loving all the attention and I sure am grateful for it!

I am going to try to get some pictures up later today I just couldn't pass up this moment of free time to hurry and put something up about my sweet sweet babies!

2009 comes to and end and Elliott is born!

2009-12-31T13:06:00.000-08:00

No longer pregnant!

So, 2009 brought a lot of good things our way including our new addition Mr. Elliott Charles Brown. I haven't a whole lot to say at this point in time most likely due to the lack of sleep that has been going on over here. David finished school on the 16th of December. Elliott was born on the 17th. David walked on the 20th. And we went home from the hospital on the 21st. [Yes, I missed his graduation AND his graduation party but fully plan on throwing him another party as soon as we get to Washington!] Since then we have done a whole lot of nothing. I suppose we should start getting out act together regarding this move across the country we will be attempting in less than two short weeks. [yikes]

This move should be a whole lot smoother this time around. We know which cat needs to be sedated, we have a moving company to worry about moving all our belongings, we have a apartment finding service on the hunt for us so if we can just manage to get to Washington hopefully things will begin to fall into place. All this moving and starting fresh really makes the new year feel new.

Now, on to the good stuff:

Only 2 weeks and already 9lbs!

November Update...

2009-11-13T12:56:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I made myself do all the baby laundry including diapers. It only came out to two loads because everything is so tiny but it felt like a big step. A big step I never got to take with Isabella because I a.) was putting it off because having an actually baby is really hard to imagine and b.) was put on bed rest 6 weeks before my due date. Well here we are right around that 6 weeks before due date time and I figured I should learn from my mistakes and just get everything ready. Maybe sometime this weekend I will even put the little bassinet together. That sure seems like an invitation for a baby to come early and I just don't know if I am ready for that. As far as we know everything is going smoothly health wise for mama and baby. I have been to the doctor every week for the past two months and we've been keeping a very close eye on everything from protein spilling, to amniotic fluid levels which can be kind of roller coaster but I know it is all what is best for both of us. If I have learned anything from these last two month is not to get worked up over things too soon. Its funny because I really didn't get the magnitude of what was happening last time until it was all over and I could stop and think about it. Wish me luck on staying sane and healthy these last few weeks of my pregnancy.

While I've been busy getting baby clothes folded and put away Bella is also busy:

This is what else we have been up to:

(this was not staged at all.. doesn't she look happy?)

extra goodness:
both my baby kitties caught in the act of loving on eachother like they really were baby kittens... awwwww....

Getting Ready For Christmas.... Early For Once

2009-11-04T12:34:00.000-08:00

So during SewMamaSew's big scrap busters month I favorite-d a bunch of tutorials to get back to, but this one was calling my name loudly!

I used the technique found here to make these stockings. We will see how functional they will be this year. The interfacing leaves almost no stretch at all. This was truly a "scrap buster" project. I wish I would have photographed the insides and backs because they are all different. I think I am falling in love with patch work. Especially wasn't-bought-specifically-to-put-together patchwork, you know, the use-what-you-already-have-and-make-it-work kind of patchwork. It feels so fitting for me! I'm on to matching napkins and possibly place mats, because I wasn't counting and got a little square happy. I think I ended up having close to twice as many as I needed for the stocking. Oops.

Two Dollar Sudoku Book For All Ages

2009-11-03T05:52:00.000-08:00

Bella likes to color in my sudoku book... whenever I leave it where she can get to it. For the past few weeks she would just make little marks inside the empty boxes. Just like mama. Now she has moved on to drawing lines from the same numbers. Ex. all the 4 are connected with one squiggly two year old line.

Quote of the day[in a very high pitch voice]: "My birthday is not coming up anymore! My Bubby my Zeidy not coming my birthday" and "Your birthday coming up now. Eat cake and ICE CREAM"!

Love this girl. More and more and more and more everyday.

Our Happy Halloween

2009-11-01T04:42:00.000-08:00

Bella and I had a great Halloween day. Somehow it started to unravel and by the time we were ready to go trick or treating. She was too tired and cranky by 6:30pm. [I realized later when we got home she was finally cutting one of her two year old molars.] We made it to only one house and didn't even get a picture of her in her cute bumble bee costume. During the DAY we had fun eating roasted pumpkin seeds, watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, eating pumpkin soup, pumpkin muffins, and making the coolest-to-a-2-year-old fort and hung out with our jack-o-lanterns in the dark and read our spooky books.

