Hello Stranger!!!

As they say in the song, seems like a mighty long time. Or a few weeks. I kind of went on a blog break, which I did not intend to do. But life happens. I hope you all of been well. I haven't done any sewing really in the last few weeks. I've wanted to work on my Burda dress, but at the beginning of the month it was just too hot to go into the sewing room. I purchased a portable air conditioner for the house, but it never quite got the job done on cooling the house off. Don't get me wrong, it works if you're standing right in front of it, but it's not good on cooling off the whole room. I think because it was on the floor and the cool air tended to just circulate around the floor. Mr. D and I finally took it back and for the price we paid, replaced it with a window unit, a fan and a dual flush toilet for the bathroom that we are going to start renovating. Now we feel like we've gotten our monies worth, and the house is finally cooler.

A few weeks ago, a friend asked me to make a baby blanket for her to give to her god daughter who was having her first child. This is what I was able to come up with.

When she received it she seemed pretty pleased.

This past weekend I decided to try and see if my sewing mojo was back. One of my knitting buddies Marissa is getting married next month. We had a shower for her over the weekend at our friend Robin's house. A great time was had by all. And the food was delish. It was a brunch and everyone brought a dish. Here is some of the food.

These first 2 dishes were made by Robin and Marissa. This sausage and egg dish was made by Lisa.This strawberry dessert was made by me, and the cupcakes were made by Laura.

I had been wanting to try Kwik Sew 3554 for quite some time, and since I have really never sewn for anyone before beside family, I thought this might be a start. I traced out the pieces for the small thinking she was a 36. I used stretch lace with a tye-dye floral print. and outlined the bodice with a floral trim. Front View Side View Back Close up of Front. I didn't hem the bottom as I used a wavy blade in my rotary cutter. I followed in Robin's footsteps and did a halter top instead of spaghetti straps. With not having Marissa around for fittings as I wanted it to be a surprise, I figured it would be easier. In doing so, I couldn't follow the directions to the letter. All in all, I love this pattern, everything went together very easily. When she tried it on, it was too big. I took it in an inch on each side, and then it fit perfectly. Ladies, I see this one in my future very shortly(as Mr. D saw this one and asked, "Hey babe, is that for me?"). This was my very first Kwik Sew experience and it will not be my last. I plan on sewing more of their patterns as I have recently purchased and have a few in my stash.

In knitting news, I'm working on wardrobe builders right now. Plain sweaters to wear with dresses and tops. I'm starting with the Short Sleeve Cardigan from Spring/Summer 2010 Knit Simple. It's part of the 1st Lady Flair Collection which were inspired after Michelle Obama. I finished the back, and am now working on the left front. I wanted to do both front pieces together, but the buttonholes are based on the button placement, and since I haven't figured that out yet, I have to do each piece separately. The yarn I'm using is Berroco Comfort. I have to tell you, I love the feel of this yarn.

Myra, I haven't forgotten about the blogger award you gave me. I'll be posting about that next. I also just realized that my blogging anniversary is in a few days. 5 Days to be exact. Stay tuned for a giveaway for that as well. As always, Happy Crafting!!

New Projects and a Review

One of my favorite things right now is the Chalk Cartridge Set put out by Dritz. I've wanted a chalk pencil like this for quite some time. I saw a similar one in a Threads magazine a few years ago, and said to myself I want that. Well, when I was in JoAnns a couple of weeks ago and saw this baby in the Quilting Section, I grabbed it. I tried it out on my outfit this past weekend, and it's a keeper. I'll be adding this to my wonderful collection of chalks (Love Them) that I got from Greenberg & Hammer. What are some of your favorite tools to work with?

As promised, here's a picture of me in the Valentines outfit from this past weekend. You can read my PR review here.

I've been trying to get in the mood for Spring. With that in mind, and today also being Ash Wednesday, I'm thinking about Easter and what I'll be wearing. Normally I pick out a pattern first and work from there. This time I picked the fabric first. I settled on this recent Vera Wang purchase of 2 yards. I'm hoping it's okay for Spring as the colors are a little Fall-ish.

At first I thought about making a skirt with a matching blazer. I settled on Simplicity 4256 for the blazer. It was either yesterday or maybe the day before that I figured with 2 yards, I could make a dress, so I'm now deciding between Simplicity 2658 View B and the dress from Vogue 8491. I'm leaning toward the Simplicity dress, but my decision isn't final yet. What do you think?

