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Ah, Pinterest, I love you so.

Are you a "Pinner"?  If so, check out my boards:  http://pinterest.com/jennifers/

If not, hit me up for an invite.  :)

Change Update & More

Well, our first month of change is over, and I'll admit that I'm bummed- we weren't able to fully succeed at it, but we did give it a valiant effort!

I tried hard to sew those diapers!

I did manage to get one almost completed, but somehow, with a one year old and an almost 4 month old to take care of during the day, I just couldn't carve out enough time to "get 'er done"as Pete would say.

And so, we did have to buy more disposable diapers towards the end of the month.

Oh well. I'm not going to allow myself to feel bad about it, because our "heart" is in the right place. We are trying, and we will continue to try!

I did discover a few things in the sewing process though-

1. I can sew if I put my mind to it!

2. I like cloth diapers MUCH better than disposables (I think I already knew this, it's just that I reaffirmed that to myself during this challenge.).

3. I don't really care for the way the Little Comet Tails diapers are supposed to go together. I'm tweaking the pattern to my liking as I go along. Which brings me to...

4. I'm seriously thinking, as I do get the time to sew, that other people might be interested in buying my version of a cloth diaper. I'm pondering on how to find the time to sew more and thinking about possibly trying to sell some (if I ever get enough finished to have a supply!). And,

5. I am not a fan of snaps on cloth diapers. I'm a velcro girl. I'll openly admit it.

I did the numbers, and it will be cheaper for me to make our diapers in the long run, rather than buying them. I love shopping for the fabric and notions, and I can't wait to (find the time to) post pictures! :)


I am coming along, slowly but surely, on the Five a Day Clutter Challenge too. I'm slowly weeding out clutter and junk (I even discovered that I have 6 extra shelves of storage space now!!!), getting rid of it, and organizing what's left behind.

I'm not stopping at just 30 days though- I'm going until all of the rooms in this house have a place for everything in them, and our home feels comfortable and relaxing instead of cluttered and chaotic!

I've written down a daily routine, for each day of the week, that I hope will help me find the time to do things like sew and sort. I really hope I can get the baby to work with me on it too! ;)

And, on a side note, I'm feeling much better these days (though it will be such a relief when winter starts to end and we can get outside again every day!). I've been taking St. John's Wort at each meal, and I've noticed that I'm definitely calmer through my days, and my mood is generally better. I'm hoping if I can stick to my new routine that I'll start to feel more rested and have more energy through the day too.

On a second side note, we had Regan's 3 month pictures done last weekend, and I can't wait to see them! Hopefully we'll get them in time to send out Valentines! :D

Here's a neat video on how fast it all goes once you're a parent- I'm already beginning to see it start to happen, and it's good, but a little bittersweet. :)

How are you doing on keeping your New Year's Resolutions?

WIP Wednesday: Our/ the Baby's Bedroom,... and I'm Crazy

"Work in Progress" Wednesday applies to any work in progress, right?

I thought as much!

;)

So, since I feel like we've been running around like chickens with no heads since last week's WIP, my WIP for this week is our/ the baby's room!

We have made great progress, actually.
(Well, considering my energy level has plummeted since the 8th month started, and since most of what was accumulating in said room needed a great deal of sorting through, and since we had to first organize the basement enough to get said "stuff" moved down there...)

So, here are the latest update pics- we're hoping that tonight, after bible study, we'll be able to get the huge, fire-proof filing cabinet and the bed moved out, as well as finish getting the rest of the small "stuff" (that has been breeding and multiplying in the depths of said room's closet!!!) put away (or thrown away- whichever works!).

So, without further ado, here 'tis:

And, "Where," you may ask, "did the 'office' that previously occupied this room go?"

Well, to the basement, of course!

(What, not everyone has a basement office?!)

While my flame sputtered and died (died cold, I might add) at 11 pm last night, hubby's was still going strong.

And what did the wonderful man go and do?

Moved all of the office furniture (desks, chairs, etc.), plus computer and all 4 Rubbermaid totes of misc. office "stuff" to the basement, and proceeded to put it all together into a very nicely workable space!!!

Behold!...
(Just please pardon the vacuums and cluttered couch- we're working on it people!)

All by his 'lil 'ol self!

*Sigh!... Oh what a wonderful, wonderful man!

:D

It certainly was a welcome surprise to wake up to a kitchen that didn't hold any Rubbermaids ready to explode with "stuff" this morning.

I was giddy, I tell you, purely giddy.

;)

And, in further developments, yes, I am a crazy person.

Certifiably.

Why?
(Ha! As if those of you who know me well actually asked why- you just grinned and agreed right along with me, I know you did!!!)

