Sewing projects

Over the past few weeks I have been trying to get sewing projects done that I've either started or are on my to-do list. While being somewhat successful, I did manage to squeeze a few extra projects in between the lines. For Ryan's sisters's birthday I made my very first pair of oven mitts and gloves. I am happy with how they turned out and am glad that she liked them as well. I think I shall make some for myself. One day. Maybe after Christmas.

I also finished a quilt that was hanging on my wall for a year.

It looked so lovely on my wall, I was kind of sad to take it down. But it was time, and now it sits in my living room, acting as a comfort tool when I sit, drink my tea and read a book or watch t.v.. It's perfect, because it matches my house perfectly.

Sine we headed to Smithers this past weekend, I decided that I needed a case to hold my makeup and hair stuff and jewelry. Usually I just cram it into the suitcase pockets and then have to carry it all to the bathroom in my arms. Now, I just pick up the case and easily carried it all to the bathroom, having whatever I needed at my fingertips instead of making numerous trips to my suitcase because I forgot something. It worked out perfect. And for assembling it in a day and having it hand-bound and ready to go in 2, I think I did pretty good. If I may say so myself. This is also the first time I sewed with plastic, and I think I will do it again as it was so simple. I did have to be careful as to not poke any extra pin holes in it since unlike fabric it is not self-healing.

And in between all that I quick whipped up a pair of pajama pants for Camia from fabric that she picked from the store. I don't have a photo just yet, so stay posted for that to come! Next on my list is Christmas stockings! I picked out the fabrics today and just need to draw my pattern and figure out how I am going to do my piecing.

from a spool of thread...

Whenever I am finished with a spool of thread, the empty spool usually winds up in Camia's toy box because she loves to play with them. One day I had a brain wave and started searching online for ideas on how to make dolls from them. And, using scraps of fabric, buttons I've been collecting and remnants of ribbons, I have made a spool of thread dolls family.

I tried to look at VV for wooden beads, but was unsuccessful, so this morning I went to Michaels with my coupon and bought the beads new. I was surprised at how inexpensive they actually were. These were very time consuming, but definitely something a little bit of fun. They got played with

And she requested to have a picture with them.

She put them in her suitcase so she could take them with her to Oma's house tomorrow.

Brr, It's COLD Out There!

Today the temperature plummeted and it was nasty cold outside. The thermometer read -7, but it felt like it was a whole lot colder than that with the wind chill. While driving on the freeway to Chilliwack I made sure to hold on with both hands because it felt like the wind was going to blow clear across the fields where there was a dust storm taking place. A river that is normally fast flowing in Chilliwack was half frozen and the snow left from Friday crunched under my feet as we treaded on through it. Today after I delivered a meal, I was to deliver my car to our mechanic out in Yarrow and then have a friend pick me up and bring me back to Langley. I am so very thankful for amazing friends! But, by the time I was done visiting in Chilliwack and ready to be picked up, she had just put her girls down for a nap. So, we thought that I might ask my mechanic's wife to quick drive the 2 minutes to her house. Turns out, she wasn't home either. So, since I didn't want M to wake her sleeping angels, I packed up the stuff I didn't want to leave behind, unstrapped Camia's car seat, and walked with the stinking heavy car seat on one arm, and Camia on the other. The wind was so gusty that I felt like it was going to just pick me up and blow me away. And poor Camia, it was SO cold. My bare fingers had no feeling left in them, my legs were frozen and my ears felt like I could break them off. I wrapped my scarf around Camia's little neck a couple time to try keep her warmer, and thankfully her mittens kept her hands from freezing. I had to stop several times just to protect her from the wind and to wipe her tears. She asked to go back, but by that time it was quicker to still head to M's than to head back to the car. In hind site, I should have dropped Camia and the car seat off at M's and then walked back my self, so she could stay warm. And, for the first time in my life, I actually hitch hiked. Well, without the thumb thing. I just accepted a ride from a total stranger who insisted on driving me a half a block's distance to M's house. I did feel kind of silly since I could see her driveway from where we were standing, but it was so frigid, and I felt that it was best for Camia. The kind woman buckled in her car seat legally and stepped aside so I could strap Camia in. She opened the door for me when we got to M's, but did not make a move to take her out or touch her. And then she carried Camia's car seat to M's door for me so I could carry Camia. I was very grateful. M proceeded to make me hot chocolate and gave me a blanket with which to warm Camia and I, but apparently Camia didn't need it since she wriggled free and went to play with the toys. I am so very thankful for amazing friends and good samaritans!

Sledding

Today Ryan and I took advantage of the snow and took Camia sledding at the park just down the road from our house.

We bought this sled last winter, and never used it. Because it snowed once. And as it turns out, Camia would rather eat the snow than slide in it.

She just loved the snow!
There was a teeter totter in the park, and Camia just loved it. I love it when this girl laughs and/or smiles.
Ryan even pulled me on the sled too. Camia helped him by holding onto the rope too.

