Going to the chapel…

And my brother's getting married (June 5th). The wedding colors are purple, cream, black, silver, and grey. Jayne doesn't have any dresses those colors, mostly because she's just to tall and is rapidly out growing all her clothes, especially her dresses. So I set to work on making her a dress for the wedding. I picked out some really cool fabric, but couldn't really find a pattern at the store that I liked. Therefore I created a pattern. I have to admit, I love designing children's clothes. This dress might be my favorite creation yet. It looks so comfy and at the same time has class. It was just about to rain when I took these pictures, but I got a few good ones I think. And Jayners is one cute little model.

Penelope the Elephant

I have decided that I really like knitting. There are so many different things you can make, and holy smokes I pretty much wasted today looking at different patterns. I don't know if I'll have time to make everything I want to. Partly because I'm a pretty slow knitter, and mostly because there's just too many great things to make. Oh well, good thing I'm young, and hopefully I'll get faster with practice. OK, so if you want to become a great knitter (or good at anything for that matter) I have several recommendations. Ready?
1. Learn to read patterns (knitting, crochet, sewing... life: all have their own vocabulary. Its sort of like learning a new language... but way easier. There's dictionaries, videos, books, Internet, yada yada yada that help explain how to do pretty much anything)
2. Practice: I make a ton of mistakes, but the more I practice, the less I make (or I just make new ones) I knit at least once a week

3. Help others (you learn something better, if you have to teach someone else, it's a proven fact)

4. Set goals: My goal is to try to be as good as my sister Shavonne (she's an amazing knitter- seriously) and to someday make up my own creation, meaning I don't need a pattern- I just make it up as I go

ok enough talking, wanna see my latest project? Its a little elephant! To tell you the truth, this is my second time making this little dream. The first time I ever knitted something (which was 2 1/2 years ago) it was a blue elephant which now lives with my sister Nancy. But I just love 'em so much I decided to make another. And its a small project, so I can finish it pretty fast. Its easy to put down when the kiddos need me. Want to make one of your own? You can download the pattern here. You will have to create a log in, but this site has tons of really cool knitting and crocheting patterns, and many of them (including this one) are free- so its totally worth it!

So meet Penelope!
Her pretty face

Her flower accents

and her curvy figure, she's fantastic from head to toe. So go make one of your own!

Summer Dresses

Jayne is in desperate need of some new dresses. Most of hers still fit, but they're too short! She's growing like a weed, a pretty weed through. I could buy her some dresses, but most of those are too big in the bodice when they are long enough. I figure that I didn't just take a pattern making and fitting and alterations class for nothing though! Sew(haha) last night this little creation was made. If I could do anything different, I would shorten the front bodice, it comes just a little too high. Other than that I love it! oh and the fabric for this little dress came from a men's shirt. I got it at a thrift store for $.50. I also sewed shirring to make a smocking look. So far Jayne loves it, I asked her if she wanted to take it off and put on some shorts... she said "no mommy, I gotta wear my new dress!"

3 weeks

Max is 3 weeks (and 2 days) old! I know everyone says this, but it's crazy to think its only been a couple weeks. I feel like its forever ago I was pregnant... but like it was yesterday too. I know Max is growing, but he still feels like a newborn to me. Someone told me he was an "old baby," which seems really weird, calling a 3 week old "OLD." But he seems like such a "little man" to me. He grunts (especially in his sleep) He has fat rolls that look like muscle. He smiles looks at you when you talk. Max stretches, likes to hold his head up. He sticks out his bum and arches his back, and looks around when you put him on your shoulder. He is definitely cuddly, and loves to be held. He demands to be held and talked to when he's awake. He tolerates sleeping in his boppy pillow, but loves sleeping in my arms, lap, chest... anywhere on me. Max loves to watch Jayne, and she gives him lots of kisses and hugs, she likes holding him for about 10 seconds at a time. Basically we love Max.

Just the three of us

Darick goes to work Monday-Friday. Jayners asks everyday "where's my daddy?" and I respond "I dunno, where is he?" and she replies, in a sad voice "oh man, he's at work... he's coming home tonight" So the three of us hang out all day. Sometimes we're productive (like Monday I canned 32 pints of strawberry jam) and some days we just lay around and cuddle. I'm not sure which days are my favorite, but I do love cuddles (and homemade jam)!

Jammies

Jayne loves to hold brother, and we all love to lounge in our jammies. What a great life!

bubbles...