Pre-School & Pajamas

A Facebook friend of mine shared a link to the pre-school curriculum she was starting with her 2 young kiddos and Mally and I started it this week.  It only takes 30-60 minutes, 5 days a week.  Mally is loving it!  Here's the link for free curriculums from age 0-11.  We're using the preparatory curriculum.  If you have young kids, check it out!

Last weekend, we started clearing the brush and junipers from the lower 4 acres.  We have about 1 acre done and hope to get more cleared this weekend.

The kids had pajama day at school today.  They waited until 5pm Thursday to tell me they would like new pajamas, "We don't have any that fit!"  Here's what I came up with...

Is it Spring Yet?

We had been enjoying days in the 60's but woke up to snow this morning.  Is it Spring yet?

PTL!  Mallory's skin is almost healed and she only has one day left on her antibiotics.  I'm on a new antibiotic for my pink eye because it didn't respond to the gentamycin drops.  I'm ready to be done with all these antibiotics in the house! 

We enjoyed a quick visit to my parents over the weekend.  We were able to return Dad's trailer now that we're done moving, visit some good friends and our old church and celebrate Andy's birthday.  He went to the gun show and added a few more rifles to his WWII collection.  It was a great weekend!  Since then, I've been measuring, cutting & sewing curtains for 2 days solid.  I'm heading to town today for more buttons and hope to have pictures of the family room & master bedroom up soon.

Living Room Curtains DONE

I was able to finish and hang my living room curtains yesterday.  They are fabulous!  I posted more pictures over at Mama Lusco, but here's a sneak-peek...

Sewing Contest Finalist!

I'm blogging this one on both blogs because I'm so excited...I made the final 15 in the Lil Blue Boo/Dharma Trading Challenge!  Visit Lil Blue Boo here to vote for your favorite.

Announcement!

I am happy to announce the start of my new blog, Mama Lusco Handmade!  I've been blogging for nearly 1 1/2 years here at Lusco Land and decided it's time to separate my family blog from my crafty blogging.  I feel like my crafting is overshadowing the family focus of this blog.  So, I'm off to work on the Mama Lusco site.  I'm working on moving my sewing and crafting links over to the new site.  I have found so many wonderful free patterns and tutorials in my 'Projects to Try' column and will transfer most of these to the new site, also.  I hope you visit me at Mama Lusco Handmade to see what craftiness I'm up to and learn about my shops. 

First giveaway is up and open for comments! Come win a covered planner/notetaker!

My Apologies

I am sorry for whining here lately.  It has been a hard week here and I'm slow to get back into a routine after 2 1/2 weeks of Christmas vacation.  Thankfully, Drew's eye is much improved with the new rx and Mally is finished with her treatment.  NO MORE WHINING, MAMA!

I was able to test another pattern for Whimsy Couture for a cute new bootie patterns that's soon to be released.  This was an easy, quick project - only 1 hour!  So cute for the little people in your life; I just wish they were in my size :)  Mallory refuses to try them on, but I hope they fit!

 

What's On Your List?

I just found the Long Thread's Top Tutorials of 2009. They've included links to many great projects and quite a few that I hadn't seen before. I've included both the Top Tutorials for 2008 and 2009 over in my 'Projects To Try' section. 

Despite my frantic crafting before Christmas, I still have a long To Do List.  For January, I'd like to :
- Make a dress for Josie's birthday
- Make shopping totes for my SILs or try this pattern
- Make covered planners for my SILs
- Piece together the girls' quilt top
- Make new pillow covers for the living room

I have patterns/plans for all of these projects except the pillows. I'd like them to have a modern-country feel. Maybe I'll try some simple appliques... If you have any ideas to share for pillow designs, I'd love to see them! 

Christmas Totes and Bags

It's no surprise that many of my gifts will be given in tote bags this year. I posted last week the tutorials I used - Irene's Classic Tote and Moda Boutique Shopper .  Sew, Mama, Sew is hosting a Fiskars giveaway and bag sew-off, so here is a picture of the totes I made.  The kids gave their teachers the Boutique Shoppers before I took a picture, but I can say they were fabulous! 

This week I finished up some pencil bags and Boxy Zippered Pouches.  I adore the boxy pouches and will definitely make more in the future!  I made the black ones slightly bigger than the tutorial; my fabric pieces were 12" x 8" and I cut off 1 1/2" for the gussets. I also recommend interfacing if using lightweight fabrics.  Feel free to browse my 'Projects to Try' sidebar for more easy gift ideas and feel free to leave me more project suggestions and links in the comments. I love a good tutorial!

We'll be leaving for our Christmas vacation tonight and won't be back until Christmas Eve.  Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and blessed New Year! 

