09 June 2011

Arbitrariness

How's your summer coming along?  Ours is coming along just swimmingly.  I've stocked up on sunscreen although the freckles are still popping up around here on Azure and Pearl, my two fair skin beauties.  This baby I'm growing is quietly but constantly moving, no big, wild kicks, but always gently reminding me he/she is there.
With a whole bouquet of others to care for, I sometimes need that reminder that a new one will join our family in just a few short months.  No serious nesting yet, but decluttering is at the forefront.  I'm reading "Unclutter Your Life" that I grabbed at the library.  If you don't find beauty, joy, or functionality in something, get rid of it.  Don't keep things out of guilt of cost or sentiment if they don't fit the above.  It's freeing, I tell you.  Do you have any hints that keep your "stuff" in check? 
I am getting ready for the Sewing Soiree tonight and thought I'd ask those who won't be able to come [what, 99% of you? ;)], what you are working on in your sewing endeavors.  There are a million gajillion tutorials out there in blogland, but is there something you would like to learn here that you haven't been able to find?
I'll tell you something I'd like to learn.  How to make popovers that don't stick.  We used to have non-stick popover pans, but they didn't last very long with the high heat it takes to cook them.  Are there any secrets out there?
Also, this is what I look like when I'm deep in thought, apparently, in my NEO coming-along sewing studio.  I have a few more things I'd like to do, but it's so wonderful to have [almost] my own space.  The orange just makes me happy when I walk in. 
And speaking of happiness, this was a few weeks ago, Clover celebrating with Azure her preschool graduation.  I love it when they're best friends.  Makes me even happier than orange ;).


36 comments:

  1. Oh, I'd like to learn how to make patters for ME. I almost always get it right when sewinh for my baby, but ALWAYS have a big fail. Sigh.

    Hugs to you from Brazil!

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  2. Gah, Baby on my lap, the post came out missing words and letters. Let me try again:

    Oh, I'd like to learn how to make patterns for ME. I almost always get it right when sewing for my baby, but ALWAYS have a big fail when I try to create somenthing for me. Sigh.

    Hugs to you from Brazil!

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  3. Love your blog. As a non-pro sewer, I am constantly learning things. Rather than cover a specific project, I'd love to see more tutorials with technique. Adding binding to curves, adding piping, fitting a sleeve, measuring kids, selecting fabrics, the best kind of tools like elastic, thread, needles, and all that stuff I am trial-and-error with.

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  4. Well I find that I am a contradiction when it comes to collecting things. Really, truly, in the deepest part of me I abhor it. My life's goal is to go out of this world and only have a box full of worldly posessions. That I will give more than I keep. However, a moderately hording husband and 5 kids later and I discover that we're keeping more than we're giving.

    I think the only tip I have for letting go more often is to declutter frequently and quickly. Stay on top of it more. I am actually blogging about this, I've challenged myself to spend 20 minutes everyday for 30 days purging that which I have forgotten I own. You can read a bit more of my adventures here http://passionatedesign.blogspot.com/2011/05/20-minute-challenge.html Though don't feel pressured to check it out.

    Also, I like to think that as we let go of the past we make room for the future. Good Luck!

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  5. I would also like to learn more about sewing for myself. I am just learning to sew clothing and I have got somethings for the girls under my belt. I am very intimidated to make something "big" people size. BTW your girls are beautiful! I love it when I can catch moments like that.

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  6. Williams-Sonoma has great popover pans!

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  7. Yes, letting go of things that you keep out of guilt is so freeing! And I've rarely missed what I've tossed once it's out of the house.

    When it comes to special clutter -- dealing with those things that mean something to you, not the everyday mail/art projects/cleaning stuff -- I find that deciding on a place for something before it even comes in the door is key for us in our small-by-design house. For example, my daughter is very interested in American Girl dolls which are large, expensive and come with lots of little bits and pieces. In preparation, I spent lots of time figuring out storage options and collection limits before she got so much as a doll shoe. Now the actual organizing and cleaning is easier because she knows where things 'belong' and doesn't have to shuffle piles of things that have no real home in her small room.

    The other thing I find helpful is reminding myself to choose quality over quantity, especially with craft supplies. It's soo easy to bring home lots of sale fabric, yarn, books. Less is More also means Less to Deal With later. I fail at this regularly. :)

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  8. Love the last picture!! So sweet!!

