So, I finally have an FO (seen in the side bar and in an upcoming post) for this year, and am retiring the 2010 list.

• Baby Jacket for Mariam - knit August 22


• Matching Hat for Mariam - knit August 24


• Baby Dress for Mariam - knit & sewn August 25


• Picot Edge Socks for Yasmina - knit October 6


• Stem Down Apple Hat for Mariam - knit October 17


• Fibonacci Baby Hat for Kayla - knit December 5


• Seven! No Sew Neck Warmers for various friends and teachers - fabric December 15


• Two More New Sew Neck Warmers for various friends - fabric December 16


• Charcoal Easy Headband for Yasmina December 16


• Lilac Easy Headband for Mariam December 16


• Play Bracelet for Yasmina December 16

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, FOs, Knitting

The older children and I have been making a lot of presents recently, so Jerome and Yasmina wanted to make something, too. They got little scraps of the fleece from the nine (!) neck warmers I made (I'll post photos and a link later) and said they were going to make headbands for Mariam. This seemed overly simplistic to me.

However, since they can't tie, sew, and glue didn't seem to be the right medium, they brought them to me to make. I didn't want to tell them that it wouldn't work, so I just tied the strips together. I thought they looked idiotic, but it made the little people happy. Well, Yasmina promptly put hers on, even though it was supposed to be for Mariam, and it looked alright. The one Jerome "made" was put on Mariam as soon as she awoke from nap, and it looked kind of cute.

So, here's how you make this: Find leftover scraps of fleece. Make a square knot with the ends. The end. If your scraps are too short, you can tie two together. If you have no scraps, you can cut one inch strips to the length you need and tie the ends in a square knot. It's that easy. It's kind of embarrassing to even tell people how to make this. I just thought it turned out kind of cute for a throw together, just satisfy the children craft.

Oh, I even made a little fabric bracelet out of one of the strips that was too short which is now play jewelry for Yasmina.

Labels: Christmas, Church Year, Fabric and Sewing, Family, FOs, Homemaking, Quick Gifts

If you look in the sidebar, you'll see that I have switched my FO list to the current list. From 2008. Yes, things have been that busy over the last two years.

2008 Finished Objects

• Two Cotton Sponges for Me -crocheted April 10


• Four Corners Dishcloth for Me - knit April 17


• Ballet Leggings for Amira - knit April 20


• Cotton Sponge for Me - crochet April 24


• Diagonal Dishcloth for Me - knit April 25


• Bun Warmer for Amira - knit April 29


• Swatch Cloth for Me - crochet July 4

2009 Finished Objects

• Grey Striped Hat for Jerome - Knit January 1


• Amira's Pillow for Amira - Sewn March 14

Labels: Crochet, Fabric and Sewing, Homemaking, Knitting

I meant to post this early last week, or at least in a seven quick takes post, but never got around to it. It's been a busy and tiring time here, though we've been taking it fairly easy.

I finished four projects two weeks ago. First, I finished these two, the jacket on the 22nd of August and the hat on the 24th.



Then, I finished this, which has only needed the sewing for a long, long time, on the 25th.



Then I finished this on the morning of the 26th:



Mariam Beatrix was born at 8:08 a.m., via c-section, weighed exactly eight pounds and was exactly 21 inches long. She and I are both doing very well, though, of course, that is relative to having a repeat deep abdominal surgery in which they sawed me in half. My in-laws were here for a week and a half to help us out, and Rich has three more days of his two week's leave before I'm on my own during the day.

She is just one of the reasons I've been so quiet on the blog. I had a much more exhausting pregnancy this time, though all was well and healthy. I've been meaning to post all about our house projects, my crafting, the farm and the pregnancy, not to mention some more frugality posts, but just couldn't get motivated enough to think clearly and put words together. It's only because it kept me on track with our meals and grocery shopping and budgeting that I've even been menu planning.

I put several meals in the freezer and bought lots of things that would be easy for the children and Rich to put together quickly, and a new set of friends from church sent us home with two meals to put in our freezer right before the baby was born. We've probably overextended our use of favors from another family in town, who have watched our children on numerous occasions and painted our bedroom for us, but they are still offering to fetch and carry for us at any time we need it. Both these families honestly offered to be our emergency back up plan should I go into labor before the surgery was scheduled and we had an emergency trip to the hospital. Another family in the neighborhood has offered to take the older children to play with theirs once all the help is gone. Even the guys that work for Rich put together some cards and gifts to send to us.

