Tie On Highchair*****Update*****

There has been a recent increase in interest in this post.  I have attempted to add instructions to help those wanting to create their own.  Please let me know if you need more info.

This is one of the projects I have been working on the past little while.  This is the second one I made (well, third if you count my half made test pattern!).  Charlotte has had a hard time waiting for her finished project.  When she saw that it was done, she jumped around clapping her hands. 

There have been several times over the last 8 years when I really needed a portable highchair.  Visiting the In-Laws, friends, church functions, etc...  When I realized that I could be without a highchair for up to 90 days when we move and we would be visiting family again  - I decided I had to have something and I had to have it now.  I saw pictures of a cute Tie Chair and so I came up with my own version.

I didn't have mine tie in front (even though I love the bow in front) because my kids spill so darn much, I figured it would get gunky after one use!

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For those How Did You? Requests

This is not a full tutorial,  I saw the idea and copied and don't want to take credit for creating this design.

These are my original notes, so hopefully it all works out.

Created with 1/2" seam allowances.

Cut 2 rectangles (I did one polka dot and one teal) 27 3/4" x37 1/4"

Cut 1 rectangle (polka dot, this creates the back pocket for the chair back to slip inside)27 3/4" x21 5/8"

For the ties, cut 8 at 5" x 44" 

Here is a rough sketch showing finished measurements.  Like I said - rough sketch.  Let me know if you have more questions.

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A second attempt at making this a tutorial.  There will be no step by step pictures.

Here are the pattern pieces, by dimension.  You will have to measure and cut the rectangles and grab a plate or bowl to get the leg cut-outs so you like them.

1.  cut out the pattern pieces according to measurement.  On the two large rectangles, you will cut out two semi-circles leaving 10 1/4" wide at the narrowest point.

2. Sew your ties.  Place two pieces right sides together.  Sew leaving one end open, you can choose to sew the one end at an angle - but it is optional.  Right side them out, work your corners to nice and pointy.  Iron and top stitch if you choose.

3.  Take the small rectangle and hem one edge (27 3/4").  Fold and press under a half inch, fold under another half inch (double folded).  Iron and top stitch.  

4.  Layer your rectangles, all three are going to be sandwiched together.  Lay your front down right side up, Place your ties and pin then.  Be sure to secure the loose ends or you might catch them while you are sewing everything together.  Then place your smaller rectangle (line up the un-hemmed 27 3/4" edge) right side down on top of your laid out pieces, on top will be the back side (mine was teal) right side down.  Pin the edges together.  (make sure your ties are not going to end up sewn down in the wrong places).

5.  Leave an opening so you can turn everything to the right side.  Turn everything to the right side.  Be sure you layer correctly so you don't have to unpick!!  Tuck and press in your raw edges at your opening and either hand sew closed or top-stitch all around for a nice finished look.

6.  Iron and tie it on!!

7.  If you have any further questions feel free to comment and I will try to answer them.  Try to be as specific as possible in your question.

Original posted on 5/13/10

A Spooky Charlotte's Web

The last few days the kids have been on a bug collecting kick.  Today after school, Charlotte burst in the door wanting her bug box for a really cool spider.  She grabbed it and out she ran.  This is what she brought back.

Fortunately no humans were harmed in the collection process.  A neighbor girl actually collected this beautiful Black Widow specimen.  She is a fantastic, eerie, creepy, perfect example of a Black Widow.  Everyone here now has the heebie jeebies.  I think Jason is spraying tomorrow!

Happy Halloween!

Pretty in Pink and Orange

While my 3 oldest boys are roughing it in the cold, it is getting in the 30's.  They are also sporting attractive orange clothing.  I thought I would share a complete contrast.

Okinawa Sunset

Stay warm and safe!

Our Little Park

Just before we left Japan we spent lots of time at our little park.  Jason would frequently use it as his way of entertaining the girls while I was busy with the baby.  I joined them one day and Jason had his camera.  Those fun moments you get to watch your kiddos be kids.

As the temperatures get cooler and cooler here I start to miss the mild temperature of our island.  I think I would even take a typhoon if it meant I was warm and could wear flip flops.  We are adjusting and getting settled, it just seems like there is always an urgent situation needing out attention and I can't get into a routine.  I am craving it.  How do you get a routine going when every day something important disrupts it all?  Seriously, would love to hear!

Why We Use Straws

This is why we use straws to drink my smoothies!

I make really thick smoothies because that is how I like them, more like a Frosty.  Except my Frosty's have spinach, kale, blueberries, raspberries, flax, and pineapple juice.  Lately I have been throwing in an apple from the local orchards - oh yummy!  My friends taught me that the blueberries cancel out the bitterness from the Kale (and never use the stems, too bitter).  The kids like them as long as I use plenty of pineapple juice.