    I also really like your decluttering advice. I have a hard time getting rid of things if I know we might need them someday. I think I just need to be less scared of storing things in the crawl space. haha. I've kind of convinced my husband it would be nicer if he got rid of the college papers and stuff he doesn't need/want but he's very thorough and I haven't given him a large chunk of undisturbed time to do something boring. Plus then there's the issue of where to store food storage. . . .

    I'd love to learn to alter patterns to fit me. The only things I can get to fit on top are knits; not that I mind too much.

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  9. ack! those girls are too much:O)
    i have a baby quilt to finish for my friend in Germany and a few things i'd like to make for Oliver but who knows when that will happen! lackin on the sewing motivation these day, for sure.
    send me a popover? yuuuuum. wish i could make it to the soiree!

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  10. I am so jealous of people that can go to your sewing soiree - I hope you all have a lovely time tonight and leave totally inspired! We do them here sometimes too - I think they are way too much fun.

    Totally looking up that decluttering book at the library. It Is Time.

    As for projects I'm working on...I'm finishing up a "hands off my picnic blanket!" for my husband for father's day - although since I only have two kiddos it's going to be both a "hands off" and "step off" version (more real estate for hand and footprints you see). That, and a handful of summer dresses for my girl, and a "first birthday" outfit for my boy about sums up the current project list.

    I also love learning about pattern making - I've done some drafting stuff that I love and would love to go further with it. I like doing the really "math-y" approach though - going from measurements; busting out the french curve and the protractor - yeah, I'm a dork.

    Happy Thursday!

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  11. I love that last picture more than any color in the world! I'd love to learn how to handle super light fabrics. they just drive me nuts ;-)
    take good care of yourself!

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  12. Well, thanks for asking! I made a bathing suit for myself last night; which is something I have wanted to learn how to do. I took inspiration from the suits you have made your girls. My stitching isn't pretty, but the suit is functional; good thing, too because we're set to go to the beach on Saturday!
    I'd really like to learn to quilt; I can make quilt tops, but I have to actually quilt a project!
    Have fun at your soiree!!!

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  13. Hope you have fun at your sewing soiree. Currently i'm finishing up a little summer romper and then whipping together some pants (and maybe some shorts)for a little boy's birthday this weekend (ala MADE's flat front kid pants http://www.dana-made-it.com/2011/05/kid-pants-series-pockets-and-stripes.html ). I've always been leery of working with certain types of stripes or bold patterns so i'm determined to work with them a lot this summer till i get good at it & comfortable with it :)

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  14. Love the photo of you...all is missing the raised eyebrow:). We miss you guys!

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  15. Katy,
    I have loved your blog forever and how talented you are! I didn't realize that I actually knew you in Real Life!!!!!! I saw the beach skirt, that you did a while ago, with the ruffles and the pictures of you and you looked so familiar. I realized it was Katy Knudsen from Provo High School that I graduated with. You really have a talent and I LOVE the clothes you make for your girls. You inspire me to be a better seamstress. Thanks for taking the time to do the blog and peak into your life.

    Chiara Miller Aldridge

    Sorry it posts the hubby's name.

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  16. UNAS NIÑAS PRECIOSAS!!!!! BESOS.

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  17. I've been looking for a good tutorial fpr turning a round tablecloth into a circle skirt.

    -Amy
    Crafting by Candlelight

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  18. I'd love some maternity clothes tutorials!

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  19. Hi Katy!
    Summer's going just fine here in PA, and it's hot! Yea!

    I'd like to mirror what many others have said...I would love something designed by you for me! I have been looking for a tunic pattern, not too difficult, nicely shaped for everyone, even those like me who aren't pregnant and haven't been for ummmm 15 years! But that would work for all women. I love your modern take on design and figure if anyone can do it, you can!

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  20. haha. Reading this post and my "reading blogs" pose is just the same as your "deep in thought!" That totally made me laugh. :) Hope you're having a great day!

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  21. Honestly, I envy you for the luck you have with those beautiful children and a baby on the way.
    Your blog is always delightful to read and I hope one day I can sew cute stuff for those kids of my own.

    Thank a lot for sharing that with the rest of us.

