Kids Clothes Week: FIGGY'S BANYAN SHORTS!

I started the week off with lofty ambitions.
"Quickly" made a precious pair of Quick Change Trousers for a friend's son.
Then I started scheming things for my own girls.
Decided to try a little set of shorts for Aelyn and another Geranium dress for Camilla.. I also hoped to make a few tope for them both but they will have to wait...

These shorts have taken up most of the weeks sewing time.
But oh, how I adore them...

and I think she does too!

front

back

lots of pocket space :)

great for jumping

The shorts..
Pattern: Figgy's BANYAN: tapered pants, shorts, tee and tunic
Fabric: Robert Kaufman Brussels Washer Yarn Dye in Grey (a linen/rayon blend)
both from our shoppe, Sew To Speak!

The pattern really gave me a work out! I'd never done a zip fly before. I also got distracted around the waistband area and somehow went astray.. but I was I able to get back on track and finish them up nicely.

I am sooo pleased with they way they came out!!

I was also pleased, when I asked her to try them on, for fitting the elastic in the back waistband, she didn't want to take them back off so that I could finish! She even started putting toys in the pockets! But I explained what needed to be done, and she did, take them off, telling me to "Do it fast, Mom." 

...so that she could wear them to Grammy's house this evening :)

I will definitely be making more. As for the time invested, I know that the next set will go together much more quickly. I have my pattern traced and I know what I am doing ;)

Now.. just that Geranium for Camilla! We'll see if I can whip that up between tonight and tomorrow... It sews up quick so if I cut it out now I think I can. Then I might be able to finish one more little thing before Kids Clothes Week is officially over, on Monday!

I might've accomplished a lot more, had I planned and prepped my projects ahead of time, like many other, smarter, sewers did. 

But I didn't. 

So. 

Awe-well.

BRINGING BALLOONS

so i've been trying to take a little break...

a little less work and a little more fun.

at least while the testing is underway.

the problem?

my work is fun.

i get to get giant balloons.

so giant they don't even fit in our GIANT silverado... (the kind with the full cab and double doors...)

3 to start...  photo taken by my lovely and vey giggly assistant, Aelyn. 

our shadow

We took our chances and drove very slow, 

about 3 miles, 

rush hour, 

catching lots of funny looks... 

one of the knots slipped and one escaped without us even getting to see it float off while deflating.. 

we drove past a friend who laughed.

we laughed.

1 less.

then when we arrived we all laughed some more.

Aelyn said this would be a BIG story.. I think she meant "a long story" as in the phrase.. though her miss use was in fact more accurate!

I was big fun too :)

as was the party... you can see my post on that here.

She's 4 now

and she doesn't need me to push her swing anymore.

My Girls

Camilla is one month old now. In fact, as I type it is nearing the exact hour of her birth, just 30 days ago.

Strong labor contractions started around 8PM, we got to the hospital at about 10 and out she came at 10:52! A completely natural labor and delivery. I was astonished. My husband and I were both astonished! My first labor lasted 34 hours, with 2 hours of pushing... after 20 something hours of not dilating I finally agreed to Pitocin.. so it really goes without saying that this second experience was quite different.

And so far many things have been different than I expected.

I had been worried about the effect the baby might have on Aelyn or how she might react but honestly it has gone pretty smoothly. Not necessarily EASY, just smooth... like she was made to fit into us.. into our family. Another piece to our puzzle.
No, Aelyn's not exactly in love with the new baby, more like excepting of her existence...
But I can see the potential of love :)
I worried about how she might react to having to share our attentions but now she has the attention of a third party. Plus when I point out to her "look your sister is watching you" or "she loves to watch you dance and spin," Aelyn gets the greatest smile. And the baby truly does stare at her sister already!

Aelyn really wants to make Camilla laugh. She tries and Camilla just stares blankley. I tell her baby's this small can't do much of anything, they can't even laugh yet but that she will someday. Later Aelyn will ask me "She'll grow?" and "She'll laugh?" as if just to make sure and I imagine that when the gigling starts her baby sister will be her favorite audience.

Here's some photo's I took of the dancing princess yesterday. She was showing off her first tattoo and her current favorite dress-up.

 She's a bit harder to take pictures of cause all she wants to do is twirl :)

Finally the inspiration/idea for the photos of Camilla was not completely original.. there are many who have done similar things but this woman does it THE BEST, so if you haven't seen her work you must check it out. I can't wait to see her book.

Happy Weekend,
April

Three lovely days of sewing.

Friday was a snow day for Aelyn. We stayed in and finished the Princess doll and her wedding dress. And Aelyn did some sewing of her own...

I know I already shared this on the Sew To Speak blog, but I just had to put it up here too!

Saturday I taught my Intro to Appliqué and Embroidery class. I don't have photo's to share, but it was a lot of fun. We had a full group of five lovely women and one daughter. Their little applique improve pieces turned out very sweet.

Then last night I got to sit and stitch on our comfy coach next to my sweet husband.

Finally this morning I finished some fun little cards for my two cousins who are also expecting. We are all having girls and due within 3 months of each other! Katie in March, Me in April and Audrey in May :)

Week 28

A poor photo I know... but I just had to share.

My midwives office has this great flip book of life size drawings of the baby each week of gestation. This is the baby's estimated size this week, #28!

And this is what I am sewing now. Aelyn and I are making dolls, starting with a prince and princess. I love every single Hillary Lang, Wee Wonderfuls pattern I have ever made! They are very well written and turn out so sweetly.  This Olive doll is my favorite thus far, though I think the Kit, Chloe and Louise pattern is going to turn out even better.  

Tiny Elephant

Just under 2 inches.

Originally I set out to make this guy for Aelyn but now I kinda want to keep him for myself.
I'll probably keep him and make her another... itty bitty softies are just so freakn' cute!