I haven't done any serious apparel sewing in ages ... the little PJ pants I've made for the girls over that last couple years, totally don't count. Last year, Heather made this adorable shirt for her daughter. I loved the shape of the shirt ... light, breezy, comfortable, and thought that not only would this style look cute on my girls, but they'd find it comfortable to wear.
The pattern Heather used, was of course for little girls, not for girls the ages of mine, but she turned me on to a Project Runway, Simplicity pattern with these pictures on Flickr. Where it not for real examples of the shirt made up, I'm not sure I would have given it a try simply seeing it in a pattern book. I purchased the pattern late last Spring and have been collecting bits of fabric here and there to make it up in. Nearly a year later, things have settled enough (and I finally got the girls measured) that I could sit down and make the shirt this afternoon.
I am really pleased. It has turned out super cute! I'm hoping to find some simple white or yellow buttons to put in the center of the yoke, between the pin tucks. And I'm already planning what fabric to use next. One thing I have learned though about the Project Runway patterns which is a bit annoying - on this pattern, their yardage requirements are al-a-cart. This particular pattern allows you to mix and match elements ... this neckline with this hem length, and those sleeves. Great for my kind of sewing since I am always adding or subtracting something from the written way. But the yardage isn't straight forward like it typically is ... for view A, get purchase __ yards. Instead, yardage is listed element - sleeve, shirt/dress front+back+neckline, etc - separately. Of course I didn't notice this minor detail when I purchased the fabric, so now I'm finding myself using every blessed inch of the fabric I did purchase, and a little extra from my stash!
Hopefully I can keep up the momentum and make a few more cute shirts for their spring/summer waredrobe.
Today is my parents 35th Wedding Anniversary. I am so grateful for their example of love and devotion, friendship and companionship, service and sacrifice. I found this picture from their wedding day on my computer and thought I'd share.
Saturday and Sunday is our church's Semi-Annual General Conference. I am so grateful we have the ability to listen (and sometime watch streaming video) to the Prophet, Apostles, and other church leaders from home. It makes it so nice and easy to listen and focus on what they have to share with us, rather than wrangle with the children. Plus GR and I get to sit next to each other, something we get to do only 2-3 times each year.
In my Tuesday email to my ward, I included some links for General Conference Activity packets for kids of all ages (and let’s face it sometime we need a little help during the afternoon sessions!). Last year my cousin Allison emailed us a conference activity packet my kids loved! That packet has been updated and I've included a link to it, along with a few others. Hopefully you'll have some time tonight to create your own customized packet tailored to your kids likes and interests.
For those with teens, my friend Korianne, created something for her Young Womens aged daughter based off the young women's theme and personal progress. I created a companion one for Young Men, based off the Duty to God pamphlet. They aren’t fancy, but hopefully they will be of help for some of your kids.
One suggestion for these printables for Primary aged kids, print these out tonight so you have time to print them front and back to save paper.
Friend Magazine Coloring Pages - This website lists coloring pages from the Friend magazine, complete with descriptions and links directly to the coloring page on lds.org. This would be good for younger children, Jr. Primary and young Sr. Primary.
Here are directions for a full blown lap book you can create if you want to for General Conference. If you don't want to take the time to do that, consider just printing pages 5, 6, 8, 9. Page 7 is the same puzzle already in the conference packet listed below.
Conference Packet 1 - This packet is a more for Sr. Primary, and Jr. Primary children who are strong readers. The puzzles are harder so it is not something will breeze through in 2 seconds. Also, the packet looks more at them paying attention to the talks and taking notes. You could add in some coloring pages to give them some break time.
Conference Packet 2 – Deseret Book’s conference packet, more of a Jr. Primary/young Sr. Primary packet. 6 full size pages of things to watch for, pictures to color, pages to cut, etc.
And, I’m sure you’ve all seen this article in the March Ensign … "Preparing Our Children for General Conference."
Last week on our way home from soccer practices, we drove past this amazing site, and had to pull a U-ie, take pictures and just watch for a few minutes:
Just in case you can't make out what the photograph is of ... all the black masses, those are hundreds and hundreds of birds, covering the trees, grasses, water, etc. The next picture is a closer up crop of the picture above. I should have taken some video so you could get a better sense of how much noise this many birds make. The chatter was unreal! The next day, the trees were totally empty, not a single bird anywhere. Enjoy!
Over Spring Break, one of the boys managed to break Becca's classes. If you remember, last year when she picked out her very first frames, she choose a super cute half rimmed frame. Sadly the lenses haven't held up well at all. They are very chipped all around the edges. While playing, either Sam or Alex (she could tell me who, but she's asleep), knocked them off her face, snapping the little piece of fishing line that holds the lens to the frame.
GR took them to the optometrists, got them fixed and scheduled Rebecca for her annual eye exam, which was today. Given that she's been having a little trouble reading the playlist on the radio in the car from the back seat, I wasn't surprised to see that her perscription has changed over the course of the year. Not significantly, but enough that new glasses are in order. While we waited for her eyes to dialate, we did a little frame shopping and she found a very chic new frame for her new lenses.
Rebecca and I made an afternoon of her eye appointment. While the other kids spent the afternoon with Grandma and Grandpa, she and I had lunch with Papa at work and did a little Spring clothing shopping. Although the schedule was a bit tighter than I'd hoped, we had a really good time together. And found some super cute clothes. We're finding it harder and harder to have quality one on one time with our kids.
Last week, Rebecca was given the assignment to give a talk today during Sharing Time in Primary. Her topic ... Family Members Have Important Responsibilities. I encouraged her to think about the responsibilities of each member of our family, to remember the new song they learned for this year in January, The Family is of God, and to read a couple of paragraphs from the March Friend magazine. And then I asked her to type what she could of her talk, promsing to help her edit it into a talk once she was done.
She did such an awesome job! Here's what she wrote, I've put what I helped her add in italics, other than a few gramatical word choice changes made, it's all hers!:
Family members have important responsibilities.
In a house of order, everyone has a responsibility.
I will refer to “Family is of God,” in my own words.
Mother: She helps to care for her family. And she provides food for her family. And she nurtures and strengthens her children or child. One way my mom nurtures me is by helping me do laundry and teaching me to put my clothes away.
Father: He leads in family prayer. And he teaches his children or child to share and to care. My Dad teaches me to share by helping us set time limits on our favorite computer games so everyone gets a turn.
Children: We love and serve our family. And are good examples to each family member. I love and serve my family when I help my younger brother and sister, and when I help with family chores like loading the dishwasher and picking up my toys.
When I am a Mom, knowing what the song ‘The Family is of God,’ teaches will help me in my own family. I am thankful God gave us families.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.
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Are you as blown away as I am!? She did an awesome job delivering her talk too. Since Daddy wasn't able to make it in to hear her, I suggested she use it to teach Family Home Evening. Tonight we have two soccer practices, so we had FHE last night. We had a great little discussion about each of our responsiblities and how when everyone does their part, our family is happier, the house is cleaner, and everyone has more fun.
