happy as a little bird

I've been wanting to make these little birds for quite awhile now. I used Arcadia fabric by Moda. I ordered it online from a shop that happens to be in Atlanta - maybe I'll go visit them in person one day.



These are so quick and fun to sew. But I must say, I think stuffing is an art. My first couple were a little lumpy and lopsided. I think I was over stuffing them. I also didn't clip my curves before I turned them, so some were a little wrinkly, too. Hmm, wrinkly and lumpy birds - sound cute, right?



The yellow one was fraying really bad at the tail, so I decided just to sew it shut with the machine and let it fray. I kind of like it.



Do you know how hard it is for me to get a picture of something at my house without a little one trying to get in the shot?



Once our den is painted, I'm going to make a little wall art with these pretties and a nice branch. Yes, I know it's been 4 months since we primed the walls.

Storytime with Papa

My parents were out on a motorcycle ride today and dropped by for a visit. My Dad started reading a few Brer Rabbit stories to the girls and I just had to share with you. I love the way little Ann is draped on the back of the sofa with her hand on her Papa's head.

Happy Anniversary

Today Derek and I have been married 14 years.

He completely surprised me this morning by waking me up at 7:15 with the Happy Anniversary song and giving me the sweetest note which I'm not allowed to share. He then told me to get ready, because he was taking me out for the day. He had even arranged for my Mom to keep the girls.

Would you like to hear what we did?

We began the day with breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Then it was off to Atlanta to the Margaret Mitchell House. We stood in the very apartment where she wrote the great Gone With the Wind. Amazing. Cramped; but amazing. We bought Nancy a gift.

Where next? Well, I think I'm the only girl (besides Mom) left in the world who has not stepped foot in an IKEA. I got to experience my first visit with my man. My thoughts? Once you are in that store, they DO NOT WANT YOU TO LEAVE. My gracious goodness alive, it took us forever to walk through that place. Don't get me wrong, it was great - but possibly a little overwhelming.

Can you go to Atlanta without getting a chili dog from the Varsity? We can't. And boy did we work up our appetite after walking 3 miles in IKEA.

While at Peggy's apartment (I learned today that that is what Margaret Mitchell preferred to be called - I'm in the know, people), I found a brochure for the Wren's Nest. It looked like a great place so we thought we'd go check it out, too. It was the home of the man that wrote the Uncle Remus Tales. Folks, this was the best part of the day. If you live near Atlanta it is worth the stop! We bought a Brer Rabbit book for the kids and our tour guide told us we could have it autographed. Seeing as how Joel Chandler Harris died over a century ago, I was naturally confused. However, the man's great great great grandson was in the room right next to us and apparently he likes to sign things. We let him sign our book. Maybe one day, he too will write a great book and his signature will be worth something.

Once home, guess what greeted me at the door? A huge box of YARN. My Mom is part of a buy group and a lady there was selling all of her yarn. I didn't ask questions, I just knew I wanted it. She sold me 44 skeins for $80!!! I'm talking Lamb's Pride, Brown Sheep, Manos Del Uruguay, Cascade, plus more - good stuff for those of you who don't speak yarn.

Derek made homemade pizza for supper. I have homemade bread in the oven. The kids are all asleep. What a delightful day. The best anniversary. Ever.

Here's looking to spending many more years with you, babe.

C.U.T.E.

How sweet is this dress? Glenna made it and needed a little girl to model it for her. Little Bit happily agreed.



It was made using the Portabellopixie Claire pattern and Amy Butler fabrics.



I think this is so cute on Anna and I was almost tempted to skip town and keep it.

I made this apron Saturday night for a friend who just got her first apartment. I wasn't sure at first if these two prints would go together. I love how they turned out, though!

The pattern is from Marie-Madeline Studio. It's my favorite apron to make and very easy pattern to follow.

Opinions, please.

All right, so I'd like your help. Please go here and look at what the sweater is supposed to look like. Do you see the loopy edge? I am trying to figure out what color I should do it in. I want to use either the green or the white. I guess another option would be to keep using the pink.

So, please leave a comment with what you think I should use. That means you, Darla. And you, too, Candy. Wouldn't this be the perfect post for you to leave your first comment on? I think so, too.

Style

My girls definitely have their own sense of style. This is what my little one has on today. No matter how hard I try, I cannot convince them that orange and pink do not match. Let's break down this outfit starting with the shirt. There is nothing wrong with the shirt save the name on it is not her name. It's her older sister's shirt.



