Do I live in a bubble?

I took my sewing machine in for it's yearly service a little over a week ago and picked it up last night. I had a big grin on my face when I saw all the machines on the floor that had come in during the day for servicing. I thought it confirmed to me that sewing was alive and kicking. When I mentioned as much to the repair guy, he said to me "Oh, most of these machines are owned by quilters. Isn't that what you do?" I said no, and that I make clothes. He was actually surprised, thought it was cool and then proceeded to tell me that not too many people did that anymore.

So my question is, do I live under a rock or or are there shades over my eyes?

I have connected with so many people who like to do what I do, but I keep forgetting that in comparison to the big world out there, we are a very small community. It's only through the internet that we have been able to find each other and bridge the gap, making the miles and distance between us seem so small.

I was talking to Sheila last night and we talked a little about this. What we like to do, our hobby is not a normal one, I know we all think differently, but my friends, it is what it is. Nine out of ten times you'll get someone asking you, "where do you find the time", or "Wow, I could never do that". For me, I tend to not sit in front of the television in a vegetative state. Don't get me wrong, I watch what I want to through the internet (Hulu, Netflix, etc..), but I'd rather spend my time creatively.

So my friends, weigh in and tell me about it.

I've Been A Bad Girl!!!!

and I owe it all to Rachel. I put myself on a fabric diet until May, and I couldn't resist buying fabric from the Vera Wang Collection over at Fabric.com. I mean come on, $1.95 a yard? That was temptation at it's best. I did give myself a limit, and I couldn't go over $40. I just made it, as my order came to $37.98. I got a total of 17 yards from the collection and another 2.5 yards of a Stretch Matte Jersey Knit in Tomatoe which cost $1.93 per yard. This top I think will be for another Vogue 8597, but my version. I checked out the sweater material I had this past weekend, and found that it wasn't enough fabric to make the sweater, so right now I have another piece in my stash in mind, but I have to check the yardage. This one here, might be a present, not sure yet. Here's what I purchased from the collection:

5 yards of Polyester Boucle Suiting in Navy. Sorry this picture is so small, but the bigger picture of this fabric was taken off the fabric.com sight before I could capture it. Anyway, I have this designated for a Suit. I'm just not sure which one yet.


3 yards of Printed Brocade Floral Lavender/Black. This will be for a dress, I think.


2 yards of Printed Brocade Floral Amber. I have this in mind for a cute knee length skirt.


3 yards of Satin Twill Chartreuse. I'm thinking of making that popular tunic/dress from Burda 1-2010-128. I figure if it doesn't work out, or I don't like it, I can turn it into a nice blouse.

2 yards of Polyester Chiffon Steel. I'm interested in making some ruffled flowers and maybe a layered scarf for the Spring. Something with Cream Chiffon, Tulle and pearl beading. We'll see.



2 yards of Techno Taffeta Navy. This piece will be for a matching blouse for the Polyester Boucle.


I didn't get any sewing done this weekend, but I did manage to do some crocheting for a friend. She's trying to raise some money for the drama group that she's involved with, so I told her that I would donate a few items for them to raffle off the night of their fundraiser. I'll blog about that later as it's coming up early next month.

Did anyone catch the Golden Globes last night? I didn't watch it, but I did make sure I checked out what the girls were wearing today. Here are a few of my favorites.

I'm trying to decide what my next sewing project is going to be. Right now I'm thinking about replicating this baby. I figure I can accomplish that with Butterick 5421and a few minor adjustment/alterations. I also might try my hand at Vogue 1053, but I'm not sure yet. I'm afraid I think.

First FO of the Year !!!!

So, I hope you all had a wonderful and uneventful but crafty weekend. It is so cold here. Let me tell you, layering right now is a must. Right now it's 31 degrees and it's suppose to go down to 23 tonight.

Last weekend I was browsing through JoAnn's and I came across this awesome crochet book Contemporary Crochet: 37 European Designs, by Sys Fredens. I had to have it. I don't think there is one design in this book that I don't like, and everything is pretty basic. On Monday, I started my first crochet sweater ever(I have done a tank top before), and finished it yesterday. I guess you can call it my rollover sweater. It's the Deep V-Neck Sweater With Collar. I love how this sweater turned out, and I love the colorway of this yarn. I also love that I got it done in a week. The yarn is Jo-Ann Sensations Rainbow Boucle. I purchased it on sale for a whopping $5.99 on sale last weekend. Now I just need to weave in the ends and find a cute matching tank top to wear with it. If you are new to crochet, this book is definitely a winner if you want to get your feet wet. Here are a few of the other designs.The Lovely and talented Ms. Faye awarded me To accept the award, I need to list 10 things about myself and then award it to 7 other bloggers.

