About Tricia

I am Tricia. Momma of nine, homeschooler, artist, foodie and maker of all kinds of things. It's a pleasure to share here our family homesteading adventures, the things we make, and what inspires our days. Read more about my family and work here. Thanks for visiting!

Author Archive | Tricia

Quilting by the seat of my pants

By on August 28, 2012 in Sewing and Crafts, Stash Bash

Yesterday made me very happy!!  Why? Because my little project of turning our big dressing room area outside of our bathroom into a nursery began to come true and I am told that by tonight I could probably start putting my nursery together.  I’m so excited.  A few weeks ago after the whole well pump fiasco I didn’t think it could happen. So, I have launched into a fury of finishing baby projects and starting a few that I had planned on.

Not sure if you remember my blogging about this quilt made of 100% stashed fabrics.  It is made of fabric I have had for years which I used to finish this rag rug a few weeks ago, it also has fabric from two of Poppa’s old suit shirts which I had saved for something or other.  Normally for baby projects I feel the need to make it “special” by choosing all new fabrics specially for the occasion but this time I forced myself to shop at home just like I have been doing since the new year.  If you have not visited my on a Thursday, come by!!  Thursdays are my Stash Bash day where I share whatever project I have made from only stashed materials and I ask you to share yours too and link up to my blog.

I love quilts but honestly only make them when I am expecting a new baby because…..I am terrified of math and quilting requires a lot of it.  I have read that quilting with children helps them learn their math.  Oh, but it would also send me running for the hills with fabric strips dragging behind me.  This time I started cutting at the cutting table only to realize that I could not handle standing there for an hour with a rotary cutter and ruler.

Plan B!!  What would happen if I just made a template and used that to sit comfortably in my rocking chair while cutting the pieces I would use in the quilt?  You know, like the old days.  I decided to try it and just make a quilt and let go of the perfection, after all, the most amazing quilts I have seen were made by women that could not read or write and knew very little formal math.  Many of them made these quilts to cover their children from the elements as a matter of survival with whatever fabric they could save.  They didn’t even have a sewing machine like I do.  I decided to just do it and just quilt by the seat of my pants (except I don’t wear pants…did I ever tell you that before?)

I am almost done with it, (I sat down to work on it a little and next thing I knew it was pretty much finished)  I will share the final with you at my Stash Bash here on Thursday but so far, I love it.  It is far from perfect but my baby never took that quilting class with me 7 years ago so he/she will not notice what I know is not done correctly and we will all be happy and the baby will be warm and snuggly under this momma made quilt.

Excuse the terrible lighting…by the time I got this far it was late.  I totally cheated on this quilt but I am happy with it and as long as no real quilt makers see it, I shall be fine : )  Here is the pinning all the layers together part in order to quilt it.

Linking up to my wonderful friend Nicole today and now I am off to buy some paint for a few baby furniture pieces…

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or follow me by email at the top right hand of the screen to have future posts sent to you. Tricia (Crunchy Catholic Momma)

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Needs and wants…A baby checklist

By on August 26, 2012 in Natural mothering

As a younger mother I prepared for our first born by going to the big box store and making a gift registry for my baby shower.  This baby registry had over 100 items on it (I found a copy of it in the memory box).  Overnight we almost needed a bigger house just to fit all these things I was told I would need.  After a few babies I started to realize how much of it is just clutter or does not really make our lives any easier.

As I round the corner to once again welcoming a new baby into our family I woke up feeling anxious about all the things I do not yet have for my little one or the things I have not finished making. I sat up in my bed and just took a few deep breaths and thought about Mrs Ingals out in the prairie with no “baby supply store” at her disposal and Our Lady who gave birth to the most important babe ever in very meager surroundings and suddenly I felt very calm.  A few days ago one of my very good friends reminded me that I have everything my baby needs, food, love and my arms (thanks Reggie).  Of course there are a few other things that babies need and honestly there are a few things I really want but in the everlasting push to live a simple life I decided to make a list of the things I feel my baby needs and so I am sharing it with you.  This is my list and I probably missed some things.  Everyones state in life is different so everyone’s list will be different but /i hope you will see like I did that most of the items at the store are just chasing your money, your peace and your space.

For baby

~  cradle or crib and mattress (most of the time baby sleeps with me but my husband can be a big bear and sometimes I need to put the baby in their own space though I know soooo many mommas who don’t need one) I also use it for naptimes when my very cushy bed is not safe for a baby sleeping alone.

~ car seat

~ rocking chair (I use this soooo much for the first year where we just sit together for nursing and cuddling)

~ dresser or other place to put away babies things

~ crib sheets and bedding (I use natural fibers and try to use organic when possible)

~ lambskin (immediately calms my babies no matter where we are)

~ Ergo baby carrier or wrap (must need for me, I am not including a stroller in this list because I do not use them enough until I have a toddler, the carrier works perfect for me)

~ blankets to swaddle babies in

~ cloth diapers (I use prefolds and covers)

~ cloth wipes and diaper area cleaning spray

~ diaper pail for dirty diapers

~ socks to keep little feet warm

~ soft hats to keep fuzzy heads warm (babies lose a lot of heat through their heads)

~ a few soft and comfortable outfits for baby to sleep in and wear out (it is just my opinion but I do not put anything on a baby that is uncomfortable even if its super cute.  I think newborns need to be comfortable so I only put them in very soft and loose clothing).

~ sweater to keep baby warm in the fall and winter

~ towel for bathtime (I use a regular sized towel, it is better to wrap my baby than the flimsy ones you can buy at the store)

~ nail clippers

~ nasal aspirator bulb

~ soft natural bristled baby brush and comb

~ mittens so babies do not scratch up their beautiful faces

~ coconut oil to apply to baby bums after each diaper change (won’t affect cloth diapers and is antibacterial)

~ laundry detergent (we make our own so we know what is in it, borax, castile soap, washing soda….thats it)

For momma

~ Comfortable nursing bras

~ Momma pads

~ Nursing pads

~ lanolin for sore nipples and for lanolizing wool diaper covers

Things that are nice to have

~ Baby swing (some of my babies have enjoyed being curled up in one)

~ Co-sleeper to keep baby right next to you but in their own bed

I really, really want a baby hammocks but I know I will be fine without one… but I still really want one

If I had to work or could not nurse my babies I would need a pump or bottles and probably a few more things that I can cut out because I am with my babies all the time.  I am sharing this list just to show that we do not need to buy into the illusion that we have to acquire all the things in the baby department and can save that money for something else….and be just as happy, even happier because we do not need to find a place for all of those things.

If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or follow me by email at the top right hand of the screen to have future posts sent to you. Tricia (Crunchy Catholic Momma)

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