Unofficial family photo:

Mom and daughter: definitely a framer.

Let it snow, Let it snow!

Something beautiful happened tonight. It's foreign, and happens very rarely. In fact, It only happened once last year. It snowed!!

Here in Langley it got white. On Thursday while working at the greenhouse in Abbotsford it started snowing and Camia just loved it. So much so that she didn't want to come back into the greenhouse. In just 3 hours tonight, we got almost an inch of snow dumped all over metro Vancouver. Ryan and I had a date night tonight, we went out for dinner with just the 2 of us. And, to prepare me for what's to come next week (:P), Camia is having a sleepover at her grandma's house tonight. I hope she does well. And sleeps past 7. For her grandma's sake. We went for dinner to Mr Mikes where I had the most yummy stir fry. SO good! But SO filling too! And then we walked around the mall for a bit and then headed to the theater where we caught the latest Harry Potter movie. Since I would rather have done other things on a very rare date night, Ryan has to make me breakfast in bed tomorrow morning. And I get to plan the next date night :). After we got out of the movie 2.5 hours later, it was a winter wonderland out there.

While wiping off the car with our sleeves (we had left the brush at home - I told you! I didn't really believe that it would snow!), I made an itty snowman and Ryan stuck it on the neighbouring car. The owners loved it so much that we shared a laugh and they took off, with the snowman still on the roof. Poor Frosty. Apparently it was also a disaster in some areas on the roads. They were pretty slick!

Since we will be in Smithers when I traditionally set up the tree and my snowmen, I thought that if time permitted, I would have it done by the time we left so I didn't have to do it when I got home. Since it's been pretty hectic around here what with working a few extra days and making meals for new (and experienced new) mothers in our church, I didn't know if this was to be possible. I have come to realize how many babies are actually born in the Langley congregation in the few short weeks that I have been making meals for people. And there are still so many to yet be born. I love doing it, and it's a little something that means more than a card, and something I can afford without buying them all gifts. And, I feel that it is something that I would have really appreciated when Camia was born. I just hope that it pleases everyone's taste palates. I have been making just pasta meals, but the last time I ventured outside the box and baked 3 dozen (actually 4 by the time it was actually delivered since they were so painfully good) and made sloppy joes in my crock pot while I worked. It turned out grand.

Anyways.....back to the Christmas tree. (I need a new tree. This one is being held together in several places with embroidery thread. Hopefully we can get one after Christmas, when they all go on sale...)

After working 3 consecutive days this week, Camia and I stayed home today. We headed for a walk first thing in the morning to take advantage of the briskness of the winter air, as well as the few flakes that flirted with our eyelashes while we walked. We came home, had lunch, and got straight to work on the tree. Well, that's what I like to think what happened anyways. We had a terribly lazy afternoon. And instead of doing things I really should have been doing, like cleaning up the kitchen, preparing for the meal I get to deliver on Monday, vacuuming, and just general tidying, I took the day 'off' and set up my tree. I think I started working on the tree by around 3 or so, after my snowmen were done. And after her sudden nap on the spare room floor, Camia was eager to help me decorate.

While I loved this, and found it very special, her idea of decorating is slightly different than mine. After she put an ornament on the tree, she was not allowed to touch it. When she wasn't looking - or so I thought - I tried to put a little separation between her ornaments. Camia took my hand, looked at me and said 'Mommy, don't touch! Don't touch the tree!' It makes me smile.

My snowmen. (yes, the clock is wrong. It doesn't have a battery in it yet)

While Camia napped, I took advantage of the lack of little feet following me outside in the cold and decided to tidy up our patio before the snow came. I cleaned up the toys and swept up the plethora of leaves that were scattered over our teeny back yard. They now lay in a pile because I truly did not really believe that it would snow this weekend. The forecaster's have been wrong before!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Escape-ee

Today while playing with Mackenzie, Camia learned how to get out of her crib. She had already a couple weeks ago managed to get inside it, and now has figured out how to get out of it. This afternoon she climbed into her crib after I had told her a million times to stay out of it since she jumps and just plain 'it's not a jungle gym'. So, while she was whining at me to get out I thought I would teach her a lesson and told her that she had to stay in because she wasn't listening to me. Well, I supposed she decided that she would teach ME a lesson and not 10 seconds later she was chasing Mackenzie down the hall. I suppose that this means that the mornings I want to slack off a bit before getting out of bed are now a thing of the past. Maybe if I cross my fingers tight enough she will not be able to do it again for a while.

Hockey

On Friday evening we went to go watch Dawson play hockey. Since the game interfered with Camia's bed time, something we hold pretty consistent since she gets way to hyper, loud and squirmy if she's over tired, I was a bit hesitant to go. If Camia was going to be all of the above, I really didn't want to be chasing her and listening to her while I knew that she could be in bed sleeping. I was pleasantly surprised at how well she did. She ran around with Mackenzie, constantly asked where Dawson was and even made friends with the opposing team.

