Hanami Top

Some time in July, An the talented blogger at Straight Grain asked for testers for her new pattern tutorial Hanami.  Although I haven't sewn anything in months, I jumped at the opportunity because An has such adorable and unique designs.  Plus her tutorials are full of details and helpful photos.  I didn't think much of it after I applied because I don't usually get chosen for things like this because;

1.  I'm an infrequent blogger
2.  I don't sew often
3.  I'm just not that lucky

But An did choose me!  I'm so glad she did because it got me to dust off my sewing machine and get my butt in motion. 

The Hanami has four different options.
A.  Top or Dress
B.  Collar or No Collar (collar cannot be combined with crossed back)
C.  Tulip or Flutter Sleeves
D.  Crossed Back or Hidden Zipper

If my math is correct, there are 12 different variations of this pattern!  Even with all the options, the tutorial was incredibly clear on which direction to go with.  An goes above and beyond with her instructions as she photo documents everything.  An even includes the cutting diagrams for different fabric widths.  She also has tables for both metric and inches.   

An also includes where you could add ribbon for additional flare.  I'm going to say that I decided not to put a ribbon on.  The truth is, I just forgot.  I had it on my sewing table but I just forgot.  I blame the pregnant mommy brain.  This is also the reason you will find cereal boxes and cans of beans shoved in the fridge.  This morning I tried to put the milk in the cabinet again.  Fortunately it doesn't fit, so I realized my mistake.  But the realization came after I got annoyed that it didn't fit.

For B I decided to go with the top, no collar, tulip sleeves, and crossed back.  I really love the results.  The tulip sleeves are so adorable on my little model.  The fabric isn't anything special, I got it from the local JoAnn's. 

Am I in trouble?  Why did you ask me to stand by this tree?

View of the Crossed Back.

I assure you she isn't as shy as the photos make her appear.  I think she really thought she was in trouble because I was trying to get her to stay still.  Shortly after these photos she was log rolling down the grass hill.  The pattern gets the toddler stamp of approval because it's comfortable enough to roll around and nap in.  Mommy brain also approves of the tutorial because the only slip up I had was with the omission of the ribbon.
 
Thanks for choosing me to be a tester An!  B loves the top too.  This morning my husband asked her where she got it from.  B said, "From sewing!  Mama made it for me!"  It might be the pregnancy hormones, but I melted just a little.

Engage Panic Button!

New Projects and a Race Question

I am saddened and horrified at the events in Boston.  The thought of what this has done to the unsuspecting families and victims makes me so sick.  Sending love to those in Boston.

My mom called me shortly after with the warning, "Stay away from large crowds!"  To which I replied, "I live in LA.  Where can I go that doesn't have large crowds?"  In truth, I'm more worried when nobody is around.  Alarm bells start blaring in my head and I head for the nearest cluster of people.  The alarm is similar to the time I was driving in South Dakota and I could not see ANY cars on the flat endless highway.  In a panicked high pitched voice, I shouted to my husband, "WHAT DO I DO?!?"  He looked blankly at the highway extending to the horizon and said, "uh, drive?"

That being said, we are heading to a LA Dodgers game tonight and I must admit that I'm just a little nervous.

Changing gears entirely, here are a few photos of projects I haven't blogged about yet. 

1. A dress of my own design

2.  An Easter dress of the Citronelle Violette pattern

The cow (Mr. Cow) is her ever present buddy

3.  Crayon piggies

4.  The short lived photo frames on the fridge, which fell off and shattered a couple of hours later.  Turns out temporary tape is exactly that, temporary.

Fail mom, just FAIL.

In running news, my husband registered us for a half marathon race in August.  He is taking this very seriously this time and wants to PR with a sub 2:00 time.  Reasons why this sucks for me include:

1. Having to negotiate morning workout days
2. The likely possibility that he will have a faster time than me
3. Not having someone to run with

This leads me to my question: When you sign up for a race with someone, do you expect to run WITH them?  Or is the expectation simply to show up and leave together?

The New Job

I'm going to be a stay at home mom!  My husband and I both wanted one of us to be home with our children, we just thought it would be after we had 2 of them.  The timeline moved up drastically when the B's babysitter told us she had to leave to take care of her sister.  At first I was in shock when she told us she leaving.

This is what I was thinking in my head.

Instead of expressing my first reaction, I told her that I completely understood the decision she was making.  The next day, I took a tour of a local preschool that is really highly rated.  The place was a kid factory complete with bored and exhausted "teachers".  To make matters worse, the wait list was months long.  That night we crunched our numbers and figured out that we could afford (barely) to live on one income.  I gave my job my 2 week notice after that.  I'm sure you're wondering what the B's reaction to having mom stay home with her. 

Uh oh.  Hide me!

At work there has been mixed reactions.  Most people had been really supportive, telling me that it's the most important job in the world etc.  Another group is freaking out about who will support them when I leave.  There is also a small group of people that I'll call the stick-your-foot-back-in-you-mouthers.

I have had comments like, "Can you afford to not work?!?"  To which I reply, "Yes."  But I am really wishing I could say, "No, I just think living in debt and on welfare is a good idea." 

Another gem was, "I can't understand why you would quit.  Girls that go to college don't usually give up that easily."  I'll let you guess what my internal response to that one was. 

Say Wha?!

As for me, I'm terrified at the idea of having only one income.  Especially with things as uncertain as they are.  On the other hand, I am very excited to be able to spend my day looking at this face.

This is going to be so much FUN!  (at least until the next time out)