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It's Time for Spring Sewing Classes!

Y'all. I am so excited to tell you about the sewing classes that we have coming up this next month. It has been a loooooooong time since I've been able to teach. Since Ford was born, it's been hard for me to get things together, but thanks to lots of helpful friends and family who are willing to help carry the load sewing classes are back! Yay!

Below are the details for the two beginner classes that are coming up very soon. Keep in mind that class sizes are small- the maximum I'll take is 4 people! Also, due to our new family routines, Sewing 101 is also only going to be offered 2 or 3 times this year. Ford keeps me pretty busy, but I'm trying to squeeze you guys in :) If you don't make it in this time around, we can add you to the waiting list for the next class.


Come learn to do something awesome! You'll be glad you did!

To sign up for either class, you can visit our Eventbrite page, send an email to jess.johnson286 AT gmail.com or send a message to Greener Grass via Facebook.

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Sewing 101- A Class for Beginners

This is the perfect class for a beginner. You don't have to have any sewing knowledge whatsoever! We will start at square one and take it slow. Each week we will complete a project that will teach you a new range of sewing skills and I'll show you how those skills can be applied to all of your future projects, too! The beauty of this class is that you get to really focus on your skills and learning your machine over the course of a few weeks. You'll get some really great practice and hands on learning time. This course is especially for people who have doubts about their ability to learn to sew. Give me 6 weeks and you'll become a confident seamstress!

The class will meet Tuesday nights February 11th through March 18th at my house from 7-9 p.m.
The course is 6 weeks and the cost is $175.

Included with the course are instructions and patterns for 5 projects, detailed and personal instruction in a one on one setting, access and use of a sewing machine, and Sewing 101 Manual.

All other supplies (fabric, notions, etc) will be provided by the student.

Supply lists, additional class information, Sewing 101 Manual, contact info for help and guidance will be provided at the time of payment.

What you'll learn in Sewing 101:
  • how to use your sewing machine (and become friends with it!)
  • sewing terminology
  • different types of seams and hems
  • how to follow an instructional pattern
  • basics of fabric buying and cutting
  • how to make ruffles
  • basic hand sewing stitches
  • several decorative techniques
  • how to sew on a button
  • sources for buying beautiful and affordable fabric
  • resources for learning more on your own
  • and more!
Register HERE!

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Kickstarter: How to Sew Throw Pillows- A Workshop for Beginners

In this workshop you'll learn some sewing basics while getting to make throw pillows two different ways! This is a great chance to get your feet wet in the world of sewing in highly useful and instantly gratifying way. Kickstarter workshops are not as in depth as Sewing 101, of course, but you'll learn the basics in a condensed course and make something fun while you're at it. This is a great refresher course if you haven't sewn in a while or maybe you think you'd catch on quick to sewing but you just don't know where to start.

This workshop will be held Friday, February 7th 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 8th 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  
The workshop meets at my house and the cost is $85.

Included with the course are instructions and patterns for making throw pillows two ways, detailed and personal instruction in a one on one setting, access and use of a sewing machine, and Sewing 101 Manual.

All other supplies (fabric, notions, etc) will be provided by the student.

Supply lists, additional class information, Sewing 101 Manual, and my contact info for help and guidance during supply shopping will be provided at the time of payment.

What you'll learn in a Kickstarter Workshop:
  • how to use your sewing machine (and become friends with it!)
  • sewing terminology
  • how to sew a seam and hem
  • how to follow an instructional pattern
  • basics of fabric buying and cutting
  • a basic hand sewing technique
  • an easy decorative technique to make your pillows unique
  • sources for buying beautiful and affordable fabric
  • resources for learning more about sewing
Register HERE

Mark you calendars for these classes coming soon:

"Sewing for Littles" Series - Intermediate
Making a Boys Short-All (Jon Jon)- February 28th and March 1st
Making a Girls Apron Knot Dress- March 14th and 15th

Kickstarter Workshop- Sewing an A-line skirt - Beginner
April 25th and 26th

Simplicity 2147: Sewing a Cool Tunic Using a Commercial Pattern- Intermediate
Date and Time TBD

Sleep Crisis 2014: "Snuggle-Gate"

We're in the midst of a small, I don't want to say crisis, but well...things are a bit of a mess. The problem is related to sleep, something I hold near and dear to my heart. Unfortunately, my baby (like many of his kind) has little-to-no regard for the sanctity and goodness of sleep.

