yo

I have been pretty preoccupied with the task of preparing for an infant resuscitation course that I took today.  Please, if I ever say that I want to go back to college- remind me of this post.  Man, it was so hard to study whilst being a mom!  My ability to retain information has really gone down the tubes.  I would almost venture to say that my brain in turning to mush.  Happy mush.  I love learning, but on my own terms...and yes, learning to help non-breathing babies is a valuable skill- but it wasn't my first pick in books to read or subject material.  Thankfully, I passed with flying colors (you would be amazed at what some of the Family Practitioners don't know, there were some in my class today).  Glad its over.

A few days ago I did manage to crank out a little bag for Hannah's best friend.  If it weren't for the accountability of all these birthdays...not sure any sewing would get done around here.

 

I used the pattern from Lotta Jansdotter's book for the Simple Tote, then just added some yo-yos.  I loved how it turned out.  In fact, I'm pretty sure that there will be several more of these made in the future.  We filled it with sticker books, nifty pens, and a fun little pair of flip flops. My children just bless me so much when they proudly offer handmade gifts to their friends.  When I suggested to Hannah that we make something for her friend, I expected her to roll her eyes and ask if we could buy her a pink Barbie with glitter eye shadow or something.  Instead, she lit up and said, "I was hoping you would have time!"  Sweet, sweet girls. Sweet bag too, no?

feathering her nest

I am off to a bit of a slow start this morning after coming in from a birth at 3:30am this morning.  It was a sweet scene to behold as the parents welcomed their little baby to life outside the womb.  I love it when the sex of the baby is unknown...it is always fun to watch the new parents discover if their fresh bundle is a boy or a girl.  Little Grace was her mother's prize after 20 some hours of labor!! 

Okay, onto the curtains I made!

They were incredibly hard to photograph against the glare of the window.  The fabric for the valance was left over from my Emmeline apron- red polka-dots (and the little red pom-poms as just enough whimsy don't you think?)  The other fabric came from a sheet that I thrifted, it is always a bit tricky for me to work with such big lengths of material.  Her window is huge so each panel was 60" wide by 100" long! I used the pattern for curtains in Bend the Rules Sewing.  It was so easy- straight line sewing!  My only regret was backing them in muslin vs. blackout fabric.  Emma's room gets the bright morning sun and heaven knows we would all like her to sleep in a bit longer on the weekends!

(shhh don't tell Emma that Laurel Baby was in her room while she was at school- a full fledged flip out would ensue. also, the curtains touch the ground when they are not pulled open.)

This project has been on my "to do list" for quite some time so I was very pleased to get it finished. I was also glad to appease Emma who would ask me about getting them made every time she walked past the fabric on my sewing table. Relentless I tell you!

Onto the next project: dining room drapes (in yellow)

emmeline apron

Ta da!

 

It was fun and fairly simple to make.  The most tedious part being the bias tape (making it).  I love this bright colorful fabric from Alexander Henry.  I think my favorite color combination right now is this red and aqua.

The contrasting fabric is red and white polka-dot.  Those tiny dots are hard to photograph.  Photo credits go to Emma. I made her take a bazillion and yet we still didn't get very good ones.  I did not hand sew the bias tape on.  I used the machine and if I were to make this apron again (surely I will) I would make that same decision again.   Next time I will use thread that is the same color as the trim.  I was trying to be all artsy fartsy and I used an aqua thread-- it is far too revealing of my lame sewing skills. The reverse side is a little blue dot pattern.  You can see it in yesterday's post (it was the liner in the little clutch I made.)

This apron is pretty cute on, especially flattering in the area that I am, ahem- lacking.  Now its your turn.  Get the pattern.