My Flirt jeans are done!

My fave jeans, The Flirt by Old Navy are shall we say... shrinking.

I decided to attempt to copy them and make my own Flirt jeans.
Here are My Flirt jeans !!


I think they turned out pretty good! The amount of topstitching on a pair of jeans is unbelievable! I love how the pocket details turned out.


To celebrate... I made cupcakes!!!! This one is for my sister. She just recently started sewing and all sewers need a cupcake! Shh.... don't tell her, it is a surprise!




On a side note..... It still hasn't quit snowing!! Hey Grandma, recognize that adorable hat?

RTW Jeans

I have a fave pair of jeans. The fit is perfect and they are comfortable. I decided to use them for a pattern, of course, I couldn't take them apart as there is nothing wrong with them. I took a TNT pants pattern as my base and then retraced it to incorporate the changes in the RTW, lower waist, especially in front, scoop jean pockets in front, patch pockets in back and slimmer fitting legs all the way down. I worked on them ALL day yesterday. I can't believe how long it takes to get the details - the topstitching on the pockets, fly, coin pocket... it all is so time consuming and yet while I am doing it... It is making me happy! Right now they are awaiting a final fitting on the outer leg and the waistband is not attached...I still have to make the belt loops... Lots to do! I think they are going to be pretty close to the RTW pair.... We shall see.

Fridays!!

I just love Fridays! They are so full of possibility, the whole weekend ahead of you! My sewing dreams / fantasies have no time limit when viewed from Friday night. My sewing mojo came back. I do not even know why it left! A few nights ago, I had the whole evening to myself and had great sewing plans, I was going to whip out my new B5283 top. By the time I had traced out the pattern, I had NO DESIRE to sew it! How does that happen? Luckily it came back. It struck this afternoon while I was at work. I could not wait to get home! While out to breakfast the other day, I was noticing how cute this woman's top was, it was a simple T, but the sleeves ended in these cute ruffles. I thought.... I could so sew that!!! So I did. 2 hours. S4706 view C for the body. B5283 for the sleeves. I made the sleeves half length and then added a 3" ruffle. I used my NEW CP1000 to hem it and to topstitch the neckline and ruffles. I love that thing!! But I really need lots of practice!! I have a really hard time sewing straight with it. I think the top turned out pretty cute.....Now, if my husband would come home..... I could wear it out to dinner!

DD in S3538 !

The jacket is ALMOST as adorable as she is!!
She decided no closures, so she left it here so I
can add my label, and then it is done!!!!
DD2 is next, she wants one in brown corduroy,
no ruffle and a peter pan collar.

I have also gone a little bag crazy! They offer such instant gratification, got to sew a few between projects!

The one with a jeans pocket is called a subway purse, if you loop the long handle under the short, it becomes pick pocket proof. (-: The rest are just my variations of a small hobo bag, all made from scrap materials.

Simplicity 3538 altered to copy Fiona J Crew jacket. Made this for my DD Ash. I haven't made closures yet, she is coming over tonight, I will let her decide.... This is my second stab at this jacket and it gets easier each time. (-: One more to go, my other DD Britt wants one in corduroy...

60.2 miles down!
739.8 miles to go!
Rock On!

PF Changs 2009 Half Marathon! We survived!

This was my DD and my third year running the PF Chang's Half Marathon, it was just the two of us....and 21,000+ other runners trekking along for 13.1 miles of fun!!

Was a lot of fun, and a lot of work.... We both have to tweak our training plans so as not to peak by 10 miles and then finish more slowly than we would like to.... Have to do some training schedule research.....

Don't we look Happy? Relieved?

49.1 miles down, 750.9 miles to go!

Rock On!

4 Month Hiatus....

Happy New Year!!

My, I can't believe how time flies when you are busy. (-: I can't believe I haven't blogged in 4 months. I find time to follow those I enjoy but yet didn't make time to update mine. hmmmm..... I wonder if that means that I find others lives more interesting than mine?

'Tis a New Year. My only resolution this year.... to become healthier in mind, body and spirit..... and run 800 miles. Only made 685 last year. I think I can squeeze in a few more if I stay motivated!!

First run of the year is 1/18. PF Chang's Rock and Roll Half Marathon. 13.1 miles of fun, sun, run and bands all along the way. My DD and I are running it together again this year.

Santa was very good to me..... Janome CP 1000 is what he brought me. I love it. Have been studying the CP1000 thread (293 pages of incredible information) on the Pattern Review message board for quite a while and wishing.......

My binder, hem and centerguide foot arrived in the mail today, can't wait to try them out. The foot that came on the machine makes it very hard to 'see' what you are doing as it is solid metal. The center guide foot can double as a clear foot as well, that should make matching up stitches much easier. So far all I have used it for is the top stitching on a pair of Vogue 1053 pants I made.

I altered the back to have a yoke

and faux tab pockets. Makes the 'real estate' appear smaller. (-:

The top is Jalie 2805 in a wonderful knit from Georgeous Fabrics, that was my New Year's celebration shirt.

Haven't done a review on them yet.... another thing to add to the list.

For anyone that actually stops by and reads my ramblings, I wish you Healthy and Happy New Year. Sew On!

