It's our Cali-versary!

This time last year... I was full of anxiety, we had JUST landed at LAX and the Husband and I were on our way to open the doors to a home we'd never seen in person to begin a new life.

1 year later...I'm happy to report that life is beautiful and I we don't regret a single day!

Besides the squinty faces...I'd say we look pretty happy! That's what 360 days of sunshine can do for you folks!!! I swear it only rained 5 days! 

We've done more here in 1 year than we've done in 2 years back home. Everyday is an adventure here! We've traveled up and down the coast to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Malibu, San Diego and Palm Springs! Every city has something new to offer and most of the places are just a short drive away. 

I had a few awesome "Firsts" here: 

 First Earthquake kit for school...I'm used to sending a spare pair of underwear! 

First Tattoo! OUCH!

First hair weave! 

Then 6 months later...it got longer! Owww!!! 

 First FAKE Christmas Tree... not so proud moment...but....

 ...it was worth it because we were surprising Baltimore for Christmas!

Our family has grown 4 hairy legs!

Isn't she a doll! And appropriately named Cali! 

We've gotten to snuggle our west coast family more: 

Meet the Original Lynch's!!! Love these gals!! :)

Our Midwest family is semi West Coast too!  Tons of great snuggle time with Auntie Lauren!

I've been taken in by the Diaz Sisters:

I fit right in! Thank you gals for loving the Sands the way you do! xoxo

Some of my *BESTIES* came to visit me: 

I live in this moment forever! Love these ladies!!!! 

Linked up with my local Black Girls RUN! 

Great to have pavement sisters wherever you go! 

Most importantly... My Girls and The Husband are happy, we spend more days outdoors soaking up the rays, and just enjoying life. The pace here is way different than the east coast. The Husband and I have really grown in our personal relationship, we spend more time together here for some odd reason. I think it's because most days we only really have each other to lean on. So kudos to California for strengthening the Sands! 

 These smiles make it all worth it!

 Even this craziness! 

Luck of the Sands...feels more like a blessing! 

We look forward to another GREAT year in California... I'll do better blogging... promise!!!

-the momo momma

"Sew".. What do you think?!

Okay I promise not to use "sew" as a play on words anymore! *maybe*....

So 2 weeks ago, my new toy was delivered via amazon.com  (see post below). I was inspired to buy this machine for 3 reasons;

1. I follow an amazing blogger who posted a fabulous poncho she made in March which linked to a tutorial she created to show how "easy" it was.

2. One of the Momos came home with a note from her teacher stating that she needed to have a LONG Skirt to go with their "Africa Themed" culture day in the next 3 weeks. Tell me where I will find a maxi skirt for a 4 year old?!

3. I really want to make over my outdoor patio furniture cushions and my mom (who is a seamstress), convinced me I could do it very "easily"...

... so why not, everything is just "sew" (oops) easy!!!

 Here's what happened next. I went to Joanne's fabrics (with the Momos ---> I will never make that mistake again), there was too much fabric touching and very loud exclamations from them about "how soft this fabric is mommy".  I walked around for about 20 mins, wandering aimlessly up and down the fabric aisles looking for "flowy" fabric.

I came back with the following;

1. 6 yards of various fabrics, only the yellow I picked for "the skirt" b/c it was flowy

2. fancy looking scissors 

3. one of those pin cushion tomatoes, doesn't EVERY sewer need one of those!?

4. a chalk pencil (i dunno it looked important)

5. some thread ---> I was looking for the little bobbin threads too, then I realized you have to make them *ugh* 

6. a tape measure (duh)

7. some elastic

8. some ribbon

9. muslin (to practice on)

10. straight pins (to stick the Momos with) hee hee!

So I measured Momo 2 and then spread out the fabric on the table to prepare to cut!

Spent 10 minutes you tubing how to thread the sewing machine and making that little bobbin guy that goes in the bottom, then another 15 minutes agonizing over cutting the material, as if I didn't have enough (seriously I could of made 3 skirts out of this!). Finally I made the cut, pinned some pins and put the machine to work (I'll come up with a name for her soon). After 1 hour, this is what I came up with!

 How excited was I!!! Totally stoked, I felt like I was in a Staples commercial, 'that was easy!' The next morning I had Momo 2 come downstairs to try it on and it fit like a glove, well more like a mummy wrap! lol she could barely walk much less run in the dag on thing. Well lucky for me I had 2.5 inches of seams on each side I could take out, so I did and it worked out better. Yet I still wasn't satisfied, it was a tad see-through and I just wasn't overly thrilled.

I stepped away for a day and went back in 2 nights later, using a bit of fabric I found in that nifty little bin of left overs for $4 bucks, and that result... I loved!

 the back: I struggled with adding this ribbon, I couldn't get it to work with the elastic and was afraid to send her to school with just the ribbon. So I reworked it with the elastic only, but I am going to make a couple fun summer skirts with just the ribbon as the waistband

the front: I made the skirt much wider so it had more flow and body and didn't make Momo 2 walk like geisha girl!

Tada! My little African Giraffe! She loved it and so did I!

So.... (I was tempted), to say this was "easy" would be a true statement.  Overall the final skirt probably took me about 30 mins from start to finish and pressing. I guess the most OBVIOUS thing I could of gotten at the fabric store would of been a pattern, but I'm just not that kind of gal!

BONUS PHOTO (just for giggles): I'm sure you are all wondering, "What did Momo 1 wear for culture day?!" Her class had Ireland/Europe and her very crafty teacher got $13 bucks from each parent and made each kid a 3 piece ensemble (skirt/vest/apron). 

the little milk maid: lets just say she wasn't impressed! lol In her defense she didn't even go to school that day, because she ended up going to the Dr. and diagnosed with Bronchitis, so she wasn't well, but she wanted to see her "costume" on and then she realized I didn't make it and burst into tears, refusing to smile for the photo! 

I'm ready for more creations... stay tuned... again!