Well, because my brain is going a million miles an hour with WIPs to come- WIPs that I'm sure I'll not get to (maybe, with luck, I'll get to a few of them?) until well into this time next year.

Like various knitting projects, for example.

With the weather getting cooler, convention coming, and FALL beginning to stir in the air my knitting "itch" is starting again.

Sadly, the knitting pretty much got dumped into the yarn trunk over the summer (and spring?).

I just wasn't in the mood- or was far too nauseous to focus on it.

But now, I'm feeling the urge begin to stir- like some of these mamas.

My problem is that, at the moment, I have no time.

I have the desire, to knit, to sew, to blog, to get a start on handmade Christmas gifts, to... to... do lots of stuff!

But no time.

I actually caught myself thinking, "Well, that's okay, I'll have six weeks off after the baby's born..."

HA!
(It's okay, you can laugh at me too.)

I'm not really crazy, I know those six weeks will fly by in no time- and that I probably won't get a single thing accomplished during that time other than learn to nurse and "mother" my baby.

But, (sigh) you can't blame a girl for the desire, right?

Anyway, here's some of what's on my "To Read/ Do" list:




As well as the handmade Christmas presents I have in mind from this site, and this site.

And this project.

And, on a sort of unrelated note, may I just say that I love DwellStudio's baby stuff.

I wish Target had more, more, more of it!!!

WIP Wednesday: More Napkins, and Wipes

The napkin project continues.

It hasn't been completed yet- but I'm getting there. I guess that's why they call it "Work In Progress", right?

Truth is, I've been busy with other things- like getting a start (finally!!!) on our bedroom remodel project, freezing the abundance of tomatoes from the garden (oh dear- once again we've planted waaay too much- soon it'll be the squash, zucchini, cukes, and who knows what else!), and just plain trying to "keep up" with daily life in general- who knew the end of pregnancy could be so t i r i n g?

:)

Anyway, here are the first set of napkins that I did get finished.

My daycare boys will appreciate the vehicle theme we've got going on here.
(A lot of trains, planes, trucks, etc. make their way through this house every week.)


I also decided to take the extra wipes pieces I had left over from the sets we're getting made for the shop and sew them up.

I'll either keep them for Regan, or we'll send them out to our tester mamas who might be interested.
(If you are interested in trying them out- or any of the other products we'll be featuring- let me know in the comments!)

So, here they are.

Not quite done yet either, but, hey- I'm worn out these days!

;)

Project Updates

Updates from my first WIP Wednesday project! :)

I've currently gotten the kids' napkins pieced together (sewn on three sides and then tucked and pinned on the fourth side) and ready to be top-stitched. Yay me! :)


Tonight I was also able to spend an hour or so getting 9 sets (sets of 6) of cloth wipes cut out and pieced together, ready to be sewn and added to the shop. It may take us a week or two to get them listed (life is busy these days), but I think they're turning out incredibly cute! :)

Next, on to some "girly" prints! :)

WIP Wednesday: Children's Cloth Napkins

Today began a project of necessity.

We ran out of napkins.

In fact, we (Pete, the daycare kids, and I) had been using "Happy Birthday" napkins for quite some time because I, in all my baby-brainedness always forget some important item that should be added to the grocery list.

Like napkins. An item I've been forgetting to buy on a regular basis these days.

Pete and I often use cloth napkins anyway (they're easy to wash, and there always seems to be a load of laundry going in anyway- and I somehow feel a little guilty going through so many paper ones, just to throw them out all the time), but the adult sized napkins are too much for little hands to handle.

Trust me- we've tried it, and end up with them going in and through the food, as well as across the faces and hands. More of a mess than we began with! :)

"So", I thought to myself, "I'll just cut some out today while the kids are napping, and stitch them together real quick sometime later tonight."

And, sure enough, I found just the thing in the bags and bags of shared "stash" fabric from my mom (and business partner).

Since most of my little ones right now are boys, I grabbed some of the trains, cars/trucks/vehicles, and zoo animal prints, my trusty quilter's square, and slick little rotary cutter.

Voila!

8 1/2 in. by 8 1/2 in. squares of cotton fabric ready to be matched together and sewn.

My very first Work In Progress (WIP) Wednesday! :)

Look for them (and cloth wipes!!!) soon in the shop!

Distracted

Oh, thank goodness for Fridays. :)

They're my favorite day of the week really. The end of the work-week, with two days of non-work (at least, ideally) ahead of me.

I have to admit, as much as I love the little ones I teach and care for (and I do!), I am feeling very relieved to see the end of Friday this week.

I've been so distracted with our life this week, that I feel sort of torn in two directions- caring for our home/preparing for baby/taking care of the "Murphy's Law" situations/trying to keep up on the housework as my energy level starts to fade, and caring for/teaching/really being here and present for the kids I care for.

