Well it's done. I mean it's as done as a room can ever truly be. I'd like to maybe add a dog bed for Ranger in one of the corners and probably a different slightly more comfy chair for Brian and others to sit in while visiting. But you get the idea. I wish you could know how happy this room makes me. When I walk in I just smile and feel all giddy inside. It took awhile to paint and to move into it because I forced myself to really organize and throw things out as I moved in (so glad I did even though I was getting antsy to be moved in). Even though that was exhausting it was still so fun! I haven't gotten to decorate like that in a while and oh it just felt so good to nest. And to be nesting in a room that is so ripe with possibilities!!!!! I can't say how grateful I am to my Brian for willingly giving me this space. Truly being supported like this is such a gift, I hope I can pay him back someday (with a finished published novel perhaps).

The following pictures do not do it justice (the blue seems weird and you don't get the full effect). I probably need a fancy camera and special lens but this is the best I can do.

My ironing board set up and not in my kitchen, Huzzah!!

My "new" sewing desk, new machine, and new chair.

I bought this old machine and table at the "Bible Thrift Shop"
it was in terrible shape so I sanded and refinished it.

My dress form, Gerti.

My book shelf. I wish you could see the
mason jars filled with buttons and trims better
it's really cute!

I made the valances from super expensive "sewing"
themed fabric (that's why there valances and not curtains).

This is the view from my sewing machine.
Do you see my bird friend?

Now this sewing room is just amazing. Completely on steroids and so wonderful I could just stare at the pictures over and over. Alicia's room was a great inspiration for my much smaller version.

Spring Bunny Baskets.

Our Easter bunny comes on the first day of spring. Er, I mean he's suppose to but this year he wasn't prepared and the book he ordered came in way late and the kids have no idea when the first day of spring was so it worked out... right?

A while back we checked the book "Squish Rabbit" out of the library and the kids loved it. Then when I started thinking about Spring Bunny Baskets (a scosh too late I might add) I thought it was perfect (b/c it's about a rabbit) and I could make a "squish rabbit" and "squish squirrel" (his friend in the book) softee to go in the basket. 

Here is a closeup of "Squish Rabbit" from the book so you can see the similarities in the softee toy. I used a template that I found on Pinterest for both and just made up a tail and ears for the squirrel version. I drew the eyes on with permanent marker so I could get them just right.

I got the chick buckets at Good Will for $2! And filled them with the softee, a straw cup from Target (my kids love cups) and Lindt chocolate bugs. They were good. The box came with five, an odd number, so I had to eat one. I like that they get candy but not such an obscene amount especially since they'll do an egg hunt on Easter. Also I hate that stupid grass so I just skipped it.

The book was for both of them so that went in the middle, and the spider man masks wouldn't fit in the bucket. 

What a fun surprise. Hooray!

Just thought the cute candy deserved a closeup. 

I love Easter and spring and all of it. This is always a fun little project.

I hope you have a fun and blessed Easter!

My UFO.

Isn't this pretty? If I ever finish mine
it will be done in grey wool.

First let me start by explaining that a UFO is an unfinished project not a space craft, though, when I was six my cousin and I were convinced we had seen one of those too. Anyway, I have one. A big one and it's basically the reason I haven't done one of those fall/winter roundup posts about all the things I've made to wear. Because for some reason I keep thinking I'll finish it.

Yea, I'm not going to finish it, not this season anyway. I mean I've already moved on to my spring/summer wardrobe (yes we have snow on the ground, and no I won't let that deter me).

What happened was that I bought this really expensive wool fabric for the skirt. So expensive that even with a 50% off coupon it was still more then I normally spend. Because it was so expensive I measured myself just to make sure that I was the size I normally am for that particular companies patterns. That is when I discovered what I wish I had never known; my waist is about three sizes bigger then my hips and bust. Oh the agony!!!! Because the skirt was more form fitting then anything I've ever made I would need to draft the pattern and make a muslin. Yea, I don't really know what those things mean either. Let's be real people I don't have time to make a fake garment to see if it fits right before I make the real one. I barely have time to make the real garment.

One of the wisest friends I have told me that she wouldn't have measured and would have just made the skirt in the size she thought she was. There is a verse in scripture about following Godly advice and I wish that I had done so. And here's another thing about pattern sizes. They are totally WACK! I'm sorry to get all belligerent but they are not even close to the same as ready-to-wear garments. I don't care if simplicity patterns are on sale for $3 I won't buy it if it says I'm a size 100! (Slight exaggeration here but not much) It's one of the reasons (among many) that I love Colette Patterns because their measurements are closer to a regular size. I can admit I'm a size 12 but I will never be able to admit that I'm a size 100!

I felt like I learned a foreign language when I finally
learned how to read the back of pattern envelopes.

Where was I anyway? Oh yea my skirt. So I've decided to put it away until next fall. I have added to my daily walks, yoga three times a week and an abs workout I found on pinterest (we all know if it's on pinterest then it can't fail). I've also added to my diet, cookies and donuts but that's another story and surely won't interfere with project "flatter stomach". This makes more frugal sense to me too because surely by next fall I will have lost all the weight I will ever want to loose so I will be able to wear this skirt indefinitely. Please note that last line was meant to be read with just a touch of sarcasm. 

Last Tuesday...

I was working on a Facebook page for a local business and loathing my skirt pieces staring at me from the sewing table.

By Tuesday nap time I was talking to my sister about said Facebook page and her birthday. About ten minutes later her, my mom and I had decided I should fly out there on Friday so I could be at the birthday celebration.

By Wednesday I had decided that I MUST have a new overnight bag to take with me. I MUST make my long awaited Amy Butler Weekender Bag. The pattern and fabric were gifts for my birthday (in June!) So it was a long time coming.

By Friday noon I was barely done with the bag and was barely done packing. I just barely barely managed to do the dishes so that my poor wonderful husband wouldn't be left with two kids and a dirty kitchen.

It was crazy of me to think I could do a project like that so fast and so on the fly. But, I did it and I'm glad. It turned out pretty good. Not perfect but honestly I'm super happy with the bag. It's very cute and holds a lot. I was proud to carry it through the airport Friday evening and made sure I showed it off to my mom and sisters who all ooed and awed appropriately.

More on the actual trip tomorrow.