Hollyhocks

I Can Find Fabric Anywhere

Last week I had the distinct pleasure of spending 3 hours in my local Wal-Mart as I waited for my car to get an oil change and a new headlight. Why, you ask, did that take 3 hours? Well, the technician had some trouble figuring out how to "install" the headlight so it took quite a while...then...the poor man realized that he changed the wrong headlight...Yay, free headlight for me because he did not want to go through that again to switch it.

 Then, The lovely lady who staffs the "reception desk" in automotive gleefully told me that the "guys" needed me to sign something saying that I understood that my car had "no oil in it" which meant that it was in "bad shape".

 To my credit, I  have received so many earth-shattering declarations from OB-GYNs in the past that I was able to retain my composure remarkably well until the "guys" explained that the lady mispoke and that there was oil in the engine and I just needed to get more frequent oil changes.

But I digress, during the extended wait I had all the time in the world to peruse the "gadget aisle",sniff all of the carpet cleaning solutions (lavender is a keeper) and...scour the fabric department...

Where I found these beauties. The twins are partial to CG...

He's so curious, Curious George...plays over and over in my head most days. The only other show we screen at home is "Sid the Science Kid" . Come on everybody now..."I'm lookin' for a friend, I'm lookin' for youuuuuu".

So, after looking at every piece of merchandise in the store and enjoying a lovely dinner whilst reading a food-stained USA Today...I went back to automotive, found no sign of a human and spirited the saleswoman in Guns and Ammo over to Automotive to cash me out.

 Once I knew that my car was not hours away from the junkyard, I started to enjoy meandering around. I used to be a champion meanderer. The DH hates going to stores with me because he says that I have to "touch everything".

This fabric is Martha Negley. Purchased on Etsy. I have had the brown colorway on my mind for some time and finally decided to order it. I like just looking at it.

   The jumper is in production. I may even decide to iron it before I hem it. We don't want the princess running around looking like she slept in her clothes.

Thanks for stopping by Hollyhocks. I'll see you at Wal-Mart!

Jen at Whole Food Kids, 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven, 365 Days of TV-Free Toddler Time, Mega-Family Blogs, and life in mexico {and other places} a picture a day, is giving away a Zoku 7-Minute Pop Maker! And just in case you don't know any awesome Popsicle recipes, she's throwing in THIS book, too! This entire package is worth over $60! To enter, go HERE.

Sorting

My goodness, would you look at how charmingly off-center that photo is...I could have run back upstairs to retake it...but that would just spoil the photographical genius of a mama who has 8 hours to do everything she needs to do for the rest of the week, including lay in enough diapers, wipes and other necessities before the weasels come home from day care for a mini-vacation.

 Some of you may object to describing the twins that way but, believe me, the aftermath of the 2 of them in a room for 10 minutes can only be compared to what would happen if you left 2 baby weasels alone in your home and went away for a few days.

I spent a bit of time in the sewing room today, sorting buttons...

Into those wonderful Bonne Mamman jars. My brother-in-law in California keeps me supplied and after a couple dozen more I plan to inquire as to his blood glucose level. Who can fault a man for liking jam though? The twins are big fans of jelly and jam crackers for snack time. Well, as sorting often does, the buttons led to fabric...

At least it is off of the pile on the floor. Some of this fabric was purchased long before the twins were born "in case" and some was intended for a Charleston-inspired quilt...sigh...maybe if I tackle one project at a time.

I couldn't resist sharing this photo of brother and sisterly love. They held hands yesterday and ran up and down the driveway, screaming with laughter. Not too bad for a couple of baby weasels. Wish me luck this week. My secrets are: good night's sleep, vitamins and several cups of tea.

Thank you for visiting Hollyhocks.
 
 
   

Just Relax

Make a pot of tea, set it on this lavender trivet and let the aroma waft up to your tired nose. If I can "guy up" this pattern with pine needles instead of lavender and skulls instead of 30s repros, I could see the boys in my class making these. They LOVE to pound grommets...almost as much as they love to tear fabric .

There are lots of nice projects in this magazine. Good directions too.

If I make more of these, I think I'll make them about an inch larger though. With the 2 layers of batting they seemed to shrink as I basted and sewed. Thanks Rashida Coleman-Hale for dreaming up such a fun project.   Girl's day out tomorrow with Josie. Looking forward to fresh air and sunshine.

Thanks for stopping by Hollyhocks.... 

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho

 

Must remember to take better photos of some of these kits for Etsy. Just checking in to say hi and thank you for sharing the week with me and my blog buddy Josie. Sketchy grammar, I know, but it's past my bedtime. All in all, a good week. No matter how you live, we are all steaming around trying to "get things done"...and of course, they never will be.

I am trying out fabric stamping to teach my sewing students this summer. swatches are curing now. Hopefully I will have some photos to share soon. Happy Friday Eve!

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks.  

