Overdue

So I finished this top back in the middle of March and was planning to post it right away.  Then I got a really icky case of poison ivy which kind of sucked the energy out of me.  While I was recovering, I got involved in a few volunteer projects and a campaign to save the arts and foreign language at my son's school, and I took my kids to visit their grandparents during Spring Break.  But, really, those are just a bunch of lame excuses.  There's no real reason, except for my own tendency to procrastinate, that kept me from sitting down at the computer for thirty minutes and letting you know that I finished this top.

I'm pretty happy with it overall.  I love the way the cap sleeves turned out!  Aren't they cute?  And it fits me well.  I got a little nervous about the sizing at the last minute, so I used a smaller seam allowance along the sides than the pattern called for.  I'm glad I did.  I might make it a couple inches longer next time and more tunic-like, but the length is really fine.  It was pretty quick to make, given that I only had small chunks of time after bedtime and during preschool to work on it.  And, for a "very easy" pattern, it has a good amount of quality detailing.  I like, for instance, that the yoke is entirely faced.  The pattern, by the way, is Vogue V8495, style A.   

I'm still waiting for the warm weather to wear this in, but I have a feeling when it comes, I'll be wearing it often.  If so, I may need to whip up another... maybe in an over-scaled abstract floral print... or a solid linen... In the meantime, I'm onto other projects and preparing for a big (four-year-old!) birthday celebration tomorrow.

And I'm still coming down from the high of an inspiring screen printing class I took Saturday.  (Thank you, Needle Shop!)  More to come on that soon... I promise.

Creating with kids

Just a quick post to let you know about a fabulous new downloadable mini-mag for crafty kids.  Published by Whipup.net, 'Action Pack' is truly "packed" with 20+ pages of science experiments, recipes, craft projects and outdoor activities for kids ages 7 and up.  This first issue is all about origami and beeswax, including a recipe for a very yummy sounding Honey & Cinnamon cake.  It also includes cute printable labels for decorating some of the projects, like the beeswax lip balm.  For $5, and completely advertising-free, I consider this a bargain.  I just bought a copy for myself... um... I mean, for my kids!  You can purchase one for your kiddos (and find out more about it) here.

And if you're looking for even more stuff for you and your kids to do (and at no cost -- well, except maybe for a few supplies), The Crafty Crow, is an excellent resource for all types of art and craft activities.  This is my go to site (literally!) when we're feeling really bored.

Pie... and a project

I was talking about pie Tuesday morning.  You don't have to know me for long to discover this is one of my favorite subjects.  In fact, here I am blabbing to all of you about this not-so-big secret on, what, my third blog post?!  Anyway, where was I?  Oh yeah... pie!  So, it was the day after President's Day and for some reason I was taking about pie.  Then my dear hubby remembered that his grandmother always made cherry cobbler (which is kinda like pie, right?) on President's Day.  But, I'm thinking, President's Day was yesterday.  And then I look at the calendar and see that today (last Tuesday, actually) is Washington's Birthday, and, wait a minute, it was Mr. Washington and his famous quote about the cherry tree (true or not), that is the reason for this tasty tradition.  I know I shouldn't really have to have a reason to make pie, but it helps.  I'll just leave it at that for now.

So, I found frozen cherries at the grocery store, a filling recipe to loosely follow, and whipped up this pie.  I always use this pie crust recipe.  Because a really good pie crust makes a really good pie.  Truly.  Although the filling isn't exactly unimportant, for me, pie is all about the crust.

Finally, here's a photo to commit me to my next project.  I'm feeling like I need more practice sewing clothing from patterns.  I've had this pattern and the fabric since late last summer.  Now that spring is just around the corner (It's true!  I saw shoots emerging, alongside the snow, in my front yard today!), I think it's time for a new cheerful cotton top.  I'm making the shirt on the bottom left of the pattern envelope.  I'll let you know how it turns out. 

Gifts

The kids and I had an impromptu party last night.  After all, who doesn't have an It's-Sunday-Night-And-Tomorrow-Is-President's-Day-Which-Means-No-School-Plus-We've-Been-Stuck-Inside-All-Day-Because-It's-Cold-And-Rainy party?!  The hubby left to catch up on work at the office and, so, missed out.  (We were happy to have him home for most of the weekend, though.)

I think Ellie had the idea first -- to set up for a party in her room.  Then Henry suggested we all make presents for each other.  This is the best part of these parties.  With me helping occasionally (and working on a surprise of my own), the kids worked diligently on their presents for a good 45 minutes.  Ellie made a card for Henry and they each made artwork for me.  For my art from Ellie, Henry, in his teacherly way, drew an outline in pencil for Ellie to trace and color in, then he added some final details that she couldn't draw herself. 

For Henry's gift, I suggested a holder for his markers (after all, it's been kind of driving me crazy to find them in piles on the floor all the time!).  I cut off the bottom of an empty orange juice carton, Ellie picked out some colorful wrapping paper, then we glued the paper onto the container together.  Henry had some trouble coming up with an idea for his gift to Ellie, until she reminded him that she likes pirates... and Scooby-Doo.  Then he got to work.  He asked me to sew some felt into a pouch, but he made the rest himself.  He even added a little handle for pulling the "treasure" out of the pouch.  My surprise was two "Busy Bee" awards, made with medallion-shaped graphics cut from honey-flavored yogurt packaging (noticed while I was carrying it to the recycling pile), some colored construction paper, and safety pins.

The party itself didn't last long.  It began with a short awards ceremony.  Then there was a bit of dancing, some puzzle construction, and several games of tic-tac-toe.  Finally, we exchanged our gifts.  Henry and Ellie both LOVED the presents they received from each other.  The best gift for me was the joy on their lovely faces, watching the two of them working together, and, of course, seeing all the creative juices flowing!

The kids proudly wearing their badges.  And Henry's marker holder.



Ellie's pirate Scooby-Doo treasure and pouch.



Art for me, by the kids.

Finally, I have to share one last thing.  Henry asked me to help him make marble runs with our favorite wooden blocks this weekend.  This photo makes me smile.

Here goes...

I've been standing at the water's edge for something like 23 months... I've been thinking about how exactly to jump in.  A graceful swan dive?  A dramatic cannonball?  A calculated flip in mid-air, followed by a smooth cut through the surface of the water?  I now realize I just have to dive in.  It is less important how I do it than that I do it at all.  So, here goes.  With arms flailing and legs kicking, I'm leaping into the blogosphere!  It's time to stop thinking and get doing.

In case you're wondering, no, that's not me in the photo.  It's my much braver seven year old son.  I think he only stood there for about 30 seconds before jumping in.