Wonderings: or ramblings... take your pick

*HAHAHAH - I wrote this about 5 months ago, and yet it still holds so true today - it also goes to show how true, since it is only now getting posted ;op
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

My brain is no longer connecting the dots.

Words are failing me - that is not strange unto itself, I mean I am a sleep deprived mama and all.  But I can't get my children's names straight.  I look at them and blatantly blank on which one they are... it isn't like I'm Michelle Dugger here with 20 names all starting with the same letter - I have three, and the twins don't even look the same ;op

I can't finish a project to save my life.  And for some reason, instead of doing the 20 minutes worth of work to finish project A, B, or C; I spend an hour thinking of and starting project D, E & F.

Someone needs to create a device that will zap me every time my brain begins its wandering into the ether... the land of 'what ifs' and 'how cools'.  A focuser, a distraction blocker (no, not the three little distractions, the internal main frame distractions).  I'd pay for that!

Happy Easter

I think this is a fairly realistic representation of life in my house.  Attempting to take a family picture is just a trial in torture - but outside of the picture, the kids really did have a great day and Nana got to shower them with gifts as she loves to do ;o)

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend and built memories to last a lifetime!

Hugs from the Winter Clan.

Spring Forward into Spring Fever

So this past weekend we sprung forward and the weather around here decided to get with the program - mid 50's both Saturday and Sunday, WOHOOOO!!!  *Just so we all know, 60-70degrees is my cap for comfort on the heat end, once we go past 70 I will be dying of a heat stroke on a daily basis.

We took the kids to the park both days and it was glorious just getting out of the house and seeing them smile.  Ok, baby girl may not know WHAT do do with the outdoors, and like her mother - she is not a fan of the sun, but we still had a great time.

 ok - I know the hats are comical  they are a bit small - as they are their hats from last year, but 'whatever works' right!?!?!

 my Little Red (this was her Christmas present from Nana)

 The boys' version of 'golf'

PR&P was having a sew along with Jessica's Spring Fever pattern - I had every intention of entering my simplified design, but things like a broken leg left the pattern on my cutting table until Sunday.
I went with a top: cropped the bodice a bit, took the gather out of the flutter sleeve, used a single circle peplum layer to eliminate gathering, and used KNIT - have I mentioned before that I love making my kids things out of knit?  It isn't that it is easier to sew, but it gets so much wear because it is comfy.
I tried a new technique for binding the neck line, but I think for future ones I will used my old method - I essentially made a bias tape here and it just seems too bulky to me, and I didn't switch out to a twin needle so the stitching just isn't as clean as I like - but I was going fast.  I'm still debating if I want to add a red stripe of finishing at the bottom of the peplum or if I just like it raw.
All in all this top took me about an hour to put together, so needless to say I will be making more!!!  I will probably take about an inch out of the width if not more since it is knit and has stretch to make it more fitted at the waist.  If I can find a really soft cotton with a great drape, I will probably make one out of that too ;o)

 'look mama, I'm sitting all nicely...'

 'Kneeling isn't standing... right, mama'

'Here, I'll help you with the dishes...and maybe try to stand up...'

*I would love the back even more if the stripe hadn't shifted when I was cutting it... design fail ;op*

Coastal Cargos.... Keeping my boys COOL!

Here is the second pattern I was lucky enough to get to test in the past few weeks... the Coastal Cargo Pants from Melly Sews.  It is part of the amazing summer collection from Pattern Anthology.  The whole collection is one sale for the next two weeks, so get them now while the prices are AWESOME!

I love, love, love these pants.  They fit B so well and he just loved running all around in them (we're not going to talk about the fact he was running around barefoot outside in single digit weather ;op).  I started these pants during the final week of PR&P (yes, while I was still sewing the Gabba GA! look) - sickness and a series of unfortunate sewing events made it clear that I could not get everything done that week, and Melissa  graciously gave me an extension for my pants review deadline.  But I cut them under the deadline and decided to opt out of the optional welt pockets, cargo pockets, and front pockets.  HAHAHAHAH, so much for cargo pants ;op
But seriously the two things I LOVE about these pants are the in and out-seam bindings and the button tabs to shorten the length.  I also think the front zipper and waist band with belt loops are awesome (of course the elastic waist band allows me to still pull the pants on and off the boys for super easy diaper changes).

I went with a lightweight cotton something - that is what you get when you get when you take everyone else's cast offs, very little knowledge of what you are sewing with ;op

My only sadness is that I didn't do my tabs out of the same material as my contrasting bindings - all the sample pictures show it that way, I just didn't think about it when I was cutting.  I still love the pants though... and doing them without all the pockets makes them a little dressier.  I have plans for at least two more pairs - one is already cut and just waiting to be sewn, warmer weather on the horizon is kicking my butt in gear ;op

How can you not LOVE these pants!!!!

