Double blogging

Apparently I have been blogging on two emails. I will be continuing on only one. 

Here is the link 

http://craftingforlove.blogspot.com/?m=1

Selfish sewing

Sometimes we need to put everyone else aside and be a little selfish! I did just that this weekend and made a shirt for myself. 

Pattern is from Go To Patterns and it is the Simply Lovely Dress. 

Fabric is a sheer simply silky print I got from Joann's. 

I did as a little length to it. And I realized afterwards I did the straps different. 

But I love the fit and comfort of it. 

I have plans for a maxi dress from this on another silky print, but this time a gradient dyed one. 

Have a great day and be sure to check the pattern out. 

Kristen 

Reversible jump rope

There is nothing better than 2 dresses in one!

I have previously made the jump rope tunic for Lily. This time I made a reversible dress for Avry. I have to say I LOVE it. Even hubby complimented me on it. 

I thinks favorite part might be that in winter it will be perfect for layering. 

I thought this would be perfect for some boarder prints I had. 

I had one hoarded for 6-7 years. It is an old daisy kingdom. 

The other print is a red ridinghood. 

She wore it as soon as I finished it. 

The pattern is from Oliver and S and they are one of my favorites. There is a simple one button closure at the back. 

Sorry no modeling pictures. But trust me it looks cuter on her than it does the hanger. 

Have a great one. 

Kristen 

Under garments for young girls

Being a young girl has got to be hard enough without having to find appropriate clothes. 

Lily is 9, this year she joined an Allstar softball team, her shirt was a little large and I felt I could see inside the arm holes. With her age I thought it appropriate to get her a sports bra for comfort and modesty. These were simple to find. 

However, in the recent weeks I woke up a little and purchased the American girl changing young body book. I also got to thinking I was around her age when I started to wear a bra. On a recent trip to the store I was mortified with the bra options for young girls. It was either padding or lace!  

Not something my young daughter needs. 

It is the same thing if you check etsy. 

I knew I had to get to work. 

I have mention tumble and twirl or mountain ash patterns before. This time I used gymnastics training wear separates 1

Her patterns are very easy and especially simple to modify. I picked out some scraps of fabric and stsrted to cut. Before I knew it I had 7 cut. 

A little bit of fold over elastic 

And some small bows and embellishments 

A few days like this. 

Ok only 2, but this is the end result. 

I did some shirring down the center front of half. Oh and added a purple one as were. 

Simple, not so plain. 

 Appropriate for a young girl. 

Comfortable fold over elastic and my girl is all set for a while. 

Sewing these was hard on my heart. I had to face the fact that my girl is growing up. 

Not sure I am ready. 

Have a great one. 

Kristen 

The irony of children

When they you are one, life is grand

The adventures are endless

The fun nearby. 

As you grow beyond one 

Your told never to have one too young. 

Sometimes this works 

Sometimes it doesn't. 

As you grow older, you try for one or even some 

Sometimes your blessed with them

Sometimes you fight for them

Unfortunately sometimes you can't. 

When they arrive, everyone will have comments 

Everyone will have advice! 

Soon you will find your way. 

Just as you begin to feel they may never sleep

They do.

They grow bigger and their needs change. 

As they grow older they become like a small shadow 

Following you everywhere. 

Fingers under doors 

Fingers in your bowl

Fingers in your hands

They seem to have their fingers in everything. 

You will wish for moments alone 

To drunk your coffee, water or beverage all by yourself

In peace. 

To shower alone 

Go to the bathroom alone 

They always find you. 

Even when you hide in the shower to eat chocolate. 

As they continue to get bigger you bring them everywhere

Eventually, you may find yourself staying up late, waiting. 

Are they safe?

When will they be home?

What is going on? 

You warn them, don't have one too young. 

Sometimes they listen.

Sometimes they can't. 

They will grow into adults

Sometimes they will have their own. 

You find yourself wishing to share one more snack.

To be interrupted in the shower one more time. 

For them to crawl into your lap for a snuggle on last time. 

Yet no matter how big they are,

What they have done

Your baby, they will always be. 

Hope you enjoyed. 

Kristen

*this was written by me. 

