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Friday, October 30, 2015


It's crazy to think that this is Amelia's second Halloween. Remember last year? Clearly this little cactus is already a seasoned candy scammer. Also, do you think she'll let me choose her costume for the next nine years? Hope you have a sweet weekend!
A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

Six Sewing Tips from a Non-Seamstress

Thursday, October 29, 2015

I am officially declaring 2015 as the year I learned to sew. Kind of. I have vague memories of taking a home ec sewing class when I was in middle school (Utah's junior high equivalent), which likely resulted in a stunning pillow case. Then, in college, I remember cutting out the fabric for a full length lined pioneer style apron that a friend of mine so kindly sewed. And three years ago I even managed to crank out a lot of bunting for our wedding. So it's not like I've never sewn anything before.

But I don't sew. And I'm certainly not a seamstress. In fact I sort of joke that I don't even like sewing. In truth I'm still amazed that I managed to make two puff quilts a couple years ago with the help of a friend. And until recently I was pretty certain my sewing machine was stuck in the zigzag position. So that tells you a little something about my sewing qualifications. This year however something shifted and suddenly I thought Hey, I can do this. I'm not a seamstress but I can do this. 

Here are a few things I've learned over the last few months.

1. Right tool for the right job. You don't have to own a sewing machine to sew but it sure helps. In fact there are a ton of no-sew projects floating around the Internet, so technically you don't need a machine, but it would be a lot like learning to play the piano without a keyboard. Similarly you don't need a serger (the machine that finishes edges), but it makes sewing a little faster. I own a Singer sewing machine that my mom gave me several years ago. It isn't fancy but it works great. Other basic tools for sewing include: needles, thread, fabric scissors, rotary and rotary mat for quilting, pins and pincushion, seam ripper, and marking pen. When I decided I wanted to make Amelia some baby clothes this summer I purchased a loop turner and it made the job 100% easier. Once you have the basics all you need after that is fabric and project specific items (e.g, buttons, elastic, snaps, zippers, etc.).
2. Wash your fabric. This is pretty self explanatory but sometimes difficult to implement. The number one reason to wash your fabric before you cut anything is to avoid puckering later, which can happen when a garment shrinks. But I have found it also makes the fabric softer and easier to work with.

3. Needle down first, turn the wheel last. A friend of mine was helping me with a pattern a few months ago and she taught me about putting the needle into the fabric first then flipping the switch to lower the foot onto the fabric. This simple step has made a huge difference and now I view it as a deliberate action to get into the sewing zone. Similarly, I was always so frustrated by taking the fabric out of the machine because the bobbin thread would double up, snag, and get stuck. Which usually meant I would pull out the bobbin and re-thread the entire machine. What a waste of time! Now when I am finished I turn the wheel at the side of my machine to release the thread and it works like a charm. Two simple tricks that make sewing A LOT easier.

4. Use tape as a guide. Have you ever looked at an item of clothing and really studied the stitching? It always amazes me how straight and perfect each hem is. Granted these are generally mass produced items, but still it doesn't take long to realize that your stitching will impact the look and feel of whatever you are making. Which means aiming for a straight and consistent line is the goal. For instance, if a pattern calls for a 1/2" seam allowance, measure out from the needle and put a piece of tape as a marker on your machine. Follow that guide and move the tape around whenever you need to. (Washi or masking tape is great for this.)

5. Most things can be fixed. For years one of my mental sewing blocks was my extreme fear that the bobbin would run out of thread. Gah! I would check it compulsively to ensure that it wouldn't run out in the middle of a project and when it did it undid me. Then I decided to change my thinking. Because the thing about sewing is this: the bobbin is going to run out. It's okay. Take a breath. Change it and keep sewing. It's kind of crazy I let my own thinking make me so anxious about sewing. Luckily I got over that. Also, seam rippers are a lifesaver. Use them and don't apologize for it. If you think something looks a little crooked or off and your gut tells you to stop and unpick it, DO IT. On the flip side, some things can't be fixed. For example, cutting fabric so the pattern faces the wrong direction or putting snaps in backwards. That's okay. It's part of the learning process. Which leads me to my last point.

6. Practice and process. Like anything the more you practice the better you become, right? Truthfully I don't aspire to be a seamstress and that's okay. It's also likely that my sewing machine will remain in storage most of the year. However, I do want to be able to make an occasional Halloween costume, baby gift, or article of clothing. But sewing, for me, is all about the process. For years I was terrible at sewing. Now I'm a little better. Not because I have a black belt in sewing but because I've learned through doing. And I have had a lot of help over the years. My grandmother was a phenomenal seamstress. My mother-in-law made Amelia's baby blessing dress. Point is a lot of people really love to sew and are good at it. Learn from them. My one real piece of advice is this: make the process more important than the final product. Which I suppose is just a good life mantra.

