Little Baby Ruffle Butts

Welcome to Made Monday!

Do you know the best thing about having a little girl?

Little Baby Ruffle Butts, of course!

I kid! But seriously, how cute is a ruffle butt on a little girl... especially if it's a little bit unconventional. Sure the white lacy one's are great if you are living in 1910 (or 1983, as in my bottom's case, my mom totally lace-i-fied my buttocks), but a fun fabric with a bright-colored ruffle?... On a wee-bitty, soft-skinned, squishy-soft baby bum? Yes! Please! (Am I getting a little carried away?... Maybe. That's up for argument.)

My sister-in-law's sister-in-law is having a baby girl. While, alas, that still doesn't make me an auntie, it's the closest thing I've got so far (ha!). So, when my sister-in-law asked for help putting together a tutu and matching get-up to go with it, I jumped at the chance. I don't know what it is, but making baby stuff is just fun... at least to me. Plus, the baby's parents are just straight-up awesome people, with or without the loose relations. I can definitely make ruffle-butt covers for them... well, their baby anyways.

(scratch the ribbon... it should read ruffle. I don't have time to fix it. But please love me anyways! Thanks!)

I used my daughter's largest baby doll for my model. I know, pretty silly, but I wanted to get an idea of how it would look.

I used Prudent Baby's pattern and sized it down for newborn size. I did this mostly by guessing. I grabbed one of my one-size cloth diapers and sized it down to the smallest setting (for 8-12 lbs.) for a frame of reference. I ended up taking an inch from the side of the pattern, and a little less than that for the crotch area. If I did this again, I wouldn't have sized down the crotch. I think it will work just fine how I did it, but I think plenty of diaper-space allowance is a good thing. (So if you do this, don't mess with the crotch. HA!). You don't actually have to size down their pattern for a smaller size, just change elastic measurements... it'll just make for a "poofier" cover.


Some notes on elastic:

I found this chart you can use if need help figuring out measurements. When cutting elastic, take waist waist measurement, subtract by 10% the length (So if waist is 20" you will subtract by 2") and then add an inch for overlap in elastic (where you will sew the sides together).

I had to guess on the legs... I looked at my diaper for frame of reference and made mine 8" (allowing for 1" overlap). After making it, I found this chart which may help you with your guess work if you don't have a live baby to take measurements on.



I added the ruffle after sewing the cover together. It may have been easier to sew on before, but it actually wasn't hard to do it after, plus it let me see just where I should place ruffle.

Add some baby legwarmers, a freezer paper baby tee, a simple no-sew tutu, or a headband (tutorial for the one in the picture should be forthcoming!) for an awesome shower gift... homemade with love and costs very little.

Fabric: 1/2 yd (only used half of it. I could have safely used 1/4 yd.) $2.00
Ruffle: 1 yd. (could have just used 1/2 yard, but wanted to play it safe) $2.00 (I can't actually remember so I am totally guessing on this one)
Elastic and Thread: I had on hand so FREE!
Total: $4ish dollars for a super cute, super hip, little baby ruffle butt.

Hope your Monday is Made!

xo
Amanda

Thankful Thurday #2

This week...

was a little harder to find the gifts God has for me. I took off on a Beauty hunt (i.e. car ride and then because that didn't quite improve the anger/yelling I kept feeling rising up in this tired housewife, I took a walk as well). I had plenty of chances to find joy in messes... because, well, my home is a mess and my kids have been great mess-makers (in a serious way) this week!

Needless to say I have lots of pictures... because this girl had a lot of things that she needed to be thankful through!

The gift of Thistle, delicate flower seeking the sunlight's grace amongst it's many thorns.

The gift of exotic flowers flowers, reaching above the trellis, seeking open air and opening full in the sun.

 The gift of an empty chair parked next to the sidewalk, determination to be a friendly neighbor.

The gift of convenience and ingenious ideas that make a mom's life a little easier.

The gift of eyes like watery jewels complemented by rosy cheeks and painted pink nails (also love the little bit of yogurt still on the corner of her mouth... one can only be so dainty).

The gift of carpet warmed by the sun and the little boy playing with his ball on it.

The gift of orange juice: room temperature, fresh squeezed, and full of pulp.

The gift of being needed... the two chubby little hands that cling to my pants legs... he needs me, wants me... to be able to walk. How soon this will change!

The gift of an army-crawling, little man on a mission. Covert operations from a double-wide diaper butt.

