Sick Day Recipe

One comforter,
One box of Kleenex,
One pot of chicken soup on the stove,
add Plenty of fluids within reach,
and top with one furry foot warmer

**Equals**

Making the best of a sickly weekend.
I hope you are making the best of yours. See you on Monday (I hope).

New wreath

So this is it. I didn't want you to wait all weekend to see it so I'm
sending it from the old iPhone.

Allergies have been bad all week here. Migraines, asthma, sinus crap
all that kind of fun. It would be nice if the landlord would get
someone here to service the heating unit like he saud he would so we
wouldnt have yo breathe all this crappy air. Anyways, my energy level
is in the dumps and I can't make it to the real computer to write all
the directions out. You can google, pom pom wreath or yarn wreath to
find some good tutorials.

I bought one skein of each color. If I had to do it again I'd buy two
of green and smaller skeins of the other colors. But, this will work
and goes with our multi color lights outside. Plus, if this falls on
the husband he won't cut his hand on it.

Hope you have a good weekend.

What's left

A Sneak Peak

I've been working on my sister's wedding invitation. It's paper
collage and hand lettering. I'll scan the origional piece and have it
printed for the actual invites. There's still some more to do to
fancify it all up. I'm under a lot of pressure since you know the
wedding is only !!8 MONTHS!! away. My sister in impatient.

A new slip cover

Shelf cover, slip cover, whatever you want to call it I'm absolutely in love. We won't talk about how long this took me to make. Although, I will blame 3 weeks of it on searching for MIA bias tape. Apparently Atlanta buys bias tape like you wouldn't believe and it's really hard to find large quantities of it. Especially, in dark gray. I eventually gave up and used light gray.

This shelving unit came with us from Greenville. It's great! Heavy duty, holds alot, perfect size to hold the litter boxes...but its kind of ugly and cluttery. I'm picky about aesthetics. I really wanted my workroom to be calming and inspiring. The cluttered shelf just wasn't doing it.

I started with a painter's drop cloth from Home Depot-approximately $19.99, Eight (!!yes, eight!!) packages of extra wide bias tape-$3.00 a piece, a few snaps or hooks and eyes and you're set. There is a solid piece that goes over the top shelf and ties to the back. The back of the shelf is open since its against a wall. The corners tie together, and the center seam on the front has several hook and eyes holding it together. I made the ties out of extra bias tape.

You can buy these covers already made (try the Container Store), but I needed this to open in the front to allow the cats to access the litter boxes. The front flaps snap up and out of the way. If the litter boxes ever find a new home the snaps can be removed and no one would be the wiser. I learned a lot and would do a couple of things differently if I made another but that's all part of the process! I didn't really save any money by making this myself, but I did get exactly what I wanted.

What a fresh coat of paint can do!

Its a poor picture but we finally painted a wall in our house! The color is called java and it is a combo smokey brown green that is one of the listed colors depending on the lighting. It turned out really nice. Next time I want paint in our home, I am hiring someone to do it!
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That's alot of bias tape

Ruby: geez, how long are you going to be? This is my favorite nap spot
and I believe you haven't scratched my head today.
Me: well it is 21 yards, it took three weeks to find it all, of course
it takes awhile to sew on.
Ruby: well whatever, I'm just going to attack your spool of thread now.

Pretty Pretty

I like this. A lot. But really Jcrew? $118!?!? Here's how to make your own.

Happy Birthday!

birthday cake
Originally uploaded by freakgirl

Happy Happy Birthday Stacey! Hope you have a wonderful day and have lots and lots of fun! What is it now...25? :)

MIA No More!

So..the craziness of my worklife has slowed down tremendously and I might acutally have tome time to craft now! Todays project was to finish the details on a clutch I have been working on. I chose some realativley "wild" fabric and used a lightweight interfacing to make it stiffer. The rouching that I had been looking for was to make the flower that you see on the top of it. It didn't turn out quite as I had envisioned, but it works.

Flannel is my new best friend

A few reasons why:

1. Its SO soft
2. It doesn't ravel
3. It feels like a hug every time you put it on
4. Its SO soft

I bought this fabric last spring while in Portland with the idea of making a robe for colder temperatures and peering eyes through living windows. I severely underestimated the amount I'd need and found the fabric discontinued and out of stock by the time I realized that 3 1/2 yards was called for not 2 1/2. Oops. I'd like to think I'm a good improviser though. I double layered muslin and used a 13 1/2 strip on the bottom of each of the bottom pieces to get to the right length called for in the pattern. It was actually a pretty easy task. It would have been harder if I had no sewing experience since the pattern left out important information on clipping the curves on the placket and body. I can't imagine the frustration for someone who tried to complete this without the clipping. The pattern is from a book I've had but just hadn't sewn from yet, Amy Butler's In Stitches. The robe and I have become good friends. Its just what I need now that the morning's are getting a bit chilly.

