E.E.E.

Everything has been put on hold this past week. No sewing, no homeschool, no field trips, and no homemade bagels. With the help of an amazing woman, Marie Ricks , we have begun to sort through some to the chaos and clutter of a busy home. Here is the plan:

Everything out
Eliminate
Essentials back in

The goal is for me to get through every cupboard, closet, nook and cranny of our home before the baby is born in hopes to up my efficiency and clarity of mind. The process was quite overwhelming and a bit emotionally draining at first but I think I've got the hang of it and now feels almost addicting and invigorating. Pictured above is "everything out" of just a few kitchen cupboards. I have found that 50% of the items I have been storing in easy access areas or as Marie calls them "A zones" are non essentials. About 10% was just plain trash, 15% DI worthy so now the essentials have plenty of breathing room and are right at hand when I need them.

One mistake I made was to cook tacos at the same time everything was out. It took a lot of deep breaths to get through the clutter mixed with ground hamburger and shredded cheese. Paul was a great support and said it reminded him of the good ol' days when the Wirthlin family kitchen was running at full capacity.

More dresses!

Here are two more dresses from the Japanesse pattern book. I am having so much fun with these! At times I was a bit lost in the translation but figured out most of it from the illlustrations. Both fabrics are from my fabric stash that I am trying to use up. The patchwork I got in Spain and the Velvet was supposed to be for Maryanna's Christmas dress last year.....I was just too tired then. I am getting in as much sewing as I can before this next baby comes.

The sewing contiues

Here is the first of several dresses that I cut out for Maryanna. I thought I would have a break from sewing until Easter but I under estimated her winter growth spurt. Besides I am having way too much fun. This is dress J from the japanesse sewing book in size 100. I used a cotton woven plaid that I picked up in Spain last Spring. The petticaot dress underneath was added to increase warmth and body. It was constructed from a white Old Navy turtle neck and an old cotton night gown. I just cropped the turttle neck, gathered the skirt and pieced them together with a stretch stitch. What a satisfying 10 minute project!

In addition to dresses Maryanna was in need of a bigger coat and boots. They all came together at just the right time and look great together. These girls may be a bit more wild than my boys but they sure are fun to dress! Maryanna always peeks in at my sewing machine and asks...."Mom what you making me"? Hopefully I'll post some more of the projects this week.

Hapyy New Year!

Clara and Maryanna are celebrating the new year with a 10 lb. of rice. Yesterday morning they tossed it all over the kitchen and pantry. I am still cleaning it up and finding it all over the house. I caught them just when I thought....hmm they are playing so quietly.

Holiday Highlights

Christmas eve - James told me he would substitute me as the official cookie maker since I was already cooking 4 other items and he noticed how tired I was.


Karaoke caroling with a portion of the Wirthlin Family.




William excited about a gift from Uncle Rick and Aunt Gemina...just what he wanted from the German toy catalog. He said "I didn't know they knew German".


Maryanna running to the Christmas tree to see what Santa left.


Paul playing his new bongos.


Peter in his new "bad guy" cape that Maryanna helped make for him.


Clara braving the use of her feet with her new walker - also showing off new outfits for both her and her baby.


Staying in our Jammies until 2pm.


Automoblox! Santa brought 2 but Paul was so jealous of these cool toys he went out the next day and bought 3 more for the rest of the family.

Last minute Christmas sewing

Next year I plan to finish my Christmas sewing and my Christmas cards before December. Saturday night Paul and I were both up past 2 am... I was buzzing on the sewing machine and he was stuffing, and addressing Christmas cards. We accomplished both tasks just in time but we both felt like zombies by Christmas morning.

I made Jammies for the four older kids, an outfit for Clara, and two doll dresses with bloomers. All were wrapped and under the tree by Christmas eve. I did not make anything for Paul but did replace the zipper on his favorite hoodie and had it waiting with the other homemade gifts.

The items themselves are not that remarkable but I am so happy that they got finnished in time!

All the Fabric was ordered from reprodepot.com and sewzannesfabrics. I especially love the Japanesse print for Maryanna's nightgown (Thankfully she has yet to discover princess Jammies). I used Burda and Simplicity patterns for the boys, Maryanna's nightgown was kwik sew (with much needed alterations to style), and Clara's all reversible outfit is an Alison's Original that I have perfected after 5 babies. I guess now I can start thinking about Easter dresses.....if I don't get too distracted by any other projects.

Christmas Card Challenge 2007

We have been busy with so many holiday projects. Homemade gifts, cookies, hand dipped chocolates, 2007 DVD slide show and Christmas cards. The Christmas card has been the biggest challenge. When we had two kids our cards were out the day after Thanksgiving....I think it has gotten later and later each year. This year I'll be happy if I send them out by Monday.

Half the challenge of it was taking a family picture. Hope you enjoy the reality of it in these photos. I finally gave up on the self timer and got my Dad to shoot one of us in his backyard. I think you all should recieve it in about a week. Next year I'll either send a "reality card" or hire a professional photographer. How my parents got our family picture with 17 kids.... I have no idea. That was even before the days of photoshop and swaping out heads.

Picture #1- Red Butte Garden after taking all the kids "home school pictures" thankfully all their individual shots turned out great!
Picture #2 - 4th of July up at Bear Lake with my first set of tie-dyes
Picture #3- Wirthlin family Olympics
Picture #4- Decorating the Christmas tree after church