The other project I want to start is pants. I've decided to go with a Burda Pattern. The two that I'm looking at are 4-2009-188 and 11-2009-124. I know I'll probably make both, I'm just undecided as to which pair to make first. I'll probably go with 4-2009-118 first because I keep looking at the picture and I also want to make 4-2009-116 from the same issue and I think they'd go well together.

MOT #2 Complete and Holiday Sewing and Sales!!

Is it my imagination, or do the days keep going by faster and faster? I hope everyone had a great day yesterday. I know I did. It was nice and quiet at my house. By late afternoon we picked up our mothers and went out to dinner. After that we went over my FIL's for dessert. I got a chance to finished up MOT #2, and I wore it last night. Buttonholes are not so hard to do, and I'm not afraid of them anymore. I am so proud of myself. This top turned out soooo nice. Well, 3 down, 1 more top to go and I am done. I'm aiming on bumping it out hopefully by Monday.

Did anyone see the doorbusters deals for JoAnn Fabrics for today through Sunday? I'm not trying to spend any money but some of these deals are awesome, and I don't think I can pass them up.

Yesterday, Fabric.com's deal of the day was plush suede for $3.98 a yard. As you know, I have some bathrobes planned as presents, so I purchased some. The pattern I'll be using is These are the colors I picked out. This one's for my mom, this one is for my girlfriend, and and this one is for me. I tried to pick out colors that they liked. For my MIL I've picked this I purchased two cotton floral knits from JoAnns a couple of weeks ago that I thought she might like. Sorry I don't have pics of the fabric. For the Hef robe, I'll be using this pattern I'm not showing my fabric choices as I want them to be a surprise. He knows about the robe but I have to leave something to the imagination, and I'm afraid Mr. D might read this post. But I'll say this much, I plan on going all out. I want him laughing on Christmas Day.

That's pretty much it for me right now. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Bamboo Love and Christmas goodies!!

Before I give you all an update from this past weekend I want to give you all a big thank you for all the lovely comments you sent my way. I made the necessary changes I wanted to my cardi/jacket and I wore it to work today. The changes did the trick and the everything is staying in place.

On the home front, I need prayers this week. Both my mother and MIL are going into the hospital this week for procedures. Hopefully everything will go well for both of them and this will be it for now.

In knitting news, I worked on another Knit Picks project last week and it's just about finished. I'll be shipping this one out hopefully by Wednesday. I have 5 more hats to make for the guys in the band so I figure I need to get cracking. My bass player asked for the Jamaican flag colors in his hat. It should be lively, and fun to make. I have no progress to show on the afghan as I haven't been working on it, so I guess I'll be putting some serious time in on it in the next few weeks.

I was a bad girl last Friday. I called Metro Textiles and ordered more material. The good thing is that some of the material is for the Hefner(Hugh) robe. I purchased some black crushed velvet for the collar and cuffs. I think or I'm hoping Mr. D will like it, and that it won't be too much against the blue velvet fabric I'm using.

I have 2 more robes without collars planned for my mom and girlfriend. As they don't read my blog and they asked for them, I figure I can talk about them here. I'm thinking of using a plush fabric. I was looking in JoAnns over the weekend but I didn't see anything I liked. I going with a green for my mom and either periwinkle or red for my friend. I checked out Fabric.com and I think I'll be fine there. I just need to pick my pattern first.

Over the weekend I was able the cut out and mark Simplicity 4112. I washed the fabric for this one and so far there isn't any shrinkage so I'm happy about that. I put that pattern aside for now and also cut out and marked Butterick 5420. I love the fabric I'm using. If you ever get a chance to work with organic bamboo knit fabric, please do. It's well worth the money and feels fantastic on. It's like BUTTER!! Anyway, I started working on the top last night and it's coming along nicely. I'm hoping to be done tonight maybe. I ran into a snag last night. The pattern calls for you to interface the front 2 pieces and the collar. I've never done that before and I don't know if I ever will again. You don't get the stretch you want after you do that. I have to re-cut the collar as it doesn't fit the blouse now. That was a pain. I'm trying to decide if I want to re-cut the collar bigger or just rework everything without the interfacing. Any ideas? Here it is so far.

