BABY LEGS

Baby Legs for the baby. Ankle Socks for the toddler. From one pair of socks.

There are so many tutorial on the WorldWideWeb.... that I'm sure I don't need to make another one. However, when I first started making baby legs or toddler leg warmers. I never really knew what to do with that bottom part. Until. I'm thinking why throw it away when I can actually use it for something? Along came the anklet. You'd start off with your regular pair of women/men socks.

Next you would put the socks together and then cut them with a rotary cutter or scissors, whichever you have on hand. I find that the rotary to be the best. You can just slice right across and it is an even cut.

Next, you'd get some ribbing. The picture isn't the best. My photographer hasn't been hired yet. :-) you cut it to the lengths you need it. For the baby legs, no more than 5x5. for the toddler anklets no more than 6x6. The 5x5 would work with both depending on your child's leg. My skinny 7yo doesn't have a problem getting either pair on.

You then add the ribbing to the bottom of the sock and voila, you have yourself some baby legs. But what about that ankle part that was left. No worries, you don't have to throw it away. There's hope for you yet.

Take another 5x5 piece of ribbing or 10x10 and cut it in the center. Add the ribbing to the top of you ankle socks and now you have a functioning pair of anklets.

Here's the all in one. Easy enough?

THE LANE RAGLAN REVIEW (HEY JUNE PATTERNS)

THE LANE RAGLAN REVIEW (HEY JUNE PATTERNS)

                     The Lane Raglan is a darling pattern. I didn't pay much attention to the neckline when I purchased it. I just found a Raglan for women and I was sold. I printed it and took it home the same day and got started. First up is the navy and red Raglan Tee. I didn't want the bottom portion of it (the band) I didn't take that into consideration when cutting the pattern out. I should have make the back and the front much longer. It would've came to where I wanted it to. The length is fine (for my first shirt) The next few shirts I made I either put the band on or made up for it and just added the extra two inches. The neckline is rather wide. I prefer my shirts close fitting. I don't like too much of my neck/chest plate out. I did this shirt in a color block. Red in the front, navy in the back.

                        The very next one I did was the yellow and gray one. I'm not 100% sure that the neckline is as long as it needs to be. Even with 2x2 rib knit (very stretchy) I have to add an extra inch. When I use the knit from the actual shirt I have to add about 2-2.5 inches. That's not a big deal at all, however when you're not sure that you need to do that, it becomes a big deal; having to use the seam ripper and produce another neckband. Depending on how much stretch the material has I would just cut it to about 25 inches and form there cut off the excess after the neckband is attached. No biggie. I added the waistband just to add more yellow. The gray in the pants and shoes was too overbearing for my liking.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

If you guys haven't noticed by now, I have a huge obsession with coordinating. So much so that I don't care if my kids socks are the same colors, they have to be a match. (I'm working on it) This was the third one as you can see from the order of shirts. I really enjoyed making this one, mainly because it was dead on with the shoes (Saucony). I realized then that the stretch of your shirt really makes a difference. I've always known all knits weren't the same, actually having to sew with some though; that doesn't have much stretch was almost like sewing with flannel. The orange is a pop of color that I was trying my best to bring forth Spring in Chicago. Didn't happen though. 

I finally decided to couple the Raglan with Jeans, boy was I pleased. It goes well with just about anything. You can make it as colorful as you want or you can make it all solid. I don't understand why one would want all solid when there are so many colors in the world. 

Finally my last one well not really, but just a little bit different. I finally found some stretch lace for a decent price, $4.99; at least I think that was a decent price. The regular non stretch in Joann's in about $7.99-$9.99. If I'm not mistaken, I can get four front pieces out of one yard of stretch lace. Roughly two shirts (just the front and back) from a yard of stretch lace. You all should definitely get some. I paired this with a pair of stretch jeggins and some boots I found on sale at Target. Looks like a great match to me, even though the fuschurple (fuscia and purple) isn't an exact match. It got the job done.

Overall it is a great pattern, as with any pattern you'd have to do some adjusting to your liking, taking something out, extending, shortening.... I love it. Follow link below to get your own copy of the pattern. The possibilities are endless.

http://www.heyjunehandmade.com/lane-raglan.html

SPIRIT WEEK

SPIRIT WEEK HAS BEGAN... DAY 1-PAJAMA DAY

I was so excited about Spirit Week (SW from here on out) that I forgot that I wanted to make something breathtaking for the kids. I had so many things to do and just not enough time. I will be better prepared for Nerd Day tomorrow though. As I stated in the previous post I wasn't sure if I was going to let my 6th grader participate in the celebration because of his grades. I asked him to think over the weekend and let me know why I should let him attend. He came to me with reasons that just didn't make any sense, like: because I'm going to be the only one in my classroom who isn't dressed like everyone else. I sent him on his way and told him to think like a 6th grader and not a Kindergartener like his sister.