I feel, in a word, DISTRACTED.

I'm not sure if it's nesting, hormones, or what, but my mind goes 90 miles an hour while my now third trimester belly, body, and poor swollen feet seem to only be able to go about 45. :)
Plus, my mind seems like it's going in a million different directions- I get all these ideas for things I want to do/get done, and I just can't keep up.

For example, last night- as I was waiting for my pictures to be developed- roaming the Wal-Mart aisles, I found myself in the baby section (DANGEROUS!!!).

As I looked at the bedding and blankets I remembered one of my favorite baby gifts we've been given so far- homemade cloth wipes. They are so cute! I decided to buy what I needed to make some too- I had originally planned on using baby washcloths sewn together (which would work just fine too), but the washcloths I bought are not, shall we say, "cute". So, yet another idea was "born" that we'll see if I'll be able to accomplish.

Anyway, I am glad it's Friday today, and that the weekend is fast approaching.

I need some time to focus a little closer to "home". :)

Vacation Time!

Well, we are headed out for almost a week of vacation today! We'll be surrounded by family, the Lake of the Ozarks, and (hopefully!) peace and ease.

So, of course, what better time to "catch up" on some of those things that I've been wanting to do, but just haven't found time for?

I made a pit-stop in the supply-buying madness yesterday, at Barnes and Noble to pick up some good reading material for our time at the lake.

Here's what I got:

Pete and I are (a little belatedly, I might add!) now into the "preparing for birth" stage, and this book is amazing! I'm half-way through a friend's copy, and liking it so much that I knew I had to buy my own.



This book has so many great, cute projects that are "adjustable" depending on the fabrics you choose. I love it! Not only is it giving me great inspiration for the Shop, but the projects look simple enough that I just may be able to have some of them ready for Babykins when she arrives. :)

And this book is one I've been wanting for a long, long time. The little Miss will be born sometime in October (you know, give or take those two weeks on either side of the due date) ;) , and I think a Pumpkin Hat is required.

Hopefully I can get that on the needles soon- then maybe I can join the ranks of the W.I.P. women! (We'll see how those grand plans go.)



So, that's the extent of my "me" purchases for the vacation. And, really, are they actually "selfish" purchases if my child(ren) will be getting the benefits from them? ;)

We'll be back on Sunday night, and I'm hoping to post pictures from our travels soon after.

Happy Week to You!

(Now, back to the packing...)

Testers Needed

Hi there!

Well, as I've mentioned before, my mom and I are creating our own little Etsy shop called, Mama & Nonni Handmades. We'll be creating and selling items mainly for mamas and their babies and young children. Most of these items will be made from cloth- some might eventually also be knitted. We're starting off with bibs in size small (young infants- 0-6months old), medium (older infants- 6-12months old), and large (toddlers 1-3years old). We'll also have cloth building blocks (very very cute, if I say so myself!), children's placemats, and children's napkins.

This is only the beginning! We have plans for lots more items to come over the year- such as handmade ring-style slings, a cloth diapering friendly diaper bag, cloth wipes, cloth "Robeez" style booties for babies and toddlers, and much more.

So, that brings me to my point (and I do have one) ;) -
We need some product testers!

We are looking for mamas and their babies or toddlers that would like to receive some of our products for free. All we ask in return is that you use them frequently so you can give us feedback on them. How can we make them better? What part of the product does or doesn't work for you or your children? What types of color combinations or fabrics would you like to see them in? Etc, etc. We've already got two mamas on board, but a few more would be great! We're working on creating a feedback form for you to fill out with your comments and recommendations. Once that's done, the mamas who've signed up to be our testers will have our products and some feedback forms mailed to them. Easy-peasy!

Email me, or leave me a comment if you'd be interested in being a tester.

And have a great day!

Knitting Fever

Nikki and I had our very first knitting class on Saturday, and I have to say, I think I'm hooked!

We're starting off with a "Booga Bag".

(heehee, "Booga, Booga!"- I love saying that.)

I chose red yarn and a gray yarn with multi colored flecks, lots of them a matching red, in it.

We bought our needles and yarn- yikes! I thought when the lady said "$10.00" that meant per class, for a total of $30.00 for the entire class and project.

But, I was mistaken. The needles, metal circular ones that are really nice for beginners, apparently, and are great at holding the yarn in place, were around $22.00, the yarn (4 skeins) was around $30.00, and the class itself was $10.00. For a grand total of $62.00.

Ouch.

But, now our supplies have been purchased, so I'm guessing it will only be $10.00 each time for our next two classes. Still, it would have been nice if that had been mentioned somewhere on the website. Oh well!