You see, I have this incredibly snuggle-y cuddly baby that loves to be curled up right next to you. He loves to rub your skin and pat your back and play with your hair. It is melt your heart adorable.

From the time he was teeny tiny he has rubbed our arms and skin with his little bitty fingers. It's a funny self-soothing quirk. But it's not really self soothing is it, because he needs an arm to rub and that arm is attached to me or David, ergo we are part of the soothing process. No blankies will suffice for the feel of skin to tiny Ford.




Also, He has never slept super well.

We've always rocked him to sleep and then laid him down in his bed. I tried to do a little sleep training a handful of times...just trying to get him to be able to self-soothe and put himself to sleep in his crib. I read dozens of articles and books, spoke to several of my mommy-mentors and readied myself emotionally to listen to him cry for what the books said would be "15-30 minutes" for a few days before he eventually complied to our new sleep plan.

What actually happened was that he cried for 30 minutes the first day, 45 on the second day, and 1.5 hours on the 3rd day. No matter how tired he was, he could not calm down enough to sleep on his own. I gave up. This maddness was repeated each time we revisited the idea of sleep training.



 So then, my amazingly snuggle-y, not so good sleeping baby got sick right around Thanksgiving. Ford got a little cold and was coughing and couldn't breath well while he was sleeping. After trying everything we could think of and everything that people suggested to us (including but not limited to: oils, ointments, medicine, no medicine, humidifiers, mattress adjusting, and prayers for miraculous intervention) the only thing that seemed to help was for one of us to hold him and sleep propped up on pillows.

He was pitiful. He couldn't sleep most nights, so we didn't sleep most nights. Sometimes it was so bad that he and I would go sit on the bathroom floor with the hot shower running and watching videos on the Ipad. For a week or so the coughing fits ending in him throwing up on me every. single. night. Needless to say, we felt so bad for him and wanted him to feel and sleep as good as possible, so of course we slept with him every night in an effort to relieve some of his suffering.



Though Ford slowly recovered from his maladies (thank you, Lord) he could not seem to shake the need for a sleeping buddy.

It's becoming a bit of a problem. Since Thanksgiving we have been sleeping with the baby. We have tried to get in back in his crib with little or no success, sometimes staying up nearly all night caught in the cycle of rocking him to sleep, laying him the crib, him sitting straight up and crying, then back to the rocking chair again.

 We also think he may just like the big bed instead of his crib. Even if we are not in the big bed with him, he sleeps much longer there than in his crib. 

I have conflicted feelings!

I want to "do the right thing" and have Ford go to sleep in his own bed and sleep through the night. Is that too much to ask? I want to work while he sleeps. I want to be able to clean the house (read: look at pinterest and watch TV.) I want him to stay in his sweet little crib. By himself. And SLEEP!

But on the other hand he smells so good after his bath and he IS so snuggly. He feels really soft and warm and you just look at him being so sweet and sleepy. He sleep SO LONG when he sleeps with us. It's a huge sleepfest. And he's only going to be little and want to sleep and cuddle with me for a short season. Why not enjoy it?

So what's a mama to do?!



At this point I feel like these are my options:

1. Kick him out. Just go without sleep for however long it takes and make him sleep in his own bed. There will be much crying and gnashing of teeth. I may never sleep again.

2. Pray to sweet baby Jesus (who is still missing, by the way) that he gets over it and wants to get back in that crib.

3. Give in. Surrender the guest bed to Ford for him to use as his new big boy bed. Put side rails on it and hope for the best. Cry because he is too old. Immediately work on having another baby.

3. Embrace it. Start reading Dr. Sears books and declare that we are a co-sleeping family and this was our plan all along. Tell everyone else that co-sleeping makes your child smarter and that they are ridiculous to want their babies in a crib. Start making my own granola.

