Slipcovers in the fs

This was our couch in Beijing after I went to MuXiYuan, the crazy fabric market, and bought a whole bunch of ultra suede cotton fabric and dealt with a tailor named Li Yi.  Actually, our beloved ayi dealt with Li Yi, who took the couch, loveseat and one side chair away for a week.  I was convinced I would never see them again and we would be billed $1,000's by GSO.  Li Yi did bring them back and we had wonderful, cheap, washable slipcovers.  But they were all red...not my best planning.  I have no idea how these slipcovers will look this fall after being in a bag, unused, for the last 5 years.  I hope they still look as good as they did in Beijing, but just in case I have been paying close attention to the below..

Lately there has been some wonderful slipcover advice, a lot of it from my friend Sarah, so without further adieu here is THE list of slipcovers to fit the basic boring Drexel couches.

weuweu.com - this frankly looks as if Li Yi might be running it.  It doesn't look like it offers the sought after Ektorp covers, but at the bottom of the page it does list it...so could be worth contacting them.

www.bemz.com - they have dreamy looking covers.

www.comfort-works.com - they have even dreamier covers - even velvet.

And of course good old Ikea sells the covers too.  If your a nervous shopper and live in an Ikea country, that could be your best bet.  Also check out Eve's blog.  She could make a career of decorating around the Drexel.

what to buy to take to post

Apparently people love reading about the crazy others go through with getting UAB, HHE and luggage ready to go....who knew?  So the shopping has started a little.  We are trying to get everything in small spurts so we won't have to do the big ugly shop in the States this summer.  All you FS types know what I mean by that!  I am hoping to only need to do some ugly clothes and shoe shopping.

The small stockpile is growing.  I ordered some Yak Tracks for myself this morning since my last pair bit the dust and this frying pan that BA says is perfect and not likely to kill anyone.  Still on the hunt for some new winter boots for myself and more random stuff I think I need for the next 2-3 years.

In case anyone remotely is curious as to what the stuff pictures is - store brand Tylenol and Aleve, Large band aids, Angry bird band aids, pot holders, rotary cutting blade, dog bones, 3 of those surprise lego people packets to bribe middle child if needed, extra large dog rope, dog collar light, muffin tin - I need a new one after every tour, 2 plastic containers of my favorite mustard to make my favorite potato dish, store brand NyQuil - I think I bought it will sick, and some random kid toothbrushes.  We go through a lot of toothbrushes around here.

more mittens

Since slush season is upon us and the kids have THREE recesses every single day no matter the weather, I had to whip up some extra mittens for a certain someone.  Before she left for school she decided hand made is best and I hope she comes home thinking the same thing...hard to keep that up when her fellow classmates think no such thing and like to share the opinions rather freely.

UAB and the luggage

I realize everyone has different ideas about what should go in UAB, HHE and the luggage.  But after a lifetime of moves I feel like this time I have this down.  Plus I am house bound with an 8 year old who has mono so obviously I have nothing better to do with my time!

So here are my lists all in one happy place

Luggage

winter coats for all
lighter coats for all
1 pair mitten/gloves for all
1 winter hat for all
1 sun hat for two
school uniforms for two - down to the shoes and the extra indoor and outdoor tennis shoes
rain boots for two which could do in a pinch with snow if UAB is slow
a few dozen doggie bags - they weight nothing and we will need them
5 pairs of panty hose for me
1 raincoat for two
several gallon ziplock bags of dog food
a disposable cat litter box - weighs almost nothing
ziplock of cat food - though he is not as picky as the dog
extra epi pens
several bottles of Benadryl
bottles of liquid Advil and Tylenol
adult Motrin and Tylenol
band aids
toothbrushes
lunchboxes and bits and pieces
at least one lady who lunches type outfit should I need to look nice and go anywhere
gym clothes for adults
a few sweaters for all
bathing suits for all
as well as all summer clothes we have been wearing all home leave long
extra bottles of vitamins
a new chapter book for two
work clothes



UAB

Sheets for all beds
new pillows for everyone
duvet for all beds
couple of quilts
mattress covers for all
mattress topper for queen bed
iron
ironing board
frying pan
dutch oven
2 sauce pans
couple of spoons and utensils
can opener
cookie cutter
rolling pin
baking sheets - already bought new ones Thank you very much!
muffin tin
set of plates, bowls, cups, a few tea cups
kettle
strainer
more over the counter meds - cold meds and the like and vitamins
shower curtains once we figure out housing
some baking supplies
saline solution
shampoo
dog food - a couple of bags
cat food or litter - will depend on how we are doing with weight
new dog bed
dog toys/treats
cat toys
toothbrushes
toothpaste
art supplies for kiddos
yarn and knitting needles
some handwork for me
playmobil
lego - not all, just enough to keep someone entertained
a couple of chapter books kids have not read
possibly Halloween candy if I can find something that would work
tux and ball gown with shoes for adults just in case...
more of the winter clothes for all
winter boots
skates for two and I mean ice skates
shake helmets
wrapping paper for birthday parities - just a little
extra set of dog shoes for our disabled dog..

Okay so that is a good start.  No list for HHE....just the rest of our stuff with some more stockpiling items thrown in - dog food, kids toys, birthday gifts, maybe extra tin foil, plastic wrap, ziplock bags, candles in mass

how we do dolls

I have a strong interest in toys and how children relate to them.  This is the doll my 6 year old got for Christmas.  This was her 'big' gift.  But because I love to make things and really do feel making things for my children is a gift, we are going down a different Kit doll clothing path.

Vintage handmade doll clothes!  This could easily get out of hand....

today

Today I have an under the weather 8 year old.  I am trying to recover from the stress and drama of this week.  And I am working away on the making.

baby gift

My lovely wonderful former Montessori co-teacher is having another baby.  So I needed to whip something up - a pair of mittens for big brother, a cute red and pink polka dotted corduroy shirt, some stripy socks - because I love, love, love all things stripy on children and a little hand knit plain vest, knit up in some Chinese market red cotton tape type yarn held double with some Chinese market wool-cashmere blend.  I am pleased with how it turned out and I hope baby is too.  Not too girly, but still meets my need for modern cute.