Chickenpox. First Harry, then Lucy and now it seems Rosie and Will too. As horrid as it is (& it is horrid), I'm glad that everyone has succumbed at (almost) the same time - I just want to get it over with!
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Thursday, May 31, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday dessert
It's a long-standing tradition in our family that we have dinner at my parents on Sundays, and it's an equally long-standing tradition that I make dessert.
Over the past few years, the kids have taken more of an interest in cooking, and they often take over the dessert making. R in particular enjoys this, but she usually wants to try out new recipes, usually on days when I'm not in the experimenting mood.
Today she was desperate to make a 'raspberry tart', but pastry is not my forte, and I usually use frozen stuff - & I've run out. So, no tart, but she was still determined to use raspberries, but rejected the two recipes we've used successfully in the past.
I then turned to one of my favorite food sites - Smitten Kitchen, and found a recipe for Strawberry brown butter betty's. We had all the ingredients (we swapped strawberries for raspberries), the recipe was easy and it satisfied Miss Creative Cook.
They've yet to be eaten, but I think they'll be delicious!
Over the past few years, the kids have taken more of an interest in cooking, and they often take over the dessert making. R in particular enjoys this, but she usually wants to try out new recipes, usually on days when I'm not in the experimenting mood.
Today she was desperate to make a 'raspberry tart', but pastry is not my forte, and I usually use frozen stuff - & I've run out. So, no tart, but she was still determined to use raspberries, but rejected the two recipes we've used successfully in the past.
I then turned to one of my favorite food sites - Smitten Kitchen, and found a recipe for Strawberry brown butter betty's. We had all the ingredients (we swapped strawberries for raspberries), the recipe was easy and it satisfied Miss Creative Cook.
They've yet to be eaten, but I think they'll be delicious!
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
A Day at....Work?!
Today was my first work day since that terrible day last year (Here)
I admit, I've been avoiding having to work since deciding that I could no longer work at my old school. This school was where I've really done the most of my teaching, albeit on a part-time/casual basis. This is where I went to after every baby was born & I was ready to do some work. I know this school - where things are, how things work, who staff & students are. It's been a scary prospect to have to do the rounds of other schools to put my name down on their casual teacher lists. Noone really likes to step outside their comfort zone, and I avoid stepping outside mine as much as possible.
But I couldn't avoid it much longer, so my name's now on the list for three local high schools. While I love being at home, and have no trouble filling my days, I also like being a teacher and have always enjoyed work overall. One/two days a week is perfectly manageable.
Last week, when at play group with L, I mentioned to the principal of the preschool (our preschool is a DEC school, & they run a play group for children the year before they start) that I needed to go back to work. Glad I did, as she immediately offered me a day - today (as a DEC employee I can work in any DEC school).
I couldn't think of a more lovely place to work, and can't understand why I hadn't thought to put my name down there years ago. I am astounded that I will be paid the same amount to work in this amazing environment as at my old school. The kids were all really sweet, and there is a world of difference between how preschoolers view their teacher, compared to high school teachers.
I took these pics last week at play group - they don't show half of the garden, which is a truly special 'classroom'.
I really hope that I can do more days at this school - soon!
I admit, I've been avoiding having to work since deciding that I could no longer work at my old school. This school was where I've really done the most of my teaching, albeit on a part-time/casual basis. This is where I went to after every baby was born & I was ready to do some work. I know this school - where things are, how things work, who staff & students are. It's been a scary prospect to have to do the rounds of other schools to put my name down on their casual teacher lists. Noone really likes to step outside their comfort zone, and I avoid stepping outside mine as much as possible.
But I couldn't avoid it much longer, so my name's now on the list for three local high schools. While I love being at home, and have no trouble filling my days, I also like being a teacher and have always enjoyed work overall. One/two days a week is perfectly manageable.
Last week, when at play group with L, I mentioned to the principal of the preschool (our preschool is a DEC school, & they run a play group for children the year before they start) that I needed to go back to work. Glad I did, as she immediately offered me a day - today (as a DEC employee I can work in any DEC school).
