May 2015 Mystery Challenge: People and Moments Throughout History: Frank Lloyd Wright

Welcome to another round of our Mystery Challenge! "People and Moments Throughout History" 

I was given:

Frank Lloyd Wright

A little bit about the challenge: If you haven't seen or heard about it before, a bunch of crafty bloggers get together and swap 'ideas'. Mostly it is 'round robin' style. We bloggers create something inspired by that idea and then blog about the creations during a blog tour! Check out the last round: February Mystery Challenge Round Up over at Friends Stitched Together.

I have had so much fun on the last 2 challenges in which I participated! I am glad we decided to increase the frequency of their occurrence. This is what I have done in the past.
February Challenge: Black and White
August Challenge: Cover-Up


My Challenge:

I was given the challenge of Frank Lloyd Wright. And boy what a challenge that was! I kept bouncing around with a pillow, modge podge coasters, clothes, paper piecing... I could not decide! But then I thought about self-care sewing, my capsule wardrobe, and the fact that it is May! My birthday and Mother's Day occur this month and it is the perfect opportunity to sew up those pieces I am missing.

1. I need a skirt to trade out for a dress that I will not wear. I wanted a khaki pencil skirt. But the Knit Pencil Skirt by Jocole was perfect and I already had fabric in my hoard stash supplies! Score! There was an extra bonus of the pattern being half off about a month ago! Love those little extra surprises!

2. I thought about creating a whole new wardrobe and fit in along the lines of Frank Lloyd Wright's time era. but I needed to fit in that pencil skirt idea! Enter the Jocole Peplum! More fabric from my stash, and it was a super light weight jersey knit. Perfect for our hot summers.

Several places said the peplum came around, and the pencil skirt started to be more of what it is today, around the 40's. It fits... Right? It's in the end of Wright's time... I'll go with that. :)

Detail!

I created a freezer paper stencil repeat inspired by the design on the gate and windows of Wright's Robie House. I added the stencil around the bottom by the hem of the skirt, just enough to add interest, but not to over whelming or over powering. subtle. plus I can carry this over to the next season! Yay, silhouette!

On the top, I was going to do an emblem, or something along the bottom... but it just wasn't talking to me, so I just left it.  I had a hard time between purple and white and decided to go with purple. I really haven't felt well these last couple weeks with this on and off again sickness. I haven't had much energy for anything... But, Little man says it looks good on me. :) That always lifts a moma's spirits!

Seriously, so much fun. And... such a challenge. I love it! It's great to push the mind to see what it can create!

Come back so you can check out all the awesome bloggers who have joined us on this challenge! everyday for the next 2 weeks we are sharing our incredible projects around these ideas and themes.

5/25│ The Berry Bunch - Frank Lloyd Wright │ Sew Not Perfect - Lucille Ball, I Love Lucy

5/26 │ Create 3.5 - George Sand

5/27│ Zoe and Ted - Suffragetes

5/28│ House of Estrela - Woodstock/Fall of the Berlin Wall  │ Pen Seb Rox - Piet Mondriaan

5/29│ Friends Stitched Together - Impressionist Movement │ Wining Wife - Judgement of Paris

5/30│ Super Stay at Home Mommy - Madame Tussaud │ Keep Calm and Carrion - Jackie Kennedy  │ Gloria June - Florence Nightingale

5/31│ Sofilantjes - Andy Warhol │ Busy Little Bee - Marie Antoinette │ Amanda Rose - March 9, 1959 Barbie

6/1│ Pienkel - Bianca Jagger │ Huisje Boompje Boefjes - Anne Frank

6/2│ Taking it Up a Notch - Queen Victoria │ Amazing Adventures with Bubba and Bug - 1964 New York World Fair │  Kelly's Sewing Creations - Steampunk Mary Queen of Scots

6/3│ Mae & K - Tesla │ Pretty Little Blog - Moon Landing │ Knot Sew Normal - Lutie Eugenia Sterns

6/4│ Sew Starly - Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II │ Hibbadoray - Amelia Earhart │ Sew Far North - Countess Markievicz (1868-1927)

6/5│ Made By Sara - John Dillinger/Roaring 20's │ Friends Stitched Together - Prohibition/Roaring 20's

6/6│ Country Bella - 1900's World's Fair/Art Nouveau │ Lulu and Celeste - Rosie the Riveter

6/7│Sew Domesticated - 1960's/Civil Rights Movement │ Rebel and Malice - French Revolution/Joan of Arch │ The Fabric Hoarder - Gypsies

And one more picture for the road. At the end of the day I was so happy to be wearing this outfit. so comfy!

