my february ten

Boy oh, boy, is this month ever dragging. So to make it go a little faster, I sat down to make like the ever-inspiring Amanda and think on some good things about this wet blanket of a month. And she's right--it does feel good.

1. My new stove. It's so pretty and sparkling white, with a self cleaning oven. The oven CLEANS ITSELF, people. And a flat range top to boot. And it heats evenly and makes some damn good peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.



2. The incredible feeling of accomplishment after knitting my first-ever sock. I started way back in November and ripped the thing out twice, but my persistence paid off. Four months ago I could not even have spelled "gusset" and now I have made one.



3. The wait is over...She finally loves dress up! Oh, my head is spinning with plans. Plans that involve lots of tulle and glitter and maybe even a sequin fanny pack. The fun is just beginning.
4. My new skirt. It's exactly like the one in the Midwest Modern book. Not too original of me, I know, but I wanted it as soon as I saw it. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have this skirt. Notice the shiny new kitchen floor...looks good with the skirt, huh?

5. The knittiing bag I finished this morining. I've been hoarding this owl fabric for months and I feel really good about this use for it. Can you see my sock? A little bit? I know, I'm such a tease.



6. The few warmish days we've had lately and the sweet promise of spring they bring with them.

7. Flowers...for no particular reason...from my sweet, gorgeous man.

8. Sophie, in her adorable little baby-bear voice: "I want to sew, Mama."

9. Cuddling up on the couch with said sweet, gorgeous man with season one of How I Met Your Mother and our new favorite--buttery salt & cracked black pepper popcorn.

10. The anticipation of a mini-vacation next month and a long-awaited weekend at my best friend's house.

So it turns out February does have some redeeming qualities after all. Who knew?

skirts for sophie

Sorry about the boring title; it's been so long since I've posted I've pretty much forgotten how to write. I did get around to making the twirly skirt that was on my list. It was so easy; I could see myself making several of these and just buying her some solid color tees to mix and match with them. We'll see, though, because my short attention span prevents me from ever making more than one of the same thing. Anywho, Erin's tutorial was so thorough...she kicks ole McCall's butt. I don't know what I would do without these online tutorials.

I've been drooling over vegbee's little jackets and other cute stuff over on Craftster for months, and then I discovered her blog. She's not wordy, but she makes some dangerously cute stuff. I love her little hippie-ish patchwork skirts and dresses. So when Mom brought over a Valentiney charm pack, I knew I had to try to make one. Sophie was so excited she kept rushing me: "You done making skirt, Mama?" every three and a half minutes.

It twirls, too.

I'm 100 percent caught up with the mail these days because I keep running to check if my Emmeline pattern is here yet. Please, Mr. Postman! Get a move on it already. What, is it coming from Mexico? Yeah, I guess it is, huh? It's just as well. I might just wait for the new Amy Butler collection make it with. Until then, I will busy myself with wee skirts.