The gift of my own little, curious, fairy-dust dumper. (She found the baby powder, got curious, and sprinkled dumped it everywhere.)

The gift of a big glumps of pink, princess, sparkle toothpaste left on the counter... evidence of a big-little girl who likes to brush her teeth (and so glad she actually likes brushing her teeth)

The gift of speedy little boys who keep mom's heart rate up. (I strapped him in for diaper change, changed the diaper, realized I had forgotten the onesie, ran to grab it from the dryer--not far at all--and returned a few seconds later to find him happily out of the strap, standing up, and playing with the little light on the wall. Thank you Lord for keeping him from falling! And in case you are wondering, no, I did not leave him like this to grab my camera!)

The gift of the little mess maker peeking out from the long line of toys he's been busy playing with.

Anyone else have to figure out how to give God thanks in their messes this week??


Wishing you wonderful weekends!
xo

Responsibilities

The toy bin has been tipped over, it's contents spread across the floor. Dishes pile in the sink. A lone fly has managed to make it's way into our house, buzzing ferociously. I hear the sound of coils creaking under foot. Addy is on the recliner, singing out her abc's to the world, jumping. Jumping for the 10th time in one day. Jumping after being told not to 9 times.
I walk by Jed. His chubby little hands grab a hold of my pant leg. He pulls himself up. He's crying. I change his diaper. Nurse him.

The Mister comes home. He tells me I look good. Then asks what's for dinner and if his clothes are ironed. I roll my eyes, tell him I don't know, and I haven't had time. I'll figure it out. I'll get to it.


Breakfast, bills, baby, breast-feeding, laundry, dishes, "Mom, wipe my butt, please!"

Lunch, phone call, folding, washing, eating, feeding, nap, "Addy, please don't pick up you brother!"

Groceries, girl-time, library, park, project, crayons, church, "Mom, where are we going?"  

Teaching, training, Windex, Pinesol, broom, vacuum, dinner, "How many times have I said don't do that?!"

Baths, bedtime, snuggles, hugs, making love, "I'm not mad. I am just so tired."


Responsibility.

Piled high and a list that reaches the sky.

I live tired. Feeling the weight of the endless list. Wishing for just one moment to be out from under it.

"My yoke is easy and my burden is light."-Jesus
"How does that work exactly???"-Me

I had one of those "light-bulb" "Ah-Ha!" moments. I am pretty sure I read it somewhere (and being that I have been so into Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, I am 99% sure it came from there. I can't find it though, and it's bugging me... if you know where it is, please, help a girl out!).  I saw the word responsibilities broken apart as response-abilities. It was one of those things that I just wasn't able to shake. It haunted me. Driving, cleaning, writing... it kept going through my mind. My response abilities. My response abilities.

And what does that mean?

Response Abilities.

The ways I am able to respond.

My responsibilities are my response-abilities.

It's a simple idea. A simple change in perspective. It's the realizing that I am loved: vastly, immeasurably, and incomprehensibly.
"For God so loved [Amanda]..." John 3:16
"That [Amanda] would be able to comprehend... what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the Love of Christ which surpasses knowledge..." Ephesians 3:18-19
"That nothing is able to separate [Amanda] from the love of God..." Romans 8:38-39

It's this Great Gift Search I have been on--seeking out all the ways God has lavished on me, seeking this thing called Beauty, and finding it everywhere.
The cowlick crowning my son all-boy... respond.
The full and contagious laugh of my daughter... respond.
The strong and sure jawline of my husband covered in fresh stubble... respond
The rain that adorns the trees in crystal beads right outside the window of my home... respond

I have been given so many responsibilities, response-abilities. My kids. My husband. My family. My friends. My home. The homeless guy on the corner. The children's church classroom. I am able to love God back. I am able to respond.

So does the perspective change anything? Do I have still work to do? Yes. Do I still need to do it? Yes. But God LOVES me. Overwhelmingly and Fully. I have been given SO much... and not so much TO DO, but given so many ways that God has shown His Love for me. And do I not love being told time and again by my husband how much he loves me? And do I not love receiving little gifts as reminders of his love? God does that for me! But I only receive the gifts when I stop and receive them.

I have to slow down, chill out, stop with MY LIST and commune with God. Find His gifts. Thanksgiving. And then, I can go about loving God back. I can respond.
 
"For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:15).