1. I grew up an only child.

2. My parents divorced when I was 25 after 29 years of marriage.

3. Most people automatically think that I'm spoiled, but my parents always made sure that I worked for everything that I received. They also taught me that as long as I had money, I could purchase whatever I wanted.

4. I love doing outdoor activities like hiking/trail walking, biking, swimming, etc.

5. I have a dream of one day having a wardrobe of my own handmade creations.

6. I need to be more goal oriented. I start things, but I don't always finish them.

7. I would like to travel more.

8. I would love to read at least 50 books this year.

9. I would like to sew/knit/crochet mainly from my stash this year. I have entirely too much fabric, and yarn.

10. I'm outgoing, but a real home body at heart.

The 7 women I'm going to nominate are:

Sheila
Rachelle
Rachel
Elaina
Karen
Robin
Marissa

New Beginnings

Today was definitely a date for the history books. It was a day that I never thought I'd see during my lifetime or at least, not this early, but never the less, it was a day of hope, promise and change. Today, I saw an eloquent man, husband, and father take the oath of office, and boy did he shine. These next 4 years are going to be trying for all of us, but after seeing what I saw today, the bonding of strangers, and of family and friends, I think, we're all going to be alright.

Now, enough of my blabbering. I hope all of you are alive, kicking, screaming and crafting large in 2009. Although I've been a little quiet, my hands have been busy. I crochet embroidered on She's Got Legs for my co-worker and added crocheted ties at the top so that they'd stay up with no problem. She loved them.

I finished scarf #1 a personal pattern for my other co-worker Judy. She loved it. She ran around the office all day telling everyone she had an Andrea original. I smiled. It's always so nice to know that something you put a lot of effort into is well received. She been wearing it ever since.

I'm still working on the woodland scarf. I'm on skein #4. I was thinking that I had to do maybe one more skein after this, but I might not have to. I'll see after I finish this one. I'm hoping that I'll be done by this weekend.This past weekend I picked up the burnish tunic that I started before the holidays. I finished the body and am now working on the sleeves.

In keeping with my resolutions, I started a crochet blanket on New Years night. I haven't gotten to far because I haven't worked on it in over a week, but still, it already covers my lap. I started with a granny square, and then built the blanket out from there. I also started spinning again. Sorry, I didn't take a picture. I have 1 1/2 spools done so far, so I'll be plying soon. I saw where Amanda's been dying her roving. That is something I would like to try this year as I purchased some dye and some cormo roving a year and a half ago just for that purpose. But, I'm not ready yet. Plus, I have a ton of roving here that needs to be spun up and knitted.

Back in the fall, I started a new design, but put it down once the holidays came around to get the holiday knitting done. Over the weekend, I pulled it out and reviewed my notes. Hopefully, I'll have something new to show soon. All I can tell you right now, is that I like what I'm seeing so far. I haven't forgotten the pattern for Victoria. I have to have it test knitted. I'm hoping to have the pattern out by this Spring.

As for sewing news, nothing much is going on at the House of Andrea. I'm pretty much just in the planning stages. I picked up the January issue of Burda World of Fashion. I love this issue.

December's issue was really good too. There were a few patterns to relax in for those lazy weekends. I have yet to make a pattern out of one of these magazines, but I'm trying to get up the courage. I'm thinking I might start small first. Like this vest for starters which is in the plaid section of the January issue.I have a bolt of muslin. I figure I can start there first and build from there. What are you all up to?

Labor Day FO's and a Meme

Happy Labor Day!!! I will be lazing around with my buddies Lisa and Robin at the pool today. I'm just getting a late start. Before I do, I thought I'd let you see what I finished on Friday (Fall Fashion wardrobe piece #1 ). The Minimalist Cardigan by Ruthie Nussbaum.
Yarn: Cestari by Chester Farms on #7 needle.

This sweater was very easy to make and the sweater pattern is memorable after doing a few rows. It's definitely a project that you can take on the road or do while watching television. A nice staple to have in your wardrobe to take the chill off. It can pretty much go with anything. Dress it up or wear it with jeans.


