Passing It On

I've seen the movies - where one person does good for another person and then it inspires others to pass it on. I've seen it happen in stories - but I never quite grasped it until we were on the receiving end of such a wave of generosity and thoughtfulness when we were on Oahu going through our trial and loss of baby Samuel.

It is very humbling.  And inspiring.  And moving.

I will always be grateful for the way that my two little boys that passed away to PKD helped to change my heart.  How suffering through the trial with loosing them helped to give me an understanding of suffering and grief and in turn compassion.

That is where this little sewing project stems from.

Ross has a friend on Oahu who gave birth to a little boy who was diagnosed with a terminal disease.  She has been on my heart so much that I couldn't just think about her - my past experiences moved me to do something.  So a little care package of handmades are making their way to her.

For her baby that is struggling, a bib and burp cloth and a favorite book that we use to read to Liam - one about letting the stars guide your canoe to shore.  For her, a pouch to hold a journal and pens to document all of the beautiful experiences she has with her son.  And a big supply of chocolate for when hard days seem too heavy. And for her toddler, who is about Liam's age - a crayon roll equipped with our favorite fat crayons and a sketch book.  To help pass the time during all of those hours spent at the hospital.

I am so grateful for this opportunity to send a little love and thoughtfulness their way.  And it was a blessing to be able to do it in front of Liam.  To answer his questions when he asked, "What doing?" "What making?" I was able to explain that there was a sick baby that we were sending gifts to.  And he wanted to help.  So I let him sit in my lap and 'help' me.  He cut threads, removed pins, and picked out buttons.  Yes little boy of mine.  I need your help.  I need you to sit in my lap with your warmth to seep into me as I thank the Lord that you are healthy and alive.  I need you to witness what I am learning about giving and serving and to one day do it better than me.  

My heart is so full of so many different big emotions.  And I want to send it out into the world.  That life is hard but God gives grace.  And when you feel moved - Let yourself move.  Let yourself act. Let yourself respond.  Because in a moment when the dark seems so heavy and endless - I have come to understand that thoughtfulness manifested in a token or word or action - can be such a candle - and sometimes it can move the night right into day. 

I'm wishing all of you love and peace and joy today.  

A toy for baby

Reflecting on Liam's early stages has been so sweet.  Thinking about all of his milestones and the elation we felt at watching him.  Crawling, grasping, scooting... so many.  Thinking back to the way that he played, I remember wishing for more tab toys.  He loved to pull on things and manipulate small items with his fumbling chubby fingers.  So I made the baby a toy block, complete with tabs.

The block is actually quite large and can be rolled around and chased... perfect for encouraging baby to reach that crawling milestone.  I also added a jingle bell.  I wasn't sure about the jingle bell at first because Ross and I aren't a fan of noisy baby toys - but the little bell makes such a sweet sound that it is actually quite musical and I don't think that it will be too abrasive for baby's ears.

This block was actually inspired by one of Ayumi's old creations  for a toy color block for her baby girl.  Mine isn't as square as hers, but I am very pleased with it none the less.

Scrappy sewing is such an elated feeling. Taking little bits of this and that from here and there and constructing an entirely new piece of fabric.  That is the best kind of sewing in my opinion!

The projects on the list for baby are getting crossed off.  Which is wonderful considering we only have three months to go.  Baby's kicks are getting harder, a constant reminder that baby is growing and waiting to join our family.  It is a very exciting time.

Linking up to Finish it Friday! 

Sewing what we need

I have been looking at all of the clothes that have been saved from when Liam was a baby and trying to take stock of what we have, what I can make, and what we should buy.  So much of Liam's clothes in those early months were hand me downs that got returned that we actually don't really have much baby clothes for those early months. Which actually really works out because this baby will be born in the summer, and the summer time is also hurricane time, and it can get so oppressively hot that we wouldn't want to burden baby with extra layers.  Liam was happy in a diaper or a onesie for the first three months of his life so we are going with that direction for this baby as well.  So looking to the winter months, or also known as the wet season over here, a few more layers would be needed to stay comfortable.  I fell in love with Anna Maria Horner's Knick Knack Knickers pattern and knew that I wanted to sew some up for this new baby.  Can't you see it being so cute paired with an envelope tee or a onesie?  Think of those chubby little six month legs kicking!

