Sewing With Friends

Last week I had a Skype call with a friend and we did some sewing together.  It was fun!  She wanted to make a maxi skirt together.  It was a new experience for me since I've always used an old skirt as a pattern.  We took our measurements and cut out the form, sewed it up AND....they were too big.  Funny.  I'm glad they were too big.  Better than too small. 

After our sewing date, I took it apart and sewed up the seems to make it a bit smaller, only to realize I sewed the waist band on backwards and had to do it again.  Now it's done and I wore it to church today.  I paired it with a scarf that I also made from some of the material from the Salvation Army.  I couldn't decide if I was going to keep it or sell it on the Etsy shop, but it went so well with my skirt I decided I better keep it.  

Ta da!

It's made from a heavier cotton jersey, so it's perfect for winter.

(Don't mind the wrinkles.  I was sitting on the couch eating pizza before I took these pictures.)

My scarf is an infinity scarf.  I made it long enough so it can be worn in different ways. On those extra cold days I can even wrap it around my neck three times.

I'm kind of proud of how it turned out.  

Thanks for the sewing date friend!

Coconut Oil Update

Some time ago I wrote about introducing coconut oil into my life.  The first thing I did was try it in my hair.  I did it for about a week.  Every other day I would slather my hair with it and then attempt to work out.  It smelled great and reminded me of summer vacation.  I think it did make my hair a little bit softer.  However, it was kind of annoying while I worked out.  My hair wouldn't stay up and kept sliding out of my hair holder.  I eventually gave up.  

The next adventure was using it as a moisturizer on my face.  I was a bit scared to try this one.  But I have a cousin who swears by it and says it helped clear up her face.  I'm have acne prone skin, so I was ready to see the results.  After about a month my face was worse.  I stopped that immediately. 

The last experiment I did was to make my own deodorant.  I'm not a health freak.  I have made fun of people who make their own deodorant.  Who has time for that?  But I was becoming so tired of sweating in any kind of shirt that had synthetic material and it smelling bad forever and ever.  Even after I washed it, if I sweat, the bad smell would return.  I tried everything.  This past summer I even tried going deodorant free.  My sister told me she read somewhere that Julia Roberts didn't wear deodorant and just used antibacterial wipes.  Well, if Julia Roberts could do it, why couldn't I?  So I went deodorant free for a month.  That was a hassle and potentially embarrassing. Especially if you forget your wipes and you are on vacation in Arizona and it's 115°F.  When I got home I decided I would try and make my own deodorant using my trusty coconut oil.  I found this recipe on-line.  

Coconut Oil Deodorant

1/4 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup of corn starch

6 tablespoons of coconut oil

In the beginning I had to keep it in the fridge.  It was summer time and if I left it out, it just melted and was to messy to apply.  Since the temperatures have fallen, I can now keep it in my bathroom.  It's nothing fancy.  I put it in a little plastic container. 

Now the verdict...IT WORKS!!! I still sweat, but I don't stink.  I read somewhere that coconut oil contains antibacterial agents.  This is probably what makes it such a great ingredient for deodorant.  

There you go - coconut oil.  Who knew?!

A Make Over

My sewing area has evolved over the years.  Some time in the first few years of living in Switzerland I bought a sewing machine from one of our local grocery stores.  It wasn't spectacular, but it did the trick.  I wasn't into sewing like I am today, but I'd grown up with one always in the house.  So I got one.  My few scraps of fabric, and sewing supplies fit into a box and I kept my sewing machine put away most of the time.  That's how it stayed for a few years.  Some where down the line I met a good friend who inspired me to get sewing.  She helped me make a table runner.  Then I took up the project of making a tree skirt. 

 One evening, after the boys were in bed and David was away for work, I got out my unfinished tree skirt and got down to business.  I had that pedal pushed all the way to the floor pushing the machine to its limits.  While my little machine zoomed away I had visions of the tree skirt beautifully draped under our Christmas tree.  Then something horrible happened.  My machine started slowing down, and came to a deathly stop.  Nothing I did got it rolling again, and it kind of smelled bad.  We took it apart and came to the conclusion that I’d burnt out the motor.  

