Downtime - Whether I Like It Or Not!

I'm feeling severely annoyed by a few things right now and feel the need to share!  First, my bobbin case got a crack and won't allow me to sew.  Second, I couldn't find one in town so I had to order it, and it's taking forever!  I've got diapers to sew for a cousin's new baby, a top to make for Spring Top Week and a partially finished romper that's going in my Etsy shop.  I get all anxious when my machine isn't at my disposal but it's much worse when I've got things on my to-do list!  And finally, I'm all-of-a-sudden sick this morning (feels like another sinus infection?), and this is after a day and a half of severe and unexplained nausea.  I'm going to the doctor later, hopefully to get a shot of some super powered antibiotics!

By taking Dramamine yesterday I was able to fight my nausea off long enough to grocery shop.  I really had no choice, we had a freezer full of meat and nothing else!  Here is my meal list for the next two weeks...

Spaghetti and Salads - Actually made this last night using a combo of beef, pork and veal, with herbs from my (not dead!) garden.  Turned out so so good!

Shredded Pork Tacos - Zack's request this week.  Pork is cooking in the crock pot as I type this.  Making refried beans and maybe Spanish rice to go with it later.

Spanish Lasagna - To use leftover pork, layered with black beans, rice, tomatoes, cheese and tortillas.

Scallops - In garlic/white wine sauce over linguini.  Easy, light and yummy meal!

Beef Stew - In biscuit bowls...the opposite of light and easy, but always yummy!

Grilled Chicken on Salads - To make up for all that pork and beef, lol.

Tuna Pasta Salad - Great for easy lunches the next day. 

Tilapia - With lemon and dill, white rice and green beans.

Pork Loin Medallions - Cut to 1" thick and pounded flatter, with spicy mustard marinade.  Will probably have brown rice with them.

Steaks/Other Meat on the Grill - Because we've got tons in the freezer and the weather is perfect for evenings outside!

That's my bare minimum of 10 meals for 2 weeks, the other 4 days will be leftovers, take-out or sandwiches.  I'm now off to sit on the couch, lay down and then sit around some more!

Let the Christmas Crafting Begin!

** Don't forget to check out my next giveaway! **

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Do you know what this is?  It's our Christmas tree, on its way inside after being picked up by my favorite man in the whole world:

The weather even looks wintery.  Makes me giddy!  I'm also excited to start on a couple of gifts, but a little intimidated.  I've had multiple requests for tote bags so I'd like to make a few really good ones, something seriously gift-worthy.  I'm just not a tote bag person myself and when I do use one it's the one I got free when I signed up for the Barnes and Noble discount card.  I want to be able to cut a few at once and sew them all up assembly-line-style, I just need a really good all purpose pattern or tutorial.  Any and all input is welcome here!

The other project in the works is a babydoll for my daughter.  I've never made any toys or babies or even softies so I did what I always do and Googled everything I could think of.  I narrowed my possibilities down to a few and I'll share those, but first I must express how disturbing I found some of the handmade toys/dolls to be.  Maybe it's me, maybe growing up in the Cabbage Patch generation warped my perception of normal.  Either way, there are some very bizzarre dolls out there posing in some very life-like positions.  Creeps me out.

On to the ones I do like...

From Black Apple

The tutorial for these is on Martha, and so is a video with their creator, Emily.  Her blog is full of super cute dolls that she makes, they have the best facial expressions.  And accessories!

From One Red Robin:

Another super cute face, this tutorial is here.

I also like the idea of a classic old fashioned doll and I even started one by making the head to a Waldorf Doll, but I can't get past the fact that it will require hair.  My daughter is 18 months old, I still find crackers and raisins hidden on her person, a doll wig is going to become very gunky very fast. 

So maybe I'll make a couple and give her the best one for Christmas.  And again, any and all feedback from anyone who has made dolls/softies/totebags is most welcome!

Giveaway Day!

Here we go!  Thank you for visiting for my first giveaway, I hope you'll come back to see more of what's in the works around here!  And thanks to Sew Mama Sew for organizing this HUGE giveaway!  The winner will be chosen and announced on Sunday (Dec 6th), if it's you then you'll also have an email from me letting you know.  And here is what you'll win:

A set of three door hangers (or anywhere hangers) for your home, or to re-gift to someone in need of holiday decor!

In keeping with the holiday theme, leave a comment on this post and include your favorite song to hear this time of year.  It can be Christmas music, a movie theme, your cell phone ringtone or anything else that comes to mind, whatever you like to hear most.  You can explain your choice or not, up to you.  I'm not a fan of random so I'm giving my husband the task of choosing the winning reply.  Good luck to everyone!

I Heart Cheap and Easy

Although my accent doesn't always sound like it, I've lived in the south all my life.  I've never gotten used to the heat or humidity during summers (a few years in Lousiana did help put all that into perspective though) and always looked forward to wearing jeans, boots, sweaters and hats.  Now that I'm sewing for my kids I still look forward to winter clothes, here's the last top, finished this morning in time to hit the grocery store:

And the back, which buttons at the neck:

Sorry for the attitude, we're still fighting colds and neither of us seems to have much patience for pictures.

The fabric is Moda and I got it for $2/yard from the sale room at my favorite local shop, Sweet Treasures.  Something different from the usual kids prints, and easily paired with lots of colors.  Lily seems to always be wearing a hat lately.  I don't remember the pattern I used for this one but it was worth the hour it took to crochet, and at least it halfway matches.

I also got the kids Christmas PJ's done and with those crossed off my list I can move on to some gifts and other Christmas sewing.  Hope everyone else is enjoying their own crafts, or breaks from crafting, which can be a welcome thing this time of year.  Don't forget about the giveaway posted yesterday!