Easter

While being a firefighter's wife has a lot of perks, (like Justin being off for 3 weeks after Tobin was born) it also has it's share of challenges. Example A: the garbage disposal never breaks and the kids never start vomiting until Justin leaves for his 24 hour shift.

One of these challenges is that I also have to spend a number of holidays and Lord's days without him. I don't generally mind since we are blessed to have him home so many other days of the year but it is teaching me to be more creative in my planning and preparation. Like, just what do I do with my 6, 5 and 2 year old if my 6 week old needs to eat or starts crying in the middle of the service? Leave them alone in the pew? File them all out of the sanctuary with me? Fortunately, my parents and brother and sister attend church with us and on mornings when Justin is gone the kids are happily managed by their aunt and uncle or grammy and groompa if I need to step out.

So today was Easter and it was one of those days. It was busy and a little chaotic at times but we had a wonderful, worshipful day. Even if I did come up with the fabulous (crazy) idea to stay up until 2 a.m. and sew Adia a navy and white dress so all the kids would match. I mean, Tobin was going to wake up and need to eat anyway so why not stay up and sew? Seemed like a totally rational thought process at the time...

After celebrating Resurrection day with a service and brunch with our church family, we went to my aunt's house for all of our traditional Polish food and an egg hunt. As I went back and looked at these pictures, I was so thankful I thought to hand my sister, Abbey the camera. I was inside nursing Tobin and missed the whole egg hunt. Looks like everyone had a great time!

So sad Tobin didn't get in any of the pics.
He was either sleeping or eating.
He matched too though!

Steele and Uncle Gabe

Steele and Mimi

Xochi and Great Aunt Terri

Little Adia Foo Foo
Adia's dress:
Summer Vacation Dress
Pattern from Dana at Made

The Skinny on the Skinny

On Wednesday morning I posted this on facebook:

Ok... what's the skinny on skinny jeans fb friends? Has anyone out there found any that aren't skin-tight or too low-rise? Comfortable? I'm thinkin' I need some to wear with boots.

And guess what? I got 46 comments. 46!! I think that's even more than I got when I announced that Xochi was born. I guess people have a lot of opinions when it comes to skinny jeans.

Out of those replies, along with recommendations on brands and stores, here is a smattering of what people thought (anonymously to protect the innocent... and the large-thighed):

Skinny jeans and my welsh warrior legs don't get along. No matter how hard I try...

Boots or ballet flats. I really don't like it when people mix sneakers with skinny jeans. I don't wear skinny jeans. It's for the good of humankind.

I think you're suppose to be "skinny" to wear them so, NO, I will NOT be wearing them! You're welcome!

If you get a pair, I'm getting a pair. Then we can have matching mother/daughter outfits. Just kidding.

From what my wife says and I can attest to... you have to spend some money to get jeans that look good and that actually fit. Nothing out there for less than $75 for the most part from what I hear. I know this conversation was all ladies but I figured I would join in!

I think skinny jeans are best left to the teenagers...

Cutz, you should totally do skinny jeans! Personally, I only think they're flattering when worn with a long shirt, but they're so cute with boots. I get the fake Uggs from Costco and wear them with skinny jeans all winter long. SO comfy!

I say go for it! I agree with Gertrude (name changed to protect the innocent, skinny-thighed) though...only with a long shirt or layers on top...you know what I mean right? GAP has some great ones, I agree. I was just in there and some of them are super soft. Skinny jeans are kind of all you see in NYC, and its also the same look with lots of stretchy pants that have zippers, etc on them. H&M has loads too. I say with boots or ballet flats, depending on the weather.

And so... I decided I would give them a try.

Now don't laugh at this next part. Here was my thought process. One night when I was at Walmart I thought to myself, "I think I'll try a few pairs on. Then, I can see how they look and if I think they'd work for me. If I'm not really sure, at least I didn't spend a lot of money on them."

This was WRONG thinking, my friends.

The skinny jeans at Walmart were, as my friends so readily shared, only for skinny people. They were too low, too tight, too.... weird.

At which time I posted this on facebook:

Skinny Jeans Round One. Bulging thighs: 1, Cutzi and her hopes of cute fall outfits with boots, scarves and tunic sweaters: 0

I decided my next stop would have to be the Gap or Buckle. Both got high ratings on my little facebook poll.

Until I came up with a brilliant plan based on a blog post I recently read (which I would post if I could find).

I'm seriously so excited about this I can barely type fast enough. The pictures are crappy but, like I said, I'm just too excited to wait and take better ones.

