Holy Smokes....has it been that long?

I haven't blogged in ages, but I'm happy to report that summer school is finished and I rocked it with an "A". Woohoo! I have two weeks off and I'm ecstatic to be tackling some long neglected UFO's. First I'll be finishing up the binding on a string quilt. It was suppose to be for one of the ladies in the office at my son's school, but she quit over the summer so I'll just tuck it away until I decide who to give it to. I need to pin basting Shane's quilt. It's so hard to come up with a quilt for a teenage boy. What to do, what to do? Oh I know, 5 inch solid squares. Boring, but perfectly appropriate for him. I also had planned the zig zag skirt for Moda Bake shop for O as a back to school outfit. Let's just say I didn't get that done, but now I have time. I already have the front done, and just need to finish the back. I have blocks for two flickr bees to finish. And then I want to start working on some Christmas gifts. I've really missed getting to stitch and I'm glad to be back in front of my machine. I'll post some pix of the completed project just as soon as I can.

UFO Status Report

I'm happy to report that I've been doing awesome finishing up my UFO's. I really only have a few more left. I have my "Mad Men" inspired dress (although Mad Men is set in the 1960's). Here's the pattern. I'm doing version C in a blue and red plaid fabric I got for a good price the Patsy Aiken Outlet. I also need to finish a backpack for O., a lunch bag for me and a little duffle bag for my sewing/knitting notions. Then I can begin my holiday crafting in earnest. In fact I've actually started working on E's quilt. I'm using a pattern called "Perfect Ten" from Swirly Girls. Super cute. I'm making it from a fabric line called "Serengeti" that features realistic jungle animals. I've cut out all the fabric for it. It took me a bit and had me wishing for a accuquilt cutter, but my omnigrid ruler's did the job fine. I might make myself a quilt from this pattern too one day. Of course I have my regular monthly blocks to finish for my different flickr quilting bees. And I'm participating in a really fun challenge with TMQG called "Glam Garden Gala". Robert Kaufman fabrics donated 25 layer cakes from Glam Garden by Josephine Ketterling to our guild and I was lucky enough to get one. You use the layer cake and one other fabric to create something. I've been kicking around a few ideas. I guess the final project is going to depend on how ambitious I'm feeling. Anyways, I'm plugging along. Trying to stay cool and crafty,lol.

In the UFO basket

I've been doing a lot of quilting (or at least making a lot of quilt blocks) recently which means my garment sewing has suffered. I don't have a ton of free time to stitch so it's not hard for that ufo basket to overflow. Anyway, in the last couple weeks I've begun working on my ufo basket sewing again. I just love the hum of my machine(s) and the satisfaction I get when I have a finished project. Here's a list of unfinished projects that I'm determined to tackle. Let's see.
1. a bunch of undies for O.
2. a top for me
3. a dress for me
4. boxers for the boys
5. O's first day of school outfit
6. O's backpack and lunch bag
7. a coin wallet
I'm also getting ready to start working on two special quilt projects. Both my little fellows have requested quilts of their own. I'm making E's out of this great fabric line that features jungle animals. I'm going to make M a Chinese coin quilt (or maybe a fence rail) using primary colors and a few novelty prints. Neither pattern will be terribly complicated or exacting. Just something special for them to snuggle under.

MIA

Gosh, I haven't been doing much blogging lately. But, I have been staying pretty busy. I'm currently participating in a block exchange on flickr and it's teaching me tons. I just finished my 2nd set of blocks. I've also been doing a good bit of personal sewing and quilting. I'm almost finished with the quilt for O's preschool teacher. In fact I'm quilting it now, I should have pictures to share soon. I'm getting ready to sew up a bunch of tshirts for the boys and sundresses for O. in preparations for the summer. I also have been busy keeping the boys entertained during their track out.Oh and general mom duties of course, cooking, cleaning, playing nursemaid. All in all, not idle. Here's a bit of what I've been up to. I'm trying to be better about taking pictures. I realize I need to photograph a few things I've sewn for O. I'll have to do that later. I'm also working on her backpack for school and actually doing some sewing for me.


My summer carry all for the pool made from a charm pack of Santorini by Lila Tueller
Big and roomy with tons of pocket. It has bamboo handles which I'm still on the fence about.



Geometric block for Rachel for the Bee Lovely Flickr group. It's an raw edge applique. I may have to reposition the circle though. As I was stitching it, it seemed to have migrated and looks a bit wonky...although wonky is good too.