So what do you think? Did I meet the challenge well?

Peek-A-Boo Pattern Shop Round Up: and their Semi Annual Sale!

This post contains affiliate links. I receive small commission for purchases made after following my links to her shop. All reviews and opinions are my own.

I love sewing up Peek-A-Boo Patterns Shop's patterns for my kids, and they are having a sale! I haven't been sewing too much for them lately though, as they really aren't in need of clothes for this short moment in time. At least until they have their next growth spurt and I am pretty sure at least one of them is preparing for one!

(head to Peek-A-Boo Patterns Shop and use the code "MDAY25" and get 25% off your purchase, ends on the May 25th!)

In honor of their sale (and the small frequency that a sale there occurs) I thought I would put together this round up of some of the creations I have made for your viewing. ;)
You can see most and a few more of my Peek-A-Boo creations here. I say most because there is more that I haven't blogged about.

My outfit for the Boy's Can Wear Pink Blog Tour (Maui Muscle Tank and Convertible Pier 49 Pants)...

Lullaby mixed with the classic ringer for little man's batman costume

This Alex and Anna summer pjs for a pj top for a friends son...

Lullaby line Bodysuit for a friend's baby shower

Aloha Burn Blockers for when I tested for little girl

Aloha Burn Blocker for Little girl's Harley Quinn Halloween Costume

Alex and Anna winter pjs for Little girl's thermal pjs

Lullaby line pants, bodysuit, hat and mitts for little girl when I tested them.

The cute owl overalls I made when I tested the Lullaby line overalls

Sweet Heart Halter top turned dress for little girl's first birthday

Little man's 3rd birthday classic polo

the Hangout Hoodie I turned into a onesie for flip this pattern

the classic footie pjs for the little girl

Have I inspired you to sew? ;)

(head to Peek-A-Boo Patterns Shop and use the code "MDAY25" and get 25% off your purchase, ends on the May 25th!)

I picked up some of her new Women's patterns and also hope to sew up some more things for the kids, once they've grown some more that is!

Happy Sewing!

The Dinosaur Quilt: It's Finally Finished!

Words cannot say how excited I am that I am finishing quilts! How awesome is that? I would say that it seems my motivation has gone up (which is partly the case) but also I am figuring out getting more time into sewing. And sew days with the guild help a ton too!

Granted quilts take a lot of work and a lot of time and are harder to work on, especially when you are trying to keep it a secret from a little boy who does NOT nap! Goodness me! This one has been one of my goals for several quarters. but this last one was it!

Little Man's Dinosaur quilt.

We picked up this awesome panel when I took my first trip out to the local quilt shop shortly after moving into the area, about 2 years ago... I couldn't decide what to do with it and finally picked up some fabrics on the quilt shop hop in November 2013.

Then, it was just finding time to work on it.

I finished it at the most recent sew day with the guild and was super excited that when I finished the last few stitches on the binding, the bobbin ran out. Can I say, perfect timing? I was destined to finish that quilt at the sew day!

Details.

The border is done in two different batiks and sorry that I cannot remember who did those batiks. But they just fit so nicely!

The backing is a minky fabric. Perfect size and just so cuddly soft! I also wrapped it around to the front for the binding.

For the quilting I just stitched the ditch on the borders and free motioned around the dinosaurs. I love the way it looks on the back!

And now, to give it to him. Since it was supposed to be a birthday present in 2013, I have no idea when to give it to him. I'm thinking for a road trip we will be taking in July? That way I don't have to hide it any longer...

I'm excited to be able to knock another finish off my list. It's slowly decreasing and I am not planning on adding anything to it anytime soon... ;)

Happy Finishing!

