I started a new blog about Hawaii. Im not completely compartmentalizing my life but I am admitting that it will be too hard and too cluttered to talk about the shirt Im sewing, what Ikaika ate for breakfast AND the park I went to/the food I ate at lunch all in the same forum. Yikes. It makes me dizzy just reading that sentence.
http://explorebigisland.blogspot.com
Hopefully that is going to provide some kind of organization to this chaos. Please bookmark!
31.8.09
Modern Aloha: The 1 year lu'au matching aloha shirts
The story of Mr A wanting matching aloha shirts for Ikaikas first birthday party continues. I have been cutting and sewing during naps and thus far have cut the pieces for both and somewhat assembled the adult shirt.
I finally learned how to use the easy-as-pie buttonhole function on my sewing machine. Unfortunately, I cant find any buttons that I like (theres one more place in town left to check or else Im going to have to order some online) and Im getting nervous about the upcoming hems.
Critiques - the chest pocket came out with strange dimensions. I think its too small. I followed the pattern, but it seems like making the "facing" just made it all goofy. I must have misunderstood Simplicity's clear-as-day instructions.
Arrg! This really bothers me. The seam where the neck of the shirt, the collar and the facing meet is all wonky! Its stuff like this that really jabbers my jowls. I see this and I think "maybe I should have just bought some damn shirts on sale so my family doesnt walk around looking like someone threw their clothes together in the dark. Would have cost just as much and saved me hours of my precious time, which I could use to tweet about the Project Runway website."
Im getting flashbacks to "Twin Tolo 1998: A Pajamin' Night" where I tried to make matching pajama pants, ended up with something insane and having to buy pants at the last minute. God bless whoever was going with me because Im fairly sure he offered to wear them regardless but I couldnt have those monstrosities seen in public (besides, Im fairly sure that they wouldnt even stay up around the waist). How hard is it to make PJ pants? With a pattern?!
I think back to my junior year of high school when I so desperately wanted to sew my own clothes. I had zero direction, an antique sewing machine and basically no clue what I was doing (except for some minor sewing skills acquired in Campfire Girls). I should be really proud of myself for putting this shirt together. Hell, that fact that it even fits onto a human body is clearly a marked improvement from where I was.
I shouldnt get so caught up in the little details that no one (especially not my husband nor my son) will ever notice.
28.8.09
I WANT MY SHAKLEE SOY PROTEIN!!!
There is no happiness in the morning until everyone gets their protein supplement.And if you think he looks grumpy, you should see his dad!
Change is Tough
Oh man, changing the blog is such a ...thing! I didnt even like the old format, per say, but its just weird seeing it different. I feel like one of those ladies on What Not To Wear who completely freak out about a haircut that looks perfectly normal. Im going to leave this template on for awhile and see if it grows on me.
27.8.09
The Revival of my Sewing Machine
Its been a loooong time since the ole Viking has seen the light of day.
My credit cards and license have been flying around since a tube of lip gloss exploded inside my former wallet so I thought it was time to make a replacement.
This beautiful fabric was formerly a halter top (never gonna wear THAT) from Noa Noa, a company that makes beautiful batik print island-wear. The hot pink thread compliments the colors and really pops. I need to make the zig zag stitches tighter, more of a satin stitch.
The inside got a little crazy. Next time Im going to stick with a dark overall color instead of this insane bee print.
Overall, my cards are cozy, theres a place for bills (god willing I have some) and I now have a wallet that matches one of my favorite skirts!
My credit cards and license have been flying around since a tube of lip gloss exploded inside my former wallet so I thought it was time to make a replacement.
This beautiful fabric was formerly a halter top (never gonna wear THAT) from Noa Noa, a company that makes beautiful batik print island-wear. The hot pink thread compliments the colors and really pops. I need to make the zig zag stitches tighter, more of a satin stitch.
The inside got a little crazy. Next time Im going to stick with a dark overall color instead of this insane bee print.
Overall, my cards are cozy, theres a place for bills (god willing I have some) and I now have a wallet that matches one of my favorite skirts!
26.8.09
Making some decisions about renovating the blog...
Its time for change.
Im launching my online store for refashioned/recycled childrens clothes, Keiki On Board, in the next two months. I am linking a blog to the store.
Sooo....
do I leave The Arrayan Baby Blog as it is and continue using it as the baby/living in Hawaii update place and create a new, more crafting-centric blog for Keiki on Board
OR
do I change the format (and URL) of TABB and make it more of a "my life" kind of blog, crafting included, and link that to the store?
Jodie keeps great blog that is linked to her business and she says it best when she says
I dont know if I have what it takes to maintain two blogs simultaneously. Besides, how can I talk about my crafts if I dont talk about my family and how can I write about my family without writing about Hawaii? Its all too connected to compartmentalize into separate blogs. My designs are inspired by my family, where I live, and the things I do. If I am linking a blog to my store shouldnt that blog give people a peek into my creative process?
What do you think?
Im launching my online store for refashioned/recycled childrens clothes, Keiki On Board, in the next two months. I am linking a blog to the store.
