living and sewing in the mountains

Great Balls of Tulle

Posted on May 19, 2013 by adirondackinspired

So let’s talk crafts.

I’m not a crafty person. Sadly.

I wish I were more crafty so that I could better entertain a certain kindergartener who loves glue and smelly markers. I often find myself picking up packs of pipe cleaners in Jo Anns, and then putting them back down when my mind goes blank. Even though I’m sure there are a million-and-two crafts you can do with a pipe cleaner. A million-and-three, even. I’m sure people have entire Pinterest boards devoted entirely to pipe cleaner crafts.

But what I lack in pipe cleaners and Modge Podge, I make up for in tulle. It’s just so pretty! I originally planned to use it to make a bed skirt of tulle for my daughter, and while that still might happen, the thought of it getting sucked up in the vacuum cleaner has put that little project on the back burner.

In the meantime, I’ve moved this huge bundle of tulle from one bin to the other, and this weekend I decided to use a little bit of it. So, I sat down to make some tulle balls. (‘tulle balls’ is cracking me up much the same way ‘pocket bag‘ does). I think they make nice stand-ins when proper curse words might be inappropriate. Anyway…

Want to make your own tulle balls (of course you do!). You can even call them tulle pom poms if you’d like.

All you need is some tulle.

A piece of cardboard.

And some string.

And you get these.

I made a tulle ball garland. It’s pretty. Especially for a self-proclaimed non-crafter.

It has a temporary home right now, but I think it would be cutest strung up over a window in my daughters room. I’ll update when that actually happens.

If you want to turn your tulle balls into garland, just take a needle and thread and thread them on, kind of like making popcorn garland (another craft I can handle)!

Now go make your own!

Back to Basics

Posted on May 16, 2013 by adirondackinspired

I’m not sure if I am just noticing it, or if the internet is suddenly exploding with women sewing for themselves.

Project Sewn, anyone?

So it’s just when I get beyond the basics for children’s clothing, that I start all over with sewing for myself.

This is a rectangle with some elastic at the waist. In linen. It does not get more simple than this.

But… it’s a step in the right direction, and it’s wearable. The thought of sewing for myself is very appealing. I already have to have many store bought items altered, so the thought of sewing things just as I want them from the beginning is a big win. Also, I (hopefully) won’t be growing out of them any time soon.

The most difficult part of this sewing-for-blog process was–by far–trying to photograph it. I waaaay underestimated how difficult it is to photograph oneself. The logistics are bad enough (I don’t even have a tripod), but the awkwardness is fierce. And not Tyra banks fierce, just fiercely ‘I suddenly feel like a jr. high girl’ kind of awkward.

And on a related note, I think I chose a bad time to start a facebook page for this little sewing blog.

Okay, well, like ripping off a bandaid, I’ll do this quick:

Well, it can only get more exciting from here, right?

Explore With Me: Sacandaga Pathways

Posted on May 14, 2013 by adirondackinspired

Next stop in the Explore With Me series is none other than the Sacandaga Pathways . This one is not a hike, but a pathway, perfect for all explorers, no matter how young.

This has long-been one of my favorite places to walk with the kids. Dogs, strollers, wheelchairs–all welcome on this part boardwalk/part dirt pathway stroll through the woods. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure type of walk, which means it can be as brief or lengthy as you choose. I often see older couples taking a stroll, stretching their legs mid-drive. Oh, and it’s also located near a playground, covered pavilion, community park, and public beach. Not bad, eh?

We explored just a week after doing Mills Stream, and it’s amazing how much changed in that one week. Goodbye snow, hello shorts! This is one of the best times to hike in the Adirondacks, since the blackflies aren’t out yet. (There are certain times of year, you couldn’t pay me to walk this pathway, to be sure.)

But on this particular day, we enjoyed temperatures in the low 70′s, open water, and a bright blue sky and not a flying pest in site.

Adirondack Inspired Goes Belgian Style

Posted on May 12, 2013 by adirondackinspired

Have you heard of Straight Grain’s Belgian Style series? (Well, of course you have!) I have been loving all the bright, fun Belgian-inspired clothing that has been featured over the last few weeks. Such bright and cheery kids fashion, I love it.

So, the last time I managed a solo trip to Jo Anns, I searched for some fabric that inspired me to join in the series. Surprisingly, this took a looong time. In the end, there was only one choice, and it took until the second-to-last row to even see it.

