tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59605867867502269842024-03-12T21:40:00.979-07:00Living the Spacious LifeTrying to find space for what mattersauntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-92032418530836114982011-04-27T15:26:00.000-07:002011-04-27T15:26:52.191-07:00End radio silence. Ask a bunch of questions. Resume radio silence.First question. Is there anything cuter than this?<br />
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Wait. Before you answer, look at this.<br />
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Eric won tickets to Sesame Street Live and Rylee and I went last night for a girls' night out with some BFFs. I didn't make an Easter dress for Rylee this year so I would have time to make matching Elmo groupie outfits. It's about priorities.<br />
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The top is a simple pillowcase shirt made from a yellow poly-blend knit with the cuteness pumped up by a lettuce edge.<br />
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I got the Elmo applique pattern from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/etsykim">this Etsy seller</a> and you should go buy many appliques from her because they are adorable and easy to make AND she lets people sell things made from her patterns. Skill and generosity should be rewarded.<br />
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The skirt is my third attempt at a Kitschy Coo pettiskirt and this time I used some stretch mesh based on Amanda's suggestion. Less puffy, more swirly. Observe.<br />
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I only used three layers of mesh with a satin underskirt because I could only scrape up 2 yards and a few inches of the wonderful stuff. Three layers was plenty and allowed me to make two skirts. The Sesame Street Live motto is GO BFF MATCHY OR GO HOME.<br />
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A few more questions, inspired by this picture.<br />
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<b>Q. </b>Are you really that excited to see Elmo's Healthy Heroes?<br />
<b>A.</b> No. But it was actually pretty cute. Lots of showtunes and other adult references to keep it tolerable.<br />
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<b>Q. </b>Since there was only one camera taking your picture, where are you looking if not in the lens?<br />
<b>A. </b>No idea. I didn't even have a margarita at dinner!<br />
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<b>Q. </b>How much sunscreen are you wearing at the pool these days?<br />
<b>A. </b>Not enough, apparently.<br />
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It was fun and the girls had a blast. And seeing them swish around like manic muppet twins was worth gathering more yards of mesh than I care to contemplate.<br />
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*******************<br />
Now about that radio silence. In late February I actually got a short-term contract and spent some time Working For The Man. No time for blogging or even sewing, and since I was doing a lot of writing there weren't any excess words for blogging even when time allowed. I'm hoping (and they indicated) that they'll have me back on a semi-regular basis so I think I'm hanging up the keyboard here. Thanks to everyone who spared a moment to read my ramblings when I was going toddler-mommy stir crazy. You can find me on Facebook with my handle (auntninn) attached to an email account at gmail.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-23657699245281501132011-02-10T16:05:00.000-07:002011-02-10T16:05:41.462-07:00Tutorial: Lazy Bubble SkirtSkirts were the very first thing I ever sewed for Rylee, mostly because toddler skirts are about the easiest things in the world to sew. There was a period where she didn't wear them because they got in the way of playing, stooping and crawling. Now that her legs are much longer she can wear them again without interfering with all the glorious rampaging and mess making that compose her days. But A-lines and twirly skirts started to bore me so I decided to try a bubble skirt. I searched around and found a number of tutorials that, while good, seemed needlessly complicated. At the rate she's growing I want a minimum investment for maximum cute.<br />
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Thus, I give you: the lazy bubble skirt. I hesitate to say *easy* since one step is a little tricky but it's the laziest possible way I can think of to construct a cute, poofy skirt for a little girl from about 12m - 5T or so.<br />
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You will need:<br />
* Approx 1/2 yard of shell (main) fabric<br />
* Approx 1/2 yard of lining fabric<br />
* 1/2 yard of VERY soft and stretchy 1/4" elastic. I like knit elastic for this. For a stiffer elastic you might want to allow a little more.<br />
* Approx 1/2 yard (waist measurement) of 3/4" elastic<br />
* Waist measurement and skirt length measurement of the child to be clad <br />
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NOTE: Because I really, truly mean it when I say I wanted this to be a lazy undertaking I give myself a lot of "slop" in the yardage so I don't have to do things like iron 1/8" hems. Because who wants to do that? So if you have a piece of fabric that you are just DYING to use but it's a little bit short you can get by with less if you use narrower elastic in the waist and narrower seam allowances.<br />
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Step 1: Measure child from waist to the desired skirt length. I love to have these hit around the knee. I made the one in the tutorial a little longer because I want it to last. For Rylee this was 12".<br />
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Step 2: Cut your main fabric four inches longer than your desired skirt length. E.g. for this skirt I cut the main fabric 16" long. One full fabric width (usually about 44") should be right for 12month - 5T. At the outside edges of that range you might have to play around with cutting it narrower or sewing a few extra inches on the edge. <br />
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Step 3: Cut your lining fabric two inches longer than your desired skirt length (or put another way, two inches shorter than your main fabric). For Rylee's dress that was 14". Trim the fabric if necessary to make the lining and the main fabric the same width. I also trimmed the selvage here to avoid a huge seam allowance on the fashion fabric.<br />
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Step 4: Right sides together sew the short edge (marked with a red line in the photo above) on the main fabric. Repeat for the lining fabric. You should have two tubes (i.e. you are not yet sewing these together). Make sure to use the same seam allowance to keep the tubes the same size. Press the seam allowance open.<br />
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Step 5: With right sides together, aligning seams, slip the lining tube into the main fabric tube, aligning the bottom edges. NOTE: Very important that you align the BOTTOM edges, especially if you have a directional print. I had to check with my video game geek husband AND the internet to make sure I had my invaders going the right way. In the photo below I am pinching the BOTTOM edges of the fabric.<br />
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Step 6: Divide the bottom edge into quarters. One mark will be the pressed seams. Mark the opposite edge with a pin (show above), pinning fabric and lining together. Mark the points midway between the pin/seam by either folding the tubes in half again or measuring. Your fabric should now be pinned together in three places.<br />