Recent craftings

Been a bit crazy around here lately, sorry for the delay. I am however trying to get better and avoid those long stretches of nothing. Lately I am in dance costume mode, my oldest is on a competitive dance team this year, so for a few weeks or monthes at the begining of the year I am in costume mode. I make some of the dance costumes for the kids. This year one of the routines my daughter is in is Grease, I got to make these costumes for part of the group. Not because I made them but I think these are mighty cute.

I showed you Lilys finished birthday dress last time, since I have been working on one for Avry. It is a Bloom for all those non Ravelry people you can find the pattern on the designers blog here . I will however need a third skein of Sheeps Ewe .

Thats all I will share today, I have to cut 7 more pieces for the petti coats for the dance costumes.

~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

New Day = New Begining

This year I am really trying to stay positive about things and potentially rid the negative. The negative just makes me feel, well yucky, and just leads to other non wanted feelings. I am also trying to eat better to make for a healthier me. So far so good (if we don't count yesterday, was a bit of a stressful day and not the best for me) when a bad day does come about, like anyone I try to deal, not always easy. But as I go to sleep, I know a new day is coming, which is a new beginning, its a second chance, a chance to try again and get to what I might not have the day before.
My next venture, well aside from adding exercise back into my daily routine is to get more organized. I was recently told about getting a free copy of Organized Made Simple for my kindle from amazon. I figured its worth a try, and best part is if I cant stick to it, it was free. We have so many plans, wants and needs for our home. Also on our agenda is to manage our money better, but then again who doesn't have that on their to do list. I was at first going to attempt Dave Ramseys Money make over but fortunate for us, we really don't have any debt. We don't use credit cards and only have our mortgage so we are pretty confident that we can attack this on our own.
I think our first big project to tackle will be the girls room. Need to take the mat type flooring out, possibly new laminate hard woods, Avry needs a bed, at almost 5 she is still in a toddler bed, and some paint. Not to bad if you ask me! Today I think I may just try to clean the room up so we can get her a new bed. Of course as we proceed I will take before and after pics.

For now I leave you with a quote I read "Be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Ghandi

Have a great day, make it a good one!

~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Are you ready for a tutorial?

Before I begin, here is the picture that I promised the other day of the cozy fleece dress that I made Lily. Well here it is. This is the 'rose' flower I had shown, its simply glued on a fold over elastic head band I quickly made yesterday morning. We picked up the tights to match it from target, she absolutely loves it. The great thing about this dress is that she can not only wear a dress in the winter but be warm as well.

Now on to the tutorial. We are going to be changing a plain, everyday tee shirt into a cardigan similar to this.

All you are going to need for this is:

a tee shirt

gross grain ribbon to match (or not if you prefer)

a lighter or flame source

a sewing machine

scissors

pins

Step one, is the tee shirt. We are going to be cutting it down the center, make sure you press to get all the wrinkles out of it. I recommend prewashing and drying prior to doing this.

Step 2: Turn the shirt inside out, matching up the side seams and shoulder seams as evenly as possible. I did mine inside out because I found it easier to find the center front.

Step 3: Once you are absolutely sure you have the found the center. Check again to double check ;). Now you are doing to cut on the center fold line you created by folding the front in half.

See all cut.

Step 4: now wear are going to heat seal the ends of our ribbon. You could use fray check if you like, but I much prefer a good old fashioned flame. Simply run the flame close to the edge of the ribbon. You will see the ends start to melt. Its really as easy as that.

Step 5: Press the ribbon in half length wise to almost form a bias tape.

Step 6: 'wrap' the ribbon round the edges of the center front . Making sure that you don't pull the shirt down, and pin it. I folded the top and bottom of my ribbon under so no edges were shown or hanging out to itch sensitive little necks.

Step 7: Sew the ribbon , I sewed close to the edges of the ribbon.

Step 8: Add a clasp to the top if you chose, I used a large hook and eye. Now its time to proudly wear your new cardigan.

Here is Lily in a dress I made her for Christmas that she could not wait to wear but had to wait because the dress is short sleeves. She is absolutely thrilled and looks mighty cute if I must say so myself.

Dress pattern is the Holiday Dress from Birdiful Stitches on Etsy. Sorry no tutorial on how I used a woven instead of a knit. But basically I made her a size 6, added seam allowance, cut the center back and used a zipper.

