Easter Dishtowel Skirt

Today I got up and was ready to sew. I have been itching to try to make the dishtowel skirt from Lil Blue Boo. Virginia and I made a trip out to Target this week and picked up the exact two easter dish towels for the skirt. This tutorial was simple and quick. I believe I had the skirt cut and sewed under an hour. With a 3 year old and a puppy running around the house short and sweet is good. 

Virginia was thrilled with her easter skirt and already put it on and ran outside to blow bubbles and play with her side walk chalk. I believe she is enjoying all the skirts I have been making her. I am loving them as well. I am finally feeling comfortable sewing skirts. And with our spring weather we have they are the perfect clothes for Virginia to play in. 

This whole week has actually been beautiful. The weather has stayed in the low 80's with a little breeze. We took advantage of the beautiful day yesterday and Virginia, Cookie, and I took a walk up to the neighborhood play ground. This is one of the many reasons why I love our neighborhood. You can't beat a playground within walking distance from your house. Virginia loved sliding down the slide. They have swings just her height. Cookie took cover under the playground equipment and got some shade. 

All in all this week has been great. I am hoping soon to break out of the skirt sewing and try my hands on a shirt or dress for Virginia. 

The Pleated Skirt

I decided to be adventurous and try to sew Virginia a pleated skirt that I found on Me Sew Crazy.  First of all I knew this was going to be a challenge is I have never done pleats or pockets before. The pockets turned out to not be so bad. The only tough part was sewing on the pipping. The pleats were another story. I didn't really know where to begin and I didn't find a tutorial online that helped me much. But I fumbled my way though the pleats.

I would say that this skirt turned out pretty well. The craftsmanship isn't the best, but I am learning. I did learn that sewing a hem on a skirt with pleats is tough. Or I am doing it all the wrong way. Also I learned that pipping drives me crazy. Something I need to practice more on. 

Sewing with toddlers is always an adventure. Add in a puppy and the adventure just got even more fun. While I was sewing Virginia brought about half of the playroom out into the living room and left it there. Cookie ate a crayon and almost ate one of my dress pins. Oh and the great mommy that I am kept Virginia up til about 11:00pm. Because I was dying to have her try it on and she didn't want to go to bed til her special skirt was finished. Sadly I kept having problems with the elastic that I didn't finish the skirt til the next morning. Just in time for her to wear it to story time at the library.

This project was definetely a good learning experience. I learned I need to read up more on pleats and pipping. But this summer I am making it my mission to try new sewing projects and not to be afraid. I know I am going to have to make mistakes to learn and move forward. 

Storytelling with Virginia

Today on A Mom with a Lesson Plan I read about basic story telling with toddlers. She described how she invented and told a story as her little toddler played around. She made the main character her toddler and developed the story around what her toddler was doing. Slowly her toddler realized that the story was about her.

I decided to give it a shot and see if Virginia would enjoy this. Virginia loved this game and kept asking me over and over to tell her a story. I decided to take it a step further and write a story, but have Virginia fill in the blanks. She had a blast and I had fun seeing what Virginia came up with. The bold words below are the answers that Virginia gave me. I believe this is going to be a new favorite activity for Virginia.

Land of Scissors

by Virginia and Mom

Once Upon a Time in a far away land there was a girl  named Virginia. She was a happy  kid. She loved to play on her moms computer. Her dog Cookie was her partner in crime. 

Today they were going to Mrs. Hilderbrand's house. To see if they could find a pair of new scissors. But to their surprise they found two pairs of scissors. One was purple and one was red. Virginia decided to cut some purple paper. 

But then out of the corner of her eye she saw her mommy. Her mommy was playing with her computer and eating lunch. Virginia hid behind the recliner.  Where she found a secret door in the wall. 

Virginia opened the door to her surprise she saw the land of scissors.  Scissors of all shapes and sizes. The scissors were running down the hill to a field of popsicles. Virginia couldn't believe her eyes.  

Virginia ran down the hill towards the popsicles. She saw blue, white, and red striped popsicles,  She nibbled on popsicles all day long.  Her tongue turned purple, pink, yellow, and red. She sat down on a couch in the field. She quickly fall asleep. When she woke up she was back at Mrs, Hilderbrand's house. 

She had dreamed the whole story.

Trip to the Zoo

Yesterday we decided to take a day trip to the RiverBanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. This was Virginia's first trip to the zoo. The weather couldn't have been better. It was cloudy with a nice breeze. The best part about the zoo was everything was close together. This is a blessing when you have a little one. Virginia loved every second of the zoo. I asked Virginia a few questions today about our trip to the zoo.

1. What was your favorite part of the zoo trip?

Eating ice cream. We had dipping dots.

2. What was your favorite animal?

Unicorn. ( I think I missed this animal at the zoo.)  Then she said she liked the kangaroos. 

3. Do you want to go back to the zoo?

Right now after I finish my chicken nuggets. OK

Simple Skirt

I have been surfing all the sewing blogs and even have a new sewing book that has me all excited for the spring. I have made it my goal this spring and summer to sew more skirts and outfits for Virginia. I took advantage of Reiggin being home today and started on my goal. I took this lovely flower twin bed sheet that my mother in law gave me and turned it into a simple spring skirt for Virginia. It only took me about an hour using MADE's simple skirt tutorial. 

Crafts with Virginia

We have been keeping busy playing outside while the rain stays away for a few days. But during the rainy days we have been busy inside doing crafts. Last night I ran across this great craft blog called Kiwi Crate. I decided to try the watercolor resist painting with Virginia. 

Supplies:

Watercolor paints

Paper

Contact Paper

Scissors

Luckily I already had all the supplies in my craft room. I quickly googled fish and let Virginia pick her favorite picture. Then I printed the image and taped it to the contact paper to cut out. All I had was sketch paper so that is what I used. When we do this project again I would like to get some good watercolor paper. I carefully peeled off the contact paper and stuck it down to the paper. I found it best to peel part of the contact paper off and stick it slowly down to the paper. That way I could make sure there was no air bubbles. 

Next I got the watercolors set up and let Virginia go to town. I think she got a little confused at why her paint was not sticking to the fish. I told her to cover the whole page with paint and in the end there would be a surprise. Virginia is so silly, it took awhile to get her to paint the whole page. But after some pushing she got the whole page cover and then I carefully peeled up the contact paper and we were left with a beautiful fish painting. 

The craft was a hit and I think I would even like to do one myself in the future. Hopefully I will pick up some Ikea frames next time we are down there and hang some of Virginia's paintings up in the play room. 

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I have to say for the most part 2011 was great to us. I can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for my family and friends. Some things that I look forward too is the birth of my first nephew. Also getting to see Samantha and Virginia continue to grow up. 

This year I plan to start doing a letter of the week Tot School program with Virginia. We have been doing it off and on. But this year I plan to stick with it. Virginia enjoys all the games and I love watching her learn. I am going to try my hand at the 365 project again. 

My main goals, I won't say resolutions, are to keep on a better cleaning schedule. Also to try to create a family budget and stick to it. I have tons of projects and ideas in my head. Hopefully this year I will get my butt in gear and finish some. 

Here is to a great year and fun adventures!