The summer dress

Grr. The one time I make a quick second post is when blogger is down, and my writing is lost. Originally, I was going to say that Tucson had been delivering us some very kind mornings. In keeping with my commitment to sew for at least half an hour everyday, I have been getting up about 5 or 5:30 a.m., and I have been able to enjoy the pleasant mornings before it turns brutal. Last night was very plesant as well, especially after SFR installed a misting system on our back porch. Ahhh. . . Despite the heat, I love the southwest, and I doubt that there is any other place I would rather live.

The dress is coming along . . . I created a muslin by cutting it out of old curtains that I made a long time ago.

Obviously, I had to make a few changes, including a FBA and raising the neckline.

Here is a close-up:

Very summery. This is stash fabric. I've had it for sooo long that I can't remember where or when I bought, which isn't typical for me. It's challis , and I still have about two yards leftover. I briefly thought about making a dress for Em, but I already established a history of unintentionally wearing the same colors as Jbug when we go out so maybe not. I have to admit that I like the mother-daughter matchiness. Ahem.

I lost some momentum, because I ended up having to modify the skirt. The pattern calls for gathering the skirt to the waist. Oh, man. No way. I tried that baby on, and no way. In the end, I created four pleats - two in the back and two in the front. It's seems more flattering, but I think the puffiness of the gathered waistline is still too fresh in my mind. I'll get back to it this week when I try it on again.

F-in gathers. I like them, but I can only wear them in moderation.

Anyway, back to the otterpond. . .

Poke

There should be a poke gadget on blogger, a la Facebook, where you can "poke" someone to remind them to post something.

Poke.

Slowly, we have been settling into our new home, fixing and arranging things as we like. I managed to unpack most, but not all, of my crafty stuff. An intricate plan is in the works as to how to organize the yarn and fabric. I feel so lucky to have a room dedicated to my passion.

Since moving in, I have been working reducing my stash, and I hope that reorganizing my stuff will further that goal. Like many others, I'm sure, I have tons of fabric and yarn. Its really time to either do something with it or get rid of it. So. . .

My first goal: makes clothes
I wear black. Or I should say that I use to wear a lot of black. No, I'm not part of some cult or goth or whatever. Over the years, I guess I just stopped making an effort about my appearance, and black seemed the simplest thing to grab.

Based upon reviews and other blogs, I decided to get this OOP pattern: Simplicity 3803.

It's apparently somewhat difficult to get. I scoured the internet for months. A few months ago, I just went ahead and bought it in the size 4-12 range, hoping that I could somehow fix it so it would work for me. Mind you, I'm not in this range. Fortunately, I snagged one in the higher size range for a few dollars on Ebay. What luck! I plan to use some stashed fabric to make my first dress for summer 2011. Whoohoo!

My second goal is to resurrect old quilt tops and blocks that I put away for whatever reason. Here, I had made pinwheels at least four or five years ago. The original idea was to make a ton of pinwheel blocks and put them together for a scrap quilt. But, to be honest, I'm not all that jazzed about the idea now, and my quilting abilities and desire have simply advanced beyond making pinwheels. For now. Don't get me wrong. Simple blocks are great. In particular, I like pinwheels. Nine patches are good, too. But, man, lately, I have been into curved patterns, like the Double Wedding Ring, New York Beauty, and other circular patterns.

This will be Em's first baby quilt. I'm using a motif for the blocks, and I am thinking about using the bubbles stencil for the border. I finished quilting the blocks already, and I just did swirls in the lattices. One of my sewing machines is on the blitz now, so its on hold until I get it fixed.

Poke.

In fiber news, I finally visited Grandma's Spinning Wheel last week, and I took some lessons on how to do intrelac. I had tried it on my own once, but I lost interest in keeping up with it. I like the pattern though, and I've since learned that taking a class or instructions is generally helpful.

The good part? I made this:

The yarn is Crystal Palace Taos. The needles are really beautiful. I bought those at the Spinning Wheel even though I already have size 8s. With help, I rolled right along with it and worked a lot of rows in a short time.

The bad part? Yesterday, I was about to knit during my daughter's tae kwon do practice, and I noticed this, wayyyyyyyyy at the bottom: a drop stitch!

I was so crushed. It looked so nice, and I was planning on making a bag to hold my makeup. And, well, I couldn't work any more rows. I tried frogging it back down to where I made the mistake, but the yarn is so unforgiving. After a few rows, I ended up with pieces. Sniff.

