a number of things

the pockets post

A few of you left a comment and /or emailed asking for a bit more info on the hanging pockets I did for the bottom bunk.  This is my attempt answer the questions and show just how simple these really are. :-)

 

First, I measured out a front and back panel for each one and just ripped the fabric into the correct sized rectangles. (Ripping is always straighter than cutting for me.)  I used medium weight fabrics with no interfacing or batting between the two layers.  I simply put right sides together, stitched around while leaving an opening for turning.  After turning, I pressed well.

 

I then flipped over the top about 2 inches (pressing and pinning in place) and stitched two lines to form a small casing for a dowel to help the pockets hold their shape.  I really would like to replace these skinny dowels with slightly thicker ones, but they were what I had on hand.

You can also see in the above photo that I just made 2 straps and sewed them onto the back along the upper casing line.  (You could also use wide ribbon for these.)  I first measured the board I knew I was going to have to hang the pockets from to make sure I had the correct length. 

  

Here is a shot of the top front.  I just made buttonholes in my straps (You can do this with wide grosgrain ribbon, too.) and sewed on buttons above the dowel casing.

 

This is the dowel casing from the front.  I just stuck in the dowels and then cut them so that they did not show.  You could even hand stitch the opening closed after inserting the dowel, which is what I will probably have to do after my 6 year old discovers that it is there.

  

As for the pockets themselves, they are simply squares or rectangles stitched on.  (Remove the dowel while sewing on the pockets.  Much easier.)  I cut (and ripped) the fabrics the correct size, pressed the edges under (Press the top under twice and stitch it down before pinning in place.) and pinned in place.  For the denim pockets, I just used an old pair of jeans and for the red and green ones I simply sewed on a long rectangle and the stitched up the middle to form two separate pockets.  The pocket possibilities are really endless.

Now isn't that easy?!  Just ask if you have any questions...

  

projects completed & in progress

 

I have managed to actually complete a few projects lately. (Mostly by neglecting the laundry and the multiplying dust bunnies.) Marie's quilt was finished just before hurricane #1 and she even insisted on taking it on our wild evacuation ride.  I am so glad that she likes the final thing... this is one picky kid.

These two sets of hanging pockets are something I have had in mind for the two younger boys for quite some time.  They share a full size bottom bunk, and with three boys in one room, any little bit of private storage space is treasured.  I used only fabrics from my stash and let them each choose the fabric for the one middle pocket that is different.  (Letting them choose all the fabrics would have driven me batty and they are perfectly happy as long as they are "boyish".) 

I am feeling the need to create more for the home and kids lately.  For so long it seems that the majority of my creative energies were spent making things for gifts (for others - non family) or for sale.  The kids get such a thrill when I take the time to make something just for them... it's so worth it. 

I have been doing a few of their drawings in embroidery (a soulemama inspiration), especially the two youngest.  The above is for the current 6 year old in the bunch.  After watching me very closely for quite some time, he requested his own hoop and needle and really surprised me with how quickly he picked up the split stitch. 

 

This is the beginning of a hat for Marie.  I fell into the more familiar (to me) crocheting, rather than knitting, during our (stressful) evacuation time.  I love how all these creams and whites look together, so very soothing. 

I have also been doing quite a bit of baby sewing, but not the cute / interesting type.  I have been replenishing my stock of cloth wipes by serging around some nice thick flannel and making a few new nursing pads.  Necessary stuff.

Have a beautiful, early autumn day!

  

autumn in the air

To celebrate to first cool front of the season coming through on Sunday (joy!), I cooked the first gumbo of the fall (double joy!) and autumn decorating began in earnest.  We started by getting out the box of old favorites and crafting up the first of what will most likely be many new additions.  My two youngest artists dove right into painting some of the lovely wooden acorns and leaves that I had ordered way back in July, while Amelia and I had so much fun needle felting an assortment of autumnal acorns. (Ideas from here and here.)

