greenclogs

October, it was nice knowing you.

Well, October flew by, didn't it? I'm not even done with Halloween costumes yet (I should probably cut them out tonight). The neighbor told me that we need to buy 3 Costco size bags of candy for Monday night. There will be mounted policement supervisiing HOARDS of children trick or treating in our neighborhood. I'm looking forward to the mayhem but I may have to bring my dogs over to my dad's house for the night. They are not at peace with the doorbell. Not at all. 

We've had a busy month. The girls and I went to the coast and we went to Fort Clatsop for Annika's Oregon Trail/Oregon history studies. It was one of those "I don't want to go.... I don't want to leave" kind of experiences. She was enthralled by the artifacts and by the fort itself. She couldn't quite imagine that many people living in a space smaller than our house for a winter with no TV and no Internet. How could they possibly cope??? She got sucked into the Junior Ranger thing (which I don't love but whatever) and is now totally enthused about visiting all of the L&C sites in Oregon and Washington. I'll take the workbook/ranger badge/ranger rank thing if it gets her interest moving. This weekend we'll be heading back and going to Ecola State Park and maybe to Fort Stevens. She always wants to believe that she doesn't care about things like history but she really does. Nothing makes her happier than a good history book and some facts and artifacts. Oh, and authentic quill pens. 

We also went to grandma's house in Seattle for a couple of days - another girl trip. Annika got to spend a whole day with grandma doing crafty things and then visiting the American Girl store and Build-A-Bear. I'm pretty sure she likes Grandma better than she likes me now. Kit and I spent the day with a dear friend where we found her some new pink foos and saw bawk-bawks and ducks. 

There has alo been some sewing (see photo above). I was fairly successful during the Fall Kids Clothes Week Challenge. Annika made herself a skirt and i completed the whole outfit that Kit is wearing - smock, knit long sleeve dress, and leggings. The smock and dress are repeats from my Oliver +S patterns (I stick with what works) and the leggings are from Ottobre. I still have two more of those dresses that are half done. Maybe next week. I figure knit dress/leggings/smock is her uniform until she has strong opinions to the contrary. That remnds me - I really want a serger now. I'm willing the universe to send me an awesome one for cheap via craigslist. So light a candle to the craigslist gods for me. Thanks. 

I guess that's it for now. Hope you're well. I'll check back in next week with Halloween, obsessive paint swatching in the living room, and maybe a finished paint job. A girl can dream. If we don't set goals, we'll never get anywhere, right? Happy weekend!

bawk-bawk smock

When I said I was in the groove, I meant it. This little smock was completed on the same day as the finishing of the cape. It's also from Oliver + S Little Things to Sew: 20 Classic Accessories and Toys for Children and is my new favorite item of clothing (until I make the next thing). 

Sometimes this little one doesn't like putting things on over her clothes, so I made it irresistible to her by putting a "bawk-bawk" on it. The main fabric is from a Merimekko duvet that I bought at the Crate & Barrel outlet store for $10. Love that. The rooster is from fabric that I bought to make a quilt that you will see later. Hopefully soon. 

The pieces of the apron are sewn together with the bias tape and then the edges are trimmed with it as well, which I love. The only change I made to this one was to secure the back with buttons and buttonholes - It just seemed like a more secure choice than the suggested velcro or snaps. I'd highly recommend this change for anyone who makes it. There are side pockets that are cute, but not super useful for a little one. I have versions 2 and 3 cut out already. I'm adding front pockets and doing buttons again. I think this is a good jumping off pattern for making something your own - it's a very traditional smock style that is easy to customize so it works for you.

Before I forget - if you're needing some inspiration to make kids clothes for fall, then head over to Elsie Marley where Meg is gearing up for KCWC Fall 2011. Commit to spend an hour a day sewing for your kids and you'll be amazed at what you can get done. I'm spending this week prepping by tracing patterns and cutting everything out. I plan on having 5 dresses (all the same style) for Kit with matching leggings and a couple of tunics for Annika along with something to dress her bottom half (still undecided). Fall has definitely arrived in our neck of the woods, so it's time for some cozy long sleeves. 

Off to make more bias tape and tackle versions 2 and 3. Happy Monday!