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Step 7: Cut 18" of your soft, 1/4" elastic. This will be stretching around the entire circumference of your skirt (approx. 44"). This is also the part that will be around the little knees and you want to make sure there is still room to run. If your elastic won't stretch that far then cut a slightly larger piece. Divide the elastic into quarters by folding or measuring, marking with pins.<br />
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Step 8: The only tricky step in the whole process. The one place where speed and slapdashery are NOT your friend. Go slowly in this step and you will be amply rewarded because it is really 2-3 steps in one. You are going to attach the elastic AND seam the shell/lining together in a single step. I use a triple zizag for this to make sure it's nice and stretchy. If your machine doesn't have a triple zigzag then double should be fine. Starting at the pressed seam(s) lay the elastic down just inside the aligned edges of the shell and lining. I like to line the fabric edges up with my presser foot and have the elastic just slightly inside that. You might need to mess around with the stitch width to make sure you are catching the elastic. Hand crank a few stitches and stop with your needle down in the fabric. Now stretch the elastic until you align the first pin in the elastic with the first pin in the fabric as shown below. S-L-O-W-L-Y sew the elastic to the first pins. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRTqcbT4EZihN2kiZaLGthe3SQfSGdD25zLiX26LlqDinnKsq1Cdi-RI9P7iiZmhT_xiiZTIzWVS3hqnAsR6HPFYVpOI_QqvfrhXzozQocoE6PF5rmbCfj03nUWlW2zt_hDsWnywUeSg/s1600/IMG_4594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRTqcbT4EZihN2kiZaLGthe3SQfSGdD25zLiX26LlqDinnKsq1Cdi-RI9P7iiZmhT_xiiZTIzWVS3hqnAsR6HPFYVpOI_QqvfrhXzozQocoE6PF5rmbCfj03nUWlW2zt_hDsWnywUeSg/s400/IMG_4594.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Step 9: Repeat for each quarter section of fabric and elastic ending back at the pressed seams. The last section won't have aligned pins, you'll just be finishing up the last piece aligning it with your starting point.<br />
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Step 10: Check and make sure you seamed all the way around. If your elastic doesn't quite reach it's ok. Just make sure you complete your seam all the way back to the beginning and do a few reverse stitches to secure. At the very end of my seam here the elastic snapped away and I couldn't quite make it reach. It doesn't matter as long as the fabrics are joined all the way around.<br />
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Step 11: You now have a gathered "bag" of your fabrics.<br />
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Step 12: Turn the skirt so that the wrong sides are together and your lining fabric is to the outside. Line up the top edges of the fabrics.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8SUFu6CzL3o5wUGUtY_v8tzSO_gD-ng3WxCY0Uiw0rHwatHUIARC41eYaA04Jorpnwu2EIiSEizfgJ1H8dGTtWE08BHP51_SGsxqKcLmcfmLAzGgFvsIInCSSwd3buZLXkNNPNOVXCM/s1600/IMG_4600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8SUFu6CzL3o5wUGUtY_v8tzSO_gD-ng3WxCY0Uiw0rHwatHUIARC41eYaA04Jorpnwu2EIiSEizfgJ1H8dGTtWE08BHP51_SGsxqKcLmcfmLAzGgFvsIInCSSwd3buZLXkNNPNOVXCM/s400/IMG_4600.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Step 13: To make the waistband first turn under about 1/2" on the top. If you are short on fabric you can serge the edges together here, but I like a neater look. You can also make this first turn a little narrower, but it's hard to turn both much narrower than this and an extra 1/2" of fabric is worth it to me to be lazy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xG6zyrQ7WpoF3L7SLtBnCcPk0SsMtWCeDvSPeSVoYvw5lQHEVUphHFQZVwa7oKuArXEdtN0DtssfLVsT9uqK6jaXFV90J8T1i-vp-by8NOFu3Kme5dAdfUEOaqOcP1wJHIiQpkNIjpU/s1600/IMG_4601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7xG6zyrQ7WpoF3L7SLtBnCcPk0SsMtWCeDvSPeSVoYvw5lQHEVUphHFQZVwa7oKuArXEdtN0DtssfLVsT9uqK6jaXFV90J8T1i-vp-by8NOFu3Kme5dAdfUEOaqOcP1wJHIiQpkNIjpU/s400/IMG_4601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Step 14: Turn again about an inch to an inch and half. A little less if your waistband elastic is narrower than 3/4". Again, lazy wins the day for me here and I make a very generous band. Sew around the lower edge leaving a 2" opening to insert your elastic.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeG4HoUEs_BEMghWeGERGD8odSABtOFtY6-gfvfWsC7MHRUfcChyphenhyphenyUjaTjjDtuP3vxAoxHDmM-cZ_kcDJFWrdZqkKYqw1crLNXVlrPNJGpxxqsZG3IueLwoiW1Ed_FOZia5L7k5j-95Q/s1600/IMG_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeG4HoUEs_BEMghWeGERGD8odSABtOFtY6-gfvfWsC7MHRUfcChyphenhyphenyUjaTjjDtuP3vxAoxHDmM-cZ_kcDJFWrdZqkKYqw1crLNXVlrPNJGpxxqsZG3IueLwoiW1Ed_FOZia5L7k5j-95Q/s400/IMG_4602.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Step 15: Cut your waistband elastic about 1" shorter than child's waist measurement. I sometimes do a little bigger if the elastic is stiff and I want to make sure it doesn't pinch. Bonus tip: Use tailor's chalk, pen or marker to mark once side of the elastic so you can check to see if it twisted while you pulled it. This happens to me all the time and I don't know why it took me so long to figure this out.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbaDnWBJNJQykwiXgXNyH0Fp8W02l9Q_XMM3MABlzRK370PehnO65tO6xBpRN698DMRQ5zJuxIXHZPYLNlKmsr6SYmYN036pL6NyJ-tti0H9p7xYN5UDZkONNH-xlMyP5E6wmnfPl1nU/s1600/IMG_4604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbaDnWBJNJQykwiXgXNyH0Fp8W02l9Q_XMM3MABlzRK370PehnO65tO6xBpRN698DMRQ5zJuxIXHZPYLNlKmsr6SYmYN036pL6NyJ-tti0H9p7xYN5UDZkONNH-xlMyP5E6wmnfPl1nU/s400/IMG_4604.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Step 16: Using a safety pin or bodkin, pull elastic through the waistband, secure it and then sew the seam shut. Done!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KBmAmbc0EJhPEFRVSA0m2WI_vR5QrpMhoiCwXQZoqbdzhWJU0uuTD8BM2ABqx-_hIN6Gx-mKL9zR1X7gICHjn975Z7xeYNm_xwwYtJB7RpG4G4Cumu6a6Vp65NC0XCbLF3B0Kg1vB8g/s1600/IMG_4607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KBmAmbc0EJhPEFRVSA0m2WI_vR5QrpMhoiCwXQZoqbdzhWJU0uuTD8BM2ABqx-_hIN6Gx-mKL9zR1X7gICHjn975Z7xeYNm_xwwYtJB7RpG4G4Cumu6a6Vp65NC0XCbLF3B0Kg1vB8g/s400/IMG_4607.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Side note: I'd love to say that this was all part of sewing things up to match Rylee's orphan garments, but the plain truth is that I bought the fabric because I <a href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/2011/01/whats-time-mr-wolf-swoon-oclock.html">was coveting.</a> BUT, I did just buy the shirt at a <a href="http://www.jbfsale.com/default.cfm">Just Between Friends</a> sale and both it and the baby legs *were* orphans. And I really dig the demure plaid collar with the over-the-top geeky fabric. So we'll call it a win. </div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-9501195056846014692011-01-25T17:31:00.000-07:002011-01-25T17:31:37.949-07:00McCalls 6155 or Bamboo Jersey, where have you been all my life?This shirt has already been through the wash twice, so I guess it's about time to blog about it. <br />
