New Year's Goals

One of my goals for the new year was to sew a dress every month. In addition to adding to my already awesome wardrobe, the goal was also about increasing my skill. It takes 10,000 hours to become an expert in something, so it's high time I put a few into what could potentially be a huge asset.
So this is January's project. I guess I kind of cheated since I started this dress in December, but I'm going to say it counts.
It came from this pattern:
Here's what I learned from this project:

• Matching stripes. This was really hard work especially since I had in mind how I wanted the stripes to fall on the dress and unfortunately, it was not on grain. So I lined the whole bodice with a muslin that was on grain to keep the pieces in line. As you can see, the back is not perfect, but I think it didn't end up too bad.
• Always make sure you have enough fabric before you start a project. The purple skirt was plan C and I had to buy it from the fabric store around the middle of the month.
  
• The pattern is originally not a real shirtwaist, but calls for a back zipper. A back zipper? The whole reason I bought the pattern (online) was for its shirtwaistness, so I just sewed up the back center seam and made some buttonholes. I'm getting much better at making them all the same size after I read my sewing machine manual. Strange what a difference that makes.
  
• Next time I make this pattern, I'm going to have to be careful about the gaping that is occurring with the trim that has the buttonholes. I'm not sure how to fix this fit problem, but hopefully with more experience, I'll figure it out. Also I need a little more ease around the back shoulders, otherwise my tendency to dramatically express myself might lead to some ripped seams.

Things I like about this dress:

• The pockets, of course. More especially because I made them out of the rainbow stripy fabric and they poke out just a little bit from the skirt adding more fun detail.
• This is the first really casual dress I've made. I can dress it up for church, but its really just for hanging out.
• The skirt is flattering and fun. I considered just slapping on another smaller skirt with the fabric from plan A or B, but I'm glad I got to use the original pattern because I love the way the skirt turned out.
• I have at least 4 pairs of shoes I can wear with this dress. And they're all fun.
• My first time wearing this dress was a Miss Frizzle moment since for Primary we experimented with food coloring. I don't know if anyone caught it, but I definitely dressed for the occasion. And who doesn't want to be more like Miss Frizzle?
  

I love the Olympics. I look forward to them every two years. But I can't help noticing the irony that it turns us into a nation of couch potatoes. Because nothing says patriotism like sitting on your butt watching other people fulfill their dreams. Okay, maybe that was too much. Maybe it goes back to the Greek idea of catharsis. Maybe we all feel more active and successful watching the drama of the games.

Though that certainly isn't why I watch. I love the purity and global camaraderie that exist only through the Olympics. Yes, it is a competition, but there is support for everyone who makes it to the games. There isn't any booing for competitors. Sometimes there is for judges, and there are definitely ahhs and ohs for mistakes. But they are made in the I-feel-your-pain-type spirit. If you're the last one to cross the finish line, you can bet there will still be thousands of people cheering for you. Which is quite incredible if you think about all the scandal that is often surrounding and associated with the games. I think that speaks much for the people of the world, that we can overcome scandal and consistently maintain love and support for our fellow man.

I don't watch the same things I used to enjoy when I was younger, i.e. gymnastics and figure skating. I still watch them a little bit, but I don't know the names of every competitor like I used to. I think it's because there is maturity lacking. Where are the Kerri Strugs and Michelle Kwans? I watched the gymnastics competition in Bejing and all I saw were petty little girls.

But that rant aside, I find myself watching curling, luge, moguls, and *be still my heart* short track speed skating more and more. And as I was watching cross-country skiing the other day, I noticed that the only difference between the gold medalist and the 50th place was 4 minutes. 4 minutes!! Really?! It's just confirmation that all the competitors at the games are indeed the best in their country and when you can ski 15k just 4 minutes slower than the best in the world, that is nothing to sneeze at. Because from my vantage point on the couch, it's a heck-of-a-lot better than what I could do.

So, go world! I'm glad we can share this together. Even if it is just from my comfy couch in the living room. I'm proud of you!

Shh, or what I've been doing

Recently in RS, okay, back in September in RS, we were invited to participate in a Quiet Book making workshop. It was supposed to be 4 weeks and we would make 4 pages a week and then almost like magic, half the ward would have quieter children in Sacrament Meeting.

In reality, after the teacher of the workshops had a daughter get married, miscommunications with the RS, a change in Presidency, and the holidays, things got a little . . . delayed. After a few guilt-inducing conversations with said teacher in January, I got my butt in gear and finished this sucker. So here in all it's "I'm tired of constantly changing and rethreading my machine" glory is my version.

