Sew sweet!

I know I missed posting yesterday...what can I say? I was busy having a little fun and the short 30 minute window I use daily to update my blog was used up doing something else. Eh, so be it!
If you've noticed, I have taken a bit of a hiatus from my sewing projects. I just about sewed myself to death over Christmas and my machine died because of it...poor thing. Well, a couple of weeks ago I had a project I wanted to tackle and took the time to revive my machine. It's a bit on the old a fussy side, I have to clean it out, pull it apart, swab it out with alcohol-dipped cotton swabs, and oil it and reassemble it...phew. As you can see, I talked it into being cooperative enough again! This little outfit was made for my friend C's little baby who turned a whole "1" yesterday and I made her a pretty dress for the occasion. As you can see from the first pic, the beginning wasn't very feminine. These were a pair of little overalls I picked up a ye old thrift store for a couple of bucks. They were in really good condition and I loved the chambray fabric. I already had the black floral material in my stash and thought I would maybe applique lady bugs to the front. I was hanging out with my Mommy yesterday (she took me to lunch for my birthday that's coming up) and we ducked into Michael's to find some ribbon for the hem of the dress. I had already found a little pink shirt to go underneath that would match the floral fabric (it has red and pink roses and tiny little gray-blue flowers on it too) and deiced I would have to make pink and red lady bugs to match. I found the most adorable pink ribbon with lady bugs, perfect! I removed the pockets and ran some lady bug ribbon along the tops and sewed them to the skirt. I used the ribbon along the bottom of the hem as well. Last I took a couple of fabric markers and drew a lady bug that matched the ribbon and I can't believe how cute it turned out!
My friend C loved it and decided the baby would HAVE to wear it today. You know what? Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement concerning my sewing projects, it'll be awesome! I'll let you all know when it happens, I promise! ;0)

TiP fOr TuEsDaY (post 197)

As hard as I've tried to think of a great tip for the day I have done nothing but fail miserably, sigh. I'm going to blame it on a lack of sleep. I've suffered from a particularly long bout of insomnia (about 2 weeks) and last night despite my best efforts to knock myself out cold, I failed miserably once more. Failing miserably seems to be a theme here...yeah. Mom duties and no sleep are a lousy mix and I'm grouchy and highly unmotivated to boot. I feel sorry for my family and maybe for my aching body more. So, my  TiP fOr TuEsDaY? Sleep. Sleep like there's no tomorrow, sleep like the world depends on it, and sleep when you can for as long as you can. ZzZzZz

tHiS iS wHaT i LiKe (post 196)

Sharpies!!!

Top o' the Monday to you folks! I seemed to have survived the Super Bowl madness, here's hoping you did too! It took me a little while to think of something worth featuring on my tHiS iS wHaT i LiKe segment today, ah...but, good things come to those that wait! Sharpies make my life infinitely easier and definitely more fun. You can ask my family, "What does Mom carry around in here purse?" Well, honestly...gum wrappers, allergy pills, feminine hygiene products...oh, and a Sharpie! I couldn't tell you the countless reasons why a Sharpie comes in so handy...but, I'll try anyway!;0)
When my kids were little it never failed that they would get similar toys and then fight over them, not with a little Sharpie action and an initial or name or the bottom! Sharpies for art projects are a no-brainer! What with all the vibrant colors and long lasting goodness, you've got it made!

See? My sneakers were brought to life via the magic Sharpie! My kids love them for temporary tattoo art (actually, I do too!), I love that a quick name on a cup or bottle eliminates waste and the "is this one mine?" questions. There's a pretty cool site for ideas and projects people have made here at sharpieuncapped.com, check it out!
Sharpies rock! I have a birthday coming up and someone can get me the 80's glam pack featured above...just a suggestion! You know tHiS iS wHaT i LiKe! ;0)

ThOuGhT fOr ThE dAy (post 195)

J. Lamb 2011

Your heart. Swells with love for those you choose, aches with sorrow for those we lose. Beats to continue your life in this realm, given to share with those you call friend. Broken a thousand times over and expandable to no end, your heart is just one so, take care of it friends. In honor of Women's Heart Health day, I am wearing red and encouraging women everywhere to take care of their hearts. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and being aware of this and taking care of yourself is essential. Just a thought...;0)

It doesn't cost a thing

I'm all about being frugal, as I'm sure you've guessed, and one of my favorite things (that don't cost a thing) makes people feel good. A small thing really, that is free to give and warmly received. Maybe you should try it occasionally, just to see if something so simple really works. Give one to the cranky lady who's taking your money at the checkout, give one to your neighbor when you catch his eye, give one to your kids when they wake up groggy. This quick gesture can brighten one's day, can cure the "down in the dumps", can pave the way to a new friendship. There's no limit to the amount of warm fuzzies you can give or receive so, take as many as your heart can hold and give as many as your cheeks will allow. A smile, the best thing (that don't cost a thing) to warm someone's heart. ;0)

LISTEN UP!!!

