Happy Monday. How can the weekends possibly go by so fast?! Back to work and limited sewing time. Ugh. At least I don't have to start off this blog post by saying something like, "I can't believe it's been so long, since I blogged."
I hate that the weekend is over, but it's nice to be able to report that I finished two items of clothing for Addie and have a really good start on a third. The first was a repeat of the DMK Easy Wear Beach Top that I made a while back during Elsie Marley's Kids Clothing Week Challenge. As I mentioned in this post, I messed up and accidentally separated the front bodice top from the rest of the front bodice body. I actually decided I kind of like it that way.
I used some Heather Ross double gauze for this one. It wasn't horrible to work with but definitely not as easy as regular quilting cotton - just a little stretchier. I love love love the print though, and the gauze definitely seems to be very soft and comfy. This is a huge plus, since my daughter is reluctant to wear just about everything I make her. Help! Anyone have any advice on that? So far I've been resorting to bribes. My next step is to take everything ELSE out of her dresser.
Then I finished up this jacket prototype.
Who uses Amy Butler for a prototype?! I guess I was feeling pretty daring, and I actually love the way it came out. This one is just flannel-lined, so it's more of a sweatshirt or spring jacket, but I had bought some pretty green wool at Alewive's last weekend to make a more winter-y jacket. I wanted to make sure I could do it before I cut into that. The outer jacket is done, so now I'm working on the lining. I should have something to show you in a day or two (that is if I stop blogging and start sewing).
Oh and I baked two loaves of bread. I decided to veer away from my trusty Bread Baker's Apprentice (which I'm still baking my way through - last I checked I think I had 11 recipes to go) and try some recipes from the King Arthur site. I made this classic sandwich bread with 1/2 white whole wheat flour. I haven't actually tried it yet for a sandwich, but it was just okay for toast. I also made this oatmeal bread which is much better for toast. I was kind of inspired by my brother who has been making the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day and is looking for a more sandwich-y type of bread. I think this may be the start of a mission to find the perfect sandwich bread. I'm not sure either of these were it.
Lest you think I'm on of those bloggers who bakes bread every day, sews all homemade clothes for my family, and has perfectly behaved kids, let me just tell you that there were tears shed this weekend and Cheez-Its thrown. (I don't know - how do you even spell that?) Saturday was a mandatory yard clean up day mandated by my husband. No one was too pleased about that including me, since it cut into my precious sewing time, but it was a beautiful day, so I was being a good sport. Not so much for the three older kids. Addie was actually really into it.
Maggie reluctantly did a good job raking. As usual, she didn't want to have her picture taken, but I managed to capture this high-fashion outfit.
Joe was content enough using the electric pruners (as if I didn't have enough stress in my life already!) but had quite the attitude when it came to picking up the leaf piles (granted they're nasty and full of rotten apples which are now forming a nice thick layer on the bottom of everyone's shoes).
Frank actually helped out, too, but somehow I didn't manage to get a photo of him.
So the Cheez-it incident happened when Maggie took an unauthorized break to snack on a few of these crackers. Holier-than-thou Joe happened to be taking a break at the same time - also unauthorized - told her to get back to work and apparently threw a Cheez-it at her. Aaah gotta love that sibling rivalry. No tears were shed there and no one got hurt.
So Maggie's getting ready for the New England Oireachtas next weekend. If you know what I'm talking about, I bet you're feeling my pain. We had dress rehearsal yesterday, and the tears were shed over a lost ghillie which we still haven't found. Arggh.
Okay, I really want to get some sewing in before I have to start getting ready for work.
Hope your Monday flies by!







