Butterfly Release Party 2013

I have mentioned what a great park district we have.  They have all sorts of fun things for kids.  One that we haven't missed in six years (OK, one year we didn't release butterflies because they were late coming from the airport.  The president was in town and had the highway shut down. We were there though.  Probably did a butterfly craft and had cookies and a juice pouch.).  The butterfly house release party.  Everyone who registers gets to release two butterflies(or four- we have been lucky in recent years and got extra).  My kids as well as their friends love it.  And it is even better when a butterfly lands on you.

Let's start with what Chatch is wearing.  This is a Figgy's Scirocco dress I made.  The skirt is different because I serged into the original flouncy skirt.  This is what happens when you are in a hurry.  I was lucky to have enough fabric left to do a circle skirt.  Both girls have a Scirocco dress (B has two I think) and they love the back.

 

Charley and I picked B up from school and headed out to the farm.  This is the first year Mike hasn't come with us.  Maybe he had a meeting?

B opened the package, which is amazing.  Not that she opened it, but that the butterflies are in little wax envelopes.  I asked how they got into the envelope, but no one knew.  That is how they come from the butterfly factory in Florida.

B got a big surprise when the first one landed on her (too big) tee. 

She was even more excited when the other joined the first.

  Here is Charley releasing hers with the help of the volunteer.

Let's talk about who has a hissy when the butterflies didn't land on her.

Sissy came through and got Charley a butterfly that perched oh her finger.

Our friend Robin took this one. 

Next time I need a picture of my girls together.  Or some with their friends.  I guess I should have brought my actual camera instead of relying on the ole' iPhone.
 

I Should Be Putting Laundry Away - But You Know You Have Missed Me (And By Me, I Mean The Girls)

So, I should be putting laundry away (about a months worth, isn't that horrible?  I do have the kids stuff put away, but Mike's and mine?  No.) but here I am making all my Gentle Readers happy and posting some new pictures.  There are some of B and Charley, some of what we have done (sadly, not much) and some of the things I've made.  

Life in the Brady House has been a little, well, I hate to use the word rough, because, really, how rough can life be when you live in the Brady House?  If only we had an Alice......  OK, I am back.  Anyway, the weather has be weird, raining, overcast, cold, sometimes all on the same day.  We want to be outside - yeah, you're right, I don't want to be, but I want the girls to go out.  Mike and I have been sick.  Charley doesn't want to sleep, B wants to rule the world (God, let's hope it isn't in an evil way).  So, cross your fingers that the weather suns and warms up and these crazy kids can go outside and get out of my hair.  Good thing we have a fenced yard, huh?

One of the last warmish days, we went to Brookfield Zoo.  You know,I have to start bringing my camera, my phone takes OK pictures, but they are not great. 

 I sent this photo to Mike and my sister with the caption

"Chicken Laid an Egg."

 The girls and I love peacocks.  We probably stalked this one

a little too long.  He never did spread his tail.

I have done some sewing.  This is a dress I made up for B.  I should have found a pattern, it is a bit of a mess on the inside.  The material is a bit icky.  Like some polyesterish stretchy cotton jersey.  It turned out all right.  B loves it.

Below is the newest addition to the Brady house.  Introducing Two Scoops of Coco. 

 

B really wanted a new kitty and you know I am a sucker for a feline, so we adopted Scoops from HELP.  She was at Petsmart, and she is a very sweet little girl.  They called her Scoops, but really Scoops?  Of course, it fits in with all the weird names B gives out.  So, hopefully, Two Scoops of Coco will eventually turn into Coco.  TSoC is loveable, nice to the girls and uses her litterbox.  She is also camping out upstairs until she gets used to Layla the Crazy.  Here is my soapbox, there are so many kitties waiting to be adopted.  It makes me sad.  There were several at Petsmart.  Of course, one didn't come how with us because when I tried to pet her, she bit me!  She was playful though.......

