10 & Again

Ten of what?

Again? What again?

You see, there was this girl who liked to sew. One day she realized she had been buying fabric exponentially quicker than she can sew things.

A sewing fairy came to her and suggested she stop buying fabric until she had sewn all the fabric she already had/

A sewing gnome sprang up and laughed in the face of the sewing fairy. Claiming her suggestion was ludicrous and totally impossible! The sewing gnome suggested the girl  not even entertain the idea of such impracticality. She can buy fabric if she so pleases!!


Then along comes Persephone the Sewing Cat. With her small mew she suggests a path of compromise and logic.

She suggests I sew 10 things before I buy more fabric again.
 This sounds reasonable and doable.

She reminds me I can't just play the system, I have to sew 10 legit things. Sewing 10 placemats doesn't count. but a dress, a blouse, PJs,  a set of 6 placemats, etc. 3 tops count as 1 legit item.

She's bossy.

So. here I am on my journey. "Sewing 10 to buy fabric again"

BONES and a new cropped cardigan.

A full point for this project!

Loving draped necklines! 1/3 a point

Trial top, new pattern- needs adjustments next go around. 1/3 point

All 3- skirt, camisole, cardigan (pictures above as well)

another FULL point here!

Top for Neeley & Hat for Macie. giving myself a full point for the 2.

Persephone approved it.

Shirt for my son 1/3 point,

all 3- tights, skirt, top

1 whole point!

Just the striped top here, so just 1/3 point. I like  side bust darts, dart give good shaping.  But darts with stripes makes like arrows pointing to, well.... yep. I'll wear the cute cardigan with this, too.

I made 2 tops, not pictures. 2/3 points...

I think the total is 6 points!

And I have some new things for NO PANTS APRIL!!

Bones & Pirates

Last week's Femsical Dress brings me 1 step closer to being ready for NO PANTS APRIL!

The patters is Sunshine Dress from Patterns For Pirates

The pattern has 3 different bodice styles. The one pictures, the halter top, is what I made. I made a long version, and I made the skirt be more A-line, with less gathers. So I measures the circumference of the lower bodice edge (front and back separately -they are different numbers)). Used those numbers as how wide to cut my skirts at the waist (plus 1" each piece)- but angles out the entire length of the skirt.

I was able to match up the skirt pieces to have hands sticking out of my pockets!

Be Careful not to have hands or mouth bones on 'the girls', though!

AWKWARD!

I use this see-through-grid patterns tracing fabric from JoAnns. I can see where the bones will be on the pieces,

I got rib placement on my back and pelvic bone placement close to my pelvis....

... but ended up with a hand on my bum, still.
The cute cropped cardigan? Also from Patterns 4 Pirates . The Cocoon Cardigan.

The fabric for both dress and bolero-style cardigan are from SO SEW ENGLISH


If you haven't heard yet...
Next Months is NO PANTS APRIL!
Join Us!

"FEMSICAL"

I've been doing the Adore Your Wardrobe challenge. It helped me figure out what to ask when I'm planning my wardrobe- which I do adore- but it is sometimes overwhelming

.

So here are today's  questions: and My Answers:

1.) Does your current wardrobe support your lifestyle?

• Yes. I think so. It is mostly  Dressy (business) Casual (often Made-By-Me), with a spattering of athleisure and a fancy dress for fancy stuff. So, what does NOT fit my lifestyle?  Hmmmm... something to think about.

2.) What impression are you making with your wardrobe?

• well, I like to pretend the impression I make is "femsical"- feminine, yet whimsical. With my friends this is true. With strangers, the impressions is, well a bit stranger.
• Here is my Femsical definition-dress: 

Feminine Vintage 1960's pattern with whimsical FLAMINGOS!!!

• My fantasy self is full of fantasy and I'm happier when I wear my fantasy. But, dressing LIKE a dinosaur is probably frowned upon too much, and would, frankly, be uncomfortable, but wearing a DINOSAUR skirt is comfy and happy!

• This challenge made me ask: Why do I not like the clothes I don't like? I tried them on. I tried on the clothes I do like.  Most of the clothes I don't like are usually because they feel funny some days. I have a touch of Sensory Integration Disorder. 50% of the time the feel of the fabric drives me INSANE- like- I want to claw out my eyes and rip off my flesh insane. I used to just put up with it. Wear the comfy stuff on 'bad days' and wear the "I like the way it looks and the way I'm completes this out fit- but it makes my skin scream" clothes on 'good days'. Thanks to the prompting here, I have decided I don't have to put up with "Half-The-Time- Fashions". On those bad days I go through every thing in my closet, nothing feels OK, the 2 things that do feel OK and can be worn in 15 degree weather don't even match enough for me!
• So I am getting rid of my 'Half-Time' clothes and replacing them with clothes I can wear 9 out of 10 days. So I don't have those Closet Hating Days (and the clothes all the floor to clean).
• What do I love? when I design something. When I get an idea for a skirt/dress/top. Can't find a pattern so I make my own and spend a week planning how to make it work. Then that skirt/dress/top is not only a color/design I love, it fits, and has my time invested it. I need to sew more clothes!