This is what I made on Saturday (Fall Fashion wardrobe piece #2)New Look 6648.

I'm pretty proud of this garment. Although I've known how to sew for many years, and am really just getting back into it, I've never worked with knits before. I've also never done this neckline before either so I learned 3 new things on this project. The 3rd being stitch in the ditch, and it was very easy. This pattern is very straight forward, and I didn't have to make any adjustments to it. I will definitely be making another one, probably in a solid color and maybe with longer sleeves.

Sorry, nothing on Sunday, hung out with Mom, and did food shopping and more yard work.

I'll have pictures up later in the week with me actually in the garments. For now I'll leave you with the Tree of Happiness meme. I have been tagged by the the lovely Lisa. I am tagging these lovely people: Robin, Amanda, Susan and Sheila, Robin, Stacey. The Happiness Tree sayeth that you must list six things that make you happy. These are my six :

1. My husband and 2 dogs. They are my rock. My husband pushes me to do things and to always be outgoing. He listens when I need an ear, and gives me his shoulder when I need to lean on it. Byron(my older dog) has been around now for 15 years. He loves me unconditionally, and scolds me even when I don't need it. Jack(younger dog) just loves me.

2. The one special Saturday morning (rare for me) when you don't have to get up and you can sleep in without a care in the world and just laze around. It's even better when it is raining outside.

3. Shopping at my favorite craft or yarn store. (hee, hee)

4. Cheese fries and funnel cake from the boardwalk in Atlantic City. You know you can't go there without trying it.

5. Knitting/Crocheting/Designing something and when it's finally finished, you have that moment. Then the big cheesy grin shows up and you bounce all around for joy because you did something really good.

6. Wednesday night knit group at Rosie's, my knitting class on Thursday nights that I teach and my knitting/crochet/sewing friends in blog land. You all are the best, and bring out the best in me. Thank you.

Wow!! It's Been A While

but I'm still crafting, and staying busy. Now I know that the majority of you crafty bloggers are involved with the ravelympics. I on the other hand decided not to participate in the festivities because quite frankly, I have too many projects on the needles right now. In stead, I like Saun decided to see if I could finish a few projects I already had started. To my surprise, I think I am doing pretty well.

I finished knitting the Nepal Vest from Katia and I even hit a road block along the way. The original back panel piece I started with didn't color coordinate well with the front two pieces so I had to go with a different colorway. I now only have to block the pieces, put them together, tassle (which I'm still not sure about) and then I'm done. I'm also done knitting my version of the VS dress. I finished knitting it on Thursday, and it looks great. I still have to make the lining but that shouldn't be hard. I'm going with a black lining as I went back to the Gap and I didn't have too many choices on the selection of tank tops they had. I'll have pics up soon. I still need to work on the other sizes too. I started working on the sleeves for the minimalist cardi again. The sleeves are halfway done. I want to cast off by the end of the week and get the sweater put together. After that I have plans for the baby overalls and baby jacket with moss-stitch edging. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

In sewing news, I'm at a stand still right now but I'm hoping to cut the pieces out for the dress and vest/top by next week finally. I've been so slow in getting this done. There just never seems to be enough hours in the day.

As fall is just around the corner, I've been starting to put my focus more on designing more as it is an aspect of knitting that I've been fiddling with but don't really concentrate on. My day job is really busy and there is so much going on that I don't get too many chances to sit down, create and practice. I'm definitely going to have to change that, by carving time out/planning a schedule that can fit it in to my week. Weekends, would be an opportune time, but I tend to be busy with family obligations then too. I'll just have to see and make it work I guess.

I received my issues of Vogue Knitting and Interweave Knits in the mail. I have only skimmed through them, but they look good. I also picked up an issue of Knitscene. That looked really good also, so I'll be given my take on them soon.

I also visited two new online knitting magazines. The first one is Knotions. All the patterns are free. I haven't knitted anything from it yet, but they look pretty good. The articles aren't bad either. If you haven't checked it out yet, go by and visit. I think this is a site to bookmark and keep an eye on for the future.

The second magazine is Twist Collective. An amazing designer came up with an awesome concept (Kate Gilbert) and she told a few other amazing designers, and the magazine was born. The patterns are timelessly beautiful. Of course the patterns aren't free, but who cares, I'd put a dollar or two out for Ysolda, Cookie A and Pam Allen just to name a few any day.