I am a child of God. Not a slave. I don't live in fear of not getting my list done. I don't have to live tired.

I am loved as God's own precious child.


In the communion, the slowing down and finding the things I have to be thankful for, I find joy in my to-do list. In fact, they cease to be "to-do's" but rather, "I am able's!" Jed, Addy and Handsome are no longer referred to as the vacuums that suck me dry of energy, they are my gifts. I can't help but love them, be patient with them, and smother them all in kisses. I am not empty. I am full of His love. I am able to give.

And God loves a cheerful giver.

I am able to respond.


I love you back, God!

Good Morning! Good Breakfast!: Baked Steel Cut Oats

Welcome to Made Monday!

Today I wanted to share something from the kitchen. This recipe has SO improved our mornings, especially my husband's. He is in an intense schooling program, that is both physically and mentally exhausting. He works full-time and is in school full-time. While breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, he simply doesn't have the time to have a decent one...

Until...

I discovered steel cut oats. (Yep. I said steel cut oats. Keep reading if you want to see how he has time for them in the morning.) They are healthy. They are high in fiber. They are minimally processed. They are a low-glycemic food (which means it takes the body a long time to absorb them, making you feel fuller longer, and giving you energy for longer). They are packed with carbohydrates to jumpstart a morning. They are chewy. (I know, the last item on my list of nutritional benefits doesn't seem to fit. But I do like things to taste good. And the chewier the oatmeal, the better... at least in my mouth).

By the way: feeling any weight from all those crunchy granola, steel-cut-oat women turning their nose up at you, the instant-oat woman. No need to! Steel cut oats are only slightly better for you. Really for me, it comes down to a flavor/texture preference and ... alright, a strange, crunchy-granola tendency to avoid over processed foods. But don't feel bad if you choose to stick to old-fashioned oats, the only extra process is rolling and steaming (and extra cutting if they are instant.) Oats--steel-cut, old fashioned or instant--are ALL so good for you! (Well, so long as you don't put heaping teaspoons of brown sugar and a giant slice of butter in it as I do some days. Just gotta keep it real. HA!)

I first started making them for Mike in the crock pot. Throw in the ingredients the night before, hot breakfast in the morning. My husbands was the only one that could stomach these though. The taste was fine, the texture was... mushy. I like chewy oats as we've already established. Mushy, eh, not so much. (Want to try it even after my disdain... they are easy! 4 parts water to 1 part oats. Add in dried fruit and cinnamon. Cook overnight on low heat. Add in a little milk in the morning if they get too thick)

I have always had a thing for baked oatmeal. It's THE BEST way to have oatmeal. YUM-O! I found this recipe and adapted it to suit my family. Baked Oatmeal is SO tasty. I make it on Friday (our closest thing to a weekend at the moment) and serve it up with some eggs, bacon and fresh squeezed OJ. I package up all the leftovers and our little family has 4 days of leftover oatmeal squares that are super easy to reheat and take on the go... just in time for Michael's physically intense weekend.

Baked Steel Cut Oats. (Link will be provided at end of this post as well.)
And bonus for mommies with little ones: Baby Cereal Bars

1: Soak oatmeal overnight in water with tablespoon of plain yogurt, buttermilk, or kefir. This is not absolutely necessary, it's just a really good idea. Grains contains phytic acid, which prevent you from being able to absorb all of the grain's nutrition. Phytic acid also make grains harder to digest. I even read that soaking grains can help a person with a mild gluten allergy be able to eat some different types of grains.Yogurt, buttermilk and kefir all have natural enzymes that neutralize the phytic acid.

2. Drain oats in mesh collander. There is no need to rinse, just get rid of extra water. Put back in bowl.
3. Chop some nuts. I got almonds and pecans going in my concoction... mostly because that's what was available in my stash. (anyone else say AHH-monds and PEE-cans like I do???)

