reunited : resolutions

 so it is quite apparent that my photography skills have not improved in the least. put that on the 2012 resolutions list... that along with more sewing. this bucket is directly from 1, 2 , 3 Sew by Ellen Luckett Baker. it could not have been more simple to make and is big enough to hold all the bits that float around. the fabric is from ikea and is just about the last of it after making big cushion covers for our living room. i highly recommend Ellen's book but if you're not inclined to sew yourself a storage bucket, head on over to Leslie's etsy shop, smidgebox. she is one talented lady.
resolutions: more organization. improve my skills. take more pictures.

i sewed and knitted my fingers to the bone for much of november and december in the lead up to christmas. it took me a bit to recover. in the past week i have made a long sleeved t-shirt and a pair of cords that i really love and actually wear. in public.
resolution: make stuff, lots of it.

vancouver has been hit with a bit of snow this week so we chose today to take a 'snow day' - it being friday and all. we are all still in pajamas. lovely. we are making stuff.
resolution: to have more fun with my kids every day.

reunited:
my mom brought me the sewing machine that had been my paternal grandmother's and had been in storage for over 20 years. my generous sister sent me some money for christmas so i was able to get the machine serviced and tuned up. the christmas i was 6 i received a holly hobby kid's sewing machine and quickly outgrew it. i played around with this machine (even sewing my finger at one point) until my maternal grandmother showed me how to sew properly on her singer featherweight. this beauty is a singer slant-o-matic 403 from 1958 and it is entirely made of metal. it has 9 cams to determine different stitch styles and my grandmother bought just about every attachment you can imagine. adjustable pintucker, ruffler, and even a foot that makes and applies bias strips at the same time! i can't wait to get sewing with it again. i really really still want a Bernina 440QE or 550QE but that will remain a dream for a long while yet.
resolution: learn more. use what i have. try new things.

2012

sh** storm

one.more.week
to date i have made:
14 hats with beards and 10 bracelets

need to make:
doll, doll clothes, doll bedding, hair accessories, 4 pouches, hat with beard, ipod case, 2 wallets, scarf

need to do:
clean house, find christmas decorations, put up tree, plan christmas menu, buy presents, wrap presents, breathe

one.more.week

books

my birthday was lovely. a transformer (to play with my little boy), an itunes card (to buy more disco music to educate my big boy with), and a book (to read with my girl). but the one thing i can't seem to put down is the kobo reader. when i ask "have you seen my books?" the family knows just what item i'm in search of. it's pretty fantastic to have a ton of books literally at my fingertips. the little pouch i made the next day so i can carry it with me always. i found the tutorial on sew mama sew.

stepping up

Carrie Gelson of Seymour Elementary, Vancouver, BC
(photo: Mark van Manen/PNG) Story by Janet Steffenhagen, Vancouver Sun

while getting my two smaller kids to their school today, i heard a story on CBC radio about an elementary school teacher who has written an open letter to the people of vancouver. grab some tissue and go read it, i'll wait.

when i moved to vancouver i was a single mom and it took my entire wages just to pay the rent but i had some savings and eventually i was able to find a job with an adequate salary and medical benefits. i had family and friends and a great daycare to help me with my son and still things could be very challenging. i try to imagine what it would be like not to have a job, a warm and safe home, weather appropriate clothing, and healthy food and it makes my heart ache. how would it feel to be a child and not have enough to eat or proper clothing? in vancouver? in canada?

when i got home my oldest son and i gathered up all the extra boots, mittens, gloves, and hats we had around the house. we packed them up and went to the nearest dollar store to buy more gloves and new socks and delivered it all to seymour elementary school.

i'm sure that there are many schools in vancouver and indeed, in any other city, which could use help to make sure that kids are fed and properly clothed. my family is going to do what we can. we are going to step up.

busy busy



from: momAgenda

it's was a busy summer. and fall is shaping up to be full as well. but happily so. september feels like a fresh start when you live with a teacher and kids. my resolution is to be better organized and to that end i got myself a momAgenda. it helps me keep track of everything, including meal planning, kid's activities, birthdays, etc. the entire family (except for the pre-schooler) is using a planner or agenda of some sort and it has been great for all of us.

my oldest has started his last year of school and my youngest has started his first year. my best girl is loving grade two. so still another fifteen years of lunches and driving....but i am enjoying the mornings alone. there is a master list of organizing/cleaning/maintenance in my agenda and i am striking things off task by task. very satisfying. i am excited about reaquainting myself with my sewing machines/knittiing needles/etsy/blogging.

old dogs can learn new tricks

Kitchen

my lovely husband and kids were away for a week. did i go out and party? did i clean out the garage? did i organize the closets? did i sew? NO.  i learned how to use google sketchup. so much fun.