Bonus Tip: Shopping for cute fabric is one of the best parts about sewing! In addition to places like Hobby Lobby and Michaels you can buy fabric online or at local quilt stores. Stumped for what to make? Try using a free online pattern from places like herehere, or here.

Do you sew? What other techniques have worked for you?

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Friday, October 23, 2015

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

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Friday, October 16, 2015

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

Four Picture Books We Love (Halloween Edition)

Wednesday, October 14, 2015


Looks like autumn has finally arrived and with it comes the inevitable appearance of Halloween. Although Halloween isn't my favorite holiday, I do enjoy decorating our mantel, scheming up baby costumes, and drinking homemade root beer out of a frothy cauldron. This week we scouted out a few holiday related reads at our local library and now I'm itching to add a few Halloween picture books to our personal collection.  

1.) Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor. This wee story is charming not only in its account of a little girl who locates a pumpkin to turn into a moonshine (jack-o-lantern), but also in its overall use of childhood adventure and a small lesson in manners. My favorite line is It frightened the goats! If you are familiar with any of Tasha Tudor's other books you'll love this one just as much.
2.) Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance by Keith Graves. This recommendation comes from a friend I went to library school with and one I think 3-5 year-olds would really enjoy. This quirky read manages to be both funny and a little gross at the same time. The overall message though is Do more of what you love even if nobody is watching.
3.) The Pumpkin Runner by Marsha Diane Arnold. Illustrations by Brad Sneed. Farmer Joshua likes to run. And he gets his energy from regular servings of vitamin fortified pumpkins. He learns of a race from Melbourne to Sydney and decides to give it a try. Inspired by a true story this picture book almost made me want to go for a run. Although it isn't exactly a Halloween book per se, I think it's a seasonally appropriate selection. Because it's a little long I read it to Amelia over a few days time, mainly while she ate her vitamin fortified lunch.
4.) Only a Witch Can Fly by Alison McGhee. Illustrations by Taeeun Yoo. Doesn't the illustration on the cover of this book make you think of Bewitched and Kiki's Delivery Service? Not only does the book boast beautiful woodcut prints throughout, it's a story of a young witch who listens to her heart, tries and fails, then tries again. Written in a poetic stanza format this book is heartwarming on many levels.
Other picture book we love. 

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Saturday, October 10, 2015

Maybe the best part of leaving my little miss for four days was the fact that she started saying mama mama mama when I returned. Finally. Also, our great victory this week was singing If You're Happy and You Know It and teaching her to throw her hands up in the air for the SHOUT HOORAY! part. Pretty sure we've got a child genius on our hands.
A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

My Trader Joe's Shopping Trick

Friday, October 9, 2015

We recently had a Lucky's Market open up near our home. Which means I now have access to five different grocery stores within a two mile radius. And it's nice, really, because I'm rather fond of food. And unlike shoe shopping, I thoroughly enjoy grocery shopping. If you've popped into Trader Joe's in the last couple of weeks you have probably noticed the seasonal pumpkin explosion. Pumpkin everything! A flavor I fully support.

But you know what I do on a regular basis whenever I shop at Trader Joe's? I take a look at the end caps located nearest to the check out counter, then ask the cashier Have you tried those zesty nacho kale chips? or Are those chocolate covered sunflower seeds any good? And you know what? Nine times out of ten the cashier will offer to open up a package. Just like that. They'll usually say something like Would you like to try some?, to which I never protest. Because that's the beauty of shopping at Trader Joe's: They WANT you to try things. So I give them a little nudge, because you can't get what you don't ask for.

Ps. Those cranberries & pumpkin seeds pita crisps are ridiculously amazing. 

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Monday, October 5, 2015

A portrait of my child, once a week, every week, in 2015.

Currently | 10.1.2015

Thursday, October 1, 2015

WATCHING: Now that I've finished Portlandia Season 5, I think it's time to give Madame Secretary a shot. Especially since I've heard good things about it. Also, my new life mantra comes from this recent address.

EATING: Apples from our annual apple picking excursion. Also, making this cake is an autumn tradition at our house.

READING: This thoughtful post about dealing with trauma. My favorite line is I feel like we give out gold stars to people who get over things quickly. Isn't that the truth? Now if we could just allow ourselves (and others) the time and space needed to deal with the difficult parts. However long it takes. Also, I put a library hold on this book months ago and forgot about it. I plan on starting it this weekend.

ENJOYING: The fact that we finally have an Ikea in St. Louis. Cinnamon rolls while you shop? Yes, please. Also, aren't these pitchers adorable?

MAKING: More time to write.

THINKING ABOUT: A children's picture book exchange for Christmas.

REMEMBERING: What a gift it is to stay connected to the strong and generous girlfriends I have made in my life. Most of them live faraway, but oh how much I appreciate and need to stay connected to them.

EXCITED FOR: A weekend in Utah. By myself! No doubt I'll be popping into some of my favorite spots.

Mural located in Washington, DC. 

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