3.) Who is your fantasy self?

I think my fantasy self might be a dragon overlord. Is that a thing?

This challenge has been super motivating! I have to get sewing and creating and getting rid of 'boring scratchy' clothes!

KIA[5]

Wow, has it been 5 days already?

Is it really Sunday? It feels like it should be Saturday. Except We ate pancakes for breakfast. And went to church.

Yes, Ki & I survived our No Chewing Adventures. 4 days of Protein shakes and Juicer umm, juices.

Things I learned:
1- Ki likes Blueberry. Not the actually berries, but like in a poptart or jam or even in a protein shake.
2- When I drink all my meals I forget to actually drink enough water.
3- Ki snacks mostly out of boredom. He didn't snack these past 4 days. as a snack of drinking just isn't appealing when you are already drinking all your meals.
4- Hmm, I guess I only learned those 3 things.

When I woke this morning around 6:30 Ki had a bowl of Chex Mix out on the table for us. The good kind with the rye bagel chips.

Oh, I think I missed salty/crunchy more than actual 'chewing'.

After popping a handful of salty crunchy delight into my mouth, Ki and I got to work on Breakfast. It had been decided that we would enjoy Pancake Buffet to herald ourselves back into the world of solid foods.
I chopped apples and coated them with cinnamon and put pecan pieces into a bowl. Oh, and miniature chocolate chips into a 3rd bowl. Ki mixed up the batter. We cheated and used a pancake mix.

I love pancakes with cinnamon apples and pecans!! Ki had 1 chocolate chip pancake and 1 pecan pancake. He also had a mini pancake with apple pieces, to try it. I had 2 apple & pecan pancakes. Our pancakes were small. I guess 'normal', but small compared to getting pancakes at IHOP or some other breakfast restaurant.

Yes, I know that pancakes after a 'juicer type fast' are NOT the best idea. But after we ate our 2 pancakes and were completely stuffed, we took a nap. Carb Coma. MMMmmmm!

So we ended up going to the 11:00 church service.

Ki and I cleaned out the van while listening to Mariachi Music being pipes through the air from the local fairground. Well something Mexican. It was kinda fun to listen to the 1st hour, but by 4PM we had enough!@!

Ki wanted to bend some PVPC pipe. He asked to use my oven as our firepit died (rusted out). I told him to just use the grill. Which would have been a brilliant idea had it not been for the fact that someone left the gas valve open and it was empty. So I told him to just use the wheelbarrow. He was kinda shocked. "Really??"

me: "sure, why not? It's not gonna burn a hole in it or anything."

Ki: "Our old firepit got the bottom burnt out, though..."

me: "oh, it'l be fine for 1 use."

So Ki built a fire in the wheelbarrow to warm the PVC pipe and bend it to shape.

HEY! there's my square white laundry basket! I was looking for that earlier!

** Now it is time to sautee veggies and make rice to bring to the Taco Buffet at our Gospel Community Gathering tonight.... **

(to read about previous days: click the following links:

Day 1 and Day 2 and Day 3  and Day 4)

KIA[4]

(to read about previous days click the following links:
Day 1 and  Day 2  and Day 3 )

Today, Ki went with me to Knitting Group. I had to drive him to Amtgard when done knitting, so it didn't make sense to drive there, home, there, home....

I had to take Ivan to the hospital today for his vision problem. They coulnd't fix him. He had to be terminated. But he will be reaplaced with a better Ivan. An Ivan with TWO working eyes. But I will be without Ivan the iPad for about a week or two. No more Netflix and Knitting while in my comfy bed.

Here is picture of  Ivan in his carrier..

here is Ki writing character descriptions for a game.

Ki and I are excited to eat solid foods tomorrow!! Today was the last day of No Chewing Challenge.

Ki & I did well. I think Ki may realize how ofter he snacks out of boredom. I was only hungry the first day really. By Friday I wasn't hungry between meals. I did notice that I drink a lot less water when I am drinking all my meals. But, I also was out of bubbly water. I drink less water when I don't have the bubbly stuff.

I think I actually miss preparing foods than eating them..LOL. I look forward to having Pancake Buffet with Ki tomorrow morning. We have pancake batter and bowls of add-in ingredients. and make our owb custom pancakes.

Fot lunch I will be making Turkey Chili Veggie Stew. But Ki will have The Blue Box Mac and Cheese.

KIA[3]

We have survived our first 3 days on our own!

(to read about days 1 & 2 click the following links: Day 1
and
Day 2


We had a relaxing day filled with computer time and knitting. Well, the knitting was just me.

We are maintaining our liquid diet. Tomorrow will be our last day, then it is back to solid foods on Sunday!!

We did some housecleaning and exercises. Ki challenged me to 40 walking lunges and I challenged him to 14 'Hip Drops'.

We played cards after dinner. I enjoyed a lovely gourmet dinner of juicer from my juicer. It contained a pear, 3/4 an apple, strawberries, blackberries, ginger, 2 small carrots, and ginger. Ki and I have enjoyed playing games after dinner.