Ok, so mama didn't exactly fit IN the fort, but I was still there!

This is Mr. Pumpkin, named by Bella. Please note the awesome face Bella drew!

On a side-note-related-to-Halloween I wanted to post a picture of myself at 31 weeks.. you know before I explode. Because thats what it feels like!

2009-10-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

Fall welcoming activity that does not included baking and gaining weight:

Birthday present surprise that may turn into a Christmas gift because my machine can not handle quilting and neither can my hands:

Thank goodness for access to better sewing machines in Washington!

And Lastly, a trick or treat bag for Bella I wiped up using only scraps which is why it is such a funny shape. It looks a little too country cute for me but I will only have to look at it once a year so I think it'll be OK:

[also, thank you for not shunning me and my blog because of the horrible quality photos. At some point, our lives will be pieced back together and my camera, usb cord, and battery will all be together and better quality pictures will once again be shown on this blog..... I can dream can't I?]

bathtime with an almost two year old

2009-10-12T06:23:00.000-07:00

We have two more weeks of being only one! [Although, if you ask Isabella she is turning three.] The only time I still feel like she is one is when she is in the bathtub. Something about not seeing her long legs, her entertaining herself [still] with bubbles and water, her not wearing any big girl clothes to give away her real almost age. This mama is a little sad to see her little girl turn two already. I am more than excited to see what this next year will bring. Already she is showing us more and more of herself. Wish me luck on being strong and not overly sentimental on her birthday DAY.

bringing fall inside

2009-10-08T05:51:00.000-07:00

because it still feels like summer outside

our fall table:

different kinds of pumpkins

acorns

acorn squash

pumpkin cut outs

small pumpkin and spider confetti

glue sticks

fall colored crayons

leaf stickers

fall colored yarn

scissors

pencil

paper

and one pumpkin chair

Letter From Senetor:

2009-10-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

Dear Mrs. Brown:

Thank you for contacting me about efforts to reform our nation's health care system. The American health care system faces a myriad of complex challenges: rising medical and prescription drug costs, a lack of stable insurance coverage, and a medical bureaucracy that is increasingly difficult to navigate. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this important issue.

I am well acquainted with the frustration of many Americans struggling to meet their health care needs within the current cumbersome system, and I understand the urgency to implement sound revisions. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), spending on health care will account for nearly 17 percent of Gross Domestic Product in 2009—totaling as much as $2.6 trillion. Health care costs have more than doubled over the last ten years and far outpaced wage growth, and I believe that meaningful health care reform is very important. However, I believe reform can be achieved by lowering the cost of health care without spending more money and without giving Washington more control over the decisions of doctors and patients. [this is the end of where we agree on anything]
Health care affects every American and I believe we need to take the time to listen to the patients, providers, families, and small businesses that will be significantly impacted. America has a highly complicated system and it is important to ensure that changes are thoroughly considered and not hastily passed by Congress. It may interest you to learn, that I am helping lead a Senate health reform working group that meets regularly to discuss the most pressing areas for reform in our nation’s healthcare system. It is important that Americans have access to affordable health insurance and therefore, I believe we must reform our health care system, emphasizing individual choice and trusting patients, their families, and their doctors—not lawyers or bureaucrats—to make health maintenance and treatment decisions. I am committed to improving access to quality, affordable health care, and you may be certain that I will keep your views in mind as I work my congressional colleagues, as a member of the Senate Finance Committee, to address this critical issue.

As Congress works to reform our health care system, I will adamantly oppose the creation of a Washington-run government health insurance plan, which I believe is unequivocally a gateway to a single-payer system. I believe that a new government-run health insurance plan will devastate private insurance markets by acting as a competitor, [why is acting as a competitor a bad thing?] regulator, and funder. Independent estimates have found that such a plan could result in 118 million Americans losing their current health benefits, and leave 130 million Americans to rely on a government-run health care plan. [I would love to see the supporting evidence behind this and who funded it] Additionally, I cannot support punitive health benefit taxes on small businesses, which will hurt wages and jobs.

Successful health care reform will put patients in charge,[why is this a good idea?] and improve the insurance system so that providers will compete for their business by delivering high quality care at affordable prices. I appreciate having the opportunity to represent the interests of Texans in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

517 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-2934
Fax: (202) 228-2856
http://www.cornyn.senate.gov

Please sign up for my monthly newsletter at http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/newsletter.

