The Dinner Table Gets a Make Over

Like everyone else out there, we've been pummeled by some oppressive heat this summer. So bad that we actually didn't even want to go outdoors a few days. And since I've been a little lacking on the creative home front. And my word this year IS create. I picked up some fun fabrics and made some summery place mats and napkins to cheer up the place.

It's been so nice to actually sit down as a family and eat a meal together. I swear this rarely happens during the school year. So we've been working on making the occasion a little more special.

With fresh cut flowers. From my neighbor's yard. shhh....

The new place mats and napkins.

And some food. That we actually cooked. On the stove.

Oh...and I know there's not a clear photo of the glasses. But these little glasses with the stars on them? Probably my all-time favorite Good Will score ever! They came in a set of 16. YES....SIXTEEN! When does Good Will have a set of SIXTEEN super cool glasses?!?! All for $4.25?! I had just returned some little vino glasses to Pottery Barn that cost more than that for one. And they weren't anywhere near as cool!

There's room at the table. Come on over and have dinner with us.

Paper or Cloth?

If you know me at all. You know that I am cheap thrifty. Sale signs make my heart beat faster. And I get a high when I bag a bargain. It's in my genes. Definitely passed down from my mom.

I also hate to spend money on things like deodorant and paper towels. Consumables are the anti-bargain. Total buzz kills.

So about a year ago, while BSD was away on one of his trips, I decided to switch to cloth napkins. I found some clearance (wheee!) fabric at Joann's and whipped up a set. I bought a vintage-looking wire basket from TJ Maxx (where else?). Put the napkins inside. Set it on the windowsill next to the table. And gave them a test drive.

The ballerinas were hesitant at first. Not wanting to get them dirty. But about two weeks later their default to the paper napkin drawer dissipated. And they were taking the few extra steps to the basket when they needed to wipe their mouths. Victory!

There were also no complaints when I packed cloth napkins in their lunch boxes. Even if the pattern I made them out of was a bit juvenile. It was the only way I was going to get away with using that adorable fabric.

I decided to take it one step further. And picked up some cute cloth dish cloths at Walmart.

These came in a pack of eight. Two each of green, red, blue, and yellow stripes. Only about $5 for the pack. And into the trash went the old, stinky consumable sponges.

Phase three was replacing the paper towels. This was the hardest hurdle. Paper towels and me. We go way back. Smear a dab of jelly on the counter? Grab a paper towel. Time to give the counter tops the once over? Grab 10 paper towels. Spill a glass of water on the floor? Throw down the whole roll.

Every time I reached for a paper towel, I had to wrestle my hand back off the roll. I was an addict. The withdrawal process was long and painful. But almost a year later. And I am still using the same 12 roll pack I had before the switch. And if weren't for BSD. Who uses two paper towels to dry an apple. I would probably still be using the same single roll.

It feels good to be using less. Helps with my crunchy-granola, chicken farmer image too. I'm trying to get BSD to hook me up with clothesline next. But I draw the line at reusable toilet paper. And the whole GladRags and Lunapanties idea. That's a whole other league.

So...what about you? Paper or cloth in your household?

goldilocks and her new shorts...this pair is just right.

It's no secret. It's actually pretty much the norm these days. But now that the Big Ballerina is getting close to moving out of kids' size clothing, it is becoming hit or miss. And it's always a miss. When you find a great deal. On a cute pair of shorts. That aren't too childish. Or worse yet. Trampy.

You know what I'm talking about. The adjustable waistband. That little strip of elastic sewn into the waistband that allows your kid to wear pants. Or shorts in this case. That are actually long enough.

That little piece of elastic is the first thing I check for. If it's missing, I pass it by. Until I happened upon this pair.

Not too childish. Not too short. Not too blingy. No rhinestones. No peace signs. No tie-dye. Just a nice soft, basic white denim. And less than $10. Perfect. Except for one thing.

No adjustable waistband. *crap*

I bought them anyway. Maybe. Just maybe. They would fit my 12 year old ruler. Yeah right. As always, they fell to the floor. But this time, instead of returning them, I decided to fight back.

