What I've been doing lately...

I thought everyone might get a kick seeing what I have been sewing lately. I was in a real dry spell after the move and wasn't motivated sew much of anything. After knitting for a couple of months over the winter, I was ready to fire up the old sewing machine again. So this is what I spend my free time doing...

FYI--click on photos to get a close up of details.

I had to include this face shot of Apple patiently waiting for me to get off of the computer this morning. Almost all the pics I take of her she is so dark you can see her sweet face. Here she is in all her black lab glory!

On with the sewing... This is Sophia's Easter dress. I found the fabric at Marden's (a Maine discount store) for 3 yds it was $3.00 aka super cheap. Since Sophia's favorite color is now turquoise, it fit the bill. It is a little big, but that was on purpose so she can wear it through the summer.

This is a back shot--we decided to add the bow to make it special!

I had been wanting a pair of simple black pants for awhile and already had the fabric but pants are tricky to get a good fit. After a little alteration and widening the leg (don't want peg legs) these turned out really well. This pic is a close up of the fly front--my best attempt yet!

As you can see in this pic, they are simple tab front pants with two front pockets and no back pockets. My photographer was at school so this is the only way I could get a decent photo, pinning it to the dress form. Crude but effective.

This is the knit top I made to go with my black pants. It is tought to tell but there is a foldover tab at the neckline and 3/4 sleeves. It turned out really nice although it is alittle outside my comfort zone. Notice how I managed to match the fabric design on the sleeves to the bodice.

This was Claudia's b-day outfit. The top is a simple boat neck, 3/4 sleeve tee. The skirt is more complex. It is a reverse applique that was totally handsewn from the waist band to the seams and all the topstitching. It was very time consuming but the result was great and it is very comfortable b/c the skirt was made with t-shirt material.

I am working on another one now that is gray with red underneath and black topstitching.

I am on a sewing break now b/c my sewing machine is in for repairs. It barely made it through Sophia's Easter dress. I have alot on deck though including Sophia's b-day dress and a change of command dress for me! Let me know what you think.

Long time, no see...

I know that I am not the most reliable when it comes to keeping up with photos or e-mail and every few weeks or months I vow to do better and never quite make it. Well here I am again, with a morning free of kids, promising to post at least once a week. We will see how long it sticks...

I hope you enjoy seeing our life and that these pictures bring a smile to your day!


The kids visiting dad on the job (his other job) and seeing the Jonesport Volunteer Firemen at their finest!

This is the same day at the controlled burn which is apparently a huge social event. Most of the town was there watching them at work so, of course, we had to stop by and see them in action.

Did you know that Jonesport has its very own art gallery? Well we didn't either until Sophia's art work was chosen to be displayed at the gallery opening at Jonesport Library. The theme was "Flamingos" (insert giggle here) and about 20 kids pics were chosen to be on display. Sophia's pic is the one over her head.

P.S. Her new obsession is ponchos! Who knew?

Sophia signed up to perform at the annual Jonesport Elementary talent show this year (unknown by her mother). She sang "The Great Defender" while Jack played the tambourine (also Sophia's idea). They did a great job and received a big round of applause.

She is also wearing one of Tom's old work shirts in honor of the Coast Guard!

This is the kids after the CG Housing Easter Egg Hunt. As you can tell from the look on the kids faces and the amount of eggs in their baskets they made out like bandits!

Easter morning in their new clothes. Don't they look great?! Apple is hard to see but she is getting so big. The dress is one I made and one of the reasons I am not on the computer:) Also, as this picture was being taken it was snowing--UGH!

That was easy lets try it again!

So I forgot that the photos get loaded backwards:) Me making pancakes while my husband is totally crazy!!

Tom getting the fire started!

Tom trying to get the fire started and looking very proud!

Tom is totally crazy! He decides it is a good idea to start a fire, in shorts, in 10 degree weather, with the wind really blowing.

Another day in Paradise.....

Jack jumping off the "mountain" left by the plow.

Sophia and Apple enjoying the view.

King and Queens of the mountain.

The view down the street from our house.

Our house in all its double-wide glory.

I thought you would get a kick seeing what Maine looks like in the middle of January. Very grey, cold and icy. Nothing stops us from enjoying a little out door play time. Notice how red their faces are. I still had to bribe with hot cocoa to get them back in the house!

So this is how we post a picture.

testing, testing....

Just figuring this out to see if it works:)