I'm Working Too

Sounds like everyone is busy with holiday crafting. I hope you all are getting everything done. I managed to work on and nearly complete a couple of things this weekend.

First up, is my jersey knit dress. I got the fabric from JoAnn's for less then $2 per yard. It's not the prettiest fabric I've ever seen, but it was cheap and that makes it look much better to me.

I brought a bubble coat for my granddaughter. I wanted a nice dark color (for obvious reasons). But then I thought it looked to boyish - not girlie enough.

So I did a little embroidery on it to girlify it a little bit. I did her four initials = yes, she has four names.

I digitized the "A" to look like a shooting star. I think it will look even better once I finish her brown and white fleece animal print hat and scarf with pink piping.

Add....I have been working on this adorable Debbie Bliss baby dress.

I decided not to do pink or any other traditional baby color. I figured she would have enough of those colors.

This yarn (Baby Bamboo) feel soooo good. I will also make a puff sleeve blouse and some booties.

Up next, is a gorgeous wrap dress [for me] made from a hand painted knit in burnt orange. Stay tuned.

No Sewing FOR ME Yet

I have not done any sewing for myself this entire week. I got up early and went to my parents house before work (you don't even want to know how early I had to get up in order to do that). Anyway, my thinking was I could take care of what I needed to do for them before work, that way, after work I could go right home and get some sewing done.

However, when I got home there was still about eight inches of snow on my walk and driveway and since my husband's motorcycle accident he has been unable to do much physical work. So that meant I spent nearly two hours clearing away the snow - by hand. I own over $12,000 worth of sewing machines but we don't own a snowblower. Yeah, I have my priorities straight.

Speaking of sewing machines - you know how I keep mentioning how I am really desiring to get the Bernina 730e sewing/embroidery machine, but I really can't justify buying one. Well, I think I have come up with a guilt-free way of getting one. I think I can get the machine for around $6,000. So here's my plan: Firstly, I will HAVE TO bless someone with one of my current machines (I must give one away, I can't sell it, as that will cause some sort of counter reaction to my guilt-free approach). Secondly, (and this might be the hardest part) I have to earn at least $2,000 from my sewing/crafting in order to prove that my s/m are valuable investments. Thirdly (no, this might be the hardest part) I have to trade-in one of my current sewing machines. And lastly, I will use some of the money that I am saving for a my new SUV to pay the balance. I think that will work. Now to sell the idea to my husband.

BTW, I enjoyed hearing from two of my favorite bloggers simultaneously. If you have not had a chance to listen to Andrienne's podcast please do so. She did a delightful interview with Mimi. I am sorry that I am not computer/blog savvy enough to do the link thingy that will take you directly to their blogs. But that's Adrienne at Adriennes Little World and Mimi at DomesticHeaven. I'm sure you all are familiar with these two very talented ladies.

Also, Nancy W. at encue creations has a wonderful video on her blog that tells the story of a millinery shop in CA. The video is creative, informative and entertaining.

Sorry, I have not pictures today, but should have some finished works by the end of the week. As always, thanks for stopping by.

Machine Down

As I mentioned yesterday, one of my sew machines is out of service. I didn't get a chance to drop it off at the shop today; and of course, the longer it takes me to get it in for repairs the longer I will be without it. I didn't get to drop it off this evening because when I came in from work I had to get right to work. I had to embroider some company logos for a client.

Here's my challenge. I don't like doing any kind of sewing for other people because I always see it as taking away quality sewing time for myself. However, it's the extra money I make sewing for others that affords me the opportunity to indulge myself in my craft(s). To complicate the issue more, everytime I splurge on a new machine or gadget, I always justify it by telling myself that it will help me to be a blessing to someone else. I know, I know, I am so twisted. - but I'm working through it all one seam at a time. LOL.

I still haven't completely reorganized my craft room, but I'm getting there.

I have all of my magazines in one place. like this rack because it's fairly compact and it holds about 225-250 magazines.

and look a clear surface.

And here are a few layouts of my grandchildren. They are much older now but sometimes it takes me a while to get around to scrapping their pictures. LOL

Caleb used to be such a cowboy. He's wearing snake skin boots.


Got sippy cup - ready to work.


Arianna is simple and cute on this page.


