Fingerless Gloves!

Sheesh! We won't be winning any awards for consistent blogging anytime soon. I have been sewing quite a bit and knitting too. My friend Belinda has been enabling encouraging me to get back into yarn projects. She taught me how to crochet (hello, granny squares!!) and sent me the link for this pattern with the encouragement that I could actually make them. And that I did! The pattern is posted on Ravelry, with a link to the directions. I am happy to say this is the first knitting pattern I have ever done.

No comments from the peanut gallery as to the technical difficulty (or lack thereof) of this pattern. Not only that, but I completed them in one week which is light speed for me when it comes to knitting.

I even had to knit like a big girl and use math to figure out how many stitches to cast on since my yarn was a different weight. These babies are knitted flat and seamed up the side, leaving an opening for the thumb.

Photographing them turned out to be the trickiest part, because...well, it's really hard to take a picture of your hands without using your hands. I decided to enlist my boy, who as I like to tell him has the sophistication of a 9 year old. Read: he laughs at fart jokes. We were trying to accomplish all this with the web cam since my camera batteries died and as you can see....it was entertaining to say the least! Most of the pictures look like this last one, with one or both of us cracking up. All in all, I am thrilled with these gloves and have decided to wear them till they fall off. It is like having long sweater sleeves with thumb holes. They keep my hands cozy and I can still use my digits. Yay!

Gingermelon Angel Ornament

 This project was part Etsy research, part sewing one of those projects I've wanted to do forever. I spotted this pattern from a shop called Gingermelon last year and loved it! I collected angel ornaments as a kid so I have a soft spot for them. I made one up to see how it worked out, and possibly put them in the shop. This one gave me an idea of what tweaks I want to make before they are 'shop worthy'. In the meantime, I haven't decided whether I will keep this one or give it to my daughter. Or make a bunch more so we can all have one! :)

Did you spot the rick rack yet? Oh, yeah. I haven't used it in a while and it was about time! I also added a little holly leaf to the song book just for fun!

Fork and Spoon Earrings

Last year, I made myself a pair of Fork and Spoon earrings. I love them! They are fun and kind of hilarious and unexpected. People always comment on them. Today, the little boy I babysit said 'Why you have a spoon on your head? And a fork on your head?' :) I have sold a few pairs in the shop, and just added some silver ones too! In a moment of inspiration I made fried egg display cards for them because...just because!

Trash To Treasure Wreath

 My mom has a special gift: she can sniff out good trash a mile away. One of her recent finds was a whole mess of high quality floral stems, still new and in boxes.She did what any self-respecting trash picker would do, and brought it all home. I 'rescued' some things from the stash, including a few bundles of wisteria stems.

I have always wanted to plant wisteria somewhere, but until that happens, I have this wreath! It is very simply made. The stems came with ivy and wire tendrils, which made it easy to braid it all together into a wreath. I love how easy it is to change the look of a front door by switching out a wreath!

Latest Sewing Ventures

 Things have been quite busy around here and I haven't had nearly enough time to sew! Technically, I have been sewing but it is boring stuff like armrest covers for my neighbor's antique car, and alterations to a friend's bridesmaid dress.

 In the meantime, I have had a stack of buntings sitting around waiting to be photographed. I haven't yet come up with a great way to photograph them, but sometimes getting started is the hardest part.

 My favorite part of making these is picking out the fabrics! I spend too much time agonizing over the prints and placement, but it a fun kind of agonizing. :)

Like putting pickles and polka dots together, with a little bacon thrown in! 

Today a friend came over and together we reorganized my art room and made it more efficient! This involved going through each piece of my fabric stash. Now? I have more ideas than I have time to make which is the story of my life!

Vintage Sheet to Adorable Dress

 Last month I found a lovely vintage sheet and knew I had to make something out of it. This one was in fabulous condition and I imagine it to have lived on some adorable old lady's guest bed. The colors are fun and cheery: pink and orange, tempered with white flowers and green leaves. It was such soft fabric with a fluid drape, and I knew it would make a great circle skirt.

 I lined it with some coral pink/red fabric I got at the same sale. It came to me as the most horribly sewn curtains I have ever seen. Seriously. I couldn't even figure out what they were trying to accomplish, but the fabric was in great shape.

 Instead of a fabric flower, I switched this one up a little and added a bow. I am so happy with how it turned out! I kind of wish I had made it in my size. Think there's enough fabric left? ;)

Of course, I added the heart cut-out in the back and finished it off with a vintage pink button. Hopefully this dress will find its way to a little girl who likes to twirl!

Lastest Projects: Buntings, Buntings and More Buntings!

Phew! We have really been lax about posting this summer, but I am happy to say I have been able to squeeze in some sewing time. Also, all three of my kids are in school this year (yikes!) which means I will be able to have more time to devote to sewing and adding things to the shop. I have been working on a stack of buntings which have been so much fun! I love coming up with fun and funky color combinations and seeing them all come together.

So far I have over a dozen finished and waiting to be photographed. They range from shabby chic prints to polka dots and pickles! 

This one is the first one up in the shop. I think it would be a great addition to a playroom or a kids' bedroom. Six or seven years ago, I made a bunting for our family. I have used it at every birthday and party and it is such a fun tradition!