He finally said that he would try his best to get much better grades for the next marking period. That's all I was looking for; him to put forth some type of effort and talk to me like he had the knowledge of a 6th grader. Now on to my 3rd grader. I made his pants and was so excited, I completely forgot to pick up a shirt from my favorite store Dollar Tree. I went the following day when I got off work. I was all set to put his name and something catchy but funny on there and he hands me a slip stating that he couldn't participate in SW.

I asked him why of course. He told me because he didn't reach an 85% on his color chart. If you've never heard of the color chart, I'll tell you a little bit about it. The scholars have a chance to get on different colors during the day. Red is the absolute worst and means you had to be talked to repeatedly during the course of one day. Following behind red is none other that orange. Orange is also a not so good color and it means you had to be talked to at least twice about something. Yellow is sort of borderline, you're stuck in the middle. In the 3rd grade you start out on yellow. You either earn a card change up or you can go down to the red or orange. Green is a good day. Green actually means you have had no warnings at all. Blue would be the next one meaning you BEAMed all day (Be quiet, Eyes and Ears on the speaker, Ask and Answer questions Move your eyes with the speaker)

If you happen to have a Purple day (this isn't given out carelessly, you have to SHINE and BEAM) you will get a positive phone call home. Their school has a no hitting policy. My home has a if it's a girl tell the teacher and if it's a boy you better hit him back policy. Can you see where these two do no coincide at all? Well last school year my then 2nd grader was bullied and was afraid to go to school. When he would tell about another child picking on him, the teacher would say: I didn't see it. So does that mean that it didn't happen. When you have 23 children you can't keep your eyes on every last one of them. It's impossible. You expect 2nd graders to act accordingly.

My 3rd grader was afraid to go to school and was crying everyday. The boy cornered him in the washroom and pushed him on the wet floor and he hit his lip and chipped his tooth. Once he saw the blood he figured his life was over. I told him the next time the little boy picked on him and actually hit him he was to hit him back as hard as he could and if he got in trouble with the school that I would talk to someone because no child should be afraid to go to school.

No one picked on him during the rest of that school year. This school year has gone pretty good so far. However last week, another kid in his class kept pushing him. My son has a high tolerance for BS, you can only do so much before he goes off though. He asked the boy repeatedly to stop. He didn't, so my 3rd grader choked him. They both got into trouble. In the midst of it all my 3rd grader lost his SW privileges along with talking when he wasn't supposed to and other silly things third graders do. The choking put his color chart score way below average though, him ending up with a 72, 13 points away from 85. He isn't disappointed in the fact that he got an 85 and the boy hasn't picked on him since.

Hey I guess you can't win them all!

Here's a couple pictures of them from SW!

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS.... WHAT ABOUT THE BOYS?

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS.... WHAT ABOUT THE BOYS?

My daughter is my reason for learning to sew. I have lost count of the amount of time she has asked me about some expensive dress that I couldn't afford or just couldn't see myself paying that much for. I figured I'd buy a sewing machine and learn to sew. Then she wouldn't have to ask me if I'd buy her what we saw in the store; but if I'd make one for her. I have made this child things from headbands to boots and in between.

The problem is I have other children who are boys. They aren't necessarily jealous, but they wonder why she gets all the goodies. Needless to say, I started making things for them also. I'd make them appliqued shirts and cut freezer paper with the Cricut and let them paint until their hearts are content. I began posting their pictures online and folks would see it and want it.

That brought on a whole slew of customers. I was mainly making things for my children, mostly my daughter though. The boys were going to a school where they couldn't wear regular clothes. They had to wear uniform. The pictures up top is of my daughter, she has on a sweater turned cardigan. the sweater was pretty old. I cut it up the middle added some buttons to it, used some yarn to keep the top closed and voila a new sweater/cardigan. The stocking, I found at Lands End in there clearance for $1, the felt head band flower is just the cutest,we can not forget white t shirt and blue jean skirt = new outfit.

The picture on the left she has on a tank/dress that her older sister can't fit, stockings/tights (i never know which is which) with yellow and white cows, a black cardi, and a yellow black and white headband. This was in the very beginning stages of me making things for her. The only thing I created was the headband, everything else was something I found to match up with it.

Now just a few months later, I'm able to create a full outfit for a baby. Picture below is of a Personalized Appliqued boys outfit: pants, onesie, boots and hat.

