Monthly Archives: September 2009

with pins and needles

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and more pins! 

I'm not typically a real pinner in my sewing but these leggings are making me appreciate the fact that I splurged and bought some nice glass topped pins a while ago.

These are the leggings from the Abacadbra 91 pattern.  I thought they would look particuliarly cool made from my fav knit, campan and I was right!  In addition to the zig-zaggy look the stripes really helped lining up the rows and getting everything laying right. 

I wasn't going to SwM on these, because come-on they're leggings!  But after fussing and fighting, setting them aside and then finally becoming DETERMINED to finish them I think I'll show you what I did (follow the directions) and then tell you how I wish I would have done it (and how I will do it next time).  Just as I thought I would feel like the finished pant was worth the trouble, but I don't think it has to be quite the trouble I had.  

Legginsmarks

The directions say to sew the pant front to the pant back, mark the gather spots, press upward and stay-stitch into place at the side seams and the front and back.  Then press down-ward and stay-stitch half way between what you just stitched.  This is tricky because; first, it's knit and pressing it doesn't make it stay quite like it does with a woven.  Secondly, these are itty bitty leg opening and you don't want to catch the underside.  Lastly, I'll go back to 'this is a knit' – it stretches and my pins kept coming out.  

Legginspins

just look at all those pins!

So do as I say, not as I do and either only sew up the out-side seams or when you stitch the inside leg seam stop before you get to the gather spots.  This way you'll have a flat leg to work with.  This will make it so much easier to mark the pleats up the leg, fold them nicely, stitch them whichever direction you need to and THEN finish up that inseam.  Just thinking about how much better that will work out makes me want to make another pair.  I've got a few more things in the works ahead of more cool leggings but I have a feeling it won't be too much longer.

Legging3jpg

not quite done, just need to put the 2 legs together, waistband and hem.

bizzy bein’ kids

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Summer is gone, long gone.  The weather is getting good and we are busier than ever.  One activity per person is what works for us; that way there's still time for a kid to be a kid.  Silly and funny and imaginative and creative and introspective, whatever strikes their fancy.  That's the way we like it. 

Hottub

Aug09M

M trying hard to put on a grumpy face

Aug09G

Aug09o

Take a minute and do something silly, oh come-on, only for a minute and you'll feel so much better!

Now might be a good time to take a look at the newest bizzkids pattern magazine.  They're changin' things up again.  It still has English translations, although I know there's some debate on the quality of the translations, this time they've combined the kids' and womens' magazines into one publication.  There are fewer patterns (18 in all) They've ditched the boys (hopefully, maybe, later editions will include the boys) and instead of 1 fall/winter magazine they've broken it up into 3.  The next issue is scheduled for the beginning of Oct. when I get more information and a more precise date I'll work on a pre-order.  

Are you ready to get 'bizzy'? 

P.S. if you're on the fence about the Summer 09 issue I only have a handful left and seeing that I've sent a couple to Europe I *think* these might be the very last issues out there.

-C

bizzy bein’ kids

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Summer is gone, long gone.  The weather is getting good and we are busier than ever.  One activity per person is what works for us; that way there's still time for a kid to be a kid.  Silly and funny and imaginative and creative and introspective, whatever strikes their fancy.  That's the way we like it. 

Hottub

Aug09M

M trying hard to put on a grumpy face

Aug09G

Aug09o

Take a minute and do something silly, oh come-on, only for a minute and you'll feel so much better!

Now might be a good time to take a look at the newest bizzkids pattern magazine.  They're changin' things up again.  It still has English translations, although I know there's some debate on the quality of the translations, this time they've combined the kids' and womens' magazines into one publication.  There are fewer patterns (18 in all) They've ditched the boys (hopefully, maybe, later editions will include the boys) and instead of 1 fall/winter magazine they've broken it up into 3.  The next issue is scheduled for the beginning of Oct. when I get more information and a more precise date I'll work on a pre-order.  

Are you ready to get 'bizzy'? 

