Other Projects

A Wrap-Up on 2019 Christmas, a Little Late

Maximus has a solar system project due this month and he asked me to help. I honestly tried not to do too much. And I hope he doesn’t get in trouble for all the Easter Eggs I put in; most of them are real.

My therapist suggested that I get a weighted blanket. But have you seen how much they cost?! I could make one for half the price. Or I could go through my nearly endless craft and sewing boxes and dig up this “upcycled” denim quilt that I’d been working on for eight years, grab a few fleece blankets, and make a weighted blanket for a few bucks. This one is probably about five pounds, and it’s great for the Littles and for chilly nights. I knew that Nick was really sick when he grabbed it almost off my machine and stayed snuggled under it for a week. I’m planning a larger, heavier one for later this year.

This past Advent Season with three toddlers: candles are one of the biggest hazards we could get (scissors are probably the number one), so I had to get really creative for 2019’s Advent season. Nick drilled some holes into a two-by-four and I sewed and glued the felt candles in. Octavius has destroyed it once already, and the wood makes it great to throw. But it’s easy to fix, and the older kids look forward to taking the shroud off the next candle each week.

I’m finishing up and wrapping gifts for teachers and friends. Both of these are freebies from Patterns for Pirates. I love freebies. Maximus picked out the fabrics for the heart pouch, and while I don’t think I will ever willingly sew with velvet again (until I need another dress), it did come out gorgeous.

Then there was another stuffie surgery. It was an outpatient one this time, only requiring a few stitches and minimal recovery time. We take our stuffies very seriously, and I think that helps the kids develop a sense of compassion as well as learning what is needed for various injuries. Both very important things.