I love that she paired the shirt with some too big pink plaid shorts. What I love more is that the pockets are always poking out. To complete the outfit, she chose one red shoe and one brown one. I think they are both right foot shoes which makes it even better.



Man I love this girl. She is a mess and is always in to something; but not a day goes by that she doesn't make me giggle at her silly ways.

It's funny what the kids come tell me while I'm in the shower. Some things that come to mind are, "Mom .... Anna has a knitting needle stuck in her mouth." Or the ever so popular, "Mom ....Anna's eating all the cookies." Usually, I ask them right away what in the world I can do about it while showering. Well, the time with the knitting needle in the mouth was kind of strange, so I got out for that one. That's really a whole different story. So let me move on with what happened to me this morning.

As I was showering this morning, my oldest comes into the bathroom. "Mom, there's a really big bug outside of our room!" My usual response follows; what can I do about it. I tell him to go tell his Dad. Derek hems and haws and didn't go up right away. Nathan comes back to me with this, "Mom .... it's really big. It's this wide (he holds his fingers 2 inches apart). Matthew threw something at it and it's legs popped out and it was big like a frog leg!" At this point I'm wondering what kind of demon bug is upstairs. I get out of the shower and yell for Derek to check this thing out. He proceeds to get a shoe and go upstairs. Then he calls for me that I've got to come see this.



You see, Nathan, forgot the most important detail about this "bug". He failed to mention that it was furry and hanging UPSIDE DOWN on the wall.



Yes, my friends. A bat. A bat in my house.



I am kicking myself now for not getting the video camera out for this. Derek decided his shoe wasn't going to work for this. He first got a fitted sheet that I guess he was going to throw over the thing. Then he went and got one of the collapsible mesh hamper. When Derek moved it, it opened it's mouth and hissed at Derek.




The trap of choice was my Pampered Chef 2 qt pitcher and a book.



As soon as Derek put the pitcher over it and slid it off the wall, it started making this horrible screaming noise. It was a crazy, almost Dolphin sounded noise - only more high pitched.



It also popped it's wings (or frog leg like Nathan thought) out and as you can see, the wingspan takes up the whole pitcher.



ugh a blah .... I'm getting the heebee jeebees just typing this. Feel free to enlarge any of these pictures for a better look. This last one shows where the poor thing was scared. Derek literally scared the poo out of it.



You can guess where my favorite Kook-Aid pitcher is now. Do I even have to tell you that I threw it away?

Pinwheel Sweater, part 2

I'm more than halfway done with the pinwheel sweater. This has been such a fun, and quicker than expected knit. Do you see the white lines in the blue section? That is where the sleeves are going to go. I had three or four more rows in my next color, which was a brighter pink. I decided I didn't like the brightness of it along with these pastels, so I ripped it out. I think I'll do another section of the light pink and then end it with a nice earthy brown.

You know, I say I'm more than halfway done - but by the time I do the sleeves and that I-cord trim, it might take a while to finish.

School Daze

It's that time of year again. Back to school time. I hate to see them go back because now I'm wondering who will help me clean.

My youngest boy started Kindergarten today and it's hard to believe he's growing up so fast. His teacher wanted her students to bring in something that they could share with the class. John wanted to bring a picture of him with the nameless puppy.



And tomorrow my oldest starts Jr. High tomorrow. Oh boy. That's all I can say. He's in the youth group at church now. Really?! When did this happen?

I think all of the boys got good teachers and I know they are going to have a good year. They're excited about starting - probably because they won't have to help me sweep and vacuum.

On to more knitting

After months of working on one dishcloth, I finally finished it and moved on to something more exciting. I started a pinwheel sweater hoping it will fit one of the girls. Let me tell you, it takes a pretty good time to hand wind 1,500 yards of wool. I do think the hand wound look is real pretty, though.

I ran into a problem already. The directions for the sleeves didn't make much sense; but I found a different way right here. Hopefully when I go to insert the sleeves, it will have worked.

My man went missing tonight. I finally found him outside with his telescope and camera. I just had to share this picture he took. Is it just me, or does the moon look a little like a moldy cantaloupe?

The Natalie Skirt

I made this skirt using the Maw Bell Natalie Skirt and Top pattern. I had never even heard of these patterns before but saw them at a couple of booths at the Sewing Expo back in March.



I love the way this sewed up, especially the way the waistband was put on. It was a different technique than I've used before. Looking at the pictures, I think maybe I should have ironed the skirt before showing it to you.



Molly sure did enjoy posing for me tonight in her new skirt. I guess I need to go make the top to go with it - it will be in a nice bright white.