Pictures of our last day, Jayce's Perspective.

I was downloading pictures and found these from our last day in Japan.  I of course demanded that we spend part of it at the beach.  We only had the morning until Jason had to drop off our car to its new owners.  What I love about these pictures is Jayce had the camera for a big part of the day.  I get to see what he thought was worth taking pictures of, I think they are cute.

Digging for sand toys.

They decided to splurge and pay for a banana boat ride.  The Japanese are always worried about safety.

They are waiting for the ride to start, I don't think Jason was impressed.  It was impressive enough for my boys.

I love all the selfies!  I wonder if the sign is warning about Typhoons or what.  The wave is picking up that poor kid.

He loves the soda machines and Shisa's!

Jayce will miss the vending machines and soda choices.

A wooden ship playground, the kids love the zip line.

I had never read this sign and always wondered why they chose a wood ship for a playground.  Thanks  Jayce for the story!

More cute selfies!

Our final sunset, it was beautiful.

Moustache Smile!

After being re-united with family we loaded up into 4 or 5 vehicles for the final drive home.  I quickly realized that my family had other plans and Charlotte was staying with cousins before I had time to say no.

The next time I saw Charlotte was lunch the next day, she was in borrowed clothes and this....

She is stinkin cute even with a moustache. (I love that the cousins put it on upside down and filled it in with permanent marker - which was the least permanent part of the moustache).

After lunch with 11 kids we headed back to Grammy's for the rest of the evening.  By bedtime Charlotte was overly tired and we thought it was so funny.  You couldn't tell she was upset, she had a permanent smile.  Love that face.

Taking her picture helped to cheer her up and then we tucked her in and I don't think we saw any kids until late morning.

Back in the Saddle

I apologize for my longer than expected absence.  They packed up our belongings in Japan on June 18 and then we didn't see it again until August 24.  We are still getting settled, but we are finally all connected again.  I received a kind e-mail from blogher informing me that I was going to be dropped from their ad campaign, it has been too long since I blogged.  I have had it on my to do list, but with unpacking, school, and a new business - I have been slower than I wanted.  So, I am back to blogging and hope that my readers will return!

So much has happened and the time has flown since we left the hotel in Japan at 6:30 am on July 1.  We spent the next 25+ hours travelling back to the states and our new life here.

30 minute bus ride

2 hour minute flight

6.5 hour layover

9.5 hour flight

3 hour layover

2 hour flight

1 hour layover

1 hour flight

30 minute car ride

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14.5 hours flying

10.5 hours waiting

1 hour commuting

+ 1 sea bag, 2 medium suitcases, 5 carry-ons, 6 large suitcases, and 3 car seats (1 of which was a carry on) (not counting Jason's luggage)

Which of course it wasn't that smooth.  Everything was relatively smooth until we reached Seattle.  When you go through customs you pile all your luggage and carry-ons on to the carts to get through.  Then they load it on a conveyor to go to your connecting flights.  The airport personnel are so efficient that they had grabbed Jude's car seat and sent it off down the conveyor belt before we realized it.  We needed to get it back.  They told us it would be no big deal.  We followed their instructions and said good by to Jason who was staying in Seattle.

Thank goodness I have a husband who worry's about us a ton.  I took the kids and our carry-ons and headed to the gate.  Parked us and sent Jayce and Grahm with money to buy some burgers while we waited.  Shortly after that Jayce and Grahm return without burgers, but with Jason and the car seat.  The airport had not idea where to send the car seat.  we would have lost it!  After feeding and pottying everyone I realize that they had changed our gate, fortunately not too far.

They are late boarding us and getting us to SLC.  I only had an hour layover to begin with.  And now I have no layover, 5 kids, carry-ons, and a car seat.  We land and they asked everyone to stay seated so those of us with connecting flights could make it - no one every stays seated.  We were at the back.  We  go off and I sent Jayce (who is very concerned about missing the flight), Grahm, and Charlotte to run ahead of me.  While I carry Jude in the carry seat and beg with and plead with Tennyson to please run and keep up (this is at 24 hours of travel).  Some how we made it to the gate, and they let us on.  They even let me take Charlotte to the bathroom before we boarded (the plane is waiting for us).  Tennyson and Jude are both having meltdowns at take off.  We made it and were welcomed home with signs and a crowd.


We will forever miss Japan and will cherish the time we spent there.

Moving

Our adventure in Japan is coming to a close.  Our computer will be packed up in a couple of days and then it will be a month or so before I see it again.  So, posts will be few and far between until we are settled.

We will miss Okinawa and are excited to have family in our daily lives again.

A Couple First Smiles