artsy-crafty babe

lilly tote

I did it - I put my Lilly squares to use! Simple, colorful, fun - my kind of bag, for sure. Honestly, I'm surprised that I finished it as quickly as I did because follow through hasn't exactly been my strong suit lately. I suppose really liking the project had everything to do with it :) And just maybe now that I'm well planted in my 2nd trimester a teensy bit of energy is returning. Maybe.

You don't have to worry about me not using this one. All my stuff is already in there. I even got crazy and added 2 pockets in the inside. I don't have a problem with pockets, really, but I'm usually too lazy to make two.

See how I incorporated the woven element in this bag? After my little brain storming session on my last bag post about using straw bags in the summer I had to do it. Thankfully, I remembered that I had these straw colored burlap straps in my stash (already made up) that turned out to be perfect. To carry that theme further, I added some flat burlap "piping" in the seams. I suppose I can't really call it piping because there is no cording in there, but you get the idea!

Okay summer, now that I have my summer bag you can begin! TGIF and Happy Memorial Day weekend friends!

ten

Today my eldest turns 10.  It's somewhat hard to believe. Lily, my whopping 10 lb baby girl is now wearing my shoes and getting taller by the minute.  No longer a little kid, but not yet a big kid, she has always been wise beyond her years.  I distinctly remember the pediatrician saying at her 2 week visit that she was "so mature for her age"...not exactly what you want to hear about your daughter!  I took it as a positive, and her mature disposition always has been.  My friend used to say that Lily was an old soul...I have to agree.

When I look at her now, I can see the beautiful young woman that she is becoming.  Of course she wants to hear nothing of this, she's holding onto her childhood tightly with both hands (thank goodness!!).  Kids grow up much too fast these days, I feel lucky to have one who still wants to be a kid.

Dancer, athlete, brilliant student, you've got it all, girl.  Keep on doing what you're doing, you make us proud :)  

Happy Birthday, sweet Lily!  I love you with all my heart (even if you do steal my shoes)! I hope all your birthday wishes come true.

naps and bags

Hooray for power naps!   I do believe this may be the solution to my problem.  Who knew that a quick 15-20 minutes of rest could make such a big impact?  The other day I got the change to take such a nap.  After a quick little snooze I felt revived, less grumpy, and I had the energy to spend a little time in my sewing studio after the kids went to bed.  A win-win situation, indeed! 

I am happy to report that my new summer bag is complete!  Well, it may be my new summer bag.  Every bag I make I think is going to be for myself.  I’m a bit ashamed to admit that I’ve been carrying a cheap Tar-jay bag for a few months now.  It was a weak impulse buy, but since then I’ve been itching to carry one of my own bags. I’m not sure if this is the one, but it is certainly on the right track.  

Now that summer is almost here, I think I may need something larger, more tote-like. Those Lilly squares may end up being for my own bag instead of a beach bag. Before I started making bags, I used to get a big straw bag for summer.  Maybe my summer bag needs some straw in the form of woven handles.  Yes, I can see that with some patchwork Lilly… Or, maybe I’ll make myself a tote style bag out of these same Jennifer Paganelli fabrics that I love so much.  I really do adore these fabrics.  

See how I just talked myself out of this perfectly fine bag for something different, which at this point is just an idea I my mind?  This type of dialogue goes through my head constantly.  Yeah, I think it's a sickness. 

On an unrelated note, 5 of my magazine subscriptions arrived in my mailbox yesterday. Thank goodness it's the weekend with not much on the agenda - I've already enjoyed one long nap today, and now I'm looking forward to some magazine reading and bag pondering (I'm going to pretend that there isn't a mountain of laundry to tackle). Enjoy the rest of your weekend, friends!!

summer

Despite the unusually cool weather (no complaints here - we're usually baking by now!), my thoughts have turned to summer.  I suppose the end of the school year has much to do with this.  My kids are done on Monday.  Seriously, where did the school year go? 

With summer on the brain, I seem to be choosing things that scream summer, or at least I think so.  After reading Blair's post about her pillows, I had to buy some Lilly squares.  I love love love all things Lilly (too bad I can't afford her!). I'm thinking I'll turn these into a great big tote bag to bring to the beach.  So fun! 

