Sewing 101

After several futile attempts at finding Libby some summer shorts at resale shops and because I am feeling thrifty, I have decided to sew her some myself. Wal-Mart and Target wanted $3.50 and $4.00 respectively for their solid and print shorts and because she needs several pairs, I opted out of spending so much money. A friend has blessed Libby with many hand-me-down shirts in awesome condition, but no bottoms to match them so she has been unable to wear some of them because she has no shorts to match. She has a few pairs of blue jean shorts and a few pairs of capris but no comfy, cotton, play shorts. I purchased a pattern from Wal-Mart and then went through my scrap fabric pieces and raided my mom's bins as well. I spent 2 1/2 hours today cutting out seven pairs of shorts. Libby helped by handing me the pins as I needed them. I showed her that they poked so she was very careful as she gave them to me. The navy and white checked fabric was from an old pair of capris my mom had outgrown that she kept back for such a project as this. She never lets anything go to waste. So, seven pairs of shorts technically will not cost me anything other than the elastic. Pretty cheap if you ask me. I still need to purchase other solid fabric as some of her shirts have prints on them and it would definitely be a no-no to put a printed shirt with printed shorts...I just couldn't do that:) Once I get the hang of making the first pair, I should be able to whip out a pair in less than an hour. It's been a while since I have sewn anything and even that was curtains and throw pillows and an easy-step-one-hour-skirt-with-elastic for me. My mom is overseeing my endeavor on the first pair to make sure I am doing it right, but after that I should be able to sew them on my own. I need to start learning to make more things besides pillows and curtains. I would love to pass on sewing skills to Libby. My mom is a great seamstress but I just wasn't interested growing up and I regret that. I would be so far ahead if I had learned when she wanted to teach me as a child. It's never too late to start though. I am excited about it and I know I will feel a great sense of accomplishment. I will post pictures when I am finished.

Just A Swingin'

Joey finally got Libby's swing set put together. It was a week long project, but with some help the last screws were put in Sunday afternoon. She has been swinging and sliding every day that we're home. It's been named the "fort" by my nephew Heath. It should be loads of fun for years to come. There's even a picnic table on the back which you can't see very good. Libby is a little too young for that now, but next Summer she will be wanting to eat lunch out there. It's funny watching her slide. It goes very fast which makes her head fly backwards as she is going down. She laughs when she slides down...I guess it's funny!!

"Pamela Plaster"

That's what "their" calling me. My mom has a wall in her kitchen that had outdated wallpaper so she decided that she wanted it stripped...so who got volunteered to do it??? Amy and I finally completed the week long project three weeks ago. It was a job to say the least! She has always wanted the venetian plaster look like you see at Olive Garden. So, she goes to Lowe's and buys the bucket and says, "Here you go." I have never textured a wall much less plastered one with fancy goop. It took several "swipes" and tool changes, but Amy and I finally got the hang of it. I must say, it looks "Olive Garden," "Italian," and "Tuscan." I will post pictures once we get the wall painted and glazed. It wasn't hard work, but very tedious and may I say messy! We had to get on our hands and knees and use a scraper to remove globs from the hardwood and the baseboards. Then we had to sweep up the remains and then mop and then move the furniture (i.e. frig, hutch, etc.) back to its original location. Their frig weighs a ton! I think it will look good once it's completed. But, I've decided that I'm no longer up for hire in regards to "plastering" so I hope she doesn't get a crazy idea to do her whole house.

I've been so busy the last couple of days that I haven't had time to post much so I thought I would post about this...quick, easy, and simple. I still plan on posting pictures of the work day, but on a 28.8 connection, it's taking a verrrrry loooong tiiiiime. Coming soon though! Still enjoying our fan!!