As much as I fight it internally, I am the happiest in the attempt to do hard things in life, like trying to balance mothering and personal endeavors. I used to think it was wrong to do such a thing, but what better way for a child to learn about life but to watch her mother push, work, fail, and get up again.

The most recent mania: sewing for my children--things that are fresh, free flowing, and easy to play in. Lately I've been inspired by many things: this and that, things here, and there. So many ideas, so much room for my own creativity, my own style, and my own approach.


The challenge with my season of life is if I have to follow a pattern or a set of instructions, I won't make it. I don't have 100% mind power in one place at a time, except in front of a big bowl of ice cream late at night.

But if I can make it up as I go and mess up as I go, then I start to see what works and what doesn't. And quite frankly, using a seam ripper to fix my mistakes while I stand at the front door watching my little people flirt with construction workers is much easier than being caught up in the next paragraph of a pattern.

So I try things, fix things again and again, sometimes over the course of days, until it works.

Four different plaid skirts/tops later, I'll see if we really can come together for a family photo shoot this weekend. My new favorite brown wool felt is playing a part as well.

My life isn't very different from yours. I have family, responsibility, desires, and struggles.

I go in and out of routines and habits, have moments of fulfillment, and moments of failure. Like you, these all come in seasons.

These seasons tend to rule me. My highs are exhilarating, my lows, weigh me down greatly.
The constant culprit: fear. Fear of failure and doubt.

Some of the best advice came from a fortune cookie made of enriched flour and sugar:

"Failure is the way to prepare you for great responsibility."

And now I'll go on with the inconsistencies in life, the pauses of deep self talk, and get back on my feet to defeat that four letter word, fear, and live.

I've spent many nursing hours and countless pages of my notebook in prepping, sketching, and organizing for some exciting things to come.

New projects with tutorials...

New events for the locals...

And very exciting new changes to this, here blog. Keeps your eyes open. It's coming.

Yesterday, between checking on cookies, I came up with this...

in an attempt to reduce this: art stains.

I knew I needed something wipe-able, something that felt different to the girls than a kitchen apron.

The fabric, often used for outside tablecloths, needs no seams, which means you could make it with minimal sewing. I simply cut slits for button holes and added a low pocket for the artist's supplies.


They're an absolute blast to make, coordinate, and fill--oh yes, it makes a great friend's birthday present, or at least I'm hoping for that this weekend.

Twice yearly I look forward to leaving the house alone and carrying a really, really large tote out the door. That's when everyone in the area rushes to our local children's consignment sales to load up on seasonal items.

(These cool new shoes for Johanna: a whopping $5--and they're Gymboree which means they'll last.)

Everything sold is gently used and in great shape. I get Caroline's next size up for the coming season and, this time around, more clothes for the twins. We're talking $1.50-$4 on most of the great clothing I find.

I hit a couple consignment sales and what needs aren't fulfilled I do my shopping elsewhere.

But hey, it is worth a try looking into your local seasonal consignment sales. Another great plus is great books and toys at these events. I like to stock up on books for the girls for birthdays and Christmas. I've found $1-$5 treasures-- new books and books I've longed to have on my children's shelves.

This year's catch: a 5 piece PlayHut set of tents and crawling tubes for $17. Although hidden now, that will magically reappear set-up, as perfectly as only Santa could do.

I thought owls, playing, and spit up worked well together when I designed this.

I think the girls would agree.

When I sew during the day...

I look like I'm very intent and focused.


But then I have to remind Johanna that only her sister can use the scissors,

then I leave my table and confiscate scissors,

And then I have to pick one of these Munchkins up and bounce them around the room until contentment,

And maybe, just maybe, I finish my project, usually completely different then planned, and satisfyingly reap the rewards of big smiles.

Our friends' glorious acres of gardens, raspberry bushes, chickens, and 19th century structures: definitely some awe inspired expressions on our children's' faces.

Loading the bucket with what remains from summer's prime crop: finders- keepers. A scrumptious chicken chili using our gathered produce was enjoyed the following night.

Raspberry bushes as far as the eye can see.

And eager fingers to pick and eat as long as the night may be.

Eventually the sun set, babies tummies were fed to the sounds of the night, and everyone rode home in silence, with visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads.

The girls enjoying a new picnic/reading/rolling-on/throw-in-the-car blanket
that I finished. The best part is that it is sewn with all of my Granny's fabric. How special now that she's passed away.

We made trips to visit family to eat, make merry...

swim... (in dresses, that is, since mommy didn't bring suits)

and indulge...

until bedtime.

Shouldn't they rename Labor Day to something more fitting like, oh... Play Day?