5 Year Wedding Anniversary!!

Saturday was our 5 year wedding Anninversary. I am married to my best friend. We met 11 years ago next month and we have been married for 5. I love him more every day. He took me to dinner at the Cottage Place. A little restaurant that is just as quaint and romantic as it's name sounds. He proposed to me there. It was a wonderful day.

Poncho, our giant Yorkshire Terrier, was also excited as you can see.

I just love Jalie, this is the 2804 top. This is what I wore to dinner. Pairs great with the skirt I refashioned out of a dress I picked up at a yard sale for $1!

Welcome to the family Henry!

My DD Ashley just adopted Henry. Isn't he just precious?

He will be getting a new sister some time tomorrow so he will have a playmate while his new mom is at work.

Home Again!

I am home again! Yeah!! Two weeks is a long time to be away from home. My DH took care of everything wonderfully. Even my plants did not suffer my absence. Love that guy. (-:

2 Weeks without sewing is ..... tortureous. I did a lot of on-line shopping. Order some Jalie patterns and fabrics from Gorgeous Fabrics.... they were waiting for me when I got home! I was so excited that I made my first Jalie. #2788, twist top with puffed sleeves. I love it. Fit and cut is very similar to the Simplicity twist top 4706.

Climb the Mountain to Conquer Cancer

Yesterday was the Climb the Mountain to raise funds for the American Cancer S0ciety. My DD Britt and I did the climb, (along with 4,000 other motivated trekkers!) The climb is 7 miles up Sanfrancisco Peaks. We completed that running and walking and then decided to do the same back down instead of riding the shuttle busses. Was a lot of fun and boy am I tired! After a nap, we headed out to JoAnnes! Picked up 7 new Simplicity patterns (sale $1 each) 4076 and 4077 I am very excited to try. There are so many great reviews of both on Pattern Review. Unfortunately I am traveling for work for the next 2 weeks so..... NO SEWING! I might have withdrawls. (-: Will have to supplement with extra running.

Update: Run for the Magic Big Brother Big Sister Half Marathon!

Well I survived the run! Was the muddiest, most difficult and one of the most beautiful I have done. Most of the run was on trails or forest roads. Didn't see any wild life, but I am sure that is because they could hear us coming a mile away!

Afterwards was a nap and then get ready for the Bday BBQ. I think all the kids had a good time.

My son is sporting his sister's new earrings!

Ashley and Al

David and Brittany

Marcus and Lorretta

*******

I just registered for the 31st Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Half Marathon! It is this Saturday..... same day as my daughter's Birthday BBQ! I must be crazy. I figure the run starts at 7:30, be done in 2 1/2 hrs.... home, shower, nap and then get ready to party. (-: Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday Ashley!!

Today is my baby's birthday. Happy Birthday Ash!! I can't wait to see her and give her the present I made her. She and her sweetie went down to Sedona for the weekend. It is also her sweetie's B day. Happy Birthday Al!!

The bag is a Lula Louis Craft and Designs pattern that she supplies for free. Thank you Lula!! I added a pocket on each side so either way, there is an interior and exterior pocket. It is the perfect size ! Beach bag, shopping bag, overnight bag, carry everything bag! I hope Ashley loves it! My other DD Britt loved it so much she had to make herself one!

Vogue 1051 AGAIN!!

Loved them so much the first time, I had to do it again. This time in a light weight denim. Made a few slight alterations. Lowered the crotch, made the waistband 1 inch narrower and made back and front welts the same. Much easier!! I discovered Deb Cook's fly front tutorial, oh my!! So easy and much improved over the one in the Vogue pattern. This one does not allow the zipper to peak out from the side view.

Vogue 1051 Finished!!

They are DONE!. OMG The welt pockets in the back had me so confused!! The pattern illustration of putting the welt together HAD to be upside down. Made no sense. By trial and error ( and checking out Erica B's review photos of the back welts) I figured it out...although mine look diff than Erica's.... Oh well. To be honest, I kind of almost finished them about 2 weeks ago... on the final try on after all hope for change in fitting was lost.... The waist was tooooo tight!! How did that happen? Dang vacation food! Ok, so after 2 weeks of dieting, I could snap them so I decided to forgive them, hem them and be done! Forgive my messy kitchen. I had no photographer and obviously no skill at taking photos of myself! I love them, and with a few pattern alterations (lower crotch, raise center back) am going to make another pair in denim. (-:

Vacations! 2 weeks to a new you!

All vacations should be at least 2 weeks. That is enough time to actually unwind, relax and renew. A week at home with hubby ( we work different shifts so this was a splendid change) and a week in Oregon visiting family. Heaven. All the while, waiting patiently in my sewing room is my already cut out, Vogue pants...... I hear them calling me now!

Christmas in July!

Well that is how I feel! I just bought my first Vogue pattern (5 actually, JoAnn's has them on sale 3.99 ea) I am so excited!!! I guess somewhere in my mind, Vogue = Style, so if I sew Vogue, I will be sew stylish!! Silly, I know. But hey, I AM excited!!

Alice + Olivia v1051 will be my first Vogue attempt. I just love the simple line of the pants and the understated detailing. Details... What was I thinking? I have NEVER sewn a welt pocket before. I better head to Pattern Review and do some homework and then read the pattern at least 3 times and then practice a welt pocket or two....