Library Wednesday and Housekeeping

Today is Wednesday and I will get to that in a minute but first I wanted to tell you about my weekend.  I meant to write this post earlier but I didn't get around to it until now.

This past weekend Zachary performed with the All State Choir.  It was one of those moments where I was sure my heart was going to burst with pride seeing him up there on stage singing.  The beginning of this school year his goal was to audition and be selected for the Tri-County Choir.  He was going to 7 a.m. rehearsals at school to practice and working with his piano teacher (whom also teaches voice lessons) in preparation for the audition.  He was selected for Tri-County and the concert was a couple weeks ago, it was wonderful.  When he audition for All State choir, I did the usual "Mom" speech about how it was an "honor" to be selected to audition.  When he came out of the audition and told me how nervous he was and that he didn't do well, I did my best to let him know that we were proud of him no matter what the outcome was.  So, it was an absolute thrill when we learned he had been selected to perform as part of the All State choir. Over 1,200 kids auditioned for 120 spots.  It truly was an honor to be selected.  So, seeing Zachary up on stage this weekend singing with kids whom are considered the best and brightest musicians from our state was one of those moments I will never forget.  I can't take any credit, he did all the work and it paid off beautifully (you'll just have to trust me that it was).

Also, you will notice that I didn't post anything from last Wednesday.  That's because of Storm Saturn.  Schools were closed.  The government was closed.  Everyone had run out and bought their milk, toilet paper and eggs.  It was going to be a storm to talk about for ages.  And, was it ever:

So, on to this Wednesday.  This week's theme was "ABC's and 123's".

Oliver + S Book Report Dress

This is the second Book Report dress I have made, the first one is here.  This is one of those patterns that at first glance I didn't care for but it has really grown on me.  It's such a fun dress and looks so cute on.  A couple weeks ago when the new Oliver + S patterns for spring were released Liesl made mention to the fact that she isn't a "frilly" designer.  I think that's why I am drawn to the Oliver + S patterns (among other things).  They are clean, simple, classic and really look like things that are being sold in stores.  I am not a fan of the "boutique" style of sewing for children's clothes.  To me, "boutique" is too costumey.

The fabric I used is from Robert Kaufman's Celebrate Seuss line, Tossed Letters and a red twill.  I noted the first time I made this dress that I thought a heavier weight fabric for the bottom might be better.  I think I like better.  The twill just seems to give the dress the right "weight" it needs.  I think a corduroy or denim might be nice too.  Quilting cotton works, but I just like this a little better.

Since it was ABC's and 123's, Piper also needed something for show 'n tell as well.  So, last night I whipped up a Purple "P" for Piper. :)

My original plan was to embroider some cute flowers onto the "P" but I am just learning to embroider and starting at 5:00 last night was the wrong time to start.  So, the little bit that I had done got torn out and we had a plain, purple "P".  Piper approved and that's all that really matters in the end.

Here's Piper modeling her adorable dress, checking out the daffodils blooming and enjoying a nice spring day:

And, finally to close the world's longest post.  I learned recently from Zachary that FaceBook isn't "cool" anymore.  Apparently all the "kids" do their social networking on Instagram.  I had an Instagram account a while ago, I didn't use it, so I deleted it.  Now, I am back on Instagram.  You can find me there by searching for NotSewPlain (you will have to ask for permission but I will grant it, just want to know whose looking).  I will try to add a link to my account at the sidebar.

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Yesterday was Wednesday, but it was also one of those days I don't think I got to sit down until somewhere after the kiddos went to bed.  I feel like we have those days a lot.  I know I should enjoy them now because there will come a day when the house will be quiet and we won't be frantically running out the door to the next appointment.

So yesterday was Wednesday and we went to the library and the theme was "Nursery Rhymes."  Which, I thought was going to be an easy theme but you'd be surprised.

Piper wore:

Oliver + S Book Report Dress

This is the Oliver + S Book Report Dress done in Heather Ross Nursery Versery Little Pigs in Pink and Robert Kaufman Metro Living Circles in Chartreuse.  I had been eyeing the Heather Ross fabric for quite a while but it is a Japanese import linen blend and is kind of pricy.  When I heard what this weeks theme was it gave me the perfect opportunity to need to purchase some.  

When the two fabrics arrived in the mail, I really liked them together.  As I was putting the dress together, I started to think it was a mistake and didn't like them together at all.  After I was finished and had a few days to admire my finished work it started to grow on me again.  In the end, I like the finished product.

Like all O+S patterns this one had clear, easy to follow directions and cute details on the dress like the buttons at the neckline.  I chose to use some mother-of-pearl buttons on both the shoulders and cuffs at the sleeves.

The back of the dress has a cute contrast yoke and pleated detail:

I guess I should point out the fabric details.  Like I said the theme was nursery rhymes.  Take a look at my cute pink piggies and see if you can figure out which nursery rhyme it was:

Did you get it?  How 'bout, "this little piggie went to market, this little piggie stayed home, this little piggie had roast beef and this little piggie had none, this little piggie cried wee, wee, wee all the way home."  Cute, right!

In addition to dressing Piper to match the theme she brings something for show-n-tell as well.  Not that she ever gets up to show it but I keep hoping one day she will.  I looked and looked through her plethora of stuffies and had nothing related to a nursery rhyme.  So I quickly whipped up this guy on Sunday afternoon:

He's supposed to be Humpty Dumpty but I was kind of winging it.  Surprisingly everyone recognized him.  I taught Piper the rhyme, she calls him "humpy dumpy." :)

Finally here's one last look at my cutie model in her adorable new dress.  I did add length to it hoping it would last her for fall, but I'm doubtful.  Another thing to note, the bottom of the dress is quilting cotton.  I think in the future, I'd like to use something with a little more weight to it.  I just wasn't happy with the way it was hanging at times yesterday and I think that was partially due to the lightness of the quilting cotton.  I do in fact have another dress like this finished and the bottom is twill, I'm anxious to have her wear it to see the difference.  But, you'll have to wait to see it. ;)