My Baby is NOT a Baby! {potty trained! and a quick round-up}

I can't believe my baby girl is potty trained. Aside from night time that is. Does that even count?

She decided towards the middle of last week that she did not want to wear diapers. So We decided to go bare bottom...

Little did I realize that her sitting on the potty was also practice for actually potty training. You know, because babies use the potty before 2!

Now I now that kids can be potty trained early, and sometimes it just emphasizes the potty usage when there is an older sibling that does.

I didn't expect it.

Baby girl essentially potty trained herself. In 3 days. She has even made 2 trips out of the house without any accidents.

When wearing a diaper, she started pulling the "potty" yell after she did her business. When we went diaper free (no pull-ups or even underwear of any kind), baisically naked, we had only a handful of accidents.

I remember doing this with little man. He was a little harder. Took a little longer (like a week), and needed incentive: potty chart with smiley faces, jelly beans, chocolate... But he would loose it if he had an accident. We did the no diapers with him too. He was ready, but didn't want to give it up. He wanted the Big Boy Undies more though...

Honestly, if I were to do it all again I would do it the same way. I'm still waiting for the regression with Baby Girl. Like this was a fluke. After all she is only 21 months, not even 2 yet (but almost)...Accidents will happen. That's a given.

There are so many resources of potty training without diapers (quitting diapers cold turkey). So many people have written blog posts about them. And a lot more since we went through this with Little Man.

I thought I would compile a list of different reading for you if you were going through the same thing as I am right now, or did 2 years ago...

Parenting.com - Extreme Potty Training - a fairly humorous diary account of a mom's bootcamp style potty training with two twin boys at 2 years. We would say the same thing with accidents. we didn't need much reward besides clapping for little girl.

Alphamom - How to Potty Train Your Kid (Boot Camp Style) - We did not do underwear right away. Neither kid like the feeling of pee running down their leg being stark naked. We did underwear by day 3. and I didn't bring only 1 pair of change of clothes... My little girl prefers to be naked. It's hard to use that as a consequence when that is what they want.

The Unemployed Mom - 15 Tips for Potty Training Boot Camp Style - Totally makes it easier when you remember to bring the training potty with you. It was difficult going out with little man without a potty and so much easier when we brought it with us for little girl. Positive attitude is half the battle. You don't want to discourage the little learner.

Four Moms For Moms - Potty Training the Cold Turkey Way - I almost needed to use candy as bribery for my son. Towards the end we used it as a counting game (subtracting and counting again). Anything can be turned into a learning experience. Little girl didn't even care about the candy... You really don't need all the baby potty training paraphernalia. Just strong whits, positive attitude, and endurance to make it through to the end. They will get it, eventually. Every child is different. Read your child;s cues.

BabyCenter - Potty Training in 3 Days or Less - honestly this was too much to read for me... too much prep. I would much rather dive in head first and get it over with... Like showing the kid how to do a potty dance... I never did that, didn't need to. A kid will think of something all on their own once they have the control. You'll see it too... But it does off some great resources at the end.

Toilet Training in Less than a Day by Nathan Azrin (1989) - I haven't read it, but it shows parents have been doing this for a while, right? Your local library might have a copy.

These are just a few in the web bound with LOTS of info... I'm sure you can find whatever you are looking for!

Happy Training!

Establish a Budget: What to Put in Those Envelopes {create an envelope baseline}

Last time I posted about budgeting was at the beginning of the year when I shared some free printables that I use for my budgeting. We had added the envelope system to our budgeting system about 6 months prior to that post and i have to say, it has helped up tremendously. Especially with the talk of the capsule wardrobe and the effects that has on a budget, it is something that I thought I should touch on.

I've had a couple conversations with people about this, I thought I would share this with you. And, one of my resolutions, or new years goals, was to pay off debt. The envelope system is nearly critical in the success of becoming debt free...

We are still paying off debt like no other. But not quite with "gazelle speed" as Dave Ramsey calls it.

I talk about budgeting with people all the time. Not that it rules our life, but really that it sets the guidelines and parameters of what we are willing to do, for now. But living on one income (and not a grand one at that) we can't do it all, all the time, at the moment.