I found this tutorial that taught me the secret. BUTTON HOLE ELASTIC! Who knew?

I hopped in my car. Made a quick trip to Joann's. Picked up a small package of this magic elastic. Unfortunately, they only had black, but nobody sees inside anyway. Raced back home. And went to town following this tutorial.

Twenty minutes later I was done. Not because I'm a great seamstress. As you can see from this photo. But because this is EASY people! Do NOT be afraid. Seriously. It's EASY!

But the Big Ballerina thinks I'm pretty darn impressive. "Hey Mom, you can take over for Miss Shonda as Wardrobe Mistress (at her ballet studio) when Brianna graduates now."

"ummm...not quite, BB. But at least I don't have to look at you digging your size 6X shorts out of your butt anymore. Here, have a sammich."

Shorts - Paper, Denim & Cloth reg. $38 

$9.99 at Marshall's

Now if I can just figure out how to make bikinis for skinny tweens that actually fit, THEN I'd finally make my fortune.

tickled (not) pink...

Just a sneak peek at the Big Ballerina's bedroom. It's all painted out. I even channeled my inner Martha this weekend. And sewed a duvet cover for her bed. 

I haven't done that in years. But I got tired of trying to find "the perfect one" in stores and online. So I went back to Macy's where I bought her sheets. Grabbed a set of Martha's sheets in the perfect blue.

On clearance. With an extra 30% off. *woot*

Took the flat sheets from both sets. Cut them to size. Finished the bottom edges. And sewed them together. (Leaving an opening at the bottom, of course.)

An hour and $15 later. Her bed was made. And LB was asking me to do the same for her room.

I decided to use different sheets for each side of the cover so she'd have options. And so she could actually make her bed herself. Just pull the duvet up. Fold over the top. Done. Instant coordinated look.

There are still a bunch of changes to make in her room. But tonight she actually chose to go up to her room to read.

And LB couldn't resist ambushing her.

Ten on Ten: May 2011

May 10, 2011. Ten on Ten. Definitely not a day that I'm super excited to record in our family history book. But...it is what it is.

BSD left for work today. He'll be gone...a while. The last day we're together is either absolutely wonderful or completely lousy. This one goes down in the lousy column. We were both on edge. There's a "hurry up let's get this started already so it can be over" vibe that goes on. When it plays out this way we usually end up annoyed with each other. And this time was no exception. 

But compared to what we've been through before. This really isn't that big of a deal. Really. It isn't. And, hey. We're that much closer to it being over now.  

 

 

Tunic or Not Tunic...

Today was the day. The tunics were due. At least the dawn's early light was welcoming.

 I had three sleeves left to set. I couldn't finish them last night. I was too tired. Plus, LB was at a party. BSD was at work. Leaving the Big Ballerina and I free for a dinner date. Just the two of us. This never happens. Three guesses where we went. And the first two don't count.

Did I get them done?

It's ok, BB. You can come out.

 

Phew! The Big Ballerina doesn't need to arabesque au naturel. And I'm happy to report...

 neither do the others.

I'm not going to lie, though. I had to call for backup. I was lost on those collars. Luckily, a friend came over Friday morning and squared me away. 

The best part of today was crossing the threshold into the costume room.  Oh boy, was it thrilling to be in there among the racks of tutus and tulle. It was intoxicating. 

So intoxicating, that I now have THREE MORE TUNICS TO SEW!

But, you know what? Next time I'm bringing my camera in with me...

Oh, and the sleeves and hem are unfinished. They wanted them left that way to tailor them to the girls. I didn't go all fancy with the pinking shears. ;)

In Over My Head

It seems like everyone has a talent. Something they're naturally good at. Maybe it's singing, or swimming, or selling. Everyone has "their thing." Right?

So how come I don't have a "thing?" I like a lot of "things." I ping around from "thing" to "thing." But nothing seems to stick. There isn't one "thing" that grabs me and holds on. Hence, the title of this blog.