So that's where I am on the issue. I don't want him in my bed anymore and I simultaneously and equally want him to sleep with us and snuggle forever. I feel guilty that he's not sleeping in his own bed and want him to be able to soothe himself to sleep because "they say" that's important. I want to watch him breathe while he sleeps.

I also want to enjoy the heck of out this little guy while he is still little. I don't think there is any "right way" necessarily to do most things in parenting, but most of the time, as a mom, you feel like surely there is a right way and everyone knows it, but me.

Maybe this baby is just ruined and we'll try to do better next time.
Mel

::Don't forget about the Greener Grass Craft Party this Friday night. We still have a few more spots open! You can get more info and sign up on our Facebook Page::


Craft Night: Let's Make a Magnet Board!

Hi friends! I'm so excited to invite you to the first official Greener Grass creative event of 2014!

We are hosting a craft night on Friday, January 24th and we'll be making these fun magnet boards. 


The party is from 7-9 p.m. at my home. Directions will be provided upon payment. It will be a great time of crafting and community. And, how adorable are these magnet boards?!



They make great "picture frames" or even recipe holders for the kitchen.



I made one for my desk with a little chalkboard that holds my notes and "things to do." 



We'll have tons of supplies to customize and make a unique project that fits your style! We'll also be making magnets to coordinate with your board…and let me tell you, I am LOVING thinking of all the magnet possibilities! 

We'll provide all the supplies and some light snacks…just bring yourself! If you are interested in attending just send us a message via our fancy new Greener Grass Facebook page with your email and we'll send you an invitation and more information. 

The cost of this event is $35. Spaces are limited.

We hope to see you on Friday, January 24th for Craft Night! Bring a friend and come make something with us!

Christmas Highlights

Today was our first day back in the swing of things. David is back at school after his Christmas break was extended by a couple of well timed snow days. Wednesday's are also when I go to work each week for the day in a little church office, which means Fordycakes spent the day with his babysitter/adopted grandmother. We were all back at it.

Can I be honest with you? I was a little ready. I like the tiniest hint of a routine. I'm the type of person who needs motivation to put on real clothes. Left to my own devices I'd just be in my pajamas all the time.

I so throughouly enjoyed Christmas, though. Having David home and spending time with family is such a treat. Let's close out Christmas break with a little recap of Christmas highlights, shall we?

We took Ford to see Santa Clause. I had taught him all about Santa and upon seeing his likeness he would proudly yell, "Ho, ho, ho!" It is adorable. Naturally. Santa in person, however, was a different story. He didn't cry, but he did give Santa a very serious and skeptical stare down.


Christmas was much more exciting with Ford this year because he understood that things were different and special and he could participate in some of the traditional kid festivities of the season.

Look at this little baby last year during his first Christmas. 



Now direct your addition to this giant toddler. Where did my baby go? 


A seasoned Christmas veteran, he's actually a little Christmas ham. He thinks he is the funniest person around. 


This year we spent Christmas with my parents at the farm. It's a very restful place to be. We all took many many naps. Ford slept in the bed with my parents and was praised for being such a good eater each time he polished off another cookie. But whose to complain when Mommy and Daddy are getting to nap? 


As Christmas day drew closer, David and I (and everyone else, really) had a great time playing Santa. I was working on making Ford a teepee and on Christmas eve David and Jonathon and my dad all worked late into the night in the freezing cold to put together the rest of his toys. 





There was one among us, though who could not wait until Christmas morning to give little Fordy his gift. Uncle Jon Jon was so excited to give Ford his present that he gave it to him the day before. He couldn't stand to wait any longer. How sweet is that, I ask you?



But Ford did not complain because his present was AWESOME! It's a little jeep that's like a big wheel and Ford can drive it himself when he's bigger but for now it operates by remote control. 



Ford thinks that it is amazing and that he is an exceptionally skillful driver. 



All he wanted to do everyday was ride in his little jeep. Thanks Uncle Jon Jon for loving this little guy so much and for such a fun gift. 


Here are my two fellas on Christmas eve. This is just after my family's annual snack supper, which is one of David's favorite traditions and maybe now one of Ford's . He ran around all night using his charm and good looks to con people out of the food on their plates. Few can resist him. 



