A Dress that was Given a Second Chance

These dresses were intended to be for Easter but the sewing wasn't happening then.  The inspiration for them came in a dream back in December and I remember waking up in the early morning sketching it out and taking notes.  The inspiration was not so much the design but the simplicity of the construction, if I could find dressy enough knit it could be pulled off.   Here's what I started with:

  
This is the twin set I picked up at Salvation Army the night I went into labor with George.  I remember not feeling very good (backache and mild contractions), the check out line extended back into the depths of the store and I would have discarded all my items and headed straight home if it were not for this sweater set.  They were just the right color and texture and I was sure I could squeeze two bodices out of them.  At $6 the set was a little pricey for Salvation Army but I knew it was just what I was looking for.

I used the same basic bodice pattern from their knit Christmas dresses only shortening the sleeves, lowering the neckline and replacing the peter pan collar with a standing collar.  The skirt came from a box of scraps my sister in law sent me, it is made from yards of leftover sateen twill only 15" wide.  So I pieced the twill together with a rolled hem exposed on the outside to make it look it was part of the design.

I got that far last week and just as I was about to piece the bodice to the skirt I discovered little slashes across Maryanna's bodice.  She likes to "help" me when I sew but what she had obviously done was of no help.  I threw both dresses in a big heap next to the garbage, ran upstairs passed the neglected laundry and messy kitchen (yes I ignored all my own sewing rules ) and buried my tears in a pillow.  It wasn't so much the loss of the dresses that got me down but the fact that my first real sewing project after having the baby was going to be flopped (I don't count the diapers because that was task sewing not fun sewing).  I honestly wondered if it was time to quit sewing until my children were grown.

Mid week it was time for a big basement clean up.  When I looked over at the dresses heaped in a pile headed for the trash I had a vision of what the skirts would be.  All tucked, bunched and stitched at each gore there would be enough distraction from the little slashes across Maryanna's front and back bodice.  So I gently zig-zagged over the slashes and Maryanna suggested we put a sash around the waist to cover it even more (the original design had the bow tied up to the side at the collar).  So that's what we did and here is a close up of the damage, there are five of these scars in total.

 
The dresses are paired with their fun and fluffy slips from last year and over all I'm pleased with how they look from far away.  But since they were headed for the trash anyways I'm not as concerned about them ruining them.  Clara's already has a nice oil stain on the bodice after getting into the baby massage oil and Maryanna's sleeves are stretched and distorted after pulling her head through one of the sleeves instead of the neckline.

It was a nice lesson in not giving up and also a reminder of what really is important.... what makes my girls special is not their clothes but their irresistible (and sometimes mischievous) smiles.

Summer Potions

I call these potions because I can't find anyone besides myself who thinks they taste good.  Even after explaining their health benefits no one is convinced they are worth drinking.  Lucky for me I like both the taste and the way they make me feel. 

Chilled San Pellegrino with Whey and Fresh Squeezed Lemon

I was served this at a local Weston Price meeting and after taking one sip I smiled and asked for the recipe.  The ladies kind of laughed at me and just said "it is what it is" San Pelligrino, whey, and fresh squeezed lemon juice.  

Whey is the clear liquid that separates from our cultured kefir and is full of probiotics, protein, minerals and has been thought to help regulate blood sugar, and aid digestion.  Mixed with sparkling mineral water and lemon it is both refreshing and filling on those evenings when it is just too hot to stuff the belly.

Lavender Peppermint Herbal Tea

This is tastes great both warm and chilled.  Warm before bed helps induce sleep and chilled with honey makes an energizing post workout beverage.  

I added 1 tsp of each herb to a qt size mason jar then poured hot (almost boiling) water on top.  Covering this tightly will help release the oils but unlike my pregnancy potion this one should not steep for more than 10 minutes because the mint will not taste good if after 10 minutes.  Don't forget to strain it.

Beet Kvass

    

This one always scares my family, it basically is just fermented beet juice.  And to be honest I don't really know what the health benefits are but I'm sure if you googled it all sorts of great stuff would surface.  I just like love this beverage because beets are yummy and it is so easy to make.

I got the recipe from my favorite cookbook Nourishing Traditions . Basically you peel and chop 3 beets and stick them in a 2 qt mason jar.  Add 1/4 cup whey (again I get my from strained kefir), 1 T salt (I use half that amount) then fill to the top with filtered water.  Close it up and after about 2 days on the counter it should be ready.

Just a couple warnings though, beets tend to discolor urine and if you are not careful you may end up with a very staining joker like mustache.

Let me know if you try any of these and please share your own potions because I'm sure I'd love to try them.

 

Chalkboard Banner

This chalkboard banner was made to hang above our kitchen sink.  It is large enough (36"x45") for all to read from the kitchen table and the message changes each week.

My sister Mary and I came up with the idea and she is now selling some in her etsy shop - check them out .

Our family usually writes out scriptures, one that relates to what was taught at Family Home Evening and all are encouraged to memorize it.  We practice it at mealtimes and those who do memorize it are rewarded with a scripture sticker .

This week's lesson was from Thomas S. Monson's recent message in the Ensign titled "Canaries with Gray on their Wings" so that is where the above quote is from.

Despite my sloppy handwriting I'm glad to have that chalkboard banner hanging in encouragement, whatever the message or scripture may be, because it is in the kitchen around 5:30 pm that I need it the most!