Christmas in the Sticks

We got a big kick out of the Truckers' Light Parade on Saturday night. You know you live in the sticks when the log trucks, tow trucks & pick-up trucks get decorated with hundreds (thousands?) of lights and shut down the highway  for a parade :) We met some friends from church at THE grocery store parking lot to watch the parade. It had warmed up a little - 20's- and stayed dry for the parade. It was really fun and neat to see the trucks lit up. We saw lots of Santas and a few nativity scenes on the trucks. We are loving life in a small town!

 

Other highlights of the weekend were getting to know Drew's buddy, Luke. Luke spent most of Saturday with us, then his family came over for dinner Sat. night after the parade. They are a great family and we hope to get to know them better.   Sunday I got my craft on and made 5 more totes and all of our Christmas goodies. I finished the teacher's gifts of Boutique Shopper Bags and they are darling! I plan to make a few more for myself :)

The kids and Andy decorated Christmas tins while I cooked up some toffee and dipped pretzels & mint Oreos.  Yum!  The kids added wrapping paper designs and customized the tins with the families last names while Andy Mod-podged them on. Pretty cute and very handmade!  We'll be delivering them to Andy's coaching friends at their awards dinner tonight.  Andy also made gift bags for all (52) of his students. Pretty cool that he has so few students that he can give them each a gift. He has a few troubled ones that I'm going to make rolls for as a special gift later this week. I wish I could add a few extra hours in my days this time of year!  I still have gifts to finish before we leave town on Thursday. Wish me luck!

Sew, Mama, Sew Giveaway Day is Here!

I am glad for all the great sewing ideas and resources I've found through Sew, Mama, Sew. As a small thank you, I'm offering your choice of a toddler backpack for SMS Giveaway Day.  These are perfect for a 2,3 or 4 year-old. My 2 1/2 year old thinks she's such a big girl with her backpack! No fussy zippers, just reach through the flap to the treasures inside!

 

One lucky reader will get her choice of either a John Deere or Dora & Diego toddler backpack. To enter, leave a comment about your favorite type of crafting. For an extra entry, leave a link with your favorite free online pattern or tutorial. For a third entry, become a follower of my blog. Leave a separate comment for each entry.  I love finding new freebies and friends online! Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you win. I will check your blog or profile for an email address, but if you don't have it posted, please leave your email address in the comment so I can contact you. Winner will be chosen randomly at 6 pm PST Sunday Dec 6th. International entries are welcome - I appreciate all you international crafty bloggers :)

(Please note these are slightly imperfect. The Dora one has a small discoloration the size of a pencil eraser on the lower front panel from iron schmutz. The John Deere one's straps are a hair off center. They are wonderful backpacks and these are barely noticable. I would not hesitate to give these as gifts- they're still great! Actual backpacks are pictured.)

For more great patterns and ideas, scroll down my blog and see the 'Projects to Try' sidebar. I have dozens of fabulous patterns and tutorials linked there. If you're short on time, please visit my Etsy or Artfire shops to purchase ready to ship gifts.  Thanks for stopping by, Merry Christmas, and good luck!

Birthday Outfit DONE!

I feel like I've procrastinated on Abby's birthday outfit this year. I've been busy making Christmas gifts, but finally got around to making Abby's 7th birthday outfit and it turned out amazingly well! I had ordered a 2-pack of long-sleeved Tshirts with the plan of embroidering one for her outfit. The cupcake design I found online (can't remember where- I found lots!) and the skirt was based off the Sydney skirt tutorial. I wanted a patchwork skirt like this one but didn't want to pay for a pattern, so I made the Syndney top layer out of stipwork pieces. It is fabulously full and twirly. I think Abby will be thrilled! Next I plan to buy some cardstock and make matching cupcake invitations. I think I'll try to cut the cupcakes of fabric and iron them on. We'll see how that goes - I'm a novice with paper!

 

I have enough fabric left to make one more. Who will get one next? I may offer it as a custom order in the shops. I'm still waiting for my first sale. Interested to see what will go first. 

Holiday Sale in Mama Lusco Shops

Take advantage of Cyber Monday deals online. Everything in my shops has been marked down. Visit me at Mama Lusco Handmade on Etsy and Artfire!


I hope you plan to give handmade gifts this year.  I have had a HUGE list of Christmas gifts to make, but thankfully I'm more than half done. Support your local crafters this season by visiting craft bazaars and shows or shop online sites like Etsy or Artfire. Enjoy the personal touch of handmade gifts and superior quality!

I've made my gifts for the Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway day coming on December 2nd. I can't wait to share them with you!

Free Pillowcase Tutorial

Whimsy Couture is sharing her Pillowcase Tutorial for free! It has an envelope-style back, making it easy to wash and change. Get the how-to link here.  I'm planning to make a few for the holidays and now I know how to make the envelope back!

