We managed to squeeze in a little fun time in between errands and chores this weekend. The church were Mirabella goes to preschool had a Spring Fair today.
We only stayed for a short time, but she managed to play games, make crafts, get her face painted and have a cupcake. Add beautiful weather and we had all the ingredients for a fun spring morning.
Not quite what the founders had in mind, but it’s the thought that counts. Did you know Arbor Day was started in Nebraska?
In my creative space this week, I altered this cute dress to fit my daughter. She hasn’t been that interested in dress up clothes, but there were a few times at the children’s museum that wore a dress almost exactly like this.
I snagged this one at the thrift shop, even though it was a few sizes too big. I took in the shoulders and body, but left the skirt as is.
She was really excited when I brought it home and couldn’t wait until it fit. Now, of course, she doesn’t want to wear it. Maybe I should call it a Fancy Nancy dress instead. If that doesn’t work, it can always be transformed into a twirly skirt.
What’s happening in your creative space this week? Play along over at Kirsty’s.
I have this idea for a really cool shirt, but it involves freezer paper stenciling. Can you believe I’ve never tried it? Well, until today, that is. Boy, is this technique awesome — and addicting!
When I applied the paint I was confident one coat would be enough, but after peeling off the stencil, I think two coats might be the way to go. Glad I made a prototype.
Have you used freezer paper stencils before?
pattern: The stencil is a freehand drawing of a flower from existing fabric. I’m going to make matching pajama bottoms for my daughter.
technique: You can find details and tutorials over at Amy’s blog and Craftster.
The Thrifting Fairies must have been on Easter vacation last weekend. I did a lot of trying on and left with a lot of nothing. It made me think that refashioning what’s in my closet might be a better way to spend my time. So, on a trip up to Omaha, I grabbed two skirts and my seam ripper.
First to come out were the bulky pockets. Then I unpicked the waist and elastic casing. This week I’m going to take in the sides and insert a zipper (yikes!). Currently on the chopping block are these two linen skirts. Stay tuned!
My experiment in crocheting motifs with self-striping yarn just keeps growing. I’m joining as I go, and it’s now destined to be a scarf. I’m going to have to block as I go, too, so I don’t run out of pins.
Original motif blogged here.
I’ve been going through skirts and adjusting elastic waistbands today. It doesn’t make for interesting blog or picture opportunities. However, I did adjust the waistband in one of my daughter’s new twirly skirts and it is pretty darn cute. Don’t you love the fabric?
Yesterday we spent some time at the library and I found an Easy-to-Read version of The Princess and the Pea. I have a feeling it’s going to become a favorite around here.
What did you finish this week?
skirt: My friend made this for her daughter and it turned out too small. We are very lucky and grateful that she passes these cute things on to us.
I ripped this pic out of one of those “as seen on tv” catalogs. Love the knitting needles with the crochet granny square blanket. Bonus points for working with six yarns at the same time!
Last summer I cleaned out my closet. I tossed out skinny jeans, pre-pregnancy clothes and pretty much anything that didn’t make me feel good. I accepted my body the way it was and bought clothes that fit my 40-year-old frame. I watched a lot of What Not to Wear and made a lot of trips to the thrift store. I felt better about myself.
In January, my husband mentioned something about P90X. I had actually thought about giving it to him for Christmas. I told him to get it if he wanted to do it. I’d do it with him.
Tomorrow, I start week 10 of the program and I find myself in a similar position. Nothing in my closet fits, only this time it’s all too big. I should be excited, but the thought of another closet overhaul is exhausting and overwhelming.
I have gone from a size 12 to a size 8 and I’m still shrinking. (Trust me when I tell you that there is only so much elastic you can sew into your waistband before you need to just go and buy a new pair of jeans.) All of the skirts I made and refashioned last year are too big. Even shirts are too big. (Just once I’d like to lose weight from my hips faster than from my bust.)
The weather is getting warmer and I can’t really ignore it anymore. I’m sharpening my seam ripper and heading back to the thrift store. Wish me luck!
details: In case you are curious, we are doing P90X Lean. I struggled with the nutrition plan because it places a lot of emphasis on meat, which I stopped eating last year. Instead, I’m following the nutrition plan outlined in Bring It!, which has a lot of yummy recipes by Melissa Costello.
I have a lot of Elizabeth Zimmermann’s books. In fact, one of the first books I read when I started knitting was Knitting Without Tears. Elizabeth’s attitude was so confident and fearless. I was instantly addicted.
A few months ago when Amanda wrote about her love for EZ, I realized that I have never read The Opinionated Knitter. What? When I checked the library, I found they didn’t have it. Double What? Thanks to the wonders of Interlibrary Loan, I’ve spent the past month pouring over the pages.
The graphic designer in me loves the diverse typography. Just look at her signature—so bold and beautiful! And her newsletters are typed by hand—simply awesome.
All of the artwork is hand drawn by EZ. I didn’t realize that these (free!) newsletters were for her wool customers. How did I miss that she designed patterns and sold wool?
I adore these excerpts of her handwritten journal.
Happy knitting, indeed.