It was a lot of fun, and I'm picking up on it a lot faster than I expected!
(Yay, me!)

Here's my class project as of now (sorry for the poor picture quality, the flash was just not agreeing with the yarn- waaay too glary), still on the needles because I don't know how to "cast off" yet. This will be the bottom of my Booga Bag.
(hehe, "Booga, Booga!!!")

Saturday, my first day of knitting EVER!, I made plenty of mistakes.

It's hard to see, but holding up the section I knit you can see several holes on the bottom portion. Oops. :D

I went just a little too far (put in a couple rows too many I think), so I'll need Susan (the Yarn Lady) to show me how to fix that. Since I have to wait until Saturday again to learn more, I decided to practice what I already know, just so I don't lose it all. I might be knitting just a bit too much though, because I find myself playing the stitch over and over in my mind. It's like mental knitting! :D



Here's what I'm working on as a practice piece. Can you guess what it is? :D

My stitches are looking much better now. Yay!

Plus, a sneek peak at something for the holidays! Shhh! Don't tell! :D

And, since I got to see my bestest buddy this weekend for a wedding, she gave me some new reading material. "The Friday Night Knitting Club"- she thought it was fitting, as I've just discovered a new passion. I haven't cracked it open yet (too busy knitting, you know), but it looks like it'll be a good one!

Happy Monday!

Yay, For Handmade!

(Deep Breath!)

I have taken a pledge!

I am now committed.

(whew...)

What, you may ask, am I pledging my undying loyalty to? (Well, okay, "undying" might be overreaching just a bit.)

I am pledging (until the end of the year at least) to only give handmade items as gifts. Items I buy for gifting purposes will be handmade, or I will make my self.

Oh boy. Can I do it? I don't know.

I hope so.

(I kind of have to now, right? I mean I "pledged" and all, right here in front of y'all in cyber space! Ugh- what have I gotten myself into?! Oh dear.)

Anyway, I've been seeing the cute little "Handmade" icon (now posted to the left of the screen)
on more than one site lately, so I thought I'd see what all the fuss was about.

Basically, the general idea is to pledge, per holiday season, to only give holiday gifts that are handmade. WELL, since we don't exactly throw ourselves whole hog into the gift-giving bit of the holidays around here, I thought I'd tweak my personal pledge just a bit.

For the holidays we do generally give a small gift to those in our immediate families and those we're closest with, so I thought, "Hey, why not?" I can't exactly afford to BUY handmade right now, but I sure could make it by hand myself! (Much, much easier on the budget.)

This is something I've been wanting to learn anyway- how to "do it myself", so why not now, right?

I'd like to carry this little idea into next year with me too (if it goes well!). It sure would be easier to afford, making gifts rather than buying them. Not that I have that many gift-giving occasions coming up in the immediate future- it's the principle of the thing! :D

So, fair warning to you all! If you know me, and there are occasions in which I may give you a gift coming up, either in the near future or next year, be warned!
(And I promise, I'll do my best to tell you from the beginning what "it" is, just so you don't have to ask! Statements of, "Oh, how nice! What is it?" might hurt my feelings.) ;)

Attention Skirt Fans!!!

So, if you're like me, and you're always on the lookout for skirts, but never quite seeming to find them longer than SUPER SHORT, check out this cool tutorial!

My mom has made a few of these for my sister and I in the past, and I love 'em! In fact there was a time when Sarah and I scoured Goodwill for jeans that would fit 'round the middle (and of a color we liked, of course) just for the purpose of making these skirts (remember that Sarah Sue?).

Happy "skirting"! :D

Things I Want to Learn...

How to Dance...

To Sew My Own Things...

To Knit My Own Things...

To Ice Skate...

To Make Baby Toys...

How to Make This Apron.


I'm sure there's much, much more, but- my goodness!- for now that's enough. :D

Project Linus

Lately I've been looking for hobbies to keep my hands busy. I want to create something though, so my time spent on those hobbies is not time wasted.

I remember hearing about Project Linus (www.projectlinus.org) quite some time ago and thinking, "What a great idea!", but sadly I forgot all about it until I found it again just recently.

I chose childcare as my profession because I wanted to make the world, my little corner of it, just a little bit better place by making sure that the children in my care were loved. Right now life is moving slowly for me- almost no childcare-ing to be done, and lots and lots of time on my hands.

So, I thought I'd give it a go. Security is highly under appreciated, in my opinion, especially for children. So, if I can help, even just a tiny bit, I think it will feel pretty good.

I haven't been at it long, but already I'm learning that to create something by hand has a peaceful quality to it. I like it. And I hope to do it a lot more in the future.

We shall see what I end up with!