Little Threads: Long-Sleeved Summer

Romper: vintage -- Sweater: Target -- Shoes: thrifted 

You know what I hate? Eczema.

Hate is such a strong word...

You know what I hate, hate, super-hate? Eczema!!

Is it ok if I just say that? If you're an eczema sufferer I'm sure you feel my (or rather Paige's) pain. Paige had eczema when she was born. Of course we took her to the Dr./naturopath (six, actually!) but despite trying everything we have heard and read about, it has only gotten progressively worse over the years. What is that?!? This year has been the worst so far and she is itchy all the time. She is embarrassed about the way her arms look, which is where the eczema shows up most, so she wears long sleeves every day. It's getting pretty hot around these parts, so she gets sweaty in her long sleeves which makes the itching worse and it's just a vicious cycle.

Are any of you out there eczema success stories? We try to be very natural with our health care and most of all we want to heal her body so that whatever is causing those excess toxins is gone.

Here's a list of what we have tried/are trying:

• No perfumes/fragrances in any detergents or health care products
• Avoidance of all the foods her body has tested allergic/sensitive to (wheat, cow dairy, eggs, sugar)
• Foods that are anti-histamine.
• Supplements: Sweetener-free multivitamin, probiotic, trace minerals, calcium and b-complex, primrose oil, aloe vera.
• Mild bath/shower every night followed by coconut and/or castor oil.
• We've tried a variety or oils/lotions on her breakouts. It seems like one will work great for a few weeks and then loose its effectiveness. Not sure what that's about.
• Wrapping her arms in bandages at night. (Doesn't work, she rips them right off in her sleep.)
• And of course, prayer :o)

Probably other things, but that's all I can think of now. A friend suggested the GAPS diet, which I'm going to look into. It seems to really flare up in the early spring-summer time, but she itches all year.

I'm amazed when I step back and look at how much eczema affects our family and our lifestyle. We can't go out to eat anywhere because there is sugar, dairy or wheat added to EVERYTHING on the planet (although in the past we've fudged on that like naughty parents, but we try be strict about it now.) Most of the time when we go to someone's house we have to pack dinner for Paige. If there is a birthday party Paige never gets the cake and ice cream. When we're out late and we just want to crash when we get back, we still have to give her a bath or the dried sweat on her skin will make her scratch it raw. All of her clothes and sheets have oil or blood stains.

And now that I've whined about it a little bit, I do want to say that I am so grateful for Paige's health. Sure, she has eczema and it stinks. But she also has legs to run with and eyes to see and a beautiful, healthy heart. We are really blessed. My heart goes out to parents that have to watch their sweet children deal with much worse conditions. I don't know how they have the strength.

Anyway, I would really, really welcome any advice you might have on this issue!

And as always, I hope you're having a beautiful day!

My husband is away with the car this weekend so Paige and I took a long walk across town. I really enjoyed the time with her (and without the phone, ipad, camera, computer or sewing machine!) And she thought that pressing the crosswalk button was the thrill of a lifetime.

Love you!

-Disney

Happy Mother's Day!

I wish I had more photos to share of my mother when she was younger. I think all people are programmed to think that their mothers are beautiful (and they are!) but seriously guys, my mom was a stone cold fox. For serious.

And while we looked a lot alike in the younger years:

(Yeah, I know. I was beautiful.)

She somehow failed to pass on the "perfect nose" or the "amazing legs" gene to me, which someday I'll forgive her for. ;o)

Anyway. It's Mother's Day! Yay! I hope you had a great one. Mine started off with treats in bed and just got better as the day went on. We had a great day with our church family and I even got a photo shoot squeezed in thanks to the amazing cloudy weather. Then my husband bought me a scanner, which may not seem romantic to you, but to me it's pretty much the same as a diamond. :O) Did you do anything special?? I'd love to hear about it!

I wish I could be with my mom today as it is her first Mother's Day since her own mother passed away. I was looking at old photos of my grandma this evening and enjoying bittersweet memories of her. I can't be there to give my mom a hug in person today, but I just wanted to say thank you to the one who taught me about creativity and service and mercy.

And thank you to all of you mothers and women with mother's hearts who do so much for others. We are grateful for you!

Happy Mother's Day!

Love,

Disney

Lazy Girl Quilt Tutorial!

(Because everyone wants to make a project that makes them feel lazy, right? No?) ;o)

So this blanket is a project that I did an entire year ago and never shared for one reason or another. Since I'm a little short on time these days I thought it would be a great time to finally post it!

Let's talk about quilting for a sec. I love quilting. I love quilts! ...That is, when other people are making them. My mom was always working on beautiful quilts when I was a little girl. There were log cabins on the wall, half-finished dresden plates hanging off the back of the couch and bags of tiny detailed appliqué pieces next to her on long car trips. She made beautiful things. However, the only quilt that I ever made was a hilarious 9-block lap blanket with a yarn tied top when I was about 6 years old. The apple fell pretty far from the tree in my case, but at least I appreciate the beauty and work that is involved in quilt making.

Last summer I was really drooling over some quirky little picnic quilts a friend had and I really wanted to make one for Paige. I just didn't have the energy or desire to recreate the genuine article. So I made my lazy-girl version and you know what? I really like it! 

First, you'll need some fabric. We used a comfy, vintage-inspired flannel that we had on hand and every printed knit we could find in our stash!

