Because...

Every bottle of dishwashing liquid needs an apron.

And growing out my gray is requiring even more hair accessories!

I'm enjoying quiet, late summer nights just sitting back with my crochet.
This past week, I've been choosing projects that can be completed in one session.
So far, so good. Last night, one just wasn't enough, so I went for a new dishtowel, too.
Luckily, Cub has been sleeping until 9am every morning!
Yes, we're loving summer-living.
In related news, I'm taking my love of this craft to the next level.
I've joined a local crochet group!

PS: If your name is JOYCE...Yes, it's me! Please leave me your email so I can contact you!!!

Not So Lazy Summer Days

Now that the hoopla of Cub's first play has ended, we're indulging in some summer fun.

Of course, there has to be some crochet.

I'm loving the way she luuuuvs her new purse!

I'm still having fun upcycling t-shirts in a million ways...this time, a necklace!

Gettin' ready for some serious TtV photography.
Meet the latest addition to our family!



Hope you are keeping it cool and crafty!

Introducing...

My child's first (almost) handmade costume!

Yes, I'm one excited Mama.

The show, High School Musical ("One") will be performed tomorrow and Saturday night at a local theater. My girl is floating on air.

For the past three weeks, she has been attending a children's theater company summer program. She has loved every minute of it. There have been many hours spent learning songs and choreography. She has worked hard, enjoying it all...especially working with such a large group of kids, who range from age 5 (she is the youngest!) through 16.

I'm very proud of her.

As you may remember, I became instantly inspired after seeing and falling in love with this dress earlier in the week. Such a great idea for little girls, who seem to just love fluff and ruffle.

I told you my Cub would have one of those dresses soon.

I had no idea what I was doing, I just did it, if that makes any sense.

I did stay awake until 3am on two evenings working on it.

You know how it can be when you get busy with something you love and just can't put it down.

I made a ton of mistakes along the way that had me at times, both laughing and crying.

In spite of the sleep deprivation, it was a wonderful learning experience and confidence builder.

Did I mention I now have three sewing WIP's waiting to be put together on my ironing board?!

Sweet & Simple

Turns out the crochet book I purchased at Michael's a while back has been worth every penny.

It's fun and adorable and the projects are super cute and do-able. It has that little touch of 70's crochet-kitsch that I find so appealing, too!

Yesterday, while Cub and her cuz were in rehearsal, I sat and made some lovely daisies- a pattern from the book. These make me happy and the possibilites are endless. Not to mention all the potential color-combos make me dizzy with joy!

Potential: Hair clips, appliques, bookmarks, and all sorts of embellishments, really.

I turned these two into hairclips for the girls. I hand-sewed one of those metal snap-clips (you can find in most craft stores) on to the back of the flowers. Done.

Miss Fly-Away Hair loved hers and wore it for about an hour...which is a lot for my girl!

If anyone is interested in this pattern, I will gladly pass on the sweetness!

Celebrating

With my two favorite girls...

The crowd made it difficult to see the Can-Can dancers...but they walked right passed us on their way off stage. Unfortunately, I was digging through my bag for something and missed the shot. Poo.


The highlight of my day, believe it or not. I am a macaron freak! They are absolutely impossible to find on Staten Island...in spite of three french bakeries and one gourmet cafe/bakery/restaurant. Shame on all of them, really!
Besides the dancers, this was the other (REAL) reason we came to the festival. They were selling straight from being Fed Ex-ed from France! Wow. The line was insane. There were so many cool varieties it was so difficult to choose: Green tea, Vanilla Bourbon, Creme Brulee, Figue, Pastachio, Dark Chocolate, Caramel, Violette, Lime, Rose...and many others.
I wanted to try one of each...but their inflated price tag made that impossible...almost $2.00 per cookie. My sweetest friend treated me to a half dozen and I felt spoiled beyond belief.
I think Cub is now hooked on 'em, too. Uh-oh.

