[Come take a look at a few of my...]

Catch me over at decor8 today and see a few of my favorite nook/spots/things in my home.

Thanks Holly for inviting me to be a part of such a wonderful and inspiring series!

[bringing up boys, and...]

So here I am, having a lovely Saturday afternoon painting some dainty little tea party plates.

Jon gets home. Little A: "Dad! Mom made you a plate!". No sooner do I turn around when I see this mischievousness going on.


I see pennants. Apparently my boys see something entirely different. Something along the lines of scary, sharp teeth...

Guess I'll have to do a customized set just for my little monsters.


*addendum: Jon drew the face and put it together initially. When I went to photograph the before and after Little A refused to let me take the eyes and nose off and kept putting them back on...so I caught him in the act. And yes, that is a chocolate smear on his arm.

**If you are wanting to make your own custom plates, I used black Ceramcoat paint (instructions on bottle). The plates I found at a local thrift store (they only had two).

[a kind of, sort of, tutorial of sorts...]

So I thought it might be nice to get you all that travel desk tutorial I promised you before the summer was over. Maybe you can squeeze in some sewing time right before your last road trip of the summer. This might seem pretty extensive but I promise that it's easier than it looks! My sewing skills/vocabulary/etc. are still novice so I apologize if some of the steps don't make sense. Hopefully the pictures will help.

1. Start with a board (any size you like). I used masonite but if you are intending to use this in the car it might be a better idea to go with a thick cardboard of sorts, or something softer than masonite, for safety reasons.
2. Measure the fabric so that when folded there is just enough room on the top and bottom of the board for seam allowance. Leave as much room on the sides as you like for folding over pockets.
3. Make loops for pocket closures (you can use bias tape or ribbon if you like) and sew them on the inside of the folded fabric.
4. You'll laugh but I can't remember what 4 is for. I say just ignore it.
5. Sew around fabric leaving opening for turning.
6. Turn fabric inside out.
7. Baste or mark area where board will be. Sew handle on to whichever side you want the top to be (you can also do this earlier like the loops in step three). I just realized that my drawing has the handles in different spots but I'm too lazy to fix it. Just play around and put it where you want it.
8&9. Sew on pockets (turning and sewing edges under ahead of time). I used large coat size zippers and sewed them straight onto the pocket fabric. You can also add a pencil pocket to the side.
10. Sew on pocket for board leaving opening for board to slide in and out.


11. Hand embroider initial to lower right corner (or wherever you like).
12. Fold up pockets and sew shut.
13. Sew buttons on for loops to close.
14. Sew pillow pocket. You can make this as deep or as shallow as you like. Sew sides at an angle.
15. Turn inside out.

16. Sew pillow pocket onto desk leaving opening for stuffing. Stuff pillow. Sew closed.
17. Insert board. You are done now ready to use your new desk!


*I also keep coloring and activity books under the board for storage. You can also add a metal sheet on top of the board for magnetic activities. Another variation would be to sew plastic on top to make it easy to wipe clean if used for eating. This is something I might do later.

I hope this was helpful. If you have any specific questions along the way I'll do my best to help you out. Happy sewing and last minute traveling!

**Oh and a big thanks to Ohdeedoh and Cafe Mom (and any other kind bloggers) for posting about Little A's desk!

[my new little obsession]

Move over permanent marker, I now have a new, legit fabric doodle buddy. In the past I've been know to draw on sheets with permanent marker (for little A's first birthday I drew characters on sheets for the children to color in with chalk. It worked really well. When I washed the sheets the chalk came off but the marker stayed, ready for another afternoon of playful coloring). As great as this was, it was time to step it up. That's when I found these babies. Score. My head is spinning with options, ideas, and patterns.

I'm not sure what I'll do with this little pattern I'm creating (a table cloth? if I have the stamina...) but what I do know is that I'll have plenty of directed doodle time while on hold. Kenny G, bring it on, because I'm pulling up a chair and staying for a while.

(Oh and if you are wondering about the random yellow N, well little A's wooden alphabet was encroaching on my photo shoot so, being the visually obsessed mother that I am, I insisted that he choose letters that color coordinated. Makes perfect sense, right?)

[sew your own vintage swim suit]

I'm not sure my sewing skills are up for the challenge of this Burda Style vintage swim pattern but I might give it a go anyhow. Is this not the cutest suit ever?

[Vintage Americana part II]

My talented little sister managed to squeeze in some digital processing between morning sickness, birthdays and the usual busy mom schedule so that I could show you all the rest of these photos she took of our little family. Thanks LJ!