PLEASE NOTE:
Due to the nature of electronic communication, if you did not receive this e-mail directly from my office, I cannot guarantee that the text has not been altered. If you have questions about the validity of this message, or would like to respond to this message, please use the web form available at my website, http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/contact.

Have you contacted your senator about health care reform yet?

Newborns and diapers

2009-10-04T07:03:00.000-07:00

How is it that I feel even less prepared and more nervous for baby number two? I think we have the clothing, feeding, bathing, and how to sleep with an infant thing down now. But that still leaves diapering, commuting, packing, preparing to move and eventually moving across the country with an infant. I still have [at least] 6 weeks so I am going to tackle one thing at a time. Right now I've been hard at work on making diapers. I am still at a loss on just how many diaper covers will be needed for a newborn! I don't want to purchase too many knowing this most likely will be the last baby and he will be growing out of them very very quickly. But, on the other hand not enough could be trouble for a tired mama. My mom finally agreed to come visit after the baby is born because I am a little nervous for miss Bella.

During my last diaper shopping trip at Young and Restless they finally convinced me to try wool covers. I've been thinking long and hard about making the switch when we move to Washington anyway for warmth and mostly for the small environmental impact they have. So I bought four covers [don't worry I've purchased a few newborn pockets as well] and have found numerous resources for how to care for them online. Can I just say how freaking cute are these? If they work out I will definitely try to make a few of my own. They look very simple and I've found quite a few patters online not just for knitting but how to use an old wool sweater for diaper cover fabric. It seems like a lot of work but then again so did all cloth diapers when I started out.

A few of the diapers I made from an old t-shirt pile.

October... I welcome you with open arms!

2009-10-03T16:49:00.000-07:00

Top 4 things I love about October:
cooler days (I keep checking the weather in Seattle and dreaming of the COLD days to come.)
pumpkins to eat and decorate with
APPLES lots and lots of apples
halloween: candy, costumes, and crafts

I guess I've been missing me some apples. We went to the grocery story and I am embarrassed to say how much we spent on apples. They just looked soo delicious and ripe and fresh and... they were! I think I may need to invest in an apple tree in the somewhat near future!

To celebrate fall's arrival [finally] Bella and I headed over to a little family run farm/park to pick out a pumpkin, play some games and pet some animals. We also have been eating a lot of apple crisp, drinking apple tea and of course eating them fresh. Its really hard to believe you can get apples in Houston almost as good as in Washington. But yet when it comes to finding good peaches or avacados in Washington it is IMPOSSIBLE no matter what season it is.

Have I mentioned I have officially turned into that parent who puts their child in the only halloween outfit they own to go pick out a pumpkin? [disclaimer: I did not buy said outfit]

Also, sad to announce, we just happened to show up at The Woodland's Children's Museum on its last day at their current location and they have no idea when or where they will be reopening! I will really miss that place. The arts and crafts area was worth the five dollars alone. Not to mention it kept my daughter busy and happily entertained for HOURS. I am back to square one with finding affordable non-religious activities for me and Bella!

Sweet Baby Boy

2009-09-24T19:12:00.001-07:00

Weekend Good-Morning Muffins

2009-09-24T18:37:00.000-07:00

[you want to turn your volume WAY up so you can hear her sweet voice]

Delicious bran muffin recipe found here.
Substitute: all purpose flour with 1/2 whole wheat flour
Substitute: cinnamon chips(not really sure what that even is) for raisins

These muffins were delicious! They freeze well and Bella is still asking for them daily (5 days after we made them).

"Clean Up"

Oh, Puget Sound, how we miss you!

2009-09-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

A friend sent me these from this summer. That's Seattle behind us on a typical overcast Seattle day. I can't wait to get home, where I do not have to worry about cockroaches falling on my face while I sleep.

Also from last week:

blogging without a camera

2009-09-18T08:16:00.000-07:00

This is so sad! No pictures! Makes for a boring blog from someone who really is not a good writer! But here it goes:

I've been making diapers for my wee one on the way. I've been working hard at reusing old t-shirts, as suggested in Handmade Home. It has been a challenge and forced to me pick up my newly found sewing machine manual for the first time in three years. It may even be the first time ever. It makes more sense now than it did 3 years ago just starting out sewing with absolutely no context. I can now painlessly sew knits, now that I know which needle I need and how to set my presser foot. Woohoo. If only I had a serger my diaper sewing projects would be too easy.