 3. Whisk it, and whisk it good. Whisk together the eggs, milk and maple syrup until nice and frothy. (This made me feel out of shape... my arm kept needing breaks... and by the way it takes less than 2 minutes to get to frothy... yeah, you really need to start working out again, Amanda.) If you can't afford maple syrup or don't feel like going to the store to get it, substitute brown sugar instead... same amount. Though I will say, everyone should make a way for maple syrup every now and again. It's GOOD :)

4. Add egg mixture to oats along with fruit. I have some blueberries and raspberries in this one from my frozen fruits stash. Add cinnamon and canola oil. You could add nuts here too (unless you are making baby cereal bars too), but I just sprinkle mine on top. (They get toasty this way... yummy)
Tip: I always keep at least a bag of frozen blueberries in the freezer. Fruit is a healthy way to make a last minute dessert on the fly without adding too much sugar. Frozen fruit keeps for a really long time in the freezer, and its great to have a last minute dessert/sweetener on hand (pancakes, crepes, crisps... oh my!) Also, if fruit is on special and in season, I buy extra of it, rinse it, and store it in the freezer in freezer bags. Money saved. Happy tummies. Win!

 5. (Optional.) I have a little guy (10 months today!) who will eat just about anything (yep. broccoli, peas, carrots...) so long as he gets to be the one who puts it in his mouth. This has made me have to be creative in how I feed him. Since this has little sugar in it and is minimally processed, I decided to make him his own batch of cereal bars. I just pulled out a little bit, put it in the food processor (to make it easier to eat... he doesn't have many teeth to handle the chewy oats), didn't include the nuts, and put in a little mini bake dish. (Do double check with your baby's pediatrician if you have concerns about whether your baby can have this... My baby can, but all babies are different, the allergen advice keeps changing, and I am no doctor)

 6. Place mixture in oiled pans. Sprinkle nuts on top. Bake in a 375 preheated oven for 20-40 minutes. It's done when a toothpick comes out clean. It's easy to tell when it's done: it will not have any liquid left. I used a 8x8, a 9x9 and a 3" circle (my little circle was done in 20 minutes and my two pans in 30 min. When I made this all in one pan and it was thick, it took 40 min). Side note: I am missing my big pan and have been for years now... I should probably get a new one. Ha!

 Hmmm... Hearty, Healthy, Wholesome, Hungry (alliterations for this creation... I know, I am a nerd)

Serve warm with eggs on a Saturday morning. Important: Drizzle oatmeal with maple syrup or a homemade fruit syrup like this one.)

 Big man approved. Little man approved too.

 For easy breakfast throughout the week: place each square on a piece of foil.

7. Wrap up. Store in fridge. Early each morning, pull out, unwrap (leaving it on the foil), place in toaster oven for 5ish minutes while you are finishing up getting ready for your day, wrap back up in foil, take with you, and eat on the go. So easy! Even my husband can do it! HA!
And in case you are unfamiliar with this math fact: toaster oven > microwave  :)

Husband LOVES his healthy, home-cooked breakfast each morning. I like not having to get up to make it for him.

Baked Steel Cut Oats Recipe

Open Recipe in Google Document for easy printing (Just click link):
Baked Steel Cut Oats

Ingredients:
3 cups Steel Cut Oats
1 TBS plain yogurt, buttermilk, or kefir
½ cup chopped nuts
3 eggs   
1 cup of milk                       
½ cup dried fruit or 1 cup of fresh or frozen fruit
1 TBS cinnamon
2 TBS canola oil
2 TBS maple syrup

Steps:

1. Soak oats overnight. Place oats in large bowl, fill with water till water is an inch over the oats, place a generous tablespoon of plain yogurt in bowl.
2. Preheat oven to 375. Grease pans.
3. Drain oats in colander and place back in bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk and maple syrup until frothy.
5. Add egg mixture to oats along with fruit, nuts, cinnamon, and oil. Fold until combined.
6. Pour into pans.
7. Bake for 20-40 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean or oatmeal has no liquid on top.
8. Serve with maple syrup. 

  

Baby Oatmeal Bars: 

Prepare just like above, except omit nuts, and place in food processor before putting into baking dish. 

Oatmeal Bars on the go: 

Prepare as above. Cut into individual servings and store each serving wrapped in foil in the fridge. Unwrap and place in 375 toaster oven for 5 minutes before eating (or eat cold).


Some yummy variations:
blueberries and raspberries
can of peaches, drained and cut, and blueberries. Omit cinnamon. Add tsp of vanilla
Sprinkle toasted wheat germ on the top for some nutty nutrition
dried apricots and dried cranberries as Nourishedkitchen.com suggests
your imagination: keep the oats, milk, egg and oil ratios the same and play around with the fruit, seasoning/flavoring, sweetener and nut combinations :)


Hope your Monday is Made!
xo

Amanda

Thankful Thursday #1

Welcome to the very first Thankful Thursday posting ever!

