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here it is, another year already? « »
This is a picture of Mazie playing with my dad. It’s really touching. Especially so because he’s been ill for a long time and is finally feeling better! (GO DAD!) I’m so happy that they have the chance to get to know each other!!
My birthday is tomorrow! I can’t believe it’s another year already. Tomorrow I have to be at the fairgrounds at 8 am to clean up the Vets’ building so we can set up the displays as submissions start coming in. (I’m superintendent this year for needlework.) ARG. Nothing like starting the birthday early! Then we have Mazie’s swimming lessons at 9:30, and after THAT…I’m voting for a big unhealthy breakfast at Pancake Alley. The rest of the day can do what it wants, as long as I get my Little Rascal (2 eggs, toast, hash browns.)
Nate brought a beautiful bouquet of roses when he came home from work today, and a hand made bracelet that he picked out himself! I was totally surprised. Usually, it’s “what do you want for your birthday?” And this year…he totally rocked it out and picked my gift out on his own…and did a great job. I love that man.
I’m taking a little “me time” right now to relax after a LONG day. Mazie slept in 2-hour increments last night, with long crying jags in between. I looked at her top teeth today (or where they’ll come in) and the gums are definitely starting to peel…which means there’s pressure and the teeth are on their way. She didn’t make up much of her lost sleep today, and was really whiny and cranky, poor baby. SO…I’m off in a room by myself, loving the quiet.
Initially, we had planned to get out tomorrow night and stay at the hot springs in a cabin with it’s own little spring, but the owner died (bless him) and the park is closed. My backup was to go to the Inn of the Mountain Gods and stay in a big room with a whirlpool tub and play in the casino…but they’re all booked! SO…dinner and a movie it is. I really could have used one whole night without 2 or 3 wake-ups right in my REM sleep. I wonder how long since I’ve had a whole uninterrupted night’s sleep? At the same time, when I HAVE gone away, I miss Mazie so much I can’t sleep anyway. I’ll just sleep when she’s older.
KNITTING:
I’m sort of in between knitting projects at the moment…and doing some more sewing. I know. You’re getting sick of the sewing. BUT…this is LEATHER sewing. On the MACHINE! (And I’ll get back to the knitting in a few days.)
If you follow me on Twitter.com (I tweet as Glampyre) you know that I’ve been looking at baby shoes online. I really love the soft-soled shoes like Robeez and Preschoolians, so I’ve sort of been stalking those. Mazie has been wearing Robeez since birth, and we really like them. She’s just starting to stand, and they give her a nice grip on the tile and on the carpet. Eventually, she’ll need more of a sole, but for now and even later as slippers, we like these.
A couple of nights ago, I realized that I could probably make something similar. They’re a simple flat sole, with a vamp and a heel, and then some elastic to hold them on. So…after googling the subject, I realized that probably half of the moms whose babies wear these soft shoes (and pay $30-$60 a pop) have also thought they could make them. There are tons of patterns and tutorials online (here’s just one), and hundreds of photos on flickr of hand made soft soled baby shoes.
SO…yesterday I went to the Leather Company and picked out some leather. I came home and made 3 pairs of shoes in about 3 hours! They’re easy, fast, and Mazie can’t seem to tell the difference between them and her regular shoes. Except that these have lots of colors and layers to keep her eyes and hands busy.
My color combos are kind of crazy, but that’s sort of my M.O. (as you know.) I did Mazie’s by just turning hers inside out to see the construction and tracing her foot to get a template and the right size for the pieces. (I didn’t copy the actual shoes…the fun is trying to do them BETTER.)
I’ve got four more pairs cut out, and today we went to the thrift store to look for more leatha.
I found two coats to cut up and 3 vests. Do you watch Project Runway? Didn’t you love how Stella talked about her Leatha?? I wish I had some studs to hammer. I miss Stella! Who do think will win?? The previews look like they’re giving Kenley a hard time next week! I personally hope Suede leaves SOON (or stops talking about himself in the third person.)
You guys. I so wish I had my camera when I was looking through the vests. What the hell goes through peoples’ minds when they make/sew/embroider/quilt their own vests? I know vests are popular right now…but not this kind. I think there must be actual panels of fabric that you can cut out and piece together with pre-printed vests on them, because there were just too many repeats for it to be coincidence. Man. But the overwhelming majority were denim. That stonewash color that was big in the early 90s, with different embroideries on them…I think teachers must wear a lot of vests. There were several with schoolhouse themes. Just thinking back on it…someone really could do a photodiary piece on just this rack of vests. Personalized vests are like a page out of someone’s scrap book. You really see what they hold dear. It was pretty emotionally draining. My stomach was in knots after going through those! I’m not kidding, I was really almost shaking. Vests give me the creeps, and then so many awful ones in one place was just too much. And, before you get offended, if you read this and you make your own vests…you’re not making the kind I’m talking about, trust. me.
ANYWAY…it was worth it for the materials. When I got home, I also found a weird deerskin “shirtjacket” in my closet to cut up. It’s not weird per se, but the cut was weird on me. I was keeping it because the leather was just so nice and it was a great deal (Thrifted.) So…now I have enough burgundy, black, purple, and natural leather to make like 200 pairs of baby shoes. Some of these are definitely going on Etsy. (Glampyre there, too.) Anyone with any OTHER colors of thrifted leather want to trade?? (Though, everyone probably has the same 70s burgundy, black, and natural, don’t they?)
PS: If you use a dyed leather for the sole…use a lining!
PPS: The Author Copy of Glam Knits: 25 Designs For Luxe Yarns
This entry was posted on Friday, September 19th, 2008 at 11:59 pm and is filed under sewing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
3 Responses to “here it is, another year already?”
Happy Birthday fellow virgo! (I’m the 18th). I hope you have a wonderful day! Mazie is looking adorable as usual, my daughter has the same fun pink leggings as in your picture. They’re some of my favorites.
I am a huge PR fan. This season has been weird, I am finally getting into it now, since Bryant Park is coming up soon for them. The taste and quality has been inconsistent, in my opinion, so it’s hard to choose a favorite, although Leanne and Korto make some pretty beautiful garments. I really REALLY hope Kenley and Suede somehow miraculously both get kicked off next week. I am so over both of them!
I know exactly what you mean about the vests! I work at a quilting and knitting shop, and some of the vests those ladies make…
Funny thing is, I rarely see any of them WEARING the vests.
SO bummed that your getaway didn’t pan out. Did you check into The Lodge @ Cloudcroft? I don’t think they have super-tubs (which would be a bummer) but it’s so beautiful in the village. We’ll be up there in just a little over 2 weeks. YEAH ASPENS!
HPD and so glad your dad is able to spend time with M. You will forever cherish these memories!