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  22. I would love a tutorial on how you manage your time with such a big brood! I have 5 children and feel like I am constantly coming apart at the seams! Please share your do it all knowledge!

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  23. Mmmm...popovers. It looks like life is full and happy over at the Dill's. So happy for you!

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  24. Stuff is just stuff! I used to be so very attached, but in all reality, you can't take it with you, and the memories we have are much better. Less stuff is better and I agree, do it quickly! Less time to think about it, the better. My girls tend to collect everything, scraps of paper to gum wrappers and they refuse to let me throw them out. So I quickly clean while no one is looking and hang out to their stuff for about a month. If there aren't any screams of concern, out it goes!

    I would LOVE, just love, to find a tutorial on how to make a 50's (about) sunsuit in a girls size
    5. I know, it's a bit old, but I really want to make one! That and visor with the long strings to tie. Happy sewing!

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  25. Stuff is just stuff! I used to be so very attached, but in all reality, you can't take it with you, and the memories we have are much better. Less stuff is better and I agree, do it quickly! Less time to think about it, the better. My girls tend to collect everything, scraps of paper to gum wrappers and they refuse to let me throw them out. So I quickly clean while no one is looking and hang out to their stuff for about a month. If there aren't any screams of concern, out it goes!

    I would LOVE, just love, to find a tutorial on how to make a 50's (about) sunsuit in a girls size
    5. I know, it's a bit old, but I really want to make one! That and visor with the long strings to tie. Happy sewing!

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  26. Stuff is just stuff! I used to be so very attached, but in all reality, you can't take it with you, and the memories we have are much better. Less stuff is better and I agree, do it quickly! Less time to think about it, the better. My girls tend to collect everything, scraps of paper to gum wrappers and they refuse to let me throw them out. So I quickly clean while no one is looking and hang out to their stuff for about a month. If there aren't any screams of concern, out it goes!

    I would LOVE, just love, to find a tutorial on how to make a 50's (about) sunsuit in a girls size
    5. I know, it's a bit old, but I really want to make one! That and visor with the long strings to tie. Happy sewing!

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  27. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  28. Your pictures are incredible! What camera do you use?

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  29. My secret to non-sticking popovers is to butter and sugar the pan (oil works too). I use a regular muffin tin and have only rarely had issues, mostly due to under-cooking.
    Sugar doesn't work so well if you're going for savory, but they taste so good with unsweetened whipped cream and huckleberries that I don't mind.

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  30. looking at that photo of you was like looking in a mirror. i did not realize it right away, but that was exactly the same pose i was in when reading your post. tips pf fingers at mouth and all. funny!

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  31. I liked you're comment on decluttering. We're planning a move (because I'm pregnent with our second) and I've been in the same mindset. My mantra has been:

    -Create a purpose for every space, and a space for every need.


    -Have a specific place and use for every piece of furniture.


    -Decorate with things you really love, not just space fillers.

    Good luck with the re-organizing and please keep posting any pearls of wisdom you find in the process!

    -Katie, my-cozy-life.blogspot.com

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  32. Oh you've found a new niche! Stuff for us I echo loudly and enthusiastically. Simple, elegant funky stuff. Dare I say some tops (that could lenthen into dresses) that even a knocked up mama could wear, and alter later when le bebe pops (me and you :)

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  33. greasing well is certainly part of the trick with good popovers... the other trick is in HOW you grease them well. Use vertical strokes from the bottom of the tin straight to the top, when your popover rises it will help it to rise straight up and give you the most height. Greasing well lets it grow, and greasing well VERTICALLY gives your popover the best chance :)

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  34. My clutter tip... When you are at the store trying to decide if you want to bring something home, ask yourself - Do you really love it and want it or is it just a neat item and it is enough to know that such a thing exists in the world?
    I used to find myself bringing things home because they were really cool or well designed or just a cute halloween cat cookie jar. This one question has helped to curb a lot of that kind of clutter coming into the house.

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  35. I'm laughing at that picture of you looking at your laptop because I'm posed exactly the same way, on my macbook as I read your blog here. Funny.

    And thanks for posting about those Clever Charlotte patterns. ADORABLE. I'd never heard of them!

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  36. Vintage aprons... for little girls or bigger ones (moms). I haven't seen too many great ones on the web.

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