Carrot Tops

New Sewing Room!

2011-10-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

My sewing room migrated from our fifth bedroom (each kid has his or her own room now, hurray!) to our front room.

This was Shawn's idea, but I was concerned that it needed to look nice since this is the first room you see upon entering our home.

We bought two cabinets from Ikea to organize my notions and fabrics. Unfortunately, we would have needed about 5 more to completely contain my fabric. The vast majority now lives in the basement and I'm on a major fabric diet!

I found that ironing board at a garage sale. I spray painted it red (it was a horribly rusted yellow), added new "feet" (pvc pipe caps from Home Depot), and recovered it. I LOVE it!

I also made those pillowcases from scraps and linen. The pillow forms are goose feather and also from IKEA. They are squishy and wonderful.

Here's a pic of the inside of the cabinets. My cutting table sits in between.

I adore my new sewing room! I love that it's on the main floor, with the kitchen just around the corner.

Spring Fever Top!

2011-05-09T13:20:00.000-07:00

I did it! I did it! I sewed and entered three tops for the Made by Rae Spring Top Sewalong!

This one is aptly named the Spring Fever Top. Why aptly? Is it because it's a chilly 43 degrees on May 9th and I am slightly bitter?

Nope.

Is it because I'm super jealous that my brother and sister-in-law are in So Cal for the next two weeks doing nothing but snoozing by the pool and soaking up sunshine whilst I stare out the window at the endless, cold, cold rain?

Guess Again.

It's because I actually have spring fever. Except mine is called "Pneumonia".

And when my mother gets wind that I've been sewing and photo'ing and blogging when I am supposed to be RESTing... well. I better turn off the ringer.

But today is the entry deadline and I was not going to let a teeny weeny little lung infection stop me from entering this top. I've been literally dreaming (maybe it was a febrile siezure?) about this baby.

I don't generally look good in white (even my wedding dress had to be ivory. That is the only reason it wasn't white. I swear.). Yet white is such an iconic warm weather color. I have found that I can get away with white if there is a little somethin' somethin' to break up all the vast whiteness. I knew this lovely soft embroidered gauze would be perfect to sew up something summery.

I used Simplicity 4176. I omitted the pleats in the front and back. I also fully lined the bodice with white muslin since this fabric is fairly sheer. I added the channel and tie under the bodice as well. I stole the cute little silver beads on the ends of the ties from a purchased shirt that I don't wear often. I sewed my usual size 12 with no sizing alterations necessary. This is a nice pullover pattern for woven fabrics and it does not require a zipper. Yay!

I'm very happy with how this top turned out. I think it's my favorite! I'd also like to thank the pharmaceutical industry which made completing this challenge possible today. :)

Nautical Top - Spring Top Sewalong

2011-05-04T10:04:00.001-07:00

Spring Top #2! This is from Simplicity 3692, a Built By You pattern. This one just went out of print (all the Built by You patterns were retired, did you know that???), but you might still find it in the pattern bins if you look soon.

I LOVE this pattern! It's for knits and is more then just a basic tee-shirt. This is my favorite type of top to wear and I haven't found many patterns for this style. I adore the 3/4 length sleeve and the flattering neckline. It's little hard to see in the pictures, but there is a slight gather at the bust line which gives the top a little more interest as well.

The pattern makes a dress or tunic with several sleeve options. It's a breeze to sew, especially if you have a serger and coverstich.

I used medium weight cotton knits (both interlocks, I believe). The solid navy was likely a JoAnn pick up and the navy and sky blue stripe came from Chez Ami.

I took great care to match the stripes and the top came out beautifully! Thanks to reviews from PatternReview.com, I knew to size down from my regular 12 to a 10. I did make the armholes a tad wider to compensate for the size down (bah. I have thick upper arms) and I also took a greater curve in the side seams to give it a little more shape. I think the resulting fit is fantastic and this is definitely something I will wear often.

{insert British accent} I'm not dead yet!

2011-04-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

~Monty Python reference~

C'mon, SOMEBODY got it.

Long time no blog! Looking through my archives, there seems to be a definite pattern to my blogging. I disappear from November through April. Fingers too cold to type? Seasonal depression? I don't sew my perma-winter uniform of sweatshirts and jeans?

Anyway, the Made by Rae: Spring Top Sewalong, 2011 edition has roused me from my seasonal blog slumber. HOORAY!

This is my second year entering tops in Rae's sewalong. I have come a long way in the last year in my clothing sewing skills, so maybe I will squeak one into the semis? How cool would that be?

Without further ado, here is my first entry. Simplicity 3867. This is an out of print sew stylish pattern which I found on eBay last fall. It has a lot of great reviews on PatternReview.com.

My version is sewn with lightweight cotton swiss dot purchased from JoAnn last summer.

I cut a size 12 and the fit is perfect! I usually have problems with gaping in the back neckline, or armholes too high or too low, or slide off shoulder straps, but this one fits perfectly as drafted.

I did, however make a few pattern changes. I omitted the sash. I didn't think an over sized bow under my bosom was necessary. Hello 1992. I also omitted the pleating on the back.

The top zips up the back and if sew this again, I may try using an invisible zipper and moving it to a side seam. This would make an adorable dress!

The bodice is fully lined. I used natural tone muslin. The instructions were very good, there's no real surprises or tricky parts and it sews together quickly.

So there is entry #1! I've already sewn top #2, but photographing / blogging takes me just as long as the sewing. And it's really really cold (darn near snowing, as-a-matter-o-fact), so modeling these warm weather tops is both unbearably chilly and horribly depressing at the same time. Hopefully I can wear these tops sometime before July.

Afternoon Kindergarten

2010-11-08T16:04:00.000-08:00

We drop the boys off at the elementary school at about 8:15 a.m.

I, in my sweats (yep, one of those moms), Samantha in her flannel nightgown.

We don't get out of the van, of course.

Then we come home and have some cereal. Check the email. Listen to some NPR. You know the drill.

As I clean up the morning kitchen mess from breakfast and lunch prep, Samantha prattles on about the things little girl prattle on about. Plastic kitchen toys she'd like to find under the Christmas tree, Leapster high scores, how the cereal doesn't get soggy if you eat it fast enough, etc.

Her hair is silly.

Mine is too.

She makes funny faces.

Tells me funny dreams.

We do this for a long time. Sometimes until ~~eleven~~ ten.

Eventually we get dressed and brush our hair.

Then we eat some lunch, pack her book bag, hunt for matching socks.

And then at 12:20, I drop her off at the elementary school for afternoon Kindergarten.

I'd be a liar if I said I don't relish those quiet kid-less hours from 12:30 to 3:30.

They rock.

But I'm going to miss our mornings next year when afternoon Kindergarten is forever in our family's rear view mirror.

Costumes!

2010-10-31T08:45:00.000-07:00

Remind me next year how vehemently the children resist photo ops ten minutes before Trick-r-Treating.

"Because EVERYone is LEAVING!

RIGHT NOW!

I'm going to miss EVERYTHING!"

A highly resistant Alice. Note the tatoos.

A resistant Ewok. Not a bear.

A slightly less resistant Warewolf. [SIC] Warewolf is a character William imagined and has been drawing since Kindergarten. He designed the costume himself. It was a mom/son Project Runway moment. Love.

Least resistant child, correlated by age, Voldemort

I haven't dressed up in ~~several~~ decades..

I had to add the white skirt to make this costume legal in Utah.

The wolf stopped by as well.

With the exception of the Voldemort robe and the added-for-decency white skirt, everything was sewn by moi. It only took 31 days or so.

No sweat.

A post for Grandma

2010-10-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

Grandma doesn't do Facebook.

