Trayton turned "2"

My baby boy is growing ever so swiftly before my eyes. Daily he amazes me with what he has learned and accomplished as a very curious little boy. We had a fun and busy day celebrating his birthday. I made my second annual birthday shirt for him and we headed out to visit everyone we could. We started out the rainy day with lunch at Great-Grandma's house where Ephraim, Isaac, Auntie Lori and Grandma joined in on the fun. I brought balloons, they brought presents for Trayton. It was a good trade. The kids all had their share of fun, and then it was off to GR with Grandma. A ride and a short nap later, we hit the thrift store (that was more for mommy). We met Dan at the shop and had some pizza while he waited for his work to arrive. Trayton got to climb all over Grandpa's backhoe-loader and boy did he love that! Since it was Tulip Time, and the weather had turned from earlier in the day we made our way downtown. Dancing didn't start for a while yet, so we detoured to a local school playground. The slides and spinning things are favorites! I did my best to wear the little guy out, he needed to run around and play a while. We made it downtown just in time to watch the girls dance and then homeward we went. I just got Trayton into the house kicking and screaming only to realize he had locked me out. One tight squeeze later, I got inside. What a perfect ending to a great birthday celebration. Note to self, don't leave a smart toddler unattended near the screen door. After a full day of fun, he surprised me yet again. Overall we had a wonderful day together, turning two is twice the fun as turning one was, and I am sure the birthdays to follow will only get better! The big birthday party is coming Saturday, I can't wait to see what is in store for us there!

Trayton turned "2"

My baby boy is growing ever so swiftly before my eyes. Daily he amazes me with what he has learned and accomplished as a very curious little boy. We had a fun and busy day celebrating his birthday. I made my second annual birthday shirt for him and we headed out to visit everyone we could. We started out the rainy day with lunch at Great-Grandma's house where Ephraim, Isaac, Auntie Lori and Grandma joined in on the fun. I brought balloons, they brought presents for Trayton. It was a good trade. The kids all had their share of fun, and then it was off to GR with Grandma. A ride and a short nap later, we hit the thrift store (that was more for mommy). We met Dan at the shop and had some pizza while he waited for his work to arrive. Trayton got to climb all over Grandpa's backhoe-loader and boy did he love that! Since it was Tulip Time, and the weather had turned from earlier in the day we made our way downtown. Dancing didn't start for a while yet, so we detoured to a local school playground. The slides and spinning things are favorites! I did my best to wear the little guy out, he needed to run around and play a while. We made it downtown just in time to watch the girls dance and then homeward we went. I just got Trayton into the house kicking and screaming only to realize he had locked me out. One tight squeeze later, I got inside. What a perfect ending to a great birthday celebration. Note to self, don't leave a smart toddler unattended near the screen door. After a full day of fun, he surprised me yet again. Overall we had a wonderful day together, turning two is twice the fun as turning one was, and I am sure the birthdays to follow will only get better! The big birthday party is coming Saturday, I can't wait to see what is in store for us there!

Maternity Refashion

Maternity jeans are nothing to write home about, at least not for me. Waist is too small, length isn't right, panel goes over the belly instead of under, crotch hangs to your knees, etc. Any combination of these makes for a very unpleasant experience. I recently came across a pair at Goodwill for $4 that actually fit! They came with a semi-full panel, but it didn't keep the pants up no matter how tight I pulled on the drawstring through the elastic. I opted to cut off the existing belly panel and convert over to an under belly waistband. With a little 2" elastic, an old stretchy knit tank top and some help from Meg and this tutorial, viola! I am very pleased with how they turned out as I haven't sewn with jersey much, and the stretch factor always makes me a little uneasy. All in all I got myself a new pair of jeans for less than $10!

Maternity Refashion

Maternity jeans are nothing to write home about, at least not for me. Waist is too small, length isn't right, panel goes over the belly instead of under, crotch hangs to your knees, etc. Any combination of these makes for a very unpleasant experience. I recently came across a pair at Goodwill for $4 that actually fit! They came with a semi-full panel, but it didn't keep the pants up no matter how tight I pulled on the drawstring through the elastic. I opted to cut off the existing belly panel and convert over to an under belly waistband. With a little 2" elastic, an old stretchy knit tank top and some help from Meg and this tutorial, viola! I am very pleased with how they turned out as I haven't sewn with jersey much, and the stretch factor always makes me a little uneasy. All in all I got myself a new pair of jeans for less than $10!

Tote-bag Completed!

I finished the polka-dot tote-bag this afternoon. Though it wasn't quite as "simple" as I thought it might be, I am very pleased with the finished product. I learned some new tips and tricks to carry me through future sewing projects.

Tote-bag Completed!

I finished the polka-dot tote-bag this afternoon. Though it wasn't quite as "simple" as I thought it might be, I am very pleased with the finished product. I learned some new tips and tricks to carry me through future sewing projects.

Projects, projects, projects.

I need to have projects while being a full-time mom. It keeps my mind on things other than naps, sippy cups and picking up toys on a daily basis. A little bit of sewing therapy goes a long way. My project priority right now is the felt playhouse that I am currently working on, a big surprise that was supposed to be for Christmas. Time was short, the excitement and pure exhaustion that came with being newly pregnant put that on hold just a bit. I have it about half done, and am very excited to spend a night or two wrapping this up. Trayton is going to love his little playhouse! This project is taking me out of the box just a little bit by challenging my creativity and expanding my crafting abilities.

I have also washed and prepped the fabric for a simple tote-bag. I can't wait to get started on that, the polka dot outer fabric that I purchased is perfect! Of all the bags I have, it is time for something more trendy and less diaper-bag-ish. Stay tuned for pics and ideas!

I have Jill to thank for the inspiration for both of these projects, check her blog out here.