lauradodson:art+craft

Summer School: Sewing Galore

Summer is fast approaching. 3.5 days left of school! Translation~3.5 days to NO ALARM. Aaaaah. 

Swimming. Sewing. Crafting. Playing. Board games. Art projects. Walking. Planning. Organizing. Bliss.

I have two sewing projects for me, and if they go well, then maybe a few more.

Shearwater Kaftan by Make It Perfect
 

The Kaftan looks super comfy and that's what I like. This go around, I am making a muslin or two before cutting into my good fabric. I've never done that before due to over eager desires to wear it NOW. The downside is I am always a bit let down that I didn't S L O W down and tweak the pattern to fit me. 

Waterfall Blouse by Make It Perfect

(Yes, the model/designer is expecting and NO this is not a maternity specific pattern.)

I like how the yoke is a bit fitted but the body of the blouse is loose. I like loose and flowy and comfy. I am on my 4th muslin yoke and it is just about right. One more tweak, and I'll be ready to break out my cute batik fabric. I have two other fabric choices lined up after my first one is made. 

I also have lotsa lotsa dresses and shorts to make for the kiddos at Welcome Home in Uganda. Super yay!  I love sewing for them. I have several boys wishing for more lion-ee shorts. I will most certainly oblige those cuties.

Boy Shorts pattern from TieDyeDiva

Oh these five were so happy to wear their new shorts. There's about 20+ MORE BOYS. Eeek. Anyone want to help sew with me? The only thing I did not do when making these shorts is add the pocket. They are hard are their clothing, the washers are hard on their clothes, and boys + pockets = treasures that will get washed and potentially damage the washers at the home. This is a wonderfully made pattern in all respects.

Come on Summer!

mending dresses

Upon arriving at the orphanage where 3 of our sons began their lives, I had my hands full mending clothing. Right up my alley! I was sitting in the dim office (no power at that moment) trying to thread my needle thinking about the older girls outside.

I began to wonder if some of them would like to help me. They loved it!

Two girls helped me fix this little dress for one of the younger girls.

They were so proud of their work, and very fast learners. 

I am so thankful the Lord prompted me to go outside and sew there.

The girls did such a wonderful job hemming up the dress and in doing so served the littler ones.

(blurred for privacy)

Purple people

I downloaded 1,400 pictures from my iphone the other day. Yes.

I found a few I wanted to put up here. This was a science experiment during the Fantastic Firsties' Valentine party. I love working at the same school where my children attend. I can sneak over and play almost at any time.

These two hooligans love their teacher. I am quite impressed with her myself. She is highly creative, patient, and fun. The high schoolers "fight" over who gets to assist in her class during the day. That says something!

Water + oil + food coloring + alka seltzer = this lovely gas bubble concoction. The boys poured all ingredients in themselves. 

Teamwork. Science rocks.

Uganda Has My Heart

I've been my own little clothing factory this week (love Spring Break!). I've been making shorts and dresses for the children at Welcome Home in Jinja, Uganda. I really love both patterns I found on etsy. Easy. Well written. And the clothes are turning out super cute.

 DandyJane is where I got the dress pattern. LOVE IT.

TieDyeDiva is where I found the shorts that are knee length. I did not include the pocket because boys + pockets = rocks, worms, and other dead things in the washer. ;o) (Can you tell I have 5 sons?)

 

This is a good close up of the lovely flowery turquoisey fabric that I dearly love.

The red fabric looks pink, but this Anna Maria Horner is RED and I LOVE red. Red + Turquoise= Love 4 Ever. Another fave.

And I was told I could get "crazy" fabric for the boys' shorts. I searched my favorite quilt shop, and found these fun prints.

I've finished up some others today. I think the boys will love these.

And for me...I have since finished embroidering these pants.

a new app!

Over app allows you to write text over your photos. I call that a good thing.

Guess what?

It's happening. I'm going! I.am.going. For real.

I will be serving in the orphanage where these hooligans started their lives...

{We represent our state proudly.}

Why am I going?

I am going to serve our children's first family. I am going to lend a hand in areas of my skill set. I am going to be stretched. I am going to show the love of Christ. I am going to encourage sisters in Christ. I am going so that I may bring others, Lord willing, next year. I am going to see what the Lord has.

How can you help?

1.)  **Double bed size sheets and cases are needed. They can be gently used (or new)...no rips, stains, etc.**

**Twin bed size sheets and cases are needed. They can be gently used, or new.**Bath towels, wash clothes, hand towels of any color. Gently used or new.**

The above items will be given to the guest house where I will be staying.  It is rather expensive to purchase quality towels/sheets in country. It is cheaper to bring slightly used, no longer needed towels and sheets from the US.

2.)  Monetary gifts to be used to purchase formula for the infants, or used for other pressing needs at the orphanage.

3.)  My little art teacher self gets to teach art in Uganda! So very excited. There are a few items I'd like to bring with me. If you'd like to sponsor an item or several items you can do that, too, with a financial donation.  {Watercolor trays, paper, glue, crayons, and more.}

Please contact me in the comments, if you'd like to chip in. I will get back with you ASAP. I leave very soon!

springing

If all appearances are correct, spring is here in S. Texas. Sun. Exquisite weather. Breezes. Lots of creative energy coarsing through my veins.

 

My scraggly little bush produces the sweetest rose buds ever. The roses themselves are lovely, but it's the buds I like best. Watching the petals unfurl is kind of exciting. Weird? In my reading this a.m. before church. I love Isaiah.

Happy Springing...one more week then SPRING BREAK. Guess what I'll be doing? Sleeping in! Those two words are a delight.

hello sparkle.

Long work day. Wee frustrating god's eye project...however, my middle schoolers are doing a decent job. They listened and worked as we sat on the floor of the art room sans tables. Our tables were hijacked for TAPPS competition on Monday. Needless to say, I had to stay late getting tables organized and labeled for art pieces and making a still life for on-site drawing.

I got us all home. Walked straight to the kitchen to do the lunch box dump and saw this...

hello sparkle. I just love it when things like this sneak up on you, when the sun blazes through our kitchen window and glitz shimmers on our little pass through. Wow. Serious happiness.

honestly. I took two photos of the same thing just in case I needed an extra dose of sunshine.

Then. Kerplop. {Oh look, Mr. UT.} I'll be here if you need me. Don't expect me to get up. 

Happy Sparkle.

QuiltCon

Headed to Austin for the day to gawk at all the wonderful quilts showcased at QuiltCon.

I made a super cute pillowcase at the Million Pillowcase Challenge which gives pillowcases locally (Dell Children's Hospital) to kids in need of some cheer. I love that!

One of my favorite quilts by Krista Fleckenstein.

Maura Rose made this star quilt. I believe she's an Austinite...she makes her dyes from nature.

Create.See.Smile.

I am an art teacher at a very small school. I have 2nd grade-12th grade students. I started a blog for the parents to see what their kids were making in class, and I thought it would be a good idea to at least mention it here.

Create.See.Smile.