for skills

"Being creative will help you enjoy life. It engenders a spirit of gratitude." - Richard G. Scott

I'll go weeks without an alteration job. And then sometimes it feels like I'm drowning in them. They seem to come in waves. I'm in the middle of one of those waves right now, trying to keep my head above water and finish all of the work I've agreed to do.

I am thankful for my sewing skills. My mom sent me to sewing classes when I was 10 years old and I haven't really stopped since. So even though I don't necessarily want to spend my day hemming pants and adjusting sleeves, and mending jeans, I am thankful for the skills to do it. There is quite a bit of satisfaction and joy to be found in the work, and I am thankful for the opportunity for it.

happy weekend

Mike and I have been putting in our winter lawn this week. It is so much work, but it is worth it! Our regular grass (bermuda) goes dormant in the winter and turns brown and scratchy. Winter grass (rye) is lush and dark green and so pretty.

We transplanted some jasmine vines to the side wall of our house last year, but just barely got around to putting up a wire trellis for them. I can't believe the difference it has made! The vines have flourished with the trellis and will soon fill it. There are some gospel parallels here, but I'll let you sort them out on your own.

I hardly ever buy clothes, and especially never shoes, but I bought two new pairs this week! These black sneakers from target are replacing the 15 year old black converse that I've worn into the ground.

Quilting update: I've almost completed 12 blocks. The more I've worked on it, the less wonky my pieces have gotten. I love that it's an ongoing project that I can work on when I have a spare moment. Next I need to decide how to put my blocks together. I like quilts with a lot of white space, so I'm experimenting with different border sizes. It has been so fun.

This weekend is big for us. Tomorrow is the elementary school carnival (I'm the PTO vice president, so I'll be there all day), homecoming for Mabel (She's not old enough to date, so she's going with some friends ... and I couldn't convince her to wear my cute vintage dress. Sigh.), and then Mike is singing in sacrament meeting on Sunday. I love when he sings.

It sort of feels like the world is falling apart, doesn't it? I found this quote from President Uchtdorf to be comforting: "When we embark upon or continue the incredible journey that leads to God, our lives will be better. This does not mean that our lives will be free from sorrow ... No, following the Savior will not remove all of your trials. However, it will remove the barriers between you and the help your Heavenly Father wants to give you. God will be with you. He will direct your steps. He will walk beside you and even carry you when your need is greatest ... The fires and tumults of moral life may threaten and frighten, but those who incline their hearts to God will be encircled by His peace. Their joy will not be diminished. They will not be abandoned or forgotten."

I hope your weekend is a happy one!

happy weekend

It's still too hot out, but my friend, Jill, and I went hiking this week anyway. Is it beautiful here? I don't know. Ask me again when it's not 97 degrees outside. We had a good hike, despite the heat. I like hiking with Jill because she is fun to talk to, but also because she keeps us moving at a fast pace. Sometimes I'm jogging to catch up to her and it feels really good.

We are heading in to our October break this weekend. I can't think of anything better than a week off of school right now! My kids have been working so hard, but they are beat and we all need to catch up on some sleep.

Do you quilt? When Mike and I were in Boston last week, I went quilt fabric shopping with my sister-in-law and her mom. They are highly experienced quilters and I was hoping some of their talent would rub off on me. I bought a little fabric and have been piecing some squares this week, but I must not be precise enough because they are turning out a little wonky. I'll keep at it, and read up on it a little bit, but I'll gladly take any advice you have to give!

One of my favorite quotes from the conference talks I listened to on my runs this week was from Elder Joni L. Koch's talk, Apart, but Still One. He said, "We have no right to portray anybody, including from our Church circle, as a badly finished product! Rather, our words about our fellow beings should reflect our belief in Jesus Christ and His Atonement and that, in Him and through Him, we can always change for the better!" Working on that ...

