Flannel Pants and Summer Heat

I am way behind on projects and even further behind on blogging about them. 

I do have good reason though. My goal lately is to spend all free time with Lenora and Robert mindfully doing things as a family and being outside. I guess its working because my sewing machine is silent save for a few pairs of pants I hemmed last week for my dear grams and this blog has been rather quiet. 

I did make these sweet jammie pants for Lenora few weeks ago. It was horribly timed as they are flannel and its hot and humid as out there as Maryland summers always are. 

But I bought the fabric for a specific pattern and the pattern only went to a certain size so I just had to make them, no matter how little use she really got out of them. We cant always be practical can we? 

Winslow Tote

This is the last of the Christmas projects I have to share. Man am I behind. 

I made this tote before for Lenora's daycare teachers but my sister in law requested one ages ago. I surprised her with one for Christmas. 

She loves the color green so I based my fabric choices on that. I love the combination of polka dolts and geometric prints. 

This pattern is easy to follow, its free and its a great way to use lots of amazing fabrics in one project. What more can you ask for? Plus its all square pieces and straight seams, which makes it great for beginners. Try it out, you won't be disappointed. 

Centerpiece

Last night I was looking for the pictures of the strawberry jam I swore I took to share with you. I made the jam but apparently forgot to take the pictures. 

So tonight I am going to share these centerpieces instead. We made them for a good friends surprise 30th birthday and they turned out great. 

We bought the bandannas at a local chain craft store. They are cotton and come plain or with a traditional bandanna print. To tie dye I use Jacquard Procion MX Dye. If you have never used it before you will not be dissapointed. It puts Rit dye to shame. Im just saying. 

I will warn you, wear gloves or your hands will be multicolored for days. And don't forget to protect whatever you are working on. My laundry room floor is also rainbow colored from the dye.  

There are tons of colors to choose from and they all turn out so vibrant and saturated. 

A few flowers in a mason jar and a tie dyed bandanna and you have a beautiful centerpiece. Plus the bandanna and the flowers make a great take home gift for your guests. Or you could just hoard them all for yourself and use them for funky table napkins. 

Payday

I am not the biggest fan of my husbands job. He travels 50% of the time, and is gone for weeks and months a stretch. Many a night, particularly after I have been up with a feverish babe, alone, again, I have thought about stamping my wifely foot and demanding he quit and sell insurance 9-5 until the end of time. But, he loves his job, the pay is good, its not forever and absence really does make the heart grow fonder. You learn to appreciate each other more when you have such a limited time together.

Then, there are days like today where I sing the praises of his job and jump for joy. He always asks what I want on his travels and my answer is always the same....fabric. This little stash came from a good friend and co-worker who just returned from Africa. Come to mamma.

Take a look at these beauties. The colors are to die for, deep and vibrant. The prints are beautiful. I just want to snuggle with them and never cut them.
This blue one is begging to become a little shirt or dress for Lenora. I could cut the neckline in that dark circle and keep the rest of the design intact.
Can you see her little feet hiding. I love the purple, orange and green together.
Its hard to tell but those sunbursts are gold and sparkly. It looks almost like an asian print to me.

I cannot wait to figure out all sorts of new projects to put these fabrics to use. Maybe his job isn't so bad after all.