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I've been trying to sew pieces for Rylee that go with orphans in her wardrobe. I'm a total sucker for discount and clearance shopping and I tend to buy things just because they are cheap. She has a pair of Gymboree teapot leggings I got for something like $2 but they have been languishing with no match.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAj4t9PKC7DUU42u2EzrErPizBzYz4Bzz_fetjMCSdvmSZ8yZvcOZlAYtkeTFS6Ej5DUjd2TDUVNiRtWNghUSJ-iAUdWtSESYRgtiDLOAxe5es1IcCE9rLPqNDfQzE2lVA17CrEpOwLnE/s1600/IMG_4571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAj4t9PKC7DUU42u2EzrErPizBzYz4Bzz_fetjMCSdvmSZ8yZvcOZlAYtkeTFS6Ej5DUjd2TDUVNiRtWNghUSJ-iAUdWtSESYRgtiDLOAxe5es1IcCE9rLPqNDfQzE2lVA17CrEpOwLnE/s400/IMG_4571.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I bought THE most beautiful fabric from <a href="http://www.thefabricfairy.com/index.php/retail/fabrics/by-fabric-content-type/organic-sustainable-hemp-bamboo-fabric/bamboo-fabric.html">The Fabric Fairy</a>. They say it's made of bamboo with 8% lycra but I suspect it's actually spun from sunshine and puppy kisses. It's gorgeous to sew and moves beautifully. Just holding it makes me happy and it was embarrassingly difficult to throw out the scraps. I think I might make myself something out of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/Patterns/39691">McCalls 6155</a> and I agree with the comments of the first reviewer at that link. The cut is very pretty but I hated the neckline, which was folded over and sewn down. The pattern also calls for interfacing and putting buttons in the back. That sort of misses the point of a knit in my world, so if I sew this again I'll just cut the back on the fold at the center and use ribbing at the neck.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwI8zS6_-joIzdWvXj14O3CIh8QiVKIDkKj0-c1M2T7c2Ov5agSilfqCgW3dNgHOhtphBOlmhTMVM1F165eiCLeUvxgCPqI0Sq-5Xa7pNKgR3mPIwviOViB8-4KdDUW_NcJVqNoNBIbhI/s1600/IMG_4572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwI8zS6_-joIzdWvXj14O3CIh8QiVKIDkKj0-c1M2T7c2Ov5agSilfqCgW3dNgHOhtphBOlmhTMVM1F165eiCLeUvxgCPqI0Sq-5Xa7pNKgR3mPIwviOViB8-4KdDUW_NcJVqNoNBIbhI/s400/IMG_4572.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To embellish the front I bought some pre-made fabric buttons on Etsy. Not because these buttons are hard to make, but because it was cheaper than buying this obviously awesome teacup fabric. More precisely, it was most likely cheaper than starting a hunt for this fabric that would certainly have lead to a purchase of at least five other fabrics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrolSKjv1FdQqOEVAcTSDLiZHSsuUKvVdlfC5okg5ULs8m5cqEnOCIoS5OnHL_XnDyGrVcwrgXMzStkhOCscXSOV-fCRKU8G2vylD6v26ghT14lZR32rpeCZhqSyw5jtGiODlnPYY1oQ/s1600/IMG_4577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwrolSKjv1FdQqOEVAcTSDLiZHSsuUKvVdlfC5okg5ULs8m5cqEnOCIoS5OnHL_XnDyGrVcwrgXMzStkhOCscXSOV-fCRKU8G2vylD6v26ghT14lZR32rpeCZhqSyw5jtGiODlnPYY1oQ/s640/IMG_4577.JPG" width="308" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I made size 2 and the fit is absolutely enormous on her. She's tall, lean and lanky so the shoulders in particular are huge. She runs around rocking the Flashdance shoulder reveal and you can see by the pooling of the fabric how long the sleeves are on her. But it's wearable now and will probably need a matching set of leggings soon since she's sprouting out of pants every time I turn around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've quit telling her to smile in pictures and tell her to laugh instead. It makes for a better shot and also gets me poses like this that tell me quite clearly what kind of teenager I'll have. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6muEJOJ0OFoTBuhQ8-u09poER2r7APR8LS0gobqAB9CflDApuxiHLoMhyphenhyphenJQQHJ2v7pI3_ddc3xbw0M-nLfZHWiY6ziD05C8guEyLCWlPR9TVbUG7EUIYPeu-JiI2K34pLLp5Je5ipbI/s1600/IMG_4575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd6muEJOJ0OFoTBuhQ8-u09poER2r7APR8LS0gobqAB9CflDApuxiHLoMhyphenhyphenJQQHJ2v7pI3_ddc3xbw0M-nLfZHWiY6ziD05C8guEyLCWlPR9TVbUG7EUIYPeu-JiI2K34pLLp5Je5ipbI/s640/IMG_4575.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-58483376599369714752011-01-10T08:06:00.000-07:002011-01-10T08:06:43.652-07:00Just a note to say we are okSince <a href="http://thepickledweasel.blogspot.com/">The Pickled Weasel </a>was sweet enough to wonder after us I'm posting a quick note.<br />
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Along with everyone in Tucson we are still reeling with shock and sadness over what happened here over the weekend. But our family is ok and was not involved. Thanks for thinking of us. And please continue to pray for the families of the people who died and for the recovery of the injured.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-16942404065097036392010-12-20T10:16:00.001-07:002010-12-20T10:19:20.391-07:00Covered in glitter and recriminationsIn spite of my Big Plans to make more <a href="http://livingthespaciouslife.blogspot.com/search/label/felt%20toys">felt toys</a> and other handmade goodies for Christmas my two-year old niece Ella is the only one getting a handmade gift this year. Armed with my <a href="http://livingthespaciouslife.blogspot.com/2010/09/kitschy-coo-pettiskirt-version-one.html">lessons learned</a> from my first attempt at <a href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/tutorial-how-to-make-tutu-pettiskirt.html">Kitschy Coo Pettiskirt tutorial</a> I got to work.<br />
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The first time around I messed up my seam allowances and ended up with something very poofy due to short layers. My tulle was also too lightweight and wispy (read that: cheap). This time I got stiffer, sparkle tulle. So stiff in fact that I still ended up with something way poofier than I was aiming for. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRo03uWGEEmuU5FWKibi2kdLKe0LdN6yPOdIoJgnuWJzx4_CTQXRzr2w6blULSva4EkYrkUKSiIG-Scm5w7TqTdmFK4v5oIwdh2_4sfUJM6QPs9yLKRWhLa8HSn7whQJxliQADLZ2PEE/s1600/IMG_4508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRo03uWGEEmuU5FWKibi2kdLKe0LdN6yPOdIoJgnuWJzx4_CTQXRzr2w6blULSva4EkYrkUKSiIG-Scm5w7TqTdmFK4v5oIwdh2_4sfUJM6QPs9yLKRWhLa8HSn7whQJxliQADLZ2PEE/s400/IMG_4508.JPG" width="341" /></a></div><br />
I've had the sweater for months and wanted to make a pettiskirt to match. Due to the weird effect of a flash on the sparkle tulle and the seafoam underskirt you'll have to take my word that it *does* match.<br />
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The satin underskirt matches the tutu of the ballerina on the sweater. Which also matches the top cuffs of the baby legs I made.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpy__XE2i17kbsEoIxl1zZoDh_HmlfurWljkxs4AYSJZ32JylbDo-crNSsyJbGJb1Df-vOKagiudlZlcWrNqmHer-HaZ8w9_0RiyiAUwzBD3pD-vCsLG4ArvYSdr5sLen1AHByd5J7mw/s1600/IMG_4504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlpy__XE2i17kbsEoIxl1zZoDh_HmlfurWljkxs4AYSJZ32JylbDo-crNSsyJbGJb1Df-vOKagiudlZlcWrNqmHer-HaZ8w9_0RiyiAUwzBD3pD-vCsLG4ArvYSdr5sLen1AHByd5J7mw/s400/IMG_4504.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
As I was pulling the elastic Rylee walked by and saw the pile of princess craziness on my lap and proclaimed "That's mine's."<br />
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When I tried it on her to check the waist fit she immediately began to switch her hips and declare "I'm the true princess!" She was also willing to model the underskirt, if not change out of her favorite monkey pants.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7_bU2M5DLjdpm2hrytZIMveQZ7pzPA4ir7tTeYaok1a1k1Dlq-GN09gV8nrAAyq97r8dBL07weTyWcmjb8Xw-huyHSnnwQrgnp-ieYQzKYkAHoZjKPUEVMyhxsnGcUCKoLP1K5OHjBc/s1600/IMG_4503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg7_bU2M5DLjdpm2hrytZIMveQZ7pzPA4ir7tTeYaok1a1k1Dlq-GN09gV8nrAAyq97r8dBL07weTyWcmjb8Xw-huyHSnnwQrgnp-ieYQzKYkAHoZjKPUEVMyhxsnGcUCKoLP1K5OHjBc/s400/IMG_4503.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br />
