My Boobs Are Mine....(sorry guys)

...once again.      teeheehee


Hello friends.  I have had a very busy week.  There have been lots of changes on the home front.  A new season is dawning and thus one is passing away. 

I know you're wondering about the boobs, probably can't get it out of your head right now.  "What is she talking about, her boobs are hers again?"  Well today marks the day that I completely stopped breast feeding.  We have been in the cut back process (weaning-makes me feel like a puppy should be involved) for a little while but today it is done.  Today I am a free woman...well as far as my boobs are concerned. 

You think I would be exstatic and completely over-joyed but it's not quite like that.  I am happy and sad.  I am happy because my baby is growing up.  Happy and thankful to GOD for how strong Buggie is and how healthy she is.  We are so Blessed by her, every single day.  The LORD has HIS hand on her, NO DOUBT! 

I am happy that we made it 13 months and 9 days doing something that is trying and exausting, sometimes painful and heartbreaking but oh so worth it producing a bond that cannot be described with words.  I am thankful for this AWESOME body GOD gave me!  Do you know the things this woman can do???  That all women can do?  We are serious! 

I am sad because my baby is growing up.  That she some how, in some ways, doesn't need me as much.   You see we have not only stopped nursing.  Buggie is now officially walking, sometimes running, around the house.  It has been a couple of months working with her, trying to get her to just take her hand off the ottoman once or take 1 step from Mom to Dad.  

               

A little snippet of her morning stroll         

Lately she has seemed much more interested in it but each adventure ends abruptly in a decision to stick to the crawl.  Then, this past Thursday, she was ready.  She took 2 steps to me from the bookcase in the office (/sewing room/storage closet room/guest room) ;)  It was so exciting and she was so proud of herself.  So we practiced quite a few more times.  Each time getting a little bit better.  By the time Daddy got home she was able to show him 4 steps in a row along with the biggest, cheesiest smile you have ever seen.  It has been a practice sesh (session) ever since.  Every day.  Every where.  She loves to walk and now tries running!  Egad!!!

Along with all of that she is changing, physically.  Like right before our very eyes.  We swore that she had changed from last night to this morning.  Her face, her hair, her smile.  She talks constantly with some words that you can actually understand.  Amazing!  She can read some words (thanks to Your Baby Can Read and Auntie Vy) and knows animals and colors (not all, mind you, but some).  She knows almost all of her body parts.  She loves her big brother with a love that is palpable, that you can see.  I could totally go on, as Moms do, but I won't.  Just know that she is AMAZING!!!  But she is changing and it is very bitter sweet.  

On a crafty note, I thought I would give you a sneak peek of something I have been working on.  I hope to have a mini how-to for you by tomorrow but there is no telling what tomorrow will bring. =)  I can only worry about today.

Isn't he cute?  Just wait!

I bid you adieu...until the morrow =D  I'm goofy, I know.  Happy Wednesday to everyone.  Half is past and half is yet to come!  Enjoy today - it is a Gift!!!

PEACE - LOVE & Bananas

P.S.  If there is anyone out there who has any questions about breast feeding please, please, please feel free to comment me with your email and I will contact you.  That way it's just between us.  I am no expert and will not claim to be but I did do it for 13 months and 9 days and Buggie and I went through a lot to be able to do it for that long.  I know the struggles and the joys and am so totally free and open to help, listen, encourage, you name it.  You can't embarrass me - you can't shock me...seriously! 

Toot! (tutorial) The Itsy Bitsy Spider...

...looks awesome on this bib!

 

I know that's not the original verse but I couldn't help myself.  Itsy Bitsy is one of our favorite tunes in this house and when I recently got my hands on some super cute Halloweenie fabric I knew one of the spooktacular creations I wanted to make had to have an 'itsy bitsy' on it.

This is kind of a mini tutorial.  I am not going to go into too much detail because there are a few bib toots out there and I don't have anything too incredibly special to add......except for Mr. Spider.

