Mending Monday--Kittens

Mending Monday, all about kittens.  This one is so cute I can see it on little pillowslips and bedspreads too. 

Guppies and kittens...

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I wouldn't hesitate for a moment to have a set of towels like these.

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The pads on those little feet make me smile.

I miss cookie jars on the counters.

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A plate full of kitten...sweet as honey for sure.

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But this one seals the deal for me. That Tom and Jerry image of fun. Perfect for a pinafore. Who wouldn't want to play with that elfish mouse?

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To while away the last few hours of car pool lines (the lovelies are out for summer break next Friday!  Yikes...) I have taken to stitching two sets of pattern weights. These are the brunettes.

These are the blondes. This pattern can be found in the fantastic book Zakka Style. It was originally intended to be hand warmers...but pattern weights were far more necessary.

59 steps?

Digging through my pile of patterns this week I found one that needed my attention....Claire has been itching for a skirt for school.  My daughter is very sure of her style and had the fabric and pattern picked out all on her own.  I figured it wouldn't be a problem considering it was a Sew Easy.  One day of school under our belt I was sure to impress her with my accomplishment...ha! 

She specifically wanted a high waisted skirt.  This Butterick pattern fit the bill and offered lots of different varieties.  Bonus that it was a Sew Easy...so I thought.

Opening up the pattern to read the instructions I realized this pattern had 59 steps.  What on earth is easy about a 59 step pattern?  I wanted to crumple it up and toss it but failure was not an option as this pattern was paid for already.  I persevered.

Claire has picked this beautiful bright Sis Boom fabric.  

In addition, I have added this stash of  ruffle fabric that I love.  It has the texture of pantie hose.  Sews like a dream and you don't have to hem the edge.

The back of the fabric is just as beautiful.  At this point I decided to use the pattern pieces and toss the directions.  Honestly, the were way too confusing.  

Within a few hours I had a lovely little creation that my preteen can be proud to wear.

Clever little zipper closure in the back.

Soft elastic waist just to make it fit perfect.  I hate to watch a little girl tug on skirts or pants.  This is my favorite part of sewing.  Making it fit just so.  Things that are comfortable will last so much longer in a closet.

Claire was excited to see her fabric made into a something today.  I had it in the car at pick up.  She is planning on wearing it tomorrow. 

I treasure each one of these because I know my days are numbered with her and handmade clothes.  She has reached that age where store bought clothes are cool.  I hopes that she will always remember my needle will always be available to her.

Thank you all so much for such sweet comments.  It is so wonderful to hear from so many fantastic and inspiring women.  Each comment makes my day...

Mending my own business.

It has been one of those weeks where its just go go go and then go some more.   This one needs this and this one needs that.  It was a rough week, Friday I need a break and I only had an hour to spare.  Mindless shopping is what I needed...off to the thrift store to find treasures.


Same old same old.  I have some of those already...blah blah blah.  One more trip around to waste spare time and I spotted these beauties behind some comforters on the floor in a plastic tub. I had a seat on the floor and dug right in.

The graphics are stunning.  I haven't scanned them yet only photographed them.  I did clean them up in photoshop a bit.  Some of them had pencil marking on them  Some of them are unopened.  Love all the toys and figures.  The hardest part, the thing that scared me the most...the thrift store put its big huge price tag on the front of these.  Killed me, I did let them know please don't do that again.  I quickly came home and hairdryed those nasty things off.  Only one pattern didn't make it through the process.

  I am going to use the images to craft with.  I feel so lucky to have these beauties in my hands.  The Barbie-like pattern is darling, but I think my favorite is the New York Pattern of the girls.  So unique. 

These paper beauties were stashed away mending (ha!) their own business when I came along and snatched them up...