gingham finished

The gingham has been made into a shirt. I am quite pleased with the result, I think partially because I altered a pattern quite a bit and it turned out the way I had envisioned. I used Simplicity pattern 2922, which I am slightly embarrassed to admit is one of those Project Runway patterns. (I don't know why I find it so embarrassing, but I do! I think perhaps it is the trashy packaging) The pattern runs about a size smaller than most patterns I've used, possibly because it is a miss pattern rather than a misses. However, I changed the pattern enough that I really didn't keep any piece the way it came out of the package.

I wanted this shirt to have more of a look like this. So I cut two front yoke pieces rather than cutting on the fold to make a slit in the front and made the back yoke one full piece (it is supposed to have a zipper up the back). I also moved the gathers from each side to the middle in the front and did minimal gathers in the back. I also chopped about 3 inches off the back where it connects to the yoke. The pattern also has a neckband which I disregarded completely and instead faced the entire yoke area with a vintage reproduction fabric which I have had in my stash for eons. It sounds like I did this large overhaul, but it really was not as much work as writing it out sounds.

I have a feeling there are more of these in store, perhaps in a darker chambray or linen.

earth hour

Just a quick little reminder note. Earth Hour is tonight from 8:30-9:30. Simply turn off your lights for an hour to vote for the earth and protest climate change. For more info click here or on the link to the right.

compost

The arrival of spring is bringing gardening thoughts to mind. Specifically composting for fertilizer. I think it is pretty obvious that we want things to be as organic as possible. Papa has been doing a great job scouting out the different organic options out there : top soil, seeds, fertilizer, etc. I'm not so good at helping with these things as I am not going to be the main gardener (I am a very forgetful gardener and have a tendency to kill off the plants, so I am not in charge). However I was able to help a little when I saw this book at the library the other day. Papa promptly read it and deemed it excellent. He said he learned a lot about composting and changed a few things he was planning to do based on the information of the book

The book is broken into five different sections: Understanding compost, Making compost, Compost bins, Using compost, and No pile? No problem. (other ways to make compost). Then each section is broken into subsections. I know that sounds daunting, but it really isn't. It is one of those nicely laid out books that has lots of pictures, but a lot of information too. The section on building your own compost bin, as well as options for buying one, is excellent. I find that gardening books tend to either assume you have zero knowledge or are an expert gardener and I think this one falls nicely in the middle. The instructions are helpful and thorough, but without dumbing down either.

I am excited to get this going. I keep thinking of how wonderful it will be to eat food that we know exactly what went into it. So exciting!

a conclusion to yesterday's ramblings

After much consideration and discussion, I have decided that while in most instances making something solely for personal use, using your skills is fine. However, in this case because I am obviously having second thoughts (otherwise why the musings in the first place?) I am going to use the gingham for something else. For what remains to be seen, but I have some ideas already.

Plus, I was reminded yesterday that I own this magazine:

coincidentally by a post from Jenny of Wiksten. She posted some corrections to a skirt pattern in this magazine on her blog and I thought if I want a Wiksten piece, this skirt would be a cute addition to my wardrobe. And one I can make without a guilty conscience.

jumping on the gingham train

Well, I've decided to join the club of gingham lovers. Every where you turn there is gingham to be seen. I love it here, here, and of course here. But as I am trying to decide what exactly I want to make I keep coming back to the last link, the Wiksten shirt. I love it so much, and there is no way on earth I can afford/justify spending so much on a shirt. Even though I know it is beautifully made and is something I would wear a lot, I just can't do it. Which brings me to wondering and thinking about how far is it okay to copy/be inspired by someone else's work and designs?

I find it very difficult to know where to draw the line. There is so much beautiful work out there and there are some patterns that everyone under the sun uses, but it seems like there is very little originality in the crafting world. Clothing designs seem to mimic and gravitate towards each other so that one store may carry one design and another store will have something very similar - like the gingham, for example. Or even the Wiksten tova shirt linked above, has a similar overall shape to this shirt of mine. So really what is okay and what is not? I think it is obvious that it is not okay to sell imitations of someone else's design. But for personal use? What is the difference between getting a pattern and altering it to fit yourself and the fashion around you vs. seeing something in a store or online and using your knowledge to make something for yourself? (And by pattern I mean something like simplicity, or vogue, because if Wiksten patterns were available you can know that I would not have this dilemma!) Or when you look at all the "beginners" crafting books they all seem to have the same or very similar patterns and ideas. A simple tote, a pillowcase, coasters, maybe a simple shirt or dress. What is it that makes it okay for them to all have the same designs, but when someone makes a similar clothing item people get all up in arms about it? Anyway please excuse my ramblings, I'm sure I will come to a conclusion eventually.

And for those in my family wishing for little tidbits about the boys: I am happy to say that W does seem to show some signs of saying more than "Mama" or "Amama" for papa. He has been chattering more and last night tried to sing "row, row, row your boat" with A. (May I say it was one of the cutest things ever!). We also had sister4 cut their hair, so they are no longer shaggy and are ready for spring and summer. Oh, and sister1 please look at the second label for this post. It is especially for you.

what do we do?

Sometimes it is so hard to know what is the right thing to do. A has been having nightmares lately. The major ones are about snakes in the house (which is actually a nightmare I had when I was young). He doesn't like to go into a room alone, or if he realizes that we aren't in the living room with him he panics. It is usually okay when he is falling asleep because he knows that W is sleeping in his bed near A. But about once a week he wakes up in a complete panic. We try to calm him down and reassure him that everything is safe, we are there, there are no snakes, or that W is in there with him. He has now gotten to the point that if he comes in bed with us he doesn't sleep very well. We do let the boys sleep together on occasion, but usually one or the other wants to be alone in bed. I'm really at a loss for what to do.

greens and browns

Mother doe in our yard, 10 feet from the door,

and her young, 2 does and a buck in the middle.

early spring

We are slowly making it the journey from winter to spring. Our snow has melted and it has rained consistently for a few days now, which makes our backyard a little dangerous. I looked out the window this morning and immediately thought of On the Banks of Plum Creek, when Laura goes out to the creek and falls in getting trapped in the water.

Anyway, we've changed our nature table over to early spring where our snowdrop and crocus flower fairies can peek their way through the brown and green silks, and one little root baby waits for a little more warmth before flowering. (Snowdrop fairy also available in the shop)

daffodil flower fairy

The first of a variety. Available in my shop in limited numbers. The flower fairies are perfect for a spring nature table or Easter basket.

greys and browns

branch with shelf fungus

crab apple

i am not wearing a coat!

simple pleasures :: day 5

As usual my plan of doing a simple pleasure each day was foiled, by my computer of all things. :) So, there is no picture today, and just a quick post, as I am on a borrowed computer. However, that does not mean that my life was not full of the lovely simple things this weekend.


A wonderful (and perfect) birthday gift from the person that knows me best.

A lovely evening with said person in which we just talked, sans children, and enjoyed each other's company.

A nice, big family lunch with fully loaded tacos.

Testing out a preschool and seeing, with pleasure, how easily the oldest will fit in and adapt; easing my motherly worries.

And though we are all battling a nasty cold/virus, I am enjoying the extra cuddles from my little ones who tend to be so busy most of the time.