CHRISTEPHI

Technology has been advancing at a fantastic rate. My dad likes to tell about how he and his brothers were convinced there'd by flying cars by the time they were adults. He jokes that he's been gypped and he wants his flying car! Those little stories our parents and grandparents tell say a lot about them and their lives.  They're familiar and fun to hear.  I can just picture my dad, a freckled red-headed boy with his nose deep in a Tom Swift novel dreaming of flying cars.  There are other stories told in our families too, important stories about how we became who we are.  And with the Saving Memories Forever app , these stories can be recorded in the storyteller's own voice. Saving Memories Forever is the brainchild of Jane and Harvey Baker who, after putting together a complete tree of their family, discovered there was a void that could not be filled by a mere knowledge of who married whom and who was the child of whom.  They had no sense of who their

This week was probably our funnest week yet!  We learned about Paul Revere (and made a tricorn hat!), made a quill pen and berry ink, and took school outside for some nature sketching. Little Guy being tough enough to fight the British in his tricorn hat. We learned that Jesus is the Living Water and added to our Jesus bulletin board. We had a couple gorgeous days before the rain and gloom set in, so Miss M took her book basket outside. We learned about the Declaration of Independence this week, so we made a quill pen and some ink from black berries.  To make the ink, you take a half cup of berries (we used frozen blackberries, thawed) and mash them thoroughly.  Then pour it through a strainer discarding the pulp and seeds and retaining the juice.  Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Whatever isn't used must be stored in a tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator. Smashing berries for ink. I watched a couple videos on

Last weekend I was busy getting all ready for Kids Clothes Week and didn't get my week-in-review post up!  I figure I better get it posted before I get any further behind. Little Guy has been "doing school" with Ooka Island (review coming soon!) and is learning to read!  He has collected five books in the game and is so proud of his achievements! This is the Path to Reading that documents Little Guy's progress on Ooka Island. I think Little Guy feels a little left out since he doesn't know how to read yet (he's only 3!).  He sees how much fun his big sister has reading and he wants to join in the fun! Reading about the seasons upside-down. Most days, book basket time goes something like this with Miss M getting lost in a book for at least 15 minutes. Tuesday my mom came, so we made Tuesday our Friday and just did math, reading, and our nature walk.  Nana brought her rigid heddle table loom and showed us all how to weave a placema

It was dark and rainy all day today.  Great weather for sewing…not so good for taking pictures though!  You can see the shorts I made Miss M yesterday in action here.  She complained about them being too poofy, but she did say they're comfortable. I hope she'll wear them…she's a tough one to please! Today I made the "Seesaw" ruffle sleeve top from Ottobre 3/2012 (#17, size 110).  Miss M doesn't like the length.  She feels like it's too short and constantly pulling it down.  It actually does fit her well, but I'll probably make it a bit longer next time to suit her. I didn't bother finishing the flutter sleeve edges.  I just left them raw.  I also didn't use clear elastic for the gathering of the fluttery bits…just regular old basting stitches.  I've never had very good luck with clear elastic for anything other than stabilizing a shoulder seam. And here's a modeled shot of Little Guy's striped tank top.  Aaaand…I ju

Last night after I saw how cute the mesh tank top turned out, I went ahead and cut out another tank from the same striped jersey I used for my maxi dress . It's the same pattern as the mesh tank top (Ottobre 1/2013 #15).  I cut the back as one piece instead of having it yoked. I also cut the lower edge straight along a stripe instead of curved.  The neck and armholes are self-bound. Today I made a pair of banded shorts for Miss M.  The original pattern has ruffles on the bum, but I was afraid that would be too babyish for Miss M, so I left them off.  The band is fully interfaced quilting cotton and the main fabric is a lightweight twill with tiny white polka dots. The pattern is Ottobre 3/2008 #3 in size 110. I couldn't get actual modeled shots today and tomorrow is supposed to be stormy, so no promises on getting any soon. My plan tomorrow is to sew a little flutter sleeve top for Miss M and maybe a pair of sweat shorts for Little Guy.

While this shirt is neither very springy nor very practical (save for the hottest of hot days in summer), it is a big hit with Little Guy! The pattern is the "Victor" mesh tank top from Ottobre 1/2013 #15 (in size 98).  I have another cut out from more practical material, but I really had fun making this one out of mesh fabric from JoAnn and a scrap from an old t-shirt for the yellow bit.  The ribbing is also from JoAnn. Little Guy thinks it makes him look tough…wouldn't you agree? He's too much of a sweetheart to look tough for long though!  I love his little compact bod! :-) Tomorrow's project…a pair of shorts for Miss M!

KCW Day 2 arrived amid "a wintery mix" coming down all day.  It's dreary and bitter cold outside…perfect for staying in and sewing! I've had this gingham interlock knit since I was in college. I never got around to the project I bought it for.  It's nice to finally put it to use and get it out of my stash!  I took the tank top pattern in Ottobre 1/2013 (#2) and lengthened it to about 28" from the shoulder.  Next time, I'll draft the A-line from just under the armpit instead of halfway down the body since it's not quite as loose as I'd like.  On the other hand, as an actual tank, I think this pattern has a very nice fit! Miss M loves her new nighty!  I love how simple it was to put together. Miss M modeling her new nightgown with Sackgirl! Tomorrow's project…a mesh tank top for Little Guy!

I love languages! In college, I majored in Linguistics, which I found completely fascinating.  I took courses in several languages including Spanish, Russian and Mandarin Chinese.  Sadly, I've never become fluent -- or even conversational -- in any language other than my native English.  There are so many advantages to being ability to speak a foreign language both personally and professionally.  I want that for my children.  But it can be intimidating!  How do I teach what I myself haven't mastered?  The right curriculum can remove much of that intimidation. www.spanish-for-you.net When I first opened the  Spanish for You!  book, I was impressed!  Here was an affordable year-long Spanish language program that can be used for a range of ages at the same time.  It presents material to students in a spiraling fashion so that regardless of a student's prior experience with Spanish they'll be able to add to their existing knowledge.  This allows for groups of st

Kids Clothes Week is here!  I started the week with my plan made and my patterns traced.  Today I spent about an hour and a half cutting out these four garments (while watching Bones on Netflix). I'd like to add in a pair of shorts or pants for Little Guy, but I haven't picked out a pattern or fabric yet…and may not have the time to execute it anyway.

I made myself a dress!  And it only took one day from drafting to completion. It's so comfortable! And I love the way the neck and shoulders give a lot of coverage, both for modesty and for protection from the sun. I got the fabric at JoAnn.  It has narrow metallic silver stripes between the navy and red. I'm tempted to make 6 more of these and live in them all summer long!  (Wait, did I just say summer?  We don't even have spring warmth here yet!)