Another block for Rachel. I was so proud of this block since the curves were a bit of a challenge to a newish quilter like me. Everything was going great until I was squaring it. It's suppose to be 9.5 x 9.5 but I think it's more like 9.5 X 9.25. Ugh!!! Ah well, like Tim Gunn says, I'm sure Rachel can make it work!

Trying for a little style

I'm no longer as young and hip as I used to think I was. But I still want a bit of style. You might remember that I like to sew. I have a pretty sizable stash. However, for the last few years I've concentrated on making items for my kids and a few bags/purses. I've been thinking lately that I'd like to add a bit of style to my routine. I'm sort of a jeans and tshirt gal, maybe a hoodie thrown in for practicality. Yesterday I was browsing through the Vogue pattern website and I realize there are some really cute fashion forward patterns out there. I could make myself some stylish clothes. I'm really inspired by a fellow local sewing mama. I love that Stephanie sews for both her self and her kids. She's got some fun style going on!
Here's a look at what I was thinking about.



Or maybe this



or something like this


or this?



Now the biggest question is where would I wear those to? I mean how would I look all done up in the carpool lane? But, should I let that stop me from having a little style? I think not. I've been trying to put a bit of makeup on and not looking completely dowdy. We shall see. Vogue patterns will be on sale at JoAnn's next week and I'll see what I can pickup. I noticed some nice fashion fabrics there the other day. It's funny to find myself looking at fabric that doesn't have purple princesses on it. Who knows maybe I'll finally finish some of those UFO's I have cut out for myself.

Work on it Wednesday

Heading off to my sis's in VA. in a week and am determined to finish my niece's quilt. All that is left is the binding. Today I will sew the strips together and square up my quilt. I have my sewing bee tomorrow so I will work on getting the binding attached while I'm there. Then all that is left is a label. I'm excited to get rid of this UFO! I've been working hard to get rid of my UFO projects. I think I just have 3 more. I need to sew buttons on a fleece jacket I made dd, finish a top for me and jeans for E. I have a whole list of projects to start after those are finished so I should stay busy sewing from now till eternity.

Stay tuned for a finished project picture. I have a ton of pictures waiting to be shared, just need to upload them to the computer.

From my heart to yours

So, a few weeks ago I took a quilting techniques class at the LQS. I learned a lot. We did a simple sampler where we did appliques, machine quilting, mitered border and binding. I turned mine into a pillow. It's been claimed by O. for her very own. I think it came out pretty cute. Just wanted to share it with you all. I'm wishing you lots of romance and love for Valentine's Day with that special someone in your life.

Work on it Wednesday

True to form I started off with a bang and then lost my steam. What am I referring to you ask? Well, I'm participating in a swap on Ravelry and I have yet to finish my swap item. I was super excited and began working diligently on my swap item in the summer, but I lost interest and it's sat incomplete. Well, the week of Thanksgiving is when we're suppose to have these in the mail. Panic time! Actually, not to be too hard on myself, I did finish the original item I had planned to swap. I was just not thrilled with it and I started a second item. It was going along swimmingly until I lost my mojo for it. But, a fire has been lite under my butt because yesterday I got my swap package from my partner and not only was it the loveliest hand knitted shawl, but she included so many other items that I'm ashamed to send her my poorly knitted attempt. However, I can sew and I have some sewn items that I'm sending her and I hope they will overshadow and make up for my knitting. I will be in high gear over the next few days to get this stuff in the mail by Wednesday. When will I ever learn?

Work on it Wednesday

I feel like a broken record, but I'm still doing some sewing on the Halloween costumes. Last week was busy busy and I didn't get quite as much done as I wanted. I also have to admit I was distracted by my efforts to learn about pattern drafting and fitting so I've been doing a ton of reading on the subject. I'm gearing up to make myself a fitted jacket/coat. I have decided to use this project to work out my aversion to making a muslin and taking the time to properly fit the stuff I sew for myself. I know that I'll need to make adjustments for a wide back, full arms and low bust (lol!). I am a tshirt and jeans kind of girl, but I do love beautiful clothes and want to make some for myself. I'm really excited to have a challenging project. I mean I sew for O., but there's no real challenge there, she doesn't have figure flaws to combat, lucky girl.

Work on it Wednesday

It's that dreaded time of year where I spend many hours chained to my sewing machine turning out Halloween costumes that take hours to produce but will be worn for a brief time and then tossed aside without a backwards glance. Today I will try and finish O.'s costume and plan to get started on E.'s soon. I know it seems early, but I'm such a procrastinator that if I don't commit to working on it now and put it out there for all to see I will find myself up all night on the 30th of October trying to finish them. I still have to figure out what M. wants to be. Knowing him he'd probably just as soon stay home and hand out candy. So, that's it...I'll be doing nothing but sewing, sewing, sewing.