This is a challenge to myself after reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. If you have been on my site recently, you've probably noticed... the truth found in that book has changed my life! I can't help but continuously refer back to it. Do check it out! Or if you want to check into some of the truths found in the book right now, check out Ann Voskamp's blog.

More than a list, more than a task to do, more than the next latest and greatest thing in the Christian world... this girl wants to live a full life. This girl wants to have Joy. This girl has found herself feeling exhausted, completely spent, grumpy, and yelling. I so don't want to be that sort of wife or mom. I know that supposedly Christ died so that I might "have life, and life abundantly." But I so am not feeling the abundance.

So, I am stopping throughout my days. Watching. Paying attention. Finding the gifts that God gives, the beauty I am surrounded with, the fleeting preciousness in my small ones. I have started an ongoing conversation with God that is full of gratitude and wonder in stead of "I want.. I need..."

It is changing my life. Slowing me down. When I feel stress build in me and I begin to yell over the dumbest of things, I stop and I look.

Where are you God in this moment?

And I always find Him too.

I caught the truth of this Great Gift Search one night while driving to my in-laws. I was running late. It had been a long day. Jed was especially fussy. Addy was especially obnoxious. I was stressed. And then I saw it. The faintest, tiniest hint of a rainbow just barely peeking it's head out from under the cover of the horizon. I decided to consciously thank God for it. I told Addy about it, but she couldn't see it. So I did something I never do, least of all when I have somewhere I have to be. I stopped. I got Addy out of the car. We looked at the rainbow on the side of that country road. She couldn't spot it, so I grabbed my phone to take a picture of it so I could point out the rainbow right there on the screen. We out loud thanked God for rainbows. I can't put it into words but something in me changed at that moment. Gratitude entered my stress-riden heart. It took worry, disbelief, selfishness, pride, anger off of the saddle and put God back over my heart. Peace and Joy--the beautiful fruit of a life lived trusting God. And Addy still talks about that tiny rainbow that never made it across the sky. Addy found God in that moment too.

It might sound strange, but I have found an overwhelming joy in grabbing my camera and trying to capture Beauty with it. I am not a great photographer. I know very little about what makes a good picture and even less about how to take one. I have a great family camera (Canon Power Shot SX120IS if you are curious), but it is by no means a "professional" camera. This blogging wordsmith could totally grab a pen and paper and write down her gratitude in a journal, but for whatever reason, attempting to angle a shot, pushing the zoom button, adjusting the ISO and shutter speed, is fun, soothing, and gives me Joy. It makes me step outside, step away from dishes, pull over the car, pause and worship with... a camera. Strange. No out-stretched arms or music involved.

But it is worship. And no, not of things, not of the created, but of the Creator. I see Him. I commune with Him. And He feels my tired mother-heart with strength.

I feel like Moses looking up and catching a glimpse of God's walking by. I am a poet-painter and as close as I can get to beholding God, grasping Him in a picture.

When I sit down to edit the pictures, Addy loves to crawl up in my lap and have me explain each picture. Even her 3-year-old heart is hungry for Beauty, hungry to know God. I have loved the chance to tell her about Him.

So, there you have it.

Thankful Thursday.

My chance to stop and frame a glorious God-given moment. (They may not always be pretty for I want to see God in the hard moments too.)

My challenge to allow God to change me. To live a full life.

Here and now.

The gift of a setting sun setting a rain-drenched pine on fire.

The gift raindrops on trees, crystal adornments, garlanding a tree in royal splendor.

The gift of a gnarled tree against a silhouetted Mt. Diablo.

The gift of the sound of a thousand honking geese flying home in the warming weather... and not feeling a drop of poo. (If you read this post you would know why I am thankful for this, lol) (This is just one of at least 30 formations that flew overhead at one time... amazing!)

The gift of that handsome cowlick in the warm sunshine and enough hair to spike it up. (By the way, as a warning this cowlick could be a reoccurring theme. I don't know what it is about a cowlick on a little boy, but I just adore it. Ever time I notice it, I can't help but smother that face in mommy-kisses.)

The gift of already, all-boy mischief at almost 10 months. How quickly he was able to army crawl his way into the bathroom and begin throwing items into the toilet! I wish I could have captured the look on his face when I found him... mischievous, boyish grin. (By the way, just in choosing to see this moment as a gift, it melted the really-now-I-get-to-fish-stuff-out-of-the-toilet-on-top-of-everthing-else-I-have-done moment I could have had. It brought me Joy instead of stress... Peace rather than frustration... all because I was thankful for it.)