The cover: It says "Monkey See, Monkey Do"

The inside cover: Mine is the only one that zips, which is why it's a little skiwhampus when closed

There are five Xs and Os, those not featured are secured in the pouch.

Sometimes I'm WAY to OCD, like with this fruit. I actually sewed circles on the grapes. Time consuming and pointless, I know. Also, I machine quilted the teddy bear blanket above.

Notice the little hand start creeping in. Also, I was trying to point out in this picture that the top of the mitten is velvet and underneath is satin. Which is not enough of an inducement to get G to stick his hand in yet.

This was the first time G had seen what was lurking inside the "purse". There's a fake key in there, too.

This will remain empty until G can actually scribble, then we'll add a pad of paper and some sort of writing device.

Most people did the shapes underneath with the same felt as the top shapes, but I liked having some variety and pretty fabric underneath.

Sorry about the flash shine on the mirror.

This pouch is where all the loose parts can go, since I'm paranoid about losing something.

And now that it's all done, I can start on repairs since velcro is already coming loose and iron ons are not staying on. Some projects remain continuous though they are officially finished.

Duck Update

We here at Tara Paper are committed to bringing you the latest and greatest news. And the news this week is ducks, ducks, and more ducks. Yes, strange though it made seem, three duck stories have made their way onto the front page.

First, the votes are in and G's favorite toy is officially his rubber ducky. As you can see in the video, he may be temporarily distracted by other bath toys, but his rubber ducky must never be out of arms reach. I try to keep the ducky restrained to the bath area to maintain its novelty, and we've been mostly successful so far. It has come in handy those times when I really have to use the restroom and I don't want him playing with the toilet paper again.

Okay, the video's kind of lame and boring, but it's been awhile since I've posted one and grandparents are watching.

Second, we went jogging as a family yesterday and saw a crazy bird by the river bank.

Wait, stop the presses, Tara actually went jogging of her own volition and this story is about some bird? Well yes, there's a first time for everything it appears, Invisible Sidekick, including me focusing on non-vital parts of a story.

Anyway, there was a bird that kind of looked like this:

only it had the head of a duck.

So we tried to come up with names that would be appropriate. Drane is good, but kind of taken. So my vote is for cruck. You can vote in the comments.

Lastly, G likes one of his Christmas books that shows pictures of animals and says what sounds they make. I read it to him a lot because I'm pretty good at animal noises. (toot ta toot! That was me tooting my own horn.) The first page of this book asks: What does the fuzzy duck say?

I've been reading this book for awhile, but I finally realized the other day that this would not be a good page to have a case of spoonerism with. Now I try to be very careful, but just because it would be bad, I'm sure to do it some time.

Welcome to our House

I figured that since we know we will be moving this year, it was high time I give you a tour of our house. Sorry there are no G pictures, but he is in a few of these, so maybe you can think of it as a "Where's Waldo" situation.

Here's the view when you walk in the front door. The fabric hanging up is for my next sewing project.This is a view of my sewing room on the right of the staircase.


Here's the formal dining room/music room on the left of the stairs.
Then down a short hallway is the kitchen.
It's quite roomy, except the pantry.
And opens up into the family room.
We keep it quite bare in there now, and quite barricaded. It makes for much less chasing on my part.
There's a little corner door that leads to the garage and is next to this hallway. Don't worry, you won't ever have to see that room when you visit.
But in case you were wondering, that other door leads to this:
I normally don't like wallpaper, but the stuff in there is quite enjoyable. That's all for the main floor, so let's go upstairs. We just recently changed the layout of this living area to help with child containment.
Off to the left is the door which leads to your room. Don't worry, I'll move the laundry before you come.
It's really quite spacious, and I already turned down the bed. (read: was too lazy to make it)
This is the guest bathroom, which is directly behind the couch.
The shower curtain was a recent addition. Your welcome. I stood about where the toilet is to take this next picture.
This is G's room from the doorway.
Ignore the pink on the walls, he inherited this room from twin girls.
And the master bedroom, from the doorway.
And from where G was.
On my right from that last picture is the closet. Because I know some of you are curious.
And the other part. Complete heaven, as those of you who are familiar with our last closet situation will attest.
Here is the master bath, which was the closed door you could see from G's position in our bedroom. This is from the doorway.

And this is from the hand towel rack. The towels are on the tub because our hardware has recently started to come out of the walls. I guess there's always something to work on . . . Well, that's about it. Hope you enjoyed the tour. If you haven't scheduled one in person, you should do so soon because the clock is ticking on our stay in Dallas.