To Do's...

I forget how much I enjoy sewing until I begin a new project. Of course there can be frustrations; like when the bobbin runs out at the most inopportune time, or if a needle breaks...but for the most part, sewing is relaxing for me.

The other day I was inspired by Paige and Brooke. They are so talented, and I love how they share their ideas and how to accomplish them through tutorials. I have always enjoyed appliqueing (sp?) things, and Paige and Brooke's tutorial kicked me into gear to make Avery a valentine shirt. While Avery was at school, Braden and I ventured to Hobby Lobby to find some fun fabric. That evening, Avery sat in my lap and helped me complete the project. It was so much fun letting her learn to thread the machine, choose the stitch, and adjust knobs. I love the fact that she is interested in sewing. I shouldn't be surprised because she loves to learn. Braden also sat up in the chair next to us, so if felt like both of them helped so much. I think that's why this one feels extra special.
Once I finished Avery's shirt, I felt like I should make something for Braden. Since I couldn't think of anything that wouldn't look too girlie for valentine's attire, I revisited a pillow I started for him a long time ago. We're talking, probably over a year ago! When Avery was about two, I found some fun fabric, and I made a pillow for her. (Solid pink on the back with a zipper for easy cleaning.) She has always loved to prop up on it and watch movies, or use it in her room to hold her door. It has served many uses.

One day about a year ago, I found matching fabric, but in boy colors! I was super excited, so I came home that day, cut everything out, had the zipper pinned on to sew in, but had to put the project away before I finished it because I had company coming. (My dining room table serves as my sewing table.) So, a year later, I found that it was pretty silly that everything was ready to be finished, it just wasn't stitched up! (His is blue on the back with a zipper.) When Braden woke up from his nap to see his "couch" (he gets that and pillow confused apparently), he ran over, and fell onto it saying, "my couch! my own couch!" Now they get to prop up on matching pillows to watch their shows.Since I finished Avery's valentine's shirt, I've been wanting to make her another. So, when I found this turtle neck at Target for $.94, there was just no excuse to wait any longer. We went today to pick out fabric. She chose this one...not quite what I would have picked, but it has sparkles, so there was no contest in her book. I wanted to put a fun 'A' on it, but she wants a butterfly. I have strict instructions not to work on it while she's napping because she wants to help.
While we were out and about, I remembered two pairs of Avery's pants that still fit her great, but she has worn holes in the knees. So, we ventured over to the patches section and Avery made her picks. When we got home, I barely had my bag down before Avery was begging to fix her pants. I stitched up the holes; don't know if that's necessary, but I thought it might hold better, then Avery applied the patches. I did the ironing of course, and I might tack them on as well to reinforce them. At any rate, Avery is ecstatic!
Now I'm trying to decide if I should try to get the house in order or start on another project! (I'm so tempted to start the butterfly....)

A Long Time A Comin'

I've always tried to keep my life a little more sane by keeping the kids' toys organized. There's a doll bin, a dishes bin, a tractor bin, cars, Barbies...you get the idea. That way, at the end of the day (or throughout the day, actually) everything will have a place, and Momma can feel a little less antsy.


I guess it started with the influx of toys after Braden's birthday (October) that I yearned for a playroom. I was pretty jealous of my friends who had playrooms; they could tuck all the toys away. They could put the kids to bed. They could watch a movie and have adult time without being surrounded by blinking lights or singing books.


I started trying to figure out ways to add on to my house. When I woke up from my 'dream' I started trying to reconfigure our home the way it is to provide a room especially for kids. Nothing lined up in a way that all of our needs would be met by taking away an existing room.


Then I began to settle on some sort of cabinetry where I could at least consolidate the toys that normally reside in the living room baskets. Our dining room is a bit of a pass through to begin with, so I thought that would be the room for the final resting place for my shelving unit. Early one Saturday, Avery and I headed out shopping for a specific thing I had in mind. Of course no one had what I wanted, or it was the wrong size, or too expensive.

On to plan B: call Daddy. You see, my Daddy is my hero and can do anything. Really, he can. His official job now is working for the City of Dallas, but he used to build houses. That's right folks, houses; according to my calculations, he's built 4 of the 6 houses my parents have ever lived in. He has since retired from houses, but he still works on side projects for my brother, building custom furniture.


I explain all this to say, I don't know why Plan B wasn't Plan A for me. Actually, I do know. There's quite a bit of mileage between us, so I didn't know how we would get it here once built. After a few more shopping trips, I realized the only way I would get exactly what I need or wanted would be for dear Daddy to build it for me.


I sent a sketch of what I wanted, and of course he agreed. Then the hard part was for me to wait for a time when they could come visit so we could build it together. The earliest they could come was March. The months dragged by, but before I knew it, Spring Break was here, and so were my parents!


After tracking down appropriate tools that were too large for him to bring with him, a few hours (days) of hugging on the grand-babies, an early morning breakfast, and a shopping trip to Lowes, we were set to begin...in the rain. We only had a few days to work on it since they couldn't stay long, so we constructed the fabulous shelving unit on my side porch. Talk about close quarters! It came together rather quickly, and turned out a hundred times better than what I had in mind!


One of the even better things is after it serves it's purpose as a toy holder, it can be turned into a buffet or entertainment center by simply adding doors!

So, after five long months of anticipation for me, below you will find pictures of our helpers along the way, then the final product, followed by pictures of my new and improved "Adult Living Room!"