One of the "things" I like to dabble in is sewing. I like the IDEA of sewing. I love seeing all the fabulous things people can whip up with a sewing machine. I can sew simple things like curtains. Things with a straight seam. I wish I was better at it.

So what did I do? I went ahead and volunteered to help with the costumes at the Big Ballerina's studio. I wrote on my volunteer form, "I can make....SIMPLE things. I'm good with the glue gun. But I don't think I'm capable of sewing beautiful costumes."

I guess reading is not the people-in-charge-of-the-costume-department's "thing." If it was, I surely would not have been sent home with this...

 
See that stack of white fabric on the right hand side of the Big Ballerina's sewing space? That is a stack of fabric that is supposed to be whipped up into six tunics. By Saturday. Tunics that require gathering, setting sleeves and elastic. No glue gunning required.

See that stack of sewing books on the left hand side of the Big Ballerina's sewing space? That is my attempt at sewing these tunics. Off to the library I went. It's what I do. I research. I gather. I procrastinate. I guess that's my "thing."

What can a person do who is good at researching, gathering and procrastinating? hmmm...maybe write a blog?

If you don't hear from me before Saturday, now you know why. And if the Big Ballerina dances naked in the upcoming Sleeping Beauty performance, you'll know why. Too bad they're not doing the Emperor's New Clothes.

Ten on Ten: December 2010

I was so happy that Ten on Ten fell on an exciting day this month. The Big Ballerina had a Nutcracker performance today. And luckily, I helped out in wardrobe. I burned my thumb on the curling iron, steamed a nice section of my palm, and poked my leg 100 times with the needle, but having the freedom to wander the halls and take pictures made it all worthwhile. 

 

(This is a "big ballerina," but she's not my big ballerina.)

 

 

We Are Drinking a Beer at Noon on Tuesday

I woke up this morning channeling my inner Martha. I was pumped and ready to rock. My day started off with a little sewing, a little baking and a new chili recipe. I probably would have painted my bedroom, refinished a dresser and organized all the junk drawers in the house, but the chili recipe called for half a cup of...

which is about 1/3 of a bottle. I couldn't let the other 2/3 of that bottle go to waste. Now could I?  

Of course not. 

Now it only takes me about 1/3 of a bottle to catch a buzz. I had 2/3. 

I felt goooood. BSD would have totally gotten some had he been home.

I can see why some moms make a habit of this. Sure would make doing the laundry a lot more fun. 

But I didn't do any laundry today. And I didn't paint my bedroom. Or refinish that dresser. Or organize any junk drawers. 

I did do a little sewing though. 

And I did bake some chocolate chip muffins.

And I did make a damn good pot of chili.

So maybe drinking a beer at noon on Tuesday Wednesday isn't such a bad idea after all?

Camera Strap Slipcover

These handmade camera straps have been featured on many blogs and are sold on etsy. Every time I see one I fall in love all over again. They are so cheery and fun. Much more exciting and comfy than the boring black straps that come standard with all DSLRs.

image from etsy.com

After putting the Big Ballerina's sewing table and chair into place, I decided the space was so inviting I'd finally try making one myself. Well, I tried to get BB to make it for me, but she's too busy with her purse orders and now making puppets as well.

I read tutorial after tutorial trying to figure out exactly what I wanted. Did I want to take apart my old strap and make a new permanent one? Or did I want to make a slipcover for the strap so I could change up the look as the mood strikes? Did I want ruffles? Patchwork? The options were endless.

I could have spent another month obsessing over the choices, but I finally decided to try the patchwork slipcover tutorial at Above All Fabric. Her instructions were easy to follow and I like how she top stitched the seams. It just gives it that extra polish. Plus it was a good way to work on my sewing skills.

Here's my version. It took me almost two hours because I am not an experienced sewer and I triple-checked the directions at every step. I know it can be done in a lot less time next time around.

I like it. Makes it easy to find my camera. Someday soon I hope to make another one to strap onto this bad boy. The new Canon D60. Available for preorder at Amazon.com. Sweeeetttt!