Last night Isabella started her first embroidery project. She insisted on wanting to work on mine and when even I would ptu it down she would be right behind me picking it up. I decided to make life a little easier and set her up with a project of her own. When I asked her who she was making it for she said baby Elliott. I can't even put into words how this warms my heart. Of course, she was done in less than five minutes but for five whole minutes she was still and peaceful. Oh how beautiful moments like those are. Hopefully we will have a picture or two up soon!

Things to do before baby arrives:

2009-09-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

figure out what to do with bella during delivery
take another birthing class
let go of some of those "what if's"
purchase 8 more diaper covers
ask more vbac questions
go through baby boxes
find [from inside one of our dozens of boxes of baby things]:
recieving blankets
baby socks
booties
baby carrier
inner peace
try to be more prepared than last time
prewash everything 6 weeks early and then again maybe 3 weeks early
make nipple covers and large woman cloths
try to make some trifold diapers from upcycled fabrics
research and practice using/washing wool diaper covers
add to this list because I know there is more

We've been getting a lot of rain lately

2009-09-14T11:35:00.000-07:00

"Rain drops, rain drops, where do they fall? They fall on house but thats not all. Rain drops, rain drops, where do they fall? They fall on Noah's house but that's not all".

Seriously, I laugh every time I watch it. so. so. so. soo cute!

crafts from scraps challange - week three

2009-09-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

This weeks projects are kind of minimal. Here they are:

a. Some small projects for David. An iphone cozy and head phones + thumb drive pouch. Those were both his ideas. He picked out the lining fabric and I think they both turned out really cute! I find it hard to make him things because mens clothing is not something I think I'm ready to tackle just yet. I love these because he has been using them every. single. day.
b. My sister asked for something she could hold 3 white board markers in. She specifically asked for nothing too crazy. She knows me too well. [She just started teaching this week. YEY Sara!]
c. Here are some "practice sewing with knits pants" I used the oldest holiest t-shirts I could find. [notice: the patches] We just happened to be going through ALL our clothes this week.
d. From the same shirts I made a few nice sized diaper wipes. Anticipating some nice breast milk poos soon.
e. & f. A Head band for Bella with a flower made from the same shirts.
g. Ok this last one I am going to submit to Tie One On. The latest apron making challenge was to use plaids. I am not really a plaid person and really didn't see myself going out to buy any plaid fabric. After going through our old unwanted clothes I came across a few plaid shirts. I am not in love with this apron but I am thinking it will find a good home with my dear friend Bailey.

crafts from scraps continued.....

2009-09-07T11:00:00.001-07:00

[and then some because we all know i can't stick to anyONEthing for very long]

Here we are getting ready for a week of patchwork...... WHAT? Yes. I know. It took me by surprise too. Not only did I start my very first [small] patchwork project and finish it, BUT I started another [smallish] patchwork project and finished that one too. Unfortunately, I think I am all patchworked out and there will be no quilts anytime soon. I imagine that will change when we get up to Washington and find that quilts are needed for more than just sitting on, you know, like to keep us warm.

Ok, on to the completed projects:

It started with a doll quilt. Then I realized my poor girl does not have a doll, just a [mama made] elephant. So we made a doll, and I say we because Bella was very very involved. She helped me pick out what her dress would look like and stopped to hug the doll a often as possible. She even took it to bed with her for nap before she had eyes, mouth and hair. Talk about time well spent! She also loves to go around and tell people "mama made it". Precious.

Dolly also joins us at the table now for at least one meal a day.

Patchwork recovery day - another lunch sack. I LOVE this pattern. I added a little depth to the lunch sack because the original isn't quite big enough to accommodate a pregnant mama's lunch needs. The original pattern is from Linen, Wool, Cotton: 25 Simple Projects to Sew with Natural Fabrics (Make Good: Crafts + Life) by Akiko Mano. I do not own the book, but found a free tutorial from it online months ago. [I can't find the link anymore but do still have the pdf is anyone is interested]. The book looks awesome I've been through it in the book store more times than I care to admit. It really is next on my list. Really.

This bag took me a couple of days. And honestly, I am not in love with the end result. It was really good at getting rid of a bunch of little scraps of fabric in colors I wouldn't normally use. On a more positive note I think the detail in this bag looks really good. I feel like I might be stepping up from beginner seamstress to intermediate. Maybe.

