A terrible toddler morning

Life is tough when you're two years old, have a cold and are having a bad day. (Life is also difficult if you are said child's mother). Here is what Loo got in trouble for this morning.

I shower with the door open while Beri naps in the morning, so you know, I can hear if either of my children start crying and need my attention, my weekday showers probably last a whole five minutes and involve lots of poking my head out the curtain listening. Today I heard Loo run down the hall and close the bathroom door. I was a little worried, now I couldn't hear. Beri was sleeping so I thought if I just went really quick it would be okay. Thirty seconds later Loo is pounding on the door he shut, upset that he can't get it. Once he managed to open it I told him to sit on the bathroom floor while I finished showering. No sooner did I poke my head back into the shower than I heard little feet running out of the room and slamming the bathroom door again. Once I was dressed I found Loo in the living room and as soon as he saw me he asked.
"Mom are you happy?"
"No, I'm not."
"Mom are you happy now?"
"No, Loo are you happy?"
"Yes, Mom are you happy?"
At which point I can barely help but smile as he looks up at me, "Yes Loo, now I am happy."

A half hour later Beri wakes up from her nap and is standing in her crib waiting to be rescued. Loo and I enter her room and Loo decides to grab her crib rails and start shaking the crib. This time he got a time out so while I changed Beri's diaper he sat on her floor crying and telling me he was sad. As soon as she was changed I extended my hand to Loo to help him stand up and asked him to apologize for shaking Beri's crib. He did and then as Beri swiped her chubby baby hand at him he said.
"Mom, she's trying to get my t---s."
He was wearing his new tool belt so I repeated, "She's trying to get your tools?"
To which he pointed to his face and responded, "No mom, she's trying to get my tears!"

(Oh Loo, it is so difficult to be angry with you when you're so freakin' adorable)

And somewhere in between these two incidents he managed to colour all over our television with blue crayon. The good news is that a little Windex was able to clear that up, maybe we will have to wall mount our TV after all. (I know, I know, more attentive parenting could also prevent such things, but c'mon I'm not the only one this has happened to right?)

Now he's supposed to be napping, I can hear him through the monitor calling my name and saying his pants are falling down, I'm almost afraid to go in...

Tool belt tutorial

After blogging for a few weeks there was something bugging me, I wanted to do a tutorial. I felt like I needed to make a tutorial. The inner school nerd in me was coming out and I just had to try it.

A couple weeks ago Loo made me do this:

Walk around the house with all his tools in my pocket. It went on and on, he would get mad every time I tried to take them out, like for instance that one time I tried to sit down and couldn't with a saw in my pocket.

Then a few days later after he helped me make (Loo speak for baking) he started shoving all his tools into the pocket of his Star Wars apron. It was thus decided. I would make him a tool belt. Then I had an idea, how about I design it myself and then make a tutorial??? So I did. I resisted the urge to Google "toddler tool belt tutorial". Instead I thought about it for a couple days, examined Loo's apron and tools and designed made up my own. I'm warning you, there are probably hundreds of tool belt how-to's out there. They're probably better than mine and the steps might make more sense, their photographs nicer etcetera etecetera,  but this is how a tool belt was made here on Crafty Ave....

Want to try?

If not you can just scroll to the bottom to see Loo attack me with a hammer.

If you do want to try, get your materials ready. You could substitute these fabrics for different types but here's what I used.

• 2 pieces of denim 11.5" x 7"
• 1 piece of cotton for the pocket 11.5" x 6"
• 1 piece of green flannel for the hammer strap 6.5" x 2"
• 2 pieces of denim for the straps 18" x 2"

Start with the 6.5" x 2" piece. This will be the hammer loop. Iron it in half lengthwise with the right sides facing in.

Sew along the edge.

Turn inside out. Iron. Top stitch a line along each side (lengthwise again). Leave the ends raw, they will be hidden later.

Now set that aside and get out your pocket piece. In my case it was the striped cotton. Fold the fabric lengthwise 1/4 inch and iron. Then fold it 1/4 inch and iron again.

Sew two lines across the top of this fabric. This will be the top of the pocket. I guess you could use a double needle but I don't really know what that is and wouldn't have a clue how to use it. I did two single stitch lines.

Next place one of the 11.5" x 7" pieces of fabric right side up. Place the pocket piece on top. Place the hammer loop on top of that, raw edges matching the edge of the other fabric, loop in.