Don't get me wrong. We still do stuff. We have memberships to things. I still go out to dinner with friends for book club and other things. But I have made the decision that I do not need to order anything. I am there to visit with friends. I haven't gotten kicked out of a restaurant yet for not ordering food. Did it feel weird at first? Definitely! Does it still feel weird? Totally! I rent things from the library instead of buying from the store or getting netflix and hulu.

You know what, it works! We no longer over spend, even with the fabric purchases that I may not have made after starting my capsule wardrobe. Those evil credit cards don't get used.

But one thing I get asked whenever I get to talking about budgeting, or just what I hear, is I just don't know how much to put in one/each envelope! Don't use it as an excuse not to get started. Especially if you have a goal to becoming debt free!

This is what I suggest... Build a Baseline.

1. Establish a Budget. Just like everyone else says to do, this kinda needs to get done first. You need the roof over your head and the electricity/gas to cook your food. This part doesn't mean necessarily what amount to put in what envelope. It simply means to designate the different bills and things that need to get paid. The envelope amounts can come later. It doesn't all have to be done all at once. just as long as you know how much you have after all the bills are paid is the foundation needed to begin the rest. Establish this. use it for a month, or two or three to get the feel of it.

check out these helpful places for building a budget.

• Our Free Printables
• use Every Dollar from Dave Ramsey. it's a free online system that lines up with his steps. It totally puts things into perspective with meters to monitor the steps. It's a great visual! There is a subscription option too, but I haven't tried that one.
• Dave Ramsey's website has all kinds of resources check out a couple (because there is a bit) of envelope posts here and here
• A Bowl Full of Lemons has a budgeting series with some excellent printable bundles you can purchase and a step by step process how to use them and/or make your own
• One Good Thing by Jillee has a tutorial for making your own envelopes
• Check out this post on Financial Freedom about envelope systems
• Debt Steps has one too

I used a budget for about a year before I started using the envelope system. It might set me behind a bunch of other people. But at least it's done now.

2. Collect your receipts to track your spending for the month. You can go between pay periods or for the entire month. I do pay periods. The husband when from every week to every other week when we started the envelope system and it helped us not run out of money in the middle of each pay period. You know, so we could buy food!

This includes credit card receipts! But, the goal is to not use those credit cards! Keep tabs on your account, or just withdrawl cash and use that so you can physically touch and actually see how much you have left. But if you so happen to use a credit card, keep that receipt too.

This is why I suggest to use your budget to help you know how much you have after bills, but also to track your normal spending habits. It's easier to categorize when you have your typical purchases in front of you.

3. I just organized by receipt. you could probably track items using excel, quicken might have some options. I just used pen, paper, and receipt.

• separate them by pay period or month.
• Organize your purchases by category that makes sense to you. The common ones I have Household supplies, Personal Care, Baby supplies, care maintenance, animal supplies, date night/entertainment (and after the fabric purchase fiasco when I was building my capsule wardrobe, fabric and sewing). If you sort your receipt by pay period/month you can see the amounts that you typically spend and can use this as a stepping stone for your envelopes.
• Tally the amount you spent in each of these categories
• compare these numbers to the remaining amount in your budget. did you overspend your remaining amount

Check out these tips, pros and cons on Money Crashers

4. Add these categories to your budget and the amounts that are established. If you establish a baseline, it helps. You can do this over the course of 1-2 months and average out the spending.

Once you have that baseline established and those amounts written into your budget, take the time to reflect on your spending after each paycheck, each month. It's not written in stone and you can update and change.

I also add envelopes to account for birthdays as they draw near, anniversaries and even holidays, also known as like a sinking fund. I know it's not a saving tool, but it is working for us for now and it prepares us for those things.! But I am sure it will change as our needs change!

Don't be scared to start! Anyone can do it! You can do it too!

A Good Pair of Pants Aren't Sewn in a Day: Women's Bundle Up {BlogTour with Winter Wear Designs and GreenStyle Creations}

I love jeans. They are comfy. And, when they fit right, they make a girl look good.

