mending

My sewing machine has been in the shop twice in the last 2 weeks (I have a newer model, but have had a couple of quirky issues with it.)  I've missed it.  However, the break did us both some good.  My machine now weighs about 10 pounds less because all the lint and dust that has been cleaned out (sorry Mr. Repair Man :)  He gently reminded me that things might be helped if I did that myself- and a bit more often. I used the time away from Singer to recover from my "Last Minute Christmas Sewing Freak-out" and found a new desire to jump back in.  It was a joyous reunion.  Hannah was excited to see that it had returned to it's rightful place on my sewing table because I have been promising to make her some new jammies with the flannel she picked out at the fabric store.  Inspired by this post- I decided that we would work on them together.

 

I let her push the pedal and I did the steering.  This process reaffirmed what I already knew about Hannah.  That is- she basically has two speeds, major lolly-gager or crazy fast.  We struggled for a while to find our rhythm, laughing a lot! She also had some very specific requests as to the color of her thread (red top-stitching, and pink bobbin), length of her pants (she wanted her slippers to show), and the tightness of her waistband (we had to readjust a couple of times to get it just right). After chatting, teaching, some learning, and lots of giggles, she had her pants.  We used this pattern- so simple.  Because I didn't want to bore or worse frustrate her- simple was good.

She wore them for 2 days (and nights).  Then, the requests started coming in for more.  Laurel's are blue, longer, and with some zig-zags.  Thankfully, for the last 2 days we didn't have much reason to wear anything other than our softy flannel pants and slips.

Frankly, after last week (our first going back to school since the Holiday break) most of us felt like this doll- worn, ragged, and with our stuffing hanging out.  We spent much of the weekend mending.  Its always nice to give and receive a little more of each other during these quiet times.  Recharges the batteries a bit, you know?  Hey did you also know about this?  The popcorn is on deck and I have a very cozy companion who is sure to appreciate the romance of Jane Austen (as opposed to others that dwell here- you know who you are :)

winter daydreaming

This was the scene coming down the hill into town this morning. 

 

Quite beautiful I know, but also losing it's novelty (by the way, I do not recommend being the photographer and the driver. simultaneously)  My seed catalog arrived the other day.  Fantasies of growing a bigger better garden than last year are hovering about in my mind. I know my space, my sun, and my soil all a little better this time around.  The planning has been in early stages for a couple of weeks now. (below: how I spent the my time this afternoon while the girls napped)

I am a complete novice.  The only things I have learned about gardening have come from this book. It is a quick easy read with lots of helpful charts and drawings.  I am a chart/drawings kind of girl. So now, the only things standing in my way are about 6 inches of crusty snow (with more on the way) and temperatures that are about 30 degrees too chilly. Is it too early to have spring fever?

no more mix ups

A while back I threw out all of our old plastic cups. Instead, I bought glass cups for the girls to use.  This has been working well with one exception- they all look alike.  The trouble is that we mix them up.  Who's is who's?  Is this yesterday's cup or today's cup? (if my sweet little ones would clear their cups off the kitchen table this last issue wouldn't be).  I found that I was washing the cups much too often.  Like 2-3 times a day often.  It was time to get creative.

 

Introducing color-coded cup cozies.  Each girl now has her own cup- clearly distinguished, and for an entire day's use!!  I crochet them up quickly last night.  Would you like to make some of your own?

Start with some random bits of yarn.  I prefer bright colors (mostly because it won't look so dirty when messy hands touch them) and also I used yarn that could easily be washed- no wool this time.  A size H hook is what I used...but you decide depending on your yarn.

Chain 2. 6 single crochet in the second chain from hook

round 1: 2 single crochet in each stitch from the previous round

round 2: Single crochet in the next stitch then increase in the next by making 2 single in the next stitch around

round 3: single crochet around with an increase every 3rd stitch around

round 4: singe crochet around  with an increase every 4th stitch around

keep increasing  like this until the round is as big as the bottom of your glass

round 5: slip stitch around going through back loops only

round 6: single crochet around

round 7: alternate front and back post single crochet around (this creates the ribbing)

continue for as high as you would like coverage on your glass (I did 6-8 rounds like this)

round 8: single crochet around

round 9: slip stitch through the front loops only.

tie off yarn and weave in ends.

 

Laurel picked green.  I think that they are going to work well.  Once you have the general idea you can get creative.  Stripes? Picot edging? Embroidered Initials? The possibilities are endless!  Give it a try!