Thought I'd show off one of my new "no-sew" cardigans. Already received two compliments today. Hee, hee. I love being able to say, "I made it," even though it's kinda cheating with the no-sewing and all. I bought all the material to make my daughter's costume for her performance this weekend. Instead of sewing it at 2am, I was making shrugs and necklaces out of t-shirts.

I'm addicted.

I'm afraid to say it...the t-shirt panties may be on their way.

But this girl does not show her undies...not even on the hanger!

Hope you are having fun during these blessed days, as well!

Motivated by Envy

Loving these skirts so much, I've dusted off the sewing machine and pulled out my stash of muslin. A trip to JoAnn's later will provide the tulle. Now, I'm off to find some old onesies or tank tops. My Cub MUST have one of these by the end of the week.

Just awesome, Ladies. Here's to the motivation I've been needing and one of two new crafty hobbies I've been obsessing over this summer: Wardrobe refashioning is awesome. Plain and simple.

Here's the first from MADE, a new fave bloggie.

This blue one is delicious. I think my girl will have bright pink or green...or maybe I'll just let her pick it out! Here, from the gal who started this all for me:

And because we always need something for the big girls...Did you check out
the Chicken's sweet and simple cardigan yesterday? I've already made two!
Refashioning t-shirts has been all the rage this summer
and is making me very happy.

Girls Night Out (In Lots of Photos)

My girl and I have been making special dates for our summer months to get out and do things that are fun for the both of us...in the evening. Whoo-hoo!

We had the best time going to Brooklyn the other night.

I discovered a place that I really want to keep just our secret, but since we fell in love with it, and desperately want it to be around for a while...I think share it with y'all!

The "famous" Staten Island Ferry terminal...from our (SI) side!

We pass two icons in the water. Cub took this. That blurry thing in the water is another ferry heading towards SI.

Every time I'm in Brooklyn, I realize how much I love it. I spent three very special years there, and it still has a home in my heart. I love the sights, sounds, and colors of lower Atlantic Avenue.
Check out this fabulous couch. How gorgeous is that color?

We found a fabric thrift store on the way to our destination.

Jackpot!

Finally inside The Moxey Spot...

One of the coolest places I've found since becoming a mama and living in NYC.

This is more than a restaurant, really. I've never seen anything quite like it. Some very smart, creative, and loving, person or people had an excellent idea: To create a two-level space where adults with children of any age, could come to chill out, eat, drink, and make merry while simultaneously providing children with so many fun and engaging things to do...Too many to list. If you live in the area, you must check it out for yourself. There is an extensive library, arts and crafts section, puzzles, dolls, dress-up, trains, cars, games, music and free movies on Friday night! The place is filled with lots of cool stuff for the young and old to appreciate. Before the actual movie, they screened a ten minute "short," from the Peter Rabbit films.

Cub instantly made friends with all the other kids that were there and they ate together on the rug, then played together while the moms and dads were left watching most of the film. Oh, well. No problem. I had my crochet bag with me and drank lots of yummy coffee while chatting with some interesting grown-ups.

May I add they have a yummy, healthy, affordable menu...beer and wine, too!

I enjoyed taking in all the creations on this art wall.

That wooden dollhouse is pretty sweet, too.

I had to practically drag Cub out of there kicking and screaming...and it was getting "late" for us.

We still had to make our way back to the ferry and cross the river to get home.

Boy, do I miss being able to buy (and receive) flowers from these 24 hour flower stands in front of the bodegas...What a convenience for boyfriends past! These exist mostly in Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. Nothing like this in Staten Island. Boo.

And as late as it was...How could this Mama pass-up a run through this place? Another "Boo" to Staten Island! What's up with not having one of these in our borough?

I was happy I brought that backpack with me after all!

It ended up being a late but wonderful night of adventure for us.

Can't wait for our next Girls Night Out...A concert in Battery Park next week!