That little episode inspired me.  Going without a sewing machine made me realize how much I enjoyed creating and sewing.  Two sewing machines later, and many more than just one box of fabric, I now have a sewing corner.  Just this week I decided it was time for change.  There was no real rhyme or reason to things and my sewing table started to become a dumping ground for all of my supplies and anything remotely related to sewing.  Plus, I came home with yet more fabric and didn't really have a place to put it. It was time for a major over haul.  

Here's an embarrassing before picture.

After a trip to Ikea and a marathon building morning, here are the after pictures.

My favorite part of the new sewing corner are the magnetic strips that hold up my scissors. Aren't they neato?  I've got a little more organizing to take care of, but for now, it's a pretty great sewing corner and I'm even more inspired to sew.

Thrifting

I try not to go to the Salvation Army very often.  I just end up buying things I don't need.  However, today I felt the need to see what they had to offer and I think I came home with some real deals.  David might not think so.  Oh well.

My mom sent me this article about a lady who collects old pyrex.  I thought I had a lot...She collects all kinds of vintage milk glass.  Not just Pyrex.  Some where in the article she talks about there being different collections and designs of Pyrex that were made for the UK.  It got me to thinking maybe I could find some at the second hand shop.  So I went.  And what do you know?  I found a dish.  

Isn't it pretty?!  It even had the lid.  No chips or cracks.  Plus it says "Pyrex England" on the bottom.

This pattern is called "Tuscany Vegetables".  I think it needs a soup or a stew or something.  Maybe some mashed potatoes would look good in there.

As I strolled further on down the isle I ran into two candle holders that matched a pair I already have and some off-cuts of fabric.  Not sure what I'll do with the fabric, but my wheels are already turning.  I'll add it to my ever growing stash.

That about sums up my thrifting experience.  Hope you find what you're looking for on your next trip.

Back to Sewing

So, I took quite the summer break from my sewing machine.  I had these great intentions to sew while we were on our vacation in Arizona.  That never happened.  I did, however, get to purchase some great fabrics that have finally turned into some scarfs for the shop.  

I took some pictures today and they are up and ready for purchase.  I think they're cute.  What about you?

I've been a bit distracted from my Etsy shop.  I've been sewing other things.  I made a few maxi skirts for myself and sewed a cute little skirt for a friends daughter (more on that later).  Until next time, happy sewing.

Firsts

Monday was Ryan's very first day of kindergarten.  The parents were able to accompany their child and stay for the first day.  Ryan looked pretty cute in his back pack.

(Mom!  Take a picture of Sonic going to school!)

(OK, but now lets take a picture of Ryan going to school)

We walked  together and got there in pretty good time. 

I was concerned he might not want to go.  But he walked right in like he owned the place,

hung up his things and went to sit in the circle time.

This is his little sign so he knows where to put his things.  It's also on his water cup and chair in circle time

Here he is in circle time looking all grown up.

This is one of my favorites.  He was really tickled by what the teacher was saying and doing

After circle time they did a little craft.

After craft time we had some free time to play .  

Below is Ryan and our neighbor Salma.  

They walk to school together. He wasn't very thrilled about her helping with his tower.  I figured he needed to learn to share .

Here's a little bit of a view of Ryan's classroom.  It's bright and cheery.  

This is the "Babyecke" (literally translated "baby corner") The stairs to the left go up to a loft with all kinds of wooden blocks and things to build, hence the name "Bauecke" or "building corner"

When the afternoon was over, Ryan picked up his backpack, put on his reflector sash, changed his shoes and headed home.

As Time Goes By

Today was the first day of school.  Adrian started second grade today.  I can't believe how much he's grown just in this last summer alone.  I'm so proud of him.  Today was bitter sweet as I sent him off.  I'm glad for the school routine to start again, but sad we won't have lazy summer days together in our pajamas.

Here are Adrian's first day of school pictures.

Kindergarten 2010

Kindergarten 2011 

(You go to kindergarten for two years in Switzerland)

The mighty first grader 2012

Second grade 2013

 I just realized he's wearing the same sweat shirt in two of the pictures.  At least we got some wear out of it.  Interesting to see that this will be the last season he'll fit into it.  The arms are considerably shorter.  

So the first day of school is over and it's back to routine.  Here's to early dinners, earlier bed times and even earlier mornings.