Made with Moxie: August 2013

August 23, 2013

Ten pounds, five ounces, twenty three inches

I don't even know what to say today. My little dude, my moose, my baby is two years old. I swore I'd never be the mom who wished her children would not grow up. Hell, some days I day dream of the when they are both over 18 and on their own.

”Little

I don't want to freeze time. What I really want is a memory recorder. I want to be able to play them back, crystal clear with all the emotions I felt. I'd record today, as he is just turning two.

When he makes that radiant smile at me and calls me momma. When he plops himself down in my lap with a book and snuggles back on my chest tucking his head under my chin. When he falls, skinning his knee and I scoop him up and he throws his arms around me and squeezes.

”Little


”Little

I'd record the day he was born. The great earthquake he caused. The sound of his cry. The nurses nicknaming him Moose and trying to guess his weight. The absolute heart busting joy I felt when they laid his naked body on mine.

I would record the naps we took together in the sunshine on a quilted bed. The pride on his face as he discovered new things. His excitement as he shouted "Ready? Ready? Ready?" and leapt off of the couch.

”Little


”Little

I want all those files stored and backed up somewhere. I'll never forget, but the details will fade. The crispness will blur. Most of all I want to save those feelings. Why can't I play back my love at first sight? It would turn all Rough Days into great days. I suppose it's all a bit too much Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind.

Jimmy Quinn is all snips, snails and puppy dog tails. He's dirty and sticky and sweaty. He's loud and messy and always looking for trouble. I love hij so much. Happy birthday, Moose.

”Little


August 9, 2013

Prefontaine World Tour: Sew Chibi

When the gorgeous Kat of Sew Chibi sets out to sew something she gives it 300%. Every year for their birthdays, Kat sews each of her daughters a dress. These are no ordinary dresses. If you missed the latest birthday dress, it had the most amazing fabric, handmade glitter buttons and toy pockets, but best of all she basted candy in to it *and* it has a glitter gel play mat sewn into it! Yeah. Do not challenge Kat to a sew off. You will not win.

”Prefontaine

Kat takes inspiration and makes it into real life. When her daughter wanted to be Rainbow Dash, Kat made her this off the chartsMy Little Pony dress. Kat took her favorite painting by her father, Len Chmiel, and transformed it into this wearable piece of art. I don't think she could ever just slap something together. It's all Kat or nothing, as it should be. I admire that so much.

Once Kat was on the World Tour, I told her to go nuts with the pattern. The thing is, there is a normal level of nuts and there is Sew Chibi level of nuts. Folks, today you get Sew Chibi Nuts. I freaking love it. These Prefontaine Shorts are unbelievable.

And now get on over to Sew Chibi and see a pretty little unicorn shit glittery rainbows! And happy freakin Friday!

”Prefontaine

Don't forget! We've got a double header today with Susan of Living with Punks!

Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

Prefontaine World Tour: Living with Punks

When I started reading crafting blogs a few years ago, one of the first I started following was Susan of Living with Punks. She has such a clean design aesthetic. She isn't afraid to use color and have fun with fabrics. I love her floor cushion tutorials and the jelly roll floor pillow is just so awesome. And quite frankly, it was refreshing she was a mother who referred to her children as punks.

”Prefontaine

You know I damn near had a heart attack when my phone went "cha ching" and I got the notification that Susan had bought a copy of my Prefontaine Pattern. Ack! Living with Punks bought *my* pattern! I was like this:

”Excited

Crazy talk! Once I finished up a round of karate kicks and high fives (it's really hard to high five yourself, by the way), I shot Susan an email and asked her to join the World Tour.

To top it all off, Susan has sewn up not one, not two, but THREE pairs of Prefontaine Shorts for the World Tour! Now leave me to my happy dancing and head on over to Living with Punks and see Susan's Prefontaine Shorts. (There are dia de los muertos skulls. And you know how I love skulls!)

”Prefontaine

Don't forget! We've got a double header today with Kat of Sew Chibi!

Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

August 8, 2013

Prefontaine World Tour: Sew Jereli

Today we have two Australians on the World Tour, which is pretty damn flattering. You know it's winter in Australia right? Extra special thanks to those ladies! And their models!

