Date Night

I have been looking forward to tonight since summer. We are dropping off the kids and heading to Seattle for date night. First stop, a quirky Italian restaurant for dinner. Then we are going to see "Over the Rhine."

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Seriously, I can't even tell you how excited I am. I'm all dressed up, thanks to an awesome friend who lent me some maternity clothes (you know who you are), my hair is done, and my bags are packed for a night in the city.

 Other news... I spent the past two weekends selling some of my handmade creations in local Bazaars. It's been a fun new experience. The first time I forgot my camera, but I managed to get a few pics today to share soon.

Easy Fall Decor

This would be easy to make

 Most of you probably have beautiful fall decorations to celebrate the season. In our house, things are still looking "summer-ish." I am on the hunt for a nice garland for the fireplace, and a berry wreath for the door. I'd like to recover our couch pillows in a fabric that works for fall and Christmas. Until then, I hang cut-outs of owls and pumpkins.

 We are still trying to get our pumpkins. I staged these pictures, although the pumpkin patch was closed. Just in case we get rained out and have to buy ours at a grocery store, we can pretend we went. Next year
I plan to have my own pumpkin garden, now that I have space for them.

Fall Legwarmers

 We are adjusting our daily routine to homeschooling. While we practice our letters and numbers, I manage to knit a few rows onto the legwarmers I am making for the girls. That's one of the things I love most about knitting. I can take it anywhere with me and feel like I am getting something accomplished.

  It looks like our long stroke of sun is almost at its end. We have been outside trying to finish some projects we started over the summer. As always, there doesn't seem to be enough time in the day.

Transplant Mums

Put up Fence and Clothesline

Plant Cyclamen under Rhododendrons

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Building our Tree-house

  I'm not sure we're ready for rain yet. But my sewing machine is missing me, I think, and it will take a change in weather to force me indoors and back sewing. I'm planning some fall skirts, tunics, and things for the baby.

Baby Long Long

Source

Source

As the title of this post suggests, I am pregnant with Baby #4! I'm still in the feeling icky stage, which explains why I have not been around as much lately. Still here, but only in survival mode on my best days. The baby is  due in May, which means our first spring baby. I'm excited to be able to enjoy those first months outdoors without having to bundle up first.

 I had to pull out my baby band to hold up my jeans today. I don't remember ever showing this much this early on. It's motivating me to either find some cute maternity clothes or design some fast. If you live in the Vancouver/ Portland area and know of any good consignment shops, please let me know. 

The Little Things

 You know how sometimes random little things make your day? Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment. My generous mother-in-law watched all three kids, taking them to get haircuts and have dinner with their aunt. Such a treat for all of us.

 Anyway, after the appointment, my husband and I stopped off at New Seasons supermarket to grab a few things. We stopped by the sample counter to pick up a few gluten-free recipes that caught my eye. The lady  told me about some of her favorite alternative flours, including this one. 

 

  I wanted to try it, but it was expensive. On our way through the check-out line, the "sample lady" came over with a bag as a gift for me to try. That never happens! So not only did I have the afternoon off, but I had a free bag of coconut flour to try. This was my first time in New Seasons, and they made quite an impression. What a day, what a day :) 

P.S.- I used the flour in my crepes this morning and it is fantastic. If you are in Vancouver on Saturday and are interested, there is a gluten-free fair at New Seasons. And no, I am not being paid to share this with you guys. Just a thought on how we can make people's day with small acts of kindness. 

Knights and Ladies

 Our first year of school started this week. I'm laughing at this picture of our first day because it reminds me of my second grade teacher telling me I looked like an orphan with my collar up. Like mother like son.

  Also on our list this week is a birthday party for my niece and nephew. I made them capes from a pattern  I  modified from Pinterest:

Brother's cape has a felt cross stitched onto the back

The fabric was a crushed velvet on clearance at JoAnn's. Score. And the velvet doesn't seem to fray, even after washing and drying, so I just cut out the cape and handed it over to the kids to test it out. Easy and fast.

 I folded the fabric in half, wrong sides together. 

 To determine the length, measure from the back of the neck to where the cape should fall on the back of the leg. Add 6.5 inches to this measurement to allow for the head opening. For instance, if you want the finished cape 19 inches, measure 25.5 inches from the top of the fabric and mark it with a pin.

  

 To determine the width, measure from shoulder to shoulder. Divide this number by 2 and add 4 inches. Measure from the folded edge of fabric toward the center, and mark with a pin. Measure and pin again every three inches all along the outer width to the bottom of the cape.

 Cut out the cape, following the pins, and rounding out the edge of the top corner. 

 To make the opening for the head,  measure 2.5 in. from the top of the fabric, and place a pin to mark the spot. Measure another 4 in. from the first pin. (This material stretches, so you might want to start with 3 in. and make the hole larger if you find it is too small.)

 Next, measure 2.5 inches from the folded edge toward the center of the fabric and mark it with a third pin.

 Cut around the outside of the pins to create a circle, like this:

 

  

I hope that helps. You can also use jersey, which does not fray, or extra- large sized kids' shirts and just leave the head opening but cut off the sleeves. These were capes for knights and ladies, so we needed something fancy.

Ready to roll within minutes!