Author Archives: Jess

one for Catherine

A few months ago, I want to say in late October or early November, my friend Catherine and I were out shopping.  I needed to go to Costco and once we got there I decided to put both of my little boys in the cart, instead of wearing Hunter in my SweetPod.

*gasp* “Can I try your baby carrier, then?!”  Catherine asked.

“Well, of course.”

I proceeded to help her adjust and get her little guy loaded up.  We tried him on the front, swung him to the back, and then Catherine proceeded to stroll, no, proudly strut through Costco exclaiming things like, “This is so liberating!”  “This is so much more comfortable than the Baby Bjorn!”

I said, “I’ll totally make you one!”

Um, well, I just finished it.  Here it is hot off the sewing table.

that tag thing

I immediately had to try it out before I walked it over to its rightful owner.  Since pictures I took myself were more of the mess in my art room than the brand-spanking new SweetPod, I enlisted Jonah’s photo taking abilities.

happy green

:)

I used apple green canvas duck for the solid heavyweight fabric, which I totally love.  The carrier I wear daily has a dark brown denim, which has worn in beautifully and is really soft and comfy, but I really like the hefty feel of the canvas on this one.

I think Catherine and her little guy like it too.

catherine's

I hear it made maneuvering the airport a cinch the other weekend.

on the back

I’m glad you like it Catherine!!

Sorry it took me so long.

(So, I’ve had several people ask if I would sew them a SweetPod.  As much as I’d like to say yes, I think you’d be sorry.  As you can see– it’s a long time between October and the end of February, which is how long it took me to get this one done.  Your baby would probably outgrow it before I could get it to you!  And, part of the fun is being able to say, “Yeah, I made it.”  Which you totally can.  Even Jessica says so.  And I promise you’ll be able to do it in much less than 4 months.)

note to self

  • Get up before everyone else.  Read.  Pray.  Do yoga (or go swimming).
  • Take a shower, even if the baby has to come along.  (Naked babies are fun, after all.)
  • DO NOT YELL UP THE STAIRS.  It does not make you feel happy.  Walk upstairs to say whatever it is that needs saying.
  • Do not whine back to whiners.
  • LOOK AT THE CALENDAR.  Your planner is your friend.
  • Wait until after school to look at the computer.
  • Read aloud.  And snuggle.
  • Work on making something with a child.
  • Work on making something all by yourself.
  • Watch birds.
  • Breathe fresh air.  Go outside, even for a second.
  • Eat vegetables.
  • Remember that there are people that live outside this house.  Talk to one (or some) of them.
  • Give one hundred bazillion hugs and kisses.  (They are much more important than math.  Really.)
  • Smile.
  • Laugh.
  • Sleep.

I’m printing this out and putting it on my bathroom mirror.  I’m needing the reminder lately during these days of not-quite-spring.

Speaking of spring– the new issue of Rhythm of the Home is up!

sweetie bird

It’s full of creativity, fun, and loveliness– including the pattern for my sweetie birds.  Go check it out!

new skirts

We’ve been battling a very, very, gross stomach bug the past 2 weeks, but I think it’s safe to say that we’ve beat it. Phew!  I’ve got lots of posts up my sleeve.  Let’s see if life will cooperate with my plans of regular posting.

new skirts

Another Christmas book I got was Design it Yourself Clothes by Cal Patch.

from this book

And, truth be told, I spent a big chunk of my Christmas vacation with a list of measurements, a roll of newsprint, a ruler, pencils and erasers.  I got Brenna in on the action too and she drafted her first skirt pattern.

Then it took me awhile to get any of the sewing done, but here they are!  Super simple a-line skirts that fit (almost) perfectly (I’ve lost some more weight since I measured it seems.) cut from my stack of designer home-dec fabric.  I had only just barely enough, so we skipped hemming them and I just made a lot of green bias binding.

new skirt

I learned a lot, even with such a simple design.  Like– it’s much easier to put in an invisible zipper with an invisible zipper foot, and french seams are easy and pretty.  Brenna even sewed her own.

the mama skirt

And it looks cute with my warm boots– my snuggly warm Colorado winter boots.

girls with new skirts

I’ve done some preliminary runs through my basic t-shirt pattern and have visions in my head for that button down shirt.  Now to find the time…

(Thanks Barry and Brenna for humoring me through the photo shoot!)