Jerome turns 10!

It has been a long time since I last sewed anything worth posting.  Here are some of what I have been up to.  

-having lot's of fun with Scott's sisters and friends

-going to garage sales

-tending to our, now massive, garden (50 tomatoes!)

-making freezer meals for Tamsin and Dave, who bravely agreed to watch our children while Scott and I go to Japan (It is my first time going back home in four and a half years. My mom is so excited that she keeps calling and asking what I want to do.  I want to do everything!)

-starting a Japanese pattern sewing blog with Alison (Alison has done all the work.  All I do is talk to her on the phone everyday.)  

-sub a RS lesson (I hate it every time, but learn so much.)

-coordinating many meals for people in our church (There have been quite a few births, moves, illnesses, and accidents.)

  

Jerome turned ten today.  What a blessing it has been to have him for a whole decade!  My mom used to say, "Work hard and teach your first one well, so all the other children can follow the example."  I think we are on the right track.  I love his tender spirit, his honesty and willingness to choose the right.  He is also very creative and loves to teach.  Asha and Kai has learned a lot from him.        

 I don't know how it happened, but the birthday boy worked the hardest to put the party on.  Here he is, putting the finishing touches on his dream cake.  (note to self : Burgundy dye makes pink, not burgundy no matter how much dye you put in it.  Twizzlers, bizzed up in a blender can substitute for sprinkles for a mosaic effect.)  

  

Sharing his "Lego love" with his brother.  I live for sweet moments like this.    

Candles, binary clock style.  Scott's idea.  The boys thought it was so cool.  

   

Bendable Sculpy creations. 

Jerome, 5 months, in Costa Rica.  He still has the same smile.

We love you so much.   Happy Birthday!  

First time at the sewing machine

We have cousin Caroline over for the weekend, and it has been so much fun.  She and Asha love projects, so we decided to make a tote bag.  They cut out their little squares and appliqued them on to the duck fabric at the sewing machine.  It was Asha's first time and Caroline's second to sew with a sewing machine.  I had a lot of fun watching them as they carefully handled the fabric.  Then we assembled the bag.     

Puffed Sleeve Shirt

Quick post before I have to run my kids over to the aquatic center for swim evaluation.  I know.  Summer is here.  My kids are getting out of school tomorrow.  I am so excited!  

Here is a puffed sleeve t-shirt.  My friend, Keiko, gave me the pattern.  Thank you so much.  We love it!        

Kai started swim lessons.  He can now swim about 3 yards to the end of the pool.  

Can't get enough of this.  

Here is a better picture of the shirt.  

On her

I guess you can't really see the pocket details with this shirt on the top, but you still get the idea.    

Here you can see the progress of our garden.  We just have to put the raspberries in where the green poles are, and then we can start watching the plants grow.  

Capris

It is more fun to make dresses and skirts, but Asha needs a few capris.  Here is the first of three pairs I want to make.  I drafted the pattern using several pant patterns I have.   

I had the idea for the front pockets for a few years, and Alison helped me draft it out.  They turned out just as I imagined.   I will post a picture of Asha wearing them later.  

The fabric came from $1.50/yard Wal-Mart mystery fabric stack.  I think it is cotton/poly blend.  I bought a few extra yards so I can make shorts for the boys, too.   

We have been busy putting our garden in.   Here is Kai with his plant, the Sugar Baby watermelon.  He caught the gardening bug the most, and has been working the hardest.    

Here is Jerome using the ice breaker to break down the clay-like soil that the rototiller missed.