• Decide how big you want it. To make things easy, we just made a 45'' square. Cut two pieces and pin them together with right sides facing. Sew most of the way around, leaving a few inches open so you can turn it right side out.

• Turn right side out then fold the edges of the opening under and sew closed.

•  Then cut out lots of 4'' squares. We used 8 each of 8 different fabrics. This is a great way to use up those cute fabric scraps you've been saving!

•  Find a good layout. Paige was a great help in the step. :o)

•  Pin squares on at each corner and sew them on, sewing through all layers. Tip: If you have a bunch of stabilizer or fusible web, this would be a great time to use it, since knits can stretch and wobble around a bit. Or you could just embrace the wobbling, which I think adds even more charm! :o)

Then you have to have a picnic! :O)

These days our little quilt has found a home up on the wall in the living room, where things are getting progressively more quirky and colorful. (I'm having a "granny" moment?) 

 I'm thinking I'll let it stay there until fall. It makes me feel cheery! :o)

Maybe when Paige is grown and life has slowed down a little I'll get more into quilting the real way. But for now, this is fun! I hope you think so, too. :o)

Have a wonderful day my friends!

Love,

Disney

Pretty City (Our Weekend Trip!)

Here are a few photos from our little trip this last weekend! It was an early Mother's Day and Birthday (Paige's!) celebration. My husband couldn't come because, you know, the preacher has to be home on the weekends :O) but Paige and I had a great time with a couple of old friends of mine who drove us around all weekend and thoroughly spoiled Paige. We went to Point Defiance zoo, which I didn't get any good photos of, unfortunately and the second day we hung out at the PLU campus while my friend was in class. It was such a cute little retro campus! I couldn't help snapping some photos of Paige there. 

 Then we drove up to Tukwilla and took the light rail to Seattle, which Paige was absolutely giddy about. I, frankly wasn't much less excited, it was fun! :O)

Every time I walk out into the streets of Seattle I'm amazed all over again at how beautiful it is. I love this city. So alive and artistic! And since I'm kind of small-townish Seattle kind of makes me feel like I'm in New York.

 My favorite thing about Seattle (besides the tall buildings...and the water...oh and the h&m) is all the people! I love that everywhere you look there are people, people, people. It just makes my heart sing!! I want to smile at and wave to and hug everyone I see.

There is also the four story Nordstrom. Nothing wrong with that.

 Some tourists watching the guys throw the fish. :o) (is that Hiro??)

 And then my friend took us on the ferris wheel. I made the mistake of telling Paige about it ahead of time so it was all I heard about for days. It was so gorgeous! It definitely didn't disappoint.

I heart Seattle. 'Case you couldn't tell.

Today we're celebrating Paige's birthday as a family which means treats at the health food store, playing at the park, picking out two new Elephant and Piggie books and watching an exorbitant amount of Arthur cartoons.
I'm also sitting down to schedule the 50 photo shoots I have to do this month for the ol' book. This is the fun part, guys. :O)

Have a great mid-week!!

Love,

Disney

P.S. Next time I totally want to have a coffee shop meet-up with all my readers from the western WA area! Wouldn't that be so fun??

Little Threads

Dress, shoes: thrifted. Denim shirt: Walmart. Bruises: sliding down the stairs in a pink sleeping back for three days straight.


You guys! Do you know what I can do today? Paint mah nails!

Do you know why that's a big deal??
Because it means that I'm done with all the how-to photos for my book!! YYYYYEEESSSS!!!


Ahhhh you have no idea how big a sigh of relief that is. I've had to have naked fingernails for months now and I'm super excited to put on some polish. I'm thinking a nice retro red? Just to be wild? To be honest, I didn't really want to do how-to photos because it pretty much doubles my work load, but I thought you guys might like that better. It's always easier with a picture, right?

I've been having fun chatting back and forth with Katie, who is also working on a sewing book right now, and she's like actually "done, done" right now, which I'm super jealous of. I still have tons of photo editing/uploading and manuscript formatting to do before Paige and I leave this weekend for a quick trip over the mountain to Seattle, where I'm hoping to get a couple of photo shoots done. And if I happen to visit with a couple of life-long friends while I'm there, so be it. :O) I'm so excited!!

Talk to you soon!

Love,

Disney

Intrinsic Value

I love you.

I know you are a pathological liar.
I know you cheated on your husband.
I know you can't stop eating.
I know you think you're better than me.
I know you can't stick up for yourself.
I know you make excuses.
I know you are a victim.
I know you are living a lie.
I know you don't understand yourself.
I know you aren't generous.
I know you are tired.
I know you don't want to be alive.
I know you yell at your kids.
I know your parents didn't love you.
I know you keep coming back to drugs.
I know you steal.
I know you can't stop thinking about your abortion.
I know you hate everything.
I know you are apathetic toward God.
I know you look other men.
I know you hate your body.
I know you've lost your faith.
I know you're trying to be perfect.
I know you're prideful.
I know your heart is cold.
I know you were abused.
I know you're lazy.
I know you're not popular.
I know you can't find a job.
I know you are negative.
I know you neglect your family for work.
I know you criticize others.
I know you can't forgive.
I know you made a huge mistake.
I know you want to be loved.



I know you're just like me. But I still love you. :O)

I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you. I love you, you beautiful thing. I love you so much.

Here's to your intrinsic value. 

Love,

Disney