Thanks for stopping by Thankful Thursday. If you are doing something similar or want to do something similar (on a blog, putting pictures in a folder on facebook or just writing something down in a journal, do tell me about it in the comments or on my facebook timeline. I would love to be connected with some other people on this life-changing journey)

xo

Crap Happens

True Story:

It had been one of those crazy, stormy days. I have become this wild, hungry God-seeker. I want to see Him, know Him. My tired, mother heart is worn out by the end of the day, but I want to fully live. I have been reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp and am taking her up on her challenge to live the fullest life.

Mike took the kids to his parents, and I had the house to myself.

But I had been in this house for 3 days straight, and I am ready to emerge from my tomb. (I am laughing at my bad analogy... no, though some days may feel like it, my home cannot be compared to the tomb where Christ laid). I grab my camera and decide to chase Beauty. Become the modern painter with a digitally-edited, photo-paper canvas. Try to hold Beauty within my lens. Grasp it. Capture it. Even for but a moment.

"'The glory of God is the human being fully alive and the life of the human consists in beholding God.'... Don't I give God most glory when I am fully alive? And am I most fully alive beholding God?"

-Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

I am behind the steering wheel, making way for vineyards and empty fields that open the world wide to the horizon. The tempestuous storm that had pelted our front door with little hail stones had given way to the most glorious sunset. Gold-lined clouds against a blood-red sky. I chase after this Beauty, desperate. 

I find a spot off the road. Pull-over. Grab my camera. I adjust my settings as I hastily walk toward the vineyard. 

It's cold. The breeze runs through my hair. Soft rain drops dampen my skin. I feel a large, warm rain drop thud against my shoulder and hand.

Wait... Warm?!

Raindrops are not warm. This was definitely not a rain drop.

One brave bird flies off towards the night. I got crapped on.

In the midst of my soul's revery--my wild Beauty hunt--chasing God, I got crapped on by a lone bird on a wire... when all other birds have taken to their storm shelters.

I am disgusted. I want to throw my fist up, angry with God. How could You let this happen? I am here to worship and You let me get pooped on?! Really?

For a split second I stop my rant. In the time it took my heart to beat one time, I try to embrace the gift of that moment. Surely this moment does not contain a gift, but still I try to find it. And in the next heart beat, something even stranger than the gritty waste product on the back of my hand happens: Peels of laughter rip through the anger and inconvenience. I laugh.

I capture one picture and return to the safe haven of my car in search of tissue and Purel. I laugh some more.

Crapped on while capturing Beauty.

I crap-tured beauty. 

I am roaring now. And the laughter feels good. And God is in this moment too. 

I went out seeking Beauty... seeking a full life... seeking to know God... asking for Joy.

I found the beautiful sunset. I also found the lone, human-loathing bird on a wire that would dare to take aim at the innocent God-seeker. 

But still, I found Joy.

I could have allowed the birdy-poo to ruin my evening. I could have tried to find some deep meaning in the warm substance resting on my hand... Why would God allow this? Why would God let me get crapped on when I am trying so hard to be full of Joy? Doesn't He love me? Doesn't He supposedly give good gifts?... Or I could take the gift in the moment and laugh. I laughed with my Creator. I received the Joy in the moment.

Crap Happens.

In this beautiful, God-created world, crap happens... The diaper of the darling baby explodes and leaks onto his poor mama's pants who didn't think to bring a change of clothes for herself... The life-giving, bonding, and waist-trimming experience of breast-feeding can occasionally offer up clogged milk ducts that rack a body with feverish aches (Hi, this is where I am right now!)... temper tantrums from the sweet one, friend turned gossip, great day abruptly halted by the crunching sound of your own car's metal against another car's rear end... crap happens.

I cannot pretend to know the answer to the why.

It is a mystery. And even though I was able to find Joy in bird excrement, I am only just scratching the surface. There are far more crappy things that could happen in a life. I just have this strange sense that God is allowing me learn how to live Joy-Full in spite of circumstances.

Could it be that one could really keep their Joy every day, not just the good ones?