One thing we've learned is that out here in the country, where our houses are no closer than a quarter mile, people think of each other as neighbors and friends in a way that they didn't in town. Folks we only see a few times a year have offered to help us, so even though we don't have the church family and years long friendships we had back "home" to come through, we have support and people who care.

I also learned that at least a few people know and think of us in this town. When Rich went to the farmer's market without us last week, everyone there asked about us and about the baby. The folks at the Grocery Outlet all wanted to see pictures when I went in (she was asleep in the car with Rich and the other children). That was nice, because it is easy to feel a little isolated and faceless in a new place, even one as small as this.

Needless to say, our meal plans will be a little eclectic over the next few weeks and definitely subject to change. Rich is taking care of meals almost all the time now, and will probably still handle dinners when he's back at work (along with his usual Saturday and Sunday morning breakfast duties), but the older boys will be taking care of breakfast and lunch most days until I am recovered enough to stand long enough to prepare meals again and am cleared to lift the pots and pans that hold enough food for this family. At the least, I will have a cadre of sous-chefs from Alexander to Jerome, who will help with the kitchen tasks and the heavy lifting. I am thankful that they are so capable and willing to help.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Granola and Milk, Sliced Apples, Water
  Dinner: Grilled Cheeseburgers, Jerusalem Melon


• Monday
  Breakfast: Waffles with Maple or Spiced Plum Syrup, Bacon, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Lasagna from the freezer, Garlic Bread, Sliced Cucumbers and Onions in Oil and Vinegar with Feta


• Tuesday
  Breakfast: Toad in the Hole, Plums, Hot Chocolate*
  Dinner: Grilled Steaks, Grilled Marinated Summer Squash, Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes and Onions, Rice Pilaf, Mixed Melon Cubes


• Wednesday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar, Melon Slices, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Red Sauce with Olives, Onions and Peppers and Penne, Fruit Salad


• Thursday
  Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs with Cheese & Veggies, Toast, Plums, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Macaroni and Cheese with Mini Andouille Sausages, Fruit Salad, Veggie Sticks


• Friday
  Breakfast: Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Bolita and Cheese Enchiladas from the freezer, Tomato Rice


• Saturday
  Breakfast: Scotch Eggs, Toast, Plums, Milk, Coffee
  Dinner: Green Chile Pork Burritos (pork from the freezer), Sliced Apples

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday.

Labels: Baby, Birthday, Fabric and Sewing, Family, FOs, Homemaking, Knitting, Menu Plans, Tales from the Kitchen

So, I didn't post last week. I haven't been very good at consistency here. Also, participation is down. Should I keep doing this? You tell me.

Anyway, I did finish something last week! Late Saturday night, I finished this:



I started working on it before I had Yasmina. I did some of the sewing and then got stuck on the piping. Cutting the bias strip was a little scary for me. Rich encouraged me, and I did it and everything went fairly well after that. I gave it to Amira on Sunday, rather than on her birthday, as that was her day for a party and presents. She is in love with it. How could she not be? It is pink with flowers and purple and a bow!

If you have one or more finished items this week, please sign Mr. Linky below and share all you have made. Your Finished Object(s) can be knit, crocheted, sewn, quilted, tatted, beaded, papercraft, woodwork or any other kind of craft. Show off what you have made! Please make sure you link to the exact post that shows your finished item(s) rather than just to your blog.

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, Finished Object Friday, FOs, Homemaking

I'm finally making something for our littlest girl! I have given up the second pair of leg warmers for now. I will return to them when my brain is working a little better.

So, yesterday, I started the Buttercup Sundress from Cozy Knits for Cuddly Babies for our newest girl. Except, I am making it in a blue/purple colorway, with a blue skirt, so it is more like a delphinium sundress or a bluebell sundress. It combines my knitting with my newfound sewing skills, also, which is very nice. As far as I can tell from the directions, you don't actually sew the skirt closed, which I don't like, no reason for my daughter to have to wear a hospital gown, so I am sewing the skirt seam as I like. I am leaving the bodice open in the back, it is small and has a button closure at the top which will keep it from flopping open, but this whole diaper waving in the breeze thing does not sit well with me.

I'm using Berroco Cotton Twist for the bodice and some pretty blue eyelet I got on sale at the fabric store for the skirt. If I do this right, I can take her home from the hospital in this little dress with, perhaps, some frilly little socks or slippers and a lacy cap.