Before snatching up those fabrics, I already had a bag in the works using Jennifer Paganelli's fabrics, which seem quite Lilly-esque to me.  Because I move about as slow as a turtle, the bag has been cut out and waiting for at least 2 weeks now.  When my energy level and my free time coincide, I'm going to sew that baby up, promise! 

And lastly, I came across this tea towel at Tuesday Morning the other day and just had to have it.  I had no idea that Vera prints were being reprinted, but then I'm usually only on the lookout for her vintage linens at the thrift store.  It's a little scratchy, but I think the blues & greens look fabulous in my kitchen.  Maybe after a washing or two it'll soften up, I hope.  With my luck the whole design will wash off (fingers crossed that doesn't happen)! 

So there you have it, a little taste of summer textile style.  Now if only I had a frozen drink in my hand and some sand between my toes....

36

It's that time of year again, today is my birthday.  I thought about doing my annual list, but this year I just don't have it in me (I totally blame pregnancy brain!).  Well, maybe I'll give it a shot, but I'm not promising a full list...

1. this year marks being with Matt for half my life (we started dating when I was 18)
2. never in a million years did I think I'd be pregnant on my 36th birthday
3. with my 4th child
4. my favorite color has shifted from reds to blues
5. but i still love pinks and corals
6. i've never experienced a brain freeze (that i know of)
7. i love self-help books
8. and decorating books with lots of big glossy photos
9. i like a clean house
10. but mine rarely is
11. i like the look of clutter-free
12. but i tend to clutter
13. being a mom and homemaking make me most happy
14. gardening, too
15. i love bouquets of fresh flowers in the house (i have 3 right now - all gifts)
16. i'm a very loyal person
17. suspense movies stress me out
18. i gain lots of weight when i'm pregnant (LOTS - see puffy face and pregnant nose in photo above)
19. thankfully, i lose it afterwards (fingers crossed that holds true this time around!)
20. i'm not a very organized person
21. nor am i high maintenance (i don't think)
22. i like to go with the flow
23. but i'm not as laid back at my husband
24. i love junk food
25. and candy
26. and healthy food - shucks, i love ALL food!
27. i think holding grudges is a waste of energy
28. i usually forget to turn in my kids' school stuff on time - lunch money, permission slips, etc.
29. i'm still a homebody
30. i hate to drive
31. i'd much rather knit or stitch while someone else drives
32. my toenails are always painted
33. mmmm, cheesecake!
34. really, anything with cheese (stinky cheese excluded) is okay in my book
35. i prefer dresses and skirts to shorts in warm weather months
36. i'm pretty good at keeping houseplants alive (except for orchids, but I still try!)

Wahoo, I did it!!  I honestly didn't think I could.  So far it's been a nice birthday.  Though I would have liked to have slept in, Lily had a softball game to play, so it was up early and out the door.  I did wake up to bunches of flowers and some nice gifts from my family.  I think I'll take a nap now (yay!) so that I'm nice and refreshed for dinner out.  Yes, a good day, indeed. 

baby

I’ve started knitting a baby sweater.  Gender neutral, of course. We can find out at our next appointment if this is a boy or girl, but I’m not sure that we will.  We didn’t with the others, except I did learn that Alex was a boy at the very end thanks to an emergency ultrasound.  At that it was pretty obvious, so there was no question. But we didn’t tell anyone that we knew. 

This is my first pregnancy knowing how to knit.  Since learning this skill I’ve knit baby sweaters for others, but never thought that I’d knit one for a baby of my own.  It’s funny how life works out.  

Now that my creative energy is slowly returning, I’d like to make a few baby things, but it’s still hard.  Starting this sweater was kind of big for me.  You see, I have a history of pregnancy loss.  Even though I’m in the second trimester now and my past two pregnancies were problem free, I still have that fear.  This entire pregnancy I’ve been living in fear. 