The project is scrapped. I have a little bit of yarn left, probably enough to make a smaller pouch. Its disappointing, but a lesson learned well on my first attempt. :)

By the way, if you're juiced into Ravelry, I have many other projects there as well under craftyotter.

Back to the otterpond.

Its yarn by a furlong!

In the past couple of month, I have been working with yarn much more than fabric, simply because its portable and accessible. We have a new house, and we have been renovating a few things, including laying down saltillo tiles. It looks amazing, and I can't wait till its done! SFR has been doing a really great job, as always. :)

As part of moving, I have been slowly going through old projects and deciding whether to finish it, frog it, trash it, or give it away. I'd show them but there isn't much to say about UFOs. I'd rather show stuff I've finally done.

I finished those damn Turkish Bed Socks. Whoohoo!

That's Trangle there, checking out the goods. Isn't it funny how animals seem to poke around right when you're taking pictures?

Recently, for my birthday last month, I purchased several more amigurumi books. I love making animals, and the kids get so excited seeing them put together. In fact, I think they're almost better than store bought toys. Almost. :p

Meet Otto Long Legs. He's from Knitwits.  Jbug absolute loves him, and, once he was done, they were off!  I made Frank for the Banana, but I don't have a picture of him on hand.

Speaking of amigurumis, remember this shady dude:

He's so kewt, it's criminal!  He's not done yet - still missing one leg.  I didn't post that because I find it distressing.  I also need to finish his turtleneck and hat, too.  That's on direct orders from Jbug. 

Then there are a few things on the burner:

Initially, I was dismissive of this pattern because the outcome was very utilitarian, but I've since reconsidered that. Maybe it was the yarn. Or the color. I used Vanna's choice, and I have a love/hate relationship with that yarn. When I see it, I love it. I imagine so many possibilities, and I like the range of colors, especially the charcoal and deep purple. On the other hand, it is slightly above being worsted weight but not really bulky. It works all right though for many projects, so I might as well keep her around.

Back to the pattern. Ahem. I finished the other side, but, I packed away the ivory yarn that I needed for the crab/reverse crochet stitch around the opening. I can't really see buying another skein for just a yard of yarn . . . can I?

In the meantime, I found some camo colored yarn. I don't have a clue as to why I purchased this yarn. In fact, I made a ribbed hat that never gets worn, probably because it's so acrylic-y. Originally, I intended to use the slipper pattern to make another pair since, in my thinking, with saltillo tiles in our new home, I will need more slippers. But Jbug liked the yarn and requested some slippers, too. How could I say no?

Because of the size, it works up rather quickly, and I'm ready to start the other side. I think I might add a skull to the tops for added "toughness." haha. . .

Ottobre - where have you been for most of my life?

I'm ashamed to admit that I have not tried Ottobre patterns until yesterday.  Where have I been?  Huh.  In the past year, I have expanded to using other patterns outside of McCalls, Butterick, and Simplicity (and the occasional Vogue - who I am kidding, fashionista I'm not, but I hope to change that).  I like the designs from Oliver + S and Lyla and Ben, and I was able to subscribe to Ottobre and Burdastyle. 

Tracing seems always seem like a pain in the ass though.  Many years ago, Burda had patterns without seam allowances, and that was my limit.  F that (as in forget that :P).  Of course, with age, I'm suppose to have acquired a certain sense of patience, temperance, and maturity.  Ok, it means I have to stop being lazy if I want to make some really cool stuff.

Hence, the following Ottobre is what I have must.  Mostly because it has the overalls.  And I looooove overalls.  For kids, that is, and babies.  My baby, in particular.

Last week, I woke up early and traced out my first Ottobre pattern.  Before anyone was up, post-coffee, and with my usual sewing accoutrements - Trangle and Speck (or Speck-a-roo as JJ likes to call her).  We'll see how it goes.

  

More recently, I have been getting into Tunisian crochet, double-ended crochet, crochet in the round, crochetnit, etc.  Whatever.  I tried it once around 1998 - can't believe I remember that.  It was sort of . . . meh.  But I have been seeing more patterns using this technique.  Whether that's because I'm finally paying attention or it has reemerged. Who cares, I guess.  Count me in..