Dog Coat

There is nothing more pathetic than a cold, shivering, sad eyes, dog. Lucy has all these down pat. As soon as the temperatures started going below 70 degrees she started not sleeping. I used a thrifted double-sided fleece jacket for the material and hemmed it with a blanket stitch. An embroidered name and some velcro later and Lucy is one styling Ridgeback!

Well Howdy

Wait till you see what I've been up to! Its not sewing, or painting, or hammering, or really house related at all (Eric's not happy about that or the stack of dishes in the sink.)

Before--Just like Twirl Together. Plain with the very basic template.

After:
Go HERE to see it in real life.

I've been stumbling through the wonderful world of HTML and CSS. I've wanted to change the look of my personal blog ever since I started it. But, lets be honest. My knowledge of code is about that of a three year old. I know its there and it makes this internet stuff work but that's about it.

Paying someone to do it for me was out of the question. Luckily we have the all mighty Google. Want to know how to change the background? Google it! Directions magically appear. So that's what I've been doing the past three days. Believe me there were a lot of mistakes made. But, I'm pretty happy with the results for now. There's still a couple things I'd like to add but they can wait for now.

Hope your week is going well!

Pot 'o Soup Quilt

That's what I've affectionately coined this one. I think there's about 11 different fabrics in it and it's crib size. This was finished in July but I've just gotten pictures of it. I'm always so excited to give them to the recipient that I forget to take them myself. Luckily my friend who I gave this to, for her new little guy, found a moment to take these for me.

When putting together her new nursery my friend's plan was to use lots of color. LOTS. So I followed suit in choosing this design or her. There is a quilting computer program available that will let you layout your design and fabric choices before cutting and sewing anything. I, however, rely on my trusty color pencil set to figure out what I'm going to do. I usually start with the backing fabric and choose fabrics for the front, sashing, and binding from there. The hardest part about this was to decide which colors would go where and what design of block to do. I admit I redid one row after laying out the pieces. The tones just were not right. Luckily I had leftovers and was able to quickly piece together new blocks to finish the top.

It's hand quilted in a double diamond pattern and the lovely crinkles are from the 100% cotton batting I always use. I refuse to use synthetic because the cotton just washes beautifully and you end up with gorgeous results each time. I think that's all. If you have any questions let me know!

Almost time!

Remember this? Well, finally after weeks of waiting, the furniture arrives in just 3 short days. I am so excited, like a kid at Christmas! I will definately post pictures once it is assembled and ready to go!

Slacker Stacey is at it again....

Let's start with this: I hate my job. No, that's not true. I hate HAVING a job. I could find much more useful and creative things to do with my time than work. I could bake all day long, sew, and even take pictures (which I haven't had a chance to do since we moved :( ). But instead, it is currently my "I am slammed till November" busy time at work and feel like I can't breathe!

There are so many projects I want to work on! Remember this from a few weeks ago? Still waiting to be cut out.

Or how about the rest of the house that needs curtains? Still waiting to be cut out.

I have a pattern for an A-line dress - no time to shop for fabric :(

I don't even have time to do this blog - I just happen to be at work early and am sneaking it in.

So, I apologize that Slacker Stacey is at it again. Hopefully in the next week or two she can get back to Super Crafty Stacey. :)

How'd the belt turn out?

See here.

What I've been doing

Four days, four days gone. All because of this.

Oh you may look innocent simplicity vintage pattern 8033, but I've seen your ugly side and I have evidence. I chose pattern view A-the sleeveless dress. Cute simple A-line. Materials accounted for: 3 yards main fabric, 3 yards lining, 22in invisible zipper, and thread. What do you get after slaving over washing, ironing, cutting, and sewing? Let's see...

Oh the horror! Photos courtesy of the iphone. Which, in low light 10pm "oh my word I have to email these to my mom on the west coast I need help!" panic did not turn out great. But you see what I'm talking about, right? That's a whole lot of fabric on a petite frame batman. "But it's not belted?" you say. Well you're right. Let's give the dress the benefit of the doubt and show it similar to the photo on the pattern cover.