Actually, come to think of it.. neither does BFF.

But both read my blog.

Thanks Grandma! Thanks Meghan!

So here's the picture you missed.

Broken arm.

(But you shoulda seen the other guy)

Ok, actually it was just a fall from the monkey bars. She has already declared she is tired of the cast. Good thing her concept of time is still pretty foggy.

In September, I was distracted.

2010-10-02T20:00:00.000-07:00

And apparently forgot to blog.

We went here.

And did this,

and this,

and way more of this than advisable.

It was fun.

And we're all sad that it's over.

Milk+Cookie

2010-08-21T18:34:00.000-07:00

Meet my new baby Ryan!

Actually he's not my baby in the "has-my-last-name" sense,
and I have to give him back each night at 6 pm,
but I do love him so.

He is also a bona fide miracle. You see, he tried to make his entrance into this world at 22 weeks gestation. But thanks to some modern medical magic, lots of sincere prayer, and his mama parking it on the couch for 4 months (when she wasn't parked nearly upside down in the hospital, that is), he made it! You can meet his family at The Bedrest Bugle.

So anyway...

The theme at Necessitae this week is "Back to Old School".

I sewed some rompers. Love them!

Conveniently, I just happen to have this delicious one year old model in-house for the month of August.

Oh the feet. The FEET!

I know the baby totally steals the post, but I made a girly romper too.

I was tempted to put a bow in Ryan's hair and have him model in baby drag.

Lucky for him, it was nap time.

He loves NY

2010-08-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

I've been feeling very non productive lately. I haven't added a single item to the online boutique that I sew for in a month.

I blame blog reading.

Not for the time it takes away from being productive, but for making me feel that in comparison to all the other sewing mamas in the world, I get nothing done.

I wonder if they have nannies. Or if their houses smell bad.

I like to imagine that wildly creative and productive people have tragic hidden flaws. Rats live in their bathtubs and their children have to forage for lunch betwixt the couch cushions.

Then I feel better about myself because I'm small like that.

I'm ~~mostly~~ kidding.

I decided to forgo sleep last night and sew a shirt for my son. He says I ONLY sew for his sister. And she is the ONLY one who is photographed. And I NEVER put him on my blog.

N.E.V.E.R.

(except for today)

I used the CarlaC All-the-Rage Raglan pattern which can be downloaded from YouCanMakeThis.com. It's a fabulous basic raglan tee pattern with lots of variations for both boys and girls. And it's extra great if you don't have much experience sewing knits since it includes detailed photos, instructions, and construction tips. I highly recommend.

At least I can cross "alleviate mommy guilt" off my list today.

Now, off to chase the rats out of my bathtubs.

Sew-n-Show Catchup

2010-08-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

I've let a few sewing projects slip by undocumented.

So.. for the record:

The top is the Round Neck Top pattern (found on YouCanMakeThis.com) and the pants are from the ModKid Sophie pattern.

This outfit was finished months ago (February?), but the pants were too big. As you can see, they still are! But she's grown at least an inch since spring and at least now they are wearable.

By the way, I LOVE both of these patterns! Well drafted, great instructions, fabulous results.

-------

And a few itty bitty baby projects. Each set has a newborn sized kimono, booties, and bloomers.

The last little birdie

2010-08-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

It's back to school time here in Utah. Yes, already! We're on a year-round schedule, so our "summer" is only three weeks long. But before you feel too sorry for us, we get another three weeks off in September, which happens to be a fabulous time for family vacations.

And it's no ordinary back-to-school this year.
The littlest Carrot Top started Kindergarten today!

I took lots of pictures.
She quickly tired of it.

It's a family milestone. All of our children are now in school.

No, I did not wear mascara to her send-off.

Yes, that was a good decision.

No, I did not come home and take a nap.

No, I did not go shopping.

No, I did not sew anything.

I had a sick seven year old to contend with. Actually, the Playstation contended with the sick child for the most part. But I doled out Kool-Aid and cereal as needed.

Oh, and I have a baby.

Not MY baby, of course (see "family milestone" above). My BFF's son Ryan is hanging out with us in August while her regular babysitter (aka Ryan's grandma) attends to her husband's (aka Ryan's grandpa's) medical needs.

Anyway. I didn't come home to an empty house and tiptoe through the tulips nor cry into my tea. It was kind of a normalish afternoon for a mother of four, despite the empty nest milestone. And that was okay, because I'll be all alone soon enough.

When I came to pick her up, she was all a twitter with the day's news. Everything went great. We own the book the teacher read. She got to sit next to her BFF (aka our neighbor Madison). They sit at the Yellow Table. They get fruit snacks for good behavior.

She did not appreciate having only through the teacher's count of five to drink at the water fountain after recess.

"I was freakin' thirsty!"

(It is, after all, 97 degrees. I do hope the teacher counted, "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi.. ")

She has adopted her preteen brothers' vernacular.

It's precious, don't you think?

My last little birdie has flown the nest.

Simplicity 2373. Or, the "Making Lemonade" dress

2010-07-21T20:56:00.000-07:00

Am I the first person in the whole wide world to sew up Simplicity 2373 and reveal my results online? There were no reviews on Pattern Review, no Flickr hits, no blog posts categorized by Google.

With no evidence to the contrary, allow me to declare myself the first!

The result?

I like it.

Maybe not LOVE it.

But it'll do.

Cute. Wearable. Good learning experience as always.

I wish the shoulder straps were a little more.. something. Slightly wider maybe? Set in a little closer?

Serendipitously, the straps do happen to fall exactly over my bra straps, which was a happy accident.

The bodice is too high under the armpits, but that is likely my fault. I cannot abide straps that fall off my shoulders, so I tend to overcompensate by making them too short. In other words, it's not necessarily a pattern design flaw, but rather user error due to my inexperience in executing fit adjustment.

Or maybe it's just my sloped shoulders.

Or my bad posture.

Probably bad posture.

Anyway, the other issue I had stemmed from the gathering at the empire waist. Because my fabric didn't have much drape, it ended up looking *quite* maternal. About six-months-along maternal, to be exact.

Not good when you're 45 months postpartum. Not.good.at.all.

I pulled out the gathering and put in pleats instead, which I sewed down several inches. That solved the problem, at least satisfactorily enough.

One fun technique I did try for the first time was using plain cotton muslin in place of the interfacing called for in the bodice. This was suggested by Gertie on her fabulous blog, Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing. In her June post of summer sewing tips, she suggests we can build more comfortable summer wear by sewing in natural fibers for interfacing rather then using iron-on synthetic interfacing. The natural fibers dissipate body heat instead of trapping it against the skin as synthetics do. Why didn't I think of that? And it was just as easy to quickly baste the muslin on as it would have been to iron on interfacing. Definitely a tip that I will use again. Thanks Gertie!

I know you're over the Fourth of July, America..

2010-07-21T20:32:00.000-07:00

but I am behind on my blogging and I don't want to skip past this project!

Samantha and I could not agree on a fabric for her4th of July dress, so we compromised and bought both the red, white, and blue batiks show below AND the Hello Kitty novelty fabric (for a shirt completed but yet to be photographed).

This is from the Izzy & Ivy pattern, "Macy Giggles". It's a simple pattern that any somewhat experienced seamstress could handle with ease, but the instructions are terrible. If I were a novice, I would have wadded the entire pattern and lit it on fire. Sorry Izzy & Ivy, I hate to give an indie pattern company a bad rap.. but really poor execution in the instructions department. That said, having a good idea about how the pieces should fit together, it's an adorable dress that came together quickly.

