commuter cowl

the commuter cowl

via luvinthemommyhood

luvinthemoomyhood etsy shop

 

 

my friend Shannon at luvinthemommyhood was kind enough to send me her new commuter cowl pattern. I finished it today and was excited enough to share it that I snapped these totally random, not entirely helpful, and unplanned pictures of myself in it. On further reflection, I could probably have considered putting at least a bit of makeup. Or doing my hair. Or generally looking in the mirror at all today. Or getting pictures when I've had more sleep the night before.....Or maybe just NOT taking pictures of it on me. But that's motherhood, right? Plus, you can never have enough Violet. Ok, I can never have enough Violet. I think I will invest some time in figuring out those photoshop techniques that make you look like a total babe.

It's a riff on an infinity scarf that has a bit of a western vibe in it because of the front that reminds me of a cowboy neckerchief. (Is that what it's called/how it's spelled?). It's all one piece of fabric that is folded and cut and sewn in a rather clever way (too clever, in fact, for me to attempt at the end of the day when I'm tired and have a headache). I didn't even capture the full body of the cowl in most of these shots, so I think I will have to take some with it not on me. Self photography has some serious limits....

it's knotted at the sides to give it a pop of something special. in reality, it's meant to showcase a printed fabric that you love, but I didn't have much yardage in any prints that I wanted to use and didn't already have plans for. So I decided to try it out on some of this slub linen. I really like the fluffy, airy, springy body that the linen gives to it. 

 

 below, you can see that the middle section has some size to it. I like that I can wear it fluffed out or folded in a bit for a stiffer, but smaller option. I also just realized something as I look at this photo. Like stripes much? I guess I do have a thing for them ^_^

The next time I make one of these it will take a lot less time than it took to make this one. And honestly, even with all my boo boos it wasn't even a super long project. But I am dumb. And I spent more time with my seam ripper than I did with my sewing machine. Good thing I actually followed the instructions to finish all the raw edges of the fabric before getting started, because that really limited the damage to the fabric I could have inflicted with my sewing and ripping and sewing again. This linen frays like crazy.

 

peekaboo! 

 

sailboat shirt

my never ending sailboat top project is finally done. these poor shirts sat, cut out but not sewn, on my kitchen island for a long time. Then I managed to get partway started and sewed a few inches at a time until they were done. 

they are size 3T and 12-18 months and made from Lisette poplin fabric. I kept looking at this poplin when I was fabric shopping, and finally bought it for this project. It's so cute, and totally makes sense since Liesl Gibson makes the Oliver + S patterns and Lisette fabrics. 

 

I like the curved bottom edge

 

I snapped this of Violet when I had the camera out and it cracked me up, so I'm putting it up with the rest of the pictures. She is such a freakin doll. Even if she is a mess of a toddler. Matted curls, berry face, berry shirt.

 

When I asked Clover to model for me, she offered me a prop. Haha. They had just been tearing apart the DVD drawer. Charming.

 

She always seems to show me the inside of anything I have her try on. "Clover, show me your shirt!" And then she lifts it up...or she gives me a really up close shot of her sleeve. Lol. 

 I love seeing them in matching clothes. Although yesterday at Trader Joe's somebody cooed at them and shouted "oh, twins!". People have asked me if they are twins before, so I only imagine dressing them alike makes people wonder even more. With only 18 months between them, it can be kind of hard to tell if they are the same age or not. Especially when they are sitting and you can't tell height.

They were standing on the toy box trying to knock down this awesome picture of Clover. They aren't happy unless they are destroying things, it seems.

*poke poke* no touching it, Biowet *poke*

It seems that I can never manage to comb Violet's hair or wipe the berries off her face before I take a picture of her. 

 

Covert Robin Gifts

well, I got my covert robin gift together and sent off earlier this week. I really hope my recipient enjoys the gift. Sometimes I feel like the things I make are only good enough to stay in my house, because they aren't perfect, and my work isn't always the most meticulous. but I gave it my best shot! 

tea/coffee time set:

• hot pad/teapot rug
• handled cup cozy
• non-handled cup cozy

the two cozies are made from some cotton yarn that I knitted up. both of the tutorials came from luvinthemommyhood

the hotpad is made from Echo by Lotta, Washi by Rashida Coleman Hale, and some kona solid. The batting is natural cotton.  Not the most perfect piece of quilting in the world, but it was made with love! And I had actually never made a hotpad before. 

I sent the envelope off with a symbol of the covert robin...lol. Hopefully it gets there this week!

St. Patrick's Day

not that you can see it, but Clover is sporting her Bono shirt from her 2nd birthday for St. Patrick's day. I wasn't very prepared with green attire for the kids, so Bono seemed the most festive thing to wear. Tim and I both had U2 shirts on. Violet was the only odd one out. 

we were originally going to be doing the outdoor festivities at Dogfish Head, but I was recovering from a sunburn (in Spring...wtf?) and the face painting didn't start until much later, so we just went inside. I ended up ordering food from their outdoor BBQ and having it delivered to our booth. 

 

St. Patrick was smiling upon us that day, because this is the best we've ever had the kids do in a restaurant. Normally it is a less than relaxing experience. And while I still can't call this one relaxing, it was at least not torturous. My intention was to get some cute outdoors fetivalish pictures of the family, but all I got was some shots in the restaurant and the car. Fail.

 

I had an Aprihops/90 which is a mixture of the....Aprihops and 90 min IPA. Delicious. Tim had the My Antonia. Also delicious. 

 

Violet had a good time. 

 

So did Clover, even though she doesn't like to admit it.

 

I need to get some shots of my covert robin gift so I can send it off tomorrow...

 

sailboat pants for Violet

the first spring clothes project is complete! 

these are the oliver+s sailboat pants in a size 12-18mo for Violet. she's 19 months old now but I thought this size would work better for her since they are meant to be cropped, and she is still pretty small.  And I love them...she looks so ridiculously cute running around in them.

 

I made them out of some Moda sherbet pips and Lisette chambray. The chambray is delightful. I like the drape, and it feels soft and sturdy. 

 

It's a good thing I made the smaller size, because her waist is apparently pretty small. I literally cut out the elastic size recommended for a 6 month old and STILL had to shorten it by as much as is hanging from the waistband. Not only that, but I also moved the buttons on the front flap so that things cinched in a bit more. Now they fit great! On the first fitting they didn't even stay on. 

 

 just because I love her little curls

bonus shot of Clover with some flowers on our Sunday expedition into the woods.