I couldn't think of a more lovely place to work, and can't understand why I hadn't thought to put my name down there years ago. I am astounded that I will be paid the same amount to work in this amazing environment as at my old school. The kids were all really sweet, and there is a world of difference between how preschoolers view their teacher, compared to high school teachers.
I took these pics last week at play group - they don't show half of the garden, which is a truly special 'classroom'.
I really hope that I can do more days at this school - soon!
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Overthinking
This week has not been particularly productive in sewing terms. I made myself a skirt last weekend, but have spent the rest of the week procrastinating over R's 'Secret Agent Trench Coat', among other things.
I have had a rather large piece of purple velvet in my stash for a while now, and haven't been able to think of a worthy project for it - and recently decided that it would make a perfect trench coat for R. Turns out, 2.7m is exactly the right amount for the coat.
So, pattern drafted and coat cut - but then I decided to deviate from the pattern & line the coat - & therein lies the problem - what to line it with. I think it would be best to use something with some sheen so as to make it easier to put on and off, but don't really have anything suitable in my stash. I did go to Spotlight, but left empty handed (unusual, I know). I have found two options in my stash, but neither R or I can pick which one.
So, coat is partially made and I can go no further until I sort out the lining...
In other acts of over thinking, I've been mulling over what fabrics to use for three particular dresses. A few friends and I have challenged ourselves to make at least one view from all our unused O+S patterns. This gives me a list of 9! -
• School Days coat
• Playdate dress
• Family Reunion dress
• School Photo dress
• Apple Picking dress
• Sleepover pj's
• After School pants and top
• Music Class blouse and skirt
• Seashore sundress
So, a long list.....
I haven't yet made the Playdate, School Photo or Apple Picking dresses as to be frank, they're not my favs. And because of this, I can't think which fabrics to use for them. I've been tossing ideas around in my head all week, resulting in zero decisions and more confusion.
So, I've finally decided to stop over thinking everything. I'm going to go to a fabric shop on Monday and sort out the lining issue. The three dresses are still on my list (I really want to achieve the challenge), but they are no longer my top priority. I need to get on with my other sewing, which also includes other patterns from the above list, as well as projects like Figgy's Sunki dressand Clever Charlotte's Eider tunic - as well as more skirts for me....
Let's see what next week will produce
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I have had a rather large piece of purple velvet in my stash for a while now, and haven't been able to think of a worthy project for it - and recently decided that it would make a perfect trench coat for R. Turns out, 2.7m is exactly the right amount for the coat.
So, pattern drafted and coat cut - but then I decided to deviate from the pattern & line the coat - & therein lies the problem - what to line it with. I think it would be best to use something with some sheen so as to make it easier to put on and off, but don't really have anything suitable in my stash. I did go to Spotlight, but left empty handed (unusual, I know). I have found two options in my stash, but neither R or I can pick which one.
So, coat is partially made and I can go no further until I sort out the lining...
In other acts of over thinking, I've been mulling over what fabrics to use for three particular dresses. A few friends and I have challenged ourselves to make at least one view from all our unused O+S patterns. This gives me a list of 9! -
• School Days coat
• Playdate dress
• Family Reunion dress
• School Photo dress
• Apple Picking dress
• Sleepover pj's
• After School pants and top
• Music Class blouse and skirt
• Seashore sundress
So, a long list.....
I haven't yet made the Playdate, School Photo or Apple Picking dresses as to be frank, they're not my favs. And because of this, I can't think which fabrics to use for them. I've been tossing ideas around in my head all week, resulting in zero decisions and more confusion.
So, I've finally decided to stop over thinking everything. I'm going to go to a fabric shop on Monday and sort out the lining issue. The three dresses are still on my list (I really want to achieve the challenge), but they are no longer my top priority. I need to get on with my other sewing, which also includes other patterns from the above list, as well as projects like Figgy's Sunki dressand Clever Charlotte's Eider tunic - as well as more skirts for me....