 (I did leave these a bit long, but the boys grow so fast and I want them to last through until fall)

*notice the photo bomber in the back - that bit of red may just be his collegiate cool red pants ;o)

Testing, testing... my first pattern for Elegance&Elephants

WoooHooooo - I know it has been quiet over here this past week, but I have been working on some pattern tests for some awesome designers and I am allowed to share the first one with you!!!

We all know Heidi's style and impeccable sewing skills from her blog Elegance&Elephants.  I fell in love with her classic designs that were always wearable and unique when I saw her on season 5 of PR&P.  So I was over the moon excited when I was selected as one of the designers to test her FIRST pattern.

This pattern is available starting TODAY - and believe me it is one you do not want to miss out on!  This is Heidi's Ruffle Top, but the pattern includes 3 variations - Tunic Top, A line Dress, and Swing Dress.  I tested the tunic top and LOVE it.  The ruffles are just too cute and the pattern is fairly quick to pull together - the top pairs perfectly with leggings or shorts, and I will probably pair it with ruffled bloomers for the summer.  I think the swing dress version would be awesome for Easter or just a fun flirty dress.

I have made two versions of the top so far, and want to do another one in a knit (I just love the ease of knits for my babies).  My first version is all one color made form a gorgeous brick red sheet (that got holes in it ;op) - the second version is two tone and I love how it accents the ruffles even more.

I made this one using 2 vintage fat quarters that my Aunt passed along to me when I started sewing for the kids this past summer.  Heidi recommends 1.25 yards for the 18 month tunic - and you should always buy based on recommendations (there is self made bias tape involved in this pattern which does eat up more yardage).  Luckily I was able to just eek out this top out of what I had.

(*this was a very quick photo shoot as it was only about 30degrees out - and baby girl had NO interest in looking at me, oh well)

(*And yes, these pictures were taken pre-breaking the leg, actually on the day she broke her leg ;op)

What I LOVE about this pattern:

-the instructions are clear and easy to follow and include a TON of photos

-the design is a little modern, a little vintage, and lends itself to tons of personalization!

-this is what I would call an advanced beginner pattern so virtually anyone can try this out.

-There are THREE variations within the pattern, 3 for 1 - what an awesome deal!

-OH, and while at the mall this weekend I saw a similar top at Gap kids for more than $25 (I don't remember the price and I couldn't find it online when I looked quick this morning)... so totally current style for a fraction of the price!!!!

Check out the pattern HERE!!!

*Here are a few snap shots of the first version I made

 

The Winter of Our Discontent...

I know, I know, I've been AWOL... I am so sorry!!!

I do have tutorials almost ready to share and two awesome pattern tests that I have gotten to do - one is girly one is boy-ie and you will LOVE them both!!!

SO why have I been missing?  Well, my children just can not seem to be healthy for more than a couple days.  It all started back when Hubs got the flu during PR&P and passed it along to the boys.  Then baby girl got a double ear infection - only to recover from that and knock out her front tooth.  Then all three kiddos and I got smacked with the stomach bug.  We got healthy and got it again, got healthy and got it again, and on and on - the boys were even sick on their birthday ;o(.  Until FINALLY this past weekend EVERYONE in the house was HEALTHY!!!  WOHOOOOOOOOOO!

But then.... well, baby girl has been a dare devil since day one (thus the knocked out tooth), and is now trying to climb stairs.  She made it up two stairs and fell while I was 'otherwise occupied'.  That small fall resulted in a buckle fracture of her left leg -WHAT!?!?!?!?!?
Today I was given the choice of a hip high cast (that would have meant NO pants, NO baths, NO crawling, etc.....) OR holding her as much as possible and preventing her from standing for 2-3weeks.  I went for the second option, but keeping that little girl from standing is so hard.  It isn't going to be the easiest road ahead, but I think I still made the better choice.

So I PROMISE that next week there are going to be tons of fun new posts.  I'll even share my PR&P pattern remix that is currently sitting on my cutting table -sigh.

Huge hugs, and I hope everyone can go into the weekend with big smiles and healthy families!!!

The Bottom Line: The Cost of Competing in PR&P

Hello Everybody! - if you are newer to my blog there are a few blog posts that may help you understand my sewing background and why I upcycle/recycle/re-purpose (Here and Here).   But at the end of the day the short answer is that I am cheap.  I live on a tight budget with three kids under 2 and I started sewing for them to save us money - not spend a ton.  It can be a bit intimidating when you see the big blogs buying up all the awesome new fabrics and patterns; but don't think you can't sew amazing things without breaking the bank!!!

 Winter Wear-Wolf:  $0


OK, technically $2.50 (which is what I paid for the grey bias tape in the fall, but I only used half of it, and if I hadn't already bought it I just would have made my own from one of  the fabrics in the outfit).  All of the fabrics were upclycled; two skirts and two shepherds costumes.  The buttons came from an old coat, and the elastic loops were made from 2 hair ties I had.

