2 1/2

My little Scarlet Grace. ♥

You didn't get a post when you turned 2. You will get one now.

You have a smudged face in this picture because you insist on doing all things yourself. "I do it." So I (usually) let you clean your own face.

Your bright blue eyes still surprise me.

You are an amazing little shopping buddy, and you know just what you like. "I no like dat." "I want dat one!" You exuberantly exclaim, "Pretty Mommy!" when I try something on (even if it's just so-so).

Daddy says you are all "Fire & Ice." He is on to something. Mommy says you are equal parts "Sweet & Sassy." I am also on to something.

You love to have your back rubbed, with mama's piano fingers.

You, like your brother at this age, like to be told stories. Cinderella is your current favorite. Nemo is a frequent contender for top spot in the rotation.

You love Anna. Steiger loves Elsa. This correlation fits not only your birth order, but your personalities as well.

You hop, skip, or jump almost everywhere. I adore watching you run more than most anything I can watch, or jumping on the trampoline.

I could also listen to you talk all day. You repeat highly sophisticated phrases with a newly forming voice and diction, and it is adorable.

You still love your "banties" (blankies). Thank goodness you are not discriminating against which of the 8 little flannel receiving blankets you hold. Though you prefer to have all 8 of them at once. ♥

You suck your thumb when you hold them.

You're still rear-facing in the carseat, and I attribute the blankies for helping make this as stress free as possible.

You love your brother utterly, but I still don't think as much as he loves you.

You want to sit on our laps to eat your dinner lately. You ate more independently at 8 months than now at 30 months... hmmm...

You love soups and broth. Which makes me really happy because I love them too. You also love broccoli.

You love to copy Steiger. When he writes his name, you must write yours... you make a mean backwards S. :)

You do not have any trouble voicing your opinion, but can be flexible too. Again -- sweet & sassy.

You love to hold on like a monkey, be loved, be in control, be independent, and be comforted all at once.

You have your mama's heart (Daddy's and Steiger's too). We love you little Scarlet Grace.

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(and yes, I am aware I've been gone for quite some time... I'll give you an update shortly)

a look in to Scarlet's room

Bless my husband.
He really hates painting, but the last couple weekends, he finished up painting Scarlet's room (it wasn't working with what it was before).

The color is "Blanket" from Lowe's. It's somewhere between a mint and aqua. One of the "Kid-friendly" color areas (you know, where they have all the individual swatches instead of the ones that are on the card in a set). White for the trim.

It used to be painted a beige, with a chocolate brown trim from when Steiger had this room. I re-painted just the bottom section a honeysuckle pink, but wasn't terribly happy with it. But Jay hates painting, so it remained that way for over a year.

It makes me so much happier now!

There's still nothing on the walls (except in one spot, and it's only there because it fit the existing screws in the wall.)

I plan to paint this frame white.  And put a few more things on the walls. And no, the changing table no longer gets used as a changing table.

Her room has a bit of an eclectic mix of pieces. Next to her crib is the dresser I used growing up. It's so pretty.  And the first quilt I made her is in there ( the one I made before I knew for sure she was a she).

(You can see her crib sheet here. And a tutorial for the mobile here.)

Her other quilt sits on our rocking chair. I rocked and nursed both my babes to sleep in that chair. ♥

So her room isn't finished, but is still sweet with little touches from her mama. And her daddy who loves her mama enough to re-paint. And clean out her closet too.

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Now back to finishing this quilt so another little girl can re-do her room!

Easter sewing

Just Three is going through this week -- link up your goals for the month! ♥
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Around 10 p.m. Friday night, I decided Scarlet needed a Mommy-made Easter dress.

Around 10 p.m. Saturday night, I decided Steiger and Scarlet needed Mommy-made Easter baskets.

For the dress, I used the little Sugarplum top from SeeKateSew,

and for the Easter baskets, I used Nova's Nesting fabric bowls.

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Dress specs:

Fabric - the sweetest, prettiest, most feminine pastel goodness double-gauze from Nani Iro's little letter collection.  She will continue to get the sweetsiest things I can find until she is older and can voice her own opinions. 

I made size 2T so she'll be able to wear it longer as a tunic type shirt.  I used a length between the top and dress length.