The hard thing is? A good fitting pair of jeans are so hard to find! For the past year, I have been wanting to make my own pants but scared out of my mind! The Bundle Up Women's tour was the perfect opportunity to check this one of the list, and I sewed up a super cute tank to go with my new jeans! (don't worry, they both fit in my new capsule wardrobe)

There was so many awesome patterns, it was hard to pick. But having been wanting to sew up a pair of jeans, the choice was clear. Check out these awesome patterns in the Bundle Up Women!

I signed up to sew GreenStyle Creations Jillian Tank and Winter Wear Designs Real Deal Jeans.

Isn't this such a cute combo? Love the jeans, so comfortable! The top is so lightweight, cool, and flowing. Perfect for summer! The under tank is perfect to pair with other tops, or on it's own. Love the whole combo!

Winter Wear Designs Real Deal Jeans:

Modifications: I adjusted the rise in the back to account for my tiny hiney. sadly, most of my girth is in the front. But, I haven't been in single digit sizes since I first met my husband a little over 8 years ago and this was a size 8! I am super duper excited about that!

Embelishments: I added some free motion quilting to the pockets. Love how it looks and adds that perfect extra touch!

The Pattern: Honestly, I was terrified to sew up a pair of jeans. Why did I wait so long? So I could sew up this pair! The directions are simple and easy to follow. The pattern pieces themselves weren't difficult either. The pattern has cutting lines for shorts, capris or pants! I almost went with the shorts option, but I rarely even wear my capris. I just love pants.

One thing that I think scared me was the time. You have got to make a muslin first to get a great fitting pair of jeans! Make sure you are at your best physically too. Trust me, when you are bloated is not a great time to make a muslin! I may, or may not, know this from experience. ;) But in the end, with the time invested, you get an awesome pair of jeans!

GreenStyle Creations Jillian Tank:

I added nothing and changed nothing to this pattern. Isn't it awesome!

The Pattern: super simple. easy to follow directions. It is also a quick sew! The outertank works great for woven or knit fabric! It comes with a bandeau option, or even a sports bra! This is really like 4 patterns in 1!

The back is cool. And I am so proud of these pants!!

Check out some of these other amazing bloggers and their creations!

Mimi's Mom - Baby Fish Designs - The Wholesome Mama - Gloria June - Sew Happily Ever After - Manning the Machine - Sew Like My Mom - Sproutign Jube Jube - Keep Calm and Carrion - Friends Stitched Together - Thread Riding Hood - Gingerbear Hibbadorary - Pensebrox - Sew Starly - If Only They Would Nap - Handmade Boy - All Things Katy - Bunch-o-Berries - Bee Quilted BeautiesSew Thrifty - Made by Sara - Feathers Flights - Mabey She Made It - Mae and K - Sugar Plum Cuties - Rebel and Malice - House of Estrela - Phat Quarter Blog - Sofilanjes

Have you already gotten your patterns? Sew some up and share your creations on instagram using #bundleupwomen and if you haven't gotten your bundle yet, head over! The Bundle Up sale ends May 8th!

Happy Sewing!

Building My Capsule Wardrobe: My First Month and What I Have Learned.

Building a capsule wardrobe... I am not a fashionista. I have no idea about women's fashion and barely get dressed every morning. I would probably go to the store in my pjs if I could. Not like the people out here really care what you wear at the local Wal-Mart anyway...

But, for fear of looking like one of those scary, dreaded, 'only at Wal-Mart' people I actually put on jeans and a t-shirt before I head out the door. Unfortunately I usually grab the first thing I can get to which is a discarded ill-fitting article of clothing. It probably doesn't help keep me off that list.

Resources:

So, in an attempt to dress easier every morning and actually look decent in the process, I joined in on the Capsule Wardrobe bandwagon. There are a few resources out there that I used to help start the process.

Un-Fancy: A Minimalist Fashion Blog: She has this incredible worksheet, printable planner you can use to create your own capsule wardrobe. Seriously, it was pretty helpful. I am still using it. She uses a 37 item wardrobe.