The pattern also called for little (or no?) top stitching, so I top stitched where it seemed logical. The fit and sizing are terrific as well. Super cute detail in the the over sized covered buttons.

A+ for sweetness factor!

Here is another version of this dress in a size 3. I'm in love with these fabrics!

Here's a better view of the covered buttons on the back.

Two in a Canoe

2010-06-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

We went canoeing with two other families last weekend.

Between the six adults, we had thirteen kids under 13!

And one dog.

Joyous chaos.

It was a gorgeous day and about 15 degrees cooler at 10,000 feet.

My oldest sporting mud freckles.

Kids + Summer.

I highly recommend.

"The Bees Knees" - A Pinafore Set

2010-06-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

After a few months of sewing for myself, I'm starting to feel my kid sewing mojo trickle back. My mind is all a-swirl with ideas involving classic summer staples (tees, shorts, a-lines) and embroidery.

A notable distraction, however, is this pile of lovely.

I've been dreaming of adding something in a summery yellow to my wardrobe. I fell in love with this fabric a few weeks ago and found the pattern shortly thereafter. The ribbon detail on the dress - swoon swoon. It reminds me of Grosgrain Kathleen's "Stolen From Your Sister's Closet" dress highlighted in my last post.

I've promised myself that after I finish up a few custom pad orders and some hemming work for a neighbor, that my reward will be a new lemon-lime summer dress with chocolate brown trim. Yum.

But back to kid sewing mojo.

For the three darlings that follow this blog that don't know me (i.e., are not my mother and BFF. Hi Mom! Mi BFF!), I sew for an online boutique, Necessitae. I often wonder how I wiggled my way in with this amazingly talented group of women! We stock the store twice a month and my contribution this week includes a vintage style child's pinafore set.

This is the same JoAnn fabric I used for my fave Oliver + S Jump Rope Dress. I happened upon the coordinate fabric recently and love how well they pair.

I love the covered buttons and pin tuck detailing.

I'm a sucker for baby hats. So sweet!

Since I have no babies in my life to give this outfit to should it not sell at a set price, I'm auctioning it with a starting bid of $1. I'd rather at least cover my fabric costs then have it sit unloved and unworn in my sewing room closet. Hopefully it will sell for at least a dollar. :)

The Coffee Date Dress

2010-06-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

I have a girl crush on Kathleen of Grosgrain. She sews things for herself and for her children that make me all swooney and weak in the knees. Then she gives them away.

But I never win.

I'm only slightly bitter.

Anyway.

I view her blog and my voice goes crazy high pitched and I screech, "CUTE!" "CUTE!" "CUTE!" like some insane bird.

Exhibit A:

Oh, and everything she makes looks fabulous on her. She even looks ridiculously glamorous pregnant, which is just unfair.

Exhibit B:

SEE?? Pregnant. Glamorous. So wrong.

One more. Exhibit C

You totally just screeched, "Cute! Cute! Cute!". I heard you.

I love you Kathleen.

And I sort of hate you.

But mostly I love you.

Anywho, she is also kind enough to post tutorials and sew-alongs so that Kathleen wannabes (that would be moi) can attempt to follow in her footsteps.

I participated in her first Frock By Friday sew-along (although I participated about 3 weeks after everyone else).

The pattern is from BurdaStyle.com and is called The Coffee Date Dress. It is free pattern that was created and uploaded by Elaine May who is another fabulously talented swoon-worthy seamstress and equally impressive writer. And gorgeous. I love hate her too.

I learned so much from sewing this pattern. I lined my first bodice and semi-successfully inserted my first hidden zipper. I also got to try out my handy dandy new tripod for the pics!

I'm wearing my Mother's Day Steve Maddens. Holy cow those are some HIGH heels. I love them.

So that's my Coffee Date Dress.

Now I just need a date.

Hint.

Hint.

June One

2010-06-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

May 24. My garden.

Tres Depressing.

June One. My Garden.

Much Better.

Plaid Frock

2010-05-27T20:21:00.001-07:00

So Internets, when did we decide dresses are now called "frocks"?

I mean, don't get me wrong.. it's cute!

I like it!

Kinda retro-ey vintage-esque.

But I'm just sayin'. Let's not throw around the word "frock" like we've been using it for years.

Let's be real, yo.

Anyway, I was already sick of seeing Darth, and I was tired of pouting about sugar fail, so I finished this ~~dress~~ frock that has been hanging with pinned on pockets and unhemmed in my sewing room for the last few weeks.

This is from Simplicity 2694 which is a Project Runway edition pattern. The plaid is a homespun from Joann.

I once again employed my professional four foot photo crew to capture the moment.

At first, my photographer was playing the role of moody artist and refused to come outside.

So I set the camera on a tree limb and used the timer. Right before this shot clicked, I pulled the classic "thumbs in ears, wagging fingers, nyah nyah nyah, sticking tongue out" move at said moody artist who was watching from the kitchen window.

Then I quickly turned back toward the camera.

If you look carefully, you can see him returning my gestures from the window.

Giggle.

But I guess the game turned his mood, and out he came to help with the rest of the pictures.

He did a great job!

Fail

2010-05-27T07:34:00.002-07:00

Day idunnowhat.

Fail.

I was awoken this morning by the sounds of my seven year old whining yelling crying about the lack of clean cereal bowls. I'm not a morning person. I need some peaceful padding between sleep and awake. Especially nine days before my period.

Since I was feeling angry and destructo, I took it out on myself by eating about 23 handfuls of frosted flakes. Why do I have 4 chins? Answered.

I hate failing. Hate.

I'm not sure whether to start over or bag it. I'm leaning towards do over.

I have learned quite a bit in the last 8 (?) 10 (?) days (*too lazy to count).

I missed sugary tasting drinks the most. I quit fully leaded soda years ago, but I love Coke Zero and no cal flavored waters. I found that when I quit drinking these, I just quit drinking. Dehydration: Fail.
I want sweet stuff when I'm sad / angry / stressed. Luckily, I'm not these things very often.
It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to bypass straight sugar. I wasn't dying to make cookies for the LOST finale.
There are very few grab-n-go type snacks that aren't mostly sugar. Except fruit.

So there you have it. I am weak. And puffy from Frosted Flakes.

Day Four

2010-05-21T08:46:00.000-07:00

So far, so good.

Well, I did have one slip up yesterday, but it was an accident. I ordered a $1 hamburger and small drink. It wasn't until I stood in front of the soda vend that I realized there would be no sugar-free or sugar substitute-free drinks available (other then water, of course, but I'd already paid).

I chose Diet Coke and drank about half. OH well.

The only time I've really missed sugar was after working in the garden two afternoons ago. I really really really REALLY wanted to drink one of my zero calorie flavored soda waters. I drank plain ice water with a lemon squeeze instead. It was ok.

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And now for an overdue sew-and-tell made from early April.

Meet my Betty Draper spring jacket! Made with fabric from Joann and sewn from Butterick 5332.

I used the the wrong side of the fabric because I liked it better.

I'm liberated like that.

hmm. Those linen pants need some ironing.

The pattern was easy to sew and I 'm happy with the finished product. I particularly like the covered buttons.

As soon as I reviewed these pictures, the white pants in the second shot went straight to the donate box.

Want an honest review of how your clothing looks on your body?

Take some photos.

I'm not gonna eat you suckah!

2010-05-17T23:29:00.000-07:00

No sugar. No sugar substitutes. Forty days.

Can it be done?

Oh it can be done.

Because I'm stubborn and I can't resist a challenge.

And 40 days isn't that long, right?

Right?

Day one began 33 minutes ago.

39 days, 23 hours, and 27 minutes left.