 

We are doing more use-what-we-have decorating this year.  I gleaned the above acorns (a little green yet) from beneath my parents' water oak (the storms knocked down bucket fulls of these and pecans) and then found some large sycamore leaves to clip, with small clothespins, to a string above the living room windows. We inter-spaced the brown leaves with some silk colored ones from an old garland that we have been cutting leaves off of for the last four years or so.

 

Ah, the windows were open all day today... so wonderful!  I should have gotten a better shot of our makeshift garland, but I am lousy at taking photos by windows.

This is Amelia's little arrangement in the girls' room.  I love how she has done her little autumn gnome.  I think I will take some time this evening to surf around and sneak a peek at the fall decorating of other bloggers.  If you have any suggestions of good ones to visit or a link to your own autumn ideas, leave a note so I can pop over and see!

  

another one is over

"Then let the hurricane roar!
It will the sooner be o'er.
We'll weather the blast
And land at last
On Canaan's happy shore!"

~ The Long Winter by Laure Ingalls Wilder

I kept thinking of the Ingalls family in The Long Winter all Friday night as the hurricane indeed roared outside. Especially the image of them sitting huddled together in the dark as the winds "scoured" the house.  I think I have a bit of an idea what that may have been like now.

We are all well and safe, but as Cay said, so many have been flooded once again by the storm surge.  So many of our neighbors (just a few short miles to the south) that lost nearly everything three years ago with Rita, have again been knocked down by one of these ridiculous storms.  I know God has a plan, and His plans are perfect, but please pray for these poor people.

 

catching up

After a crazy week of doing (tons) laundry, celebrating a 4th birthday, a dentist appointment, homeschooling etc, I think I am almost caught up.  The last of the (hurricane batch) Tiny Shop orders went out this morning (yippee!) and the computer is back up and running. Whew. 

Speaking of the Tiny Shop, thank you so much Clarice and Laura for your sweet comments about my little things!  I have so many projects that I would like to get done in the next few weeks and among them are a few additions to the shop. I am really hoping to get to them all, and with no more hurricanes, I just may have a chance.

  

We also brought home a new puppy this week.  We had picked her out before the storm, but she was still too young to bring home then (thank goodness!).  Her name is Maggie and she is a rat terrier overflowing with spunk and energy.  We still have Frisco, (another rat terrier) but we had been sort of looking for a puppy for a couple of months now.  The best part of the whole thing is that the kids are totally in charge of training and managing her!  They love it.  I love it.   

Have a beautiful September day!   

   

all's well

We are all back home safe and sound with no real damage to speak of (A bit of roofing off the shed and one tree down is not "real" damage.), thank God.  We actually came back Monday night.  Yep, Monday.  As in the day the storm came in. 

You see, we were staying in a hotel room about 1 1/2 hours North of our home.  As the hurricane came ashore it veered more and more North.  On Monday afternoon the power went out in the hotel and the thought of staying in that room (five kids with cabin fever and a pregnant mama in a tiny hotel room... not good) was just a bit too much.  So, we loaded up the kids and drove South through a mere category 1 storm.  Not smart, we know, but it wasn't too bad.  Not nearly as bad as when we did the same thing and drove through Rita in '05 or Lilly in '03  (Lilly was the worst.).  Since we seem to have a habit of driving through storms when all reasonable people would not, I am thinking we need to re-access our evacuation strategy for the future. :-)

Anyway,  our power was out barely 24 hours but the internet took longer to get going.  And then, the power supply went out on my computer!  So I have not been able to check email or much else for that matter.  I am writing this from Chip's computer which is not here very often.  Hopefully my computer will be back up and running in a week or so (Thanks Dad!) and I can get back to answering emails and filling orders.  (Yes, I know there is a way to check my email accounts via the web, but I have never mastered it.  I might have to take another stab at it though...)

Have a beautiful day wherever you are & thanks for the prayers!!