So, have any of you gotten hooked on the Twilight Series yet? I purchased book one and four since I could get them on sale last week. I wanted to see what the hype was all about. Let's just say I wasn't disappointed. I started reading Twilight late Thursday night and finished it over the weekend. I could not put the book down. Knitting even took a back seat to this book. I don't want to give anything away, but if you haven't read the book/started the series, you need to. It's a beautiful story. I can't wait to read Stephanie Meyer's second book New Moon. I'll be picking up my copy by the weekend.

That's it for now, but I hope to have pictures up soon. Have a great week

What's in a Name

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Easter!!

Thank you for all of your supportive comments. I'm glad everyone like the handbags so far. I'm pretty proud of them myself. Here is a picture of one of the wraps I made for my flower girls. By the way, these wraps can transform into neck warmers/mini scarves that button as they get older.

I got quite a few invitations done and ready for the post office this weekend. I watched a new movie out on DVD called August Rush. If you haven't seen it, you should. I liked it. It was very cute. I also managed to alter a dress for my next door neighbor, and it turned out really well. It was the first time that I ever altered a dress for someone else, so I'm a little proud. I had to do a fitting on her and everything. She was very happy with it, and that's what counts the most.

The Fi booked our honeymoon last night, and I can't wait. We are going on a cruise to Key West, Cozumel and Belize. I've never cruised before so I'm pretty excited. I have to publicly thank Robin. You are the best girl!!! She was very helpful with all the questions I had, and let me know which cruise lines were really good. Thanks again Robin.

Anyway, I've been seeing this floating around on quite a few blogs and decided to check out what my name meant, and this is what I found out.

What Andrea Means

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

It's a new day, and a new dawn, and a new year!!

Happy New Year to everyone!! It is now 2008. A new year to try something new. As I sit here reflecting on 2007, I think I did pretty well on trying new things. I made homemade gifts again, which is something I started to do December 2006. The gifts were well received. 11 Lestats, 1 Baby Eleanor, and 1 Elmer, and 1 Alma.




I started sewing more. I made 1 pair of pants, 1 dress, 1 top, and 3 pairs of pajama pants. I've listed everything on the side bar except the pajama pants. I hope to have a picture of them soon.

The fi and I learned to ski. We learned to try and take more time for ourselves by starting date night. We've learned that it's a must. If you don't do this already, you have to try it. It does wonders for a relationship.

I joined a few knit-a-longs, and did my first secret pal. I knitted more, used some of my stash, got my first pattern published and started crocheting again. I also met new friends via blogging.
Now, I really haven't set forth any new goals for 2008 yet, but as I sit here a few do come to mind.

1. Get hitched on Memorial Day weekend to a wonderful man whom I love and adore.
2. Knit, Crochet and Sew more.
3. Hang out more with my Girlfriends and my mother.
4. Find time to read more. (This one's hard as I knit in my spare time.)
5. Stay true and in tune to myself and the fi.
6. Continue date night with the fi, even after the wedding.
7. Set up a date night with my mother after the wedding, so she doesn't feel left out of my life.
8. Save more money.
9. Blog more.
10. Get more organized and neat.
11. Curse less.
12. Try to be less stressed out.
13. Workout more.
14. Have fun.
15. Design and publish more patterns

I haven't introduced you to the newest addition to the family yet. Meet Lola!

I received her for Christmas from the fi. Gotta love him. He knows me so well, and likes my craftyness.

I also started my new year off at a nice pace. I relaxed a little, watched movies, started my wedding garter.

I'm using a pattern I found on ravelry. It's by Diane Willet, and can be found here. I joined the Spring Shawl Surprise. I'm knitting it for my godmother. I hope to get that done by the wedding. It's my gift to her. I finished my 2nd bridesmaid shawl. In the middle of binding off, I ran out of yarn which I ordered on Saturday. I also sewed myself a handbag(without a pattern) to carry my knitting in.

I learned how to install snaps for the first time. I broke the first snap, but figured out what I did wrong, and corrected the problem. It was fun.

Before I sign-off for today, I want to thank you all so very much for all your advice and feedback this past year. It's made my blogging experience worthwhile and fun. I can't wait to see what 2008 has in-store for us all. Happy Blogging!!