Sadly, the whole goal of this outfit, was to use my fabric inspiration, and dress it up with a piped peter-pan collar…which I completely forgot about until after I had the whole project completed. It wasn’t until I was looking at the photos, that I realized I never made the collar. How does that even happen??? If I had purchased enough fabric, I think I would have made a new one on the spot…

Thankfully, I love the dress anyway! If I lived closer to a target, I would have added a bright (mustard?) cardigan to style with it. I probably will search for a little cardigan as I sized up and this should fit her through the fall. Cardigan, tights, and little boots (!), oh yes, she will wear this for some time, I think…

I tried a couple of firsts with this. One is that I did use piping between the bodice and the skirt. I was nervous, and felt like I didn’t quite know what I was doing, but I measured carefully, basted the piping on, and used a zipper foot and found myself pretty thrilled with the results. My last piping attempt was with a regular foot, and it was quite sloppy, although I hid it in the photoshoot. The second new technique was to use dental floss instead of basting stitches to gather the skirt. I can not tell you how much I love this method! It consists of ziz-zagging over (but not on) the dental floss and then just pulling it to create gathers that just glide.

Oh, and the secret to toddler photo shoots, once again, are SMARTIES… And now she shares!

Oh, and yes. This is Geranium #4! (one, two, and three…)

Welcome, Spring

Posted on May 10, 2013 by adirondackinspired

We finally welcomed Spring this past week, and oh….it has been so sweet.

We had a week-and-a-half of temperatures in the 70′s and beautiful sunshine-y days. The only thing it was not good for, was my time behind the sewing machine. I spent a lot of time outside, enjoying the warm breezes, pushing little people on swings, and standing behind the ladder to the slide in case I needed to catch a certain (fearless!) toddler.

I measure Spring in flowers.

Here’s what’s (finally!) growing in our little corner of the Adirondacks.

Of course, this sudden bloom-fest has been pretty rough on my little guy. His allergies are more severe every year. The other day it looked like he had rubbed a cat (also–highly–allergic to) all over his face. I went to take a photo of his poor red, swollen eyes, and on cue…he sneezed.

Doli Tank

Posted on May 7, 2013 by adirondackinspired

A couple of weeks ago, I was the lucky winner of the Doli Tank pattern, and I finally had a chance to sew one up! My lovely friend Ajaire over at Call Ajaire hosted the giveaway, and I was so thrilled to win, as I had just promised myself to stop. buying. all. the. things.

The pattern was created by Sarah over at EmmylouBeeDoo (love that name!). She also has a pants pattern (hosh pants) that I’m pretty sure are calling my name.

But, first, back to the Doli Tank! For once, I looked at the measurements to decide which size to cut. It is sized generously, so my 5-year-old fit perfectly into the size four. It is a loose and breezy kind of shirt, perfect for the 77 degree day we are going to have today (!!!!). A 77 degree day in the Spring is the equivalent of an 85 degree day in the summer. I didn’t make the rules, that’s just how it works…

The pattern is lovely and quick with beautiful instructions to guide you along the way. My linen was a little too see-thru so I lined it first, just basting the pieces together and treating them like one. The only little snafoo I ran into was that I sewed the binding on the back on the wrong side. Grrr…. But I just folded it over, so the back is bound, and it really isn’t that noticeable, although it made for some bulky shoulder seams. Luckily, none of this mattered much once the tank was on!

And…the back! I love the racerback. I have a feeling, this will be the go-to hot day shirt.

It is the same linen from this project. I made sure to get prior-authorization from my kindergartener first. Vital step.

I love the combo of using a woven fabric with a knit binding. That Sarah, she’s smart. The pattern has you cut the binding out to a certain length, but in the instructions it warns you may have to cut the binding larger or smaller, as knits all have different amounts of stretch. I just cut them extra long, and then lined them up and sewed while stretching. No pins needed. It wasn’t perfect this time around, but I think it’s something you would get a feel for.

As you can see, it doesn’t hinder any jumping, spinning, or twirling action…

And, because it’s my favorite feature, let’s take one more look at that back…

See her tongue sticking out up there? She thinks this face is hilarious.

She makes it, then asks to see it in the camera, then laughs hysterically.

If you are looking for a summer top pattern to add to your collection, I think this should be the one. Huge approval from both Mama and daughter on this one!