The hat was made from a t shirt. I kept the bottom part so I don't have to sew it. The pant's were made from an existing pair of pants as my pattern. The boots were made using this tutorial from this person located here, www.sewshesews.wordpress.com. Last but not least, the onesie applique was made using my cricut.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91227758/ruffled-baby-boots-and-quilted?ref=v1_other_1 Here's the link directly to the boots.

Shoes made by me with the tutorial and e pattern from stardustshoes.blogspot.com. I can't remember where I learned to make the tie. Once I do I will do an update. I love making stuff for both boys and girls. However since I don't have any tiny little boys, I opt out and make things for my daughter. I get requests to make this and that and I do.... I love babyshower and kid birthdays. I'm always a hit with my gift giving!

PATTERN TESTERS NEEDED

How in the world do you become one of the great people to review someone's pattern? I see the post, but it is always a year or so too late. How are you picked? How do you even find out about it? Do you hang around in Blogger jumping from post to post to find someone whose in need of a pattern tester. Is there a blogger who designates a blog just strictly for pattern testers? Exactly how does this work? Someone please help me out.

SPIRIT WEEK AND GRADES

WHAT CHILD DOESN'T LOVE SPIRIT WEEK?

HECK, I EVEN LOOK FORWARD TO IT MYSELF!

Last year around this time was Spirit Week (SW) from here on out. My children's school starts their's off with pajama day. For starters since they're growing so much all of their pajamas are mix matched. A few weeks before this time though I was gifted a Cricut and had already owned a Sizzix Big Shot and a Self Healing cutting mat with rotary cutter. I was so excited to make their shirts for Nerd day.

Day three, four and five I can't remember what they are. As i stated in the paragraph above SW has rolled around again. Not only do I have all those wonderful gadgets I also have a sewing machine and a Serger that I am scared to death of. I have been sewing since June of this year. I have so many ideas I can't wait to put them into action.

This year my daughter who was in Pre-K last year now attends the same school as the boys. (anyone with multiple aged children knows what a blessing it is to have them all in the same place) I am so excited for SW that I can hardly wait to get off work and finish up their things.

Here's the "DILEMMA": My well behaved 6th grader brought home his progress report and there were two N's on there. You're probably wondering what does the N stand for. Well in this day and age N stands for F. I'm not sure why they took the F away and replaced it with an N or an I, but it isn't there anymore. I asked him why he had an N and reached out to those teachers who gave him the N. They told me what I already knew to be true.

My child is a great respectable student, he's smart and intelligent  and TALKS AND PLAYS entirely too much. My child loves to read as much as I do. My happy place is the library or sitting in the tub with my Kindle Fire. He is definitely cut from the same cloth as I am. He's the typical 6th grader with a little bit of extra umph in him. I expect a lot. To whom much is given, much is expected. He's my first born and if his grades are up to par and he can keep his room clean WITHOUT me having to continuously tell him, he can then have whatever he wants.

Progress reports came out a few weeks ago. Yesterday was report card pick up day for all three of my children. My Kindergartener had the best report card. Next up was my 3rd grader. My 6th grader still has those N's that has now turned into I's. I's=Incompletes. I gave him yet another talk. I asked him if he thought I should let him participate in SW, he answered honestly and said NO. I wasn't surprised, because like I said he's a good kid.

I asked him why he failed the same two classes yet again. He stated that in math, he wants to hurry up and finish so that he can read his book. I'm not sure how good of an idea it was for me to tell him that he couldn't take any more books to school with him or that he couldn't borrow any from his teacher until he got his grades up. We talked some more I also asked him why he'd failed in Science also. He stated that the teacher was boring all she did was talk. He wanted her to just give him the work and not talk so much.

I asked him if he wanted to go to college. He stated yes. I told him he had better get used to the boring Science teacher talking because at least she cares. As adult/17/18 year old teenager... you're not going to get many professors who care.

I want to let him participate in SW, however, I also want him to understand that his actions today can wand will effect his future tomorrow.

What's a mama to do?

I really wanted to write about my passion for crafting. However, I can't even figure out how to add pictures or a decent background. I have been checking out other bloggers and their tutorial on just about any and everything. I can't say thank you enough, for all the inspiration and and ideas you all have shared, for free. Who does free? Everyone wants to keep things to themselves. We learned early on that sharing is caring. I'm guessing a lot of us don't care. If anyone can help me out or give me a brief tutorial on how to make my way through this blogger's paradise that would be greatly appreciated. I promise you will not be disapointed. I have so many ideas that I come up with by mistake. Lol. How many of you have created something, by mistake?

*I have tried and tried. I still cant figure out how to add pictures and change my blog background* Any help would be greatly appreciated.