For friends:
I've made over 30 sandwich bags and snack bags in the last few days.

What I've realized: making things in large batches is not fun! It is fun using different fabrics I wouldn't pick out for myself like glittery white spider webs with creepy black spiders. [I can't wait to be a mama of a little boy] I also like helping people get rid of the plastics in their everyday life. Was it worth it? YES! I will make some for you too if you give up plastic bags! I won't go into global warming here even though it is nice and fresh in my mind after watching The Inconvenient Truth.

I'll leave you with this: Best Friends.

p.s. It looks like sewmamasew.com/blog2 might have a month of scrap busters in October. woooohoooo!
p.s.s. Dolly and patchwork bag were made from patterns from this magazine. Projects from handmade home are already in progress. Stay Tuned.

crafts from scraps challange - week one

2009-08-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Expecting a baby + one stay at home parent + one student parent = tight budget.
(a math problem in MY blog? my sister would be so proud)

After unpacking close to 10 boxes of craft supplies, I decided maybe I should hold true to my no more fabric/craft supply purchasing rule. I've decided to challenge myself with a crafts from scraps project. Everyday I will try to spit something out using only the materials I already have. Now this might sound restricting to most people but I've always worked best under tight restraint. Ohhh art school, how I miss you so. This week I've had a really good time trying to find small projects to fit the fabric scraps I have. I enjoy the odd even-for-me combination of prints and patterns too. Here's a couple shots of what was happening in my new sewing studio.

a&b. birthday gift for 4yo friend, look familiar? - left over fabric from previous adult sized apron gift
c. simplest skirt for Bella - fabric given to me by my grandma for Bella
d. marker pouch to go with crayon pouch - left overs from fabric purchased for Elliott booties. zipper salvaged from old skirt.
e. embroidery - fabric left over from fabric produce bags - embroidery thread left over from multiple softie projects
f. more Elliott booties - denim from papa's old jeans. fabric left over from little boy aprons
g. lunch bag - fabric purchased YEARS ago from Ikea as-is section. it has been used for many many things.
h. travel silverware pocket - fabric left over from fabric napkins made last spring

Pros and Cons of Country living

2009-08-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

Pros:

not a lot to do = house very very clean
people are very friendly, even people stuck behind service counters
no traffic
very quiet
a lot less honking (compared to Houston)
takes less time to get everywhere even though its three times as far
lots of trees
usually 5+ degrees cooler thanks to all those trees
one vegetarian friendly restaurant (chain) in next town over
csa's actually deliver out here!
fruit stands everywhere

Cons:

not a lot to do indoors, way too hot and humid outdoors
friends are all in Houston
speed limits are soooooooo high
vegetarian restaurants do not exist here
no good organic produce, have to drive to Houston for it
have to drive even farther to drop off recycling

Wow, who would have thought my pros would out way my cons? I am SO good at being positive.

[I have a feeling the cons may grow a little after I've been here awhile. We'll see.]

Ohhhhh Bella

2009-08-24T18:07:00.000-07:00

Craft Therapy

2009-08-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

We have a very busy try. to. keep. it. simple. four months ahead of us. We have relocated. Once again. This time, north of Houston, to a small town called Montgomery. David plans to commute to Houston everyday via bus to finish this last semester of [6] classes! I promised to keep most complaining to myself in honor[?] of his taking so many classes to finish early and start his new job. I am so proud of him getting .two. job offers in the worst recession since the great depression. So I think I owe it to my family to be positive. ~~All~~ MOST of the time! Even if that means I have to drive to Houston 3 times a week to keep my sanity. I promise to enjoy the openish countryish roads that I will not see when we move back to Bellevue. [Because we will be living in the city and not doing much driving. yey.] And most important, I am making myself promise to be positive no matter how the delivery of this baby turns out. Speaking of baby, my sweet baby boy, whom I already love too much from the inside, he has been the inspiration of most craftiness.

This one is for Bella. A sweet little pouch to hold all her crayons in because we seem to obtain a few more everyday. How does that happen?
tutorial found here

Papa wore through .another. pair of jeans! I think I had these cut up only minutes after I saw the hole. I may have a problem.

tutorial found here

I have no idea if these will work. I have a feeling they will fall into the my baby kicks these off way to easy category and end up never being used but they are soo easy to make and sooo cute I've made like 6 pairs. Friends with babies beware: I am looking for baby feet to try these on.