See? This isn't so hard.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Waste not

2010-05-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

The thing I hate about making muslins is the waste factor. I hate wasting fabric, wasting precious sewing time, wasting brain cells. And really, of the three, the only thing I truly have in excess is the fabric.

So the "muslin" that I constructed for the journalism dress knockoff was made from $1/yd Walmart jersey. The finished dress didn't look like much, no pockets or tab details, still carried various chalk markings.... but it fit! I couldn't bear the thought of tossing it. I decided to rub off the chalk, jazz it up a bit with some ruffling (apparently the theme for 2010 in women's fashion), pair it with a belt and $2 thrift store cardigan, and strut that girl around town.

I asked Samantha to take a few pictures for me yesterday. Much to my dismay, I discovered as I looked through the photos this morning, that everyone who is approximately three feet tall sees me with no less that four chins at all times. sad. Because I am terribly vain, I promptly deleted the evidence. So this isn't a great shot, but it's what you get until I lose that last 112 pounds from my face.

Don't you love the overturned chair, baseball, weeds, and hopscotch markings? We're nothing but Better Homes and Gardens around here.

Here's a little closer shot of the ruffles. Check out that blue sky! It's gone now.

When I asked Samantha if she'd take the pictures, she agreed only if I'd take a picture of her too.

Twist my arm.

So here is Samantha showing off her BFF the potato bug.

I am a fabulous copy cat

2010-05-07T13:46:00.001-07:00

Oh Yes I am!

Remember the "I will have it. I must have it." Dress?

This one...

Originally found at ModCloth.

Well, I knocked it off, baybeee. And successfully solved the fit issues I feared I'd encounter if I purchased ModCloth's ready-to-wear.

I used the knit top portion of Simplicity 2603 and the bottom half of a pattern found in Ottobre Women 5/2009. I had to figure out the waist, neckline, and pocket detailing myself, but it wasn't too difficult.

I am really happy with the results and encouraged by my success.

I believe this is only the beginning of my illustrious career in dress forgery (for personal use only, of course!).

The 99 Cent Dress

2010-05-02T18:05:00.000-07:00

Before: Circa late 1990's (?) Eddie Bauer prairie skirt, found at the thrift store for $0.99.

But it was bound for glory.

After:

Cute little girly dress!

It was windy and freezing and my model was very gracious to cooperate.

(The knit shrug was her practical yet extraordinarily fashionable addition to the ensemble)

Simplicity 2447

2010-04-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

I did it! I sewed five tops for Spring Top Week! I'm so proud of myself for reaching my goal and I learned SO MUCH this month.

Without further ado, here is Top #5

This is from Simplicity 2447. I combined view F and View D and added a few little twists of my own.

This pattern has princess seaming, which was a first for me. I love it! When I sew this pattern again, I'm going to lengthen it into a shirt dress. The princess seams make for a flattering cut for my body type.

Unlike the pattern, my pockets are "mock". I saw this recently on a top and thought it was a cute and easy embellishment without added bulk (and work). I never use breast pockets anyway.

I cut most of the top from an inexpensive lightweight cotton from Joann. I used a vintage cotton floral print for trim detail that I bought on eBay last year and have been jealously hoarding for the right project. I thought about making a belt (one side blue fabric, the other side the floral), but I thought that might be a little matchy matchy overkill.

I think it's also fairly cute without a belt.

Too shapeless? What do you think?

Better with the belt?

Here is a closer view of the trim:

So this month, I sewed seven (!) tops, a spring jacket, two skirts, and two dresses. Two of those items are wearable muslins, so not sure they completely count.

When I get interested in a new skill, I tend to get a little.. ahem.. compulsive.

Insert Sheepish Grin.

Thanks, Rae, for the inspiration and motivation to learn to sew for myself!

Thank Heaven for Little Boys

2010-04-20T09:15:00.001-07:00

Simplicity 4076

2010-04-20T07:55:00.000-07:00

By the time Made by Rae's Spring Top Week is over, I'm going to need a second closet.

And more fabric.

And a housekeeper.

Because I've been sewing. And not cleaning.

And it is evident.

Anyway..

As the post title may suggest, this is from Simplicity 4076, view B. I usually fit a 14 in Simplicity, but I started with a 12 since my fabric was very lightweight and stretchy. I made a muslin with a similar weight knit and found the 12 to be a tad short and tight in the tummy for my liking.

However, the 12 was just right in the chest, arms, and shoulder. So I redrew the pattern with about an inch width and length.

Just right!

I will have it. I must have it.

2010-04-19T08:00:00.001-07:00

Or I will explode.

This:

The Journalism Dress

Found at ModCloth, for a reasonable $49.99. I love.

But I'm not going to buy it, because I think I can make it. Also because, according to the reviews, it would probably be a little short for my mama thighs. And a little saggy in my bosom. And I think, if I sew it, I can fix these things.

I've already found and purchased the fabric and a pattern (still waiting for pattern to arrive via the trusty USPS).

New Look 6799

I can't wait to give this a try, although I'll be heartbroken if I can't pull it off.

I suppose if I can't sew it, I'll just have to lose 20 pounds, get breast implants, and buy the ModCloth version.

Seems reasonable.

Surprise! Another top.

2010-04-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

I'm on a roll. This is my third entry for Spring Top Week.

This one is adapted from McCall's 5425. The pattern is for a dress and I lopped off the bottom to make it a top.

I fell in love with this lovely satin charmeuse at JoAnn. It's heavenly to wear yet it sucketh to sew. It will likely be awhile before I purchase it again.

If you are ~~stupid~~ .. ahem.. BRAVE enough to try charmeuse, here are a few tips I picked up along the way:

1) Make a tissue paper sandwich before cutting your pattern. Place a piece of tissue paper on your cutting table, then place your fabric on top of the tissue paper, then place another piece of tissue paper on top. Pin your pattern to the entire sandwich, through all layers. Then cut. This will keep the charmeuse from slipping around and distorting your pieces.

2) Start with a new needle.

3) ~~When~~ IF you have to rip seams, be vvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrryyy careful, because if you pull too hard, you'll get runs in your fabric. It's not so fun.

4) Maybe it was just this particular charmeuse, but it didn't agree much with my serger. I found that french seams looked and worked better.

Summer Blouse from Weekend Sewing

2010-04-08T09:21:00.000-07:00

Woot! Entry #2 for Made By Rae's Spring Top Week. I'm so very productive these days.

This is my second project from Heather Ross's "Weekend Sewing". After reading many reviews, I was prepared to alter the pattern to make it work (enter Tim Gunn). I was actually excited to try, since I rarely wander far from printed lines when sewing.

First, I started with the size Small pattern. In most ready to wear, I usually buy medium and when sewing Big 3 patterns, I'm usually a 14. I have no bust to speak of (cry) but have a long torso and "football player" shoulders (as dubbed by the doctor as I emerged from my mother's womb). Hah.

I made my very first REAL muslin.. with actual muslin! I didn't sew the entire pattern in muslin, just the front (without the placket), back, and one arm. In doing so, I was able to make the pattern adjustments before cutting into my fabric.

Speaking of fabric, I used cotton lawn for this top. I think the key to success for this shirt is fabric selection. This lawn is very lightweight, almost sheer. Anything stiffer would have resulted in an utterly shapeless top, which is so NOT a good look for me.

