Boobie love

I made this knockers bag in honor of breastfeedinga dventures about to begin with her new baby and newly functional rack.

I packed it with some boobie goodies as well as some personal, new-mommy favorites.

• Breast pads (for top leaks)
• Maxi pads (for nether leaks)
• Pacifiers (comfort sucking doesn't need to be on mom)
• Vitamin C packets (don't get sick, mama!)
• Hand sanitizer (don't get sick, mama!)
• Prunes (pain meds + blown out birthing parts = yikes!)
• Gum (totally counts as brushing your teeth)
• Lip balm (breastfeeding dries everything out)
• Working Hands moisturizer (did I mention, breastfeeding dries everything out?)
• Liquid silk (because - surprise! - breastfeeding dries everything out.)
• Soothies (cool packs for the tatas that you can keep in the fridge)
• Ear plugs (sleep = sanity)
• Lanolyn (heals the melons fast)

Sending out love to new mamas everywhere!
m

She sews.

You just finished sewing camp at Rewear. Here are a few of your hot-off-the-sewing-machine projects.

Pieced pillow

Fabric collage

Stuffed seahorse

Appliqué sea snail

Painted wall hanging with pressed flowers

My favorite is your embroidery project.

You drew your own pattern

And my VERY favorite is the BACK of your embroidery project!

Gah! Laughable and wonderful.

Can't wait to see what your little fingers sew next. Maybe we can do a project together.

A time to drop off and a time to sew

Dresses for a doll:

And a dress for a girl:

Oh so SEW wonderful to have time to make you something!
Mama

Trunky style

Your new backpack came from our favorite bin store in Salt Lake City. It had the name Miranda stitched on the front so I was going to put on a belly patch. You requested I sew on a dress instead and it turned out really cute.

Wing Dress Pattern

For a certain cousin (Anna) who is doing a report on Sacagawea...

Here is the Wing Dress pattern I used to sew Lucy's "dolly and me" dresses (fitting the Kaya American Doll and Lucy at 4 years old). Note: I definitely took some artistic licenses.

Here is a more authentic, contemporary wing dress. Each tribe's patterns and materials are different but this looks similar to ones my VERY untrained eyes have seen. I've also seen them made out of gingham and buckskin.

Here is Kaya's dress. Lucy's looks similar.

Qe’ciyéw’yew’nim léeheyn! Great thanks to Lynne Pinkham, Nez Perce elder, who shared her pattern with our family.

A dress for Lucy

When we went to get cradleboard supplies, I let you pick out fabric for a dress. My mom used to do this with me and I loved it. I did not, however, let you pick out the pattern. I'm not sure I could tackle the puffy sleeves and fancy collars I chose as a girl. 

Instead, I chose a super easy one I thought I could finish. And I did finish! And here it is!

Saucy Indian appliqué

I have been collecting Native American materials for your teacher to incorporate into the classroom.

Today's offering: a village of settlers and Indians wrapped in a favorite(!) Henry Miller print.

Demonstrating why I probably shouldn't be in charge of your cultural education.

In all seriousness, this is going to be an ongoing project as we try to give you some perspective on your amazing heritage. I think I will organize an online space to keep materials but I haven't gotten that far yet. More to come...

Crafty Mama

I am loving this book and want to make almost everything in it.
I've only found time for one project so far - a blanket/sleep sack for you to use at school. It's fleece so no sewing required and it was super easy.

Her blog has fun ideas too. Maybe we can find time for these exciting Octo-dogs.

Sew theraputic

Finding balance between work/home/baby/etc continues to be a challenge. Some days, I feel like I'm on top and managing it all. Other days, I feel like I've fallen behind and I'll never catch up. Relaxing with a simple sewing project, talking with friends, or reading a good book seems to help me keep things in perspective. Now, if I can just find the time...

I made some more bibs for expectant friends. I love how these turn out and they wash great.

For Barbara, Erin and Amy. Now I need some for Kim and Melissa!

And I'm almost finished with a strip quilt I'm making for your special friend Wendy, who will be a grandma soon. She promises that she will still want to spend the odd Saturday afternoon with you while dad and I go out for a movie, but I figure a little bribery can't hurt. No really, I want to give her some extra thanks as she's been a wonderful friend for many years. I'm sure she'll be a fantastic grandma. Especially since she's had you to practice on for the past 9 months.

For Wendy who is your special auntie and a fan of all things turtle.

I've still got a ton of fabric scraps so I'm looking for other projects to use them up. I'm afraid to start looking around on Etsy though as I'm sure I'll start dreaming of projects that are really fun to start but not so fun to stick with or finish. The last thing I need is a stressful sewing project.

Christmas craft revealed

Down at the ranch, Angela and I had fun making felt food for your cousins. I got the idea after seeing some felt chocolate-chip cookies on Etsy. (if anyone out there hasn't heard of Etsy, drop your plans for the rest of the day and go there now. Seriously. Go forth and find the coolest craft site ever.) Angela's artistic input upped the quality by about 3000% beyond what I was expecting and they turned out really fun. You've got a boxed lunch of your own stashed away for the day when you won't actually try to eat it. That probably won't be very soon as you spent most of the time we were sewing chewing on an "oreo." 

Baby poncho

It's starting to get cool outside and I can't seem to keep a blanket on you in the stroller so I've made you a couple of ponchos. They were super easy and no sewing required.

The two-minute (literally!) version:

Fold fabric and cut to make a square (I did 24 inch sides which is too big for a poncho but I'm going for more of a wearable blanket).  Trace out and cut a hole in the middle for the neck (4.5 inch diameter for Lucy's - bigger for someone with a full-sized head). 

The twenty-minute version:

Same as above but then cut some decorative pattern around the edges. Fringe is fun and easy. I made scallops here.

The 2-hour version:

First, cut the neck hole too big. Then wonder how in the heck to fix that. Try gathering the fleece at the neck - which doesn't work. Take out all the thread. Get totally frustrated and go eat some chocolate. Come back and pick it up again. While sewing some decorative edging around the neck, sew the front to the back at least once and then have to pick that out. Cursing is optional. Search for and finally find a hook and eye fastener. Frantically sew it in before the baby wakes up hungry. Finish up and fasten it around the cutest baby you can find.

Note - I think I prefer the first two versions. 

You're drooling so much these days, I may make a couple more. And with the right fabric, you can totally be Poncho Villa for Halloween.

Let 'er buck!

We're off to the rodeo tomorrow and I just finished your cowgirl getup. Get ready to hear "Awwww" about three thousand times as we traipse through Pendleton - that is if you still fit in it.

Luckily, I didn't have to start from scratch or we'd never have made it.

The jumper is a store-bought gift from Grandma Crow. 

The Michael Miller print is an all-time favorite.

 I really have no idea how to embroider but it turned out OK. 

B - you'll have to give me some pointers at Christmas.

Sadly, you've already grown out of your cowboy booties but alas, dad found you some perfect socks that will finish the outfit out.

Sewing craps crafts

Lately I've been in the mood to sew so I've made you a few things.

First, I made you a pair of lace tights. I found some around the corner but couldn't get myself to pay $30 for them. After a trip to the fabric store and several botched pairs (how hard can they be right?) I'm thinking $30 might have been the better bargain.

Today, I've been decorating some bibs we got from Ikea. They turned out really cute and if they wash well, I'll be making them for baby shower gifts.