My First Sew Along

I've never tackled a coat before and when I saw the Trench Coat Sew Along,

I thought that might be the ticket to get me going. I emailed Elizabeth yesterday morning to see if it was too late to join and she gladly sent me my invite.

Since I already have it in my pattern stash I thought I'd go with McCall's 5525 for this one. View E.
I'm a little apprehensive about this because it is my first coat, but I will try to do my best. I found this fabric believe or not at Walmart.

I think it is a polyester blend of some sort. It was marked as fabric unknown. I haven't picked my lining or buttons out yet but I would like something colorful for the inside of the coat. I figure I can decide on the buttons as I move along.

The other decision I have to make is whether or not to treat the fabric so that it's waterproof. Do any of you have any suggestions in reference to that? I've never done that before.

In other sewing news, I'm also cutting out McCall's 5978

so that I can sew along with my buddy Sheila. I also plan on cutting out Butterick 5030.

I think that's all I can handle right now as I start back to work this week and I'm crazy with knitting projects right now. I'll tell you more about that later this week.

Labor Day Weekend Update!!

This is a warning. This post is very picture heavy. Saturday was our lazy day. We hung out by the Sckuykill River with our new toy.

It was a beautiful day. The weather was great and we had a nice time. It was my first time riding a jet ski.

I also started a new project. I've made socks before, but never one from the toe-up so this is my introduction to that. I'm using Berroco Sock 50% Nylon and 50% Acrylic which is actually very nice to work with. The pattern I'm using is The Humble Sock Goes Toe-Up by Nikki Burns. I found the pattern on Ravelry. I had to make a few alterations as for the size because it was too big. I casted on for the smallest size but worked up to 46 stitches on #2 circular needles. I also learned a new technique which was the Turkish Cast-On. The sock seems to fit me fine so far. I'm almost up to the heel flap part.

Yesterday I finished Sursa. I think she turned out really nice and should keep me warm on those chilly days like today. All that's left to do is to weave in the ends. I pretty much followed the pattern. The only thing I did differently was the ruffle. I wanted instant gratification so I decided to crochet the ruffle instead of knit it. It took 10 balls of yarn and 2 evening sessions in front of the television but it's done.

Last night I casted on for a blanket. It's a Christmas gift so I can't say who it's for. I don't have any pictures yet, but I hope to have it done in time.

In sewing news, I went to JoAnn Fabrics yesterday and had a field day. McCalls, Vogue and Simplicity patterns were all on sale. I thought at first that my visit was going to be a bust. When I got there, I wasn't finding what I went for but then the boxes started showing up for restocking and the nice girls at JoAnns let me go to town. 11 patterns later, I walked out a very happy camper. Here's what I purchased. I have to thank Amanda of Amanda's Sewing Adventures (great blog) for mentioning over the weekend that McCalls had listed some new patterns. When I saw this Laura Ashley pattern 5972, I had to get it. I love the ruffles on View C. I was afraid that my JoAnns didn't have it yet, but like I mentioned earlier, they had just received the new shipment with the new patterns.5929. Even though I've been sewing for quite some time, I've never sewn a button down shirt. I figure it's about time, so here's one of the blouses/shirts I'd like to tackle this coming year.

Every girl needs a sweater set in their wardrobe and I thought 5978 would fit the bill. What I like about this pattern is that it has a set- in sleeve on the sweater. That's great for me because if I want to change the sleeve design it will be easier for me to do and it opens up quite a few options.

I purchased 5975 because I just liked it. Plus I do like all the dress options.

I can see myself making at least 3 versions from 2504. I love Views A, B, and C.

There's not much to say about 2508. I think it's a definite must have. I love all 3 versions.


Getting in the holiday mode. I picked up these 3 patterns. Simplicity 2739, 3696 and McCalls 5248. My mother asked me for a bathrobe for Christmas so I think pajamas and bathrobes will be in order for her and my husband this year.

Robin has made this one a few times. Because of that, it has become a must have in a sewer's collection. I figured it was time I picked this one up before they discontinue it.

I saw 2665 the last time I was at a Simplicity sale. I decided to pick it up this time. I like the vest and pants from this pattern. It's the vest and pants version of Vogue 1053 which is already in my collection(jacket and pants). The fronts of the jacket and vest on these 2 patterns are very similar.

That's about it for me. I want to sew something today, or at least cut something out. I just need to pick a pattern out.

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their Labor Day!!