She was finally willing to grudgingly concede that it was "Lella's" and mommy would make her one soon. So I'll be blogging a third attempt at some point in the near future.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIusXkXStuqX6KuKK-HrxEBHdy3HBM7XW5uNHnEV3fhTvMXGAo0hIosLVkPe77j2mU3kIG0PsaVozBB1mQFyKYh1CYp3Ntlm0tBAEBWf9t5sQ5St_obLqjCgblj7iDPxollDGl4JrkWMA/s1600/IMG_4494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIusXkXStuqX6KuKK-HrxEBHdy3HBM7XW5uNHnEV3fhTvMXGAo0hIosLVkPe77j2mU3kIG0PsaVozBB1mQFyKYh1CYp3Ntlm0tBAEBWf9t5sQ5St_obLqjCgblj7iDPxollDGl4JrkWMA/s400/IMG_4494.JPG" width="287" /></a></div>And lest you think I'm the worst mother in the world for letting her be barefoot outside in the winter I'll just add that it was almost 60 degrees. So I'm only a moderately bad mother. For that reason at least.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-61302675791303128092010-12-01T18:01:00.000-07:002010-12-01T18:01:55.146-07:00This goes down in my house a few times a monthWe have two golden retrievers, a female named Gala and a male named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Antony_and_Pussyfoot">Marc Anthony</a>. We call Gala our nanny dog, because she's always taken care of all of us as best as she can without thumbs. Sometimes when something terrible happens to Rylee - getting her milk in the wrong cup for example, as happened in the video - it makes Gala very, very sad. She will come from anywhere in the house to be sad near Rylee, as you see her in the video. Sometimes this will make Marc Anthony sad. And the result is funny and sad, in proportion to the amount of sleep I've had.<br />
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As a bonus you can hear the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Christmas-Bonnie-Rideout/dp/B000003JMH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1291251507&sr=8-1">best Christmas album ever</a> at the beginning before the family starts in. Enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyP_ZzkV5rC3gF3q_adqmbzdVd_J-BDDMKh6psW-gfKsR_eFSeAdcP1O1CLYdoL3rZ2Ocdbn3ueKw_IinYoMA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-3286519062025837012010-11-09T20:12:00.000-07:002010-11-09T20:12:08.463-07:00When favorite things collideI love sewing for Rylee and had a few ideas for a handmade costume this year. Then someone offered me this free, new-with-tags pig costume. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCR38cW0JCaEFSiLieFnWKeQkalrKD3ovb7oh4kYb4jatT6mQ0Pw2mdMat_G8CUOV_q9KAFt8uGc4nFTnqk-aovu7EiSp8SyrhInrFUQyw8SY8ujUjUe7v5nmEU_9V1437qjNFq68tIVM/s1600/IMG_4421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCR38cW0JCaEFSiLieFnWKeQkalrKD3ovb7oh4kYb4jatT6mQ0Pw2mdMat_G8CUOV_q9KAFt8uGc4nFTnqk-aovu7EiSp8SyrhInrFUQyw8SY8ujUjUe7v5nmEU_9V1437qjNFq68tIVM/s400/IMG_4421.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I love free stuff almost as much as Rylee loves the first piece of Halloween candy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDzvtOfjBnkiBdXZ45e8uF-SQ-YCh9HqBSLIJnZBDavm_XyrUm_IbMzUlSPxd1kgRy5No-FsPdMtvJGWBNBCrAl5cEJWxHkq4bSGxuOkz3__N7GdTvyp_yCQfEY_1OYfqgwR0scNN7LA/s1600/IMG_4434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGDzvtOfjBnkiBdXZ45e8uF-SQ-YCh9HqBSLIJnZBDavm_XyrUm_IbMzUlSPxd1kgRy5No-FsPdMtvJGWBNBCrAl5cEJWxHkq4bSGxuOkz3__N7GdTvyp_yCQfEY_1OYfqgwR0scNN7LA/s400/IMG_4434.JPG" width="331" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhertBRdGlUS3EsBj8HjNZut7awc5pI2VU3vBXuDZdFVGbjscR4QS2pda1C3C4OhZ_CM6Qm2YMVdP2IALreXKjg846r1pwVBbwdFqoELJdSlfwUSUvy_GXdxuNzq8Y-4FN1rxUu_EinfIg/s1600/IMG_4434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
I made the bag. Last year. It counts.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf0XY8BRRCH3mqAP5Rgl5lI-xL4ibKY6dR3XTT4rrRbfB45ANLfIiUpTo5nbNRYaXjE1qQnGWe2oz7Id59Wl06DAnThf_4b-ms9OdJCEZEaWuDHZA6eAfJjqWKPqhvWqDptMfa7pUzNA/s1600/IMG_4442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDf0XY8BRRCH3mqAP5Rgl5lI-xL4ibKY6dR3XTT4rrRbfB45ANLfIiUpTo5nbNRYaXjE1qQnGWe2oz7Id59Wl06DAnThf_4b-ms9OdJCEZEaWuDHZA6eAfJjqWKPqhvWqDptMfa7pUzNA/s400/IMG_4442.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Mmmmm.....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PukWGWXsQFBK__feDuZOsxc8dMX5ik_7HFGVq1BQW2xx1ktjHn-4bYa5EkXVALUYwrBMhGSlGx4yw_L7Bea5jP14ePV6BePyw76rDObgrM5mRCbJ1IH1lkgJspo7OjEDV8z8AQ53ygk/s1600/IMG_4455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PukWGWXsQFBK__feDuZOsxc8dMX5ik_7HFGVq1BQW2xx1ktjHn-4bYa5EkXVALUYwrBMhGSlGx4yw_L7Bea5jP14ePV6BePyw76rDObgrM5mRCbJ1IH1lkgJspo7OjEDV8z8AQ53ygk/s400/IMG_4455.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-11821777420787299232010-10-23T20:39:00.000-07:002010-10-23T20:39:08.269-07:00Sung to a tune I think only my sister knows<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Where are you going, my little one, little one?</i><br />
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<i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYysWkNHVW_klFiz-pUMx9-YemDN0OiCaapjk1gCetazOk4r5CbQ2hhyroXamnx73sGC_CrLVwQuNBuVhkoCSdhqTp2Ze59Ic5zTAuh3nBmEcQDi72yWksM3sbeZ5azkMOdE5FSq6qVx8/s1600/IMG_4388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYysWkNHVW_klFiz-pUMx9-YemDN0OiCaapjk1gCetazOk4r5CbQ2hhyroXamnx73sGC_CrLVwQuNBuVhkoCSdhqTp2Ze59Ic5zTAuh3nBmEcQDi72yWksM3sbeZ5azkMOdE5FSq6qVx8/s400/IMG_4388.JPG" width="400" /></a></i></div><i><br />
</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Where are you going, my baby, my own?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNoqBnPTa4_v3ZEUmw1cFsTNANiwPSC1fxsV4xFnyzHHz1XGFrnDK-XkRthiorwuWerDoOclnjriuRks2I5zLSfgSaZlYPlgKnXFPh6pzmSowtbHUA5BL6mjttoHUkgYsTiyqflUSS04/s1600/IMG_4371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYNoqBnPTa4_v3ZEUmw1cFsTNANiwPSC1fxsV4xFnyzHHz1XGFrnDK-XkRthiorwuWerDoOclnjriuRks2I5zLSfgSaZlYPlgKnXFPh6pzmSowtbHUA5BL6mjttoHUkgYsTiyqflUSS04/s400/IMG_4371.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn around and you're two. Turn around and you're four.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4v4VBJX5t5Kcc96OH3G5aTok8WvaG_2ScA5KQL5Ldvob3L4q5Mr2UWaUuxs2wgSX0RgLDflHn5YRZGVOn5msIx7SjiDBSm4A4Rex6KVdPtnLPE5YDXrQm8kfo6V_cDTNQh2Gsw-STT0/s1600/IMG_4395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4v4VBJX5t5Kcc96OH3G5aTok8WvaG_2ScA5KQL5Ldvob3L4q5Mr2UWaUuxs2wgSX0RgLDflHn5YRZGVOn5msIx7SjiDBSm4A4Rex6KVdPtnLPE5YDXrQm8kfo6V_cDTNQh2Gsw-STT0/s400/IMG_4395.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Turn around and you're a young girl... </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5xn5gzMXKGq9q1SqpDH1vwucltBG5Q7f89PqyVjYCsQ3Ulb6ub5dXCnTIokAYCO7bXKdm1vFcp37Cwh2ryiLI4McxH-t3te7dWQcAhADyJmyKGZvOjNvn9-z-UeDck_BOOsoOM5wMGQ/s1600/IMG_4396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5xn5gzMXKGq9q1SqpDH1vwucltBG5Q7f89PqyVjYCsQ3Ulb6ub5dXCnTIokAYCO7bXKdm1vFcp37Cwh2ryiLI4McxH-t3te7dWQcAhADyJmyKGZvOjNvn9-z-UeDck_BOOsoOM5wMGQ/s400/IMG_4396.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>...going out of the door.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgQZRFCvEqoSfghmBzIDmHhJ2A6wwewAzc-CSgH4UrzoPFaBbDFfhSxWs_OTyitZjoetWX_F3H8GjMDnWR6FxS3VnxUxyCCDJ106CrCAI4JPD4asLSKL4LVGB2jWCJmXqZitbxfhSzi4/s1600/IMG_4412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgQZRFCvEqoSfghmBzIDmHhJ2A6wwewAzc-CSgH4UrzoPFaBbDFfhSxWs_OTyitZjoetWX_F3H8GjMDnWR6FxS3VnxUxyCCDJ106CrCAI4JPD4asLSKL4LVGB2jWCJmXqZitbxfhSzi4/s400/IMG_4412.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Turn around, turn around</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiEXDpwxUpnXT04EaHW0zPmaeIeRx4SwjbEgLa6xsULHDtCaEfHM_U-leK0yuTKNOfRDEQNkU_JpMMLZUWYkmQUtm-_GMzI9BL9K0uGjmkAvAHu1BcrwSzS-rRpX2uSKlMcCKGImBYfE/s1600/IMG_4411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiEXDpwxUpnXT04EaHW0zPmaeIeRx4SwjbEgLa6xsULHDtCaEfHM_U-leK0yuTKNOfRDEQNkU_JpMMLZUWYkmQUtm-_GMzI9BL9K0uGjmkAvAHu1BcrwSzS-rRpX2uSKlMcCKGImBYfE/s400/IMG_4411.