See?! Not so innocent are we dress. Although...I wonder how the husband feels about being Peter Pan for Halloween? So what to do? Obviously it would look better a little more like this:

It's time to lay her flat, say a prayer and cut. I thought I had her beat. I won! A dress, that fits, how simple simplicity 8033. Lower V neck, new armholes, zipper removed, seams resewn shut.

But she wasn't done fighting yet. This is what was handed to me:

Something went askew here. Bunching folds just aren't cute. I tore out (all that work!) the side seam to let it "fall" where it wanted to, hopefully, removing the folds. But, that didn't work. Actually, it got worse so this dress found a new home in a bag, put in a box, all the way in the other room where we can enjoy some time apart. Perhaps someday we'll meet again and I will win. Whether its a dress or a skirt Simplicity 8033 something will be salvaged from you.

Until next time dress...

Word to the Wise

Two points:

1. When making a belt the fabric should be cut on the bias. Unless,
that is, you like belts that stick out from your side.

2. When cutting fabric on the bias do not fold said fabric in order to
cut multiple layers at once and/or have it fit on your cutting
surface. By doing so you will end up with zig zags, not strips.

My wisdom to you tonight.

Skirt Project

Built by me using a Built by Wendy pattern. While in Portland the husband bought me this book. I spent an afternoon this weekend putting together this skirt after waiting for additional material to arrive. My initial thought was to add a sash to the waist somewhat like these dresses at Anthropologie. However, after the heavy swearing and work it took to get this skirt to come together I decided this was enough and it was time to move on to the next project.

The sizing on this pattern was a **little** off. Following measurements it should have fit. But, the waist hit way up on my ribcage and the hips were SO tight. In order to make it fit I had to roll the waist down 6-7 inches and create the elastic waist band. Does that make sense? I'm really glad I didn't try to put in a zipper this time. I'll save that until I can adjust the pattern to fit. I think next time I'm just going to follow this tutorial when I want to make an elastic waist skirt.

And a bad picture of it on. I really do like it though. It's a nice casual skirt.

Vintage Plaid Skirt

Vintage Plaid Skirt
Originally uploaded by jtothee

I made a stop today at the Nearly New Shop in Atlanta since I was in the area. I scored big I think--vintage plaid skirt, high-waist, leather belt, pleated in front. Reminds me of a 1950s skirt. i bought it thinking I'd chop it off but I'm kind of loving it now. I cannot get enough of plaid right now. I think this will hold me over until I find a plaid dress to love.

By the way. This weekend's goal: Big Full Size Mirror.

If you come to Atlanta...

photo.jpg
Originally uploaded by jtothee

these will be yours!

In all seriousness, what do you think of the flag? Didn't have birthday candles but I always have scrapbooking paper. btw...these are so so good. Red Velvet, Peanut Butter Chocolate Hi tops, and Italian Cream Cake.

Lots of cutting and organizing going on here. I planned on making two dresses for our anniversary trip and then I realized that was next weekend. So we'll see...

$4.95 later...

Right now is the first time in about a week I have had longer than 5 min. to sit and peruse the internet. Thanks to your 2 minutes of etsy-ing, you found me a great pattern for a clothespin bag. I chose this pattern, and with a few clicks of the mouse, it was delivered within hours to my inbox! I have not yet chose a fabric; I have several great ones stashed away that I buy when they are on sale. (BTW, this is not really a good idea, becuase when you go to use it, it seems as though you never bought quite enough). Something bright and colorful for sure; maybe even a retro print, which is a genre I am madly in love with right now.

Speaking of Etsy-ing, my friend has her own shop on Esty, if you ever want to check it out. She makes all kinds of custom designed note cards, invitations, etc. Her company is Behind the Scene Design. She created not only my wedding invitations, but many, many others for our friends. Very talented chica! I am 95% finished on a clutch I have created for her...I just need to finish that rouched flower and I can post about it!

Store bought vs. Homemade

Back to curtains...it seems these days it's all I have time for. I promise after October 17th, I plan to delve into much more complex projects. In one week, I have a 2day, 150 mile fundraising bike ride to put on for work that is consuming SO MUCH of my time. Very stressful, yet fun at the same time.

Back to the curtains. We needed something to cover our bathroom window becuause my husband is so tall, he was afraid people were seeing his naked chest (why that matters, I'm not sure). I told him I would find something. I didn't want it to be too bulky becuase our bathroom is light and airy. I had gone to the fabric store and purchased some sheer clearance fabric to get me buy until I found what I really wanted. Last weekend, Lance and I were shopping and I drug him to Bed, Bath and Beyond so he could pick out bathroom curtains and feel like he was part of the process. He picked out a great sheer fabrick with a diamond design and decorative edging.