I have all of Amira's pillow cut out, but I've been too tired to use an iron and sewing machine at night, so I'm hoping that one of these weekends I'll get a chance to put it together and have something else finished around here. Also, that would mean that the fabric, pattern pieces and all the pins wouldn't be piled up on the corner dresser anymore.

Wish us luck finding the next computer. We missed out on a really great deal on a used one, and we're debating the merits of buying a brand spanking new one and picking up some extra software to go with it versus waiting around to see if we can get another deal on a used one. Either way, I will get DSL and be able to post photos again. In the past two months, our children have grown up quite a bit and gotten cuter and cuter, and you are missing it!

Labels: Baby, Fabric, Fabric and Sewing, Knitting

We have had another lovely St. Nicholas celebration. It was good to be able to learn from an elder brother in the faith. We had been talking about marriage with the children, that they should intentionally be preparing for either marriage or celibacy, with a default of marriage, and how the most important thing to look for in a spouse is character, that having Godly mentors helping one discern this is wise, and that the most important thing to think about is what gifts one has to offer a spouse and not how that person can meet one's own needs. St. Nicholas' life was quite illustrative of that. He loved because God loved, he gave to people who could not give back, and tried to do it as secretly as possible. Last night, we told the children about the bishop of Myra and his life and works and laid our stockings out for him to fill. We awoke to plenty of good things. St. Nicholas even put some real maple candies in Rich's stocking, which we haven't been able to find for some time (all the other candies weren't all maple sugar).

I still remember being so disgusted at a book about St. Nicholas in the Protestant bookstore in town. At first, I was excited to see that they were talking about him at all, but then when I read through it and saw that they called him a pastor or some other such thing, rather than a bishop (because that would, gasp!, admit that the church was governed by bishops, and we can't have that), made up some other things to make him more Protestant, and completely ignored many other facts about his life. Basically, a fairy tale was written, which is fine, but it was presented as the truth about this real man from history. A story about Santa Claus would have been just as accurate. The only comfort I had was that someone might start to research him after reading that book, though I have few hopes of it.

I have knit nothing for St. Nicholas, nothing for Christmas, and nothing much lately at all. When I do any crafty things at all, it has been a little sewing. Mostly because I have so little time to do these things, and sewing is finished so much more quickly, which allows me to feel like I've done something. I have so many things I want to knit, want to finish and design, but I do not know how I will fit it in to our other activities.

We're going a little lighter on schooling this month. What with Advent, and our wanting the children to learn about that, we are focusing on the religious season. It is the new year of the church, and we do not wish them to be caught up in the commercial hype and junk that surrounds them in the greater culture. Thomas Howard wrote a great Advent Meditation that we read. It had a reference to an Egyptian pharoah, which was kind of nice, since we are almost to the point of studying the new kingdom. I hope you will find it edifying and thought provoking as well.

Labels: Church Year, Fabric and Sewing, Faith and Morality, Family, Knitting, St. Nicholas

Because I am an idiot, I forgot to post about the cute little ballet bag I made for Amira two weeks ago. There I was thinking I'd made nothing, and she had a new bag that delighted her. I don't think I have a photo yet, but I will try to get one up soon.



If you have one or more finished items this week, please sign Mr. Linky below and share all you have made. Your Finished Object(s) can be knit, crocheted, sewn, quilted, tatted, beaded, papercraft, woodwork or any other kind of craft. Show off what you have made! Please make sure you link to the exact post that shows your finished item(s) rather than just to your blog.

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, Finished Object Friday, FOs

I will spare you the Summer 2007 Sewing Machine Saga, but to make a long story short, the top that I cut out this summer to sew for Amira is finally finished. It took me five months, but that was really two nights of cutting pattern pieces, fabric and elastic, and a day's sewing on my new Bernette sewing machine.

I love this machine. So far, I've owned six machines. One I gave away to someone on freecycle, because I had another that was working and the first needed some repairs, then the second machine had issues that needed to be fixed, and I never had the time to take it in, then I bought and had to exchange a Singer twice, before I said never again. So, I waited, the Bernette went on sale, plus I had a 10% discount for being a homeschooling parent, and there was a $50 rebate. It still cost a little more than the Singer, but I figured it was worth it. Anyway, it works like a dream. The only problems I've had have been because of my lack of skill, the machine does exactly as it should.

So, here is my fourth ever sewn object.