Here is breakdown of the alterations I made:

I lowered the front neckline by nearly 2 inches. I probably will never wear this buttoned, but I didn't want the chokey feeling of the fabric near my neck. Looking at these pictures, the neckline is exactly where I'd want it. I cannot imagine it 2 inches higher!
Since I shortened the neckline, I cut the placket down by 1.5" as well. I have read other reviewers cut the placket even more, but I don't mind it long. I think it's a nice design element.
I added 3.5 inches in bodice length.
I cut 4 (yes F.O.U.R) inches off the sleeve. The size SMALL sleeve. I don't think I have particularly short arms. Maybe I am wrong about this. Even with cutting 4" off, I left the sleeve long (mid thumb with my arm outstretched).
I added about 1/2" of width to the sleeves throughout and graded out to probably 3/4" at the hem (I wanted it to flare just a bit). Disclaimer: I do have rather meaty arms (sad sigh). You may not need to make this adjustment.
When the top was completely finished, I took in each side by at least 1.5". To figure out the correct amount to take it in, I sewed basting stitches from below the bust dart to the hem and then tried on the shirt. If it needed a little more taken out (it did), I sewed another basting line and tried on again. I fiddled with it until I liked the cut and then sewed the final seams and cut away the excess.

I'm very pleased with the end result!

The placket construction and bias neckline were fun. I've read this step is confusing to some, but I'm a lover of all things bias tape, so after reading through a few times I understood the directions.

I changed the button 3 times before I liked it. (Note to self: Pin on buttons and step back for a long look before committing with needle and thread). I settled on a vintage green button. Again, I read several reviewers who decided the button and accompanying loop is unnecessary, but I think it's a nice detail, especially on a home sewn garment.

Oliver + S Jump Rope Dress

2010-04-05T17:55:00.000-07:00

Warning:
I'm a little obsessed with this dress.

There is a ~~large~~ part of me that wants to hide it from her and frame it in a shadow box.

It was a pleasure to sew. I'm now even more in love with Oliver + S patterns. I want more. More. MORE.

MORE!

I am now going to post far too many pictures of this dress.

I am tempted to label this "the most favorite best thing I've ever sewn"

It could have been her Easter dress, but it didn't get finished until today (day after Easter).

And I was sick-ish on Easter, so we didn't even go to church.

So it's her day-after-Easter dress.

Have I mentioned that I really really really really love this dress?

One last picture.

Le Sigh.

Je T'aime.

For Moi!

2010-03-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

My first (?) (maybe only?) (probably only?) entry into the Made by Rae Spring Top Week contest.

It's a good thing I have four professional photographers to help me with my entry pictures. They are all pretty short though, so they had to stand on the ottoman to get the angles they were looking for.

Oliver + S Popover Sundress

2010-03-26T12:38:00.000-07:00

Cute, No?

This is a birthday gift for a young friend of ours turning four this week.

It's a free pattern too!

I'm completely obsessed with Oliver + S patterns right now. I want to buy them all. Because I totally need more patterns and projects and fabric and notions and trims.

Fabulous time suck

2010-03-13T19:42:00.000-08:00

Picnik, how I love thee.

Documented

2010-03-12T09:00:00.000-08:00

For Posterity.

My children, playing outside, of their own accord, together.

Not fighting.

And I din't MAKE them go outside.

I just looked out the window, and there they were.

Wow.

I knew I was missing something

2010-03-10T04:56:00.000-08:00

So Ms. Fancy Bloggers...

Why do your photos always look so fabulous and special effecty?

Do you ALL have three thousand dollar cameras?

Am I the only one who wields an el-cheapo wal*mart digi?

Waaaaitttt a minute....

What's this?

Picnik.com?

Why have I never heard of this?

Is it because I'm rarely up at 4 a.m. mindless surfing the internet due to some untimely and unfortunate insomnia?

Hmmmmmmmmm?

May I present

My very first

fancy smancy

picnik'd to death

so now I'm cool

like everyone else

photo...

Isn't that fabulous?

Well I think so.

Stop laughing at me.

I'm proud of myself.

So there.

Mostly gratuitous

2010-02-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

I'm on a tear lately. THREE blog posts in one month!

go. me.

I had an idea for a peasant top and shorts combo this morning. I whipped up a non-muslin muslin to check the fit. My child did not feel like wearing the top for more then twelve seconds, so I bribed her, thinking I could study photos to make pattern adjustments.

I told her she could have three scoops of vanilla bean ice cream before (before!) lunch if she'd let me take some pictures of her in the shirt.

I like the shirt well enough, but the pictures of the girl were well worth the bribe.

Boys are cool too.

2010-02-21T09:32:00.000-08:00

Inspired by Made by Rae's "Celebrate the Boy" month, I decided to sew a little for my big kids.

I dyed these fabrics using Dana's tutorial . And the dog is my first try at reverse applique. I followed the tutorial from That*Darn*Kat.

We got the darling DNA for the boy from our collective good looking ancestors.

Thanks for the great inspiration and tutorials ladies!

Thanks for the good DNA ancestors!

And now for something different..

2010-02-03T15:20:00.000-08:00

I come to my blog (multiple times) daily to check my blogroll and see what's new with all my favorite bloggers. And I'm getting sick of seeing my lone November post over. and over. and over. and over.

So for my viewing pleasure, since I can't imagine anyone other then my BFFs actually view this oft neglected page, is my latest sewing project:

Ta da!

And here's to hoping this is as close to rebellion-wear that she ever comes.

Right?

I quilted!

2009-11-16T10:19:00.000-08:00

(I think)

Disclaimer: I know nothing about actual quilting. I base my claim that this qualifies as a quilt because:

a) it has a "top" which is pieced,
b) it has quilt batting in the middle,
c) it has a back which is just one piece,
d) I quilted (?) the three layers together,
e) I bound the edge with handmade bias tape.

So.. is this a quilt?

Yes?

No?

Maybe So?

It was part of a gift commissioned by a lady from our church. I also sewed a coverall with matching hat and snow booties.

I hope she likes it!

It's all over but the candy

2009-11-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

Cousin Ethan, Uncle Aaron, and Aunt Sarah came over to dig through the pumpkin guts.

Which is good because Mommy doesn't do pumpkin guts.

We baked Halloween Treats.

Rice Krispie Mummies

But we ran out of gauze. So some mummies were naked.

Derek was undead.

William was a mime.

Patrick was....

Something.

Samantha was adorable (not a big departure).

The End.

We do the Monster Mash

2009-10-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Goodbye Summer

2009-09-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Til we meet again!

Fifth Grade Capitalism

2009-09-02T23:15:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, my son will open his own business. We ironed out all of the last minute details (i.e., business model and plan, overhead costs, product line, target customer base, etc.) while flopped on the bed this afternoon. It was an informal meeting squeezed in between afternoon chores and a 5:15 little league game. We finished initial inventory production right before bedtime.

Fabric bookmarks. He cut the letters and the yarn, I did the sewing. We make a great team.

Speaking of teams, each bookmark features the "letter" of a local university. The "U" (yay!) and the "Y" (boo hiss!). Normally (as "U" alum) we don't allow our children to utter the word "Y" let alone decorate with it, but this was in the name of capitalism and that, of course, justifies everything.

His shop opens in Mrs. J's class tomorrow. "Class Money" is the only form of currency accepted and he will be operating amongst a gaggle of young entrepreneurs all competing for a limited customer base of approximately 26 ten year olds. He'll have to purchase a business license from his teacher and he has to pay me (in Class Money) for the supplies.

Turns out my labor is unpaid. Hmmph.

Seems to be a theme in my life.

I wonder if my favorite fabric store will accept my Class Money?

Anywho, I can't wait to see what he buys with any profit he earns. Last year he brought home a paper cup full of neon green gloop which he was lucky enough to score right before it sold out.