I have really been trying to hold myself back from making things that we don't need.  I have the cutest idea for a special receiving blanket for baby but we have so many leftover from Liam that I couldn't justify the fabric use for it.  But that's ok... because there are so many other sweet things on my list that I am excited about!

What are your favorite makes when you're expecting or for baby gifts?  Do you have anything in particular that you love?

Imperfect Love

Stitch by stitch. Breath by breath.  That is how this little play quilt for our second child was finished.  My second trimester brought about more energy than my first, but it also brought about those wakeful hours in the night.  That is how this quilt, the first of the sewing done for this new baby, found its beginning... early in the morning when the whole house was asleep.  When the meals and the chores were complete and a happy husband and sleeping toddler were found resting in this sleeping house.  That is when I would steal away and work on this project.  First the top was sewn.  Then a quilt sandwich made.  And then that moment - you know, when a project really speaks to you and tells you exactly what it wants.  Well, this little quilt wanted to be hand quilted.  It wanted a slow process.  It wanted time.  So hand quilt it I did.  And giving in and listening to that quiet voice was the best decision ever.

It was those moments, when the house was quiet and my tired feet were up, that I would sit and quilt this blanket.  When I would sit and dream about what my family would be like when our three finally became four.  What this new baby would be like.  Whether it would be a girl or a boy.  And this little baby would answer with kicks and flutters of its own.  Bonding.  That is what hand quilting this quilt has given me.  The time to sit and bond when otherwise I wouldn't think as much about this child with the constant demands of the day competing with baby for attention.

This quilt represents so much of what I want to teach this child.  Of what I have learned in taking this journey into motherhood.  How life is so much like a quilt.  Stitched together from patches of experiences and hopes.  Quilted together with imperfect hand stitches.  Very much like love.  How it is imperfect, how mistakes are sometimes made, but oh how it covers.  Oh how it warms and shelters and completely surrounds you.

So many blessings - in this craft that we do with our hands.

Linking up to Finish it Friday

Aloha.

A long awaited finish

This little Hawaiian quilting cushion has been a journey, I tell you.  What started off to be a second year anniversary present for Ross and I, found its way into our home on our third year. Liam was born August of last year, and we were married in September, so of course Liam being that wonderfully sweet baby distraction that he was took my focus off of this project.  Understandably of course. Something though this year made me pick it up again, and stitch by stitch, slowly this cushion took shape.  

I love the history of Hawaiian quilting.  How detailed it is.  How traditionally Hawaiian quilting is primarily two solid colors. Cutting up whole pieces of fabric only to sew them up again didn't make any sense to Hawaiians.  And honestly, because of this project, sometimes I think that they had it right.  My attitude towards quilting has changed since I started garment sewing.  But that is a thought for another post entirely.  Anyways. Back to Hawaiian quilting. Do you know how to cut out a snow flake?  Remember doing that in school? How you take a circular piece of paper and fold it in half and then fold it again and again and then cut a design? That method, brought over by the mission schools was what influenced the method used in Hawaiian quilting.  Beautiful, that piece of history.   Another bit of Hawaiian quilting trivia that I find so fascinating is that the reason for Hawaiian quilting being so intricate was because due to the all year round warm weather, they weren't in any rush to finish their quilts for the intended purpose of keeping warm. Quilting in essence, became more about a sense of beauty. To connect with nature.  To see the patterns in wildlife, or flower, or leaf and manifest them in fabric.  To see the ocean in the echo stitch around the pattern, in how it ripples and ripples and ripples but is ultimately all connected.  It has been wonderful to create this project.  To feel connected to this place and these people in this way.  