I put the finishing touches on it Tuesday. There was a mistake in the pattern, I'm pretty sure, but I fudged my way through it, and since Amira has long hair, I don't think anyone will notice. The finishing on the inside is rather abysmal, but I'll work on that as I go. I did change a couple things. I made the straps shorter, because as the pattern was, the top wouldn't have covered her chest, they were so long. I think this pattern runs rather large, too, because I did the size three and it has a lot of room to grow for next summer. I also used the scalloped border of this eyelet, so I wouldn't have to figure out the whole hem thing yet. I had to take three pictures of her to get one I could use, because she kept scrunching up her shoulders for joy. She actually said that she was thankful that I made her shirt during prayer time this week. That was gratifying.

I have partners paired up for the November Colorswap, and I will post participants later today.

If you have one or more finished items this week, please sign Mr. Linky below and share all you have made. Your Finished Object(s) can be knit, crocheted, sewn, quilted, tatted, beaded, papercraft, woodwork or any other kind of craft. Show off what you have made! Please make sure you link to the exact post that shows your finished item(s) rather than just to your blog.

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, Finished Object Friday, FOs, November Colorswap

Am I the only person who thinks this just looks like a red, silk bathrobe? I do not think it is worth the sale price, let alone the original price. I detest this whole 1970s fashion resurgence. Sure, it's doctored up, but it's there underneath all the nicer fabrics. You know that dress was originally made with a polyester knit. While I'm ranting, when is brown going to go away as a fashion color? Not as a basic, but as something that is supposed to be stylish, like those brown and hot pink and lime green and cream colored monstrocities that sell for over $100. I don't like the whole turquoise and brown thing either. And orange! and green! together with pink and red and all that swirly 70s stuff that looks like the decals off of the bottom of a cheap motel's tub or as though it was found on the back wardrobe rack of the Electric Company! Yuck. I know I am going against the grain here. At least I think so, since I see so much of this around.

I cannot wait for fashion to get back to any year between 1935 and 1964 Those are my favorite years for clothes, with the Regency period in England coming at a close second.

The fact that I hate modern fashion has actually saved me a lot of money. I buy second hand, or the stuff nobody else wants when it goes on sale, and everyone is happy. Now that I'm learning to sew, I think I can make some of this stuff that nobody likes for myself and my family.

Which leads me to my exciting news. I bought a new sewing machine this weekend. We saw that the Evil Empire had a factory serviced machine on sale with a 25 year warranty, it had more stitch capabilities than mine, and the service and repair cost of mine was at least the same price as this was new with a warranty, so I picked it up. I can't decide if I'll still get the other one fixed at another time, since it might be good for other projects, or for teaching the kids.

With school starting this week, I haven't had a chance to try it out, but I'm looking forward to doing so this weekend, if I can. After I make crabapple jelly out of the juice we made last night. And make lesson plans for next week. And make copies. And...we'll see.

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, Fashionista

See this:



That is Amira's eyelet ruffled top. All the pieces, including the elastic for the back, are cut out. I have my machine threaded with the right thread, the bobbin is very unevenly wound. It turns out this is partly because of my treadle, which needs to be repaired or replaced. I also need to get the machine a general tune up, but I could have made this without that. So, it sits.

It's a good thing that Simplicity children's patterns run large, because I think Amira will be wearing this next Spring and Summer rather than this year.

Labels: Fabric and Sewing

Not much time to make things, but there are a lot of things I want to make. Here are two of the latest.

Summery Dishtowel Totebag(I even have the perfect dishtowels that I got for $1.19 each on clearance)
Vintage Scoop Neck Sweater I have the perfect yarn for this in the stash. I just need to finish making all the other things on my list and have a lot of free time. You know, piece of cake. I have that spare time between 2:00 and 3:00 a.m. that I've been wasting on things like sleep.

Anything you're itching to make?

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, Knitting

Reasons Number 4721 & 4722

I told Rich that I was planning on making these pants (and the top), to learn how to put in a zipper.



The first thing he said, with no looks or promptings from me, was that I would look so much better in them than that stick model.

The second thing he said was that he was hoping I was making them in a solid color so I wouldn't have to worry about making the pinstripes perfectly straight.

I love this man. He thinks I look better than the thin models, and he takes real interest in what I like to do.

Also, I want those peekaboo toe heels the model has on in the picture on the right. Anyone who can find me a pair like those in a 7 1/2 for less than $50 will be my new best friend. Sorry, Rich.

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, Family, Romance and Relationship

If you read my blog on a fairly regular basis, you've already seen this. However, it is Friday, after all, and it was finished this week. Once more, for your viewing pleasure, then, is my little baby pillow.



I am hoping to have two things ready to show off by next Friday.