”Prefontaine

Toni at Sew Jereli is one of today's stop on the Prefontaine World Tour. She has two of the most adorable little boys and sews up the cutest things for them. Toni started her blog to help bridge the gap between test book sewing and real world sewing. Which is super important because you rarely can live on either side of the line.

Her Tips & Tutorials section is a great place to visit. Want to learn to sew invisible seams? Need to learn to straighten out your hems? Want to sew on a budget? Toni can help!

Toni has stitched up the cutest pajama Prefontaine Short ever. Those little trains are adorable and wait until you see her son! He's making great faces as you can count on a small kiddo to do during a photo shoot.

So click on over to Sew Jereli and see the Prefontaine Shorts that Toni has put together.

Don't forget! We've got a double header today with Ari of Max California.

”Prefontaine


Stick around for the final day of the World Tour tomorrow.
We've got a double header with Kat of Sew Chibi and Susan of Living with Punks!


Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

Prefontaine World Tour: Max California

Today's first stop of two on the Prefontaine World Tour is with Ari of Max California. I am totally stoked to have Ari on the tour. I didn't ask her at first because I thought, why would someone in Australia want to make shorts now since it is winter? Turns out she was dying to be in! How flattering! Did you know that Ari is the winner of Season 6 of Project Run & Play. Hello? I've got a PR&P winner sewing on the Tour! (swoons)

”Prefontaine

Never mind all the fortune and fame of being a PR&P winner, I love love love Ari for her freakin awesome style. A) She loves Star Wars. B) She's a mega nerd. C) Tattoos and funky hair. D)She *knows* fashion, with technical skill. E)She loves Adam West. F)She's raising her kids to be freaking awesome. F)She's hot. She's sweet as hell. Most importantly, she dares to be different and is so true to herself. Need I go on? Because I could, but Ari might call the police on me as a stalker.

When Ari started working on a plan for her Prefontaine Shorts, she began by researching who Steve Prefontaine was. Oh? You didn't know Prefontaine was a person? Not just a word I made up. He is a super rad person, an amazing athlete and an All American Badass. Plus, he has some great quotes, too. This is my favorite:

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift."

Ari's sewing rings true to this sentiment. Girl gives it her all. And I love that. Blood, sweat and tears, baby. That boy has got a great runner's form already!

Now get on over to Max California and see her son, Vincent modeling his hot new Prefontaines.

”Prefontaine

Don't forget! We've got a double header today with Toni of Sew Jereli!


Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

August 7, 2013

Prefontaine World Tour: The Southern Insititue

Do y'all follow Jenny at The Southern Institute? She's a Northern girl living in The South, so I can get along with her just fine. Now Marylanders will tell you that *this* is not The South, but when you grow up in New England, everything under NYC is pretty much The South. In any case, Jenny from The Southern Institute is today's stop on the Prefontaine World Tour.

”Prefontaine

I like Jenny because despite not being raised by crafty parents or grandparents, she has that "I can do that" attitude. I love a women who can push up her sleeves and do something herself! Jenny's blog is chock full of her own crafts and sewing as well as many talented guests. Plus, there are great ideas on things to do with kids and my secret favorite, the recipes. You see that strawberry icebox cake? It makes me drool every time I look at it. And she's also got fabulous post on how to make Peep S'mores. Yeah, I'm a fat kid in heaven!

I was super humbled when Jenny volunteered to be part of the World Tour with me. Her blog is a big deal. Heck, she hosts the Sew Fab pattern bundle. And what a steal that is! There's a new one coming soon, I hear, so keep your ears peeled. Today, Jenny has made some super adorable Prefontaine Shorts to show off for you. They are so bright and colorful and cheerful. I love it!

Now get a move on over to The Southern Institute and see the Prefontaine Shorts that Jenny has stitched up!

”Prefontaine

Do stick around for the final two days of the Prefontaine World Tour. We've got a two days of double headers. And if you think that you've seen everything this pattern can do, just wait. Just you wait. Let's just say there will be unicorns shitting rainbows. Literally.


Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

August 6, 2013

Prefontaine World Tour: Buzzmills

Today's stop on the World Tour is Jane from Buzzmills I have had the pleasure of hanging out with Jane and her family, who are not only lovely, but fellow nerds like my family. Jane is an amazing crafter, stitcher and mother. She is the mother I wish I had the patience to be. She is the Fairy Godmother of kid crafts. Give her some sticks, tissue paper and a handful of pipe cleaners and she can think up 101 thinks to make and do with the kiddos.

”Prefontaine

Jane's kids are outfitted in the most awesome clothes too. Seriously, you should go check out her KCW sewing. The fabrics and colors she chooses are so whimsical and fun. The patterns she uses are functional for kid's play, but full of awesomeness, like loads of treasure pockets and appliqued squirrels. I want to be rich and hire Jane to make all of my clothes.

Since Jane is my buddy and a great stitcher, she was a Prefontaine Tester. In fact, her kiddos loved the Prefontaines so much, the shorts she swewed up for the World Tour are her fifth pair! That's love. This picture below are two of my favorite pairs. Jane upcycled a beach towel into swimming lesson shorts. How cool is that?

So hurry on over to Buzzills and see the fifth pair of Prefontaine Shorts that Jane has stitched up!

”Prefontaine

Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

Tomorrow we get to see what Jenny at the The Southern Insititute has sewn up with her Prefontaine pattern.


August 5, 2013

Prefontaine World Tour: Sew Delicious

Today's second spot on the Prefontaine World Tour is in Austrailia with Roslyn of Sew Delicious. I met Ros just over a year ago when she was my Covert Robin partner. Since then Ros and I have developed a good friendship. We have skype calls to help each other out with sewing conundrums. Did you know Ros is a time traveler? She is so nice as send me posts to let me know how Friday is going on Thursday nights!**

”Prefontaine

Ros sells the cutest baby bibs and nappy wet bags in herSew Delicious Shop. Her blog is chock full of amazing tutorials from bathing suits for your kiddos to sewing machine covers. If ever had difficulty putting together a zippy pouch, her blog is the one to check out. She has mastered putting zippers in so they lay flat. And I'm going to just assume you all love chocolate and zippy bags, so you MUST sign up for next round of the Sweet Pouch Swap that she started.

I am really excited to share the Prefontaine Shorts that Ros made with you. Okay, fine, I'm excited to share them all, but I'm super, extra excited because Ros made her shorts exactly as I envisioned them; completely from clothes in the To Donate pile! You all have one of those right? Mine is full of clothes that don't fit anymore, shirts that got a stain on them, and stupid tshirts that were giveaways. Do not give those tshirts away! Those are the most perfect trim for your Prefontaine Shorts.

So hurry on over to Sew Delicious and see the Prefontaine Shorts Roslyn has sewn up that cost her nothing!

”Prefontaine

We're having a double header today! Did you see the mother/daughter Prefontaine Shorts that Celina at Petit a Petit & family has made for today too?
Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

Thanks for sticking around! This week has some really amazing shorts coming.


** Note: Roslyn is not a time traveled really. She is just in a time zone almost 12 hours ahead of me. It's still fun though.

Prefontaine World Tour: Petit a Petit & family

I have a confession to make. I have a major style crush on today's World Tour stitcher. She is effortless and chic. Modern and well tailored. Worldly and centered. Her vision stretches beyond her own closet into all aspects of life. She is a children's clothing designer and curator of lovely things. She is Celina from Petit a Petit & family

”Prefontaine

If you do not already, you must follow Celina on Pinterest. She has a wealth of boards of a wide variety, all with impeccable style. Seriously, I don't know how she finds all these things, but I am just inspired when her pins are popping up on my feeds.

I was so intrigued when Celina jumped at the opportunity to join the Prefontaine Shorts World Tour. How would her lovely Euro inspired style meld with a my retro running short pattern?

Celina did not disappoint. Just look at those shorts! Not only did she stitch up a gorgeous pair for her daughter, but she just had to make a pair for herself! I know you are all going to be insanely jealous about them too. Not to worry. The Adult Prefontaine Shorts patterns is in the works, but for now just head on over to Petit a Petit & family and see the loveliness that Celina has sewn up!