I hope you have a happy weekend.

happy weekend

I went downstairs to make the kids' beds yesterday morning (as I do every morning) and found Elliot's bed already made! What a kid. He won the prize for favorite yesterday for sure. Cleaning is totally the way to my heart.

This week I pulled out a dress pattern I've had (and have never used) since high school. It's been a long time since I've sewn something for myself, and I had such a good time working on it. The funny thing about sewing clothing is that you are making a decision based on a picture. Then you spend lots and lots of hours constructing something that you might not even like once it's finished! Ha! Good thing I like the dress I just spent all week making. I've made lots of things in the past that I ended up not liking, and that's no fun.

Don't forget about Women's Conference tomorrow! You can see how to watch it here. It's always such a nice, uplifting meeting. I look forward to watching it with my girls.

Is it snowing at your house? We had a little dip in the temperature here, which feels like our last hurrah before the heat comes. I'll take 70 and breezy over 94 in March any day.

Have a happy weekend!

happy weekend

We have the eleven o'clock time slot at church this year, which makes walking to church much more appealing than the eight thirty slot. Plus the weather has been really fantastic. I love January. I hope it never ends.

Here's something exciting: Dandee is back to blogging! I have loved her blog for years and I am so happy that she is writing there again. I know blogging isn't as popular as it once was, but I will love it forever and ever.

I keep thinking I am going to get back on my no added sugar routine, but I have had the hardest time since the new year started. But! Every day is a new day and a fresh start and maybe today is the day. (But it's probably not.)

I've been working on lots of sewing projects lately, which means I have been watching quite a few shows. I made it through all of the seasons of the Great British Sewing Bee, and now I'm half way through Victoria. Great Britain makes the best tv. That's all there is to it.

Something I'm looking forward to this weekend: My sister is flying in to town and then we're driving to California together to see our other sister who is visiting there for a few days. Hooray!

I hope you have a fun weekend!

a mid week update

I want you to know that forgetting yourself in service for someone else really works. I came home from helping a neighbor on Monday and my life felt so manageable (it is manageable, I was just having a small freak out). I have always known this, but it was nice to be reminded of it. I am grateful for the opportunity to serve. Really and truly. It is the best medicine.

Good news. I finished sewing one of the three halloween costumes that require my needle this Halloween season. It is pink and shiny and really twirly, and no, it's not for Stella! Mike and I are going to a Halloween party this weekend and costumes are required. Speaking of Stella, she had the hardest time deciding on a costume this year. After many internet searches and a family vote, she finally chose one, so I am headed to the fabric store today in search of blue gingham.

Bad news. Our cat brought in another rat last night. Luckily it was before we had fallen asleep. I heard the tell tale signs in the hall outside our bedroom, and sure enough, there it was, quivering with fear in the clutches of our cat, starting at me with its beady black eyes. It's become so common, I don't even scream anymore. Into the trap it went and off to our neighbor, who so kindly disposes of them for us. It's a team effort, this ridding our neighborhood of the rats.

If you're near a Krispy Kreme, stop by for some pumpkin spice doughnuts. Today only!

cute printable from Alexa Zurcher

Easter, in a few pictures and one really great quote

Mike rushed home between his meetings yesterday so that we could set the camera on the piano and use the self-timer to snap a family photo all dressed up in our Easter best. I shared this one on instagram, along with this really great quote from Elder Holland:

"One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so."

I believe that with all my heart. We don't ever need to feel alone in this life, because Jesus Christ is always there. He has felt our pain and suffered for our sins. All He asks is that we follow Him. I am so glad we have a holiday dedicated to celebrating this extraordinary gift.

The girls and I wore our peach and blush and cream dresses, all made by me. I used the same pattern for the girls' dresses (Butterick 3350), and you can see that it lends itself to customization well. Mabel's was made for a school dance and Stella's for her baptism. I used Simplicity 2180 for my dress, which I've made a few times before for myself (seen here at my sister's wedding) and clients. This time I used a blush chiffon, and swapped out the sleeve band for some soft, gathered ruffles. I wanted something feminine and flowy. My favorite part of this pattern is the v-neck back, snapped accidentally by photographer Oliver:

We went to Mike's parents' house that night for dinner and an egg hunt. So many cousins!

