Yesterday was a lazy one. Lazy, but pretty fantastic. While we sat around in our pajamas and listened to General Conference the boys and I worked on a couple of projects. Monsters, to be exact. With zippers. Yes, zippers. Frightening, I know.
We used a pattern by Indygo Junction that the sweet Amy sent my way a few weeks ago along with her book, Vintage Notions. (Thanks Amy!) I had my eye on these crazy little Zipper Critters ever since I saw them in one of my local quilt shops. I knew the boys would love them, and they looked like a great afternoon project.
I bought a few zippers, a bag of black buttons, and let my little monsters pick fabric out of my stash. This is what we started with:
I had this decorator weight chevron fabric for some throw pillows, and since it was on top of the pile, they picked it right away. Then they added in a few Moda basics (bella solids and dots). No flowers for these boys.
Boy 2 did a really good job helping me cut out the pattern pieces and pin while Boy 1 read us the instructions. It was a little embarrassing how easy the zippers were to put in. Why am I terrified of them, again?
I even made them sew on their own buttons. I'm hoping that if I teach them how, I'll never have to sew on another button.
They turned their pieces, and did most of the sewing on my lap. They were also pretty creative on their ear placement, because the pattern is dogs, cats and such, while they were going for monsters. Which is why the cat ears are on the side, and the dog's one ear is a now a monster horn. (Boys!)
Overall? A quick, easy, kid friendly pattern that was perfect for a lazy afternoon at home. I think they took about an hour and a half total, including the boys sewing on buttons. Boy 2 wants to make some for his kindergarten friends, and Boy 1 wants to take his in to show his art teacher for an idea for class. (??) That's a good sign, I'd say.
One thing is for sure, everything Amy does, she does well. I even used her book today, this page in particular with the pie tips for (yet another) chicken pot pie.
That is all the husband wants to eat these days. I don't blame him.
Vintage Notions is different than I thought it would be, it isn't a pattern book, but rather a really quirky, interesting read. I initially thought of notions as sewing notions, rather than notions as ideas, so I was surprised when I opened it up. It is full of essays and ideas from the 20's and 30's, and is really inspiring.
I'm almost done reading it, and I want to put half of the quotes from it on on my inspiration board. In fact, I'm going to make the magic apron as soon as Miss Ruby finally gets here. (2 weeks and some change, btw!) Well, maybe right after market. It's going to be pretty crazy around here for a while.
Oh, and lucky you, Amy threw in an extra set of patterns for one of you, so if you would like a Zipper Critters pattern plus three other Indygo Junction patterns in a cute vintage notions bag, just leave a comment here with what you would name nameless Monster 1 and Monster 2. The boys haven't figured out the perfect names yet.
My suggestions were Jamba and Zuka. As in, the delicious smoothies. I've been craving one all week. I worked at Jamba Juice, formerly known as Zuka Juice, in college. It certainly sped up the process of the freshman 15 (25?). Mmm....
I think this is the longest post I've ever written. I think I need to talk to adults more often.
Happy Monday!
*one more thing- THANK YOU for all the Modern Madness love! We made it to the Final Four, can you believe it?? Thank you!