Here is one of B's art projects.  I don't know if you can tell, but she built a reindeer out of who knows what. See, I am using my phone, I should pin the camera to my shirt.

Last week was Elsie Marley's Kids Clothing Challenge Week.  I did not sign up, because really, I am not going to post my meager offerings on someones Flicker board.  But I did get some cute things made.  First up is a dress that I modeled off of a dress I pinned.  I had the lime fabric and the turquoise flower trim.  I used the Valentina pattern and just extrapolated it into an aline dress.   I hand stitched the hem so it would be invisible. 

  

I also made B some bike shorts.  No picture here.  Boring.  I had a bunch last year (they are good under dresses and skirts) but I cannot find them ANYWHERE.  Note:  I may find them in the fall when I don't need them.  I finally found the hats, mittens and boots right before Easter.  Next I painted B this shirt using a stencil film and my Cameo.  The mane, tail and horn are glitter using glitter and Mod Podge Fabric.

I finished this tee last night using Made by Rae's Flashback Skinny Tee pattern.  The sleeves and neck are cut from one of my old shirts.  Which is good, I am having issues finding good knit fabric.  I am going to order some, but really, I just want to go to a store and buy some.  Joann's has a very disappointing supply.  OK, as I say this, the owl fabric is from there.

 

The girls have been "playing with each other" machines. Thank God!!!!  They may annoy each other in purpose, but the do play.  Here, B was mothering Charley and putting her down for a nap in a basket (my dirty laundry basket for my room).  Look at the following picture where B is reading to Charley.  It almost melts me heart and makes me want to keep them instead of dropping them off at a 294 oasis.

Last up is a pair of bike shorts (can't find hers either) for Charley.   These are painted with little unicorns.  I used my Silhouette and Reynolds Freezer paper.  I also drafted the pattern and it is OFF.  They will work, but they are crooked.   I also think I need a coverstitch machine.  Barb, if you are reading, do you use yours a lot?  Was it worth it?  I would keep the serger you (Barb) gave me, but just have one set up for cover stitching?  Though, the owl tee looks pretty good where I finished the edges with the serger and used a double needle at the hems.

This little one will be trouble.  I mean is trouble.  Look at those hot dog buns!

 

So, that is it here.  The laundry is still in the basket, I haven't showered (we had swim lessons today and that is the excuse I am going with) and the dishwasher needs emptying.  The good news is my office is clean and waiting for the next thing I am going to make.  I am not sure what that is, but last night I couldn't sleep with all the ideas going through my mind.  I have trouble when my bright idea (Charley's bike shorts) doesn't quite work.  I bought some fabric spray paint and want to try and "print" fabric for a dress for Charley.  I also want to get some fabric paint/ink that isn't stiff.  I found some at Dharma Trading, just can't decide which colors to get.  It is like the knit fabric I find online.  What is the right thing to get? Questions, questions, cross your toes I sleep tonight.  I have Piloxing tomorrow morning!

I Made Stuff! Clothes for the Girls

I have been a busy little beaver making stuff for the kids for summer.  It seems like I should have more to show for it, since I feel like any spare moment (except now) I am at the machine stitching away.  I have been cutting a couple of projects at one time, then sewing them when I can.  I am actually in the middle of making B a dress similar to Charley's in the photo below.  And my photos stink.  I bought a how to for my camera, so they should get better with time.  Plus, half the pictures are taken in the evening.
 

First up:

Valentina Dress pattern - Made by Lex

Nightgown using a modification of the  Sienna Pattern from Lil Blue Boo

(yeah, this is the best I have...)

 Nightgown from Leila and Ben's Sweet Dress

 

Layered Skirt by Dana Made It for B

Same Skirt for Charley

 

Reversible Bubble Skirt for Charley

I made the same skirt for B, using a skirt from Lil Blue Boo as a model.

I want to do some shirts too (either paint or heat transfer), but I am lacking time.  I also still have a stack of fabric just waiting to be used, including some Liberty of London. 