Materials needed:
1/4 (not even that much) yard main fabric piece
1/4 (not even that much) yard back fabric piece
Batting, thread, little scissors, sewing machine, sew on velcro

1. First, you will want to use a bib that you like the size and fit of to trace on your fabric.  If you don't exactly like something about the bib then change it up when you are using it as a pattern.  Mine was a little smaller than I would like so I allowed for that when tracing it.  You will also need to allow for about a 1/2" seam allowance when sewing.  You are only doing this on the main, or front, piece of the bib.

2. Mr. Spider happens to have started as a reverse applique'.  I totally dig the whole reverse applique' thing especially paired with an applique' (which just means that I go back over the reversed one).  You might think that's a little pointless but I love the depth it gives the creature, or whatever it is you are applique'ing ;)  If you do a reverse applique' this is the time to do it, after you have cut out the main piece.

Short Toot within a Toot!

To reverse applique', simply cut out a piece of fabric larger than your intended design (Mr. Spider in my case), this fabric is best if it is a great contrast from your main fabric (like how I used black for my spider body-the black is a great contrast, and complement, to the orange spidery main fabric. sorry I did not show my black fabric in a seperate pic!)  Then iron a piece of fusible interfacing to the backside of your contrast fabric.  Trim to desired size.  Next, you are going to pin the fabric with the interfacing to the wrong side of the piece you are applique'ing.  Pin the interfacing side up.  Then draw out whatever design you are doing on that piece of interfacing you just ironed on.  Now, with a small stitch (I use a 1 on my machine), sew all of the lines you just drew onto the interfacing at least 3 times.  You are literally looking at the interfacing when sewing and doing a 'tracing' of all the lines you drew with your needle and thread about 3 times over.  You should really try to keep your threads connected when moving on to the next spot (ie, on mr.spider, from the main circular body to the little eyes).  I did not do that this time.  I was having some needle issues (and operator error).  When you're done 'tracing' your line a few times you would simply pick up your needle, pull out the fabric just a little bit and line up your needle with the next spot to 'trace'.  This gives it a little more assurance that threads won't pull out.  I ended up having to go over my lines about 5 times so I am not too worried about that...famous last words, right?  Finally, you will turn your fabric over and cut away the material around all of the spots you just sewed.

3. This bib has a layer of batting in the middle.  I layed my front bib piece down on the batting and pinned it in place.  After it was pinned I just went ahead and cut the batting around my pinned piece leaving around a 1/2" allowance.  This is because when you sew the batting sometimes it will 'shrink' or change in size a little bit.

4. Now you can either go ahead and sew the batting to this piece right now (just make sure the batting is on the wrong side of your fabric) or you can cut out the piece for the back of the bib and then sew all 3 at the same time...which is what I did.  Use a 1/4" seam allowance and leave an opening, about 1-1/2", somewhere in the bib to turn it right side out.  Oh, do the same method with your back piece, pin your front piece to it and just cut.  If you plan it right you can have everything pinned and ready to sew in minutes!

In this pic you can see my front piece is wrong side out with it's right side facing the right side of the back piece.  I have my batting pinned to the wrong side of the back piece.  So in my layer sandwich it goes: front piece, back piece, batting (with the front and back pieces right sides together).

Here you can see what it looks like from the back after the bib sandwich has been stitched.  See my opening for turning at the bottom left?
                                                                              

And here it is from the front.  Be sure to trim your batting to match your front and back pieces now that the bib sandwich has been sewn.

5. After you've trimmed your batting go ahead and trim the corners of the bib up around the top where the neck straps meet so that there is less bulk when turning the bib right side out.  I actually trim the entire thing coming close the stitch to allow for a neater looking bib.  I feel like the less bulk the better.  If you do this just make sure you don't trim too close to that stitch or it will pull out.  Now gently turn it right side out through the opening you left.  No pics for this but I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  I would iron it at this point as well to help it lay flat and allow for ease when top stitching.

6. Top stitch around the entire bib folding in the area that you left open for turning so that you close it completely up.  Sorry, no pic for this either.

7.  Add some sew on velcro.

8. Final step, applique'!!!  I used a basic zig zag stitch for the spider legs.  I just drew right onto the bib the leg placement and followed that along with a 1/2" zig zag.  I also zig zagged around the body of the spider creating some depth.

Love him! 

