The Everything Tote

From Weekend Sewing, another fun and useful project - the Everything Tote. It doesn't look too amazing, but man, can it hold some stuff - even all the junk I tend to carry around in 2 or 3 bags. Made from gifted sturdy canvas on the outside and linen on the inside. Helpful pockets for wallet and cell phone. I love the book, but as others on amazon have noted, there are some errors. Fortunately, the errata are available for download here. Don't let the errors stop you from trying out some projects here, though - there are several great projects that I've tried, and a few more that I'm planning on. Just be sure to download the "fix-it sheet" before beginning!

Miss Mary

Another lovely pattern from the Handmade Dress:

The sizing is pretty flexible, being a wrap dress, so it actually fits both Abigail and Anna, though looks a bit different on each girl.

Made with a pretty cotton I had on hand, I think it turned out so nicely. I think I'd like to try making the version with the gathered skirt next. I can see this one being very versatile!

And now for something altogether different...

Toby and I were enjoying a quiet evening on the deck, when I looked at my tomato plant and noticed...something. On closer investigation, this is what I saw:

Yup, that's our friendly local tree frog, eating a tomato horn worm.

Awesome. I didn't even know they ate worms. I am terribly grateful that they do, though - I found 3 more worms on there yesterday, and they are enjoying my tomato leaves a little too much.

We sat there staring at him for ages.

The leg thing kills me.

Isn't that amazing? In a tree frog, I see the handiwork of God.

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made... (Romans 1:19-20)

Babies!

No, not mine. But I am smack-dab in the middle of baby shower season. Which means baby gifts. Which, for me, means projects.

I made this little set for a shower last month - a new baby girl needs a cute dress and coordinating shrug!

Patterns found here and here.

There is a shower for a boy this weekend, and I'm looking forward to seeing someone finally receive this pre-made vest.

Next week, is another shower, though the gender is unsure. The question is do I have enough time to knit something gender-neutral (like this or this), or do I work on a nappy bag for mom? Thoughts?

Trying for Fancy

I wanted to make a dressy little something for myself - a date night skirt that's just a little more special than the usual. I bought this fabric ages ago, and it fits the bill nicely, I think. There are a couple of problems, though...

It's too big! A good problem, but still a problem. I measured constantly through the making, took it in a little more, and it's still too big. This should be fixable with a couple of well placed darts, but it clearly shows me that my measuring skills could do with some help.

I'm not sure about the length. It seems to hit about the widest part of my calf, which isn't very complimentary. Should I go a little shorter? Or maybe add lengthen it by adding a gathered or pleated section at the bottom? Or should I just get over myself?

On a separate note, I love my shoes. Timberland - who knew that Timberland did heels? (Not me, clearly.) They are, however, the highest heels I have ever owned, so I'm still learning to walk in them. It's kind of funny to watch...

Little Yarn = Little Hats

I'm in the middle of several projects at the moment. I'm more than half way through this and have stalled when faced with some confusion. I'm almost done this, too - a request for a friend's new granddaughter.

But sometimes, I need something small and portable. Something that doesn't require a whole lot of paying attention. Something that doesn't require me buying more yarn, and even uses up some small amounts hanging around the cupboard. Something like this...

...and this...

...and this.

The two blue hats were from this pattern, using Plymouth Merino Superwash. Love the yarn, and the patterns are great, too. The pink was my own design (kind of like a baby beret, sort of) in Cascade Paints.

I gotta say, the ribbed one is my favorite. Something about ribbing on a little noggin is too cute!

They Make Hammocks

I blame Toby. They don't get this kind of thing from me...

I'm surprised the bed's still standing

For the record, no one was injured during the photographing of these pictures. I don't know what happened after my camera and I left the room, though.

The Unexpected Cut

I'd been thinking about Ellie's hair. After the big girls' hair cuts, I realized that hers also needed a cut, but I wasn't sure just what to do, so I waited. Evidently, I waited too long, so she decided to take matters into her own hands:

Sigh. These photos just don't do it justice - it's horrible. All my kids have cut their hair at one time or another, but it was always fixable; a small chunk, down low. Not this time - there are parts in the front where her hair isn't even an inch long.

I had a go at fixing it:

It's better, but still obviously not right. Oh, well. Thankfully, this is the season of sunhats...

The Family Funnies Book

We have a book that we started when Abi was small - the Family Funnies Book. In it, we record some amusing things that happen or are said by members of the family (namely, but not exclusively, the children). What kind of things? Well, things like:

• 
  
  2 Oct '05 - Abi appears in the doorway of our bedroom, hands on hips with a disapproving look on her face and asks, "Who did this?", referring to the mess she made in her room.


• 
  
  April 7, '07 - Driving past a field, Kelly says, "Oh, look - 'moo-cows'." Toby laughs, to which Kelly says, "Oh yeah, I forgot the girls weren't in the car. I don't need to do 'toddler speak'". Toby laughs harder. "No, dear," he replies. "I'm laughing because those are horses."


• 
  
  July '08 - Kelly is preparing dinner when Abi walks in wearing a beaver's mask. "Mommy, what can I do to help?", she asks. "I don't know. What can a beaver do to help?", Kelly responds. "Well, I can chuck wood."


• 
  
  Oct 23, '10 - Praying with the older girls before bed, and after they had been particularly wild, Toby prayed that God would settle their hearts after being particularly rambunctious. Anna prays, "Dear God, I pray that you would tell me what rambunctious means..."


• 
  
  Dec 14, '10 - According to Ellie, one day she will be married, Dan will be married and Noah will be a pirate. Noah was very excited by this idea.

I love this book. The kids love this book. They love the idea that they were little and did and said silly things that cannot remember. They often pull the book out to read to guests (and can't understand the lack of interest). I love it because there is no way I can remember all this stuff on my own, but to have all these funny stories written down brings it all back to me. Plus, it's a much more manageable means of recording childhood (for me, anyway) than scrapbooking or trying to keep up with those tyrannical baby books.

A suggestion - if you don't have one, pick up a cheap hardback book or composition book - maybe cover it, maybe not - and record a few things that spring to mind. Then wrap it up, write a card, and present it to your husband or father for Father's Day. And be prepared to keep adding to it - memories are always the best gifts.

It must be summer

Summer hair cuts - before...

...and after

Broom's Bloom

Not to mention the garden growing, swimming, picnics, BBQ and my personal favorite - air conditioning!