Recycling and Sewing

I had a bright idea as I looked at one of Pete's shirts destined for the rag bag. The front was stained beyond what I would allow him to wear in public, but I thought that the shirt had a better future if I could re-purpose it.

I cut off the sleeves and modified an existing pattern for a little boy's shirt to work around the stains and pen marks.







The last photo is Big N in the finished product prior to adding buttons and button holes. All that is left is to cut the threads from the button holes and wash and press the shirt. I've added the buttons, but have not had a chance to take a photo of Big N in it. For some reasons, clothes really do not excite him as much as his sister.

Big N has mentioned that he finds zippers much easier to work than buttons, but I'm not ready to send him out to join the bowling league, yet. I have promised that he can pick out the shirt from the rag bag so I can make one with a zipper for him on my next project for him. There are plenty.

Looking for Dinosaurs

We spent a day and a half in New York City and we were able to take the kids, my parents and my sister Jenny to the Natural History Museum. Little N was looking for the dinosaurs and she had a blast. Big N wanted to find the space ship. I think we were all completely worn out by the end of the day.



Little N's dinosaur teeth


Big N and Pete


Trying to find the space ship

A lovely tea party

Little N and I had a tea party the other day. It was a lot of fun for everyone involved. She enjoys real tea with milk and sugar. I have to agree, what's not to love?

We also had snacks with our tea. Little N made one type tea sandwiches. I sliced some cheese for her and she made crackers with cheese sandwiches. She suggested that we serve fruit and strawberry jam sandwiches, too. She especially enjoyed adding milk and sugar to my tea.

It was a beautiful afternoon where we both managed to lose track of the time and enjoy our time together.

Sewing Projects

I have been sewing up a storm lately. I broke my New Year's resolution and purchased some fleece for a jacket for the kids. Big N saw the clifford fabric while we were picking up thread for something else and begged me to make him something. It did not hurt that it was on sale, so I bent my rule a little bit and made him a coat.





I managed to cut out the alternating Clifford dogs such that ALL of the dogs in the front are upside down. The right side up ones lined up perfectly with every seam. Luckily, Big N is happy that he can look down and see Clifford. However, this was a learning experience for me on cutting out patterns.

I also made something for Little N and her doll. I used up some more of my scrap fabric to make a sundress for Little N and a matching dress for her doll. This one was fun to make. I had originally bought the fabric to line a hand knit purse. I used the yarn for something else and had the fabric lying around. This was a perfect use and a very happy recipient. I winged the doll dress, but I'm very happy with the overall results.