If you have any questions feel free to comment or email me.

Hope you enjoy and thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Some recent projects

I have just a few projects to share. Last week I altered a girls long sleeve tee shirt and made it into a sweet little cardigan for Lily to wear over a dress I had made her for Christmas. Here is the cardigan. You probably cant see but it has a giant hook and eye closure.

Stay tuned tomorrow and I will try to put up a tutorial on how to do this.

Last week I also cast on a sweater dress for Lily, her 7th birthday is in March and she is getting too big for her other sweater dress I had bought, could be the fact that it is a 5t LOL. I am using a mix between the sorello and fratello. I am using part of both patterns in order to be able to create a really cute dress for her. Here is a progress pic.

Since this picture I have finished the sleeves, no picture yet of that though.

Today, I made some very sweet and toasty warm dresses for my girls. I had first saw the idea, and pdf at Un Petite Design, and got right to making some today. They really are very fast to make, I did add length to them to fit my girls, but other than that they are pretty much the same. This is Avrys, can you tell she likes it?

I also made one for Lily but for some reason, my computer is taking forever to load the picture so I will have to share that later. But I did make some flowers to match Lily's dress, also found links and tutorials from Un Petite Design.

I think that they turned out pretty darn cute. Thats all till tomorrrow.
~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Amazing house smell and knitting.

As the cold weather finally approaches us I am getting to use the wood burning stove more and more. I say finally approaches because I live in New England and just last week we had temperatures in the 60's. I kid you not. Any who, we use a wood burning stove to help cut the cost of oil, since our house is set up to have oil heat. Anyone who has a wood stove, hopefully knows to use a kettle filled with water on top as a sort of humidifier. *note please only use kettles designed for wood stoves.

Last year I discovered a trick that helps make the house smell amazing, when the stove is going. I bought this little beauty , only a few drops in the kettle when I fill it and the entire house smells so good.

With cold weather on the brain, between Christmas and New Years I decided to knit myself a set. I wanted the set to include a hat, scarf and glitten. First I started with the hat, I used the striped newsboy. I used plastic canvas wrapped in duck tape for the brim.

(please excuse the side ways pics)

Next up I knitted the scarf. I just kept in the same pattern as the hat and knit for 6 feet.

(please excuse the preblocked picture)

Once I finally finished the scarf, which I never thought I would. I started on the glittens. For those that don't know a glitten is the marriage or partnership of a glove and a mitten. Its the convience of gloves and warmth of mittens at the same time. For this I used a pattern from Ann Budds the Knitters handy book of patterns. I basically knitted the glove, and fingers till the length I wanted them, ending in some ribbing around the fingers, I then picked up stitches along the top, and CO more in order to for a 'cap' for the fingers. When I had decreased and had only 4 stitches remaining I knitted an icord, which I later tacked down in order to make a button loop to hold my cap back when it wasn't needed. As you can also see I knitted ribbing on the palm side of the cap, where it isn't attached to the hand.

At this point I was done

or so I thought.

I decided I needed ear warmers to match for when my hair was up, which it often is . Shh don't tell Lily in order to co the ear warmers I had to put her hat on scrap yarn so I could use the circulars.



~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Fast Food stand off!

I have decided that this year I would really like to not stop for fast food so much, dont get me wrong its not too often but nearly once a week is too much. Usually its when we are out and about running errands like on Fridays when I grocery shop. Well today I made a choice, we had come home after going to walmart. I checked grocery store ads, talked to hubby and made my list and menu for the week. I was ready to head out the door, figuring I would stop and only get a salad for me at Wendys, but salad or no salad its still fast food that the kids were going to be eating. I am happy to announce that I am eating a salad right here at home while they have cheese quesadillas, strawberries, applesauce, and carrots, much better than any fast food joint could offer.
Here is my planned menu for the week
I shop fridays so my menu goes Friday to Thursday. . Ok here goes
Friday: bake stuffed tilapia, baked potatos and roasted Brussels sprouts
Saturday: burritos bowls
Sunday: roasted chicken with green beans and probably egg noodles for Hubby and kids
Monday: meatloaf, baked mac & cheese and a veggie
Tuesday: chicken pad Thai
Wednesday: I work so Hubby and kids will have spaghetti and meatballs
Thursday: left overs from the week
Breakfast will include yogurt, oatmeal, cereal granola, smoothies, ect
And lunches will be salad with a protien usually. Snacks will be fruit, veggies with humus, granola, peanut butter , smoothies, ect