Very first giveaway!

I'm so excited! I thought and thought...what do I like to make? What can I give away? Then it came to me. I love to make bags. So for my first give away I will give away a bag. Nothing fancy, just something useful with fun fabric. Something you could use to run to the library or the farmer's market. You know an all around bag. So, that's what I'm going to call it. The fat dollar all around bag, fat dollar because it's basically made from 4 fat quarters...get it? It's quite generously sized as you can tell from my modeled photo (thanks O.) and when I say you could go to the market with, I mean you can go to the market with it. There's no pattern to it. I just cut up some fat quarters, made a square bottom bag, lined it, put some pockets on the inside and did some cute knotted handles to give it a bit of zing. Can't remember where the fabric came from, although I think the dots came from the Patsy Aiken's outlet. Post a comment to enter or go crazy and subscribe to my blog. I'll pick a random winner on Tuesday. Good luck.

Oh my goodness...I'm a quilter

Can you believe it? I'm almost finished. I just have the quilting and the binding to do and it's finito! I can't believe it, I actually might be a quilter, well sort of. By no means is this perfect, but I'm pretty proud of how it's coming out. I altered the pattern somewhat, but I think it'll be fine. It's a bit bigger than a toddler's quilt and it's for my niece's birthday. It's from the Eric Carle book "Brown bear, Brown bear what do you see?"
I'll give her the quilt and the book. I would already be finished accept for a bit of a hiccup. I had thought it would look great stippled. I did a bit and didn't like how it looked. I decided to take it out, but the stitches were so tiny that it took forever to get them all out. Note to self, next time be 100% sure before you stipple your quilt. Anyway, I'm just so glad to see the end of this project. Next up, quilts for M. & E., hopefully I can have them finished by Christmas. I better get started today.

Work on it Wednesday

Why do I do this? I know I need to do these things, but still I procrastinate. I need to finish the end of the year teacher's gifts. I've known when end of the year was...well,since the beginning of the year. Yet, somehow it's snuck up on me and I have just a matter of days to crank out those gifts. Panic time! Ugh, when will I ever learn? So, I guess that's what I need to do. I need to put the foot to the pedal and get those gifts completed. I swear, this is the last time, I will not wait to the last minute again. Oh and of course I still need to finish the quilt for my niece.

Summertime Dress

I've been doing quite a bit of sewing lately and whipped this little round neck dress up for Miss O. who promptly proclaimed "This dress is perfect for hot weather, I'm going to wear it every day". I got a kick out of that. It is perfect for hot weather. I made it out of some lovely fabric from my stash and it just looks fun and fresh. Here's a few shots of my girl in her summertime dress.

Work on it Wednesday

Since my regular tv programs have ended for the summer I've been introduced to some shows I didn't know about. One is the television show Mad Men and I have been totally sucked in. Thus, I've also felt very nostalgic of late. Well, actually my nostalgia has manifested itself as a yen to sew up full skirts and prim little dresses. My mind is full of aprons, peter pan collars and pearls. I've been on the hunt for the suitable fabrics and patterns. I scored some awesome retro fabrics at the thrift store and can't wait to get stitching. I was thinking of something like this or this or even this one . I mean it's definitely a look right. Very feminine...yet maybe a little naughty too. I think it's the undergarments. All those slips, stockings with garters, gravity defying bras, I am just fascinated. Coming from a tshirt and jeans kind of gal, it's quite amusing really. So, my big plan for today is to sew up a dress. I've got my fabric washed and now I just need to get everything cut out and stitched up. Oh, and I get to break in my dress form. I'm super stoked! Groovy man!

Thrift Store Redux

A few months ago I purchased a couple of mid century wooden chairs with great bones, but in desperate need of some tlc. Always having an eye toward that diamond in the rough I knew these chairs would look awesome somewhere in my home even if I wasn't sure where. I found some retro looking upholstery fabric in the clearance section of JoAnn's fabric for $3/yd and picked up what was left on the bolt (about 5 yds). So after deciding to blow off the gym in favor of a little home improvement I embarked on my project du jour. I have recovered chairs before. There's really nothing hard about it. It just takes a bit of time. I did sew part of the back cover so that I could get a snug fit, but otherwise I just used my staple gun. I have to say a word about staple guns. I have used the non electric ones and I'm sure they are fine, but if you're doing anything made of hardwoods like the chair frames I was stapling into you need something with a bit of power behind it. I have an Arrow staple gun and it rocks! I did beef up the bottom cushion with new foam since it was pretty flattened and not very comfortable. Anyway, I will probably get to the other chair sometime later in the week. I have enough fabric leftover to make a few pillows too. So here are the before and after pictures. Let me know what you think.



ain't she a beauty?