P.S. if you're on the fence about the Summer 09 issue I only have a handful left and seeing that I've sent a couple to Europe I *think* these might be the very last issues out there.

-C

newfound freedom

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Conversation with J:

J:  Since I'm taking home lunch I won't be able to sit at the peanut-free table with my dudes

M:  Oh, Which friend has peanut allergies (thinking I didn't know any of these boys had peanut allergies, most of them have eaten here a time or 2)

J:  I dunno

After school

M:  how'd lunch go?

J:  Oh, they all sat by me (with his peanut butter and jelly sandwich)

The freedom that middle school brings.  Not only can you sit with whomever you choose at lunch but you and your friends can all sit at the peanut-free table, even if none of you have peanut allergies!

Jrolling1

Jrolling

Exercising more freedom – rolling down the dunes at white sands last month

easy peasy lemon squeezy

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Mtessskirt3  

This skirt is a treat.

This pattern was so easy and gives so much bang for your buck I just almost can't stand it!  First, if you're any kind of fabric junkie and have a bit of a stash you're in luck.  You can start today, right this very minute if it'll make your heart beat a little faster.  The pattern is in eBook format, meaning you can have it in your hands as soon as you check-out.  There's no waiting for an email after purchase at banberry PLACE.  It's there waiting for you in your account. Whatcha waiting for?

Mtessskirt2

Let me introduce the TESS pattern, by Bella Marie Boutique, sewn up in some super fun European poplin.  The main print is from hilco and the coordinates are stenzo, milli-fleur. and tiny flowers blue.  The leggings are a cropped version from the LAGUNA pattern in busilis stretch and the ANTONIA shirt is busilis and stenzo's daisy knit.  It all came together so easily and Maiah loves it.  I'm certain there's not much more to ask for.

Mtessskirt 

But when did she get this big?  Do all 5 year olds put their hand on the hip and strike a pose when a camera is aimed at them?  That's all this girl wants to do.  Hey I'll take it.

-C

a year later

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This is such a fabulous dress.  

Autumnfeliz

Thing is I made it last year and then a different daughter was wearing it.  If you ever wondered how the fabric at banberry holds up you can see: GREAT!  This is hilco's Liza Fleur, bizzkids green cord., this cool nubby, seersucker-ish, voile-ish plaid, and some modkid ribbon fussy cut flowers make cute appliques and it all comes together like clock-work with the FELIZ, adorned a flounce, not a ruffle at the bottom.

Autumnfeliz3  

It's still blazing hot here with no real sign of cooling off and even so she wore it to school one day last week.  I didn't argue and with the underdress being so light and airey she managed okay.  She came home to report "that exactly 10 people complimented me on the dress and some of those were even boys"  she was pleased, proud and puzzled all at once.

 Autumnfeliz2

flashback

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I just got transported back to the 80's. 

Did you?

I had long natural curls that I teased and sprayed to a ridiculously tall height and width.  My bff first had a 'vette and then later a bug.  We ran the wheels off those cars going in every direction.  I wish I would have had more direction then. 

My hope is that my children will have more direction as young adults.

Here's another

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXEOk5q6u-c&hl=en&fs=1&]

Now hop up, press replay and dance like no ones looking!

-T, Thanks for the trip down memory lane. love ya

one thing leads to another

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The documentary King Corn is directly responsible for the planned outing here tomorrow morning.  A long over-due visit, indeed.  

Mwatering

I'm also going to forgo the Sprite at the store today and do solemnly swear to make a strong effort to reduce the amount of corn (by way of syrup and corn fed meat) that enters this house.

Tomatoblooms

While buying local is good, I can't wait until late November when we'll have our OWN fresh veggies.  This a a tomato plant grown in the upside-down tomato planter bought for $10 on craigs list.  Maiah is watering it above where you can see the basil and pepper plant.  We also planted a squash and a zucchini.  I can't wait!

As a last hoo-rah to summer we made frozen pink lemonade.  It's as easy as mixing up your favorite lemonade and letting it go round and round in the ice-cream maker for oh-about 45 minutes.  YUM YUM!

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