Diaper Rainbow

The little boys needed some new diapers so I gave my precious sewing time to complete the above rainbow.  I admit I would have enjoyed sewing spring/summer girl clothes more but diapers were high priority and by sewing them myself I think I saved more than a couple hundred dollars.

A few hundred dollars?...... Yes, cloth diapers are kind of a big investment but after committing to them for almost 4 years I believe the investment has paid off.

I already listed my reasons why back in 2007 but I will list them again.

-gentle for babies sensitive skin
-potty train earlier (I am convinced of this!)
-better for the earth (though technically debatable at least I feel better about decreasing our waste)
-softer landing for when they fall on their bums (only kidding)

Switching to cloth diapers can be a bit overwhelming because their are so many options now.  I started with a combination of bumgenius AIO (all in one) and Fuzzi Bunz pocket diapers and now prefer to use a combination of prefolds (the old fashion rectangles) and pocket diapers.

I used Very Baby's one size pocket diaper pattern and only had to tweak it a little bit before going forward with mass production.  The rest of the materials were ordered from Wazoodle fabrics and I could not have gotten the job done without  good amount of time at my snap press .

Here are a few closer shots.  I'd be happy to advise anyone interested in switching over or sewing their own.

Three Legged Cleaning

Today our church library was cleaning out old books so Paul picked this old one up on teaching children.  I thumbed through it during our 5 minute drive home and these were the words that jumped out at me:

MAKE WORK FUN FOR CHILDREN

We returned home to a very messy house, much worse than our usual "get out the door to church tornado" so I thought I might as well put those words to work.  When I announced it was time for a big pick up some of the kids ran and hid and the others just groaned.  

The thought immediately came to me........ "three legged clean up" so I ran down to my sewing station and tore some fabric strips.  It was Peter and me in charge of the front hall, living room and homeschool room vs. James and William in the kitchen and toddler play room, so the fun began.  And I think it was the most fun I've ever had cleaning.

Peter and I got in sync and we were working so fast that our picture blurred.  James and William worked just as well together and I believed the teams tied as we all ended up at the freezer to claim the popsicle prize at the same time.  Just for fun we continued the race to the front porch where we enjoyed our popsicles still tied together.  This was memorable and definitely worth trying again.  

Baby Wearing Revolution

I both blame and thank Caryn for exposing me to a huge community of baby wearers at thebabywearer.com .   I had plans to sew up a few more slings but after reviewing the gallery there my interest switched to wraps and I am now permanently hooked!

A wrap is pretty much a specially woven piece of fabric.  I first tried it with 5 yards of discount silk but that proved to be way too uncomfortable.  So I bought a didymos from a kind lady off craigs list.  Even used they are pricey but after trying one on I discovered it to be so great that I needed more than just one.

The tying is not as hard as it looks - it just took a few youtube videos and practice in front of a mirror to get it right.  When I get good I'll post my own video here.  There are so many ways to wrap and wear it but for me the back feels the most comfortable.

What more can I say than I wish I had this with my first baby!  This is by far my favorite baby carrying device.  I can cook (even stir fry), bend and do laundry, work in the garden, wash dishes, and sew all with a very content baby (and sometimes toddler) on my back.

Not only that, these wraps fulfill more than one of my intentions.......to be nurturing and practical all with a bit of style.

To Smile in the Face of a Challenge

This year it was my turn and privilege to present the Julie Wirthlin memorial scholarship at Andover High School.

When I think about my sister Julie I can't help but smile, and even if a tears are to surface, it is always a smile that radiates in her memory.

Her smile was contagious.  Her smile was true to her character, pure, honest, courageous and kind.  She gave of it freely.

Julie was the 15th child in our family of 17 children, it was her bold smile and sparkling eyes that set her apart from the bunch, it filled our home with joy.

This smile also filled the halls of Andover High School and was carried with her as she participated in both cross-country and track.  She understood the joy of physical activity and raced solely for the fun of it.

She built many strong friendships on the teams and on occasion, when track practice was through, she'd gather up some teammates to fly kites across the football field.  When there was not enough wind, she convinced them that if the parking lot was empty they could fly the kite out of the passenger window - which they did.

Julie was diagnosed with cancer at age 16.  She went thru treatment and then returned to school with her bald head held high, without a trace of self consciousness and a smile brighter than ever.  She did not fear - she smiled in the face of this challenge.

When she was well, she joined her teammates in running again.

When the cancer resurfaced, she still attended every meet she could, acting as the team photographer.

Julie lived life zestfully, and instead of turing to self-pity, she took each literal breath with gratitude.

Her example has inspired and lifted me as I have faced my own challenges.

My family has set up this scholarship fund in her memory, not only to support continued education but also that her legacy may be a source of inspiration to both the chosen recipient and all the graduating seniors.

To them, and all those who remember Julie so dearly, we boldly encourage to go forward with confidence, smile in the face of your challenges and live life as the precious gift that it is.

I will also add that the above image may not be of the highest quality because it is a scanned copy of the one I keep floating in my purse...... it always seems to pop out at me just when I need a smile.

Also the above text are the notes from my presentation.  I scribbled them down on the car ride over to the event and with a frozen computer and barely enough time to nurse the baby Paul's dad very kindly and carefully hand wrote them out for me.  Had he not done so I may have lost my cool and just blubbered a  mess of words and tears.