Superheroes in the House!

My dad surprised me with a new sewing machine for my birthday this year. It is quite the upgrade from my old one (even before it was submerged)! I wanted to dive in and "get to know" my new friend and all her pretty features, but I also wanted to start with something simple. An old friend of mine from PMO suggested some superhero capes for the boys. The tutorial can be found at thelongthread.com, along with tons of other fabulous projects. Best part, is it only took a couple hours after the boys went to bed last night!

• To make two capes, I used two yards of blue fabric for the lining and two yards of red fabric for the top of the cape. I used about 1/4-yard of yellow fabric for the design on the back of the cape (I printed out shapes to use as patterns... my free-hand stars are not exactly ever symmetrical!)

• Once I measured and sketched out the shape of the cape on one piece of fabric, I used it as a pattern on the rest. (I think I'm going to invest in tissue paper to use for patterns nest time, so I don't have to measure and sketch if I decide to make them again.)
• Evan wanted a star and Zachary chose a lightning bolt for his cape, so the next step was to cut out the designs and applique them to the top of the cape.


• I used fusible webbing to attach the design approximately 12 inches from the top of the cape. I then outlined the applique with a simple zig-zag stitch.

• With the right side of the fabric facing me, I sewed Velcro onto RIGHT side collar of the top piece, and the RIGHT side of the lining piece. Once the cape is assembled, they will match up.
• With the right sides of the fabric facing each other, I sewed the lining and the top together except for the collar, as seen in the diagram below.

• I then trimmed the edges of excess fabric and turned the cape right-side out. I sewed up the rest of the collar using one of the fun, decorative stitches on my machine.

This morning, the boys got to try their hero capes for the first time. They were lots of fun!

Meet SUPER BOLT!!
(Yes, he picked the name himself...)
The bolt apparently makes him go "super fast".
And here is "Batman Star-Bolt"
(He too, picked his own name... HA!)
Up, up and AWAY!!

Blue's Clues

Zachary and Evan found a couple of notebooks, grabbed some green crayons, and pretended they were "Steve" looking for Blue's clues this morning. Kali was playing the part of Blue, of course. It was hilarious how seriously they were taking their game!!

My Best Friend

Just put the boys down for a nap, and I'm waiting with dread for the dryer to buzz. Awww, maaaan... when it buzzes, I'm going to have to get up out of this chair, go downstairs into the cold basement and do some actual work... on a SATURDAY.


I'm reminded of how lucky I am on this Saturday. Since the beginning of October, Marcus has been working not only as an associate director at Butler in Indy, but also nights and weekends at a store in Lafayette. Most weekdays he gets home around 11:45 p.m., only to turn around and get up at 5:30 a.m. the next morning.


We took a huge risk a year and a half ago with Marcus going out "on his own" to practice law. We knew it was a risk, and unfortunately, it just didn't pan out for us. Since then, we have been working hard to get our family's financial health back into shape. With law school loans coming due, that meant we need to become a three-income family for a while.


Would this have ever seemed like even a remote possibility to us when Marcus got his law degree? Absolutely not. He pursued the degree to not only satisfy his need for challenge, but to create a secure future for his family. However, this is where we are now, and are doing everything we can to make the best of it.


After hearing that Marcus was working two jobs, someone I know said, "that must be humbling." You know... it is. I am humbled and grateful that my best friend will do anything to support me and our family. He will sacrifice sleep, hobbies and free time so that we can make good on our financial responsibilities. He sacrifices his time with his boys so that they have everything they need.


It hasn't been easy, especially for Marcus... but if this current situation has taught me anything... it's with the loving support of our friends and family and Marcus' strength and determination, we can make it through all of this, and be better for it!


Thank you, Sweetheart, for everything that you continue to do for your family. I am more proud of you than I can say. You are more than I could have imagined or hoped for in a best friend. I'll keep trying to deserve it!