Collegiate Cool: $.83

I never could have pulled this one off for $0 if it wasn't for my mom gifting me access to her stash as part of my Christmas present.  This outfit used the most yardage of any of the PR&P looks.  The jacket, jacket lining, shirt, and tie all used yardage from my mom's supply - but that's the thing, there are always people you know that have some kind of left overs hanging about that they are willing to share ;o).  The sweater was made from a men's sweater that I scored at Goodwill for 83 cents.  The pants were an upcycle from a women's skirt.  The buttons for the shirt came from a men's button up in my stash. *Oh and I won the pattern for Melly Sews' Basic Blazer.

Elephant Shoes: $7
I spent $1.99 on the fabric paint to print the Elephant fabric.  Another Goodwill score gave me a grey knit T for 83 cents.  I caught the teal corduroy and grey fleece on super Christmas sales combined with coupons and picked up a yard of each at about $2 a yard.  The black knit came into my stash in a donation from one of my friend's grandmother, the teal knit was a women's T, and the black lining of the pants was a women's skirt.

Butterfly Kisses: $0
Yep, every once of fabric on this one was upcycled.  The gorgeous butterflies were an old skirt, the velvet was a sleeveless woman's top, and the green knit was a T-shirt.  I stole a hook off a skirt and the two snaps for the jacket were in my button jar.

Mo-Squish-Le: $5.60
Once again, the fabrics were all upcycled - two button up shirts, one white dress shirt and one flannel plaid shirt.  All of the buttons on the top were from the original shirt.  But then there was the boots- they needed a special button to make the look.  Once I decided that I wanted cool buttons on the boots, I decided that I wanted to tie in the shorts with the same/similar buttons.  With the help of a couple coupons, I was able to get 2 large, 2 medium, and 4 small silver buttons for a total of $5.60.  Oh yeah - and those cool leather boots came from an old leather jacket of mine from middle school.

Gabba Ga: $5.30
I was actually willing to spend more to get this outfit 'just right'.  I was prepared to spend as much as it took to find the perfect green on green striped knit at the store for the Brobee hoodie.  But it didn't exist - nada in stripes.  Boooo!  I had gone through all the green in my stash and taken swatches with me of anything I thought might work.  I decided I could rework my design a bit and 'create' stripes using two knits.  The maternity top in my stash was the perfect fit, so I grabbed half a yard of the dark green knit to compliment it - I also had used up all of my 1 inch elastic and needed to buy more for the pants, a coupon came in handy for that.  Muno's outfit used the remaining fleece from Elephant Shoes, a grey knit skirt, a red Tshirt, a white women's knit top, and a women's sweat shirt.  That red sweat shirt had been my mom's and dearly loved - to the point that it became her painting sweatshirt.  The seamed bum was divine inspiration as that section of the sweatshirt torso had large paint splatters (the arms were too short to use as pant legs because this was a women's M/L).  Brobee used more of the grey knit skirt, the remainder of the women's white knit top, the maternity waffle knit top, the purchased  green knit yardage, the remainder of the red T, a curtain panel   and a separating zipper stolen from one of my pre-pregnancy sweatshirts.  Oh, and those cool zippered pockets on Muno's pants - the zippers were stolen from sleepers the boys wore last year.

So there you have it, a Grand Total of  $18.73
Yep, under $20 for 7 full outfits - I think that counts as saving my family money!!!

Now, you probably couldn't make exactly the same outfits for the same amount - but you'd be able to do similar things with what you can find and build into your own stash.  And yes there is always thread ;op
Where does my stash come from???  Well, it started with me going through my own closet and weeding out what no longer fits my larger body and my hubs' smaller body (yeah that isn't fair, but let's not dwell).  Then friends of mine read on my blog about my goal last summer to make fall clothes for the boys without spending a dime, and they started offering me first dibs on bags of clothes that were destined for Goodwill.  Then my mom started cleaning out her closets (both crafting and clothing), and the piles grew and grew.  Recently, I've started getting some yardage from friend's whose parents or grandparents are downsizing and cleaning out.
The biggest thing I do is start at my stash.  Yes I have a design in mind, yes I have a desired color pallet; but almost every time things work out better than I could have expected by starting with what I have and 'Making it Work'.
Now don't get me wrong - when our budget allows I WILL be buying some pretty fabrics and patterns - and I am already plotting exactly what I will spend my prize gift certificates on!!!!  My only birthday and Christmas requests this past year were sewing notions.  And someday soon-ish, I will need to purchase a newer sewing machine.  But until then, I will continue to use whatever comes my way to create cool new clothes for my three quickly growing babies ;o)

Huge hugs to all!!!
*oh and ask questions - I love comments and questions, I try very hard to answer them all via e-mail, so make sure your profile is set to receive reply e-mails!!!