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.