***for those of you who asked-I used the Project Runway Simplicity pattern 2725 for my dress and added the ruffle myself (very easy to do btw).

[blueberry muffins and...]

On Monday we celebrated Jon's birthday. We started the day off with blueberry spice muffins, bacon and eggs and then proceeded on to gifts. Little A was very excited about this. I asked him what he wanted to give daddy and he said, "A big box! and then we can say Happy Birthday!"

So a big red box it was - complete with finger print cards from the littles (littla A turned his into a monster).

I made Jon a custom Shakespeare poster cataloging the Shakespeare roles Jon has played as well as a few famous Shakespeare quotes. After a wonderful morning we drove up the coast and found ourselves in Santa Barbara. What a marvelous day it was. Thanks Jon for having a birthday and for sharing it with us!

*Oh and thanks for all the hair advice. You guys are awesome!

[What my hair is supposed to look like...]

Isn't the hair on this Keller NY model just heavenly? But believe you me...to get that messy, soft and tousled look, with a good bang sweep, is a whole lot harder than just waking up. After having the two littles my hair has become much more curly...or I should say "wavy" (used to be pretty much straight pre-kiddos). I like the idea of tousled hair but it is so hard to get it to look right. It either goes frizzy & poofy (too little product) or ramen noodle crunchy (too much product). The perfect balance is somewhere in between with the appropriate, magical product and styling combo. Gals with curls...give me some love. What products/styling tips do you suggest? And something a working mama could actually perform on a daily basis would be choice.

[school portraits and...]

Things are slowing down a bit over here as we enjoy our lazy days of summer.

Just the other day little A and I had fun making and eating homemade Cookies 'n' Cream in an effort to cool off a bit.

As you can see everything melted all over the upper lip...right where it belongs. We have also been trying to incorporate some water color painting, swimming and Montessori play time in between mom's busy illustration schedule.

And yet...as we enjoy our sunny days we find ourselves preparing for the upcoming school year...pictures need to be taken for cubbies and birthdays in anticipation for the first preschool year little A has ever had (sigh)...my oh my how they grow. So we are slowing things down...trying to savor as much as we can.

I do however have a few fun things in store such as a travel desk instructional/pattern of sorts, more forth of July photos, etc. So keep on dropping in. I'll be sure to say hi as much as I can!

xo

Mer

[sharing with you a little slice of our...]

I thought I'd better share with you a few snapshots of our splendid Fourth of July celebration before the month was actually over. I'm still waiting on a few photos that my little sis took of us that I will of course post later.

I was so happy with how all the boys ensembles turned out. I managed to throw something on the sewing machine for myself the day before festivities began. It never got a zipper so I had to layer a bit but it all worked out...more or less.

and of course we can't forget the much talked about m&m display. It was all worth it, right?


We had a delicious time munching on ears of barbecued corn, dipping bread in various olive oil concoctions, sampling delectable slices of razzleberry, lemon meringue, strawberry and apple pie, and of course scooping up chocolatey crunchy goodness that most definitely melted in our hands as well as our mouths. The littles played rounds of miniature golf (the course of which was handmade by the sweat of Grandfather and father's brows), swam in pools, competed in chalkboard tic-tac-toe tournaments and most of all enjoyed eachother's company. Later there were of fire works, rocket launches, serenades and pj parties.

It was a grand ole time and the perfect way to kick off the summer.

[home again, home again]

Hello friends. I'm finally back from my lovely trip. Finally back in my own glorious bed and slowly getting back into my dependable routine. When I get my act completely together and my head on straight I'll have pictures to share of the festivities, so stay tuned.

In the mean time I wanted to share with you my latest custom sewing project that I made for the car ride back home.

The day before we left to come back home I had the idea of sewing my own version of travel desk for little A. On the way out he was kept occupied with activity books, mazes and drawing pads with nothing but his little legs to rest them on. Everything I found in stores was lacking in either design or functionality so when my mother just happened to have the perfect size of masonite available, the wheels in my head started turning.


So off to JoAnn's I went (no time for fancy online fabric purchases...so I made do with what I could find locally). I have to give a nod to my sisters who were of great help in figuring out how to make this little creation come to life. Thank you D-lyn for all your sewing help and insight! It's thanks to you that I can now take the masonite board out and wash the entire thing! Something I wouldn't have figured out (or even thought of) if I had done it all on my own.

And of course Little A was happy with his desk and used it quite a bit for not only paper work but matching, fishing and magnet games. I'm so happy with it and even more pleased with how helpful it was for my little guy...something you can't put a price on for an 18 hr drive across the US.

