Spring 2012 Project update

Project update... the latest one.

Warning: This page contains an image that some might find disturbing, disgusting, etc (read: dead gopher)... If this is you, do not read this post.
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Home Improvement

Organizing

I got together with my mother to hash out the details of what needs to be fixed and when and put together a Home Improvement Binder (courtesy of Tip Junkie). We prioritized so that we would not be butting heads about what needed to be done and in what order.

Forever more with the Weeds!

Our friends, the M's, were gracious enough to help us do a huge amount of yard work prior to my Elegant Day with Mum Afternoon Tea. Without them, our yard would still be a disaster!

Momma kitty and Boots

Cats, rats, and other varmints

The momma kitty finally decided to move her 3 kittens elsewhere rather than reside on our back porch. That just happens to be next door, but better there than here.
There still seems to be a profuse amount of rat droppings in the garage. Hopefully, the traps we set will work soon...

Ick! Need I say more?

So this gopher decided to turn up on our driveway. I sent B-chan a picture thinking that it would still be on the drive way when he got home. Alas, when I returned after an errand it had disappeared. Good riddance! I would rather not deal with another gopher ordeal.

Sewing

Before

 My sewing desk has once again emerged from the mess to be joyfully employed in quite a few projects. I was finally able to clean off the mess, donate some stuff, and for the first time (in a long time) open the table to sew! I made bags as favors for my Afternoon Tea event. Not bad at $1.12 per bag!

After

I am slowly going to make progress on digging out some of the older projects I have. Many are mending projects, like the overnight bag I made with cheap handles that couldn't bear the weight of what I carried.
Also, I found inexpensive handles at Daiso, so I will try to use some of my home decorating material for that. My yukata will have to wait because I want to make a jinbei (boy's yukata) for Monkey Z by Expo.

Homemaking Binder and Wipes

Currently, I am mid project for the M's. Momma M gave me some old receiving blankets to make wipes. Yeah, re-purposing!
Lastly, my sis-in-law is expecting in June, so I want to make the effort on something handmade for her and Baby Yeh #2.

Photography/Video

Since I have the blog, I take pictures of the things I do, so that I can write about them. Also, I am trying to take pictures of Monkey Z so that I can document his milestones. He can sit, crawl, stand, walk with help, cruise, and is beginning to feed himself. We are scheduled to attend the Huntington's Free Day for the month of May *does victory dance*, so I will be breaking out the DSLR for that.
The wedding Video will still have to wait. Soon, though...

Monkey Z

We are neck deep in sleep training. It is getting better though. I purchased cloth diapers specifically for night time. They seem to be helping because we don't have to endure him crying because his diaper is soaked. He still wakes up and cries, but is capable of going back to sleep on his own in a shorter amount of time. I will finally get my 2011 Christmas present when he can sleep all the way through. Any day now... Please?!

Project Updates

So... Updates on projects

• Home Improvement- We have had the electrical updated which includes new recessed lighting with dimmers. Also, we have had proper heating installed. Thank you Fujitsu and Anaheim Heating & Air Conditioning. The bathroom sink has been updated, as well as, the shower faucet and toilet thanks to One Way Rooter. The floors were replaced prior to move-in, with the exception of the kitchen courtesy of Empire Today. Currently, the house is being painted, and next are the windows.



White Speedylock 1600, Image courtesy of TriCounty Sewing Center

• Sewing- I now own 3 vintage Singers, a student model Singer, a craft model Singer, and a White Serger. The serger is relatively easy to use once you understand threading, but I don't think I understand tension quite yet. As for the craft model Singer, I think I broke it trying to sew my diaper pail liners. I think 4 layers of PUL was a little too much for it to handle. My Singer 403 is in the desk I bought for it, and my 401 is currently waiting for a tune up. I luckily found someone who will do it for $30 and knows what he's doing. at Palsco Liquidators (link to map) *see note below. Lastly, the bane of my existence, the Touch and Sew, sits somewhere wrapped and awaiting its next victim. I refuse to use it, so it is collecting dust and taking up space. Speaking of vintage, I also bought myself a vintage dress form so that I could fit clothes to my figure. That is currently on hold, as I lost my sewing room to the child.
• Photo/video- The video is still on hold. I have many projects that I have started and not finished. It seems that life keeps getting more and more complicated. I would like to stay at home with the child so that I can do my hobbies, but it seems that I am constantly under water with cleaning and organizing. I never have quite recovered from moving to this house as most of our belongings reside in the garage. At the very least my camera equipment stays in the house.
• The Child: Monkey Z- This is my newest, most time-consuming, and most permanent project. He graced us with his presence in the middle of 2011 and keeps me occupied so that I am tired rather than bored. I think I don't mind, and I will enjoy what our relationship will bring. Currently, I love getting him to laugh.

Note: Palsco is great if you are looking for a used sewing machine. The man who owns the place has been working with sewing machines for many years, and it is a multi-generational facility. In addition, if you buy a machine from him, he will do tune ups for $30, whereas most other places will charge at least $50 or $60 for the same service. Be aware that if you are sensitive to cigarette smoke, you might want to buy from him at his ebay store because everyone there who is old enough to smoke does such that you can smell it before you enter the door. Just make sure to communicate that you are located close and would like to take advantage of his offer for tune ups.

There is another update here.