Youngcrowd journal

Sewing, my other love.

2012-02-17T17:00:52Z

The last couple years I have really gotten into sewing - sewing for myself too.

Yes, I proudly wear homemade things all the time. There is never enough time

for me to make all the things that I want, but I wanted to share a few things I've

made that I actually wear. That's the other problem, the wearability. I have made

so many things that just didn't quite turn out how I expected, or the fit was a bit

off or it just made me look fat. ( that happens alot)

So here we have cream tank with lace front . I made this probably 3 years ago and

still wear it often, it is by far my favorite homemade piece. The skirt is a simple border

print that I got in Philly years ago and the waistband is some cool brown striped elastic

I got at Zinc's in Berlin, Oh when i was home last year. Elastic waist skirts are so easy!

The skirt is actually a really pretty shade of peach/pink - I know the photo looks kinda orangey. Hmmm,

you'd think a photographer could figure out how to get around that. Well, the house was a wreck and

the only place i could find to take the pics was in front of the window which made the color wacky. That's

my excuse.

I also made this dress for Stasia out of a dress I found at the GW bins. The top of the original dress

was the black knit which I made into the color and cuffs. The pattern was vintage - got it at a auction,

I think. Very easy dress.

Ben and Melissa

2012-02-10T17:00:51Z

My little cousin all grown up.

Most adorable couple ever.

And super funny.

Pillow time

2012-02-03T17:00:42Z

It's no secret that sewing/crafting/repurposing is something that makes me happy. Really happy.

That and Beach Boys. Repurposing especially gets me going - maybe it's just the thriftiness in

me, but I just feel so accomplished when I can take some old thing that i found at GW and make

something cool out of it. Soooooo, here are my pillow projects -

The yellow round and the square swirly needlepoint pillow were GW scores for $.50. The floral embroidered

pillow was Rich's grandma's. The back was stained and the stuffing was shot. I just got a new pillow insert

and made a new back for it out of cream linen. The map pillow was a placemat?? or linen of some kind that I

found at GW. Maps and traveling are #1 with me, plus the colors are so awesome, I thought it would make a

really cool pillow. I had to special order the pillow insert since it was a custom size, but it was worth it to me.

I made the back out of the same linen fabric and made the piping out of some fabric I had on hand. The backs

of both pillows are made in the envelope style, so I can take the covers off to wash them. (must in my house)

Here's Martha's instructions on this

For once my project turned out just as good or better than I expected! That is a rare circumstance.

Hope you all like!

Garrett and Rachel

2012-01-27T17:01:00Z

Totally rockin couple.

Wedding protraits taken around town (yes, please!)

Most relaxed reception ever. (with to die for pork bbq!)

January

2012-01-20T17:01:03Z

Trying to live and do normal things with this child is an adventure.

My kids are totally into the Beach Boys just like me - I am proud.

Trying to start the habit of putting everything away as soon as I'm done with it.

(as I type that, Gabriel is beside me saying Heh, heh, good one mom.)

Started only allowing myself to eat breakfast in the morning if I read my Bible at the same time. I figure if I have 5

minutes to put food in my mouth I can read a Bible verse too.

There is dryall dust all over the hallway stairs and I am thrilled about it - Every night when

they go home I go downstairs and just look around and smile. It is so fun to have someone

else working on our house too.

Lucian LOVES his big brother, he attacks him (literally) as soon as he gets home from school. I love it.

The kids are also REALLY into Tintin books. Their dad loves it.

Justine and Adam

2012-01-13T23:32:27Z

Fun-loving bride.

Super-sweet groom.

The recipe for a lovely wedding.

Chincoteague

2011-11-11T18:04:48Z

So our annual beach trip has turned out to be Chincoteague, Va. We just like it best. Small town,

no boardwalk, but lots of character and good times.

This year we flaked on camping again - little kiddos, sand all over the tent floor, cooking - Nah.

We booked the cheapest hotel we could find which was sort of like luxury camping - bed to sleep

on, shower, musty smell. Location was great - we are totally going there again.

In the evening we got the kids McDonalds to eat at the outside picnic tables at the hotel and then

walked across the street to get seafood from Captain Zacks. Yum!

We took the big surrey bike around town a bit and then traded it in for bikes that actually could go

faster. We had big dreams of all the fun biking we could do, but alas our kids are not big bikers and

the mosquitos were horrendous. Mom and Dad were very irritated at the very wussy kids, but after

Gabes declaring that he wished we would've never come here ( slightly dramatic kid), we decided

that we might as well just hit the beach again. Goodbye to the dreams of backpacking and biking

trips as a family. Totally not their thing.

Ending the day with fabulous icecream from The Island Creamery and hitting the road for home.

Our beach trip is usually short but very sweet.

One small space

2011-11-07T02:32:56Z

We've lived here in our "new/old" house for about 1.5 years now. Well sorta living in about 1/6th of the

house. I feel almost like we will soon just explode out of this apartment if we don't get more space soon.

This whole time I have been thinking about decor - wishing, longing to do things how I really want them.

Alas - when you cram 6 bodies in a space big enough for 3 there is very little room for decor among all

the things that are needed to live. Like a couch - I dream of the day when we can snuggle on the couch

and watch a movie. or just take a nap. or just be in a room by yourself for longer than 5 minutes. Things

keep piling up in the basement - goodwill treasures, chairs we don't have space for, multitudes of picture

frames.I cannot wait to use all those things, to spread out and be creative.

The one spot in my apartment that I do love now. Top of the kids bookcase - vintage style radio

picked up at a yardsale, pitcher of paper pinwheels and a circle poster framed in a goodwill frame.

Hopefully moving into our for real bedroom with big walk in closet and MORE SPACE by Christmas.

Fingers crossed.

Favorite things

2011-10-26T16:00:10Z

I've started to collect old china plates wherever I find ones I like - no more boring

plates at mealtime. We now have plates that are pretty and have character. The eight year old

LOVES it! And if they get dropped and broken, no worries, you can always find some more at

Goodwill.

Another thing I collect and use often are these colorful serving bowls. I can't wait to see them stacked

nicely on my open shelves in the "new kitchen". You know the one I talk alot about, but it never really

materializes. One day it will - I hope soon.

More favorites later...

Phil and Kristina

2011-10-21T16:00:12Z

Highschool sweethearts.

Best friends.

Totally in love.