I tried a color combination of brown, orange, and tan.  Yeah, I know, but I like it.  A bit reminiscent of the 70s.  Although I basically grew up in the 80s, I spent some time in the 70s, and, as SFR pointed out one time, I enjoy 70s music.  And I'm very partial to the granny square.  I'm absolutely convinced that the granny square vest CAN be revived!  (Once again, further proof that I'm no fashionista...hehe).

In quilting news, the Tucson Quilt Fiesta is here once again.  Sadly, I let my membership with the Tucson Quilter's Guild lapse - between the baby and work, it wasn't easy getting to meetings - so no volunteering or free admissions.  I am taking off work early today to check it out though.  The quilts should be pretty amazing, and its always inspiring!

Other upcoming events in the next month: the sewing and craft festival in Phoenix and, of course, the gem show!

Biz-e month

I didn't get another charger for my camera, but I figured I might as well use my camera phone. Hope the pictures come out all right.


Boy. January was a busy, crafty month for me. I decided to go through my UFO's and finish a few of them. Naturally, I had to throw in some new projects as well.


I crocheted these Warm Willies Fingerless gloves for work. My office gets a bit cold, and, since all I do is write at a computer, I wanted something to warm up my fingers.


I have to admit that they are a bit plain. The pattern is suppose to have a band across the back of the hand, but I decided not to sew it on. I think it needs a ruffled edge or maybe some beads. Hmm. . .



My next project is something I was really excited about. I mentioned that I used Crocheted Posey Purse pattern from Red Heart. Instead of the round handles, I used oval, and I omitted the crochet flower. I dunno why - :/.

The lining was purchased at Jo-Ann's with the intent of making another purse from the One-yard Wonders book. I thought the green with hints of purple was perfect for this bag.

This bag came together so quickly. I was just a crocheting fool at every moment I could get. I even crocheted while I had lunch with SFR, and that almost never happens. Ahem.



Onto the sewing . . .

I'm not much into New Year's resolutions, but I guess along with the new year I do feel a certain compulsion to reflect upon the past year and to feel some motivation to change. With that, I'd like to make more clothes for the kids, especially Em.


This is McCalls 6235 ,view D, size medium. Finished! The snaps weren't too difficult, but I did notice that there is a wide opening in the crotch area even though I followed the snap placement on the pattern.

I will have to add more around that area so it isn't gaping open. I sort of knew it would happen, but I just wanted to get this done without further delay.


It looks cute on Em. All this rush though, and it still a bit big on her. I'm not sure whether I will make this again though. Next time, I might omit the footed portion. I'll probably try out the other garments, too.







Next, is a pair of pants from Kwik Sew's Sewing for Baby. These were quick! I churned them out in probably less than an hour, cutting included. I serged the inside, and I used narrow binding for the hem to ensure a nice finish, especially when washing.

I plan to make a matching top, and I'd like to add some ruffles or lace to make it more "girly." The fabric came from a thrift store, but it was cheap and soft, so . . .








On a non-crafty note, I'm feeling a little . . .well, drab today. Hence, the rather weak post in terms of wittiness. The past few days here in Tucson have been somber with the recent shootings. Our community is rather devastated, and, while I haven't lived here in Tucson long, I have always been connected with and loved Arizona. Its such a sad thing, and I guess I'm sad, too.

Still here. . .

Still not successful in locating my battery charger. :( BUT, I have been extremely crafty lately. In fact, I have been completing a lot of UFOs! Most of it has been knitting and crocheting with some sewing here and there.

Just yesterday, I sewed in the lining in this great bag that I crocheted using this pattern: http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-posey-purse. I absolutely love it.

I have been spending a lot more time in the sewing room, so I'm looking forward to showing you a lot of pictures soon! Happy New Year!

Grumble

Sigh. I am now forced to take a brief hiatus from posting pictures. For the life of me, I cannot locate the battery charger for my camera, so no pictures until I either locate it or buy another one (again). And, frankly, I might have a hard time coming off as interesting without pictures. I am a woman of few words. :P

In the meantime, I have been working on a few projects. I finished a potato chip scarf, and I'm working on a rippled scarf. I finished sewing M's romper, but, sadly, it awaits the addition of the snaps. (I told you.) As for the turkish bed socks, I finished one side (yay), and I casted on and started the second one. Take that, second sock syndrome!

Hopefully, with the little time off I have from work, I can dig deeper and find that battery charger within the next month.

Grumble.