I'm not a huge fan of the ribbon closures at the neck -- I think I'd prefer a button, and will modify it if I made another.  The design of the dress is really sweet though, and thankfully, it came together quite easily. 

And Scarlet was too precious in it.  I squealed at her most of the day.

Looking out the window:

Easter egg hunting (with her coordinating basket!):

(Daddy still makes her look so small!)

She loved carrying her basket around. (was very possessive of it in fact)

I tried to get a picture of her with her brother in front of the Lady Banks roses... this was how it went:

(herding cats I tell you)

Steiger (who turns 4 in a week!!!) got a globey-type basket made with Out to Sea's map panel print.

The Nesting bowls pattern made these super simple -- Nova has size options, measurements, and a visual for how to add a handle.  I have mental deficits when it comes to the area of spatial awareness, so I appreciated the clear instructions!  Makes me want to whip up a set for my scraps... one day that is.

I was really proud to give these hand-made touches to my babies' Easter.  Even if it meant I got behind on a couple other obligations... what good is it to have a mama who sews, if she doesn't make things for her own babes after all?

I hope your weekend was blessed...I listened to this song over and over while sewing, made it even sweeter.

When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realise just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me...

my little lady

She is sixteen months old today.
And we spent our morning at the doctor to make sure she didn't have an ear infection.  I was relieved that her two week grumpiness has just been a cold and the fact that she has cut 6 teeth in the last two weeks, with two more swelling up her little gums. (yes... poor baby/poor mama).

BUT -- last month, when she turned 15 months old, I was remembering when I talked about her brother at the same age, so Scarlet baby, this post is for you...

Thank you for the quilt Amanda!  We LOVE it!

• You dance.  You shake your arms, pump your fists in the air, and try to shake your booty.  You (and your brother) both love Gangman Style. :)
• You snuggle in so cozy when it's nap time and bed time.  It has been mama's favorite time of the day the last couple weeks, and reminds me of what a sweetie you are.  You fell asleep on my chest this morning while I was trying to keep you quiet so Daddy could have a few more minutes of sleep.
• You go crazy for bananas.  I have to hide them, or you'll see them on the counter and throw a fit if I don't give you one.  Even if you've already had two for the day.  You're trying to say "nana."
• You are SO in to books lately as well.  You grab them, bring them over, and plop yourself on one of our laps.
• You suck your thumb and hold a blankie when you're tired.  Your grandma tells me that your mama did the same thing. ;)

• You do a "boo boo lip" and "shaky face" on command.  

• If I shower when you're awake, you like to open, and slam the door.  You crack up when I say "whoa!"
• Your best word is "uh oh."  You say "mama," "Daddy," and try to say "Elli," and I think you try to say "Steiger."
• Your hair is so wispy. And blonde.  I'm still surprised by how blonde you are!
• You love Elli.  She is so good at putting up with you when you "pet" her, or pull her tail, or take over her bed.

• You can be quite animated, and walk around saying "whoa whoa whoa whoa." 

• You understand A LOT.  I can give you directions, and you follow them (unless you're in one of your diva moods.)  But normally, you love to help.  I often can't keep up with all your helping and trying to figure things out, and I'll find you doing something like this on your own. You've been known to put dirty silverware away, or fill the washing machine with a new load. :)

• You are a mama's girl.  You still love to be worn, and you scream at anyone who you perceive as coming between us.  Even your Papa.

• You're pretty good with a light saber (aka swiffer handle).  Steiger calls you his Padawan.
• You're tall for your age (97% a couple months ago!).  You did not get this from me.
• You like to put on your brother's shoes or slippers and wander around the house proudly.
• You've discovered babies.

• You think burping and tooting is hilarious, and try to imitate the sound. And then laugh.
• You learned to say "please," this week.
• You are enthusiastic. And it shows.

Scarlet, you make all of us smile.  Every day.  And as Steiger would say, "We love you more than you know."  Your fresh little face, and sassy little steps, and tender little needs, and tenacious little spirit, and joyful little heart sure make me blessed to be your mama. ♥

Sweet Sophie Chenille

My Scarlet turned 8 months old last week!



No, I can't believe it. :)

She's sweeter than sweet, and adorable too.

I made her this quilt (the girl is going to have a hope chest full of quilts before she moves out, I'm sure...I'm just going with it).