This is what Santa had ready for Ford on Christmas morning. I was so excited about how well his teepee turned out. I'll do a separate blog post with the details about it.



We had to wake the sleepy head up on Christmas morning. We were much more excited than he was.



But it did not take long for him to wake up and realize there were new things to play with!



He really liked opening presents this year. He couldn't quite understand why he needed to stop playing with one present to open another, though. I'm sure if we dwelled on that for long we could draw some good metaphors or life lessons from it, but let's just keep opening presents for the time being, ok? 

After opening gifts inside, there was still a present from Papa and Mema for this outside loving little boy- A big play set. 


You'll notice that Ford is dressed for success in his Christmas long all, bear hat, camo jacket, and John Deere boots. He's very fashion forward. 

One thing that is not forward is his slide technique.






It's the way all the cool kids are doing it these days. 

Besides Ford's antics, the thing that kept us most entertained during Christmas was my Dad's new cows. 


There was even a baby born on Christmas eve!


Sweet sleepy girl. Being born is rough stuff. Every time Ford saw the calves he said "Awwwwww." 


Hey, Mama.


Cow whisperers. 


Ford also says, "boo" instead of "moo." It's funny every single time. 


We had a great Christmas. We got a lot of fun stuff, but more importantly we enjoyed being together. I'm thankful for our little family. I'm thankful for the Christmas season and the freshness that Ford brings to our traditions.

As we move into the season of Epiphany, I have taken our Christmas decorations down but have also encountered a slight problem. The baby Jesus from our "Little People" nativity scene is MIA.

"You will find him wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manager…" or perhaps we will find him covered in goldfish crumbs stuffed in the couch cushions.

May we all seek and find Him this year.
Blessings to you in this new year.
Melissa

Baby Christmas

Happy New Year, friends! I hope that the holiday season was wonderful for you and yours. Ours was great. We spent time with family, enjoyed watching Ford experience another Christmas, and spent most days in our stretchy pants. What's not to love? Ford and I will be very sad when Daddy has to go back to work on Monday and everything goes back to normal.

Just before Chrsitmas, we had a little party at our house with Ford's little play group. We have the best group of baby friends and mommies. All of the babies are first children and were born within about 5 months of each other. We have SO enjoyed spending time together. "Play group" is really just code for mommies gathering for advice, support, venting, laughing, and getting out of the house before we kill somebody.

Anyway, we decided to get everyone together for what came to be known as BABY CHRISTMAS!

We are in a new house and it was fun to decorate it for Christmas this year. Below you'll see our traditional Christmas Ukulele. And there appears to be a Christmas Sprite, as well. Someone needs to do a better job staging these pictures. 

You'll see our semi-baby friendly tree is perched high out of reach. 


I put out lots of stars because it's an object that Ford can identify. And I taught him to say "ho, ho, ho." Adorable. 


But back to the party. We had it in the morning and everyone brought yummy brunch treats and the babies wore their Christmas PJs.



My mom brought us cookies from a sweet little bakery in Fitzgerald, called Our Daily Bread. Aren't they cute?




And little gingerbread cookie favors with each of the baby's names on them.


Christmas china? Check.


Stripy straws? Check. 


Individual Milks? Check. Looks like a party to me. 



It's getting harder and harder to get a picture of these tots all together. They are much too movey and squirmy now. And they have their own ideas about what they want to do.

The nerve.

This one's pretty good, but we're missing somebody.



Oh, there she is. No pictures for Zoey, thank you very much. 





Ford decides to steal Emmaline's snack.


And then run away. 


Shesh. 

Babies played with the Nativity set, listened to Christmas music, ate snacks, and kept us busy running from room to room.


We also made a little Christmas craft.


Painting baby feet is easiest when they are in a highchair- although they are confused and curious about what you are doing to them. 


This was our end product- footprint Christmas trees!


It's such a joy to watch these little rascals grow up together and to get to celebrate holidays in special baby ways. We may have sippy cups instead of mimosas but we are enjoying it together! 
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