Let's see what next week will produce
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, May 12, 2012
A very, very belated KCWC post
OK, yes, KCWC finished about 3 weeks ago, and I did finish the challenge successfully, but failed to post about my final two items....
I'm still a novice when it comes to sewing with knits, and procrastinated about making these for a looong time. The only knit pattern I've used before is the O+S Hopscotch pattern, which I love, and would happily make constantly. Not so good for the boys, though....
I confess - originally I had planned to use the Figgy's Tee for Two pattern for these tops - but in a silly moment of false economy (I'm used to making small tops for L), I only ordered 1/2m of the contrast colours that I wanted to use for the sleeves, and I couldn't fit the pattern to the fabric. So, Plan B - Ottobre 301 Best t-shirt pattern.
I used Stella knit for these tops - Blood Red and Grey Marle for H, and Indigo and Ink for W. This fabric is so lovely to sew - no curling at all. It's a lovely weight, and gives a great finish. The pattern also gives a great tshirt - although the instructions are not particularly detailed, to say the least. While very easy, I don't think I could have made these without having some experience. I'm not overly thrilled with my neckband efforts, but will happily make this again (and again!)
W - "Did you make this? This looks like it came from a shop! This is the best top you've ever made me!" (ahem, well, ummm, it's the only top I've ever made you, but I won't point that out.....!)
I'm thrilled with the hems on these - I used a twin needle and my walking foot, and will only ever do hems like this from now on. I think that I got this idea from Brittney - thank you!
I'm still a novice when it comes to sewing with knits, and procrastinated about making these for a looong time. The only knit pattern I've used before is the O+S Hopscotch pattern, which I love, and would happily make constantly. Not so good for the boys, though....
I confess - originally I had planned to use the Figgy's Tee for Two pattern for these tops - but in a silly moment of false economy (I'm used to making small tops for L), I only ordered 1/2m of the contrast colours that I wanted to use for the sleeves, and I couldn't fit the pattern to the fabric. So, Plan B - Ottobre 301 Best t-shirt pattern.
I used Stella knit for these tops - Blood Red and Grey Marle for H, and Indigo and Ink for W. This fabric is so lovely to sew - no curling at all. It's a lovely weight, and gives a great finish. The pattern also gives a great tshirt - although the instructions are not particularly detailed, to say the least. While very easy, I don't think I could have made these without having some experience. I'm not overly thrilled with my neckband efforts, but will happily make this again (and again!)
W - "Did you make this? This looks like it came from a shop! This is the best top you've ever made me!" (ahem, well, ummm, it's the only top I've ever made you, but I won't point that out.....!)
I'm thrilled with the hems on these - I used a twin needle and my walking foot, and will only ever do hems like this from now on. I think that I got this idea from Brittney - thank you!
I'm really, really pleased that I decided to sew for the boys this time around - they really don't get much, and are both so pleased with their new outfits. So, a very successful KCWC! Thank you Elsie Marley/Meg
Friday, April 27, 2012
KCWC - first projects finshed
Well, the High Flyers are finished - hooray! Overall, I'm happy with them, but should have spent a bit more time on aligning the back pockets, and my decision to use my overlocker to attach the waistbands was not a great one....
Anyway - here they are:
I made a tshirt for W today - but I'll post that tomorrow after I've hemmed it and taken pics
Anyway - here they are:
I made a tshirt for W today - but I'll post that tomorrow after I've hemmed it and taken pics
Thursday, April 26, 2012
KCWC - day 4
Still going - I've just finished the boys' pants. I'm glad they're done. Pics tomorrow. Last night I had a 'brilliant' idea to use my overlocker to attach the waistband - needless to say, it actually wasn't a brilliant idea, and now I have issues with lopsided waistbands. Serves me right for starting my sewing at 8.30pm......
On to the next - something much simpler this time - Tee for Two x 2! Says me - I haven't used this pattern before, and am far from confident with sewing knits.The first lot of red jersey I ordered was too pink for H, and am hoping that the next lot -
a. arrives tomorrow, and
b. is the right red!
Otherwise, I'll be forced to make something for one of the girls - what a shame that would be!
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