This week has been interesting to say the least, Wednesday my sweet Lily came home with some very unwanted visitors in her beautiful hair. We had the unfortunate experience of washing all her bedding, drying everyone elses, drying coats, hair accessories, vacuuming the entire house top to bottom and treating her. I kept her home yesterday just to be safe but my goodness, fun it was not. We did however try to make the most of the day. We watches Mars Needs Moms, that was cute! I CO a hat for her to knit, she has been wanting to knit since Christmas unfortunately I was using the needles that she needed, we read more of her book and I really got to enjoy the kiddies. We ended our fun day with pizza and salad for dinner.

~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Its time to reverse the procrastination of the day!

The time is a little after 11am and I have successfully, sent a beautiful 6 year old off to school, started a fire (which happened to be started before she left), watched 2 shows I had DVR'd while I was working last night and knitted. The procrastination is apparently in full force today, as much as what mentioned may seem like a decent amount of things to accomplish I however feel its less than adequite lol. AH well.
Its a new day, which is a new opportunity. A chance to get to what I didnt yesterday and to do right what I may have done wrong. To me its a new begining, a fresh start. The past is behind up to learn from the present is to bask in and enjoy, and the future is something in which to look forward to.
Today I will accomplish something! But in order to do that once again I must leave the chair. First up, a poodle skirt for the dance team.
Once my procrastination has been held at bay I would really like to join Ginny over at Small Things for her Yarn along. I am always reading something and knitting something. Just need to get some pictures up and I think I just may be able to join her. Maybe next week. But for now I am reading The Choice by Nickolas Sparks and finishing up a hat, scarf and glitten set for myself.


~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Goals

Not sure what it is about a new year that so many people feel the need to make 'resolutions' what makes yesterday any different from today? I am some what baffled, but I am not now going to start trying to understand what makes people tick LOL.
One might call me a hypocrite, but I too have goals, I am not going to call them resolutions because well we all now how well that goes over. I am just simply creating goals for myself and my family. Mainly I think I would like to get back into a routine and get back to menu planning. Those are my main things. I am only noting two because they both branch off and can lead to many other things all of which will be beneficial. Some of my smaller goals and plans, drinking more water and eating 6 meals a day, finding the bottom of my dirty clothes hamper, restarting school with my little two, reading more with Lily everyday and helping Jack with Potty Training. Basically I just want to be more organized.
My "To Do" list for today has been started, now I just need to remove myself from a computer chair and get moving. I have however already loaded and started the dishwasher, have my second load of laundry in and sent a certain 6 year old off to school. Next up, fold laundry, make a calender for the week, school with Little's, work on some craft things, Puppy has a Dr appointment, start a fire, need to pick up more juice, kids need showers today and I also work tonight. Here's hoping for a good productive day for all!



~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Casting on for 2 at a time

Sometimes I think when knitting the worst part can be sleeves or legs, they seem to go on forever and then you need to make sure they are even. Well do get away with this I work them both at the same time.
I just recently wrote up my first pattern for fingerless gloves and wanted to use my easy way out. So I am sharing with you how I cast on and work two at a time. What you are going to need is yarn but thats a given, some double pointed needles and a long circular needle.
Wind your skein into 2 balls, or cakes whatever you prefer to work with.

To begin, Cast on all your stitches onto 1 DPN




Next up you are going to transfer half of those stitches to a second double pointed needle . Slip then purl wise onto the needle. It will look like this.
You are treating each end of the circular like its a separate needle (technically it is lol just attached) What you are going to do is slip them purlwise onto these needles. We are slipping them from where they are already joined NOT where they need to be joined. The working yarn and tail are at the other end of the DPN. Now slip these purlwise onto your circular needle. The tail and working yarn will be closest to your needle tips.

Here is a close up for you to see a lil better.