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> Turn around and you're a young girl</i>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJBifcfdhUfld3ZE1lpmUXmg5JaYysGyk136XyZOZQgL0XTF3inYFD9q4Hg_y3fE0j4nT19LkI2s9pZMen5a_6oflKB2D9Za-Hg3J2ftZ3-eC5iTklzX4B0cVjHpoqg2c19ykP3M5UoY/s1600/IMG_4414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJBifcfdhUfld3ZE1lpmUXmg5JaYysGyk136XyZOZQgL0XTF3inYFD9q4Hg_y3fE0j4nT19LkI2s9pZMen5a_6oflKB2D9Za-Hg3J2ftZ3-eC5iTklzX4B0cVjHpoqg2c19ykP3M5UoY/s400/IMG_4414.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i> ...going out of the door.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tSijepeTrhn_q7fSOHCragpQQ6BeGMHzU1ycNxWZUQ6YUxRQrDDqcUJ6iIR-0D8qikWyUgXpSFoQm4GKTI86YW4fQkkJZo_1FKr6twqzdWBu-zU_FOy8-aUJLt8v9K5IxtxDSArt9OI/s1600/IMG_4415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tSijepeTrhn_q7fSOHCragpQQ6BeGMHzU1ycNxWZUQ6YUxRQrDDqcUJ6iIR-0D8qikWyUgXpSFoQm4GKTI86YW4fQkkJZo_1FKr6twqzdWBu-zU_FOy8-aUJLt8v9K5IxtxDSArt9OI/s400/IMG_4415.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</i></div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-23785753791484427372010-10-17T17:05:00.000-07:002010-10-17T17:05:04.810-07:00I wish I had before picturesWe've been (finally) tackling all the storage needs in our house over the last month or so. We got new desks, re-arranged the office/sewing room and re-did the closet in the Master bedroom and Rylee's room. It's still a disaster area, but we're getting there.<br />
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I'll post pictures when it's all done. I'm so excited!auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-14230712767233610332010-10-11T20:07:00.000-07:002010-10-11T20:07:34.500-07:00Doing my civic duty. Possibly for the wrong reasons.Arizona has an early ballot system where you can vote by mail and not have to go to the polling place on election day. As the stay-at-home mom of a two-year old, this appeals to me greatly.<br />
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When we were out walking the dogs the other day I said to Eric "I like the convenience, but I wish I could still get my little sticker for voting." And yes, I was pretty serious.<br />
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So imagine my thrill when the balloting material came. They have my number.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9iaAPnc65ILVvllkvUHDsAINM1K0A6BQazfMEMZjKxzXc2uXdGJyyB1LrUYv8linB14IU-DbBABGQq8OtHPthI_h1Ikot6O7Eb8VJWF_psSZlBwi_3uzwthpyihxHM54rDyOqhfiJX8/s1600/early+ballot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9iaAPnc65ILVvllkvUHDsAINM1K0A6BQazfMEMZjKxzXc2uXdGJyyB1LrUYv8linB14IU-DbBABGQq8OtHPthI_h1Ikot6O7Eb8VJWF_psSZlBwi_3uzwthpyihxHM54rDyOqhfiJX8/s400/early+ballot.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-45041157161681051952010-10-08T14:56:00.001-07:002010-10-08T14:57:01.898-07:00ThinkingI'm thinking, more and more, about maybe, possibly, could-be-willing-for-the-right-thing, going back to work.<br />
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Here's how that's shaking out:<br />
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Angsty posts to Facebook about applying for a job: 1<br />
Supportive comments from friends saying GO FOR IT: 28<br />
Days since I applied to the first job: 2<br />
Number of times Amazon has contacted me about a job in Seattle: 2<br />
Number of times the company I applied to has contacted me: 0<br />
Day care facilities I've contacted as part of my process: 2<br />
Number of times I cried watching a virtual tour of a day care: 1<br />
Number of times I've changed what I think I want: 387478329783474938283744389<br />
How many minutes since I applied to a second place: 5<br />
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Don't know what I'm hoping, but here's hoping!auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-37381458356221318792010-10-02T07:39:00.001-07:002010-10-02T09:50:13.570-07:00Skinny and powerful, I'll take itSince I chose to have children with someone who gets up at an uncivilized hour I have a child who gets up way too early for my taste. Most mornings Rylee and I spend a few minutes snuggling in my bed watching The Incredibles. It's "mommy's resting time."<br />
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This morning she announces excitedly, "Here comes Dash and Mommy!"<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0ZjYaMn0QjVNZYgeSJvUf2gSLbB0tsLyTJWE5M9HFQR_p_REqeM7PBAzvtH735I120Hf94p9NLux5Db8tfmQY1UXeMCjz_W0058TGvnU6ihqaLwkmQdIjxhUrAK_2e6RBaTwOkwiTXc/s1600/incredibles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0ZjYaMn0QjVNZYgeSJvUf2gSLbB0tsLyTJWE5M9HFQR_p_REqeM7PBAzvtH735I120Hf94p9NLux5Db8tfmQY1UXeMCjz_W0058TGvnU6ihqaLwkmQdIjxhUrAK_2e6RBaTwOkwiTXc/s400/incredibles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-64805528294616674262010-09-28T20:32:00.000-07:002010-09-28T20:32:44.838-07:00Fall paisley and philosophyI made this dress a few days ago and I've been wanting to get a modeled picture of it. But Rylee and I are both sick so there's no energy or patience (on either of our parts) for that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmOc3_Jjuod3DpGiQfETV471orelIQiHl3_40rH3cYCmt1BTy-rUdApPgKlU74u4WZRSBpjbjr9tuesvZoZqa5hrIatoyaXusXoSVu0eNQFXWg9aHmO11t7I2TIjIZG1fz9R2OHgJjqM/s1600/IMG_4340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmOc3_Jjuod3DpGiQfETV471orelIQiHl3_40rH3cYCmt1BTy-rUdApPgKlU74u4WZRSBpjbjr9tuesvZoZqa5hrIatoyaXusXoSVu0eNQFXWg9aHmO11t7I2TIjIZG1fz9R2OHgJjqM/s400/IMG_4340.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><br />
The picture doesn't really do justice to the colors which are lovely, creamy browns and pinks. I bought them for her fall wardrobe but with no particular pattern in mind. I finally decided to use <a href="http://www.simplicity.com/p-2260-toddler-dresses.aspx">Simplicity 5695</a>, which I originally bought because I couldn't get hat measurements quite right.<br />
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Because it's for fall and temperatures in Arizona in the fall can drop all the way into the low 70s, I made the sleeves slightly longer. I had my Cool Girl confidence to do something so simple and I like how they came out.<br />
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Sewing this pattern coincided nicely with a philosophical discussion over on <a href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/2010/09/if-this-was-my-lunch-bag-id-fill-it.html">Amanda's blog</a> about non-technical sewing. My first official foray into sewing was helping my mom, just a tiny bit, sew a prom dress for me. She was an accomplished sewer and made a lot of our clothing back when it was something you did to save money rather than the complete money-sucking hobby it is today. She was very clever with mixing and matching patterns and I remember picking out a couple patterns to merge for that dress. (I also vividly remember being tortured as a smaller child by long trips to the fabric store, a tradition I have happily continued). She could make anything. Anything. She once made my dad a suit. Although I don't think she ever drafted anything from scratch.<br />
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After she died I sewed a few costumes for my nieces because that was something she had always done and I wanted to continue that. Sewing costumes can be low stress because as long as they last a single night or two you're good. The most involved modification I ever did to those patterns was replacing all zippers with velcro. I also made a very easy vest or three for my sister's girls, cutesy little things made from holiday fabric with festive buttons. Back when I was super skinny I made a few sundresses for myself but with no knowledge of FBA even skinny-me wasn't going to get a big wardrobe by my own hands.<br />
