In the zone...

I've been crafting up a storm for a craft trunk show tommorow. I said I would't stress and I haven't. That being said, I've dedicated more time to it than originally thought. In a good way. I always learn from these experiences.

• Ideal background 'noise' is 'This American Life.' It's the right balance of keeping my mind on task - cutting, sewing, stitching. Sometimes movies on netflix require too much attention and some songs gets me agitated for not feeling right.
• I work better in blocks of time. As sweet of a thought to craft the day away, it is not my reality. I've found if I dedicate select time, keeping watch with an egg timer. This keeps me focused and balanced with the rest of my life - house, kids, work, etc.

Amidst the chaos, I try to remember and smell the jasmine. It has a way of lifting spirits in winter.

With spring cleaning....

...comes planning for projects. I love my lists and projects and, after a winter, I have new energy to tackle new or stale projects from the past. I've always drooled over the Oliver & S patterns for kids, especially the cut-out packaging. I've learned a hard lesson with my little girl. These days, she is in control of what she wears and the skirts that mom (ME) made for her, with love, can't compete with the store-bought ballerina skirt she lives in. Oh well.

I was thrilled to see that Liesl Gibson, creator of Oliver & s has a new line - for ladies like me. It's called Lisette: Sew your style. They're part of Simplicity which are sold in lots of places.

Market Tunic

I can see myself wearing so many of these pieces - and she has fabrics too. So no excuses but rather excitement. And, knowing me, I need to not only get excited but start planning for these fashions. It takes me a bit especially as I often get sidetracked.

Color combo

I wake up out of winter and see color everywhere. I grab it and see how it filters into my days.

 This one was in Whole Living. Can't wait to try and make these gloves, upcycled from a worn sweater (a next year project). There is is such a cozy, subtle feel. The cup of coffee doesn't hurt either.

Gym bag

I finally made something out of Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross - Everything Tote. I couldn't stand my vinyl, worn gym bag. Now, I have a washable replacement that might even get me to gym more often.

Yeah!

I'm ready!

Once you get past this look on my face, look at the cute headband. It's quite difficult to take a picture of yourself. When am I ever this serious (or perturbed)? Timing with our snow delay, I am happy to share the latest of my winter gear. Referencing Make by Cath Kidston, I applied an applique to this fleece headband.

Materials: Headband from Walmart for $3, fabrics from stash - velvet, tweed and Denyse Schmidt's Flea Market Fancy (leftover from our dining room curtains).

Might even make going outside bearable or at least stylin'.

I missed you

I've been wanting to write. Really. With the holidays and the getaway to the in-laws in rural western NY, we are just getting back to some sort of normalcy. Our chaotic normal where creativity lives. With sleepy heads who can't fall asleep or get our of bed in the cold morn. twirly skirts with one leg warmer. a number of knitting projects because i like variety. And learning crochet. why not?

A few findings throughout the holiday break.



Yummy pomegranates

Well-deserved naps

A juicing for Christmas Day: apples, spinach, kale, ginger, lemons, beets. Festive and yummy.

Oh. You must meet Sally, the latest addition to our family. 'Sally Stitches' is wearing the pjs the kids refer to as 'elf pants'. She fits right in.

Setting the tone

As I'm working on my items for the craft sale in December, I've started my fabric selection. I'm working on editing now instead of later.

I love the mix of old and new. I'm still in love with orange and blue combinations. Lots of popping colors.

I (HEART) Cath Kidston

Cath Kidston rocks.

The colors, ideas, style. Simply grand. My sort of thing. Always inspiring. And, did I mention it makes me happy?

So, when I checked out her book, MAKE, I fell in love all over.

I took the ordinary tank I find myself wearing constantly in the summer and made it more, me. It was a great beach cover-up too.

Oh sweet summer

The weather is teasing us. Morning and evening are cool. With windows open, we sleep so soundly. And then, the day, is warm and sunny. Although confused, it makes me happy and hopeful for fall.

It is Day 1 of the KCWC. I am ready and excited.

I think I can, I think I can...

Home from a busy but fun weekend with Uncle Andy in Brooklyn. US. Open on Sunday. So fun.

Love these kinds of blues




I could use a little TLC.



To kick off fall, I've signed on for the Elsie Marley's Kids Clothes Week Challenge. Yeah to Fall.