It was a really great day. I hope yours was, too.

on the weekend

I am still processing this weekend (and honestly, mostly mourning the end of Downton Abbey). There was a lot to think about, and I feel very scattered on this bright Monday morning, which isn't a super motivating way to feel. In an effort to get going, I'm going to set some of my thoughts here.

on Stake Conference: Instead of the usual Sunday meetings with just our small congregation or ward, we met together with our stake, which is made up of 8 wards. This happens twice a year. I think this is probably what is mostly crowding my brain. I attended three wonderful meetings and took lots and lots of notes. After reviewing them quickly, I wanted to share my favorite thought, taught in a special meeting by Sister Laurel Lawrence, wife of Elder Larry Lawrence, our visiting authority. When we are born, our spirits are already mature. As our physical bodies grow, our spiritual selves can grow as well, but not in stature--in light. In order for this to happen, we need to continually feed our spirits light. That light can come from scripture study, from attending church meetings and the temple, through prayer and meditation, from anything uplifting and good, really. I need to be feeding my spirit a constant diet of light.

on rats (most definitely not part of a diet of light): It is late in the citrus season, and almost past time to clear our trees of their fruit. A few days ago, I found lots of oranges on the ground that had been picked clean, a sure sign of rats. Gross. We have several very lovely and mature citrus trees that reach nearly 30 feet high. I was under the canopy on Saturday, long citrus picker in hand, trying to reach the highest oranges. I was causing quite a bit of rustling as I tugged on those oranges, when all of a sudden the biggest, fattest rat I've ever seen plopped out of the tree right in front of me and scurried away. I don't know if I'll ever be the same. And our citrus trees don't seem quite so lovely anymore, you know? Side note: would anyone like to come clear out our trees? All the pink grapefruit, tangelos, and Arizona sweets you can eat! Don't mind the rats.

on the finale of Downton Abbey: Oh guy! I need a good cry over this one. I feel like everyone got their happy ending except me. I don't think I've ever been so sad to see a show end. I would have happily continued watching for the rest of my life. I love those Crawleys, and their servants, too. Even Barrow, who turned out to be not such a bad guy after all.

on sewing: I am tempted to participate in Katy(from no big dill)'s sewing challenge. She isn't going to buy any clothes for herself or her children for a year. A year! I think Mabel, who has been suffering in school uniforms for the past two years and will start High School this fall, would kill me if I told her I'd be making all of her clothes. Ha! That's what every teenager wants, right? A closet full of homemade clothes. :) So I'd limit the challenge to myself (minus running clothes). I think it would be fun and definitely challenging. But mostly I think it would help me figure out what I like to wear most. I'm sort of a disaster in that area.

on Sunday dinner: I made Ree's favorite meatloaf. I contemplated having the leftovers for breakfast this morning, it is that good.

Anything on your mind this morning? Feel free to spill.

Mabel's dress

I was sort of relieved when I saw these pictures. Mabel doesn't look as old as I thought she would (or as old as she probably wanted to). Granted, this was pre-hair curling, but still. Sometimes in my head she's nearly grown and out on her own, but really, she's still our girl, even though she is headed to high school next year.

She said the dance was lots of fun. And no one had a dress exactly like hers.

p.s. I used Butterick 3350 for the bodice (in child's size 8 with the sides taken in--Mabel is teeny). I've used that pattern at least a million times. I swapped out the back zipper for a hidden side zipper. Then I used this great website to calculate the measurements for the circle skirt (one layer of jersey knit, one layer of lining, and two layers of chiffon for maximum twirling capabilities).

happy weekend

I've been working with this pretty rose gold sequin fabric this week for Mabel's eighth grade dance tonight. I have found sequins in every room in my house, including my front porch. Ah! Such a nightmare, but the dress is turning out just like she hoped it would, and that makes me really happy.