Please leave me a comment and let me know if something wasn't clear or if I can help explain anything a little better for you.  I am totally visual so I get it if something didn't click!!! 

And please, please, please, I would love pictures if you make a fun bib of your own!

                                                                                                                                                 

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's Off To Work I go....

...on some of my neglected projects.  Egad!  Why does that happen?  How do I start new projects without finishing those that are in the works???  I guess I would need a therapist to figure that out, huh?

I am trying to find some serious focus.  After the week and a half that has just taken place I feel like I've lost some momentum...not cool.  So to help get myself back in the groove I thought I would post some pics of a few of the things that I have managed to accomplish recently as a reminder of how great it feels to complete something! :)

You might have recalled that I mentioned some more birthdays in last night's post.  Well here is a sweet project I did for my Dad's birthday.  All you need is a picture frame, some scrapbook paper or card stock (paper of choice) and some Mod Podge (which big box dominator sells now-nice!). 

Totally slacked on getting a final shot with the photo in the frame but you get the idea.  Sorry about that.  It was super cute and a great present!!!


I also managed to make some super cute cupcake party take-home treats for Bubs Big Ten birthday party.  I had seen this idea in a couple of places and absolutely loved it.  All you need are some mason jars, cake & decorations.  They came out great and were a big hit! 

I baked my killer vegan cupcakes (that taste so good no one believes they're vegan and absolutely loves), cut them in half putting the bottom half of the cupcake on the bottom of the mason jar, piped frosting on top of that then placed the top of the cupcake on top of that and piped more frosting on that.  Bubby decorated them with sprinkles and such and then I did a little of this and that to the top and outside of the jars.  

If you have any occasion coming up where you need to bring a treat, try this.  So much fun!!!

Ok, I'm out for now...gotta get to sewing!  Stay tuned, more adventures in the life of the stitched & nameless to come!!!

If Your Happy and You Know It........

...arrrrrgh!  I  can't even finish it.  I want to.  But I can't.

Sorry I've been MIA for a little bit.  It appears that all hell literally does break loose at the same time!

Buggie had her 12 month exam a few weeks ago and at that appointment she received her MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and Varicella (chicken pox) vaccines.  If you don't know me well, or have not had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of 1 of my rants, than you don't already know that I am not so keen on the vaccine.  Any of them.  I don't believe that we need all of this, really.  I have my feelings and certain exceptions (like spending time, any time, over seas) but for the most part I think we should all probably just stay home and avoid the 'germ' all together.  Nah, I kid (kind of, wink, wink) but I do believe it's a bit melodramatic and I am certain it is a pharmaceutical joke by the big RX heads in the sky..."look at how much they want need our drugs".  I just believe that we need to be careful what we put into our bodies and stop believing EVERYTHING the media or a person with a name tag tells us.  And here I am, back at my point (man, I veer a lot, huh?) which is that vaccine's might not be the coolest thing, just sayin. 

So, Buggie gets a breakthrough case of Chicken Pox.  What's that, you ask?  It's where your child basically gets the chicken pox but not quite so much of it and it's not contagious.  But we're still talking fever for days, huge bumps (that never scabbed thank GOD, a definite plus of the "breakthrough case") lots of uncomfortableness with the accompanying fuss pants and I think some stomach cramps.  All of this over a duration of about 7 days...just like chicken pox.  Honestly, I am very thankful that it was just a "breakthrough" case because I know it could have been a lot worse and I am very Blessed that it was not.  I do, however, feel like the nurse should tell you: "Your child may experience a breakthrough case of chicken pox which could include fever, bumps, discomfort, blah blah blah" as opposed to what the nurse did say which was:  "In 7-10 days she could have a fever and/or a rash."  I need more here people...please!  I had the family running around trying to find out who it was with ringworm because I was sure that's what those huge bumps on her arm and her leg were.  That was some 'rash'. ;)

Ok, so thank you for allowing me to release that.  I so don't like it when Buggie doesn't feel good.  I want to take all of it away and I can't and she can't even tell me what's wrong yet.  Poor little thing.  And she has like 5 teeth trying to come through!  So, it's been a tough week to say the least and to add to it we had 2 more birthdays.  My Dad and Step-Son, the BIG 10, so exciting!!!  There is probably a few more things I can add into this big pile of life but you all know the drill.  I've missed you, whoever you are, and I am happy to be back...but for how long??? muahahahaha

I did manage to do a project, well actually a couple of them, over the course of the last 10 days.  Oooh, and Buggie and I took my Step-Mom to a ceramics place where she painted some pieces and we got to spend some time together, just the girls.  That was cool.  I found this first idea over here at Sew Woodsy.  Check it out for the how to...no need to repeat what she has so nicely done. 

