They had a late flight. She got to stay up way past her bedtime. One of the coolest things ever for an eight year old. Also, we are still loving this blanket.
fixing the other christmas jammies
Last year I bought my daughter size medium pajamas from Target. Within a year they were above her ankles. I knew size large would be too big because I measured them in the store. (Yes, that weirdo with the tape measure in the clothing department is me.) However, I don’t have time to make all of her pajamas by hand, so I bought them and hoped for the best.
First problem: the waist kept falling down. I had to run some elastic around to keep them up. Second problem: she was tripping over them. I wound up hemming THREE INCHES. How can the difference between medium and large be that great? They are polyester, so I know last year’s didn’t shrink.
I’m thinking making them by hand might have been easier after all.
details: christmas jammies
I wish I had more to tell you about these jammies, but I didn’t even follow a tutorial. I used last year’s pajama bottoms as my pattern and just added about an inch to the seam allowance. The only thing I really paid attention to was adding extra length for the rise and the inseam.
There are quite a few inches in the hem, and I’m hoping that I can let them down next year and she’ll get another season out of them. I may have to re-hem, though, because she tripped over them while dancing in the kitchen.
The top is just a plain white shirt from Target. She picked the fabric and art directed the tree. I used heat-n-bond to hold it in place while I edge-stitched it down.
I’ve made pj bottoms before and had lots of links to tutorials in my old google rss. When I transferred everything over to feedly, I lost everything. Years worth of linking gone in a flash! If you are looking for specific instructions, here’s what I can remember: Don’t Get Out of Bed Tutorial, How to Make Easy Kids Pants, and Vintage Pillowcase Pants. The last two are more for little kids, and I used the Vintage Pillowcase Pants five years ago. (Five years ago?!?!)
last minute christmas jammies
We are at a frustrating time where clothes that fit her in the body are way too short and those that are long enough are too big everywhere else. I have a longer story to tell about a fancy red dress and elf pajamas with only boys on them, but the shorter version is last night she asked me if I would make her some Christmas jammies today.
I really winged it. I had to let my perfectionism go. Also, my serger is awesome. Whipped the pants up between lunch and Christmas Eve mass. Appliquéd the tree on the shirt while she was in the shower. I’ll post better pics and links to helpful tutorials soon.
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate!
she questions everything
except this
at least for now
I wonder how much longer the magic will continue.
setting the tree free
She told her dad she’d need help cutting the top of the tree net open. Just barely, though. Not pictured: how short her pajama bottoms are. Last Christmas they were too long. The next size up is huge around the waist. I foresee some tailoring in my future.
the lion song
My daughter had to write a song about an animal or about nature for a Girl Scout badge. She doesn’t really have a tune for it, but insists it’s not a poem.
I think it’s lovely.
I don’t want to jinx anything…
…but I’ve been yarning in public. I think I’m getting my crochet mojo back.
some non-thanksgiving stuffing
You’ve seen him before. Puppy was the star of my “how to fix a stuffed animal’s nose in 4 easy steps” tutorial a few years ago. He was getting a little thin around the neck and shoulder area, and my daughter asked if I could add some extra stuffing.
It wasn’t hard. Once I pulled apart the well-loved fur and found a seam I could open, that is. I suggested adding some reinforcement fabric to the inside, too, because he’s taken up bungee jumping off the stairs and I worry about the thin spots. My daughter said no thanks.
However, she did request another nose. I think that makes number four.
elf on the shelf photo project
We made it eight years without an elf. Last year, my daughter took matters into her own hands and bought one for herself. I’m not against having an elf. It’s just that I’m not good at remembering these things. I have to put a stickie note on my bathroom mirror so I don’t forget about the Tooth Fairy, and sometimes she’s busy and misses our house anyway.
I’ve set a daily alarm for this little pixie. I’m also starting a photo project. Maybe if I hold myself accountable for posting daily pictures of our elf, we’ll make it through the season without too many “bad snowstorms at the North Pole” morning after excuses.
I call this one Time to get rid of the Halloween gingerbread house.
Follow along on instagram here.