Project 333: I learned about this website when I read the book "Clutterfree With Kids" by Joshua Becker. I have gone through my clothing twice since then and gotten rid of a bunch of stuff each time (yeah, I have a ton of clothes).  She uses a 33 item wardrobe.

A website I have just discovered...
Coletterie: Wardrobe Architect: a 14 week process with suggestions, worksheets and advice for building your own wardrobe. I have barely just started going through this.

Free Notion started a Sew-Along toward the end of April, using the un-fancy model, and offering her suggestions and advice for fitting clothing to your body style and sewing your own clothes. She really is amazing and I admire her in the sewing world. If you aren't following along you can still check it out!

I really had no idea what I was doing when I started, and I still haven't much of the slightest idea what I am doing now. But I have learned a few things in the last month, and that is always positive! Isn't it?

What I have learned so far:

1. I don't like button-up shirts. I don't like the way they fit or the way they hang. Really, I don't like woven materials for tops... If it restricts my movement, it's not going to see a lot of wear. It's hard enough to chase, pick up after, parent the kids when my movement is restricted.

2. I love layering tanks. I used to do it all the time when I was in my early 20's. Then I stopped when I started working in the teaching profession and started wearing these camisoles under shirts and button ups...

3. If I can't machine wash it, it isn't getting clean. I've already ruined 1 long sleeve top, 1 cardigan, and a skirt that were from my non-married, working days. They were nice Banana Republic clothes too. I tried to keep them nice. None of the second hand shops took them and I still wanted to wear them. But, into the washer and dryer (totally on accident too! so upsetting) and out looking like... they were just ruined...

4. I still don't understand what a silhouette is... I really should read Coletterie Week 4 Proportions and Silhouettes

5. I am still at a loss on the magic number of items. Most of the examples I have found are of women not living in the desert. Having a jacket and 2 cardigans aren't really all that handy out here in the middle of the 110 degree heat! Of course maybe 1 cardigan for those trips in and out of the heavily air conditioned buildings, but not much more than that seems necessary! But, like I said. I am still learning.

6. In lieu of #5, what works for some does not work for all. You need to find what works for you and the only way to discover that is to jump in and do it. In light of the Nike slogan? Just Do It...

7. Putting laundry away takes way less time than it used to.

What is in my Summer Capsule Wardrobe:

So far... I mean... It's still a work in progress... and nothing is new...

2 camisoles
4 tanks
4-7 shirts (2 are for MOPS but oh so soft! 1 is when I go shooting)
2 blouses (1 sleeveless, 1 with)
1 capri
2 pants
1 khaki slacks
2 skirts
2 dresses (neither of which I really wear)
4 shoes
4 necklaces
28 - 31 Total items

The beautiful thing about it? It's fluid. One in, one out. Take out something that doesn't work and replace it with something you think will. If that doesn't work, then try again. Keep notes on what does and doesn't work so you don't repeat the mistake. Just cause you make it one way doesn't mean it's the only way it's gonna be. Stick with it for 3 months and see what you can learn from it. You'd be surprised about how enlightening it can become!

The thing about Budgeting:

Do you really buy clothes all the time? I don't. The last time I bought a pair of jeans was after baby girl was born and that's only because I lost so much weight nothing (and I mean nothing) fit afterwards. A blessing and a curse at the same time.

It only saves the budget if you have one. Or, rather, went on shopping sprees all the time. In my case? I bought fabric that I probably otherwise might not have bought. I don't buy clothes. I haven't bought clothes and this made me want to. I had to build my wardrobe from items I already had. But it also made me look at the state of disrepair of the things I did own.

It's not fun wearing clothes you don't look good in, or what you don't feel good in.
But at the same time. This is not supposed to be something to make you want to keep up with the Jones', or at least the fashionista next door. Do what you can within your own limits.

What do you think? Do you already do something like this, or is it something you would like to try?

Want some inspiration? Check out my pinterest boards; Capsule Wardrobe, PDF Sewing Patterns: Women, Outfit Inspiration: Women

Check out my other Capsule Wardrobe Posts:
Capsule Wardrobe: What I am Thankful for
Boys Printable Wardrobe Planner
Girls Printable Wardrobe Planner