Place the second 11.5" x 7" piece right side down and pin along all edges. Ensure the raw ends of the hammer loop are sticking out a bit to make sure they get sewn though. When sewing leave  2 1/2 inch space on at the bottom so we can turn it right side out (double pin to remind yourself where to stop sewing).

Once sewn, clip the four corners.

Now flip it right side out and briefly admire before setting it aside to start working on the straps. Iron them both in half right sides in. Then sew along the edge to make a long tube.

Next is to flip these little sweetie's right side out. Grit your teeth, watch some TV and work on this for awhile. Remember how you once saw one of those gadgets made for tasks like this and wish you had one, or if you're smart, unlike me and do have one, use it!

Once this step is done iron the straps flat.

Then pin one edge over, like this.

Top stitch the strap starting at the end without the pin along the length, then over the short edge (where you've pinned) and back down the other length. Don't worry about the short edge that's not pinned. We'll deal with it in the next step.

Fold the unfinished short end under and pin the strap to the top backside of the tool belt. I chose to switch from contrasting green thread to blue to match the denim for this step.

Sew a square box with an X in the middle to secure the strap. This should make it really secure so that when your little man or lady whips it around his or her head like a maniac it doesn't go flying. (This hasn't happened yet in my house, but I'm sure it will)

Repeat on the other side with the other strap.

Now iron the tool pouch. Fold the open edges on the bottom in (the opening we used to turn it right side out). Iron and pin these edges so that they stay inside.

Now top stitch around the entire rectangle of the pouch. You will sew over the straps again in this step.

We're almost done!

Now to make some pockets. You could get fancy here and measure the length of the pouch divide by 2 if you want 3 pockets, 3 if you want four etc. Then you would draw a line with a water-soluble fabric pen at each of these measurements and sew lines to make your pockets. Because I was using a striped fabric I decided to just eyeball it and choose 3 different lines to follow to make my pockets.

The next step is to help reinforce the pockets. Position your sewing machine perpendicular to the lines you've just sewn. Line up the with one of the 2 lines of stitching at the top of the pocket.

Sew a couple stitches here to prevent those pockets from ripping down the seams when your toddler gets a hold of them.

Clip your loose threads & smile! You have now made a toddler tool belt Crafty Ave style.

Hurray!

All that's left to do is to fill it with tools and tie it around your little one's waist.

Handing Loo a hammer and then trying to take his picture?

Didn't take long..

...before he started hammering the flash down and laughing hysterically!

Thanks for indulging me and my need to try a tutorial!

Knitting

I wish I could say I was quittin' knittin' cause I love the way it sounds (Corner Gas, anyone?), but the truth is I quit a long time ago. Not that I don't like knit things. I love knit things. I love when our neighbour knits Loo a sweater.

I LOVE the blanket my mom and grandma knit years and years ago, holes and all I love it. I may have even asked Mr. Crafty Ave to try to arrange to have me buried with it when the time comes.

Then there's my knitting story. The blanket my mom and I started when I was a teenager that will never be finished.

The time during University that I had to get my house mate to lock one of my knitting needles in a bathroom drawer so that I would stop my knitting obsession and study for exams. I guess that points out two of my many flaws, impatience and lack of self control. I'm sure I was begging for the needle hours after it was put in lock down*. I think that's why I quit knitting, I need projects I can finish in a day, an evening or a nap.

Luckily Margot hasn't quit and she recently knit Loo a little scarflette ( I love that word!). It's so cute and although he was quite resistant during our photo shoot he loves to wear it outside when we go for walks. And while we're talking scarflette's you should stop by Newfoundlander at Heart to see the scarflette Margot knitted from hand spun & died wool from Newfoundland. I might have to get me one because (a) it's gorgeous and (b) then I can say scarflette a bunch more times.

We've had a weekend full of visiting, cooking and sewing, Lots to share later this week. Today, I'm relaxing during nap time after I shed a few quick tears over that adorable baby hair of Loo's we got cut last fall.

* Ha. That sounds funny out of context.

Singing with Loo

You are my sunshine
my only sunshine
you make me happy
when skies are grey
you are a reindeer
I'll always love you
please don't take my sunshine awaaaayyyyyy!

Battle with horizontal stripes

So I wanted to do these pieced t-shirt pants.

Then I was given this shirt and it seemed like it was meant to be.

The hard part was already done, exposed edges and all, just cut it up and make pants right?

Ha. That's what I get for "cheating". I suppose closing your eyes and placing the pattern on the shirt and then willing the stripes to match up isn't the best approach. They lined up on one leg and not on the other. 