This little girl is just around a half year or so older than Camia and they spent a great deal of time chasing each other around and sharing candy. Well, since Camia didn't have any, the little girl shared with her. The sharing ended kind of funny in that the girl gave her candy to her older sister to hide from Camia since Camia kept asking for more. Sometimes I had to double look at the girls because I kept getting them mixed up since they were both wearing brown jackets and they both have blonde hair. From the back, there was not much difference in the girls other than Camia being about half a head shorter than the other girl. It was cute to watch. That being said, we still need to have a talk about be-friending the other team. (just kidding) When she wasn't running, chasing, being chased, asking for candy or cheering from the bleachers, she was trying to peek over the wall to see Dawson.

I didn't get any great photo's of Dawson's game, so here are a few of the best. I am not sure if they scored a goal here:

And here is Dawson. From the back. It was hard to get him from the front.

A close up of my girl:

And Camia was so excited to see Dawson that she asked to see him again on Saturday. All day. I hope he is as ok with playing with her as she is ok with playing with him. Her latest? 'Mommy, I want to go to school with Dawson.' Ryan and I figure that by the time she gets of school age, Dawson will be 14, which will put him in grade 8 or 9. So I doubt they will ever be going to school together. Right now we just tell her later. Because then she won't ask again until tomorrow.

A New Friend

Camia has a new friend. He has a very little brain and is stuffed with fluff. He can spell 'suspect', knows what 'deception' means but doesn't know his own reflection when he sees it. He has adventures, his best friend is a pig and he loves to eat 'hunny'. Meet her new friend,

Winnie the Pooh. If allowed, she can watch a Pooh DVD I received as a gift during my pooh addiction years (It's a good thing I saved it. It sure comes in handy these days) all day. Over and over again. My mom and sister bought the big Pooh Bear this weekend for her, and now she carries it with her everywhere. Our rules for it are that for the night it has to sit on her shelf and when we go out, it has to stay home. She also has a little Pooh that Ryan and I bought her and that one sleeps with her and goes with her almost everywhere. Our rules for that one are that if we go out, it stays in the car and it can't come to church. She now shares her bed with the little Pooh, a stuffed dog my mom bought her at the PNE, a teddy bear that I had bought for decor for her room when she was born and of course uh-oh. The dog and teddy bear have to stay in her bed. At all times. I almost get a head ache thinking about having to look for anything else other than uh-oh, whom she still loves the most dearest of all her stuffies.

A Mess?? I think Not!

If giving Camia a pair of scissors didn't keep her occupied for longer than 5 minutes at a time, I might think of pulling my hair out at this point. For 45 minutes to 1 hour of time to clean, sew or do whatever, this is not a mess. It's art.Until I have to clean it up. At least it doesn't take that long to clean up. 45 - 60 minutes of peace for 5 minutes of clean up is a trade I'm glad to make.

Snip Snip

The other day while cutting fabric and thread, Camia discovered the scissors and what they could do. Since her using my sewing scissors to cut paper can make them dull, I pulled out the kid scissors I had purchased from Value Village a while back. I am sure she sat on the floor for almost an hour cutting up paper while I cut fabric and sewed.

Total bliss! She was quiet. She was playing. And so I played too. When I went downstairs to make dinner, however, I learned a valuable lesson in 'Children with Scissors 101'. It was quiet. I could make dinner without having Camia at my feet and in my hair. The lesson? Don't leave children with scissors unattended. Ever. This is what happens if you do. At least it was one of her books and not mine.

For this situation, I felt it unnecessary to discipline as I hold myself completely responsible. After all, if I had not left her alone with the scissors, this books pages would still be whole. I simply stated that this was not to be done and that she was to cut up paper that only mommy and daddy gave her. Seeing that (I am proud to say) she is usually such a fabulous listener and generally has to be told only once (not always, but she is pretty good in this area), we'll see how long this will last before the next book falls prey to her exploring fingers.

Pencil Case Take Two...

Since the first pencil case didn't work like I had imagined or like the blog said, I decided to go with 2 different styles that I had already become familiar with.

So much for fancy smancy. I used a basic zippered pouch idea and squared up the bottom, which now I'm thinking I should have just left alone. I suppose that as long as it serves its purpose, then that's all what counts, right? Not. The cuteness factor is high up on my list of 'musts' when I sew something. Detail, detail, detail. So, instead of quilting boring straight lines like usual, I decided to try stippling. I need to practice since I want to do this on Camia's new quilt, and I found out that it is not as easy as it looks. All those videos on You Tube make it look so easy. So, I figured that with practice, practice, practice, I could think of it as being that easy too. One day. It was fun, and so much easier than trying to go in a straight line.

I intend to stipple a few other small projects before I tackle my big quilt just to get some more practice.