Sooo....
do I leave The Arrayan Baby Blog as it is and continue using it as the baby/living in Hawaii update place and create a new, more crafting-centric blog for Keiki on Board
OR
do I change the format (and URL) of TABB and make it more of a "my life" kind of blog, crafting included, and link that to the store?
Jodie keeps great blog that is linked to her business and she says it best when she says
"My name is Jodie and I am a blogger... I am also a photographer. Oh, and a mom... This blog is not about that, but then it is, and sometimes it isn't. This blog is my life. My kids, my work, my struggles, my joys. My professional blog that is totally personal. And I love it."
I dont know if I have what it takes to maintain two blogs simultaneously. Besides, how can I talk about my crafts if I dont talk about my family and how can I write about my family without writing about Hawaii? Its all too connected to compartmentalize into separate blogs. My designs are inspired by my family, where I live, and the things I do. If I am linking a blog to my store shouldnt that blog give people a peek into my creative process?
What do you think?
25.8.09
Crazy Outfits for a Crazy Climate
My college roommate recently sent me some outfits for Lil Mr A.
For starters, when I took these pictures I didnt realize that the buttons go in the front (please, dont ask what I was thinking) so his clothes are on backwards. I can no longer make fun of my mother for making the exact same mistake.
This outfit brings up two very important issues: fashion in Hawaii and properly dressing for weather in Waimea.
Unlike O'ahu, Big Island is not what I (or anyone else) would consider "fashion forward". Sure, there is the occasional Fendi bag or Jimmy Choo sandal, but the vast majority of people here could give a shit about who they are wearing. Here, its all about comfort. Most folks just throw on some flip flops, shorts & a t-shirt and call it a day. Although there is an inordinate amount of label worship for mainstream board riding companies like Roxy, Quicksilver and Billabong; people going any further into fashion are more likely to be tourists. The Big Island is like a big college campus.
...which is why this outfit works here. Its a little quirky, a little loud, and a little dated. Its like a full-body Aloha shirt. If not from Hawaii, this child would be from that weird, hippy family. Or possibly SE Portland.
The second reason this outfit is perfect for Ikaika is because its the perfect outfit for weather in Waimea. Most people would assume that because I live in Hawaii I am baking in the 80 degrees and balmy breeze 325 days out of the year. Places like that exist, but require 15 minutes in the car. Waimea/Kamuela is a mountain ranching town and, as such, experiences all kinds of weather. A typical day in Waimea will be 75 and sunny in the morning and 65 and drizzly in the evening. Im pretty attached to the idea of layering and sweatpants so I prefer living in Waimea and playing in a more "Hawaiian" climate.
Because forecasting is a crap shoot, this roomy, full body outfit made of light cotton fabric is PERFECT! Its cool enough so the warm moments arent stifling and yet covers enough skin that the breeze wont make him shiver. Its light enough to wear to the beach but still offers generous sun protection (and dries quickly to boot!).
My only real complaint about this outfit is that the legs didnt separate (what an antiquated way to construct toddler clothes!) but thats nothing Velcro cant fix. Thanks again Mel!
For starters, when I took these pictures I didnt realize that the buttons go in the front (please, dont ask what I was thinking) so his clothes are on backwards. I can no longer make fun of my mother for making the exact same mistake.
This outfit brings up two very important issues: fashion in Hawaii and properly dressing for weather in Waimea.
Unlike O'ahu, Big Island is not what I (or anyone else) would consider "fashion forward". Sure, there is the occasional Fendi bag or Jimmy Choo sandal, but the vast majority of people here could give a shit about who they are wearing. Here, its all about comfort. Most folks just throw on some flip flops, shorts & a t-shirt and call it a day. Although there is an inordinate amount of label worship for mainstream board riding companies like Roxy, Quicksilver and Billabong; people going any further into fashion are more likely to be tourists. The Big Island is like a big college campus.
...which is why this outfit works here. Its a little quirky, a little loud, and a little dated. Its like a full-body Aloha shirt. If not from Hawaii, this child would be from that weird, hippy family. Or possibly SE Portland.
The second reason this outfit is perfect for Ikaika is because its the perfect outfit for weather in Waimea. Most people would assume that because I live in Hawaii I am baking in the 80 degrees and balmy breeze 325 days out of the year. Places like that exist, but require 15 minutes in the car. Waimea/Kamuela is a mountain ranching town and, as such, experiences all kinds of weather. A typical day in Waimea will be 75 and sunny in the morning and 65 and drizzly in the evening. Im pretty attached to the idea of layering and sweatpants so I prefer living in Waimea and playing in a more "Hawaiian" climate.
Because forecasting is a crap shoot, this roomy, full body outfit made of light cotton fabric is PERFECT! Its cool enough so the warm moments arent stifling and yet covers enough skin that the breeze wont make him shiver. Its light enough to wear to the beach but still offers generous sun protection (and dries quickly to boot!).
My only real complaint about this outfit is that the legs didnt separate (what an antiquated way to construct toddler clothes!) but thats nothing Velcro cant fix. Thanks again Mel!
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