Cupcakes

2009-08-26T16:26:00.000-07:00

My children bring home, stuffed into their backpacks, (approximately) 5,567,234,435,256 completed worksheets, spelling tests, current event essays, crossword and coloring pages, graded book reports, notes from the teacher, art projects, school bulletins, PTA messages, fundraiser solicitations, lunch money reminders, and math pages per week.

Entire rain forests have been annihilated, turned to pulp, and reconfigured as lined paper for my children's combined first years in public school.

Much paper comes home.
It's overwhelming.

But, like all decent mothers, I rifle through it all and try to separate the wheat from the considerable chaff.

This week, Patrick brought home some serious wheat.

May I proudly present to you.. on canvas of first grade paper.. and done in the medium of Crayola

"Cupcakes"

(insert shameless pride)

Mama Preschool

2009-08-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

Our favorite preschool teacher retired after Patrick's 4 year old class.

We try not to read too much into that.

Since we couldn't have our beloved Mrs. Heinicke, we decided to "home" preschool Samantha.

So far we haven't been overly structured although a friend has lent me an entire preschool curriculum which we'll start in September.

A mere two weeks into her laissez faire mama tutelage, Samantha can almost write her name (which is quite a feat when your name is eight letters long), is an accomplished Crayola artist, and enjoys story time. We're also currently practicing a "Days of the Week" song. She's almost got that down save for the occasional miss on "Thursday".

I'm enjoying my own foray back to childhood as well. Last week we constructed paper bag puppets and decorated them with yarn and crayons.

I am not ashamed to say that I am particularly proud of my rendition of the "Samantha" puppet.

Hey, some people build billion dollar skyscrapers, some people design runway apparel..

I make a mean paper bag puppet.

As I was snapping pictures, I asked Samantha what she was doing here with her "Mommy" puppet:

She responded, "I'm gluing your mouth shut."

Happy birthday to ME!

2009-07-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

When you
pick out
[and order]
your own
birthday presents.....

You get exactly what you were hoping for!

~ Cool New Sewing Book ~

Chic & Simple Sewing by Christine Haynes

Cute, no?
Thanks husband!

~Swoonworthy Vintage Teapot~

Thanks Mom!
Thanks eBay!
Thanks AuctionSniper.com!
[sorry unsuspecting opposing bidder who did not use technology and about fifty cents to buy an unfair bidding advantage]
Thanks heirloom tomato plants!

AND!

In addition to getting exactly what you were hoping for,

You get all your gifts

two

weeks

early.

=D

Da Brudders

2009-07-27T22:19:00.000-07:00

Ok boys, The List declares that we must photographically document the beginning of the new school year.

Hm. It appears that mom forgot to go new school clothes shopping.
Whoopsie.

William, you closed your eyes.

Don't look at me like that.

The List made me do it.

Real smiles please.

We'll call this composition:

" ill fitting socks and skate board injuries "

And, um. Those are NOT real smiles.

Ok, that's slightly better.

Are you humoring me?
This is fun, right?

C'mon, look EXCITED and HAPPY! I want to see teeth.

Yes, I know that it's already 8:15.

Awwwww!

Good enough.

Let the school year commence.

Yes, we are super talented

2009-07-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

Don't tell my husband, but there might be something to this list thing.

5. The Buttercup Bag is finished (pictures forthcoming).

6. The banana bread is baked.

8. My business blog has been given a face lift.

9. The peas are pulled.

10. The dog got rawked. (run/walked)

Five down, five to go. And I've got nine whole days left!

Now, in case you don't have the cold hard cash to go to the circus this year, my husband and daughter present:

~* Totally * Free * Circus* ~

byop
{bring your own popcorn}

~*TA DA!*~

Kayos is Kooler

2009-07-24T11:06:00.001-07:00

My husband makes lists. When I complain about my severe lack of organization and the chaos that reigns supreme in my life, he suggests I make a list. But I'm not a list maker. Lists force me to actively recognize and acknowledge stuff I'm not doing that I really need to do. Lists ask me to stare procrastination straight in the eye.

But procrastination is bigger then me.

My friend Holly asked our group of virtual co-crafters if we'd like to participate in a challenge to complete 101 things in 1001 days. I can't even begin to imagine my life one thousand and one days from today. Is that... 2013? I'm having a hard time pulling next Sunday into clear focus.

But the idea is intriguing and would serve to remind me that I do occasionally finish tasks. So I am undertaking my own bite sized list challenge. 10 nonthreatening and unlikely-to-be-procrastinated list items to be completed in 10 days.

Look honey, I'm making a LIST!

10 things - 10 days

1. Dye a new batch of bamboo velour.
2. Paint Samantha's toenails.
3. Cut Patrick's hair.
4. Take First Day of School pictures.
5. Finish my Buttercup Bag
6. Make banana bread with my $0.75 banana score.
7. Pay someone a compliment.
8. Rehab my business blog.
9. Pull up the peas.
10. Walkrun the dog at least once.

Paradigm Shift

2009-07-23T01:22:00.000-07:00

moving
from
one
thought
system
to
another

Halloween!

2008-11-01T06:13:00.000-07:00

Alternate post title: OMG it's NOVEMBER?!?!!?!?

We had a fabulous first Halloween in our new house. As expected, this neighborhood was chock full of trick-or-treaters. We dolled out about seven bags of candy before the night was through. I think the children brought at least that much back in their treat bags.

Samantha went disguised as SUPER GIRL! This is mostly a mommy-made costume. Hard to tell, I know. ;)

Patrick dressed up as a ninja. He really wanted to be a Star Wars guy (for about the fourth year in a row) but he didn't want to wear a costume we already had and mean old mom refused to buy a duplicate just for the sake of the costume being "new". Luckily he was dazzled by the FOUR plastic swords that came with the ninja costume and he was sold.

Awww.. isn't William just the cutest kid in his Grim Reaper costume? You just want to curl up on the couch with him and snuggle.

Derek decided he wanted to try the Hobo lifestyle this year. He's not being sullen in the photo.. that's his "Hobo Face".

Cousin Ethan came to to see the kids in their costumes. I think we should submit this photo as a PSA for staying in school.

Ethan and Aunt Sarah watch the kids work on their jack-o-lanterns.

Even Super Girl needs a great Daddy.

We grew these pumpkins in our garden this year! Derek carved his own this year (top), William (bottom) and Patrick (middle) did most of their own pumpkin de-gutting and then drew the faces for mom and dad to cut out. Samantha's pumpkin was tiny and sat in the window.

Duck Creek

2008-09-23T21:06:00.000-07:00

As usual, August passed in a blur and I'm just starting to catch my breath in late September. We took a little 4 day vacation to Duck Creek Village in Southern Utah. I've miniaturized these pictures, but if you click on them you can see a bigger version.

This is the cabin we rented. It was just perfect! A big enough step above camping to be more enjoyment then work but still rustic and woodsy.

All the kids played for hours outside of the cabin. Kids + trees, dirt, rocks = big fun.

Samantha shows off her camp hair.

Our very first fishing trip! I haven't fished in fifteen years. We found the perfect spot and after mixing with the perfect lures, we ALL caught fish!

Ok, so they weren't exactly gigantic fish..

but six little Rainbows made a nice dinner!

We had a lovely time.

August? Already?

2008-08-05T14:07:00.001-07:00

Today was Patrick's first day of Kindergarten. *sniff*

Our neighbor Rhett is in the first grade. He held Patrick's hand as they crossed the parking lot and Patrick declared, "Going to school with my BEST friend!".

He was a little apprehensive at first. This was his attempt to smile for the camera.

A little playground therapy to soothe the nerves.

Samantha is a little concerned for her big brother too. Will he be okay? There are a lot of kids here!