Presents for friends with baby boys. Have I mentioned everyone I know is having a boy this year?

My little helper:

bluging belly, crafts, and chef Bella

2009-08-14T06:16:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture update on the pregnancy. 20 weeks. half way. already. my how time flies.

[please excuse the face. i have a horrible habit of making a goofy face when i .know. someone is about to take my pictures. why?]

I'm getting ready to transfer prenatal care back to my obgyn in Houston net week and can't help but announce how EXCITED I am. weird? possibly. I did a lot more research choosing a doctor up here in Tacoma thinking I might one day come back to him when we move back in Jan and have more babies. He 100% supports vbacs and is known in the area for his success rate but I must say.... bedside manor is seriously lacking. My Houston obgyn who was the first I found .online. because I had no idea how you would go about finding a .good. obgyn just happened to be exactly what I wanted. Lets hope when I show up 22 weeks pregnant she is still as ready to try a vbac as she was when I came in with my lists of what if's 6 months ago.

So about two weeks ago I got he crafting itch. [think it might have something to do with being pregnant? this happened whenI was pregnant with Bella too] Since then I have been baby crafting.... booties, blankets, bibs, I even bought some away from home knitting needles and started a hat for my sweet-to-be-baby-boy. Friends and family crafting lavender sachets, aprons, purses, wallets, kosher silverware travel kits [more on this later]

[thank you lovely model, Bailey C.Lemons]

One last snap shot: Bella in her natural habitat.

[I can't make a cup of tea without my big helper]

Our three part free holiday

2009-07-10T12:26:00.000-07:00

So David and I decided early on, the 4th of July was really cool but not worth the hassle and crowds, (neither of us do crowds well) until Isabella is a little older and can really appreciate the fireworks. I am thinking, this will be next year. yikes! Instead of gathering at a not so vegetarian friendly bbq or whatever people do for the 4th of July we decided to get out and visit some of my personal favorite things to do in the Puget Sound. I gave us a budget of gas money only so we packed up our lunches and headed out.

Friday: Point Defiance park and rose garden.

Saturday: Snoqualmie Falls + short hike.

you might be thinking "how did they get up there"?

Sunday: Pike Place Market + Visit with sister in University District

This weekend we are going over to the Olympic peninsula, a first for David. I'll post more about it when we return.

Oh, and p.s. we're having a boy!!

backwards blogging

2009-06-13T18:22:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I am on vacation [and there for should be held to no blogging standards!]

These imaegs are from a couple weeks ago. Bella and I spent a week with my Grandma and Auntie in Ferndale, WA. Ferndale is just north of Bellingham and only a short 30ish minute drive from the Canadian border. Its a very cute, small town and of course has a special place in my heart because, well, thats where my grandma and auntie live!

I wish I had more pictures of my Grandma's yard. She puts a LOT of work into her flower gardens and had fun letting Bella pick one of each different kind of flower to make a bouquet. Bella soon after fell in love with Grandma's yard and now enjoys running around for hours there [sometimes naked]

During our week in Ferndale there was a heatwave(a Western Washington type of heat wave) It was in the mid 80s the whole week we were there. We headed over to Cornwall Park to cool off. It looked something like this:
Disclaimer #2: These are not the most flattering pictures, but I feel they really captured the "mama is having so much fun playing in the water and Bella has no idea what is going on or why mama is acting like a 5 year old" moment.

Good Zoos!

2009-06-11T08:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after debating whether thirteen dollars was worth a visit to the zoo [and beautiful pacific northwest aquarium all in one] we headed out to Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma. A little farther than we were from our Houston Zoo, but it was a nice along the Puget Sound drive. After living in Houston I forgot how not living in the city means more driving time to the city. The good news is: we were pleasantly surprised when we got in for FREE! Yes free, with our Houston Zoo membership! But where are the pictures? you may be asking yourself. It just so happens this zoo is on the steepest hill ever and I was too busy working up a sweat pushing my 25lb toddler up and down the side of the zoo for three hours! Its funny I do not remember the zoo being on a steep hillside, but the last time I was at the zoo I was probably closer to 10yo. My mom reminded me, we would run up and down the hill side without a moments thought and promptly pass out in the car before we were out of the parking lot. hehe. I was very much looking forward to Bella's passing out in the car, but did it happen? NO! We went our first day without any nap at all. Well, she did! My mom stayed awake to watch her while I napped. Thank goodness for mothers!