Made these for Super-E’s lunch time at school.  I used what ever boy-ish fabric I could find in my stash, which isn’t much.  Now another cute little guy who is not in school wants one. He’s already picked out the fabric and button.  I guess that is next on my list.  Come to think of it, I might like one for myself for work-time lunch.

The first day of school went smoothly.  Only a half day for today and tomorrow to get the kids adjusted at a gentle pace.  The after school conversation went as usual:

Us (acting overly excited): “How was it?”
E: “eh, fine. good.”
Us: “what did you do?”
E: “ehhhh, nothing.”
Us: “well, did you meet any new friends?”
E: “not really”

So apparently, they sat around doing absolutely nothing, talking to no one for about 4 hours.  I guess he needed a bit of time to process his day. As the afternoon has progressed he began to give us the details of his day. It just so happens that they went on a tour of the school, he has two teachers, they did some introduction games and he even met a few people. It was even kinda fun.

He even asked for a reading pillow for class. And since I have had Maya’s travel pillow in my mind, I decided this was as good a reason as any to finally make one. He picked one of my thrifted pillowcases for me to use and said, “make it real simple, don’t go crazy.”  What’s THAT supposed to mean!

Whatever.

I never go crazy…(ahem).

P.S.  Just so you know, it only took about 15 shots and a bribe of catnip to get that kitty of mine to cooperate in the top picture.

P.S.S.  I used a premade 15 x 15 inch pillow form to make the travel pillow. I will be writing E’s name on the handle.

We have been trying to go to the pool twice a week to keep the kids cool and happy.  I had been wanting to make a swimsuit cover-up ever since seeing all of these, but didn’t have the time until yesterday.

It was pretty easy to make.  I used two thrifted t shirts and my regular sewing machine. It only cost me $1, free if I had been able to find two decent t shirts in the hubby’s closet.

You’ll need:

2 mens t shirts. Find one that fits loosely. You will need the extra size for the gathered neck.  The second t shirt will provide material for the ruffled hem.
thread
sewing machine
scissors
safety pin

1. Cut Shirt~1 along the red dotted line, as seen in the diagram above. Save the hemmed piece from the shirt for the drawstring (see #6).

2. Cut second shirt as seen above for ruffled hem.  I cut my hem 5.5 inches wide, but this can be modified to any width. With the 2 cut strips, sew short ends together to make one very long continuous strip.  Sew straight stitch (using longest stitch) across the top of the entire length of the strip.  Pull bobbin thread to create a light gather. Set aside.

3.  Sew neck pleat on shirt ~1.  I used a scrap piece of fabric to demonstrate this part.
Turn shirt right side in and double fold in edge of plunged neckline (as seen in photot).  Pin in place.  Using a zig-zag stitch (straight stitch would probably work, but it’s not as pretty) sew straight down on doth sides (see the red dash line).

4.  Turn shirt right side out again and bring sewn edges together to make a pleat.  Pin in place and sew.

5. Make casing around neckline.  Fold in 1/2 inch all around neck and sew using straight stitch.

6.  Make drawstring using leftover hem from shirt. Fold hem in half lengthwise and zig-zag stitch all the way across the length.  Tie one end in knot. Attach safety pin to other end and work through neck casing.  When all the way through, tie knot on the end. Adjust gathers evenly.

7. Sew on ruffled hem. You might have to mess with the gather to achieve the correct length for sewing on. Plus, you may want more or less of a ruffle than I have.  My long strip was 1/3 longer than the total width of my shirt bottom, if that helps any.  Once you get the gather you like, cut off any excess and sew short ends together.  Sew onto shirt by pinning right sides together and then zig-zag stitch all the way around.

8. You’re done!! Go get on your swimsuit (as fun as that sounds), slip on this cute dress and head to the pool (or even better–the beach!). This is a very flattering dress, especially for those like me, with those empty-baby-house curves.

**Tips & suggestions**

* A serger could definitely be used for this but is not needed.
*When using a regular sewing machine, try not to stretch fabric as you sew.  Practice on some scrap fabric and make sure your tension and feed dogs are adjusted as needed.
* A straight stitch works well for any area that will not be stretched, otherwise use a zig-zag stitch to allow for a teeny bit of stretch.
* No hem is needed for the sleeves and ruffled hem edge – it’s knit!  It can handle that.
* This would be a cute dress too.  Try 2 colorful t shirts instead.

I hope this all makes sense. Let me know if you have any question.

Not of the caloric kind, but of the happy crafty kind.

Some new fabric from Pink Chalk Fabric.  I am hoping to do a little patchwork.  Hopefully one of these table runners (I have the pattern already) and maybe a pillow too! The first two fabric pieces (navy & red/pink) are for two new, very much needed, scrub tops.