Feeling a little more confident.

The first day was a complete success. He came home gooey faced with a half eaten cupcake and a colored paper that declared, "My first day of Kindergarten was a piece of cake!"

One Oh Seven Ay - Em

2008-07-28T23:58:00.000-07:00

That is what time it is. So I'll keep boring commentary to a minimum. Click on the pictures for a better view.

A little peek at what is growing:

Fully ripened and consumed (thus not pictured): 20 or so strawberries and an equal number of zucchini.

After a few weeks of only blue wildflowers, yellow has arrived.

Happy, happy Muskmelon.

Who knew green beans came from pretty white flowers?

Busy Bee.

A view of the back forty (yards).

Even Garden Sprites get sleepy.

Tag, I'm it!

2008-07-11T16:39:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Farming in Suburbia. She maintains a fabulous plot in a community garden and has mad garden skills, yo. ;)

Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on the blog.
Write six random things about yourself.
Tag six people at the end of your post.
Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six random things:

1) I raised lambs in 4-H
2) I graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor degree in Biology (ecology focus) with a minor in Chemistry. It was big fun.
3) When I found out my second baby was going to be a boy I painted my toenails blue.
4) I have a bumper sticker on my minivan that says, "If your diapers aren't cloth, they're garbage".
5) I'm really interested in raising a few backyard chickens but I haven't convinced my husband.
6) If I can't have chickens (yet), I think I should be allowed to try my hand at vermicomposting in the basement. Husband unimpressed with that as an alternative hobby to microscale chicken farming.

I don't have 6 garden blog friends. Yes I'm that pathetic. But if I ever get any, I will tag them.

I am a Master Zucchini Gardener

2008-07-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

And I know that speaks volumes about my skills in the garden. Ha. We're harvesting two or three zukes a day and I'm really glad I invested in the 225 recipes for zucchini book.

We have had no rain in weeks and I feel like I'm dumping half the water volume from the canal onto the garden every day. Despite my fears about over watering, I've come to believe that it's virtually impossible to over water a thirsty pumpkin plant after six weeks of near 100 degree weather.

The bean patch is coming along and starting to flower. I predict yummy snap beans in our near future!

The sunflowers have crossed the second support on the fence and are reaching towards the top. The wildflowers are beginning to bloom.

The tomatoes are nearly to the top of their cages and all the plants have fruit. However, nothing is ripening. Google says that it may be the heat. If that is the case, we'll have a lot of ripe tomatoes....... in September.

I think I've been parching the peppers. While they have been growing, the leaves look kind of shrively (that's a master zucchini gardener term, by the way). I mulched with a few shovelfuls of compost and have been watering a lot more heavily. Hopefully we'll get a few peppers this year.

My pride and joy! We discovered this little beauty when we lifted a vine out of the straw. It's from the Sugar Baby watermelon plant that I feared near death just a few weeks ago. Hooray for resilient plants!

My other sweet baby (muskmelon). Despite a bevy of bees and wasps, I've been hand pollinating "just to be sure". Call me desperate for success.

I'm not sure if I planted these too late, but I stumbled upon Moon and Stars watermelon seeds over Father's Day weekend. I love the spotted foliage and hope the season is long enough to produce spotted fruit.

It's starting to look like the squash jungle of my imagination.

Heat Wave

2008-06-26T13:00:00.001-07:00

After a long extended winter of cold wet snow and rain, we skipped Spring and went straight to mid summer. Most of the plants seems to love the heat and sun. The children certainly do! Both kids and garden have required lots of water in the last ten days.

I took pictures a few days ago and I can already see lots of new growth in the plants.

The sunflowers have reached the second cross support on the fence. We're getting a few tiny blooms from the wildflowers.

We have about five Early Girl tomatoes. I'm not even bothering with the growth-to-cage comparison picture because in just 3 days the plants have each grown several inches beyond the picture. The three plants in full sun all have tomatoes. The two in partial shade have blooms, but no fruit.

The muskmelon plants are thriving in the heat! Both have put on lots of growth although the leaves are still small. They're both flowering too.

The watermelon plants have also taken off. My single remaining sugar baby start fully recovered and looks fabulous.

The eggplants are also basking in the sun. All have what look to be flower buds. I assume this is where the eggplants may grow?

Zucchini! We have three that are almost ready to harvest. I can't wait! I love the big yellow flowers. I bought this book in hopes of a bumper crop.

The Howden is planning a hostile take over. And it looks as though Howden Jr. (to the left) is in on the plan. We've already got three little pumpkin lumps in the works.

The bean patch is looking pretty good. Most of the beheaded plants have grown new leaves.

Lest I only speak of my successes, it is with regret that I report that my poor lowly Basil plant is looking quite droopy and depressed. And none of the Basil seeds I sowed separately germinated. I had a few little sprigs that I'd started indoors, but something (Italian insect?) ate them.

Despite my attempts to net the strawberries, something is STILL getting to them before I can. There is a small gap in some spots between the netting and the ground so I think that may be the point of entry. Do mice eat strawberries?

My carrot patch is also looking quite sad. The foliage is being eaten away by who-knows-what leaving something that resembles sparse carrot grass (?) in the wake of it's feast. The second raised bed carrot patch suffered serious erosion (I suspect at the paw of the neighbor cat) and only a few of the sprouts survived. I can't justify the water to keep the remaining 5 or 6 seedlings damp in the 100 degree afternoons.

------------

Patrick, Samantha, and I met my friends Maria and Julie downtown on Monday for some rest and relaxation at the park followed by a quick visit to a favorite fabric store. While the moms browsed, the babies danced. Please do enjoy:

Congratulations! It's a...

2008-06-16T22:48:00.001-07:00

Tomato! I'm ridiculously happy about this little guy. He's growing on our Sweet Cherry 100 plant. I also picked my first tomato worm today. Not quite as ridiculously happy about that, but I did enjoy dropping him into a vat of soapy water. Mwah ha ha!

It's hard for me to see the change in the plants since I'm in the garden several (thousand) times a day. So here, for my own future reference, is the current height of the tomato plants relative to their cages.

This is an acorn squash that we grew from seed in the house and then transplanted very early. None of the squash or melons enjoyed the rain and cold, but after four days of sun and heat, most are taking off like determined green rockets! The leaves on this plant are each as big as my hand.

I'm not sure if the cold will affect the eventual production of the eggplants. They hardly grew at all the first two weeks but with the heat wave they've perked up and are growing rapidly.

The muskmelons REALLY didn't like the cold. I thought they might not make it. They are putting out new leaves now but they are still small. Their color has much improved.

I love the Howden. I tell it every day how much I love it and it is getting HUGE! It really looked like a goner a few weeks ago and it's made an astonishing comeback.

This pepper is about 3.5 inches long now and starting to fill out. I can't wait to eat it! Their are two or three other little peppers starting to form.

The strawberry patch with some of the squash hills in the background. I couldn't help myself and direct seeded another two pumpkin hills and one more watermelon a few days ago. I can't wait to see our garden transformed into the ultimate squash jungle in a few months.

We've harvested a handful of berries so far. I had to put up bird netting to keep the birds (and maybe the neighbor cat?) out of the berry patch. The "Ever Bearing" plants that I put in the ground in early May seem to have exhausted their first fruiting. I put in a second batch of about 12 more plants the last week of May and they are now fruiting. I also planted four or five "Quinalt" plants. I think they only bear once in late summer. Hopefully we'll have at least a few handfuls each week throughout the summer. M
Maybe next year we'll get enough to make some strawberry jam.