I paired charm squares from the Sophie by Chez Moi collection with squares of chenille.  I did use a 3/8" seam allowance, because the bumpy edges of the chenille are a little trickier.  I just made half-square triangles and arranged them in what I believe is called the Dutch windmill design.  (It's one of my favorite HST lay-outs).

After auditioning a bunch of different fabrics, I went with more chenille for the border. 

And it's so soft.

The borders were whatever width would make it so I could use one WOF for the backing.  It's just one of my favorite prints from the collection.

The selvages are still in there... that's how close of a fit this was.

I used a pretty little pink houndstooth for the binding.

Speaking of binding -- I LOVE binding with a chenille border.  You just sew the binding to the front, flip to the back and machine stitch it down.  All your stitching on the front disappears in to the chenille (it's actually why I like to use chenille for a border like here and here).

It's a very pretty quilt in all... but not as pretty as this girl.

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Now if you'll indulge my mommy side for a moment; I'm going to take this opportunity to record a bit about my girl.

Scarlet -- everyone tells you how cute you are, and I agree, but really you are just so sweet.

You have started talking to us a lot more.  Chatty, chatty, chatty -- this kind of scares your father.

You make lots of happy little sing-songy sounds when you chat.  Sometimes you get squealy and sing in a very high pitch.  Your brother likes to talk back to you when you do this; he calls it your happy talk.

You scoot around the room just like your brother did... the good 'ol army crawl.

Mama dresses you in pink all the time.  I alternate between calling you peaches & cream, or strawberries & cream.

Steiger still adores you.  He calls you "Little Missy." ♥
Daddy calls you "Special Ghost," and Mommy calls you "Smile Box," "Sweet girl," and a number of other little endearing terms.

Except when you first wake in the morning, and you're quite hungry, you give me the biggest little grin every time you see me.  Your mouth goes out like a line, and you get even cheekier.

The neckline or strap of my shirt is your "blankie" when you fall asleep.  You lay your head on my chest, put your thumb in your mouth, and grip my shirt in your hand.  Mama always says that rocking you to sleep is therapy in its highest form.

You always suck your left thumb.



You are an amazing little eater.  Mama breaks little bits of pretty much everything on your tray, and you get both hands in on the action.  And can I tell you how much I love that you're not picky?  Thank you baby.  It is however, impossible to eat anything while I'm holding you, because you yell until I share.

You share your mama's obsession with Pirate's Booty (see first picture).

You yell now to get attention.  It's a very staccato little "Meep!" and "Mop!"  I usually just laugh.

You also growl.  I love the growls.  So does Steiger... he tries to figure out how to make you growl.  I think it's for you to say, "hey, watch it." ;)

You wave your arms when you're excited.  You hadn't seen Daddy for a couple days this week, and saw him just before bed last night... you yelled for him, smiled, waved your arms... you clearly missed him.  He felt very special.

You raise your arms above your head, and make little fists.  You usually give some kind of punctuated shout.  We call it your "fists of fury."

You sit on my lap, content, for the longest time.  It's amazing really.

Scarlet -- each day, I am more and more happy to be your mama.

Between you, and this big guy here (who insists that he's a "little boy and doesn't want to get big," I am blessed indeed.

We love you both to bits!

On day 1

The #1 craziest, busiest time of the year has started for us, but I am determined to make it as wonderful as it can possibly be.

So today, while we were thinking of Daddy (out in the hot sun wearing a tyvex suit hoisting around 50 gallon barrels from 5 am until 9 pm... sorry, I digress... we...

- Watered the new garden (we planted really late this year, but better late than never!  You can get away with this when you live in CA)

- got dressed up in our Halloween costume and insisted Mommy call us "Buddy"

Hi Buddy!

- made some cookies dough

- got tired out and took a nap in our costume (is this not the sweetest thing)...

- had a quilty photo shoot (more coming soon)

- ran in the sprinkler in our undies

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We got baths, and fed, and Daddy had dinner ready when he got home.

And I managed to sew 1/2 of a seam... so about 4 1/2" of sewing today. :)

All in all, Day 1 of crazy season was a success. 

Here's to many more, and Daddy having a supernatural ability to keep cool and rested.

Amen.