This weekend is packed to the brim with her school dance, little league tryouts for Oliver, a cousin's wedding, a long run with Mike, and a visit from my parents. Plus it's my turn to teach Sunday School on Sunday, and with the 8:30 slot at church this year, I can't put my lesson prep off till Sunday morning anymore. :) Oh well. What do they say? They best way to get the work done is to do the work, or something like that? The weather is going to be fantastic, so that makes everything easier. And really, these are all really happy things, so I am excited.

What do you have planned this weekend?

Have a good one!

for the desire and the ability to create

Stella turns eight soon and she has requested a special dress to wear at her baptism. I am happy and grateful to oblige. The desire and the ability to create are part of our divine makeup as women, and I am grateful for the opportunity to make use of this special part of me.

I wrote a similar post last November (and probably the November before that, too). I love the quote I shared from President Uchtdorf. He said, "Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty. The more you trust and rely upon the spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come."

Yesterday I popped into my local discount fabric store. It has tables and tables piled higher than I am tall with fabric remnants. I only had a few minutes to search, but I found exactly what I was looking for - two yards of the most perfect ivory crepe, just what Stella's dress required. I've used Butterick 3350 more times than I can count. It is a wonderful basic pattern that lends itself well to alterations. I used it most recently for Stella's Princess Buttercup costume. This time, I am adding a few tucks at the bust, a feminine collar, and dropping the waist. I'm keeping the final product a secret from Stella, but I think she's going to love it.

happy weekend

We have our first Halloween party this weekend. Finishing Oliver's costume is top on my to-do list today. I am really pleased with how Stella's turned out. We had a fitting after school the other day and she couldn't get the smile off her face. She will be Princess Buttercup from the Princess Bride. She has just the right hair for it this year. I don't love Halloween, but I do like seeing my kids enjoy dressing up.

The best news around here this week was the weather, for sure. Oh, it was a relief. Cool, breezy days make everything feel easier. For instance: I forgot an ingredient for dinner the other night and had to run to the store real quick to get it but it was no big deal because it wasn't a million degrees outside! It's the little things.

Hooray for fall. And hooray for the weekend, too! Watch out ice cream. I'm coming for you.

happy weekend

It's the weekend! Hooray!

Here's a bit of good news: It was the slightest bit crisp outside this morning. Granted, it didn't last long, but that means the end of this blasted summer is on its way. Oh, it felt so good!

Other news: I've been lining the top of that wedding dress all week. I'll be sad to see it go, it's so beautiful. It makes me happy knowing that there are dresses this gorgeous in the world.

And still other news: Oliver turns 11 this weekend! He's such a great kid, with the best and lowest expectations for his gifts. He makes being his parent really easy. Mabel is going to bake him a cake and we might go to the skating rink to celebrate.

I am dreaming of apples and sweaters and jeans. What are you dreaming of this weekend?

Have a good one!

a blessing dress

I took a break from sewing my pioneer wardrobe (Mike and I are helping with our stake's pioneer trek next month) so that I could work on this pretty little (and very, very old) blessing dress. I think it was once worn by the baby's great grandmother for whom she is named. Isn't that sweet? It looked like it was originally meant for an older baby, not a newborn, so I took in the sides a bit and repaired some of the tattered lace. I've said it before, but I'll say it again, if I could sew blessing dresses everyday, I'd be a happy seamstress.

for the ability to create

I believe that the desire to create comes from our divine nature. We all have it within us, in some form or another. Some days I feel like baking, or maybe I want to sew. Other days I might want to write, or create order in a chaotic closet. For you, it might be something completely different! I believe that my life's work is to create a family and a home.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf once said, "Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty. The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come."