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Fast forward to now when I'm starting to sew more for Rylee. So far, this time around has been a LOT more fun. Why? Because of the wonderful, generous non-technical (and technical) sewers on the internet. There's a post I've been meaning to write for awhile called "Why Commercial Patterns Make Me Cry" and it will be heavy on those line drawings that purport to show three steps in a single picture. Because I usually have to stare at them for a good hour or so to figure out what is actually going on. The instructions usually make that worse. I think this is why I stayed away from sewing for so long (that and the FB with no A :-)<br />
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As I sewed the dress that is ostensibly the topic of this post I was thinking "This is just like <a href="http://indietutes.blogspot.com/2007/07/peasant-blouse.html">vegbee's peasant top</a> and I can make two of those in the time it's taken me to trace the pattern, cut out the tissue, pin the fabric and cut it out." And you know what? Vegbee's tutorial was just as cute, way more fun and a LOT less stressful. I'll probably make the next dress like this one from that tutorial plus a few rectangles for the gathered tiers. Because do perfectly squared off corners REALLY matter in a dress for a two-year old?<br />
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I'm so grateful to and indebted to those I've met through these sewing blogs not only for the support and friendship but for the loads of free information. And this isn't limited to tutorials and patterns, either. I also now know that the Big Four aren't the end-all of commercial patterns. I bought my first Jalie pattern earlier this year and I'm going to put some Ottobre issues on my Christmas list.<br />
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So there, Butterick.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-3487137177684790292010-09-24T08:06:00.001-07:002010-09-24T08:07:03.794-07:00SharingI made another dress in Rylee's fall wardrobe and I think it's super cute. But I'm too lazy to take pictures of it today.<br />
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Go watch all four videos by this woman instead. You're welcome.<br />
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<a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7148143/">http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7148143/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7179585/">http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7179585/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7191147/">http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7191147/</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7205061/">http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7205061/</a>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-37505208216251441392010-09-18T18:10:00.002-07:002010-09-18T18:15:55.803-07:00Scotty dog plaid in peek-a-boo pleatsRylee foiled my plans to reuse a lot of last winter's wardrobe, purchased a bit large, by having a growth spurt over the last few months. I recently inventoried her warm weather clothing and came up with several pieces that still fit, but precious few outfits.<br />
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Being a <strike>crazy, anal-retentive, list-making psycho</strike> prudent shopper, I made up a list of everything she has that still fits and what she needs to match it. I then cross referenced this against my stash, my patterns and my lusty sewing dreams and came up with a pretty big project to get her outfitted for the winter with minimal outlays of cash.<br />
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Here's how the first one of those projects shaped up.<br />
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Had this shirt which should still fit this winter:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbpAeJLpVxt6nmxSGVoQjF6QVEaRy5gllVzmlCid7FGCuGWT6yY4G-3LK3JnWoS1tlFsw3zhhYSiuXnGlY7JT0NkQg-13J4WcplFAiF0J9a6BpHUMZ0uVzVo-gyeV1Tm8-Oe-XEyOJ24/s1600/IMG_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbpAeJLpVxt6nmxSGVoQjF6QVEaRy5gllVzmlCid7FGCuGWT6yY4G-3LK3JnWoS1tlFsw3zhhYSiuXnGlY7JT0NkQg-13J4WcplFAiF0J9a6BpHUMZ0uVzVo-gyeV1Tm8-Oe-XEyOJ24/s400/IMG_4318.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Had these in my stash. The dogs from an impulse purchase last year and yards and yards of the black for making boys bowling shirts:<br />
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Found this on Etsy. And after purchasing it even saw the same style skirt on Peggy of Mad Men wardrobe lusciousness. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/56173666/schoolgirl-pleated-skirt-pdf-pattern"><br />
<img border="0" height="400" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.173963055.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><br />
And had this today:<br />
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I'm planning to add black quilted buttons to the top of the pleats. Those need to be purchased and coupon commotion starts tomorrow.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-10597318792763340112010-09-15T13:53:00.000-07:002010-09-15T13:53:37.153-07:00Note to selfWaiting for me on the kitchen counter when I got home from playgroup:<br />
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At least I remembered Rylee's lunch and the frozen meals for the new mom. And the banana bread.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-2915213578902605362010-09-13T18:26:00.000-07:002010-09-13T18:26:22.760-07:00Kitschy Coo Pettiskirt, Version One, Lessons LearnedBecause princess-itis has seized our household - earlier and with greater intensity than I could have ever imagined - I decided the time has come to venture into tulle territory. I didn't enter lightly, having wandered on these plains of desperation, climbed these cliffs of insanity while sewing a Tinkerbell costume ten years ago. But motherhood has its costs and pay them we must.<br />
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I armed myself with <a href="http://kitschycoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/tutorial-how-to-make-tutu-pettiskirt.html">the high quality Kitschy Coo Pettiskirt tutorial</a> and took Rylee shopping to pick out the tulle. I have to thank Amanda here not only for a great tutorial but also for her unwavering support as I begin life in a princess inhabited household. It's nice to know we're not alone in our trials.<br />
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My first attempt will be for At Home Dressing Up and not for Public Wearing or Viewing but I do have some valuable lessons learned.<br />
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1. Gathering on the serger does make quick work of the gathering but it will certainly eat into your seam allowance if you're dumb enough to forget to add extra for the necessary trimming of the ugly serger seams. This will render your pettiskirt a tutu.<br />
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2. Cutting tulle while it's still warm enough to require ceiling fans running will make you cry.<br />
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3. Things that are more fun than gathering yards and yards of tulle.<br />
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4. Even if you spend an entire nap time (PLUS some) sewing something you already spent an entire nap time cutting out, right after nap is not the best time to present a <strike>bratty little ingrate </strike>slow to wake toddler with her new princess dress.<br />