Did you finish anything this week? Please sign Mr. Linky below and share with the internets all you have made. Your Finished Object(s) can be knit, crocheted, sewn, quilted, tatted, beaded, papercraft, woodwork or any other kind of craft. Show off what you have made! Please make sure you link to the exact post that shows your finished item(s) rather than just to your blog. I will visit all the posts.

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, Finished Object Friday

Here are a couple peeks at what I will be working on presently.



This yarn will turn into a pair of baby pants with a ruffled hem. I've been looking for an excuse to get this yarn for some time now, and the class I'll be teaching on making baby pants was the perfect excuse. I'll be making a standard, non-ruffled, pair out of some ruby colored yarn. If you take the class, you get the pattern for free, plus ideas on some cute variations.



This is one of my next sewing projects. The fabric (pre-washed!) is an ivory eyelet with a scalloped border.

This means I don't have to hem the top.

The pattern looks pretty straight forward, so the issue will only be in the quality of my sewing. In case you can't read the pattern number, this is Simplicity 4203. I'm making view C without the ruffled lace at the bottom, because of the scalloped hem. I will likely use this pattern to make the pants and the shorts in some solid colors and prints. They are elastic band, no buttons or zippers and consist of four pieces each. I think I can handle that.

Wish me luck!

Labels: Design, Fabric and Sewing, Knitting

And, again, completely unsupervised! I am so proud of myself. It may seem like some little, easy pillow, but I am sew retarded. Also my mom never allowed me to take things like home ec in school, because she didn't want me learning all those traditional female things, and betraying the sisterhood and all that. So, I am literally learning how to read patterns, cut fabric, thread a sewing machine, wind a bobbin, etc from scratch as an adult.

So, here is Jerome's new pillow.

He was really excited to see it this morning. I finished the slip stitching last night, and it isn't perfect, but it doesn't look any worse than a pillow you'd get at a store. edited to add: I didn't give credit where credit is due. I forgot to mention that Amira helped me stuff this pillow. She was so thrilled to pull out the polyfill and shove it inside. We had a great time doing that together. I think she might be sad when she finds out we only have a pillow form to put in her pillow. The fact that it is pink! with a bow! and floral patterns! should help mitigate that.

Amira is already impatient because I haven't made her pillow yet. We've picked out the fabric, I have the pattern, and the pillow form, so I will probably get on that this week or next. Then aprons, and skirts and dresses and shirts and pants and...Oh, I am so excited! Sewing is so fast compared to knitting, so it's like instant gratification.

While Rich was taking the older kids bike riding yesterday, I took Jerome with me to a couple fabric stores. There is a small, locally owned one in a town to the north of us, and there is the Evil Empire (JoAnns) nearby, where Simplicity patterns were $0.99 each and I had three coupons, so I went to both. There were loads of Cars licensed fabrics at the small shop, and even though they were expensive, I picked up a little so I could make a shirt for one of the boys, and I bought an overpriced kit for a Cars pillowcase which should go together pretty quickly. Elijah actually said he wanted to sit next to me during family prayers last night, just because I bought Cars fabric. He sidled up to me and said "Thank you for buying my Cars pillowcase Mama!" and gave me a huge hug and kiss. When all else fails, buy them off, right?

How important is it to preshrink 100% cotton fabric if you are using 100% cotton thread to sew it? Can you tell I am eager to start cutting and sewing?

Labels: Fabric and Sewing, Family, FOs

I have something to share this week! I finished that project I mentioned earlier this week. It is an itty, bitty, cute baby elf hat for our Christmas in July event.



Come to the the shop on or after July 17th to see it in person and buy the pattern. It may be available here if I can work out the kinks with ordering online.

I didn't finish this next thing, but I have only a little slip stitching to do. I cut a pattern out, cut the fabric, and followed the directions to make a pillow. It is turned out, stuffed and needs just a six inch opening closed. I'm so proud of myself. I've been terrified of my sewing machine, not to mention the finality of cutting fabric, so this is a big deal to me. This is a busy weekend for us, so I probably won't get it finished, much less a photo of it posted, but I'll try to do it next week.

So, what did you finish this week? Please sign Mr. Linky below and share with the internets all you have made. Your Finished Object(s) can be knit, crocheted, sewn, quilted, tatted, beaded, papercraft, woodwork or any other kind of craft. Show off what you have made! Please make sure you link to the exact post that shows your finished item(s) rather than just to your blog. I will visit all the posts.

Labels: Design, Fabric and Sewing, Finished Object Friday, FOs, Knitting