 
I'm not super happy with them, but they're another comfy pair of kid pants for boy month. With everything I've made for Loo this month I've made lots of mistakes learned new skills. I never claimed to be good at any of this, I just enjoy it.


And yes, the yellow shirt is my second attempt at the 90 minute shirt, I'll show you a better picture if I ever get it ironed, thanks for noticing.

Chick Pea Chocolate Chip Cookies

Don't let the title scare you. These are really good! They are by far my favourite chocolate chip cookies. I got Jessica Seinfeld's (yes that Seinfeld) cookbook Deceptively Delicious a few years ago for Christmas. Before I had any kids. I just liked the idea of putting veggie purees in foods (I'm not a big veggie eater, I was a "vegetarian" for a few years in high school but people who know me will tell you that just meant I pretty much survived on pasta...) It wasn't until fairly recently when I was making baby food myself and realized I now had purees on hand that I started trying the recipes.

Back to the cookies, this recipe is one of the few in the book that doesn't need a puree. 

First step, put on your Star Wars apron and open up your cookbook*  (Also pull up a chair if you're 2.5 feet tall)

Get out your secret ingredient:

Then mix ingredients according to the recipe and bake. Easy peasy and totally delicious.

Feed them to your friends and get them to try to guess the secret ingredient.

Enjoy the fact that your cookies are now healthy and use that as an excuse to have one more than you normally would...

Oh look I see one, those chick peas are in there, but I sure can't taste them.

You really should try this recipe. Since we tested it last August we always make sure to have chick peas and chocolate chips in the pantry.

* If you don't have the book, you could get it, borrow it, google the recipe (I tried and yes you can find it out there) or get a friend to email you the recipe. I personally think the book is worth it and it's full of good recipes, I'll show you more of the ones we've tried soon.

Meet Hank

When I saw this Tissue Monster in a Celebrate the Boy round up, I had to make one. Our house has yet another cold. I wait and wait until everyones healthy, then the cabin fever starts to set in, I take Loo and Beri to a play group and it never fails, we get sick AGAIN!

This Tissue Monster was exactly what Loo needed. Last night I was actually seriously considering sewing a handkerchief or a big fuzzy nose wipe pad onto his sleeve. I know how gross that sounds, but I'm sure I'm not the only mom to consider it.

Hank is much cuter don't you think?

In a bit of a scary (kinda looks like a flying fish, shoulda tried harder but we have the sniffly sleeve now) kinda way.

Maybe he will stop this from happening...

I won't need to worry about guests accidentally inhaling crayons when they need a Kleenex. Hank's a bit bigger than your average Tissue Monster, we don't buy travel packs around here so he fits full size Kleenex's. Loo and Hank seem to be getting along well so far, this was their conversation when they first met.

Loo (as Hank): "You sick? You not feeling well? I'll give you a Kleenex."

Hanks good like that, we like him.

And this little piggy was lunch

This is what I found waiting for me the other day in Loo's room.

A big wonky

Someone just brought it to my attention that I made a typo in my previous post.

It made me laugh, a lot which made Beri laugh a lot too.

To clarify, the shirt neck was a bit wonky, not "a big wonky."

Oh the limits of good old spellcheck, computer you won that round!

90 minute shirt

Now that I've mastered managed to make some pants I decided to finally give Dana's 90 minute shirt a go. I should have timed myself... it took more than 90 minutes but then she warned it would the first time. And had I not got overzealous and tried to piece it together myself when I left the computer upstairs I wouldn't have had to waste so much time stitch ripping.

It's nice and comfy. The neck got a big wonky--I think because the waffle knit was so stretchy.

I suppose that just means I'll have to try this again soon.

 

I have a few ideas and can't quite decide what to do next.... but I just made a sewing date for tonight so I'll have more to share soon.

I know what I "should" be making. We went out for dinner last night and both myself and Mr. Crafty Ave are sick of running back and forth with Loo to the washroom carrying a potty seat. We both agree it needs a more discreet (and machine washable) method of transportation...  (it is entertaining though when your two year old calls out a play by play of all the goings on in public washrooms.  "she's peeing? oh now she's washing her hands?" )

New York hoodie

What were you up to this weekend?

  

 After sewing up another Lil' Blue Boo hoodie, we spent the weekend singing.... 

Too bad we only know the words to (part of) the chorus, but hey you can get away with a lot when your target audience is 2 years old.