These are our kitchen switch and plug (receptacle) plates.  They tried to give us a hard time around the little opening for the light switch and some of those crazy curves on the plugy one but it was a great learning experience and I am totally stoked with how they came out!  If you're just trying to get back into the creating vibe maybe start with this - it was fun, easy and quick!!!

(Slits used to assist in wrapping the paper around the plate, should've cut some of it away instead of trying to wrap it all)

 I used scrap book paper I had lying around for this set but I was thinking I would try it with some fabric next time...maybe plaid, maybe polka dots, idk, lots of possibilities.  I wonder how wrapping paper would do?!?  Does Mod Podge destroy the paper?  Anyone tried this before with wrapping paper?  If so let me know and pics would be cool, too. 

Thanks for spending some time, you are totally appreciated!  Enjoy this day...it is a gift!!!

PEACE

(oh, and....CLAP YOUR HANDS!) =D

Ahhhhh, FRIDAY!

Happy Friday to all!  Such a feat it is to make it to Friday and so great to be heading into the weekend.  For some reason it never feels this good on Sunday evening.  I have decided that over the next few days I HAVE to work on some of the unfinished projects I have going on around the house.  I can't focus on creating 'new' stuff when the current stuff is in stages.

I could work on this.... 

It's only our living room wall and it's only looked like this for about 4 months.  I'm afraid if I don't work on it/finish it soon D could take some drastic measures.  Not sure what those are but I know this is one project that needs to be completed.  We've already had family here twice since I started it.  I know they were expecting to come back and see the finished 'masterpiece' (not) and instead it looks exactly the same as it did when they were here in June.  Oy!        

I have about 15 sewing projects in the works...where do I even begin???

But really all I want to do is play with Buggie and spend some time marveling at some beautiful shots of Paris that my good friend Christy took on her recent vacation to the city of love, lights, weird food (teehee) and so much more.  You can't believe these pictures.  Please go over to Through My Looking Glass and check them out.  They are awesome!!! 

I guess for now I will at least complete our morning routine and try to wrap my head around where to begin.  Stay tuned......

POT ROAST?

Not really. 

This is the perfect time to tell you about my good friend's awesome blog Katie's Cucina.  She has some killer recipes that will literally make your mouth water.  She's been on a cupcake kick lately - YUM MY!!!  Thanks to Katie, my family ate very well quite a few nights when Miss Buggie was fresh.  Thanks Katie, you ROCK!!!  And so do your blogs!

So uncool.  I was hoping to have another Spoonie for you tonight.  A yummy, 20 minute prep "Pot Roast" with potatoes, baby carrots and onions.  I have to tell you, I'm really not sure where my head is these days.  I have a pretty good idea but sheesh!  I got the wrong meat this weekend so what was a planned pot roast, you know, June Clever style, turned out to be an "oven" roast.  Wrong cut, entirely.  It's a bit tougher and doesn't do that pull apart thing that roast does.  I was so looking forward to that yummy, savory flavor...but I digress.  I thought I would still give you the rundown of how I roll with the 1 dish "Pot Roast".

Prep takes about 20 minutes and consists of rinsing and drying your meat, a salt and pepper rub, cleaning and slicing 1 medium onion and about 4 medium potatoes.  Throw it all into a roasting pan (arranging it all nice and pretty around the roast, Martha Stewart style).  Then throw in a whole bag of baby carrots.  Pour seasoned juice around roast, cover it with aluminum foil and roast in a 325 degree oven for about 20 minutes a pound.

For your amusement, I am including a pic below.  Sorry about that.  Hopefully the next one will be better.  