Just like this!

Except they were designed for an 84" high window. Obviously that was not appropriate for our bathroom, so since I liked the fabric so much, I just bought a panel (with a coupon, of course!) and brought it home to modify to the right size. So, I just finished them and they turned out like this:

It is jsut one panel, so you can't really open these curtains. I probably should have 2 panels to make it look "proper" but I think having just the one is just right for this window. I doubt I will go back and purchase another. It has a slight gather and its not like I intend on frequently opening it to see out - it is, after all, the bathroom.

I don't think I would have been able to find something this perfect if I had just soley gone to a fabric store. I am always excited to modify something storebought!

Sophia's Dress

Well after Sunday night's disastrous sewing attempt I needed something with quick results and satisfaction. I started with this tutorial and followed the 2T sizing with a bit of adjustment. I'm hoping the proportions are right. We'll see once my model gets her hands on it.



This was super fun to make and my first time using elastic. The fabric (all 1/2 yard of it) was something in my stash that was already washed and ready to go. I made the top too long (I actually forgot to cut that dimension, oops). That's when I decided to add the casing to the waist using this as inspiration. It's a lot of fun sewing little kid clothes. The best part is trying new things because even if its a complete disaster you're out very little fabric.

Mail's Here!

**Look** at what came in the mail yesterday....



Vintage fabric-covered belt kits I found on Etsy. What did I tell you? That is the place to go when you need to find something. I think that the larger belt buckle will be good for making a belt to go with this blouse. Hopefully I can finish it in time for this weekend! The other one? Well, I'm sure I'll think of something...

Moose

My husband, who I love dearly, thinks he needs a "wilderness" theme in his new "man cave." Yes, I said it, we have a man cave. Our new house literally has too much space for us right now so there is a separate "family room" downstairs that my husband has turned into his sanctuary (in addition to the room next to it which is his "gun room") and it has the big screen TV, soon it will have surround sound; all the necessities he needs to enjoy his 200 channels of cable. It is even fully furnished with the option of a poker table. The walls are mint green, as is the rest of this house, and we are attempting to "decorate" without painting. I went on a hunt for fabric for "curtains." I put this in quotations because it is a basement window- very tiny- and almost doesn't need any window coverings, but I am trying to support the wildnerness theme becuase I won't allow it anywhere else in the house. I went to the fabric store and searched for some sort of wildlife fabric and ta da! I found a moose print! What could be better! It is a neutral backgroud, has the browns that match our furniture...it's perfect! The best part of all, I don't hate it. So here it is!

Sophia's Birthday Doll

I made this back in June for my niece, but its such a neat project I wanted to point it out. It is entirely hand sewn which makes it great for car trips, sitting in front of the tv, waiting for appointments, etc. The pattern is from The Purl Bee. It's made completely from felt, which is really nice to work with-no raveling or seam allowances to worry about.

Now, I did not buy the felt from Purl.com. They have 100% wool felt that would have been about $80 to buy all I needed for this doll. Instead I looked around and found 70/30 wool/polyester blend at Fabric Depot. I bought 1/2 yard of the color for the body and dress and 1/4 yard of the other colors. I'm pretty sure I can get a second doll out of those materials as well. I bought the materials (felt, stuffing, upholstery thread, and dmc floss) during a 30% off sale so in total I spent around $10.

The one negative comment I have about the pattern is that they tell you to use a doll making needle for sewing it together. Don't. The only time you will need it is when you attach the legs to the body. Otherwise the needle is so thick it shreds the edges of the felt and your seams will not want to stay together. I ended up satin stitching several areas where this occurred. After I switched to a regular needle I was fine.

There's a whole group of the dolls here.

Bread and Butter

HERE

Pretty please!

If you'd be a doll and click on this picture for me....



I REALLY would love to win this bike.

The chair

Have you seen my latest upload to facebook? The recovered 1920's chair that now is the prize piece in my house and it better be because it cost me as much as our whole living room set! Manntiques & Upholstery took care of the wood refinishing and recovering, I chose the fabric. My hope is that when we do new drapes they will follow this color scheme. I am so in love with this chair!

I appreciate privacy too

Remember this? My project? Here they are...



Kitchen curtains in all their glory! there are two windows in the kitchen, each with these pointless 1/2 shutters. Why pointless you ask? Because our neighbors all live above us. See...




