Happy Easter!

The good news: I finished making a much needed diaper bag. I used the country messenger bag pattern from Amy Butler, and of course some Amy Butler fabric from her Nigella line. I love how it came out. It's so roomy! The bad news: there are about a billion other projects I want to finish before the baby arrives, which is any day now. I think tonight I'll start on the tea party sundress from Oliver + S. I'm so excited about this pattern. I have to figure out a way to make multiple sizes from one pattern. I was thinking tracing onto newspaper or something. Any suggestions out there? I'm also nervous about making buttonholes, but I think I can handle it. I'll practice lots before going for the real thing.
Here's a sweet picture of all my guys dressed in their Easter best. I brought the camera with us to church so we could get someone to take a picture of the whole family on the altar, but of course I forgot all about it. At least it stopped snowing and the sun came out so we could get good outside pictures. I even broke out the Pentax K1000 35mm, which is around 40 years old and still working just fine, and took some pictures.

It's time to go prepare Easter lunch (yummy portabello and mushroom and roasted red pepper sandwiches). Then I of course have to clean the house top to bottom for the arrival of the mother-in-law tonight. (yay) Hopefully I won't go into labor within the next couple of days so I can drag her around with me to flea markets and antique stores. The hubby's no fun to go with and just gets a glassy eyed stare when we walk into places like that.

little surprises

I received this beautiful little gown in the mail the other day. It was sewn by a woman from the tiny town in Louisiana I grew up in. I love getting little things like this when least expected. And the picture just doesn't do it justice. Maybe one day I will be able to sew like this! This will definitely go in Matilda's keepsake box, after I take 1,000 pictures of her wearing it of course.

awesome weekend

Well what a great weekend. I got so much done! I finally made the laundry detergent. I haven't used it yet. It was extremely easy to find the ingredients too. I got the borax and fels naptha soap from Kroger. For the washing soda, you can call Arm & Hammer at 1-800-524-1328 and they'll give you a list of stores in your area where they sold it in the past 90 days. If this detergent works out, it will be uber cheap to wash clothes from now on!
It was also very gorgeous today. Most of the snow melted away and it was in the 50's! So we took the opportunity to go to the park. It was the first time in a long time that the boys didn't even need coats. Jason and Annie went for a run on the path next to the playground while the boys played. As you can tell from the picture above, Annie was quite worn out at the end of the day.
I made a small shop update. I listed one women's apron and two children's aprons. I'm really please with how the children's aprons turned out. The fabric is so adorable. It's from Anna Maria Horner's Chocolate Lollipop line.
I finally finished all of the bedding for Matilda's bed. Whew it was hard but worth it. Notice the wonder AshleyG prints hanging on the wall. I love them! I need to get more for the boys' room. I like the way the bumper pads turned out. I wasn't sure about making them all separate pieces, but I think it looks OK. And I don't think any tiny feet can push their way between each pad.
I really like the dust ruffle too. I think it looks better straight than all ruffely. All I have left now is to make the curtains and a mobile, which I'm almost done with.

Now I need rest! I think I'll sit back and knit for a while.

random stuff

Yeah, I know I'm already failing at posting a lot. I have good excuses! One is that I am so huge and about to burst! I have about 3 1/2 weeks until this kid finally comes out. The only problem is that in the last month, I gain the most weight and get really, really tired all the time. If I don't sleep when I get tired, I get a horrible headache. But that's how pregnancy goes I guess. Otherwise I feel fine.

Another excuse is that I have been sewing/knitting every free moment I have. I have completed the baby bedding set I was sewing for Matilda (pics soon). I'm still working on a mobile and curtains, but those got put on hold until I'm done with all the aprons I'm working on. I'm trying to use up all the fabric I have and list everything on my shop before the baby arrives. I did sell and apron, but it got lost in the mail. )-: I felt so bad, because I know how I hate to not get something I ordered. So I made another one and am going to mail it soon.

I haven't tried the homemade laundry detergent yet. I got most of the ingredients today, but couldn't find the wash soda at the store. I found out that they sell it at a store near my house and will be getting some tomorrow. I'm excited about trying it, because now I won't have to use separate detergent for clothes and diapers. Also, all the ingredients are natural therefore good for the environment and good for your septic tank. yay

On another note, I've been waiting for Oliver + S to start selling patterns. The site says February 2008 and today is March 1. Oh well, soon I guess. I really want to get this one.