Stripped down and ready for a new look


Flower Power! Much better!

Holy figure flaws Batman!

There probably isn't a more humbling experience than getting a life size picture of what you really look like in all your glory. Well, if you recall I recently purchased a dress form. I finally got a chance last night to customize it by padding it up to match my own measurements. The entire process took me about 1 1/2 hours to complete, including taking the measurements (with a bit of assistance from Mister). It's glaringly obvious that I'm shaped like a pear and not in a good way. Thanks to four kids and four c-sections my once trim waistline is no more (regardless of how many spin classes I take). There was no getting around it as I continued to pad the dress forms middle until I thought, what the heck...I might want to start saving up for that tummy tuck. I also never realized how short waisted I look. I mean there was almost no definition between my breast and my waist or what should be my waist but what is in all actuality a solid line from my breast to my stomach. And that lumpiness you see along the hips, well I thought it was essential I try to capture all my curves, uh...lumps. I'm not being down on my self. I'm just facing the harsh reality of what I have to work with. All in all though, I'm still thrilled to have a form and to be able to make clothes with my own hand that will fit my own body, whatever flaws that body might have.

My Doppleganger

I'm so excited! After years of wanting one, I finally bought a dress form. But not just any one, I got a Fabulous Fit dress form. Just like they use on project runway (which I've not seen, by the way). It's super cool and you're suppose to be able o customize it so that it's a duplicate of your actual figure. It came with a bunch of foam pads to accomplish this. I think they run close to $400 with the shipping and all, but I got mine off Craigslist for about 60% less, woohoo super score! I hope it helps me feel motivated to sew more for myself. As I've shared before I have an insane amount of fabric and patterns and tons of ideas...but very little actual time to sew. I really want to make more stuff for myself this year. I think I'll call her Serena since that rhymes with my name. I still need to take a bunch of measurement a pad her up. But, I thought you might enjoy meeting her. So, here she is in all her headless armless glory.

Work on it Wednesday

Today I'm going to prep for my sew in that I have planned for when I go on vacation in a couple weeks. I'm going to pick out all the fabric, make sure it's washed and ready to go, cut or trace the patterns and fabric and get everything ready so that when I sit down to sew I can work efficiently. As I mentioned before I'm making the spring and summer stuff for O. & the boys. I will start with E. because although he remains reed thin, his legs are getting longer and he is due for some pants that don't show off what color socks he's wearing. I'll be using mostly patterns from Ottobre, KS and a couple vintage New Looks I have. I'm hopeful that the latest Ottobre issue will arrive in my mailbox before I begin since it's up on the website and usually the hard copy isn't too far behind that.

Spring Sewing

I found this cool info online about Sewing with a plan. The idea is to make 11 interchangeable items to make up a wardrobe. I want to story board my ideas for the kids wardrobes, but I'm having a tough time figuring out how to do it(not the most computer savvy person around, lol). Nonetheless I'll just tell you what I have planned. So for each child I'm going to make 11 interchangeable items. For E & M. who are essentially the same size it will be like they have double the clothes. So I'll be making the following for each boy.
2 t-shirts from the Simple + 1 book
2 raglan t-shirts with color blocking or embroidery
2 double layer t-shirts/or campshirts
3 pairs of shorts (fabrics will be knit,denim and twill)
2 pairs of knit sweatpants

I do also plan to make a couple pairs of pj pants and some underwear for them too, but that's outside of my wardrobe plan.

For O. I plan to make
2 tshirts (from a favorite Ottobre pattern)
2 tunic tops
2 capris
1 skirt
1 sundress
3 pairs of shorts/skorts

I'll also make a couple of knit nightgowns and underwear for O. too.
This should keep me busy for a bit. I need to pick out the fabric, make sure it's been prewashed and then I'll will do mass cuttings. I'll probably work on one child's clothes at a time to keep from having too many ufo's at once and getting overwhelmed. I'll keep you up on my progress. So, there you have it, my personal SWAP. Ah, if only I was better with the computer. It would look so cool storyboarded. Maybe after I figure out the fabrics and all the patterns I plan to use I can get Mister to help me.