As I told the husband, I don't think the neighbors need to know what color your boxers are each day. This is a quilting weight cotton I found in the local quilt shop. I used some muslin I had on hand and sewed, basically, a pillow case. I ironed all the seams to make them crisp and ironed over each of the side edges towards the back and sewed a seam to make them appear professional from the outside. I like them. And....if I change my mind about adding trim the top hem where the cafe clips are is unfinished and it can be added in a snap.

side note: brushed nickel cafe clips are HARD to find! I finally found some stainless clips at at Bed Bath and Beyond for about $4 a package. This was after visiting 4-5 different stores with no luck.

**blah**

As far as i'm concerned today is done. i'm over it and all the crap that's come with it. i have stuff to share but at this moment the couch, an afghan, a cat in my lap, and a dog on my feet is all i can muster.

Boring window treatments

So we had this window in the craft room that had no covering and boy did it need it. I have had this fabric for a while...found it on clearance. It has a nice texture...looks heavy but isn't. So I just made some simple boring curtains with an extra poufy ruffle at the top. I know...so boring, yet I have found since putting them up they really have grown on me! Now, the mini blinds were pure matching necessity. The window on the right that you can sort of see had blinds, but nothing on the other two. The best part about my mini blinds? I put them up all by myself. Who needs a husband!?!
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Sewing Group

I don't know if you follow a lot of blogs. I use Google Reader and let's just say I keep the service busy :). I've started to find sewing blogs and have been subscribing as I go. There is so much good stuff out there! I found one I thought you'd really like, if you haven't come across it already.

They work on a pattern a month and blog about it with tips, problems, etc...This month they're running a contest giving away next month's pattern and supplies. I thought you'd be interested and like to join the fun!

VOGUE

So I did it. I sewed some clothes. It wasn't too hard. I found this "easy" vogue pattern a couple of months ago while on sale and stashed it away. It reminded me of my favorite jcrew shirt that is falling apart and I thought,"Hey why don't I make one?"

I used an orange and white quilting weight cotton that I had bought to make a dress with but I had JUST ENOUGH to cut the shirt out. Seriously, this pattern eats up some material. Mostly because the top yoke pieces, you get to cut two of each out and use one on the inside of the shirt sort of like a lining.

Enough words. Here it is.

(This is the only mirror in our house. Can you believe that? I have to get on finding a full length mirror so you don't have to look at the bad lighting not helped by the yellow/gold hideous wallpaper dungeon that is our bathroom)

I spared you the side view. Basically its big. REALLY big. I feel like I should be six months pregnant wearing this shirt--but I'm not. I should have known. That jcrew shirt I've worn to death is an extra small. I usually wear a medium. I followed the pattern's measurements and this is the size I need, but as you can see I could fit another person in that torso area. I even made the pattern corrections to make it a petite while I was sewing.

What to do? I could tear apart the bottom from the yoke and hack three inches off each side but I'm afraid that will mess with the shape too much. Heaven knows I'm not skilled enough to add my own darts or other fancy schmancy sewing tricks yet. But then I had an idea...

Belt it.

I don't own a cute wide belt but I think you can get the picture. I have the entire length of fabric left on each edge after cutting the top out that I can use to make one. Real belt buckle kits are hard to find--not those ribbon belt loops. I think I'll invest in some heavy duty snaps and make a custom belt to match, maybe some belt loops? What do you think? Tear it apart or belt? Or, you know, put it away and if I'm ever six months pregnant pull it out then :)

The new house

Here it is...photos of the new house, half decorated with our style. Of course, seeing it in pictures is definately not the same as in person, but you get the idea. I am so in love with this house! I find new things every day that make me love it more! And the storage! Ah...there is a place for everything and everything has it's place. Now, I am finally unpacked and ready to start crafting again!

hmmm...

Oh do I have things to share! But apparently the trip to WA proved more tiring than I thought and I can barely lift my head off the pillow to type this. Which, to two very lonely and dying for attention orange cats is a good thing, to me, makes for a difficult time getting things done. Let's see...I owe you a demonstration on how the new bag works, a story about rivets and hardware, and pictures of my very first venture into sewing clothes. Maybe tomorrow. I have to drive to SC to get the dog but then I should be good to go. Later.

Decorating

I have made new purchases in attempt to fill our new home. I LOVE the ladder that is leaning against the wall...it is a perfect fit for the room it is in. I got a screaming good deal at pier 1 on the vase and bamboo sticks. That corner still needs some work but I am getting there!
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