What a great post to read the morning after I CUT (?!) 7 inches off a gorgeous Aidez sweater I just finished so as to pick up stitches and make it shorter for my frame. So far so good but so scary! I remembered a post way back of yours (EZ mittens I think?) where you cut. So that gave me a bit of courage. Also I love that patchouli and popcorn are on the same shopping list ;)

love those gowns. if you wouldnt mind answering one more "source" question: did you happen to make that pillow that Ada sits upon in the painting shot? if so, do you have a fabric source? if not, do you have a "purchasing source"? Thanks! love all of the inspiration you give me. i have lost my sewing mojo lately in favor of knitting every second of free time i can find. but something warm and cozy like these gowns might jump start my stitches... :)

best. big sister. ever.

Hi and thanks! So sorry i forgot to pass that info along last time! http://www.etsy.com/shop/karatstix she doesnt have any listed but can do custom orders, etc. check her sold items for more! I LOVE them!!

Thank you so much for all of the inspiration and advice you have given me over the years! I love your blog and you will be missed! Hopefully you will still post your amazing handknits to Ravelry? :) i feel you with the unplugged love. xo-mary

it is so interesting to read all of the comments in your post! when i read your initial post, i was like "$400, no WAY could our family do that!" now, we live in the bay area, have a family of 4 (but the 3 year old doesnt eat THAT much...) and dont shop at any big box stores or major chains like Safeway, etc. We do most of our shopping at Whole Foods (though frugally there- buying in bulk, etc. and hardly ANY packaged foods, etc.) our local co-op and we belong to a CSA which i occasionally supplement at the local farmers market. quite honestly, with all of the food we purchase (and we include personal items, toiletries, pet food, laundry soap, etc. into our budget) we spend a whopping $1200 on food per month. How about that for honesty! I am often dumbfounded myself my this number as i make all food from scratch (and freeze/can food for later), eat whole and organic foods, etc. etc... So, I am inspired by your point of cutting your current budget in half. I will be trying this as I know we can do better. I think it is also helpful to have only one person (adult) in the house shopping as often i will do the initial shop (which is usually around $180) but it is all of the little side trips all week for this, and that and then ok, he buys latte's and i buy smoothies when i am too hungry, etc. anyway. all i mean to say with this ramble is THANK YOU for the inspiration to do this! and also a belated thank you for the complete inspiration to jump onto the green smoothie train! I thought for sure i would be alone in this, but my kids (even my picky 9 year old) drank every last drop of the first one I made (and i put a good 3 cups of kale into that one!) and i feel so good! it is replacing those chocolate chips for me during the 2-3 pm slump. Ok, just had to chime in. Thanks again!

these are great! my girl would love these! thanks for sharing!

:) Ill get on that posting!

Haha. No, no baby sea turtles were harmed in the animal bath session. Its pretty realistic, though! And aside from catching up on photos, I desperately need to get caught up with a certain stack of sewing for a little girl who may be outgrowing the half sewn pants Im making her!! Sent from my iPhone