But first, Olivia has learned a new dance move: the "shashay." It's how she's been getting from place to place lately. Sorry about the fuzzy picture, but she's hard to nail down at the moment.
If you try to chasse at home, know that you must repeat, "Shashay! Shashey!" while you are doing it.
So, comfort zone. I haven't been in mine much lately. The big car is at the garage (ready at 5:00 today) because it was making embarrassing growling noises whenever the gas pedal was pressed and was just generally loud the rest of the time. Thankfully it has been diagnosed AND is covered under warranty. Now, is it too much to hope that they'll clean it? Pushing my luck, I know. Anyway, that means I'm driving Mark's little commuter car that puts poor Olivia's feet firmly in the top of my back. I hate to think what would happen if we crashed. (We really need to replace that car with something bigger, and probably will later this year. For the record, Mark won't let me talk about replacing his car while we are within earshot of it. He thinks it will then make itself break down out of spite.)
Then: I've been sewing. I did take a 101 class at the Fancy Tiger, which was very helpful. We covered the absolute basics and then used up some scraps they had lying around to make a little zippered bag. I am absurdly proud of that little bag. And the many more I've made since (you'd think I'd have a picture). And oh my, are there some beautiful fabrics out there! I did pick up some pretty fat quarters after my class, but I didn't really know what to do with them (um...more bags?) and I am weary of making the inexperienced stash choices that I'm bound to make at this stage of the game. So, a bunch of bags later, we ended up at Joann's. There Liam found a lovely fabric (would have been my first choice for sure) and was begging for a shirt out of it, Mark backed him up, and I just barely talked them into pajama pants instead.
To my surprise, they worked.*
Also to my surprise, Liam is wearing those pants to school today. Holy crap, talk about out of my comfort zone! But he really really wanted to and I couldn't think of a good reason to say no. He is feeling very cool, even if I feel like he should be trying out for professional wrestling or something. Also, he helped sew them! Honestly, he did the straight lines because...well, can you imagine a machine he wouldn't want to try?^
I won't show you the other projects that were tried before the pants. Waste of pretty fabric (Mark says I was still in Beta). But I think the sewing thing might just stick: after spending a fortune on yarn and then taking weeks to knit most projects, having a FO after $10 and a couple of hours is shockingly satisfying.
But now I'm off for a cup o' tea and some knitting of hats, because after stretching my brain this much, I need a little comfort.
*The pattern I chose? Designed to teach children to sew.
^Is it any wonder the boy thinks he can make a jet pack? He sewed pants!
I can not tell you wonderful I think it is that you let Liam wear those pants to school. So awesome. It just isn't that long in our lives that pirate pants make us feel cool. :)
Sewing. You are a brave woman. :)
Posted by: Holly Jo | February 19, 2009 at 06:53 PM
You continue to absolutely amaze me!!!Sue
Posted by: Susan Brown | February 19, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Those pirate skulls are where it's at for little dudes.
My only pair of pj pants were constructed using a children's learn to sew book too. I don't know why I didn't make more - they were simple and fairly fast. Hmmm.
Shashay on.
Posted by: Nadine | February 20, 2009 at 05:35 AM
Woot for the sewing! Pajama pants to school? No worries. I once dated I guy that told me when he was back in elementary school he wore his clown costume to school and it wasn't Halloween. Needless to say he dressed himself that day because his parent's were already at work when he left for school. His mom was asked to leave work and pick him up from school and bring him back in something more appropriate.
Hi-larious.
Posted by: Too Many Scarves | February 21, 2009 at 11:31 PM
100% positive memory for life. I know there is a lot of competition for great memories but don't you agree that this ranks right up there?
I'm inspired. New PJ's pants are always needed. I could do that too!!!
Love,
Judy
Posted by: Judy | February 22, 2009 at 06:36 AM
Hey- I just about have the chasse perfected and it brightens my outlook. "Shashay...." Highly recommended. Hugs, S
Posted by: Susan Brown | February 23, 2009 at 06:53 AM
Overachiever. ;)
Posted by: Jody | February 23, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Jake would LOVE those pj pants and I would LOVE to see Olivia's ballet dancing sometime! :)
Posted by: Kelly P | February 23, 2009 at 06:53 PM
Oooh, I want to try those pants now. Henry has a pair of fleece skull pj pants from old navy that he wears to school minimum once a week... for 2 years and he is bound to outgrow them eventually!
Posted by: Samantha | March 02, 2009 at 09:20 AM