Our little stash of handmade cushions for lounging in the living room is growing.  They are each so different. Each expressing and reminding of a time and purpose for when they were made and brought out to use and enjoy in our evening lounging or playing.  So much heart goes into these handmades.  So much heart goes into making a house a home.  A place to laugh, connect, rest, and live.  And life is so sweet in this season.  With a growing boy that brings the sunshine, a best friend to hold my hand and share our day to day happenings with, what more can I ask for? A new and needed cushion for the room that we do the most interaction in? Check check. Now what else does this little family of mine need? Hmmmm......

Happy Friday everybody.  Linking up to Finish it Friday with Crazy Mom Quilts.

Aloha.

The quiet parts

The weekend seems to have flown by.  Many more activities in our lineup than I am use to, that's for sure.  It has left me feeling off and slightly anxious for the week to come. It's Sunday night and I don't feel ready.  Groceries not shopped for, the meal plan for the week not decided, last week's laundry that is following me into this week...

 ::sigh::

But Mondays come whether we are ready or not don't they?

Ross had work meetings all morning on Saturday so I asked him if we could carve out family time during the afternoon to just be home.  No other family, no friends, no other obligations - just the three of us.  The three of us playing together and separately, napping, eating, laughing.  Those parts of the day, the quiet everyday ones that we spend together - those are the moments that get me ready for the week.  Laundry. Meal plan writers block.  No food in the fridge.  Come what may.  We will roll with it and help each other and hopefully laugh through it.

Moments like this make me really appreciative of this space.  A place where I can focus on the happy.  Focus on the things that center me.  Like a new favorite muffin recipe, or Liam's currently favorite book that I have read at least twenty times over the past 48 hours, a coffee during a nap, a bit of stitching,  Liam's smile as he follows us from room to room saying: 'Haii... Haii."  Yes, his first word used in a conversational context is hi. How apropos for this little social boy of mine.

Here are to those quiet parts of the day and all of the craziness in between.

Have a wonderful week everybody.

Blessings.  

Five thoughts on mama handmades

One: Fabric Interviews! 
Fabric interviews for projects are always so fun! There are so many different types of combinations and colors and feels of different fabrics.  I am learning so much about fabrics by just doing. Like, working with linen can be a bit tricky when cutting for projects.  It is a lot more stretchy than cotton.

Two: Cutting 
When cutting a fabric that has a directional print, I've learned that it is important that your fabric not be folded in half horizontally because one of the cuts will be upside down.  That cute deer print was intended for Liam's performance pants, but I made a mistake with the cutting - lesson learned!

Three: Handsewing
My machine and I are starting to come to an understanding. I realize that when I expect my machine to sew with thick bulky seams, it doesn't like it.  It only wants to piece two layers.  For this pair of black pants, the hems were done by hand.  I think for this project I really preferred it.  There is something a bit romantic about hand stitching a garment. My imagination had so much food for thought as I sat there thinking about all of the women before me who once hand sewed garments for their loved ones. It's amazing - how a craft can tie you to generations before.  The connection and history that comes with it.

Four: Favorite Material 
Obviously, I can't stop making these pants! They come together so nicely and the back yoke of the quick change trousers just add such a nice pop of color! I think the black linen pair is the last one I will make in the 9-12 month size for Liam.  That black linen was a thrift store find.  I got yards and yards of it. It is a bit heavy in my opinion for this project.  Ross held it up and exclaimed that we would have to wait until winter time.  I'm not sure if I like pure linen for these pants, especially when it has two layers of material like this one does.  It indeed makes it very heavy.  But aren't the little birds on the back yoke too cute?  I love the way they turned out! =) I have learned that a cotton linen blend is my favorite for breathable light material. Next would be plain cotton.

Five: Joy! 
I am finding that garment sewing is very satisfying. The project comes together so quickly. So much quicker than say, a quilt. And the satisfaction that I get from watching Liam using his mama handmades in his day to day experiences is so very gratifying. It just brings so much joy to my days to see him covered in my love with a handmade garment.  I love making for this little boy of mine.

Linking up to Finish it Friday with Crazymomquilts and Amy for Five on Friday.

Happy Friday everyone!

Aloha.