Sew it again

It has been said before, but I'll say it again, I love Oliver & S patterns. They released a few new patterns this spring. Yes, back in April. But I still ordered one, even though I didn't have access to a sewing machine. This one is called the 'Family Reunion Dress'. Don't ask me why; they have to name them, I guess. I would think that it's called that name because if a family had a family reunion and they all sewed & had lots of girls, then they could all make matching dresses. I don't care what they call this dress, I love it. It would be easy for a group sew-along. I am so in love with the pleats and neckline! Oh, and the top-stitched hem. *lots of love* It's a bit big for Jacqui, but at least it's not too snug. There aren't many things I despise more than laboring over a piece, only to have it fit "just right" and not for very long. She's right between a size 4 and a 5, so why not size up? I'm already working on another dress that will be white with red stitching. *swoon* I can't wait to finish!

Brutally honest

Just asked Mairyn if she wanted to learn how to cut out a pattern and help me with a new project. Her response: "Uh, nope." Ok, well, thanks for being honest and not going along and hating it the whole time? Today would be a good day for me to hang this around my neck.

*found here*

YouTube Tuesday: Ok, we did it.

After a little more research, the girls and I decided that we could give this stop-motion video business a try. And oh boy, are we happy with the results. Enjoy!

Use your imagination!

So the kids & I were reading about video making and watching some stop-motion videos and we were inspired! They wanted to make a stop-motion movie, too. Unfortunately, they are not patient enough for the process.





So we took pictures instead.

YouTube Tuesday: Baby, ride your Firebolt

For all you Harry Potter fans out there. This group, Divine Comedy, has been around at BYU since before I went to college. The members come in & out, kind of like SNL. Only better. And squeaky-Mormon clean. C'mon, you know you want to mock us. I'll take a sucker punch right in the humerus. Hahaha, I kill me.

I'm hooked

I know I keep teasing with promises of vacation photos, but there are just so many shiny things in the world, I have a hard time concentrating on just one thing.

For example, *clearing throat* I have decided what to do with the giant expanse of white in my front entryway.

It's kind of like playing that game where the picture is all scrambled up & there's just one empty square; shuffling all the pieces around until it can all fall into place. Well that one space by the bookcase has been my 'problem place' until now. I have been scouring etsy for old, unique, vintage hooks. I began this train of hunting with the intention of putting together a hook wall in my room. But with all the cool ones I've found, I feel I just can't hide it away in the back room.



So I'm going to put an arrangement of hooks in the entryway; serving a dual purpose in A) looking really nice and B) someplace people can hang their handbags & jackets. It will look somewhat like this:



That's the 'visual area' it will take up and works very nicely in the Handy, yet Dandy category. And they'll be high enough up that the children won't be able to use them to drape any and/or all of their stuff on them. Sweet. Totally.

There's no place like home

Yep, that magnet is one of my newer acquisitions.

Home is where the cherries are 'cheery'.


And watermelon is one in a 'milon'.


And friggin' huge.

Ooo, pretty colors!

I picked out some colors!!
Though only accent colors for art pieces and maybe a closet door,
they will transform my slump!
I am *so* excited! Just 2BD per liter!
(go figure it out on xe.com)

"Mairyn is 9!" or

"How I'm just one year from having two children in double digits." Bring on the paper bags & lamaze breathing, when did this happen?

How did my little Mairyn-berry turn into a big berry?



I made Mairyn a card for her birthday. She really likes it and may or may not have been carrying it around for the last 2 days.



Mairyn has a thing for pie. Don't ask me why. Or make me rhyme anymore.

Date me!

What better way to celebrate the 4th of July than by showcasing progress?

Remember our dates back in Feb/Mar? (pods & tentacles)




Well here they are now!



And I have made it *very*clear* to Mbumbo (the gardener, our nickname for him, since I can't say his name) and Anula (our maid, that is her name & I can say it) that I want those dates. They are mine! In Egypt, we'd go out to the date farms every September. And for 20 LE (about $4) a guy would shimmy up a date tree and hack off a branch of dates for us. We had an open air screen porch in Egypt where I'd lay the dates out and dry them. I don't know how I'll do it here. I may give oven drying a try.