Meditation Monday

Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD. Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised. Psalm 113:1-3

This passage speaks for itself. We, His servants, are commanded (not advised) to praise His name. No matter how much others defile, misuse, take in vain, the name of the Lord - we must praise His name. Don't let the rocks have to cry out on your behalf, give His praise that's due his name.

One Scarf Down...

I did manage to finish and take a picture of my Huckleberry Ascot. I like it, but I am a little disappointed with the bobbles around the ends. I think the magazine picture looks more "beefy" and mine looks sort of skimpy. What do you think?

I think I might make another one using some bulky yarn instead of the pure cotton that I used for this one.

I had hope to finish a dress last night or this evening, but one of my sewing machines got sick.

My Singer XL5000 is on the blink. It's not taking up the bobbin thread at all, so it goes to the shop tomorrow. Here it is all ready to go - it looks so pitiful.

I could use one of my other "big" machines but I already have my Brother ULT 2001 machine set up for doing embroidery, so I didn't want to use that one for sewing. I'm too lazy to keep taking the embroidery bed off and on.

I guess Iwill be using my "baby" Brother for regular sewing until my Singer is back from the s/m hospital.

I actually wanted to spend some type scrapbooking this week and playing with my new Cricut cutter.

Any of you scrappers have this machine? How do you like it?

It's no wonder my sewing/craft room was such a mess, I am trying to do too many things in one small room. I was hoping to post pictures of my new (meaning organized) space, but I have a fews small touches to add before the reveal.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Lots of stitches.

Here I Am!

Wow, it's been some time since I've posted. I have been doing lots of reading other folks' blogs lately. I mentioned to Mimi at Domestic Heaven that I am so impressed with the organization and tidiness of her sewing space; so much so that I have been encouraged to clean up my act. I spent a large chunk of time over the Thanksgiving weekend rearranging and cleaning my sewing room. Here are some "before pictures", I will post some "after" pictures later this weekend, after I have done a few more things.

This is an insane amount of clutter.


Every surface is covered with stuff , including the floor.

My cutting table is somewhere under all that junk.

When I want to cut out something, it takes forever just to move all the other stuff out of the way. Fortunately everything in my sewing room is on casters.

Even the walk-in closet is full.


I had to move my patterns to our garage. Each drawer holds nearly 300 patterns, and all four drawers are just about full. Do you think I need to be buying anymore patterns any time soon?

I have a nice work table and craft cabinet in my garage, but the garage is not heated, so I can't work out there in the winter. Even though it's an attached garage, it gets very cold in winter.

I will be posting pictures of my new and improved sewing room this weekend. Along with projects I've been working on. I finished the Huckleberry Ascot. I am knitting an infant dress, and I'm sewing a knit jersey dress for myself.

Commute Knitting

I have decided that I will knit or crochet everyday on my way to and from work. I mentioned before, that I have a 50 minute train ride each way, and it's amazing how much Ican get done during that time.

I knitted each of my grandsons a winter cap. I still have to make the lining from the beige fleece (shown below). They should stay nice and warm in these caps.



I have also started the "Huckleberry Ascot". This is such a cute project. I think I first saw this on Adrienne's blog and it grabbed me. I should have this done by the end of the work week (which is Wednesday afternoon - YAY!!!).



My plan is to knit/crochet all fall and winter long. I hope to put a huge dent in my yarn stash.
Here are the yarns I hope to use during the month of December while riding on the train.



The red wool will be knitted and felted to make a bag.

The taupe baby bamboo is going to be an infant/toddler dress.

The blue demin suede will be baby mocassins (sp?).

The pink suede will be baby booties

The purple and grey cotton is for a girl's hat and scarf set.

The multi-colored yarn will be my first pair of socks.

Monday Meditation

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

We need each other now more than ever before. With so much turmoil in the world, we need to be able to go to each other for love and support. Keep in mind sometimes love means correction, and we should be able to get that from our brothers and sisters in Christ. I know there are some who will say coming together as a body of believers is not necessary. But that is so not true. We need to come together to encourage, exhort and reprove one another. We even need to provoke (urge, push, persuade) each other to do what's right. Often times a close relationship needs to be in place in order to do that king of encouraging. Go and do all that the Lord has commanded you.

Picture Day

I was finally able to get some pictures uploaded. Gray/blue skirt and top.

