Smokin' Spokes

We are bike people.  Or at least we think we are.  We like the idea of it, we just don't do it as often as we'd like.  In fact, our bikes are huddled next to each other under an ugly tarp gathering dirt, dust, and cobwebs.  I'm pretty sure a family of roaches have decided to use it as their address.  I'm scared to even get it out, let alone ride it.

I think what my bike needs is some serious TLC.  And if the chain isn't completely rusted yet, I'd like to give the old thing a nice facelift so we can enjoy a family bike ride together.

I was completely inspired after seeing these little gems...

{via here}

 {via here}

{via here}

I remember riding my bike to Catholic school from about 4th grade until 8th grade.  I think that was back in the day when you didn't have to worry about as much as you do now.  Anyhow, my dad put a basket on my handlebars so I could place my backpack in it without suffering from an achy back {I know, ten going on 87}.  Well, my back felt great, but I looked like a total nerd.  I hated it!  Little did I know that the basket would be trendy some day.  

Spiffing up my set of wheels is officially on the "to-do" list and when I do, I promise to share with all of you.

How about you?  Are you a bike enthusiast?  Did you have a favorite bike back in the day?  I'd love to hear from you.

xo,

Jen

How to Make a Bow Tie

Hello Sunny readers!  I'm celebrating the boy today.  Excited?  I sure hope so because I never do anything boy related.  Don't take it personal all you moms with boys, it's just that I don't have one.  When a friend of mine asked me to make a couple bow ties for her son, I jumped at the opportunity.  Now that my neighbor is pregnant with a boy, I decided I needed to make a few more.  Okay, let's get to it.

Materials

Velcro

1/4 yd. fabric

interfacing {optional}

{2T - 3T}

You'll need three pieces to make a bow tie: 

one large rectangle for the bow

medium size rectangle for the band

small rectangle for the center 

Right sides together, sew a straight stitch along the the left, top, and right sides.  Then flip right side out.

1. Right side facing out.  

2. Fold together both ends with the sewn edge on top {don't worry about the raw edge because you won't see it.}

3. Sew a zig zag stitch right down the middle of the fold from #2.

4.  Fold again lengthwise.

Now sew a 1" straight stitch right where the line is.

Okay, you should have something that looks like this.  Are you finally starting to see what looks halfway like a bow tie?  Good!

1. Take your center piece and fold it lengthwise with right sides out.

2. Sew a straight stitch along both long sides.

3. Fold it in half with right sides facing {wrong sides out} and sew a straight stitch along the edge.

4. You should have a nice little tube for your bow.

Now shimmie the tube over your bow.  Lookin' good.  Loooookin' good.

Alright, set the bow aside and let's move over to the neck piece.

1. Right sides together, fold lengthwise.  Sew along the top and raw edge side.

2. Turn fabric right side out {it takes some time so be patient} and create a point with the raw edge side.

3. Place your velcro on top the of the point and sew it on. 

4. Repeat on the other side.

 Now slide it under the back of the bow tie, through the center piece.  If you have any difficulty, just attach a safety pin to help glide it through.

Here's my little gal rockin' one I made for a friend of mine.  Pretty cute, hey?

 I hope your little boy enjoys them as much as you do...wink, wink.  

Have fun!

xo,

Jen

"Wherever You Go, There You Are"

That little nugget of glory is #54 in one of my all time favorite books, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff...and It's All Small Stuff."  It also happens to be the title of a book, written by Jon Kabat-Zinn, which is on my ever growing list of must read books.  In the process of packing books for our move, I found "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" with a million little sticky notes popping out of it.  I remember doing this awhile back while I was teaching 3rd grade.   I wanted to share a thing or two with them about growing up, but in the process of re-reading it again, I realized I had some growing up to do myself.

I guess #54 means a lot to me right now because we are moving and there are so many unknowns.  I'm a big time planner and the thought of having so many unknowns floating around out there is enough to make me lose a few of my marbles.  I'd like to say that when we move, we have a cute little bungalow waiting for us on a tree lined street in the heart of a charming neighborhood, but I can't.  I'd like to think that I have some type of job lined up when we get there, but I can't.  I'd like to think that financial burdens will be non-existent, but they won't.  And the list goes on.

#54 couldn't have come along at a better time.

I must remember to let go of all the worry and the wishful thinking..."what if we can't find a place to live that we like, what if I can't transition easily back into the working world after staying at home with our daughter, what if I fail at life's next chapter."

I need to have faith.  I need to be here, right now, in this moment for my daughter and my husband.  I need to find that inner peace that I know I have and give it a little nudge.  And I need to remember that life always has a way of working itself out; it just takes a little time.  

xo,

Jen