Another great comparison shot. I can't believe the change in the sunflowers in 10 days! I planted another 8 plants against the chain link fence a few days ago and they have already sprouted and are working on their first true leaves. Note the naughty stray squash in the middle of the wildflower seed. I think it's zucchini.

The Crimson Sweet watermelon transplant looks like it might be on the way to the compost pile. The Sugar Baby still looks like it's still trying, but not thriving. In a last ditch attempt to grow watermelon, I direct seeded a few. The seedlings are doing well so far, so there is hope yet! I only had Crimson Sweet seed so I hope the Sugar Baby hangs in there so we can compare the two melon varieties.

June Seedlings

2008-06-06T20:56:00.000-07:00

The tomato plants are multiplying. Not of course of their own accord. I keep buying more.The bargain hunter in me can't pass up a $3 start knowing that canning just one jar of tomato sauce "pays" for the plant. We've got five plants now. They are all beginning to flower!

The sunflowers are growing visibly every day. The seed packets suggest thinning the plants to 18 - 24 inches apart but I can't bear to pull any of them.

The wild flower seed has taken off as well. I've plucked about 400 squash volunteers to date and found even more growing on top of the compost pile. I guess that's a subtle hint that it's time to turn the pile.

We planted two watermelon starts. The Sugar Baby looks better then the Sweet Crimson which is struggling in the abnormally wet and rainy weather. We've also got four watermelon seedlings working on their first true leaves.

Our first bell pepper! There are two more spent-flowers-turning-to-peppers emerging from this plant as well. The other pepper plants are a few weeks younger and are just starting to grow future flower buds.

The bean plants have sprouted. The birds pulled many of the seeds out of the ground. Next year we might try row covers to protect the seedlings.

The formerly pathetic Howden pumpkin is now thriving!

Our first vine is forming. It's really beautiful and amazing.

Think Happy Thoughts

2008-06-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

Samantha got her first haircut today! She had a trim when she was two (which I must confess was a clean up job after her mother gave her a toddler mullet), but this is the first drastic length and style change. Her hair was nearly waist length and it was a tough decision. She really hated having it washed and brushed and it was constantly tangled and in her face. We were both tired of the battle.

She was very brave and the only part she fussed about was the hair wash. After that she was very compliant.

After being ushered through the first rite of womanhood, she was rewarded with a kid's cone at Arctic Circle.

Spring

2008-05-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

The children and I have been discussing and observing all the little critters that call our garden home. We classify and divide the "good bugs" from the "bad bugs". Earthworms and lady bugs should be handled gently because they are our friends and helpers. Big hairy spiders are safely escorted from the living room wall out to the backyard and instructed to eat the Nasties snacking on our tomato plants. We have (at least!) two garter snakes patrolling the perimeters and keeping the compost pile rodent free.

In stark contrast are the cutworms who are decidedly NOT my friends. Although I'm a little squeamish about bug guts, I have no qualms with viciously popping them between thumb and forefinger upon discovery. Did I mention I do not like the cutworms?

Apparently we're providing comfortable accommodations for our lady bug friends as they are busily going about the business of beetle love here on my very best pepper plant.

We hope you have enjoyed your stay. Come back any time.

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It seems as if Spring has decided to finally arrive and stay awhile. Our first strawberries are ripening!

I ate the strawberry she's pointing to today and it was delish! My Mother-In-Law and I have a longstanding joke about a personality trait we share. We both enjoy collecting the accouterments of whatever interest we're pursuing as much as the actual practice of said hobby. For example, she and I both own approximately nine million dollars (each) of scrap booking, stamping, and card making supplies. In total, we've produced maybe 4 cards. If you do the math, that means that each card is worth several thousand dollars.

To draw parallel to my garden, today I ate a $100.00 strawberry. And yes, it was THAT good.

I promised Samantha she could have the next one as she is my most steadfast garden helper. Much more benevolent then her mother, she offered instead that we might all six share it.

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Our garden seems to be particularly 'volunteer-mystery-squash' friendly. Which is ironic since the ten or so squash seeds I purposefully sowed have had only about a 50% success ratio thus far. It's amusing to see a shriveling powdery leaved seedling surrounded by 5 random fat and thriving volunteers. The Green Thumb Score to date - Mother Nature : 1, Stephanie : 0.

Unruly squash grow so well in our yard that we even have lawn squash.

Not sure how this guy ducked the mower, but good for him!

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After a later then usual dinner tonight the boys snuck out the back door at the mere whisper of the words "school night". Even as the minutes past bedtime ticked by, neither Shawn nor I could bear to call them in. Strange how the bickering stops and the brotherly love blossoms as soon they are supposed to be getting ready for bed!

We have a canal that runs behind our property. Up until recently it's been dry, but now it's running full and what is more fascinating and full of possibility to little boys then mud and water?

They climb on the palette to check out the canal.

In the beginning

2008-05-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

We inherited a beautiful garden plot from the previous owners of our new home. Despite the fact that I know absolutely nothing about gardening, I'm attempting to grow stuff anyway. I've managed to keep four little humans alive for nine plus years, hopefully I can produce a few zucchini. In typical Stephanie style -- damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

I planted most of the nursery transplants May 7. My experienced gardener neighbor laughed a little at my 'eagerness' and assured me everything would likely freeze. Oops. Since planting we've had a mix of typical Utah spring weather. In the 70's, then in the 90's, then in the 40's (sigh) all in a two week span . I have a few pumpkin plants that angrily threatened to drop dead of cold, but they are hanging in there.

In the garden so far:

Carrot seeds (just sprouting)
Basil sprouts and one Basil transplant
Thyme sprouts
Mint transplant
One Cherry Tomato plant
One Roma Tomato plant
Bell Pepper (several varieties of green and red)
Strawberries
Zucchini
Pumpkin
Acorn Squash
Butternut Squash
Cantaloupe
Eggplant

I still have a grape tomato plant to put in the ground and Bean bush seeds. So far we've only had three casualties -- squash seedlings. I started them indoors and they got super leggy, unlike the few seeds I've directly sowed. Most of the long leggers did just fine once transplanted but a few got snapped off near the base either by the wind, some buggy, or a bird perhaps?

My happiest strawberry plant. They seem unphased by the cooler weather. I bought two varieties. One type is sending out runners like mad and the other is busy making the first batch of little berries. Every plant has now sprouted new growth. Yay! I haven't killed the strawberries (yet).

The peppers also haven't minded the cold. The largest transplant (and older by probably two weeks?) has already flowered once with a little pepper on the way. It looks like several more flowers are budding as well.

The little pumpkin plant that could. You can see the cold damaged outer leaves and then all the new healthy growth in the middle. I wasn't sure if I should cut off the damaged foliage.

I have a patch of ground by the back fence that the children and I spread with wildflower seed and backed with a row of sunflowers. I made the mistake of adding not-fully-composted compost to the plot. So now I have a whole slew of random squash volunteers in my wildflower garden. I can hardly bear to pick them. This is just a small sampling (maybe a tenth of the area) *after* thinning a few:

I've also got a little annual flower bed. I'm not sure I did the right thing by planting under two of our fruit trees, but we've dubbed this first year 'the experimental season'. If everything dies then I guess we'll know not to try that again, right? The marigolds and peonies seem quite happy but the begonias haven't fared as well. Nothing has completely turned up leaves and quit on me though.

The children have enjoyed 'helping' me in the garden. Derek weeds and enjoys my daily updates about how everything is growing. William conjures up ways we'll eat the eventual fruits of our labor. Patrick chases butterflies, squashes grasshoppers, and transports our many earthworms from place to place. Samantha aims the hose while I squeeze the trigger. Life is good.