Today we also went for a walk. It was chilly I told Ki to grab a jacket and he chose my paisley cloak. He also snagged my crocs for his feet, but I took them back. So he went sock-footed. with a cape.

**Connor asks for pictures of Socksey every day. Here is today's picture:

KIA[2]

 "Put the camera down, Grab onto the end there and pull really hard...... "
Ki needed help getting the 't' connector off of the PVC pipe.

He has some weapon planned.  Something that requires the use of the band saw, of course. I always cringe inside when they use that. I'm glad we are close to the ER.

Yes, one of our house rules is:
"Don't use the band saw before mom is awake and out of her bedroom in the morning"

There is nothing quite like be awaken at 6:30 AM but the sound of the band saw in the garage....


Ki and I Adventures: Day 2

 A quite morning nourished with fruit smoothies that have been infused with protein powder. I just added to the left over protein/fruit smoothie from yesterday.

Ki & I then spent 3.5 hours volunteering at the animal shelter. I answered the phone and made sure people signed in and used hand sanitizer. Ki folded and stuffed envelopes. He also got bags of food from out back to people coming in that feed strays. I had to stop 4 barefoot little boys from bringing a dog into the building. The oldest was carrying the youngest boy and the next to oldest was struggling to carry a black dog. 3 boys were barefoot, and 1 was walking around outside in socks. I doubt they spoke English. It was kinda sad- we had to turn down taking their puppy; which means those little boys have to tak their puppy to County Animal Services. CAS euthanizes. Hopefully those boys don't know that.

Ki & I drove through a HUGE puddle, splashing both sides of the van and coating the windshield in muddy puddle spray. This aways makes me laugh hysterically.

Then it was on to Home Depot and the Baby Bottle Clinic to drop of a bottle of coins.

I am glad it was a less busy day so I could take a nap.

Ki is at church youth group right now. I really should go clean the kitchen. I started to straighten the couch and found my lost knitting needle and that was the end of cleaning. I'm finally back to knitting the chroma scarf.

(Yes, we are still holding strong on our No Chewing Challenge... and we are planning a wonderful food-filled Sunday!!!- but no exercise today)

Summer of Challenges

30 Outfits Challenge
31 Days to Clean Challenge
and now:
21 Days of Warrior Prayers (praying for boys)
I have decided I like doing these little challenges.
I did the 30 outfits as a way to go through my closet and see what all I had and wear it. Usually I just wear about 10% of my clothes. I enjoyed this one. It was actually fun to make new outfits and feel a little dressier (and get out of the rut of wearing the same thing everyday)And my husband seemed to like it, too. Which was a good motivation for me to bite the bullet and try to dress a little nicer, or new, or at least 'not the same jeans & top daily'. I knew Brian would appreciate it.
I just started the 31 Days To Clean with some online friends. We do the daily challenges and post Before & after cleaning pictures. B&A cleaning pictures are a real motivator for me. This book has Martha and a Mary Challenge. One challenge to clean and another to show love via our homes. We are only on Day 3. I leave for 4 days in L.A. I will be on day 5 when they are on Day 9. But I hope to get caught up in a few days.Day 1- was write a little mission statement for why you want a clean house. What is the goal? What is the Motivation.
Day 2 was clean the fridge/freezer insides. And make a list of ways to add more fun to the home. A Game night weekly? family bike rides? decor/lighting candles? Have happy music playing in the house?
Day 3 -today- clean the tops of the fridge, shelves, cabinets. I don't have shelves in the kitchen (but I do in the dining room, but those will be for the Office/Den challenge week, as they are homeschool shelves). My cabinets don;t have dustable tops. BUT I do have 2 tile tops to ovens- they are like big shelves. I will clean those.
If anyone wants to join in, let me know and I'll share the link to my online 31 Days to Clean photos. There is a printable calendar HERE for what to do each of the days.
I had already decided to give Coupon Shopping a real try in June and July. I will call it my College Try Coupon Challenge for June & Julyor I should use a number. like the other challenges:"61 Days of Coupons"
And recently a friend on Facebook and fellow homeschool blogger (Angie) posted about a21 Days of Warrior Prayers. (with a free eBook to follow).I decided to add it to my Summer of Challenges.
I have been thinking of making a Facebook Account for my blog. It's probably just a Peer Pressure thing. So many homeschoolers/moms have Facebook accounts for their blogs. I could be fun. But I doubt I have enough readers.
And I have been thinking about the couponing. You see/read about people that end up with 12 tubes of free toothpaste or 8 bottles of free body scrub, and how they ended up spending $3 out of pocket on $35 worth of stuff... and it is a bit intoxicating and desirable. But I out thought into it and will have a post to write about that in the near future.
YEP: I am Diggin' Challenges. With Day Numbers in the Title!
Don't forget to check out the post of vacation trip pictures!! -->
http://kabersblog.blogspot.com/2011/05/pictures-words.html




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