Stay tuned here, too. We're having a double header today! This afternoon I'm going to show you the Prefontaine Shorts that Ros at Sew Delicious has made.
”Prefontaine

Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

Thanks for sticking around! This week has some really amazing shorts coming.


August 2, 2013

Prefontaine World Tour: Imagine Gnats

If necessity is the mother of invention, procrastination is the mother of Awesome Sauce. We've all been there on the eleventh hour, staring at The Big, Fat, White Canvas (so to speak), thinking, damn, what am I going to do? How am I going to come up with something to knock their socks off? Once you've upped the ante so many times, how high can you go?

”Prefontaine

When I asked Rachael of Imagine Gnats to test my Prefontaine Shorts pattern she made these Amazing Liberty Prefontaines. Who tests a new pattern designer's first pattern with Liberty of London?!? That is just crazy talk! I never thought about it until now, but I'm humbled at Rachael's faith in me.

Of course I asked Rachael to be on the Prefontaine World Tour when I was putting it together. You can imagine my panic yesterday when she told me that not only did she not have her shorts made, but she was staring at The Big, Fat, White Canvas.

We've all been there. Lord knows, I am Captain of the Procrastination Team. It's mostly because the last thing I want to do is whip up something lame and half fast. I'd rather tell you I've got nothing, than pretend something stupid is something great.

It's almost as if Awesome Sauce needs to be cooked up in a pressure cooker, you know? It needs all that heat and steam to build up as you stare at The Big, Fat, White Canvas, until BAM! there is is. I wasn't worried about Rachael and her Prefontaines. I just couldn't wait to see the awesome sauce results. She always delivers. And man, did she deliver.

Not one, but TWO, Awesome Sauce pairs of Prefontaine Shorts! I just had to order the same fabric so I could make my first pair of Adult Prefontaine Shorts just like hers. (What's that? You hadn't heard? Adult Prefontaines? Hell, yes! They are in the works, friend.)

Now stop farting around and get yourself on over to Imagine Gnats and see the batch of Awesome Sauce Prefontaine Shorts that Rachael cooked up!

”Prefontaine

Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?

Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

Stick around for the the rest of the tour. See you next week!


August 1, 2013

Prefontaine World Tour: EmmylouBeeDoo

I think Sarah of EmmylouBeeDoo and I need to have a toddler funny face off competition. Except I'm afraid she would win. My Jimmy makes some real derp faces, but I think Sarah's Emmy takes the cake. Seriously, I love this kid. Did you catch Sarah's blooper shots from Emmy's first two pairs of Prefontaine Shorts from Shorts on the Line? Check them out.

”EmmylouBeeDoo

See what I mean? If you're having a bad day just look at those faces and giggle a bit. That girl will turn your day around.

In case you haven't figured it out yet, Sarah of EmmylouBeeDoo is the featured blogger today on the Prefontaine World Tour. Of the hundreds of pairs of Prefontaines that I have seen, her Disapproving Tropical Fish Prefontaines are hands down my favorites. My husband keeps telling me he wants a pair like Emmy's Fish shorts. They're just that sweet.

”Prefontaine

Sarah is also the fabulous pattern designer responsible for Hosh Pants, the Bimaa Cowl Sweater, and the Doli Tank. What I love the most about her patterns is that they are modern and clean patterns for kiddos. No bows, no ruffles, no lace, no pink girlie girl things all over. Sarahs designs are crisp and fresh. Nothing but Love.

So swing on over to EmmylouBeeDoo and see the third pair of Prefontaines that Sarah has stitched up. You know Emmy is going to be making some super silly faces to make your day!

”Prefontaine

Want to make Prefontaine Shorts of your own?


Monday, July 29 The Crafty Kitty
Tuesday, July 30 Craftstorming
Wednesday, July 31 Kitschy Coo
Thursday, August 1 Emmyloubeedoo
Friday, August 2 imagine gnats

Monday, August 5 Petit a Petit & Sew Delicious
Tuesday, August 6   Buzzmills
Wednesday, August 7 The Southern Institute
Thursday, August 8 Sew Jereli & Max California
Friday, August 9 Sew Chibi & Living with Punks

”Prefontaine

Stick around for the the rest of the tour. See you tomorrow!