Thursday, April 29, 2010

In the Moment

I've been trying to be more in the moment lately. It's just hard to pick the right moment. We really go up and down. And the kids pick up on my mood. I think as a whole, Moms put too much pressure on themselves and therefore we never feel like we do enough. If I feel content and relaxed my kids will be having fun, if not, then we are all grumpy. Some days, my goal is to teach them as much as I can, about the world, compassion, how to hold a pencil. Other days, if they are still alive, I figure I've done my job.

Sometimes an experience will put it all into perspective, I saw a dad at the beach the other week with his son. The son was disabled and you got the impression this was a very stressful task for the dad. The boy kept throwing rocks, he couldn't leave him even for a second a the waters edge. It will be like that forever for that boy and that dad. If I don't have stress in my life, I create it. Why am I wasting my time doing that when here is a family with real stress. Enjoyment, too, I'm sure, but also constant struggle.

Raising kids is like the first time you share a bed with someone. You wake up when your partner moves, you have to find a new comfortable position that accommodate their bodies. Sometime, it's too hot. Then, after you get used to it and you have a night away, you sleep alone and the bed feels huge and cold. Constantly putting others before you and meeting the needs of your offspring can take some getting used to, then you blink and they are grown up. My kids are going to grow up and they won't want to hold my hand in public. They won't kiss me as I put them in the car. They'll be the one driving the car.

The other night, Butters told me he loved me while he was asleep or at least in the middle of sleep. My bed felt big enough then, but I can't help wishing for my days of sleeping alone and taking up all the space I want, until it's cold out and I need another body near me. Still, it's tough to wake up every morning with bed head, but you get used to it.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Sewing When I Can

This is a sneak peak of what is next.
This is what I finished up: a custom double pointed needle holder. Pieced the outside together and the quilting makes the pockets. They weren't deep enough so I added the elastic, which moved around on me. I reinforced the stitches on the elastic. The inside fabric was scrap from the binding on E's quilt. I had the cutest pink bandanna fabric, to match the knitting pirate, but the color was just off. This solid isn't perfect, but it works.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Slugs



For the record, this is not the proper handling of slugs, but at least they were sharing! It took about 30 minutes to get the slime off. In the end, a scrub brush worked best and next time, they'll use sticks to pick them up! The toys we find in the great PNW!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Fashionista


Yesterday, we started with this ensemble, here she is saying, "We're ready to go!" Notice Butters is still in PJs.
By the time I got B dressed and I was ready, she had modified to this. Somehow, it actually matches, but it matches in a way that I used to think my pink shoes could match anything.


We made it to the dog park prancing around in this! By the way, she kept the same bathing suit on under all these!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Cupcake Blanket


The cupcake blanket is done and don't be fooled by the top photo, she loves it! Nearly every fabric shopping trip we took, I let the Princess pick out some fabric. It started with cupcakes, moved to dots, cherries, hearts, then when it looked like sports equipment was going to be added, I cut her off and started sewing. Nine patch squares with solid squares and white sashing. I top quilted 2 rows/columns in the sashing which showcases the squares nicely. I also free motioned a heart in the top corner. I used some of my grandmother's fabric at the top and the bottom-to cover her from head to toe! The back is one large single piece of European fabric, so it was just the size I needed (about a full size top), I got it from Bunte Fabrics. It's divine! I miscalculated (hmm, maybe that's why people follow a pattern instead of going maverick) and my back was a tad too small. I ended up making some fat binding to wrap around and reach the back fabric. Crazy, I know. It's a new trend, fat binding, you heard it here first!
If you are worried about mixing too many colors and patterns, don't be. Take it from the expert:






Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Busy Busy

Minor setback, the latest, with the cupcake quilt. I guess I underestimated how much fabric is used when you turn a corner with your binding!
We've been busy with some visitors, here's a shot from a great day at Carkeek Park. We met the Bubbleman, slide down a salmon slide and played around on the beach. This stump was a pirate ship, a castle and a space ship all in one afternoon.


Monday, April 5, 2010

Happy Spring Easter Day

Sunshine on Sunday, I got E to wear a dress and since Butters doesn't even notice what he wears, he's dressed for golf! DH made an amazing brunch and we had friends and family over.
Over indulgence at the neighborhood egg hunt.

Like most spring events in PNW, this one was rainy and cold!


I wouldn't trust him either, E. But he was a funny guy. I told him he had the best nuggets in town! Butters was amazed and stared at him.


Coloring eggs!