(Wait... did I say many more -- I meant not too many more, and may they pass quickly).

Amen again.

hair baubles (and mini tutorial)

My life right now = crazy busy.

No, I'm not talking about the normal kind of busy with a baby and a toddler, but the kind of busy when Daddy hasn't worked less than 12 hours/day in 5 weeks (though technically he only worked 11 on my birthday).

Mama = tired.

That being said -- I *know* that I spent a good chunk of time yesterday cleaning the kitchen.  This morning, there is no evidence of this, other than perhaps the vague notion of how much worse it could be had I not cleaned and tidied what I'm sure I remember cleaning and tidying.  Therefore, despite the days being long, and the realization that I really cannot maintain my sanity and try to do one more thing (like make quilts), this mama's heart still craves the investment of at least a little time in accomplishing something that no one undoes 2 to 45 minutes after it is completed.  A quilt may be out of the question (those take forever, and I wanted to FINISH something)...

So I made hair baubles.

And I was so happy I wanted to make twenty. (And when I say happy -- I mean the wave of happy, positive neuro-feedback something or others were streaming in). :)

Still - I decided to stick with four for now. :)

But I took lots of pictures to make up for it. (and I've got a little mini tutorial at the bottom for one like this one) :)

The smiley little Miss sitting up on her own!

I think this one is my favorite.  I googled a tutorial for a fabric rosette, gathered some linen and elastic lace trim together, stitched it to 1/8" elastic, and hot glued the flower to the middle.  Oh, I stitched some plastic pearl beads in there too.

I made the band a little too big, so I'll have to resize it, but I still got it to "fit" for a quick picture. :)

My sewing table is now covered in buttons, fabric scraps, a hot glue gun and the quilts have been moved to the side.  (At least until next week when Steiger goes to stay with his grandma for a couple days).

"Mini Tutorial"

Fabric Flower Hairband

1. Cut some "organic" circles out of fabric, linen, tulle, satin, whatever, in various sizes (so they get smaller gradually).  More tulle = more texture and poof obviously, and I think there were 4 

I burnt the edge of my tulle sometimes (on the pink ruffley one above to make it stand out a bit more -- just hold it next to a lighter, or your gas stove and melt the edges -- some of the tulle looks burnt if you do this, but the hot pinks didn't.  Make sure you don't hold the tulle over the heat of the flame, or it will have a hole burnt in it -- just the edge)

Stitch about 1/8" from the edge.  You can also use fray check if you don't have a sewing machine handy.  (But seriously, my first piece of advice for people who want to start sewing/being crafty is to leave your sewing area set up.  Hopefully you can still keep a dining room --unlike us right now).

2. Arrange them as you like, and stitch the layers together with a little X in the middle. 
(or you can use a little glue -- this is to tack or baste the layers together so they don't shift all over.)

3. Pucker/fold the centers and do a little stitching to make a gather.
And the picture isn't deceiving you - there isn't much perfection about this.  The bigger the gather, the poofier the flower (like the pink one above has more fabric in the pucker.  You could hand-stitch this if you don't have a machine, or I'm sure a glue gun could do something amazing.)

4. For the band, cut the toes and top band off a knee-high, and stitch the ends together.  

My machine likes to "eat" the nylon, so I start in the middle and sew to the edge.  Use regular size nylons if you need something bigger (for a toddler or, *ah-hem* yourself).

I didn't get a picture of the next step, but you're going to fold the sides over of the seam on your band.  Divide the band in approximate fourths, and fold each edge so they meet in the center like a pleat at the seam.

5. Grab a  button, hold the hair flower on to the pleat of your hairband, and stitch your button on, stitching through all the layers and securing the flower to the band.

6. Snag a baby, or a mirror, and you're done!

I call this bauble "country girl"

(You can see how it lies flatter than the pink one -- just depends on how much you pull in in step 3, and how much tulle you use)

(This one was made with the same method)

Pretty sure I'm hooked -- though I'm not sure if it's on the hair baubles, or just baby girl in general. :)

See her shirt -- she knows it's true.

(and lest any one worry I've forgotten about her big brother -- rest assured, he's just trickier to capture on camera these days -- but I did get him running by with his fly swatter... he was "getting bad guys" or "bugs" or both)

(and P.S. my pattern sale ends tomorrow)