Of All The Things That I Have To Do Today...

7.31.2012

...leaving this one will be the hardest.  It's back to work for me.


The One That I Just Can't Seem To Blog About

7.30.2012


Ahh, green pleated top, I finished you ages ago and yet I just can't get up the energy to blog about you...which is probably a good indication that this top and I have some issues.  Not to get all 1980's Color Me Beautiful on you, but I'm pretty sure that this shade of green is not my color and makes me look a little sickly (I probably should have figured that out before making a shirt out of it!).


And there's just something about the sleeves on this shirt that I just don't like (I think it may be an excess of fabric around the upper arm).  Yes, they look fine scrunched up, but trust me, they look less fine when they're down.  In any case, I'm not a huge fan of this shirt although I do plan on keeping it around and seeing if it grows on me.  I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Pattern: T-Shirt with Pleats by Salme
Size: 8 (one size smaller than recommended by the pattern...and one size smaller than last time)
Modifications: Finished the neckline with bias binding rather than a facing and lengthened the sleeves and gathered and finished them with binding.
Fabric: Designer Essentials Cotton Voile by Free Spirit

Four Months

7.26.2012


This is my second baby so you'd think that I wouldn't be so amazed at all the changes that happen in such a short time, but I am.


I'm constantly amazed that something can come into this world with only the most basic instincts and four months later they can smile and laugh and reach and roll over.  I love watching baby C examine her little hands as she tries to figure out how they work.


Babies are utterly wondrous (isn't that the understatement of the year)!  Imagine the things that I could do if I could learn as many new skills as they do within four months.  Man, I'd be awesome.


P.S. Anybody want some rolls for dinner?  (chubby baby rolls that is)


Dear Sarah

7.19.2012

Dear Sarah (a.k.a. awesomest little sister - and yes, "awesomest" is totally a word),

I know it seems like I haven't made anything out of all the fabrics that you've brought back for me from places near and far but I promise that it's not because I don't love them.  Sometimes it's because I have no idea what to make with them and sometimes it's because I don't have the right amount.  But sometimes the stars are aligned I have both.


I'm ninety-nine percent sure that you brought this fabric back from India (forgive me if I'm wrong) and I think it's made out of some silk blend (but honestly, that's just my best guess).  In any case, I had just enough (and we're talking just enough!) to make a shirt out of it.  The shirt is made out of the Scout Tee pattern from Grainline Studio which I've made before, but because this fabric has absolutely no drape I opted to go down one size (to a size 6).  And then after basting the sides together and trying it on I took it in another 1/2 inch because it still looked huge.


So you see, Sarah, I have actually have appreciated all the awesome fabrics that you've brought back for me and if you'd like to pick me up a little something on your current trip to Uzbekistan, well, let's just say I wouldn't mind at all.

Love,

Carolyn

How Can Time Go By So Quickly?

7.14.2012

I've started a blog post approximately five times but I just never seem to be able to finish it.  Perhaps it's because just too many things are up in the air right now.  I have less than three weeks to go before I have to go back to work and I'm spending a good deal of time just running around trying to get everything ready.

Hoarding frozen breast milk like a madwoman?  Check.

Pumping enough to give baby C a bottle every other day since she refused to take a bottle for the longest time?  Check.

Trying to find some bottoms that actually fit me and that I can wear to work?  Check  (because somehow I don't think my work would be happy with me wearing the one pair of jeans and one pair of shorts that I can actually button every day).


And amid all of that I'm just in shock that four months can go by so quickly.  I have to say that I didn't have the highest hopes for how this maternity leave would go.  I felt that baby number one kicked my butt and I assumed that having baby number two with a toddler at home was going to kick my butt even more.  Fortunately I was wrong and I've loved  having the past three and a half months off.  Yes, there were times when I just wanted to pull out my hair or give myself a time out or fall asleep standing up, but in general I have appreciated every second that I've gotten to spend with this little baby and this little kid.


In thinking about being at home for four months I always thought that that time would be spent bonding with the baby but I never considered how much I would bond with O during that time.  I've loved being at home with her and watching her do so many things that I normally don't get to watch her do because I'm at work.  I've loved watching her sing songs and dance at story time at the library.  I was tickled pink when I got to watch her at soccer camp the other week.  And have I told you that the girl who was very firmly a "daddy's girl" has now become a bit of a "momma's girl?"  Be still my heart.


As for sewing, in addition to running around trying to get things ready for my return to work, we have a house guest for the month of July who has taken up residence in my sewing room - otherwise known as our basement.  Plus I refuse to take pictures of myself in front of other people (you know, I'd prefer that my identity as a sewing nerd - or rather, sewing super-hero - remain unknown).  And on top of that, it seems that every time I am able to sneak away for a minute or two to sew, I end up doing something incredibly stupid.  Like sewing for 20 minutes only to realize later that I sewed all the seams with a basting stitch.  Or cutting out a shirt only to realize while I'm sewing it together that I cut out the wrong size (that's right - I'm talking to you stupid blue shirt that is now stuffed in a garbage can!).  Apparently I do not sew well under pressure...although to be honest, I already knew that.

The 4th Of July

7.07.2012

The day where I practice walking over logs with a baby strapped to my chest.


Ben master's the art of being a human sun-shield.


And O discovers her inner pyromaniac.


And as for cute 4th of July outfits, don't go looking for any around here because this is what my lazy-ass was wearing.


Yeah, nothing says sexy like a wet head, glasses, and an oversized sweatshirt.  But let's just be happy that I could actually keep stay awake long enough to see the fireworks.  Small victories, people.  Small victories.

Tiny Pocket Tank - Take Two

7.03.2012


You know those times when you make something and it has some teeny-tiny thing wrong with it and everytime you wear it you spend the whole time looking at that thing until in your mind it becomes some glaring mistake that you're convinced that everyone else can see?  (Please tell, me I'm not the only one who obsesses over these things...).


Well for once in my life this is not one of those time - not because this tank doesn't have it's fair share of mistakes (because it does) but because for once I love this top so much that when I wear it I manage not to obsess over the things that are wrong with it.  Yes, the fit is a bit small across the bust and causes some wrinkles above the bust area when I wear it.  And yes, I shouldn't have taken in so much fabric when making the two little pleats on the neckline.  And yes, the stitching is not perfect.  But gosh darn it, I love my little tank anyway.

It ain't perfect.  But let's face it, neither am I.

Pattern: Tiny Pocket Tank by Grainline Studios
Size: 8 with 1/2 inch taken up in the shoulders
Fabric: Robert Kuafman's London Calling Sorbet