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5. Things that are higher quality than the tulle I bought.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdROnWFWoPUnBCliTVxUUMD5qnat1YZh-nzeJ04N7L5Ymoa9_2pXx6r45Nw8WiieTc3G0wiu4-dmpqY0R7MAFO_Gm5fZYVf1-f0iWEQzZp5-i8zn8xbJp_1LHjgjgTJCCCk2AkEzyhzE/s1600/outhouse14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitdROnWFWoPUnBCliTVxUUMD5qnat1YZh-nzeJ04N7L5Ymoa9_2pXx6r45Nw8WiieTc3G0wiu4-dmpqY0R7MAFO_Gm5fZYVf1-f0iWEQzZp5-i8zn8xbJp_1LHjgjgTJCCCk2AkEzyhzE/s400/outhouse14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
6. Things that are sadder than watching your rolled hem fall <i><b>right off the skirt</b></i> because it was too narrow and the satin frayed away right underneath it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9nBjs8bncjpEBQZqtKwEVB66EGXk-B-fSdekDW872r6yAKMVYTtQivWdWCOgh3Y-hiAEO-Ie11AtOTWpPGrV7ClFvInQUibzl4uNoP813m9tFAXv_tGUZDJH0sYxxpHGYZYJXsTirHk/s1600/not_found-full.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9nBjs8bncjpEBQZqtKwEVB66EGXk-B-fSdekDW872r6yAKMVYTtQivWdWCOgh3Y-hiAEO-Ie11AtOTWpPGrV7ClFvInQUibzl4uNoP813m9tFAXv_tGUZDJH0sYxxpHGYZYJXsTirHk/s400/not_found-full.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br />
7. The smirk that makes it worth it and might even make me try again.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCHrLbppQIaA4WaB-spGcFJy4na7FHqBdOeK-QAabT9bwAOIwTwe-XwtoUQO_ov-aB1lm7VC82n4QqDmyjSV4ruDX_T4OR4jkr2nhYGgSUClDIMPeo9Ivii8J_HNs7UTYSx0Gg_fCJHU/s1600/IMG_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCHrLbppQIaA4WaB-spGcFJy4na7FHqBdOeK-QAabT9bwAOIwTwe-XwtoUQO_ov-aB1lm7VC82n4QqDmyjSV4ruDX_T4OR4jkr2nhYGgSUClDIMPeo9Ivii8J_HNs7UTYSx0Gg_fCJHU/s400/IMG_4305.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-39102416899275096852010-09-11T10:03:00.002-07:002010-09-11T11:04:27.161-07:00Circle of Life, US Mint styleI finally completed my set of the <a href="http://www.usmint.gov/mint_programs/50sq_program/?flash=yes">50 State Quarters</a>. The program ended in 2008 but it took me a long time to get that final Hawaii quarter. I had one last summer and accidentally spent it. A year later my sister gave me one when we were shopping together.<br />
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It was an odd feeling looking through the book. I put the first quarter in it in 1999. The dot-com market hadn't crashed yet, let alone the housing market. The twin towers were still up. Skirts were short, unemployment was down. More personally, my mother was terminally ill but still alive. It was two years before I would meet Eric, and Rylee wasn't even a dream. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETXL7PgI51iWF2-bvVCk3q6T_GedNp8ASrEQ4kvpqI7_DR_a-zPvMp_AWWGGKkilKF23wlVEvMAAjyB3gX3nhIY7RmjUpi-e38_Gye7Tp6I0MyXshLrXLVV1ffyZnzSAuXv5SVD-khO8/s1600/IMG_4276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETXL7PgI51iWF2-bvVCk3q6T_GedNp8ASrEQ4kvpqI7_DR_a-zPvMp_AWWGGKkilKF23wlVEvMAAjyB3gX3nhIY7RmjUpi-e38_Gye7Tp6I0MyXshLrXLVV1ffyZnzSAuXv5SVD-khO8/s400/IMG_4276.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The antepenultimate quarter is Arizona, a state I never imagined I would move to and my state of residence when I put the Arizona quarter into my book.<br />
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I've been putting quarters into this book at four different homes, doing five different jobs, in two different states, single, married, childless, pregnant, a ma-ma, a mommy.<br />
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I can't think of anything else that I've done for 10 years. I've only been married for eight, never lived at a single address more than seven, never worked a single job longer than four. I felt a weird sense of accomplishment.<br />
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And then I popped out the first eight so Rylee and I could buy carrots to feed the giraffe at the zoo. Because come on, it's over ten bucks and I'm no sucker.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4sveSJO9SFpULFpXL8RQQkbAEQ1v8JQY857gDMkZ4JMU0thM7qlmUVwS-LPoQohc5xNlSaXo3E2fml8lWUPmX9Lhw2TMxi6nrjo7R7_JDcH-IF331SPxbAMnXFtDBrnv1qzf7760ZE0/s1600/IMG_4281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4sveSJO9SFpULFpXL8RQQkbAEQ1v8JQY857gDMkZ4JMU0thM7qlmUVwS-LPoQohc5xNlSaXo3E2fml8lWUPmX9Lhw2TMxi6nrjo7R7_JDcH-IF331SPxbAMnXFtDBrnv1qzf7760ZE0/s400/IMG_4281.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-69407040412248194652010-09-09T20:39:00.000-07:002010-09-09T20:39:20.967-07:00Eyes on the prize, or being lazy with clip artThis is me, cutting tulle under a ceiling fan and gathering it under same.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweI_EoroX3R72OkFPhkWCuDm7AeU8fIVN8_hYawcGJGZN5628iGpwMG7i9O8lPxt8pvEDVCwsQ46jbQQrAN26cl5bgy2-oDC0h55Tmq8jW1eKs09hLGsxLYG2CYhJvu23c0NgqW8hPkI/s1600/pullhair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgweI_EoroX3R72OkFPhkWCuDm7AeU8fIVN8_hYawcGJGZN5628iGpwMG7i9O8lPxt8pvEDVCwsQ46jbQQrAN26cl5bgy2-oDC0h55Tmq8jW1eKs09hLGsxLYG2CYhJvu23c0NgqW8hPkI/s400/pullhair.jpg" width="327" /></a></div><br />
This is Rylee, dancing with a scrap of tulle she found when she got up from her nap (Joy shown 1/10000000 scale).<br />
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I should have a pettiskirt in a day or two.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-43077641506520271792010-09-08T19:54:00.000-07:002010-09-08T19:54:47.903-07:00Apples and Pears shirtdressWell, one post in two months is pretty pathetic, even with a long vacation thrown in there. I keep planning to post some pictures of what we've been up to but we didn't really take that many on vacation. And sewing is dragging right now.<br />
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But I did manage to sew something with the Alexander Henry Apples and Pears that I coveted for so long. Thanks to <a href="http://katiekadiddlehopper.blogspot.com/">KID, MD</a> (the sewing goddess) for the idea for this <a href="http://katiekadiddlehopper.blogspot.com/2010/08/simplicity-2907.html">adorable shirt dress.</a> So super cute!!<br />
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Because I just took a serger class and was all geeked out with new techniques, I did a rolled hem on the sleeves and bottom. I wanted a more casual look and thought it might be cute. Eh. It does look cute enough, but I'll probably save it for knits from now on.<br />
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I also tried cloth covered buttons for the first time. I don't know why I waited, because if you can put the lid on a bottle of ibuprofen, you can make these things.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDRgOW0erEphIdBgH7vMUvyLdCzaYzleLBz94LlqceZqSyZ6mQiSx6akBDZ8bmvR3TiBxIZupcIPRvlrdvFpMXHhadHnFqupxOBIDEItnin9tclYl-OaPCdRxp3ASMNwh0d0uoY6Mk5A/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfDRgOW0erEphIdBgH7vMUvyLdCzaYzleLBz94LlqceZqSyZ6mQiSx6akBDZ8bmvR3TiBxIZupcIPRvlrdvFpMXHhadHnFqupxOBIDEItnin9tclYl-OaPCdRxp3ASMNwh0d0uoY6Mk5A/s400/IMG_4257.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
I made size 2, even though Rylee is very small in the chest. It came out a little long, but not ridiculously so. She refused to hold still long enough for a picture so all the pictures from the front are just of her lunging for the camera with a maniacal grin on her face. So here's the length from the back. With all her newly grown curly hair.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdPKngCzFhtdHkXapCvJPU9pTrFZydAApGCf2eNQtAVaU5Ng2rQ4hVD1Ww_ZObv18YGFpnZSafLFApzUEnzoUjPwwMVRrXwYPIIW1gqb9w0m5aU7CTdqV0htRaN5wvjq6i7sEHXeMWhE/s1600/IMG_4263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdPKngCzFhtdHkXapCvJPU9pTrFZydAApGCf2eNQtAVaU5Ng2rQ4hVD1Ww_ZObv18YGFpnZSafLFApzUEnzoUjPwwMVRrXwYPIIW1gqb9w0m5aU7CTdqV0htRaN5wvjq6i7sEHXeMWhE/s400/IMG_4263.JPG" width="210" /></a></div>auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-36184442891849596932010-08-12T12:46:00.002-07:002010-08-12T12:46:59.206-07:00A glass is half-full kind of morningWe'll just call taking your diaper off so you can surreptitiously poop by your art easel a "potty training readiness sign."<br />