Thanksgiving Turkey Towels

It was a really, really long weekend. I do not like being a single parent for 3 days straight. Andy's team lost on Saturday, so season's finally over. Disappointing, but a relief that it's over until August 2010. The team was delayed getting home because of a snow storm, so they ended up spending Saturday night in Bend before getting home Sunday afternoon. Andy's exhausted and I expect him to come home an nap the next few days. We only have 2 days of school this week, then the boys will be cow elk hunting over the Thanksgiving break. Thankfully, we live in a beautiful county where Andy can hunt from home! No tent camping during elk season or staying in a dirty cabin!

I found this great idea over at Three Pumpkins Little for Turkey Hand Towels. I had picked up some white dish towels yesterday and decided to quick make these to send to my moms for Thanksgiving, since we won't be with them. Before the kids left for school today, I traced their hands. This project took a little longer than I anticipated, but I got it done in time for it to mail out today. I added a band of fabric at the bottom of towels because they were so big and white and plain :) My iron left a little schmutz on one of them - sorry, Mom! Even though we won't be there, my little helpers will be there in spirit.  Hopefully, they arrive on Wednesday. If not, here's the sneak peek.

 

My Favorite Mommy Bag

This was the first handbag pattern I ever used and it remains my favorite. I found this black dot upholstery fabric at Wal-Mart and knew it was destined to become a bag. I paired it with another pretty Wally World red Asian-inspired print and VOILA! The best mommy bag ever.

I decided I needed a case for the diapers and wipes, so I designed this little mini-bag with a wrist strap, zippered pocket and open pocket for baby gear. To top it all off, I made a fabric rose pin with the red lining fabric. I used every scap of fabric to make two matching bags and wristlets- one for me and one for the shop!

Pattern Review: Reversible A-Line Jumper from Whimsy Couture

I was able to be a pattern tester for one of Whimsy Couture's new patterns, a reversible knot jumper/tunic. This pattern is well-written, quick, and easy. Well, it would have been quick except for all the embroidered leaves and flowers I added :) I really like the adjustable knot shoulder ties. They tie in the front and back and are removable so you could have different colored sets if you want to change it up. The double-layer makes it perfect for the cooler months. I think the colors are perfect for fall and this would be darling over a long-sleeved shirt and jeans or leggings. I hope I get to test more patterns!

Unfortunately, Abby doesn't care for the colors, so it's in the Etsy shop.

Scrappy Pillows

Mama Caffee over at The Handmade Dress is hosting a little scrappy, creative challenge. She made these cute bags while sitting with her kids. I need to spend more time with the kiddos instead of at my sewing machine, so I dug through my scrap bins and came up with these little pretties.

I have had this adorable denim in my stash for quite awhile. I love the satin ribbon on it. I found two pillows that were in the extra bedding box and measured them, adding 1-2" for seams, and cut the front and back panels of denim.

The shabby trees and stars were inspired by Lollychops recent scrappy projects. I found coordinating reds and yellows, stacked about 8 layers of fabric, then cut out the shapes. After scrunching them up, I pinned them in place and stitched up the middle. They will get more shabby with time since the edges are unfinished.

To finish the pillows, I stitched JOY on the small one and PEACE on the large one in red floss. You have to zoom in to really see the stitching, but I'm pleased with it. I'm a total novice at hand embroidery, but just stitched away! Voila! In the time it took to watch a movie with the kids, I made two adorable holiday pillows.

 

If you love them, the JOY pillow is for sale in my Etsy shop :)

Etsy, Artfire Shops Are Open!

Time to start funding my crafting habit. The shops are open!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/mamalusco

http://www.artfire.com/users/MamaLusco

Adorable Twirly-T Tutu Skirt

I found this awesome tutorial from Treasures for Tots to make a twirly tutu skirt using knit fabric for the underskirt. This was my first time making a knit waistband and I really like the result. I think it will be very comfy for Mallory to wear.

I wish I had a fabric store closer than 2 1/2 hours away! On second thought, it's good to use up my stash...My knit options were pretty limited, but I found this black & bright colored stripey one that matched the pink tulle. Since I only have tulle by the yard in my stash, I trimmed 20" by 2 yards long and folded it over in half, making a long piece of double layered tulle 10" x 2 yards. This way I didn't have to trim any off the bottom at the end and I was frugal with my tulle stash. I tweeked the waistband because I didn't read the directions :)  I hemmed both long ends then folded over the top of the skirt and sewed it all together. It turned out really nice! I can't wait until she's feeling better so she can model.

Meet Jan

I finally received my new Janome sewing machine on Thursday. Yay! As I was getting to know her, I decided to call her Jan. I've never named a machine before, but it stuck in my head so I'm calling it Jan. Maybe the craziness of spending all day with a 2 year old is catching up with me!

Here are a few pictures of my cluttered sewing table. This was a Mother's Day gift from Andy and Drew. It has and extension the length of the back that flips up and my cutting board fits on top. The middle section lifts up and locks when I'm sewing. Really ingenious of Andy to put this together out of hardware from Habitat and a Goodwill desk. The whole setup cost $18. Drew helped sand the extension table. Pretty cool even if it's cluttered right now.