Miss Lucy

Here's a smock for little Lucy. (From Amy Karol's awesome book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing: Swing Swing Smock)

A dear friend from my younger years - straight out of college, living a carefree life in Boston - visited with her husband and daughter. We caught up as if it were yesterday.



MATERIAL: feedsack from stash along with blue linen pocket trimmed in rick rack.

Happy Life

I finished the Amy Butler Anna tunic and wore to my cousin's rehearsal dinner. It was a hit. The fabric Amy's own: Amy Butler Belle French Wall Paper Duck Egg. I purchased via http://www.fabric.com/ but no longer available. I selected vintage buttons from my stash.


I've worn this 'outfit' quite a bit. I love that it is unique. It feels like me (whatever THAT means!) As I'm making more and feeling more comfortable 'making', it is still wonderful to hear 'You made that?!'. simple pleasures.

Lib sings the blues

Ok. So this project was my goal for JUNE Make it, Wear it Sew along from Sew, Mama, Sew. Yes, it is mid-July. I tried, really. But didn't make the deadline. Still love the skirt!

Here's the beauty, though. The classic A-line skirt seems to be my go-to skirt. I've really enjoyed Sew What! SKIRTS by Francesca Denhartog & Carole Ann Camp in the past and thought I'd give it another try. This time: Singing the Blues.

These days, I work (sew) in 30 minute chunks. Putting this skirt together was fast and fun - my best combination, these days at least. I can't recall where I picked up the fabric but is ever so cheery. I really love the rick rack pocket. A drawstring skirt is not the most flattering from behind. A little 'sack-like', if you know what I mean. But hey, it's a perfect addition to my summer wardrobe.

Flips are optional.

Bathing in the mud

I have decided to reclaim summer. We've had a variety of detours but all will be fine. By saying it, I will make it true.

A constant flurry of projects keeps us engaged. During a weekend, G re-did the office/creative space. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. I function better in this welcoming space.

BEFORE:


AFTER:

just 'cause

I love you red.



It is Friday and I am happy. happier.

Summer knitting, please

Summer is here, not officially but with this humidity it is hot, hot, hot. My hope is to sew more lots and enjoy most minutes of it. We're working on re-doing on the cheap our office/sewing room to make it more inviting. We should be outside but rather, finding a project inside.

In the evenings, I find I am too tired to focus on sewing especially if it is starting a new project. So, I go to my knitting. I embarrassed to say that my current project has been on my needles for over a year. 1) it is wool and 2) fair isle technique. It is for my husband - that alone should be motivation enough. but, it's not.

I am craving some summery knitting. Since I'm on a craft buying freeze, I am off to the stash to see if I have some for: Que Sera from Knitty.

Back at it...

Gardening Apron
The joy of finishing a project. This is 'Not Your Grandmother's Gardening Apron' from You Grow Girl by Gayla Trail. I used a feedsack for body of apron, using floral fabric and ribbon from my stash. My machine had a bit of a meltdown, during craft night. It is all better. phew - lots of projects on the list.

I've given myself a halt on buying anymore fabric/yarn. I have so much to use and have fun with. First, though, I need to organize the sewing room closet. I've started a list of items that would help the sewing room/office feel more inviting. Although I don't dread working in this bit of a room, I don't find it worth staying. I've come up with too may excuses and just want to do.

Here is the current spot:



There's so many good things about it. I need to be creative on cost-efficient options. The first thing, though, is ORGANIZE. So I can find what I'm looking for rather than run out to the store to buy.

Showering the baby

One of our friends is having a baby. YEAH!




A homemade blanket for baby




A bib to go with the blanket, finished minutes before leaving. I need to practice on snaps when I don't have a deadline in front of me.

Snuggie Wrap Blanket

My cousin's little girl, Katelyn, is one month old!! I made this Snuggie Wrap Blanket from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones - my review. The fabric used, Alexander Henry's 2D Zoo - primary was repurposed (originally used for my son's bedroom curtains). For this project, I included a lightweight yellow fleece for the lining.

Mom and Katelyn (and Dad too!) are doing great. A welcome addition to our family.

Fountains of tulle

I made fairy/princess skirts for Viv and Anna for Christmas. I have an order for 5 more - lots of tulle and lots of fun. These snowy days have been a perfect opportunity to finish them. I don't think it gets better than sherbet-colored tulle, pink, sparkly, fringy elastic and flowers.