Revving up for 2013

Here I am after quite some time.  I am gearing up for a much more active 2013.  I am starting the year off by participating in my very first sew-along.  I am going to do a bra sew-along and I am so excited.

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It's probably not too late for anyone else who might be interested.  Maybe you're like me, you need a kick start to get your sewing mojo going.

I Got Hold of a New Toy or...........

maybe it's got hold of me. It's one of those crazy iPads.




I saw somebody with one at work and I thought it looked interesting (or more like intriguing). So I said to myself, "I think I would like to get myself one of those cute little machines". When it was delivered to my home, it looked quite harmless. In fact, when I turned it on I thought, "What a waste of money. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do with thing". But then, my husband showed me around the device a little bit. He also introduced me to the mad, mad, mad world of apps. Now, one would think this thing has been surgically attached to my hands. I NEED HELP, but I don't want help. I want to get more apps.


I have managed to do a little crocheting. I am loving making neck warmers, cowls, mini scarves (whatever suits your fancy). I have a few more to show later. I like to step away from large projects and complete some smaller ones just so I can experience a feeling of accomplishment. Does anyone else do that?


I am working on a lovely tweed suit that I hope to finish and review within the next couple of weeks. Good thing we have such long winters here, since I will still be working on my fall/winter wardrobe clean into March (possibly April).

Meditation Monday
Yesterday, the message was about God's faithfulness to his people and to his word. The Lord constantly reminds us throughout the scriptures that he is faithful. He wants us to know that he can be trusted; and whatever he has promised - that will he do. Just remember, some of God's promises are conditional, if we do what he tells us to do, then he will do what he says he will do.

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Joshua 1:7-8

If we can trust God to keep our souls, then we can trust him to keep his promises.

...and now back to the show.....

Wow! I can hardly believe it has been nearly two years since I posted anything. I am going to just write as if somebody out there remembers me and will bother to read this blog.

A lot has happened in the two years since I last posted. The one major thing is that me and my BFF started a small business. We make jewelry and personal gifts. Please check us out online at www.elegantinspirationsonline.com

I have pretty much settled into my new job after many months of training. I enjoy my job and still have lots to learn.

I have been sewing and will post some pictures as soon as I have some time to do so. I look forward to sharing and reconnecting with all of you. You know who you are (because I certainly don't remember, LOL)!

More Sewing Than Showing

I have been sewing quite a bit - but have been slacking in the photo department. In fact I completed several UFOs but never got around to taking any photos so I didn't submit them in the UFO contest on Pattern Review. Right now, I'm feverishly sewing from my stash and will definitely be making time to photograph and review these items. I need to get this done over the weekend because I will be out of town on business all next week.

It has come to my attention that I don't have a pair of black dress slacks. Who doesn't own a pair of basic black slacks? (Apparently, I don't.) How did this happen? Anyway...guess what's at the top of my list of things to make when I get back in town.

I received my copy of Cool Couture by Kenneth D. King. Has anybody read it yet? What do you think? I just flipped through it briefly, and I noticed that many of the photos are from his old book, but I am hoping that the information is new/updated.

Long Weekend

I hope everyone enjoyed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

It has been so cold here for the past few days that I have just stayed inside, except for extreme emergency like picking up the grandkids - that's always important. One good thing about staying in the house I can tackle some things on my sewing list.

First up, is a nice knit top (V8534) that I really like. One tip, the pattern instructions leaves the neck edge raw/unfinished, but that just doesn't work for me - so I hemmed the neck first, them sewed down the pleats. This top is pretty versatile - it can be worn belted or even with a turtleneck underneath when the weather is really cold (like negative 20 degrees - you know what I'm talking about Cennetta).

I also made this nice burnt orange tweed skirt from V8505. The pattern didn't call for a lining, but I added one anyway.

I have a jacket for this skirt, but it is still a UFO that I will finish during this month's contest. I just have to figure out how I want to finish the sleeves. I was thinking of some dias binding trim.

I made another printed knit top (B3438). The pleats at the center front and just under the armholes make this top very comfortable. And I really like the colors in the fabric.

Yeah, more knits.... This is a 3-piece ensemble that was very quick and easy.

Last one for now (And guess what? No knit.). A while back I upgraded my KitchenAid mixer to the 600 watts with the 6 quart bowl...

- but I kept putting off upgrading my cover. So I still had the same old, dirty, stained cover over my new mixer; and it didn't even fit.

I saw a larger cover in the store for over $20, but that seemed a little too expensive. So I made one.

That it's for now. I will do proper reviews as soon as possible. Unfortnately, I don't even have time to include my Monday's Meditation today, but I will add it later.

Later.

Where Have I been?

That's what I'm asking myself.

Firstly, Happy New Year to everyone - let's make this one better than ever.

I have been very busy since I last posted (which has been quite some time). I have been working on my fall/winter wardrobe as previously mentioned. Unfortunately, I don't have time to post any photos tonight, but I will real soon.

I have joined two contests on Pattern Review (Stash and UFO's) so I should be posting some of those items soon as well.

I recently picked up embroidery software to go along with my Husqvarna Viking Diamond Sewing Machine - the 4D Professional and it is fabulous. Expect to see lots of embroidered stuff.

Yeah, I'm noticing a theme here. You can expect to see a lot, but right now I gots nothing to show.

I plan to upload photos this weekend. See you then.

Long Time - No.......

I cannot believe it has been over two months since I last posted anything. I know, I know, I say that everytime I am away for over two months. And unfortunately, I don't have much to show today either. I have been extremely busy at work (this is not a complaint by any means, as jobs are being lost everyday).

We suffered a large loss (relatively speaking, of course) a couple weeks ago, when the rains from Hurricane Ike (no Tina jokes here) beat up on NW Indiana. We had about four feet of water in our basement - I was tempted to put the house on the market, and say that it included an indoor swimming pool. LOL. We are in the process of stripping our finished basement down to its studs.

Our area wasn't designated a flood zone so we weren't able to get flood insurance. We lost everything we had down there (furniture, gym, my husband's music studio, water heater, furnace etc.), but STUFF can be replaced. We are just praising the Lord that we survived this disaster. One house in a nearby town, exploded as a result of the flood waters.

I had been planning a fall/winter wardrobe, but was sort of dragging my feet. Well....since all of my fall clothes were stored and "safely" tucked away in my basement I can no longer afford to drag my feet anymore. I need all new clothes, and I have no money to buy fabrics, patterns, etc. This means I am forced to use things from my stash. I have to really get moving because the temperature here is dropping faster than Adrienne Nixon can knock out one of her cute knit dresses. In other words, it's getting cold fast.

This is what I started with: V8505

I am making every single piece at least once. They are simple, quick and easy-to-sew pieces, but with the right fabric, will make a nice fall collection. I hope to finish and post photos real soon.