I know it involves trusting God. I know it involves taking each moment, easy or hard, and receiving it as a gift. It's like the manna the Israelites ate in the wilderness. Each day, God miraculously covered the ground in little wafers. It baffled the Israelites:
"God's people daily eat manna--a substance whose name literally means 'What is it?' hungry, they choose to gather up that which is baffling. They fill on that which has no meaning. More than 14,600 days they take their daily nourishment from that which they don't comprehend. They find soul-filling in the inexplicable. 
"They eat the mystery. 
"And the mystery, that which made no sense, is 'like wafers of honey' on the lips" 

 Ann Voskamp, Ten Thousand Gifts

Sometimes life is baffling. Sometimes painful. Sometimes wonderful. Sometimes it's offerings lead us to question God, "What is it? It doesn't make sense!" Our minds can't comprehend how all things can be a gift. But in taking the mystery, eating it, allowing it to nourish, we might just find that somehow it's like wafers of honey. Somehow it's sweet. Somehow it's Joy.

Taste and see that the Lord is Good.

I am not sure what it means. I do not know how to make sense of it all. But I did discover Joy in the most unlikely of places.

Joy in crap.
Imagine that!

xo

Easy-Peasy Pleated Dress

Welcome to the very first MADE Monday posting!

Even though I have been putting up stuff I make on Mondays for a while now, it just seemed like it was time for a name and a commitment. (Plus the English nerd is made really happy by using alliterations.)

 

(Also, as the title of the post indicates, assonances. It's okay if you have no idea what I am saying. An alliteration is just nerd-speak for words that start with the same sound, and an assonance is words with the same vowel sound. I speak fluent nerd.)

I am sure I have said it before, but I will say it again. I like creating. I like sewing. But I am so not that intricately-worked, masterfully-wrought, crafting/sewing wonder woman. I like easy. I like simple. I do it for the money-savings, the look of appreciation on the face of the one I labored for, and the satisfaction from creating something with my own two hands.

I am all about easy, simple, and money savings. Oh, and cute... I am all about that too.

You too? Read on!

I happened to catch a glimpse of a picture of a dress my friend wanted to create for her daughter on her facebook wall. I liked that it was a dress made over an existing shirt, I liked that the waist was high and I liked the pleats. The picture inspired me to make my own design... yep! pattern and tutorial free. (Plus I hate patterns and reading directions, so why not do it my own way? If you are like me, do feel free to be inspired by the pictures and walk away from the how to. It's easy, I know you could do it yourself!) Thanks friend for the inspiration! And yours turned out super cute too! In the grays and yellows you chose, it looks so sweet on you little one!

I love the way my easy-peasy dress turned out! I had bought a yard of the floral gray-green-and-yellow print for $2 that called to me from the Walmart cheap rack (Buy me! I'm cheap! I will make something cute for your Addy-pie!... Tell me I am not the only one who hears fabric?! haha!). I picked up a plain white t-shirt for $3.88 at Walmart. Yay for Walmart prices! I happened to have scrap pink fabric. Add in the zipper cost, and this bad boy cost me a little over $7.00. Not bad at all.

Minus the idea that originated with a picture, I did this entirely myself.

Easy-Peasy Pleated Skirt Instructions: 

You will need: 1 yard of fabric (this may vary depending on the size of your child. My daughter is a 4T and I had almost 1/2 yard in leftovers) A long strip of contrasting fabric. 1 zipper (7" or 9" would be fine for 4T). T-shirt or tank top. Thread.

1: Measurements! You will need the waist and skirt length. (measure the skirt length from where you want the waist to be to where you want the length to be. Mine is a high waist: just above the belly button to just above the knee.)

2: Cut! Double the waist measurement to make room for the pleats. Add 4 inches to the length for the top and bottom seam allowance. The sash took some really good guess work to figure out how long it would need to be. I used the ultra-sophisticated method of tying the measuring taping around Addy in a giant bow, adding 2" for the seam allowance and a couple more inches just to be safe and cutting that measurement in half to work with my design (see my sophisticated drawing above... if I haven't mentioned it before, you now know the truth, I am not much of a drawer.) I knew I wanted my sash to be nice and thick, like 3" so I doubled that and added a 1" seam allowance. I ended up making the sash 2" thick in the end (so my actual measurements are 30" by 5"). I realized 3" was too thick to make a good bow with the length I had cut. The thicker you make the bow the longer the sash needs to be.

I started the cuts with my cutters and then realized. It's cotton! I can rip it! I love ripping fabric, it is one really easy way to ensure you cut on the grain. Plus, it's fast.

