Head on over to julie-k for the details! The winner will be chosen tomorrow!
wardrobe refashion: the pledge
I, julie k, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!
The pledge officially starts on May 1st. I’ve got a lot of projects already in mind. I hope to go more than two months. We’ll see!
loving the open road
I love driving in the Midwest. It started with a trip T and I took across country while we were dating. Our country is so beautiful. There is so much to discover here and driving is the best way to find it. I especially love how each state has its own beauty: rocky and hilly, lush green grasses, golden fields. The latter really helps you understand the line “amber waves of grain.” Watching the wind blow through them is really wonderful.
When we headed out to Hastings last week, I got that same giddy feeling. The drive was less than two hours, but it filled me such happiness. I could feel the stress of daily life just melt away. The sky out here is so big and blue. You can see so far! I know there are places that have bigger skies and longer horizons, but this was enough for me. I feel so lucky that this is practically in my backyard. I also feel lucky to have the peace and quiet to soak it in. Road trips during nap time are especially nice.
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new on julie-k: coffee sleeve of the month giveaway: spring flowers
coffee sleeve of the month giveaway:
spring flowers
I must have been really tired when I wrote my last post because when I came home from my weekend away the coffee sleeve looked totally fine. Sometimes we just need a little distance from our work to give it some perspective.
I know April is all about showers, but I lately I have been obsessed with flowers, especially little crocheted ones. I’ve tried a few different patterns, but keep coming back to this one by Mimi. The stem is a simple chain stitch.
Would you like these little flowers for your cup of java?
How to enter: Mention this giveaway along with a link back here in a blog post, twitter update or facebook status and then leave a comment telling me you did so. If you don’t have any of the above (really? are you serious?), then leave a comment here and tell me what’s your favorite spring flower.
Since I didn’t get this post up until late on Monday, I’ll give everyone until Thursday, midnight CT to enter. Cool? Good luck and Happy Spring!
recycle: thrifted wool sweater sleeve, thrifted yarn
weekend at the track
I found this picture while scrolling through my camera this morning and it really sums up our weekend in Hastings at the track.
The kids had a blast. They really play well together. If you ask Bella if she had a nice weekend, she’ll tell you, “I had fun playing with Mason!”
The weather was chilly, windy and drizzly. We stayed in a condo on the track with Mason’s parents and another couple. Our days were spent sitting on the couch watching Daddy’s car go by. There was no cable or internet. The kids watched a lot of Curious George dvds and we did a lot of reading, chatting, snacking and knitting. (I’ve got Wanda hooked, but can’t convince Lori to cast on.)
It was a really nice chance to get away. Close and affordable. Relaxing for me, lots of fun for Bella. Oh, and T had a great time, too.
things i am looking forward to this weekend
— Time spent with good friends.
— Watching my husband enjoy himself at the track.
— Watching Bella play with Mason.
— Two new yarn stores to visit (I hope!)
— Knitting.
— Sketching instead of making.
— Spending time outside.
— Unplugging from the computer.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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new on julie-k: coffee sleeve of the month: oops!
coffee sleeve of the month: oops!
Yesterday I really wanted to sew, but I had so many things to do! I tried really hard to fit it in, but didn’t get a break until after Bella went to bed. By then I was really tired, but I wanted to work on this month’s coffee sleeve for a weekend giveaway.
I planned to use a blue sleeve that was already cut at the seams. I figured I could just resew the cuff, which worked fine. Then I went to trim my threads. Oops! Accidentally cut the sweater. Then I thought I could stitch up the hole, but I must have been really tired because it just wouldn’t close. Finally, I just gave up.
Some days are just not meant for sewing, I guess. Instead, I’ll share this great Whip Up article by Betz White on applique techniques. Appliques are great for refashioning clothes. They cover holes and stains. (Hmmm… maybe that’s just what my coffee sleeve needs!) They also can transform toddler clothes for reuse. Cover that little boy decal with a flower; hide the princess with a puppy.
In the meantime, I’ll get to work on the coffee sleeve giveaway for next week. Just gives you something to look forward to, right?
can you handle the cute?
What is it about wet kids wrapped up in a towel that’s so adorable?
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new on julie-k: stash enhancement: fabric
stash enhancement: fabric
A few weeks ago, I went through and did a massive declutter of my fabric stash. I’m so glad that I did. I know exactly what I have and what I need. When Christy mentioned that she had 18 (!) boxes of free fabric to giveaway, it was easy for me to stay focused when going through all of them.
Swapping fabric with friends is a great way to enhance your stash without buying new. I was surprised how much I found knowing that my crafty friends had already sorted through everything a few days before. Everyone has different tastes and projects on the brain. Here’s what came home with me:
These will resurface in tote bags and clothes for Bella and me.
Most likely these will show up in tote bags or maybe some aprons.
I’m planning pj bottoms for Bella and me.
The smaller pieces will be for blankets.
I see a faux Burberry scarf in that top piece!
Look for re-usable gift bags next holiday season!
I think I was pretty restrained for the most part, except for bringing home the entire box of flannel. What can I say? I love flannel. I even wear it in the summertime (I’m always cold!).
I’m going to have to destash again to make room for all of this. When I’m finished, I’ll have some fabric to share!
on our own
T used to come home for lunch most days. His office used to be around the corner. (Literally, around the corner!) In February, his office moved up north. It’s not far; just not close enough for him to come home for lunch any more.
I got used to having him around in the afternoons, even if it was only for 15 minutes to make a sandwich and head right back out. Bella liked it, too. We used to coordinate our day with when he’d be home. We’d be bummed if we missed him.
Now, we can do whatever, whenever. It’s kind of weird. This morning we went over Christy’s house. It was the first time I didn’t look at my watch. Eva and Bella just played until they were both too dirty to play any longer. Usually, I would have gone home afterward, but I brought a snack with us and decided to run some errands (after I did my best to dust her off).
It was a sunny, warm day and I kind of wanted just to stay out — maybe go somewhere to eat outside. Unfortunately, the little eyes in the back seat started to get droopy so we came home for lunch instead.
After two months, it was the first day I felt used to being on our own for the whole day. Kind of weird, huh?
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new on julie-k: pinquitos change purse