This time I added the kangaroo pocket and Loo likes to keep things in there...

(Note to self: check pockets before doing his laundry!)

I think it goes well with his fancy pants.

I'm not sure he likes the shirt or that we encourage him to scream "New York" while wearing it...

Fancy pants

Yesterday I spent a few hours sewing and here's what I came up with......

Made from the following: 

Mr. Crafty Ave's old dress shirt & Grandpa's old golf shirt.

Those are some  stylin' fancy pants for zero dollars!

I was even able to salvage the shirt pocket and it turned into Loo's front pocket, I meant it to be on the back but cut the pattern wrong, but hey it's easier to use a front pocket when you're two anyways...

I'm starting to think Loo might have a whole new wardrobe by the end of the month.... and I'm starting to have dreams about all the old t-shirts and other clothes I wish I never got rid of...

Have a great Sunday!

Maybe the best part

I just had a good day. A real good day. Mr. Crafty Ave took care of the kiddos this afternoon while I sewed some clothes for my boy, then we were off to my parents for a nice Family Day dinner. Man though, by the end of the night everyone was tired. I broke my parents baby/dog gate, my brothers dog drank my tea, it was 3 hours past Beri's bed time and 2 hours past Loo's. Right before we left Mr. Crafty Ave declared to everyone that his nerves were shot, and I didn't get to finish my replacement cup of tea.

We finally arrived home (past my bed time at this point) and both kids were asleep. I went to bring Loo into the house because I seem to be the one who can carry him without waking him up. Just when I thought my day had come to an end this happened.

Loo woke up and said, "Tweet, tweet, I want my momma bird." So I picked him up and cuddled him close as we climbed the porch stairs. Then instead of going in we stopped and looked at the stars. He found the moon "There's the moon, it was hiding behind the trees". Next he took his suckie (pacifier, binky, whatever) out and blew out into the cold air "Look, I'm making steamies" and so we both watched our breath in the cold night air. Then a minute later he said, "No, there's no other birds, they're sleeping". So we came inside and as I took off his coat and boots I told him that may have just been the best part of my day.

Crazy pants

I was so excited when one of the first items for Celebrate the Boy was pants. Yes, pants intimidate me, I have a few books with pants patterns that I like to admire then quickly turn the page (I'm also afraid of zippers & buttons). I looked through the tutorial and decided this is the month to take action. I used some red fabric I got last week for $3 a meter. Some people in our house have said the fabric's a bit busy, and thus they've been named Loo's crazy pants.

Not sure who's crazier the boy or the pants...

What's even better is that the next lesson was how to line pants. No sooner did I finish the crazy pants then I was ripping out hems to line them with material from an old brown t-shirt. Perfect since I'd been a little annoyed that his great cotton crazy pants would be too chilly for Canadian winter and only be worn as pyjamas.

Even better than that. (Oh yes it just kept getting better for me and my pants last night) is that they're now reversible. One side crazy, one side brown with some crazy details. I love 'em. Wish I was two! Loo loves them & now Mr. Crafty Ave is after me to make him pants... hmmm does he count for Celebrate the Boy??

And yes if you're counting (and I usually am) that makes these 2 in 1 pants work out to less than $3!

I'm so exciting!

No. No I'm not, but I am excited.

(Loo's says he's exciting whenever he's happy and it's catching on....)

Remember this? Helping Little Hands showed it on her blog today and it kinda made my day!

Conversations with a two year old

Me:   What else do we need for groceries?
Loo:  Chocolate soup.

(huh, that would either be really bad or really good....)
____

Me:   You are a cranky little man today.
Loo:  No, I'm not a man.

___

Loo: I just fell down. I just hurt myself. Mom, don't say be careful!

___

Me:    Loo do you want to paint?
Loo:   Yah
Me:    Ok
Loo:   I'm so exciting!!!

_____

Loo: Mom, you cleaning up? You're a good boy. Good job!

_____

Loo: I'm just upset. I want to cry.

____

A bag for E

I've had this project on my to-do list for over a year. It's a free bag pattern from the Martha Stewart website (find it here). It's simple & reversible and easy to do in an evening. I chose to applique an E onto the bag before I started sewing.

No I didn't majorly screw this up, one handle is supposed to be shorter....

so you can do this:

I think it turned out well, and might try it again, maybe with a inner pocket... It is reversible but the plain brown looks pretty blah...

 I also think I'm going to have to start ironing projects before taking pictures.

I hope E likes it!