Sewing, Sewing, Done!

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer.  My how time flies!  We have been busy visiting family and trying to get in as much pool time as possible!  I created a "To Do" list at the beginning of summer.  It in now the middle of July, and sadly, most of the items are not crossed off my list.  I did manage to sew a few outfits for Baby M to wear this summer.  If you have read my earlier posts you know that I think people who sew are brilliant.  I do not think that I am that smart yet, but I am getting there!  I finally conquered "sewing the circle" and Baby M has the outfits to prove it.  Here are a couple of outfits that I made for him. 

My sweet and brilliant friend RJ was kind enough to let me borrow some of her patterns and gave me some helpful tips.  I was feeling pretty good about my work until Baby M wore an outfit that RJ had made.  She is the true professional and I am merely an amateur!

Now all I have left to do is get the outfits monogrammed.  I have a feeling he will outgrow them before that will happen!

This painting used to be a big red fish that I painted a year ago.  I know longer like the fish so I decided to paint over it.  I covered about 90% of the canvas with heavy molding pasted to create an instant texture.  You can use joint compound if you don't have the molding paste but do not get it too wet.  It will dissolve and you will loose the texture.

The red you see coming through is part of the original fish painting.  I still need to go back and add a glaze so you can see the texture in the painting, but I do not know if I will keep it.  Who knows?  It may turn back into a fish in a few days!

It's not sew easy!

Ok, for those of you that know me, you know I love to make things.  I thought I would make M a few jon jons for spring.  I have tried to sew before when T was first born, but I became frustrated and stopped.  I do not like to admit defeat, therefore, I dusted off the sewing machine (8 years later) and tried again.

I have a new found respect for people who sew, or for that matter, for anyone who can follow a pattern.  I have tried for 3 days to make a very simple (according to the pattern description) jon jon with lining.  Nothing lined up and I must admit that I am now an expert at ripping out seams.  I finally ditched the pattern for the jon jon and thought I would make M a pair of shorts.  I did a little better, but still could not follow the pattern.  I finally made my own pattern from a pair of shorts he already owned. And I thought this was suppose to be easy and only take a couple of hours!

I will not give up and I will let you know how it ends up.  I may have to call in a professional to help me finish at least one jon jon.  I have posted a couple of pictures to let you see how my THIRD attempted is coming.  Hopefully, I will have the outfit completed before he outgrows it!  I will also keep my fingers crossed when it is time to put in the washer and dryer! :)

In other news...

J has decided to redo our front yard.  We are removing one brick walkway to enlarge the landing leading to our front porch.  We are trying to save as many bricks as we can, but some of them just crumble when you try to pick them up.  We were told by one of the previous owners that some of the bricks came from the streets downtown around the square.  I think they must be the ones that are staying entact even through all the freezing weather we had this winter.  Here are some pictures of J in progress.