I also found some F.O.E  at a local fabric by the pound shop.  Only $.15 per yard!  They only had these five colors, but at fifteen cents I bought 6 yards of each color–$4.50 total!!.  I should be having some fun with this stuff.

I also bought some Aqua Gems at the craft store.  Primarily to make some of these awesome neck coolers. Nothing could be more perfect for this hot Southwest weather!  Little did I know that they would be taken over by two little boys.  I have to admit, they ARE really fun to play with.  Unfortunately, because they are round, these little boogers roll everywhere when accidentally dropped. It can be a little trickly trying to find lost aqua gems. I really do need to get the crystal shaped gems instead.  I think they would work a little better for the neck coolers–and they don’t roll.

We enforce a no shoe policy in our house.  We make just about everyone take their shoes off, very rarely allowing anyone to wear them in.  If someone does get in the house with shoes, the kids are sure to insist they take them off.   For one, we have dark etched cement floors that show every little bit of dirt that comes in.  So, this helps with decreasing the number of times we have to clean the floor, which is still a lot. Also, who knows what people are stepping in.  Since I work in a hospital I am extra paranoid about this.  My work shoes never come all the way in.  It’s just scary and yucky.

I don’t particularly like walking around barefoot and these lightweight cotton slippers are just perfect.  In the past I had been wearing anklet socks, but they are not nearly as cute as these.  I might have to make some in small, medium and large for friends who come over and give me that look that says, “do I really have to remove my shoes?”.

The pattern, by the way, is from Weekend Sewing, by Heather Ross. My slippers are the ones made from the vintage purple/blue/green floral pattern.  I just love them.  Unfortunately they are a bit snug and the heel feels like it’s going to slip off, although it never does.  I might have to fiddle with a pattern a bit to accomodate my big feet.  I also need to get some FOE so that I can make them angry chicken style.  Looks a lot easier than adding the zig-zag trim, which is very cute, but a little bit of a pain.

and in my kitchen sink,

and in my bed,

and completely in my heart.

This is my precious niece, Ruby.  She came along with her mother (my sister) for a lovely visit filled with tea, good food, beautiful sisterly conversation and lots of sloberry baby kisses.  I even managed to get in some sewing for the sweet girl.  She is sporting a yellow sundress with bloomers that I made her, all from Weekend Sewing.  An excellent project to whip up while chating with my baby sister.  Yep, she’s still my baby sister, even with her own babe on hip.

A couple of things that I am working on.  A new summer bag (top pic) and a pillow.  I bought the pre-cut diamond pieces at a yard sale and decided that I had just enough to piece together a bright little pillow for my sofa.

I made these for my little guys in hopes that they will use them to carry all their found treasures (rocks, sticks, leaves, etc) when we go out hiking.  I made them a few weeks ago, but it has been so hot outside, that we haven’t really have the opportunity to use them yet.

They are made using the same style as this bag.  They both picked the same colors and owl, so I had to do a teeny bit of negotiating.  They are still very much alike, which makes them very happy.

The boys couldn’t be bothered with  modeling these bags for me.  Too busy playing with new lego sets.  So I hung them on my new entry way peg hooks.  I feel so organized, even though I really am not.

I made a few things during the long driving stretches during our trip.  I am usually prone to car-sickness, but I did well.  Just a few curvy spots made me a little whoozy, but I managed to keep my hands busy for the boring parts of the drive (AZ & mid CA).

I forgot washcloths for the camping part of our trip which were very much needed for little sticky hands and messy faces, plus we didn’t have anything to clean up dishes or my gritty feeling face either.  So, three different cloths did the trick.  We managed to keep them straight: the square one for the boys, smaller round one for me and the big round one for dishes. They worked out well.

I also made a little sewing/needle book to keep in my purse. I’ve been needing one for a while.

front

I was commissioned to make this for a friend at work.  She has one of these teeney little laptops and couldn’t find a good bag for it.

back

She picked the fabric and I went to work.

inside

I’m really happy with how it turned out.  I’d like to make a couple more for my little guys, but with colors and fabric they choose.  They would be adventure bags, so they can carry all their little treasures and findings when we go out. This way, they can carry the rocks in their bags, instead of me. Who am I kidding? I’ll end up having to carry the bags!

We are getting ready for a big trip to California next week.  Leaving on Tuesday for 10 days! Going up the coast from San Diego to San Fransisco.  Any craft fairs or very interesting-quirky cool places we shouldn’t miss?  Just asking so I don’t miss the opportunity to visit some place very cool or crafty. I’m hoping to hit some really great farmer’s markets and fresh fruit! Yum!!

Have a lovely weekend!!