I like fast!

Rip it, and rip it good.

3. The Sash. I folded the sash how I wanted it (See pictures) and ironed it in place.

 
Sew it together. For a fun touch I used dark gray contrasting thread. I sewed 1/4" from the edge on both sides and around the ends.

Some Basic Sewing Tips for Beginners:

If you are sewing using contrasting thread, it is especially important to get your seams straight. Your thread is more visible, and, therefore, so are your sewing abilities! If you have trouble sewing straight, try this: Hold the fabric between your thumb and fingers about an inch below and a couple inches in front of the machine. Use your other hand to gently guide the fabric right alongside the the foot of the machine.

To sew around the tips without stopping and restarting your seam:

4. The Pleats. Turn fabric to wrong side and fold the top over 1/2." Iron fold. Fold top over again, this time 2". Iron in place.

 Sew close to the bottom of the fold. This will be your seam for the top of the skirt.

Lay skirt out and place even pleats (just fold accordion-like). On mine, every 2" has a 1" folded under. If I could do it over again, I would have done every 1" has a 1" folded under... or closer to that. It looks great, but I think I would have liked it even more "pleated." Do make sure your pleated skirt length is your waist measurement plus 2" (for seam allowance). Adjust pleats or trim extra if necessary. Also, do leave a little un-pleated space at either end for the zipper (just over an inch at each end)

Sew in place right along the of your top seam stitch line.

5. Attach Sash, Insert Zipper. Pin each part of the sash to the dress right-side out where you want it to go. Baste them in place. (Pay attention to the direction of the ends of your sash. Each side should be opposite. It doesn't look like it in the picture, but they are)

Fold each side under 1/4" and then 3/4" and iron in place.

 Now would be a good time to double check the fit on your model. (Fold slightly more or less if necessary)

Pin sides together like picture.

Get everything ready to put your zipper in.

Sew in zipper. Do pay attention to where your sash is lest it get caught in your sewing.

 Notice I went and zig-zagged stitched the raw edges. I hate frayed edges.

 I ran my zipper stitches all the way down to bottom and then went back and sewed just past the end of the zipper in place.

Turn right side out and use seam ripper to open zipper.

6. Add in bottom seam. Turn wrong side out. Fold bottom 1/4" and then 3/4" and iron in place.

Sew. I did two parallel seams to mimic the sash and to make it look nice and finished

7. (Optional) Sew skirt to shirt. I put the shirt and the skirt on my daughter. I pinned where the skirt should be on the shirt.I sewed only the front side of the skirt to the shirt. I wanted to make sure that the skirt portion would be able to slip on over her head. I cut off the bottom of the shirt... I am thinking matching headband! T-shirt knit makes for stretchy, comfortable headbands. (I didn't finish the raw edge of the t-shirt. Knit doesn't fray. Thank you for less work, T-shirt!)

8. (Optional) Tack sash to sides of skirt. I tacked the sash to the sides of the skirt to keep the sash from hanging loose and sliding down. I want that bow nice and pretty! I sewed a vertical seam just on the sash where the side seam on the shirt is so they line up. (Where the yellow pin is in the picture.)

DONE!

 My model got a little grumpy. :)

Wouldn't you know that her favorite part of the dress would be un-tying it?! Of course. Haha.

 It's comfy. It's vibrant. It's one-of-a-kind. It's cheap. It's easy.

I win!

Wednesday I should have a story about a seriously funny incident (with some mom-thoughts attached). Do come back.
xo


And just because its fun and to prove everything is not perfect here, I have prepared an extra bonus for you (perhaps it will make you feel better about your sewing abilities and frustrations)...

MADE MONDAY Project "Easy-Peasy Pleated Dress" SEWING BLOOPERS!

I started the dress by sewing the bottom seam. Why? Why did I do that?! Don't do that. Fortunately, I managed to get everything nice and lined up so that when I sewed the two sides together, the two ends met each other perfectly... but it could have been bad... seam ripper, resewing bad. And you probably know how much I hate that.

Avoid sewing with the majority of your fabric towards the machine. You always want it facing out if you can help it. I thought I was doing myself a favor by having the pleats in a good direction for sewing them (so they didn't try to bunch up under the foot). I end up sewing the skirt together... where it shouldn't have been sewn together.

Thread malfunction! Argh! Fortunately, I fixed it... after 5 tries. Frustrated? Me? Never. HA!