You’d think that my three healthy children would calm those fears, but it doesn’t.  Every time I go to the doctor I think that he isn’t going to find a heartbeat.  I’ve been down that path 4 times before. I lost 3 pregnancies before having Lily and 1 before Alex.  It doesn’t get easier. I still hold the feeling that my body is broken in some way.  After having failed so many times before, it’s hard to trust. 

 

My fear also makes feeling joy and bonding with my unborn child difficult, but this time I’m going to try.  I’m tired of being numb and having my defenses up all the time.  Those walls need to come down.  Yes, I’m still scared, but I think it’s worth it.  I owe it to myself, my family, and this new life.

 

gardening, a winner, and a coupon code

Hi there!  I hope all you Mothers out there had a lovely Mother's Day full of love and pampering - I sure did.  It was probably one of the best Mother's Day yet. There were handmade gifts, notes, and cards all around.  So sweet, that little family of mine!

Has spring finally sprung where you are?  We're practically in the heat of summer at this point, but I can't complain because we really have had a nice spring.  I finally got my patio cleaned up and put together right before Ava's party.  It's so nice to have a little space to enjoy outdoors when the weather cooperates.  I'm trying to spend as much time out there as I can before it gets too unbearable.

I'm loving my hydrangea, which is finally starting to bloom.  I was afraid that I'd miss out this year because a scissor happy little miss decided to give it a good pruning this past winter. Never a dull moment, I tall ya!

My little garden is chugging along.  Though I was late in getting it planted, it didn't waste any time taking off.  I spy my first tomato - so exciting!!  Seeing veggies grow never gets old, at least not in my book.

Sorry to drop the ball on the TYV Crafting with Kids giveaway - oops.  I managed to close comments on the appointed day, but then, oh well.  Without further adieu, the winner is #73, Lisa!

One last thing - throughout the month of May everything in my shop is 25% off, just use coupon code MAYFLOWERS at checkout.  Happy shopping!

a slow return

I hope I don’t jinx myself, but nausea is slowly leaving me.  Tired and worn out, yes, but not as nauseated...unless I'm hungry.  Lordy, the pounds are packing on!!  I hate to be a whiner, so I'll stop at that :)

Something I am happy about is that I'm  starting to feel a bit inspired.  Oh my, how I’ve missed that!  My wheels have been turning and the sketchbook has been pulled out and doodled in, but unfortunately the energy to complete such plans isn’t there.  One sure sign that my creativity is returning is a fabric order I placed the other day.  Gosh, it has been ages since I looked at fabric.  I must admit, it was kind of fun.  It was even more fun playing with it when it arrived.  

Though I haven’t completely felt like it, I have been making myself do a little sewing here and there.  In the end, I know that I’m better for it.  My latest creation is a re-visit to a design I came up with last spring when I did my Dottie Vintage collection.  Instead of using regular straps, I decided to use wide bias binding as straps and trim.

It still needs some tweaking, but that's no surprise (I like that part of the process).

I’m thinking this will be my next pattern, after I finish up the two that are currently 99% complete.  I’m such a dufus, it wasn’t until someone asked about a pattern for this bag that I remembered that I had started working on the pattern for these bags last spring. I managed to find the file, so I’m back working on that, when I feel like it.

With those other patterns so close to completion I should be working on those, but what fun is that?  I'm never one to complain about a happy distraction when the mood strikes!

Pssst- there's a coupon code for my shop on my facebook page.  Go check it out!!

the big 5

May 1st was a big day around here.  Remember 5 years ago?  5 YEARS??? Yep, on May Day this little imp of mine turned 5.  It’s hard to believe.  I don’t think of her as 5 and can hardly imagine that she’ll be in kindergarten this fall, but it’s true.  Of course she’s more than ready (me, not so much). 

We celebrated her big day with a hula themed birthday party with family and a few friends.

There was more than enough cake and cupcakes to go around along with paper umbrellas and fancy straws for our drinks.  We wore our leis and the birthday girl sported a grass skirt.  

I think my favorite part of the party was her wish before she blew out the candles.  She took extra long to think about that wish...eyes closed and all.  I wonder what was going on in that little mind of hers?  

It was a fun, full day.  To quote this little firecracker “it’s my birthday, peace out sucka!”.

Happy Birthday Ava!!