TGIF

It's Friday night and my porch chair is calling. Pretty great day. It was graduation day. I had grads in my classroom all day ironing their finery. One grad found that his new pants were 5 or 6 inches too long, so my best sewer (6 foot tall, 260 pound guy) "blind hemmed" them for him. That was a picture. I sewed a girl back into her too-tight dress after the ceremony. I am so proud of every one of those kids...most are from circumstances that would curl your hair...kids are kids though. They are very resilient. I got home in time to tuck the twins in. All in all, a really good day.

Have a great weekend everybody...I'll be back soon with a few of my favorite things...Oprah-style.

Thanks for visiting Hollyhocks. 

The Dutch-Day 4

She seems pretty happy for someone who has a broom in her hand and a list pad attached to her waist. That's how I feel today. I have so many reminder notes in my car that every time I go anywhere I have to scan the passenger seat to see what needs to be done immediately...buy organic milk, Dr. appt.,go to bank, etc. etc., etc.

Then I get to work and I have a pile of reminders next to my office phone...and another pile on my table...and a bunch of saved emails...I have a goal of eliminating all of my to dos...tomorrow!

Today was busy and interesting. Lots of student drama. It's not so easy to be a teen today. Tomorrow is graduation. I will have lots of Kleenex.

All of the lists made me wonder if lists are a gender thing. Are you a list maker? Sticky notes or scratch pads?

I finally made that banana bread...so, excuse me while I enjoy a slice while it's warm. Thank you for visiting Hollyhocks.

I hope all of your lists include bubble baths and pedicures. TGIF!!! 

Day 3

 

 

In happier times... 

 

Fighting over the coveted yellow shovel....

Will I tell you about my day? 14 years ago I was visiting family friends during a scholarship 3 week trip to Ireland when the 8 year old son returned from school and asked his mum that very question. Ever since then, whenever the DH and I sit down after putting the twins to bed, frequently that's what one of us will ask the other. So, Josie and I are doing a little project where we use our blogs to tell each other about our day, 2 working moms, one at home, one outside the home. 

Since Typepad and I seem to be squabbling (he keeps erasing my posts! Very Rude!), I'll keep this a bit brief...

I got up at 5:20, cleaned a bit, cooked a bit, got ready and went to work

I had a great day working with students and wrapping up Girl Group for the year. A tumultuous year of loud, loud sessions and a bit of sewing with the desired result of making friends of sworn enemies. Goal met. However, the group was so emotionally draining that it will take a bit to process. Politeness may very well be dead among this group...do I try to bring it back or admit defeat?

Did some purchasing for sewing classes...Love that!

Came home, got the house and dinner ready and picked the twins up. We had dinner and bath and books, cuddles and bed...

...and as I write this I am thinking about my day and what I heard a woman say, years ago...you can have it all, just not at the same time. We women who work outside the home in jobs we love, do have it all some days, but it takes a good night's sleep and a Flintstones vitamin to keep this train on time.

I am fortunate to have lots of time off to regroup. I do think about what I would do if I were at home...I may be very jealous of Josie when her youngest goes off to school and she has the "me" time I do miss sometimes.

I remember a few years ago, before the twins, sitting on the sofa after work and feeling bored, thinking that if I didn't have kids, i would have to add some other layer to my life...

Do you remember being bored?

Play Noh!

 

After writing a LONG post...Typepad lost it when I hit Save. Too tired to start again. I'll catch up with you all tomorrow.

Cornstarch

 

Yep. That's what you use to get about a half cup of Vaseline out of a toddler's hair... It was a huge mess. The Vaseline is now on a high shelf! So, day 1 of day-in-the-life started in the back yard, cutting a bouquet of peonies for my office/clinic/classroom. It is beautiful here today, sunny and cool.

We started a new project in boys' sewing...tool aprons. The deal is that the best one with the neatest construction and sewing will be filled with a few tools to get its wearer started. The instructions are in Sew What Bags and online at etsy. I need to make one for a class example and the directions are simple and fun. I'm using estate sale utility muslin for the main part with nicer cottons for the pockets.

I'm starting to think about next year and projects for a 101 sewing class, girl group and a new advanced boys class...ideas for teenage boys who can sew?

Work is almost always fun and interesting. Great coworkers and very interesting young people, all  of whom are diagnosed with emotional disturbance. Kids are kids.

Today after school the twins and I took a walk, played and ate dinner. After dinner we all walked/strollered to the park and played on the slides and swings.

After the twins' bedtime I settled in with a new episode of Kate Plus Eight. I marvel that the woman still has the energy to stand up straight! 

So...it was a boring old magical day. One of the days when you remind yourself to say a little prayer of thanks that the children are safe, loved, healthy and fed.

 

My first child is doing well. After a second cancer scare he had a minor surgery and it was benign. He's 10 so we have been very lucky, but we need this guy. He is my loving companion.

 

I was so happy to see this guy in our yard before he hopped into the neighbor's yard to safety.

 

Before I go...Do you have any good ideas for sage? It is growing like a shrub this year. See you tomorrow.Stop by and say hi to Josie when you have a chance.