For those of you looking for the gratuitous pictures of my kids:

I Made This! Cute Outfit for B

The outfit came to be after I watched the Martha Stewart show this past week.  I try to at least skim each episode while I try to nurse Charley down for a nap.  This week, she featured a Purple Party Show, and one of the segments showed how to "tie dye" with a Sharpie and rubbing alcohol.   So, B and I collaborated (though I didn't want to - I wanted to do it by myself, plus, B doesn't collaborate, she just does!) and came up with the shirt below:

I thought I might have the perfect fabric for a matching skirt.

Then I thought it could be a reversible bubble skirt.

 The whole thing together:

 

I really need to pull out the instructions for my camera.  My photos stink!  I tried a couple different settings, but I am not even sure what I did.   Anyway, B likes the outfit.  I haven't tried it on her for fear it will be ruined before warm weather hits.  I have many more ideas swimming around in my head.  I also really need to finish Charley's swim suit.  Every weekend I promise I will finish it before swim class Monday morning.  Well, here is another Monday and no suit.  There is always next week.  PLUS, Mike helped me put my office (it really isn't an office, craft room? Studio?  Giant mess?) back together after the floors, so I should be able to get a bit more done.  That is if my "helpers" stop helping me. 

Daddy/Daughter Dance And I Made This!

Tonight was our park district's Daddy/Daughter Dance.  One of the Dad's was going to take his daughter and kind of recruited a couple of other Dad's to go too.  Mike asked B and at first she wasn't too keen on the idea.  But then, when she found out she didn't have to actually dance, she came around.   She got a special dress (much to my dismay  -  I wanted her to wear the sequined top she wore Christmas Eve) and was very excited to go.  (She may also gotten some sparkly shoes at Target.)

B started to ask bright and early this morning if it was time to go to the dance.  She had been waiting all week top wear her special dress.  We did a dry run this morning over her pjs.  Charley insisted on getting dolled up too. 

The girls also got some new goggles at Target.  They wore them in the bathtub last night too. (I'll spare you those.)

At long last, it was time for the dance.  B took a shower and Mike (yes, Mike, I cannot do hair) did B's hair.  I put a little blush and lip balm (I mean lipstick) on B and added some stink on purple gems to her ears.  She was quite glamorous.  Mike didn't clean up so bad either.  And, I will probably jinx it, but the girls have been playing together a lot lately.  lots of hugs and kisses too.  I smile every time I see them all sweet. 

 

Charley and I did something special too.  She got dressed in the t-shirt dress I made her yesterday and we went to Joann's to buy more thread for the bathing suit I am (slowly) making her.  The dress is made from one of my old t-shirts.  I used the Lil Blue Boo Sienna Dress pattern.  I made it a 2T, but it is kind of big on her.  The ladybug dress I made is too big too.  Charley is so slight, stuff isn't too long, just too wide.  Still, she was excited to wear it.  And, Charley picked out her own tights.  That is Boy the Whale she is holding.  You know B and her names. 

 

In other news, Heart Shell the turtle is well (I think - really, how many turtles do I know?).  She is swimming around.  The girls fed her earthworms today.  ICK!  I ask B to let me know when it is over.  Poor worms.  

In really good news, DING DONG, Ole' F-Face is gone and our floors are DONE!!!  Can you hear my excitement?  In really bad news, Anna the cat is on the outs (permanently) with Mike because she walked on the freshly poly'd kitchen floor.  Yes, little kitty prints on the lovely kitchen floor.    I should point out, you can see the floors in the photos above.  They look good, I am happy with them.  Barely.  You know, after Ole' FF touting himself such a perfectionist, the floors will never be as good as he builds it up to be.  You know after 6 weeks of torture, they really should be perfect.  But he is gone and oh, joy, we can put the house back together.  Oh wait, that sounds like more work and I've got girls clothes to sew....