Do the same for the second arm/leg or wrist warmer what ever it is you are working 2 at a time on. From the second ball or cake of yarn.

Now you can start working in the round. The way to do this is lay your work out in front of you like I have, move the stitches w/ the tail yarn closest to the needles tip. Also slide the stitches attached to your working yarn to the cable, by pulling out that needle tip. Being careful not to twist your stitches. To avoid twisting I put all the 'ridges' to the center.

Be sure to place a stitch marker to mark the begining of your rounds. Here you can see I have worked 1/2 of 1 side of the fingerless glove

Contine working each side, making sure you are working each leg, arm, wrist or what ever it is from its own ball of yarn, otherwise you wil end up w/ a mess of joined pieces and might get confused. The yarn will be worked along a side, around the cable and along the second side.

I hope this was of some help to you all. If you already have live stitches you can just skip ahead and slip the stitches 1/2 on each needle onto your circular and just work them across, around the cable, and back across. I find it saves me time and lots of aggrivation. And will eliminate SECOND SOCK SYNDROM (insert dun dun dun right here) If you have any questions feel free to ask me and I will try to help you out.

Let me take a brief moment to spam my new pattern. It is almost done testing. Its called Action Fingers. http://ravel.me/deweysred/mwlt6

~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Selective BIonic Hearing!

I swear kids have selective bionic hearing. I am telling you they really do. Have you ever noticed that if they are doing something then want to do they dont hear you no matter how many times you say thier name or offer up goodies, they dont seem to hear a word you are saying? BUT as soon as you take your pants down to sit on the potty its "mom, what are you doing" " mom I need you" they know it. Of if you open the fridge for something, its "mom what are you eating, I am hungry too" even if you just finished dinner LOL. It is quite funny if you think about it.

On a side note.
The weather is getting colder and I have been ever so thankful for our wood stove. We have yet to turn our heat on and the stove really is a life saver. Also making plans for preparations for the upcoming holidays. During the hussle bussle of all plans I am also planning for a Bazaar, the girls dance studio is holding a holiday bazaar. They are doing a raffle from vendor donations where half the proceeds go to children in need this holiday season. Its really a great cause. I have been planning for that as well. Working on some dolls, wrist warmers, leg warmers, petti skirts, key chains. Lots and lots of stuff I hope. I dont have much time to get everything together but I can only do what I can do. I am hoping to do well with making things. Its a great opportunity for me to get my name out thier even more as well.

I must leave you today, dance to get ready for, children to feed and things to do as always. I hope you enjoy your day.



~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

A Mothers Job!!

As a mother, our job never ends. A days begining often runs in with a days end. The job in itself reminds me of the math lesson on a circle mixed with the energizer bunny. It has no begining, and it has no end and it keeps going and going.
There are very many stages, and no promotions. We often take on the jobs of almost any other profession at a moments notice, with no previous backround or schooling. In one day alone we go from, caretaker, bum and nose wiper, plumber, garbage man ok womam, chef (often short order cook for the picky, I mean selective) , maid, librarian, referee, teacher, translator, psychiatrist, dr and nurse, chauffer, architect and planner, the list simply goes on and on. We are constantly multi tasking, I am actually nursing as I type this ironically haha.
We are like super heros. We hear things that before being a mother, we would never have heard. Upon becoming a mother, we gain xray vision and mind readers.
There are so many things that we do, we get no sick time. If we try to take a days rest, the make up is far worse than it would have been if we had just done it to begin with. More than likely, we are faced with 10x the initial work.
Some say the pay sucks, but I disagree. Being a mother is one of the most rewarding and satisfying jobs one will ever be privledged to acquire. Yes we are so very busy each and every day and never seem to catch up or get a break, but could you imagine how bored and lonely you would be. I am not sure what I did with my time before becoming a mother. Oh thats right, I used to sleep in half that day and get paid to do meaningless work. If I was asked to go back in time to do it all over again, you could bet your last dollar that I would jump at the chance. Each and every child is a blessing beyond belief. Sometimes we have rough days, and everything seems to suck. But in the end, its a learing experience to us as well, (may as well add student to that list we made earlier LOL. )
No matter the moment , you can always look into those sweet little eyes and see the upmost love and devotion. Complete trust and admiration.
I challenge you, take a moment, no matter what you are doing and drop everything. Go to those sweet babies and just sit and cuddle, give them a kiss, read a book, build a tower of blocks, do anything just you and them. I tell you that you wont regret it. There will be a day when they are too big to cuddle in your lap or ask you to read a book to them. Savor every moment of thier littleness and thier need for you.
I leave you with this
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait 'til tomorrow
For babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow,
So quiet down cobwebs and dust go to sleep
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.

