Zen and the Art of Sewing Machine Maintenance

Everything I did today took me 39 hours, which is weird because I'm pretty sure there aren't that many hours in my day.

Getting the kids to eat lunch = 39 hours. Cleaning the floor = 39 hours. Uploading a million pictures since I haven't uploaded any since Thing 2 turned 1 = 39 hours (this was probably the most problematic portion of the day, but it felt like everything).

Plus, my sewing machine crapped out on me, the boys destroyed their room and are currently sleeping on the floor, and Thing 3 has a snotty nose and is trying to cut an estimated 4 teeth. But, joy will fill sorrow's cup and Thing 3 has learned the ugly crawl! Joy and elation.

I'm not one to complain (well, not very loudly. or maybe not for a long time. or at least only until someone comes and helps me), so I pulled out the ol' handy sewing machine tools and took care of one problem on my own.

Notice both the glass of wine and the bottle of children's ibuprofen in the background.

Why? What did you do while YOU watched the Superbowl?

I probably should have been giving either this project or the Superbowl my undivided attention, but in the end, they both turned out great!

I've been majorly hating on my couch and couch pillows for several years now. Almost since I got them! But I've never done anything about it. Pretty lame on my part. But no more! Welcome to my newest sofa pillows.

Je t'adore.

By the time you read these lines...

It's not like I was trying to break up with you, blog. It's just that I was busy.
There were the holidays to be considered. And I'm a busy mom of three. That takes a toll on a person's sanity and ability to craft. So stop calling so softly to me while I'm trying to sleep or while I'm relaxing watching reruns of the Real Housewives. I promise I'll try to spend more time with you.
Sincerely,
Me

Home{made} for the Holidays

St. Nick came to our house this morning and left these cute little guys...

My husband thinks the all look like pigs.

And since my kids use Ziploc bags like they're going out of style, he was kind enough to leave these reusable snack bags.

Ho, ho, ho!

And, since it somehow slipped by me that I have 3 kids now, I didn't make the baby anything. I was all prepared with a clever story about how since she's not big enough to wear boots, St. Nick didn't have anywhere to put her goodies. They didn't ask, though. Selfish buggers.



Taking the gloves off

So my mom wanted some long gloves to go with a 3/4 length sweater she bought, but couldn't find anything that was affordable and/or attractive. I said to her, "I bet I could make those out of a pair of socks." And she was all, "...but socks are so expensive.\, and the amount of work..." Well, that sounds like a challenge to me. In honor of that challenge I present to you...

.69 cents; not bad, 'eh?



A little something for my bestie

So my good friend moved away :( It's a whole forty minutes of kid-whining, baby-crying, I-spy playing craziness so we've only made the trip once. But, in celebration of her fabulous new house (with fenced backyard--jealous!) I made her a little name picture dealie. I believe that's the technical term. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a frame with five openings, so five frames will have to do. Deal.

Applique is A-OK

...for the 5 and under crowd anyway. After that, it takes a certain amount of finesse to be able to pull it off.

I found this adorable turkey applique here and had a few spare minutes today (what? that should read: I put the baby in her bouncy chair, bounced her with one foot, sewed with the other, all whilst the older two watched some movie about dinosaurs) and thought that I'd give it a try for a turkey themed playdate we're invited to tomorrow. It was easy peasy to make and everything came out of the ol' scrap bag. Well, except for the rhinestone eyes. A girl's gotta have a little bling.

Gobble, gobble. Oops. He doesn't have any feet. I guess he's not free range!

And I think they go delightfully with these baby shoes I made awhile back.