Since I wasn't sure I would actually like them and since we just spent an insane amount of money on home schooling curriculum and an unexpected car repair - I decided to take a pair of my OWN jeans and make them into skinnies. I took ones that fit me well on top, drew a few lines, sewed a few seams, ripped a few seams and finally! Success!!

So without further adieu... Cutzi's skinny jean re-fashion. (Made from a pair of Old Navy Sweetheart jeans that I got for $12)

With flats



With awesome $50 leather boots from Target
(Now in more colors. Run! Get yourself a pair!!)



With fun cowboy boots that my husband found for $5 at a garage sale
with intentions of re-selling until I promptly stole them

Now, I agree with my commenters. I think these will be worn best with a tunic shirt or a tee and a cozy, thigh-length fall sweater. I do still kind of think they look better on, how shall we say, less hour-glassed figures? But I am pleased. While searching for the Sweetheart link I found out Old Navy actually sells them in a skinny! I just might have to try those next.

And now? This sunny Pacific Northwest Saturday is turning out to be full of creative opportunity. I'm off with a can of spray paint!!

Star Spangled Sewing

And some blog love.

Before I begin - I have to tell you what a nice wife I am. Just before sitting down to write, I reached up into the cupboard and took the last two squares of a Hershey's dark chocolate bar. For a split second I was going to just leave the wrapper sitting there - until I thought to myself, "No. You shouldn't do that. Because wouldn't that suck to be Justin and reach up thinking your were going to get chocolate only to find an empty wrapper? That would royally suck" So I took it down and threw it in the trash. It's the little things, you know. You can thank me later, hon.

We're all about the holiday wear in our family. It's a tradition that goes back to my grandmother - and probably, if I asked her, would go back even further than that. Now, nothing over the top - but on St. Patrick's Day you wear green, on Halloween Day - maybe a little pumpkin pin, 4th of July - definitely red, white and blue. If I can, and if I have time, I like to try and make something for the kids. It's getting a little more challenging with three kids - but this year I felt especially inspired from a number of sewing blogs I've been reading (and I seem to have some added energy - Vitamin D anyone??) so I got some things made.

First off, I made a little pair of bandana shorts for Steele. I made him a pair last summer - they're so simple and fast and cheap. ($1 bandanas at Walmart. Yes, I shop there. Yes, my husband's a union firefighter. No, I do not feel one bit guilty. I'll stop there. You can too.) They're not so poufy after you wash them and they're fun to throw on and run around in in the summer. You can find the tutorial I used here. They also have one over at Sew Mama Sew.



Next I started in on a couple "simple" tops for Adia and Xochi. I used a shirt of Adia's as a sizing template. They seemed easy enough and I don't know, maybe it's because it was midnight (or later) but I could not get the sleeves to go in properly. Finally, after ripping them out four times I had the novel idea to look in one of my sewing books. (get it, novel? Sewing book? heh heh. yah, yah. I only got 5 hours of sleep and I haven't had any coffee yet today, OK??!) I was finally able to get those babies in. I once told Justin that I would not be at all surprised if hell had some department where all you do all day is sit around sewing seams only to be told you have to rip them out again. Either that, or waiting in line at the DOL only to be told you don't have the right forms or you're not in the right line and you have to come back. Where was I? Ok - Shirts. 4th of July. Right.

I was inspired by this cute set on I blog I recently found - Asthetic Nest. This woman is an amazing seamstress. I could spend hours browsing the adorable dresses she's made. Of course, the second time around I couldn't make it any easier on myself by just using the pattern I finally ended up using on the first one. I had ideas to make it even better!! Next time I'll know... I think the simpler the better with these tops. I really did over-think it. Elastic thread is my new best friend. I have big plans, folks, big plans!! Here's a sneak preview.

I'll add a white t-shirt for Steele and some denim shorts for the girls
and we'll be all set to go. Now if I can only find time to make a skirt for myself.

If you're wondering how I do find time. I went to bed at 1:30 and was woken up at 6:30. I then proceeded to neglect my children - letting them watch cartoons,play Leapster and feeding them dry Captain Crunch until Justin arrived home - at which point they were bouncing off the walls and he fed them some real food. (Xochi was sleeping) But hey! They'll look darn cute - so there you have it.

If you're looking for some sewing inspiration yourself, I've found some brilliant blogs around the web that feature wonderful sewing. Many of them include tons of tutorials, patterns and web shops. I thought I'd share a few. Have fun!

No Big Dill
Made By Rae
Made
While They Sleep
JCasa *Handmade
Magpie Patterns