****And a HUGE thank-you to Ajaire and Sarah!!!****

April Moments

Posted on May 6, 2013 by adirondackinspired

Oh, April… You were a rough month, I was happy to see you go. Let’s try for a better relationship next year, okay? A few favorites from the (very few) photos I took this last month…

Wiksten-Inspired Toddler Tank

Posted on May 2, 2013 by adirondackinspired

I recently remembered this (free!) pattern I downloaded awhile back from True Bias. It is only available in size 2T, which is perfect, since I recently acquired my very own two-year-old!

The pattern is awesome…I can’t wait to try to adapt it to fit my 5-year-old too. Of course, I have some sort of strange sewing ADD, that means I never manage to sew up the pattern as is, which means this project took hours longer than intended. I wanted to try another Peter Pan collar, but I totally messed it up this time around (feeling a bit overconfident/overzealous I think), and the end result was one of those happy accidents. Let’s call it a mock-peter-pan collar, since it ends at the shoulder seams. And I’m not gonna lie, I love it. Is it one of those things that makes purists gasp and recoil in horror, or is it something that already exists that I just have never noticed? Share your knowledge, sewing friends!

I made it in chambray with a patterned linen-blend (love that linen!) collar and mini-pocket. I loved the fun and bright floral pattern after the gray, snowy spring we’ve been having. It is a bit much, so I really love it as an accent. I did learn a good lesson about increasing seam allowances with loosely woven linen, however.

I also learned how to bind necks and armholes with bias tape. Another technique crossed off the list, love that! The back is just a simple button loop closure, I love that too.

And, in the end, the silhouette is fantastic. I can’t wait to sew it up again. Maybe as a little dress, maybe chopping the pattern so it has a separate bodice and skirt. It’s a fantastic blank slate. So, if you have yourself a two-year-old at home, download this little gem ASAP!

End of the day shot….filthy! I love it.

*Linking up to The Train to Crazy: Make it-Wear it Thursdays.*

Two.

Posted on May 1, 2013 by adirondackinspired

I blinked, and you were two.

A few things I don’t want to forget about this time in your life…

1. You love food. LOVE. You throw your hands up in the air and smile and yell ‘yeahhhh!’ at your morning bowl of oatmeal. If your oatmeal is ready and waiting for you in the morning as I carry you from your crib into the kitchen, you turn around to give me a hug and a pat and say ‘Mama nice.’

2. You love being outside. Many a tantrum has been thrown because we have to come inside. The weather is irrelevant, as is the activity. Roaming the driveway in the rain is good enough, because it’s outside. I hope you are an early skier!

3. You are tough! By far the toughest kid in the house, you are quick to shake off the bumps and bruises so you don’t get left behind. You join in with your older brother and sister, mimicking along even though you don’t always know why.

4. You love to sleep. Just like Mama. Your favorite stuffed animal is a Grinch doll that’s almost as big as you are.

5. Your kisses. More accurately, your anti-kisses. A Lily-kiss is you tilting your forehead for us and waiting for us to kiss you. Which we do. Constantly.

Oh, Lily, I couldn’t imagine how boring the days would be without you! Thanks for staying little, carryable, and kissable. Don’t grow too much this next year, mmmkay?

Love,

Mama

Explore the Adirondacks: Mills Stream

Posted on April 30, 2013 by adirondackinspired

It’s time for a new series here at Adirondack Inspired…

I live in the Adirondack Park, the largest National Park in the United States. I feel incredibly lucky to call this place my home, and that appreciation grows each year that I live here. Raise a family here.

My children are still young enough to not really think about where they live. It’s just home. My son calls any store other than our local grocery store, a ‘far-away-store.’ And, sometimes, a reeeaaalllly-far-awaystore. This is helpful when he sees some commercial for a random toy he thinks he’d like, or when he’s asking for a snack I don’t keep in the house. “Oh, that’s at a far-away-store. Right, Mom?”

Soon enough they will grow up, and while they may also fall in love with their hometown, first they will have that adolescent urge to leave. To flee their hometown, easily dismissing it in lieu of new far-away places that hold the same allure as the far-away-stores of their childhood.

But before they do, I want to explore as much of their playground of a backyard as possible. To take advantage of the time where home is where Mama and Daddy are, and how could it be any other way… If it is not meant to be part of their future, I want it deeply engrained as a part of their childhood.

So, without further ado, here is our first documented exploration. It’s a little hike called Mills Stream, fit for those from one to ninety-two. It is a little trail along side a stream boasting water falls and swimming pools. A trail filled with climbing rocks, fallen logs, and woodpecker hideaways. It’s the kind of trail you could walk every day, it’s more of a roam than a hike, and perfect for small children.

living and sewing in the mountains

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