he wants to sew

with two boys in tow... my knitting and sewing projects are what I do to keep sane. The boys watch me at task, but have never expressed interest or care. They love the final outcomes- but the process has never been to their patience. Except for this past weekend. O asked to stitch something for his teacher.... and when a child says stitch, I jump at the chance. So, this is my O sewing. He loved it, worked all day on it, and continues to work on it each day.

My heart was fluttering with glee.

here is a small sample of what I was working on.

hole-y shirt, batman!

I wear many t-shirts, that are all black. if you are a mom, you know why I wear black.

black is the color that goes with anything, doesnt show stains of snotty noses, ketchup wipes, muddy face rubs etc. you get it.

but the one thing it doesnt hide is holes. I still carry my faster than fast, nicknamed by some "dash", child B around so that I can keep him more near than far. But from this holding him, my belts, and whatnot around my waist area always rips tiny holes on my t-shirts.

I came up with an idea, with the help of Martha.... of course, and decided to do applique animal shapes to my shirts- to cover the unsightly holes, and still wear my shirts.

genius idea.

now off to make a skirt out of the print cat, and maybe make a little mouse for the shoulder- just for fun!

cupcakes by mail

There are a few things lacking in the newer world of technology.... one is getting a gift in the mail.  Much of our family is out of state, and with two small boys, family send gifts often.  As the boxes arrive there is a giddiness that fills the house.... what is it, who is it for, how quickly can we open it?  It is the same when a letter arrives- but the joy is wonderfully shared by everyone.

In preparation for the boys birthday party...  a simple cupcake theme, 

two boxes arrived.... and they were for me.  Of course, I ordered one, and the other was from my newer "sister" Skye- but both were made creatively for this party.

I love these signs.... by Jenny's Bake Shop (etsy).  

I found them accidentally- but, there are such things as wonderful accidents.  Her blog is one of my favorites... and the signs made it just in time....  The best part of opening the box, is that they were so  sweetly wrapped, I didnt want to open them... it felt like it was my birthday and not the boys.

Skye's box was filled to the rim with the party favors for the kids coming.  tiny smiling crochet cupcakes.  All colors, but each one just as sweet.  I loved each one, I am having a hard time giving them away to the kids.

so yesterday had me loving the old ways of mail- and the giddiness of getting a box on your front door.  oh the days of old ( like 1999- how sad is it, that the 90's  is considered old).

Bag it up, lady!

Making bread is a weekly deal in our house.  I love those days when the house smells like my childhood- and bread baking does that for me.  With the elimination of plastics in our home, I usually wrap my bread in wax paper, and then in a cloth towel.  It works to sustain the bread- but this idea works even better- not to mention looks cuter.  With our new windows up, the old window curtains came down, those of you may remember the red plaid tea towels that I had hanging in the kitchen.... well, with all these red tea towels around- my linen drawer was overflowing..... until now!  Talk about reduce (less in the drawer), reuse (over and over), recycle (tea towels as curtains, now bags... what is next?).  

I now love making bread even more....  I hand stamped the bread bear one, cut it out with pinking shears then it was sewn on in red (the hearts were cut and sewn the same way).  I used bias tape sew together for the drawstring at the top.  They were done in 15 minutes, and about the easiest thing I have made in a while.

remember this yarn... from my girls trip around the city. well, I knew I wanted to keep it for myself, and I dont have many fun scarfs around, so I found this fun pattern that I have used before and whipped this puppy up. I used size 17 needles and cast-on 23. continuing the same pattern idea. I think this came out quite funky and fun.
Now I just need a date night to take it out on.

Introducing Raiyn

I have had a few requests for a posting of my doll process. So, I am sharing the story in the making of Raiyn. Her name is reflected in the weather that we are having outside this weekend.

so, here is to a Raiyn'y day.

She is a black apple doll, a local blogger and artist that I LOVE. Her pattern is from The Martha Stewart Show, and is super easy and quick.

all cut and ready to be sewn.

headband, legs and arms, body and head..... all ready to be stuffed. Dinner anyone?

all faced, all stuffed, and just needs a stitch in the head, a skirt, shoes and some buttons.

::I am here, and ready to be adopted:: I can only go to a little girl who is over 3 years old.... I have buttons:: Leave a comment if you would like to give this little doll a home::

catch up week...

I don't know about you, but I always start projects, and for some reason, never get around to finishing them. It is a bad habit for me....

so this past week was catch up week. To finish all the projects that had just a bit more work to be done, and complete them.

so far I

~finished another pair of fingerless mittens.

~finished my rabbits (stuffed, faced and belled) ~finished my shirt

~hung my hooks for my jewelry

now that things are done. I am excited to start some new projects, and have them sit around half finished.... as the cycle continues.

my creative input today

Last week Bjorn qualified for services with Early Childhood, and he started preschool today. He needed a backpack and I was not about to go out to buy one... so I found this old one from the Sierra Club, took off the logo's and patched on a B, H and a guitar. I made a stamped communication book for the teacher and clipped on a STITCH stuffy. VIOLA! a personalized, reused backpack. The best thing about it is that Bjorn loved it, and people commented on it at school. another mommy pat on the back!

when it is good to be stuffed

I finally got to use my sewing machine. The planets were aligned today as all was calm in the house of Hellum. The machine came out for some much needed sewing.... and now the mom is happy. It is amazing what a 45 minute session on the machine does to a few pieces of scrap fabric.....

all this scrap-is now baby toy bunnies.

(unstuffed as of now, but nothing a little polyfil, a cat bell, and some embroidery floss can't fix.

ahhhhh! my day feels good.

on my needles....

while searching for some fabric- I came across some yarn that my sister asked me to make a scarf for her. Being forgetful, I started it with a new pattern that I found on the purlbee and I have done about 15 inches ( out of 49 or more) This scarf is beautiful. I am so excited with the way that it is turning out. I had to call my sister to tell her in all my excitement....

I also am making a special toy for a new little boy, and a sweet little stripe beanie (shhh! dont tell Lauren). This is my first sewing toy project and am a little nervous- but I have high hopes of it being adorable.

I finally figured it out!

so, I have wanted to make these fingerless gloves for a while... and I found a pattern early in December- but could NOT figure it out. I got halfway through the pattern and then got stuck.I put them down for a while and then decided to make up my own pattern, one that worked for my knowledge of knitting. So the Maine Mitten pattern inspired me- bu this is what I came up with. They were a gift- but, now I am not so sure...

sorry friend.

to sleeve or not to sleeve.... that is the question

so that birthday shirt has not been finished- but it is almost done. I am stuck! stuck on trying to figure out if I want to sleeve it or not.

The shirt looks cute the way it is, especially with a long sleeve shirt under it, or in summer- as a tank style.
The sleeves would add a "doll like" look to it- and be a nice addition....

but, like I said- I cant decide....

what do you think?