Testing for TrashN2Tees

I had the pleasure of testing out TrashN2Tees first applique pattern, with my two littles, and we had a blast! I let my boys choose their fabrics from my ever growing scrap pile, as well as place the pieces of their trucks on their shirts. They kept trying to sneak peeks at the paper showing different ways to put the trucks together, but I really wanted them to be creative, and not be influenced in any way.

Before I show you the tees let me share a little info with you about TrashN2Tees. TrashN2Tees, run by Jenelle, has diverted more than 20 tons of clothing from our waste stream and she has created the patterns as a call to action for others to join her in her movement to change the way we consume and create. On the side she is working on the Create Change Movement App, which I am very excited about! It will be an app where you can search for ways to re-use items that are likely on their way to the dump, so rather then throwing out your unwanted trash, you can turn it into something useful, creating less waste! I love it! You can also check out her blog where she is running DIYU: School for Crafting Misfits.

And now onto the Trucks! Here are the two completed versions. Jasper's on the left and Jude on the right. 

Jasper's Truck and assembly process.

This is Jasper's truck. I was a little leery when he was picking out his fabric choices. He was all about the stripes, and I thought it would be too busy, but it came together perfectly and I love the finished product. I made one suggestion and that was to move the 6 onto the truck because I couldn't see it on the flag. He agreed it would be more visible there, so we moved it in the final sewing.

I of course decided to make the tees for them, so I picked out the fabric for their tees, they had no interest in picking their t-shirt fabrics. 

Here is Jasper in his rad truck hoodie! 

Happy Dance!

This was Jude's fabric selection and process. Again, I was thinking too much blue, but he also impressed me with his choices, because it came together perfectly. I also made a switch on his because there wasn't room on his shirt for the flame on the front of the truck so we moved it to the wheel. 

The shirt fabrics. Jude wanted a long sleeve, not a hoodie. He was very specific about his request.

Love it!

And this is often what happens when I point the camera at Jude! He takes off!

So all in all it was a fun project, and I was so happy to have my boys involved in the creative process. They also love their shirts so much more, because they had a hand in creating them.

I also managed to put a tiny dent in my mountainous scrap pile so that was fantastic too:)

So if you are looking for a fun project you can work on with your kids as well as a way of using up some scraps, head on over to TrashN2Tees and pick up your copy of the appliqué. She will be releasing the pattern today!

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? 

Holiday Gift Swap

This year I was very excited to participate in my very first Gift Swap! I learned about the gift swap from Freshley Picked, and was quick to jump on board. I love the idea of creating gifts, sending them out to the world and receiving gifts back in return. It's so exciting! Each time a package arrived felt like Christmas. I would have to shoo everyone away, so I could open it in private, in case I was going to gift it to anyone in my home. Which I am. 

These two arrived first. I love gifts that are practical. We don't have a pot holder, and have been using dish towels instead, so this is perfect for us. Not only is it practical, it is also pretty, AND matches our dining room chairs. She makes beautiful crochet items and shares them on her blog which you can find here. The coasters I was pretty excited about. Like practically squealing, because Rob has been bugging me about placing my mugs on the window sills (we really don't have anywhere else for me to place them when I am in the living room) and I had plans to make him coasters for his stocking this year! So seriously! How perfect is this?! They are WAY nicer than anything I would have made, and it will keep Rob of my back:)

This beautiful photo arrived next. It was taken in Jasper national park, so obviously this one is also going to be gifted to our home, seeing as how my 5 year old is Jasper. It's also a beautiful picture, and we don't have any nature shots in our home, so this is perfect. It has a very grand feeling to it, yet serene at the sametime. I really like it. 

All you need is love. A beautiful reminder. I'm on a journey right now of choosing happiness, love and compassion in my life, so this fits perfectly into my world.

This beautiful necklace was made, and sent to me from Beso. They make beautiful jewellery, which I don't have a lot of, so this was a very nice surprise.

And last but not least, a re-usable bag. It was perfect because I went to pick this up from the post office on my way to the grocery store. La Compra means Groceries in spanish. Though probably only in Spain she wrote, which is where she sent this from. 

One of the things that I find so fantastic, is that these gifts came from all over. Women I have never met, all sharing talents to provide gifts for our family and friends. It just feels so right. 

Thank you so much to Say Yes to Hoboken and Freshly Picked for putting this gift swap together!

Win Your Discount Wednesday at SVP-July 13, 2011

Today we went to Salvation Army as well as St Vincent de Paul. The kids really wanted to go to both thrift stores. I was okay with that idea.

Here is what I picked up from SVP, and I picked a 50% off chip! Awesome!

I have been thinking about getting a cake decorating set for birthday cupcakes, and low and behold, look what was at the thrift shop today:)

More shirts, and some fabric to transform into cute kids clothing.

And this! Wow! It's not something I will ever wear, but it was just to cool to pass up!

The boys also picked out a toy each from SVP.

At the Sally Anne, I found almost the entire "A Series of Unfortunate Events" for $0.99 each. It's just missing book 9, which I am sure we can easily find at the library. The books are in pristine condition. 

Thanks to my boys for the wonderful idea of visiting both shops today!

Yellow Hummingbirds

I have been wanting to do a hummingbird silk screen for months, but just couldn't get motivated to do all the cutting required to make the screen. Finally, last night I did it, and I am so pleased with the results.

I know, these are three identical pictures, but I am just so excited I had to share more than one picture! Plus the last picture was taken this morning with some sunshine, so it is slightly different:)

This fabric will be made into leggings later on today.