Today I was sewing a skirt for my sister. It felt good to take the blank stretch of fabric and with precision and care, shape it into something she can wear. I am thankful for the opportunity, the desire, and the ability to create.

a day dress for summer

I was in the market for a light weight summer dress with sleeves, that actually went to my knees. Something more than a flimsy, boxy knit, and something that wouldn't make me melt any more than I already will come June. When I saw a remnant of chambray linen at the surplus fabric store I snatched it up and this dress was born.

I used my nearly worn out copy of Simplicity 2245 (which is sadly out of print) as a slight guide for the sleeves and bodice, and then added a full skirt (with pockets!). The waist is elasticized in the back to give it shape, but still be comfortable.

The good news: It is easy to wear. The bad news: Mike doesn't like it. Oh well. Maybe he'll learn to like it after seeing me in it all summer long?

Do you consider your husband's opinion when getting dressed? I'd like to, but sometimes what he likes and what I like are so far apart from each other.


p.s. This is the updated version of the pattern, but I am sad to say that I don't like it nearly as well as the original.

to my Valentine

Mike and I like to say that we don't believe in soul mates. Except when it comes to the two of us. That no other couple is meant for each other the way that we are meant for each other. So I stitched up this little Les Mis quote to hang above our bed. I could say it was a Valentine's gift for Mike, but let's be real, it was really for me.

He doesn't read my blog, so he'll probably never see this, but Honey, I love you. This life that we share is something else. Happy Valentine's Day!

my minimal sewing room

I realize that the idea of having a whole room just for sewing is slightly ridiculous in the world of minimalism, but I am grateful to have mine. The truth is, our family would be perfectly happy in a smaller house, but I refuse to move, so we might as well use one of our spare rooms for sewing, right? I like to keep the space as simple and tidy as I can. My creativity is stalled when I'm surrounded by clutter.

I recently tackled the closet, and more specifically, my fabric stash. I used to think that I had to keep all of my scraps, no matter how small they were. Then I got smart and realized that most of what I had kept was completely useless. I am much better at throwing the leftover pieces away when I complete a project now (unless they are a reasonable size).

Something that helps me keep my fabric under control: I only buy fabric for a specific project. I don't buy fabric because I think I might need it someday, or just because it is pretty. It has to have a purpose, otherwise it doesn't come home with me.

I keep all of my thread and pins and scissors in that cute little sewing box. I like that it is portable and small. It fits the essentials, and that's really all I need.

Something I really love about minimalism is that it forces me to use things that I have been saving for a rainy day. If I am not currently using it, then I can't rationalize keeping it anymore. So if it is something I love, I better figure out a way to incorporate it into my life. For example: I had a little bit of wallpaper left over from the girls' room. I couldn't bring myself to throw it away, so I tacked it up in the closet instead. It made such a difference!


Oh, and p.s., my nice hangers are from Ikea. And you can find my wallpaper here.

for sewing

I am grateful that my mom signed me up for sewing class when I was 10. My sister, Leslie, and I would lug our mom's heavy olive green machine to the local fabric shop for our lessons. We made tote bags, if I remember correctly. I made my first dress a couple of years later - a large floral print on a dark green background with the world's widest collar.

This navy dress was my prototype for a dress commissioned by a friend. It had been sitting in my mending pile for months. I finally fixed it yesterday and it is now ready to wear to church once again.

Wearing a dress that I made myself is so satisfying. And seeing others in a dress I've made for them always makes my heart beat a little faster. I am thankful for these skills that I learned early on, and for the years of practice between then and now.

prom dress no. two + elliot and his belly button

This dress is really just an alteration. I took a strapless lace bodice from a little cocktail dress, added the satin and tulle full skirt, and built up the neckline with more lace and satin edging. It doesn't fit my dress form, so it looks a little wonky here, but I really like the way it turned out. The most important thing is that my client loves it.

And with that, prom season in my sewing room comes to a close. Phew!