[party prep and a...]

Sorry the posting has been so infrequent as of late. I've been traveling and in the middle of Fourth of July party prep...And if I take one thing away from all of this it will be to never buy in bulk from M&M World in Vegas. Yes you may be assigned to bring red, white and blue candy for all the littles during the outdoor movie party and yes may think you are saving by avoiding paying shipping by not purchasing color coordinated candy online...but trust me...after the euphoria of seeing so many wonderful colors of m&m's dies off and you dreamily load up three bags of candy coated goodness...your jaw will drop and your hand will shake when you hesitantly hand over a sum that could easily pay for five bulk boxes of diapers...or half of a new iphone...no...just don't think about it. And don't think about how the supply will be gone is less than ten minutes...no don't think about that either. And don't think about charging the littles for each weighed and portioned serving...no that just isn't in the spirit of things...

No don't think of any of these things. Just think of how pretty it will look and how delighted it will make the kiddos. Just think of the happy red white and blue fingers and the stories you can tell.

Well, I'm traveling again tomorrow and then will officially be on vacay for a few days thereafter. Have a very Happy Fourth everyone!!

...hmm...I wonder how much each serving would have to cost to...

[summer magic...]

Things are coming along with my Summer Magic party sewing. I still have some finishing touches to do on this little overall number for baby O but I'm happy with it so far. I tried it on him and it's to die for. Truly.

And here are little A's knickers that I mentioned earlier. They are a tad too wide for him at the waist so I'm thinking I'll turn them into overalls or make some suspenders to attach to them. A white shirt and little bow tie are just what I need to complete the look.

I also want to see what ma and pa sewing I can squeeze into my schedule before the 4th. I hope I can do what I'm scheming up because I have half a mind to get some family photos with us all gussied up and vintage like.

[join me over at Kelly + Olive for a...]

Happy Tuesday to you all! I was delighted when the gals from Kelly + Olive asked me to share little tutorial with all of you on their blog. Hop on over and check it out. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to make this ruffle pillow.

And while you're over there, stay awhile and explore all of the wonderful things that Lauren and Courtney, founders of the virtual decorating company Kelly + Olive, have to offer. These gals are so great and full of inspiring ideas.

[thus begins our...]

I'm not in school. My husband isn't in school (hooray! :)) and I don't have any children in school yet...but there is something in the air for all of us when school gets out. It seems to truly mark the beginning of summer, and this past Friday, June 19, was just that day for us here in South Pas. For me, nothing says summer more then leisure sewing and craft projects (surprise, surprise) and the beach. Two things I have been enjoying a bit more of these days.

I have been in the process of making my little guys vintage inspired looks, from the above fabrics, for our extended family's Forth of July "Summer Magic" picnic/tea party celebration (now a much anticipated tradition). I've have little A's knickers finished (a little large again...but I've got suspenders in mind to remedy this) and am currently working on baby O's ensemble. I seriously need time to stand still as I also want to make something for Jon and myself ...we'll see how things go. We may feel like "school's out for the summer"...but life, work, parenting...moves on as usual. I'll be sure to post everything when it's finished.

My brother (who is available and a real cutie if anyone is interested :)) is also in town right now helping us break free a bit from our daily routine, getting us out enjoying the lovely things that California has to offer. This was an especially great day at the beach. A dad, his son and a kite. Does it get better than that?

I'm so happy summer is in the air. What are some things that you are enjoying or look forward to doing this sunny season?

[dress him up & take him out]

I can think of no better time to do a mini-makeover for the dads in your life than this weekend for Father's Day. (Do you dream up makeovers in your sleep like me? Or am I the only crazy one around here? Dare I even ask ;)?).

I must say that you can most likely replicate these above looks by diligently scouring your local thrift stores. Hmmm...what do I have planned for tomorrow again? Might have to squeeze some Father's Day bargain hunting in for good measure.

And how cool is this? Jot down his favorite poem on a scarf - a treasure he's sure to love.

Now pull it all together with a business artsy bag. I've had my eye on this one for some time now.

Whether it's dim sum or go carts you have planned for the weekend, The dad's in you life are sure to make an impression dressed to the nines in these thoughtful duds.

Happy Father's Day weekend!

[spend an afternoon with...]

I love that you can find printable versions of all the vintage Betsy McCall paper dolls on the Blue Door website. If I had a little girl I would print one out each day and play with her.

I went ahead printed out these goldie and three bear puppets for little A the other week and sadly he wasn't too into them. Perhaps he's too young. I had fun though. Go print some out and have some fun for me!