What? What was that you said? I'm sorry I wasn't listening... Be honest, you said just this (or something similar) today, didn't you? Yep, I know how it is...you were busy, the kids were yelling, you were reading something, I know, I know. I do it too.  How many of can really say that we are good listeners? I know many people who are fantastic talkers, fantastic doers, fantastic don't-get-in-my-wayers, but not so many fantastic listeners. Why is this though, have we all just given ourselves permission to go about our way without ever listening to the thoughts of others? In a sense, yes. I have become ever so tired of the constant media pushing of the ME generation...look at ME, be like ME, it's all about ME!! Reality TV being shoved down the throats of our youth, gone are the feel good comedies of the past, the sitcoms, the laughter of a live studio audience. I say enough already. We are raising humans that don't know how to have give and take conversations, to listen to others and then share thoughts of their own. That in itself is such a crying shame.
For some reason people talk to me. Not that I am important by any standards, but because I can listen. Listening is not hearing folks, let's not confuse the two. No, listening comes from within. To actually care about what is being said, sharing advice when necessary, remaining silent and absorbing what is being said otherwise. Good listeners have to not be unjustly biased either. Listening requires one to not hold on to preconceived notions as well. Being open-minded helps with this as well, unless you are telling me that you are hardened criminal or sexually perverted, I will not judge what you have to say.
Practice by really listening to your family, teach your children to listen too. I hear of fantastical realms of grandeur of made-up  things and impossible "what ifs" from my children daily. I hear of the quirks of human nature from my man as well. I hear of other people, of problems, of hope from friends too. I hear all of this because I was really listening.

TiP fOr TuEsDaY (post 192)

GLUTEN-FREE (and proud)

If you are visiting me from my Facebook fan page you will recall the quote I shared this morning (if you aren't here's a handy link and follow me while you're there! ;0)) It had to do with being yourself (and how hard that can be) and I find it wildly appropriate for my blogging purposes today as well! For those of you who are reading this and are of the gluten-free type, my props to you! It's hard to be so different, especially when the food industry doesn't help out much.  What is gluten-free? If you aren't familiar with this term and what it means let me enlighten you!:
A gluten-free diet is the only medically accepted treatment for celiac disease,^[1] the related condition dermatitis herpetiformis,^[2] and wheat allergy.^{[1] 
(Source: Wikipedia)}
If you are indeed "gluten-free" you follow a gluten-free diet. This means no gluten, wheat, barley, malt, or anything derived from these sources. The problem with convenience foods and over-processed foods is that so many of the ingredients used as fillers and preservatives come from a wheat source. There are only so many foods, that are quick and easy to grab and eat that are truly "gluten-free". Even if you come across a product that is "gluten-free" you also have to make sure that it is manufactured responsibly and in a gluten-free facility as well. I want to thank the FDA for their diligence in making sure that manufacturers label all allergens in bold and disclose whether the product was made with other wheat products. A few years ago, being "gluten-free" was really tough. You had to research yourself whether certain products were gluten-free and safe to eat, my man spent a great deal of time on the phone with companies of food products to find out whether a product was safe. That and he spent a great deal of time on the phone with the FDA reporting manufacturers who refused to divulge information and were practicing sneaky ingredient hiding.
It's easier today to be gluten-free, but by no means convenient. Restaurants have been slow to adopt gluten-free menus or to provide ingredients lists. You can't just grab a bite to eat and go either. We spend a lot of time explaining celaics and asking people to put on clean gloves, or to wipe surfaces, or even to make something not normally on the menu. You can't be shy at all either! I have a friend who has celiacs who hates the thought of asking people to accommodate her. She even told me that she is made fun of somewhat by her peers/relatives for being a little nerdy and gluten-free. I say wear it proudly on your sleeve girl and don't be afraid to ask people to be accommodating.
I've found that most people are eager to help and don't mind at all. We ask to read packages and labels of foods being served and never once have we had someone be rude or say no. It's okay to be different and proud even if that means being "gluten-free!" Here's your TiP fOr TuEsDaY! ;0)