On a different note, you may have noticed some changes to the blog already.  I have a little bit of OCD (and maybe some neurosis thrown in-ahahahahaha) so I am trying to get it right....in my mind at least.  I would love some feedback on the new look so far.  I am sure it will see many more changes in the future but hopefully I am close to done right now.  Thanks for checking it out and have a great day!!!

HEM JOB. Not too fancy but definitely handy to know... a tutorial

This one is particularly handy in our house because both my husband and I like to cut the ends of our pants off.  We like our pants long, like walk on them long, so if we don't cut them off we end up walking on them and wearing them ragged, literally.  Daniel is tall and rides a motorcycle a lot of the time, if he's not actually working on one, so he needs long pants to sport in the wind.  White chicken legs don't look too hot comin' at you down the highway =D love you D And I just have some sort of sickness that makes me shiver at the sight of the shorty short pant.  I can't take it!!!  It also makes me laugh to know that at least one other person in this world shares my feeling of the too short pant and would go to the same 'lengths' I would to keep that from happening.  It's sick really but whadya gonna do?

You're going to hem them when they get out of control is what you're going to do.  Or when your husband decides the pair of pants he already cut off was a mistake and he would like them back to normal.  I know there are lots of how to's on the hem but I just thought it would be cool to share some pant fixing ideas when the store bought hem is no longer in tack...for whatever reason.

I know it's not so spectacular for my first "how to" but it was really the only sewing I got to do today and I realized that someone else might like to know.  I hope so and maybe you'll see something new or something that would help me to know.  I love to learn new things and I am positive I do not know all there is to know about sewing.  I fear I am just a young Padawan learning to use The Force...so fresh and eager to learn. ;)

Ok, so you've seen what I'm starting with.   This pair is really not too bad so that makes life a little easier.  In this case we are trying to preserve as much of the length as possible.

First, I turned the pants inside out and got them as flat and even as I could.  I cut the edges with my rotary cutter, using a Fiskars ruler as my guide, being careful to only cut what was necessary to make them even.

Next, I did a medium size zig zag stitch all the way around the edges that I just cut off.  This helps to keep the material from further fraying and gives it a nice, clean, finished look. 

Please see picture a few steps later showing this zig zag stitch, not sure how I didn't get a pic but you can see it below.

Then I turned up the hem 1" (you are still working inside out and will be for the remainder of the process) and pinned it all the way around.  Then I ironed it as well being careful to pick up the iron to move it to a new spot instead of dragging it.  This just helps ensure everything stays even and does not get out of whack! (can't have that) ;)



Turning up the hem 1" to pin and then iron.

Tangant:

I have learned over my years, and experience, that it is best to be patient and get it right the first time - I despise seam ripping!  Ugh, I just can't get down with it.  Not when I could be looking at a finished product had I slowed down and taken a few more steps.  With that said, please understand I am talking about me and your skill level or work style could be totally different from mine and that's cool!  I love that there are some many different aspects of art, different points of view.  Such a beautiful thing and as I've said before please let me know if you have a better way to do something...I would loooooove to hear it!!!  Ok, so I usually do all kinds of pinning and ironing to bring me back around to my point so that you know for future reference.  You might think I go overboard but it helps me immensely!

                                                                                



Hem completely pinned up 1" and visual of zig zag from step 2.



After I pressed this 1" hem nice and crisp, I took the pins out, unfolded the hem, leaving a nice crease mark in the pants, and folded the zig zagged edge up to meet the crease that I just ironed into the pants.  Then I pinned all the way around and ironed this down the same way.



Hem turned up to crease; pinned and ironed.



How are you doing so far?  We're almost done!

Finally, I stitched a small to medium straight stitch (#2 length on my machine) all the way around this top edge, this is the same edge that you zig zagged in the beginning.  I actually used the zz stitch as a guide to run my straight stitch.  You will probably have to pull out your pins as you go.

 

Now just turn the pants right side out and smile at how good they look. =D









 Thanks for sticking this one out with me guys.  I would love some comments, thoughts, ideas....Have a wonderful evening and may your tomorrow be beautiful and bright!!!