I made the top from this old Vogue pattern. I think its probably out-of-print now. The top is fully lined and fits great. The stitching at the side really accentuates the waist.

The skirt is made from M5194. I haven't hemmed it yet, but I was excited about showing it. I didn't have to line this skirt because the fabric is pretty heavy. Speaking of the fabric, it has gorgeous embossed flowers throughout. I like this skirt because it's kind of full, but not too full, and has a flirty swing.

This is what's next-a jersey knit dress. I found this fabric at JoAnn's. It was regularly $14.99 per yard. But it was on clearance for $7.00 per yard. I just happen to be in the store when they ran a 30-minute, unadvertised 75% off all clearance fabric. So I got this fabric for less than $2.00 per yard. Don't you just love getting a bargain?

I have completed knitting two caps for my grandsons. I just need to make fleece lining to put in them. I should have photos soon.

Thanks for stopping by.

Busy Busy Busy - No Pictures Today

I have accomplished a few things since my last post (almost two weeks ago). I have knitted two hats for my grandchildren (two more to go). I have finished a beautiful silk top and polyester skirt for myself. I will be posting photos soon - hopefully tomorrow. I need to make a couple of minor adjustments to my granddaughter's crocheted skirt and vest. I think I will make another similar set for one me my neices.

I received my HotPatterns Flippy Skirt pattern from Sewl Sista #1 (Nikia). Thank you again for the wonderful and generous gift. I ordered the HotPatterns twin set to go with the skirt, and I plan to make that outfit over the Thanksgiving weekend. I will keep this post pretty short, since I don't have any pictures to break up some of the text. I don't want to bore my friends.

Monday Meditation

And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. Acts 23:1

Wow! What a wonderful thing to honestly be able to say: that we have no guilt, no regrets, no true accusations of wrongdoing against us, etc. You may remember Paul (who used to be Saul) had committed some terrible wrongs against the Church, however, after his conversion and his close encounter with the Lord Jesus he developed a new walk. After walking with Christ and following after Him, Paul knew he had been forgiven of all past sins and he lived with a clear conscience. We can all live free of guilt and shame no matter what horrible things might be hanging in our past. When we accept Christ and His forgiveness we are to make the same proclamation as the Apostle Paul.

A few scriptures to peruse: Proverbs 28:1; Acts 24:10, Acts 24:16; Romans 2:1; II Corinthians 1:12

I'm A Winner!

I'm not doing any self-affirming technique - I actually won Sewl Sista #1's giveaway. I will be receiving a nifty HotPatterns skirt pattern. I am very excited about this as I have not used a HotPatterns patterns before. Thanks Sewl Sista #1.

Also, I answered the challenge presented by Mimi Jackson at You Can Have It Made. So I will send a lovely hand crafted gift to the first three (3) people who comment on my blog requesting to join this Pay If Forward (PIF) exchange. In order to give gifts that will actually be appreciated and enjoyed, I will survey your blog for a while and attempt to determined your style and/or preference. Mimi gave us one year to make good on the promise, but I'm sure it won't take me that long. I ask that you, in return, PIF by making the same promise on your blog. Let's keep the generosity going.

FINALLY!!!

I am finally back. I have been very busy this week. One thing that has cut into my blogging time is the fact that Blogger is now a blocked site at work. I used to be able to check in every morning, make comments during lunch and finish up when I got home. But now I have to wait until I get home in the evening before I can even get onto the site. DRATS AND DOUBLE DRATS.

I am almost finished with Ari's outfit. I have to hem the blouse, block the skirt hem and put buttons on the waistband. I think it looks pretty good.

This is the pattern I used for the top.

I used the same fabric for the top and the skirt lining.

I hope to get some much better pictures when she comes over and tries it on for me.

Now back to my fall collection!

Patterns, Patterns, Patterns.

A few days ago, Sewl Sista #1 called herself a "pattern glutton" - boy, oh boy can I relate. LOL. I need another pattern like a centipede needs another leg. But Simplicity and McCall's are on sale at JoAnns for .99 - need I say more?


I am obviously planning to make several hundred coats and jackets this fall, because I keep buying patterns for them. Here's what I got:











I need help with my pattern buying problem. But then you all might not be the best group of people to seek help in this particular area. LOL.