Florescent Hoodies

My two littles just finished up their skating lessons with the Sooke Skating Club. For the end of year performance they had an 80's theme, which meant lots of bright colours. We were asked to dress the boys in a bright top with black pants and leg warmers.

What is brighter then florescent? I decided to make the boys florescent hoodies, because I have a huge stash of florescent sweat pant material given to me by my mother in law. It has been sitting in my fabric closet for a couple of years, and I have been itching to use it. 

I was helping Jai with geometry and was inspired to try some geometry out in my sewing project. The first pattern didn't work out so well. It was too wide and long for Jas, and slightly too small for Jai.

Here is the back.

So I decided to take the hoodie apart and use the raglan tee pattern from the Sewing for Boys book (I love this book by the way), and it worked out perfectly. I just added a hoody.

Here is the back.

And then I made one for Jude. Here they are on show day. Jude is focused on the puddles, and resisting the temptation to splash in them with his holey shoes.

And he notices me with the camera.

Blurry shots of the boys. People kept standing right in front of them, or walking past, so I couldn't get a good shot, but just so you have an idea of their cuteness:)

No resolutions, but lots of goals

I don't like to make New Years resolutions. There isn't a particular reason why. I just don't. I do have some goals that I would like to reach this year, but it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't work out.

Here is a list:

1. I would like to learn how to make soap. I have wanted to make soap for years, but have been too intimidated. This year I plan to concur that fear, and go for it. I want to make enough soap to last us through the year. We go through a lot of soap in our home.

2. I want to make a mosaic. We were at the park a couple of months ago, and there was a new mosaic up on a wall. Jasper saw it and was mesmerized. Jasper said "it's beautiful. I wish we could make this". It's a plan. We just need to break enough dishes to make it happen.

3. I would like to make a play kitchen for my kids. You can see my inspiration on my DIY pinboard, along with many other DIY projects.

4. I would like to get through this pile of scraps:

It just keeps growing and growing! 

I do have some ideas on how to use up the scraps:

Raglan shirts made from strips of fabric. 

Ruffle layered skirts. I included two skirts, because just look how many scraps I can use up. It's fantastic!

Ruffle pants. 

I hope to make my way through this never ending pile by the end of the year. Fingers crossed!

5. I need to work on Jude's diet. His pour little cheeks are all red and irritated.

6. I would like to start doing more physical activity with the kids. Jai needs to tighten up his core for hockey.

7. Sew consistently though out the year, so I am no panicking so make stock for craft fairs. 

8. I would like to make at least one sale a week on Etsy. At the moment I maybe make one sale a month. This one is not such a big deal, but it would be nice:)

9. Start saving money.

10. Go on a vacation!!!

11. Grow most of our food this year. 

12. Find more ways to reduce our impact on the planet. This is on going for us. We are fairly gentle on the earth, but there are always more ways to reduce our impact. 

And that's about all for now. I am sure things will shift and change through out the year, but hopefully I can reach a few of these goals by the end of the year.

What about you? Do you make resolutions? Goals? 

Kicking it into high gear

I'm not sure why, but it seems that my inspiration doesn't like to kick in until a week before a show. This weekend I am going to be at The Prestige here in Sooke, for the Earthly Goods Craft Fair. I applied for this show at the beginning of the summer, so it's not like it's a last minute arrangement, but for some reason I am now flooded with ideas. I have too many ideas, that I won't be able to fit everything in.

Here is a sample of what I am working on:

I have started making these upcycled long sleeve raglans with a Tree of Life design

and some little upcycled pants, also with a Tree of Life design

Here is Jude in his new upcycled long sleeve raglan.

It's so difficult to capture him when he is still. This was the best I could do.

I will also be making more of these:

 But in these colors:

Banana Peel Yellow

and Bubble Gum Pink.

I have seven booties cut out in the yellow that need to be put together, and haven't even begun taking the pink leather apart. 

More time! I need more time!