5.28.2008

Wouldn't it be nice

Long before the hubby and I were married and long before we starting adding kids to our family mixture I had this very vivid and specific image of myself as "Mom". This image had me riding around in a VW Westfalia(pop top) with the kids in the back and be-bopping to some kid tune blaring on the radio. We'd go camping on the beach and make s'mores by the campfire. When we looked around for a new "family" car last year I immediately wanted a Westfalia, but we came up empty-handed since the hubby wasn't ready to buy used. What would of been so wrong with something like this:

westfalia

Okay. I guess getting a used European car could have been a bad idea. I know it's expensive to get them repaired. So after much thought and letting go, we decided on a Honda Odyssey which is a very cool family vehicle and, hey, their commercials are pretty funky too.

I do have to admit that every now and then I cruise the internet for Westfalia pics just to get my fill. Plus, as much as I love our Odyssey I'm still always on the lookout for VW's newest version of a beloved oldie. Well, to my absolute surprise and delight I stumbled upon Alexandre Verdier's most awesome concept idea for the Westfalia. I was beyond stoked. Feast your eyes on this bad boy:

Westfaliaconcept

And he's a hybrid and hydraulic and has solar panels! How cool is that??! I could do without the wood grain exterior, but what a beauty nonetheless. Now, all I have to do is come up with $60K(asking price). A girl can dream, can't she?

5.27.2008

A Fairy Good Day

And as the seasons come and go, here's something you might like to know.
There are fairies everywhere: under bushes, in the air,
Playing games just like you play, singing through their busy day.
So listen, touch, and look around - in the air and on the ground.
And if you watch all nature's things, you might just see a fairy's wing.


Sometimes it's nice to be reminded that fairies are among us even if we don't see them day to day. And as I've gotten older it seems I have to look a little extra harder for them. But, what if you were given the opportunity to have them visit you often? What if you gave them a dwelling where they could feel safe and free enough to roam? Well, we hope to be able to do that with our very own Fairy Houses. I found the cutest little Fairy House Kit at My Paradise Cottage.

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The Fairy House (image from My Paradise Cottage)

The houses shipped today and I can't begin to describe my excitement. The kids won't be as excited until the kits are sitting right in front of them. My Paradise Cottage also has some tips on attracting fairies to your garden by giving you examples of favorite fairy flowers like lovely lavender. Take a looksie today. Your inner child will thank you.

5.13.2008

Madre

Some days you'll catch me pulling my hair out thinking, "Why me?" But, before that last hair is drawn I remember, "Oh yeah, I planned this." Often in the busy madness of life with two kids I forget the smiles, those little feet, the tiny hands and warm hugs around my legs. I wish those moments would never be overrun with taking care of this or taking care of that. And I have to scratch at that work-is-never-ending surface of myself as Mom to uncover the real reason I became her.

You are the poem I dreamed of writing.

The masterpiece I longed to paint.

You are the shining star I reached for in my ever hopeful quest for life fulfilled.

You are my child.

Now with all things I am blessed.
-Author Unknown

5.01.2008

Happily Sewing

My niece finally turned 1 and although I wasn't able to sew everything I wanted I was happy to give her a few pieces she could wear through her next year. I really need to get online and buy some more fabric. I have so many projects floating around in my head that I need to make room in there for basic daily thoughts... like planning dinner and breakfast and lunch and dinner again.

I made this little "Dia De Los Muertos" bib for all her munching adventures. The pattern I used was found in Amy Karol of Angry Chicken's awesome and wonderful book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing. I want to make some napkins using the same fabric. I initially found the Day of the Dead fabric at Repro Depot but I ran a search and can't find it there anymore. Boo.
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I used Simplicity's New Look Pattern line for this little number. It's Design 693. I simplified my version since I was running low on time.
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I made a matching onesie with an applique and ruffles. I pretty much winged this one since there aren't any real tutorials out there for the ruffles. And I looked around all over the internet. If you happen to know of a good tutorial for adding ruffles to a onesie, please pass it along to me. I'd love to make some more of these that are a little less wonky than mine.
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I really hope my little niece enjoys struttin' around in her new pieces. Happiest first birthday, darling!