Sunday, January 30, 2011

Heh....100th Post--Flourishes Challenge--Love One another card



Last week my oldest had her 100th day of kindergarten on Friday and today I am on my 100th post!



The last few days I have worked on this card, one for the Flourishes Challenge.

The challenge was to use hardware. I have had these pewter clips forever, but never used them. However, I was inspired to use it as the challenge host used one of these.
What I used:
Copics, SU black sheer 7/8th ribbon , SU black cs, momento black ink, DCWV luxury stack 4x6
Both sentiment and image is Flourishes Cherry Blossom.
THanks for looking!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Christmas Shirt/Gift fixed! Ottobre/Patty Young


So I made this Ottobre raglan out of Michael Miller Patty Young designed kit to match the pink cords she already had from a yard sale.


I accidentally made two ottobres in one. I made the 4/08 silija top and the sweet and cosy raglan. I meant to only do the sweet n cosy with the elastic thread at the arms, but used the front panel from the silija that needed gathering....which I didnt do since I accidentally did it wrong. So on christmas morning when she tried it on, the neckline was super baggy!


But now, a month later, I fixed it and today she wore it was willing to actually pose!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Sewing done...a walk down memory lane

Last Sunday we went to my parents' house to help out with computer/new phone issues and I spent some time with my little girls down in the basement play area. I went through the dolly clothes and found myself reliving feelings and memories of childhood. I recently lost my sister a few months ago and I had spent much time playing dolls with her, so this was a nice way to remember her.

However, I found several clothes in disrepair. So, I bagged them up and brought them home. Yes, my husband looked at me like I am crazy. But only a little, Jim! I always have a ton of projects cluttering up my backroom/craftroom because I have the greatest of intentions, but not the best follow through.


But, I finally did the several small fixes that needed to be done in both the childrens' clothes and the dolly too! (children clothes fixes in next post...once i get my kindergartener to model for them!)






This doll was made by my Grandma Grace who passed away 11 years ago on Valentines day. I found the hat on Sunday and the elastic was all stretched out, so I put on new elastic and her hat is good as new. I keep this doll on my rocking chair cuddled up in a blanket that my sister made me. It was probably the only thing I have every been given by her, so it the blanket has significant value to me.









Next is Naked Doll....who my littlest at 18months loves...but she never has clothes. I found this wonderful rose flannel dress from childhood with a ton of ripped seams. I fixed the ripped seams, added some snaps at the back instead of the one small button. Now naked doll is not so naked, she is kinda cute.

Apparently my grandma or mother didn't make this, but might have come with my sister to my parent's house when they adopted her. Seeing as it is our shared history, I have claimed it as mine.






And finally, I have the Lilly's (18month) newest doll. Baby Alive. She is never naked, but now she has a new stylish outfit. Added new snaps at the back and fixed the ribbons on the hat, which were fraying at the ends in an out of control way.

Now I have gotten 6 unfinished projects done.....and ony a million left...




I think I see my grandmother looking down at mme with kind approving eyes, glad to see that some of her effort in sewing had paid off and that I have become a domestic "diva" of sort. My sister, I suspect, would be smirking a little, surprised to have seen her little sister turning into such a domestic! I was always heavy into sports, then very into my educational pursuits. Sewing was not even on the horizon....but not only do I sew the diapers for all my babies, started sewing their clothes, started sewing my own (not to wear in public yet, but hoping I get there!) and repairing items for family, friends and now my memories! Hope my girls enjoy the items that I have saved for them. Should I ever catch up on all the items I want to make, need to do and the such, I would like to make them some baby clothes for their dolls too....so they have them for their own memories of me and their dollies when they are all grown up.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Finishing these off today....Valentine Tunics, hear knit fabrics

I actually cut these out on last Thursday night, and sewed them on Friday during the littlest's nap. The only problem, I didn't finish hemming the bottoms of the tops.

So today I get out my serger..the first one I got that was cheap but does a good rolled hem...and will do a rolled hem at the bottom of both girls' tops.

Monday, January 3, 2011

Accomplishments!! Finishing the Unfinished!

Today my kids are still on Christmas break due to a (ill timed) staff records day and they are playing nicely (unusual) and not getting into trouble, so I have been able to finish a few unfinished projects. I also might be able to get more done since my husband has the day off for newyears today...maybe. although it is past noon and he hasn't actually taken charge of them officially. :)

I fixed a rip in my uncles jacket..finally...after about 6months! :) hehe, just not a person who does things that "have to" be done. I do what I am inspired to do.

I finished my dd#1's jammie pants. I got the top and pants done without a waistband. But she insisted on keeping it on when I asked her to check out the sizing on it. (I made an Ottobre in size 92/98, but pant length of a 104 and arms of 104, and torso length of a 110) Worked out well, but she refused to take it off. pants had enough lycra in them to stay up, so it stayed for a few days till I grabbed them out of the wash today to finish them before she could steal them away again.

I finished the Ottbre Sunday shirt from the 06/09 issue. It was made from a Michael Miller fabric designed by Patty Young which I got from fabric.com on super sale to match a pair of cute grey cords given to her from her aunt who found them as a deal at a garage sale this year....but no matching top was found, so I made it.

I wanted it to be a christmas present, but I didn't get it finished since I was stumped on the collar. Figured it out and finished that a few days ago, tried to put on buttons, but something was messing with my buton holer, so I put on metal snaps and did the hem today. I hope she will wear it for me today so I can add pictures to this post! :)

Now I am working on an apron for my MIL I started it last christmas. Then I was gonna give it to her for her birthday in Nov, but my sister passed away in flordia at 40 and it really screwed up my life for a few months. Life is starting to normalize and I am finding I am smiling more and interested in doing things other then sleep!

Well, I have done the pockets and flounce on it, but need to ask my DH which side of it he would like for it to be the front (double sided)....then I will be able to go forward and finish attaching the flounce and pockets and see if I might venture to start the binding tape that is around the whole thing....and I don't have alot of experience with wovens...and very limited on the binding! Hope it goes well.

AFter the apron, I only have 2 unfinished projects to complete.

1. tunic and underdress for me that is half done.
2. Grey shirt for my 3yr old boy that I want to embroider on that is cut out (ottobre raglan knit)

After my unfinished is done I will be making at least 3 sets of jammies for my oldest dd as she is growing out of all her jammies that others have gotten for gifts for her....she has 2 that fit now!