It's a Beautiful Morning

Actually, it's rainy, but I sometimes really enjoy a dark, rainy morning. It makes staying inside and sewing completely guilt-free. After dropping H off at school this morning, W and I came home to enjoy a snack that included hot chocolate for me, yum. Then I checked out a few of my favorite blogs and discovered that I have won something from A Lil Welsh Rarebit, woohoo! Sorry to have been missing around here for a bit. I've been sewing a pretty goodly amount (for me). Pictures to come of my projects soon. I was hoping to take some today, but the weather may push it back a day or two. I am also trying to adjust to our new schedule now that preschool is back in session. W is going a couple of mornings, so I have some time all to myself. But instead of feeling like I have more time, I try to squeeze all of my errands, grocery shopping and the like into that time which makes me feel busier. (If that makes sense at all). H is really learning a lot already. A few weekends ago he wrote the numbers 1 through 12 out on the dry erase easel, um, wow! Then, we talked about The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. C and I are so excited to see and hear all that he is learning. W loves music time at school. He's a little dancer (he gets it honest, I boogie around the house often). And, W is now sleeping in his big boy bed! No more crib. Oh, and I've been reading too. Maybe I can do a book review of one that I absolutely loved. All of my reading has been for book clubs, promise.

This past weekend Mel and family came for a visit. I was so excited to see them. I got to hold that little sweet girl of hers, and she is a darling, let me tell you. The boys entertained us all what with all the running through the living room and loud voices. Of course, I also got to show Mel some of my latest sewing projects and fabric purchases. We also continued work on the boys' swing set this weekend. My mom came over to help watch the boys, so I could help C with the swing set. We made some good progress, and H really stayed out with us most of the time. He is really, really into space shuttles right now. He watches clips on you tube as long as we let him. So, he sat in the "fort" part of the tree house and pretended it was a space shuttle while I did the countdown and acted as Mission Control. It was so fun for me too! I love to see his imagination in action! I always hoped I would be able to play with my children and enjoy it, but I sometimes feel so busy. It was great to play. I sometimes forget how fun it is to pretend. Let's hope I always remember!

All that knitting...

And this is the result! My orange ribbon sweater. It is knit out of ribbon rather than what you'd think of as "normal" yarn. Ribbon is a bit slippery to knit with compared to wool or blends. It took several classes to get it all finished, one might even say a lot of classes, but I learned several new stitches. It goes very well with my pants. I have a whole handmade outfit (well not the little cami top, of course). It probably took me about two months to complete, but remember they (my LYS) only have classes three days a week, and I have to have someone watch my little guys. There is no seaming, but even keeping the ends woven in with ribbon is a bit tough. I definitely would like to try the pattern again soon in "normal" yarn to see if I can remember all the new things I learned. Anyway, it's just the right color for Halloween!

Pants-Along: All Done (aka The Big Reveal)

As my little guy would say, Ta da! Here are my pants all sewn up. I love them! I had set myself a deadline to have them finished to wear to book club, and although I was hemming the legs twenty minutes before departure, I finished. The book club members commented on them before I told them I made them, so that gave me more confidence for future sewing. And no, I have no idea why this text is underlined.


Excuse the wrinkles, these pictures were taken after I wore them to book club. They "ride" quite low, but that's how I wanted them. Plus, they have to fit over the hips since there isn't a button, zipper, or elastic.

Here's the view from above. Lets you see the pretty casing. I've been pleasantly surprised at how well the drawstring works and how comfortable I feel in the pants.
Here's a picture with the fabulous pockets and some of the casing for the drawstring. My front and back did not line up evenly (although my sewing aunt says that is okay). I also had a place on the front where I must not have cut straight and there was a place that was higher, so I couldn't draw a straight line to follow for my top-stitching as Joanna recommended. Instead, I turned them wrong side out and stitched close to the edge of the casing, used my tailor's chalk to trace a line right along the stitching, then ripped those stitches out, turned the pants right side out, and top-stitched on the chalk line. I still have one place where I didn't catch the casing. Oh well, not going to worry about that.
Just going to sit back and enjoy my new, one of a kind pants :) Although, there are a lovey for H and that kimono I've mentioned just waiting for me to fire up the Bernie Mac.

Thank you to Joanna for doing the pants-along. I hope to make more. These are twill, but I bought some chino to try. If you've ever sewn chino, let me know if you think it will work. It seems a bit slick... Anyway, this has given me great practice and great pants, hooray pants-along!

Put Your Hand in My Pocket - Pants-along

Ha! but don't pull out a rocket, or do any pulling on these pockets, please!


What can I say? Toot, toot! That's me tooting my own horn. I laa-uvvv them. Go ahead, click on the picture, see them up close and in detail (C's photography, not mine). When I started to work on them, I got so involved. I didn't eat supper. I left the boys' yogurt container out for a couple of hours (it was still cool, so no loss). I just got in a sewing groove. Ah, and it was a good groove that really worked well, much better (read: easier) than I would have expected. I didn't have any directions other than my own idea of what I wanted, and it turned out just as I had pictured. I've already gotten the casing in, but I still have to top stitch it in place and hem. Then it will be time for the big reveal :)

Sometimes, a picture...

...really says it all.

Cool Down

"The berries are red, so fall is on its way," says H. The mornings have been cool and even the days have been pleasant. Last weekend we set up a twin size bed in W's room, which meant figuring out where to put a full size headboard and footboard (I refuse to give them away). Luckily, we were able to fit it in W's closet along with a few other things that had been hiding underneath the full bed (i.e., my guitar--no, I can't play now but one of these days, one. of. these. days.). Needless to say, it was an all day affair. Then, Tuesday, I tried to organize (okay, fold fairly neatly and put in a storage container) all the clothes W has outgrown. My mom was over, so I had some help watching the boys and organizing. Speaking of my mom, while re-organizing (again, using that word loosely) W's closet, I saw Mom's wedding gown (the one she wore when she married my dad). I may have to do a whole separate post on that. How it once was lost but finally found, how every time I see it, I am amazed (my great-grandmother made it).

With the weather cooling, I find myself yearning to knit even more. I have a few baby hats that I need to make for little ones who will be making their appearances this winter. I also feel that it would be nice if I knitted up some hats for my own little guys. As much as I look forward to Halloween and Christmas and the fun they bring, I feel like summer flew by before I had a chance to enjoy it as much as I'd like. Also, the kimono I still need to sew for my friend's little girl (she's over a month old now, I am feeling bad), I picked vibrant summer colors (sky blue and a bright pink). I must get it made and delivered before September 22, or it is going to be completely out of season. Maybe this weekend, right? C will be home an extra day. I think I need to force myself to stay up late sewing. Sometimes, it's the only way to fly :)

Happy Labor Day Weekend! Enjoy!

Pants-along: First Try On (It's all about the top-stitching)

This weekend I tried on my pants for the first time. I am pretty pleased with how they are turning out. The legs are a bit baggy, but if I think they are too baggy, I may make them capri-length. After trying them on, I though the front seam (along the rise) looked a bit too plain (as seen in the above picture). After reviewing Joann's instructions, I realized I was supposed to top-stitch that seam. So, I've done that, and they look much, much better. It's amazing what a little contrasting thread can accomplish. I finished up the butt-darts yesterday, so now it is on to back pockets (hopefully today).

I am so glad I decided to try to make these. The process is really helping me gain some confidence in my sewing. I still have much to learn, but now I know "anything can happen, child. Anything can be."