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And hey, if I hadn't caught the dogs eating it, who knows how long before I found it?auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-21931850893352435822010-07-16T10:03:00.000-07:002010-07-16T10:03:07.224-07:00Off we go!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXvpV-qWFY31cZnU_gu9WJolBuapG3QchGU7GmULkGSn15k-xOIslGR6jfISsCBRvYeLUeBeg7n77dq6uHhkazzzvqomw6fW2rmdB5szjmdiHK3_NCplN4jJwRPh4Sok5xqM-PrhAv8Q/s1600/airplane_l.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXvpV-qWFY31cZnU_gu9WJolBuapG3QchGU7GmULkGSn15k-xOIslGR6jfISsCBRvYeLUeBeg7n77dq6uHhkazzzvqomw6fW2rmdB5szjmdiHK3_NCplN4jJwRPh4Sok5xqM-PrhAv8Q/s320/airplane_l.gif" /></a></div><br />
Rylee and I are taking wing to Michigan again. Some cousin-y goodness, some grubby camp fun and then some beach time with Daddy. Should be a hoot!<br />
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I'll try to post pictures and what-not.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-27459130074609742112010-07-12T16:03:00.000-07:002010-07-12T16:03:01.126-07:00Disney Princess DressMy very first commission! I made this for a friend for her daughter's birthday. She bought the fabric and paid me in a precious barter more valuable than gold: a night of baby sitting. Woot!<br />
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It's the same design as Rylee's <a href="http://livingthespaciouslife.blogspot.com/2010/06/modeled-dresses.html">ladybug and monkey dresses</a>. Time to get away from <a href="http://livingthespaciouslife.blogspot.com/2010/07/these-tops-are-licensed-for-home-use.html">licensed fabric</a> for awhile, but children want what they want. :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1JgIVX5u-PPywTyIDuwePwVwwHTyTZBQ-nXCDMWJwykF8yAWSaYisT3sc8UjkP55KLjqhgsS4vtjUgSQiGBs-ArYyxLezGM-dZvGo-b7UCbpihaNPs_CFq6Ocrl-NIPP_EoOOVYcIhI/s1600/princess+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn1JgIVX5u-PPywTyIDuwePwVwwHTyTZBQ-nXCDMWJwykF8yAWSaYisT3sc8UjkP55KLjqhgsS4vtjUgSQiGBs-ArYyxLezGM-dZvGo-b7UCbpihaNPs_CFq6Ocrl-NIPP_EoOOVYcIhI/s400/princess+dress.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><br />
A certain, covetous two-year old had to keep repeating the mantra "is <b>add'son's</b> pre'cess shirt"auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-86024920397502360242010-07-10T08:36:00.000-07:002010-07-10T08:36:35.825-07:00An object lessonSince I was up - courtesy of my beloved daughter - at 6am on a Saturday I figured I might as well make pancakes. I retrieved all the fixings from the fridge and Rylee asked to see the eggs.<br />
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Figuring it's never too early to teach her to cook I opened the eggs and let her carefully examine the four in the carton. She wanted to hold one so I pulled one out and handed it to her, all the while admonishing her to be careful and gentle.<br />
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As I was explaining that eggs are fragile and will break if we drop them, the remaining three eggs fell out of the carton and on to the floor.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5960586786750226984.post-27137540296929704242010-07-08T16:37:00.000-07:002010-07-08T16:37:08.702-07:00And we thought our babies grew up fastOn <a href="http://livingthespaciouslife.blogspot.com/2010/06/outside-my-windows.html">June 7th</a> I first noticed our hummingbird mommy sitting on her nest. I had noticed her flitting about a day or so before and I think she laid her eggs right about this time.<br />
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On <a href="http://livingthespaciouslife.blogspot.com/2010/06/purple-funks-and-tiny-lumps.html">June 24</a> I took my first peek into the nest and found a little blob already about 3-4 times the size of the egg (or shell) in the nest with it.<br />
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Things moved quickly after that. Mommy sat on the nest less frequently, but came by often to feed the baby. I never managed to capture her actually feeding, but here's a picture of her on June 26th.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNbq_SAAdEFUYVP_DX-uqoytUM2s64U7UUUx7VvfWIupuAdzbhkj8UyAw1QQ76_70ep0XszQZEuGhVv0Yh_1dQmDlPnR78B64pA66qCFQvK-veXGOHDo_hrS-ZEGSprAQOXo14VW_X1E/s1600/IMG_4072.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491677703899307346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNbq_SAAdEFUYVP_DX-uqoytUM2s64U7UUUx7VvfWIupuAdzbhkj8UyAw1QQ76_70ep0XszQZEuGhVv0Yh_1dQmDlPnR78B64pA66qCFQvK-veXGOHDo_hrS-ZEGSprAQOXo14VW_X1E/s400/IMG_4072.JPG" style="height: 240px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" width="400" /></a><br />
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I did catch a video of the little one giving himself a bath, though, on July 3rd.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMBk1yuioxAJer2o21z4LIf89JajA6eC9gvjlLY0kGyUMhYDt4-Ah_4SV89m2W9YUAwIXMTTVvOeKUtoogZmnV-RnA0JdTj00g-yv24V634RZbPKNUKuRpu0n1_oFLyNxIXL26XB-9Tg/s1600/IMG_4166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dym-VS8Zjb7HH7l77ojRVt8N135fbN8sXM6UB9oqDmxL4hsXSWZc9dBZ1G_s-uTFLs_gc3rcf4MsAxGN9TS9g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br />
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And we started seeing a lot of this greedy little mouth sticking up higher and higher (June 29).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURKjp59Zkb-VeIvnvJhSavAVkbumMxKJ4MakI8UMS6lH8iwFmjoyBP7aO96JCVqEWJLgyNh5Revm5wTdAmJotreHBZduuppf4aw1W3qi6VYkWznCQ7itaEdX_veR4G4ilBLBhoVXNVuc/s1600/IMG_4129.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491679528649107698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURKjp59Zkb-VeIvnvJhSavAVkbumMxKJ4MakI8UMS6lH8iwFmjoyBP7aO96JCVqEWJLgyNh5Revm5wTdAmJotreHBZduuppf4aw1W3qi6VYkWznCQ7itaEdX_veR4G4ilBLBhoVXNVuc/s320/IMG_4129.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
Yesterday I noticed he was getting a bit too big for his quarters. Beak and bottom were both sticking out all the time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMBk1yuioxAJer2o21z4LIf89JajA6eC9gvjlLY0kGyUMhYDt4-Ah_4SV89m2W9YUAwIXMTTVvOeKUtoogZmnV-RnA0JdTj00g-yv24V634RZbPKNUKuRpu0n1_oFLyNxIXL26XB-9Tg/s1600/IMG_4166.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491679869878463714" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMBk1yuioxAJer2o21z4LIf89JajA6eC9gvjlLY0kGyUMhYDt4-Ah_4SV89m2W9YUAwIXMTTVvOeKUtoogZmnV-RnA0JdTj00g-yv24V634RZbPKNUKuRpu0n1_oFLyNxIXL26XB-9Tg/s400/IMG_4166.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Today I noticed him trying his wings a little and I thought it might be The Big Day. But then he snuggled down back into the nest as if perhaps the thought was still too scary.<br />
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When I saw him venture out of the nest onto the light I grabbed the camera again.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwaUoT08iyIgN1VaPQGu1QTeNfSVWEgFOvSi_lY3ICxif0ZmZA6Neb7KNxvhExXUaDtGqDKsiSDUUhjD90gXA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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I watched for awhile as he screwed up his courage. I put the camera away and came back to the window to watch just a little bit more.<br />
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And as I was watching, he flew away.auntninnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12474437813560233345noreply@blogger.com1