I have to run, the baby took out the music toys, dinner is ready, I have to toss a log on the fire. I hope that you have a great night !


~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

DIfferent doesnt mean Stupid

I have a couple of internet and IRL friends who have children who are delayed in some what or another, whether it be physically, developlementally, emotionally or mentally. It doesnt matter how they are different, labels arent needed, they are children and who cares what struggles that they have to deal with on a daily bases. We all have our struggles and dealings. What bothers me is that I hear stories from those friends that someone says something around thier children, something that may not be meant to be but is insulting and hurts these childrens feelings.
What I dont think people realize is that just because these children are different and have struggles, does not at all make them stupid. Yes many of them take things in differently then you or I, but they still get what you are saying. They take things in differently but they still gets everything you say. It would be like you bad mouthing these people in pig latin or something, they hear you and its said differently but they get it dont they.
I guess my point is, please dont underestimate children with special needs. We are all different from one another in many different ways. Please stop and think before making comments about someone else. Special needs or not, it still hurts!
A good example, is treat others the way you want to be treated!!

~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

Near Fail

I nearly failed at updating lately lol. Been busy, picking up more custom orders, making Halloween costumes. But I also have exciting news. I think I am going to be doing a Holiday Bazaar at the girls dance studio. Its the sunday after Thanksgiving , and will mean lots of sewing in the future, well for the next month. But also getting my name out there more. I work on and off on the side helping out with alterations and stuff at the dance studio, and do side custom orders, but I really think this may help with my 'career' .
I am thinking of some leg warmers, dolls, petti skirts, hats, headbands, flowers and some baked goods. Debating clothing but I am not sure. If you have any thoughts or opinions please share them with me. I would love to hear what you think.
Thats all for now, I have a house to clean, a costume to make and lists to compile.

oh so my team won third in the Dish Rag Tag. :)

Thanks for reading , Kristen ;)

The proof is in the pudding!

Jack is 16 monthes old and is still nursing, yes I am 'one of those' LOL Anyway, he still gets up a few times a night. Usually its no big deal to me because when he first wakes up *(pending on the time) I will bring him in bed with me and we both fall asleep. Sometimes he still wakes up but I get more sleep with him in bed next to me, I dont have to get up or sit up, just usually a matter of rolling over and moving my shirt out of the way LOL. Last night was like any other night, or so I thought. I put Jack to bed about 8:30 and wouldnt you know he slept till 5:30, 9 whole hours of sleep. This is the most he has ever slept. I know I am probably jinxing myself by even talking about it. But I cant beleive he did it.

Little stinker has been pulling my leg all along waking up a few times a night when he knew he could do it. Looks like its time for mommy to go to work, Jack went to work to show me that he could in fact do it, now to keep it up. Thats all on me. I may be free to have my bed to just my husband and I. That is such a blissful sound. A kid free bed. One can only imagine when that day comes hehe. Wish me luck as I need to be strong and keep this up. I dont have problems with him still nursing but I would love to be getting more consecutive sleep at night.

In other words, I have been knitting and neglecting my blog apparently, 2 whole weeks without posting, wish I had lots to sew for it. I have however been cleaning but I am not about to show pics of my house when it was messy so you will just have to beleive me.

I also knit myself a new sweater, finished it too. All the ends are woven in, and the buttons are sewn on. LOL No modeling pics yet but here she is

OH how I wish I could tell you more about it but I have been asked not to. But she sure is purdy. Love her buttons too.

Now on my needles is a sleeveless cardigan type vest for Lily, called In threes

I am hoping to make some matching leg warmers for her too.

Thats all for today! Hope you enjoy your Sunday!

~ thanks for reading , Kristen ;)