Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Some News

So I finally got the word from Simplicity and ASG regarding the Creativity Contest...
Oh well. I didn't get the big prize. But I'm okay with that. It was a major confidence boost to be selected as a finalist.
And I still LOVE this dress. I'm so glad I participated in this contest and can't wait to try again next year!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Depression.

A picture is worth a thousand words. Or a thousand tears in my case.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thursday Things I Love! (Glass Bowls)

Here's my first of what I hope will be another reoccurring feature on Design Fix... THURSDAY THINGS I LOVE! And the credit for this week's post goes to my husband, Fix.
He really wanted more bowls to use in our kitchen. Specifically, he wanted glass bowls. We had all of three stainless silver bowls to use for kitchen mixing/prepping and it was just not enough. Although we found some glass bowls we liked at Crate and Barrel but they were a little pricey.
Enter BJ's. Oh how that store has enriched my life! We found the bowls pictured here, plus 6 others for only $19.99! AND, included in the box were (red!) plastic lids for 20 of the 26 bowls. Why they didn't include lids for all of the bowls, I do not know...
But man-o-man, I love these things! They make kitchen prep SO much easier and because they have such nice clean lines, I can use them as serving dishes too. They match everything. So, there you go. The first Thursday Thing I Love!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Molly's Skirt

For Molly's third birthday, I made her the skirt above (and quickly took these two pictures of it at her birthday party in the park). I made it with two layers because of the inevitable see-through problem eyelet brings to the table.
Then I added this ribbon as trim. Bonus points to anyone who can tell me where it came from. And for the record, we also gave her a cute tank from Old Navy in the same light pink color on the ribbon but since I didn't make that, I didn't include it here.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Quick Fix Friday (Khakis for Rock)

After last week's Quick Fix on a cute tank, I got to thinking that I should make the Quick Fix a regular feature on Design Fix. I plan to have one Quick Fix up here most (but certainly not all!) Fridays. That way, I will get around to doing the fixes that I never fix even though they are quick to fix! And now that I've used the word fix far too many times, here's this week's Quick Fix...
Someone's pants were having a hard time staying 'zipped.' In actuality, there is no zipper on these pants, but for some reason, Old Navy wanted to give them an "XYZ PDQ"** feel.
When I purchased the pants I didn't think it would be a problem but when Rock wore them to church and no fewer than four individuals thought his zipper was down, I decided to do something about it.
After pinning the crotch seams together...
I carefully stitched directly over top of the stitches that were already there and closed up the problem seam.
Look closely and you can see my stitches. They go right up to the edge of the waistband -- so I can still unbutton it to squeeze the pants over Rock's diaper.
And here they are on the boy! I know, not such a great picture.
But someone was very upset with me for taking off his shorts and not putting on his galoshes. This made him a particularly poor model for the 'after' shot.
It was quite traumatic. But even without a good picture, you get the idea, right? They are much improved!
** If you aren't familiar with this classic elementary school exclamation, XYZ PDQ stands for eXamine Your Zipper Pretty Darn Quick! Polite people know that it is always nice to quietly whisper to your friends "XYZ PDQ" instead of shouting "DUDE! YOU FORGOT TO ZIP UP YOUR FLY!"

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Pajama Pants

Rock's wardrobe is seriously lacking in the summer-appropriate-pajama-department. So I decided to sew him some pajama pants out of the same fabric that I used for his cousin Caleb's Christmas gift.
I used a pair of his pants to make the basic pattern and kept it simple with an elastic waistband. A sewing masterpiece they are not, but they will go a long way in keeping me from going into a what's-he-going-to-wear?-panic when bedtime rolls around.
He looks so old in this picture, doesn't he?

Saturday, June 6, 2009

NYR #13: Beanbags, Flashcards and 'Staches, OH MY!

Since we got back from vacation, I've been hard at work, making Rock a few new toys. First I made him some beanbags.
These were made from discontinued fabric samples of commercial grade fabric so they should be pretty durable. Rock really loves them and since two of them are green, he is set on calling them "geenbags" (green bags).
I also 'laminated' his flashcards with contact paper.
Thanks for the tip Christel!
Finally, based on this tutorial, I made Rock a silly moustache so he could play dress-up and I could get a silly picture of him in it.
And where is said silly picture of silly boy in silly moustache? He wants nothing to do with it. Sigh. I'll keep trying.

In the meantime, enjoy this video of him directing his father in "geenbag" throwing.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Sneakers


I need a new pair of sneakers. And I really like these. Anyone know where I can get them for cheaper than $70? Oh and I'd also like a gym membership and a personal trainer.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Quick Fix (on a Cute Tank)

I am lucky enough to live within walking distance of both Ross Dress for Less (only calling by it's full name because it irritates my sister Bethany) and a TJMaxx. This means I have many opportunities to buy cheap things!The other day I spotted this cute little tank at TJM for only $2.00! The only problem -- the straps were ridiculously long.
"One Size Fits Most"?! Perhaps you should have said "One Size Fits Most -- Except It Doesn't Really." Anyway, I'm not trying to complain here. Instead, I am trying to point out how nice it is to be able to sew. While other fashionistas had to pass this two-buck-treasure by, I was able to snatch it up.
A few stitches (in thread that doesn't match but it's close enough and no one is looking that closely anyway) and two snips of my scissors later, I have a new tank that fits perfectly!
I will wear it to add a little lacy interest to my (many) shirts that require a tank underneath. How's that for a quick fix?