Off to the Market!

Well, if I felt up to it, I could be off to the market with my new Market Bag!

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up

Later!

Sick of Flying?

I am!
4 hours on a plane with some guy coughing on me the whole way. Now I am sick. Been a rough week. Playing catch up at work, then prepping for a week of vacation, a biopsy (benign, thank god) and a head cold trying to take up residence in my chest. Thankfully, my vacation began today.
I refuse to not enjoy my week off. My husband also has the week off. It was suppose to be an anniversary vacation (married 6 years), instead it will be 'tearing off an old roof and laying a new' - HIM, 'cleaning house and reorganizing the sewing room' - ME. Still sounds pretty good, as long as I can shake this darn cold. First thing on the sewing block in a new Market bag. For ME. (-: Have sold all of the others and I am in need of a new big bag. On the 9th my latest Fabric.com purchase is suppose to arrive. More knits for fall tops. Hope I actually have time to do some organizing!!

Run when you can
Walk when you need
Crawl if you must
Just never give up

Later!

Away

I am leaving for a week long conference in the am, so....no sewing for a week! egads. Hope I survive. I tried to get a quick fix in yesterday to last me. I made the M5590 pencil skirt (this time without the high waist and my invisible zip is... well invisible!) and two Jalie tops. The twist 2788 out a of beaufiful wine colored organic cotton the other the Empire CrossOver 2804 out of a lightweight white cotton. All fabrics from FABRIC.COM. All came out very nice. No pics til I get back, I just got back from a 6 mile run so am too sweaty to do pics and no one around to take them for me anyway. (-:

Run when you can

Walk when you need

Crawl if you must

Just never give up

Later!!

Almost half way!

Just shy of half way to my 800 miles goal this year! I know, I know, you are thinking, just almost half way and August is ALMOST over! No worries, Marathon training officially starts next month, I will make 800 by years end! You would think with all the miles I am running (and NO strawberry shortcake in MONTHS) that the lbs would be falling of..... but no. I have lost some, but mostly my body is changing, more muscle, less flab. Good thing, the gravity battle is non stop.

I have been sewing like crazy - skirts, jeans, purses.... and fabric SHOPPING like crazy. My fabric stash needs it's own room now. I should buy stock in FABRIC.COM I must be readying myself for the long winter. Stocking up in case I am snowed in for months. ((-:

Just finished a 7 mile run. I must hit the shower as that smell is either Poncho (our yorkie) or me and he is wrinkling his nose at me.

P.S. Britt bought a hula hoop. One of those huge ones with water in it. We still got it -- The MOVES that is....AND the hula hoop, she has a hard time fitting it in her car!

Run when you can
Walk when you need
Crawl if you must
Just never give up

Later!

Blogcation?

Where has my blogging mojo gone? I have been sewing, ALOT! I have been running, ALOT! I have been lurking on others blogs and reading their entertaining and inciteful musings. But I have no drive, no motivation to blog! What is up with that? I just got back from an 8 mile run.... think I will shower and clean off my sewing table and work on something. (-: Happy Sunday.

Four day weekends....

Got to love a 4 day weekend. Happy Fourth of July!! and then Monday is my DH's bday. I am baking a turkey today so that I can make green chili turkey enchiladas for his birthday dinner. We are also having elk tacos! mmm mmm good.

The craft bazaar went very well. I sold quite a bit. Was kind of surreal watching others walk around with purses that I made on their shoulder. I liked it! I received many requests for my card and my website. I have neither!

Had a special request for a denim Market bag. Finished it this week, the buyer was very happy!

I think I will try some more craft bazaars. (-: Have been busy sewing more purses.

Here is a red canvas Market bag. I love it.... not sure if I will be able to sell this one.. (-:

There are more... in 'my creations'

Cut myself out another copy of RTW 1969 by the GAP, but they just sit there. Waiting for me.

Maybe tonight..... DH has to work.

Happy 4th!

More purses.....

I have made a few more purses for the craft bazaar.... I think I need something new to work on! I have some washed and dried stretch denim in this medium color blue that is just dieing to become a copy of my RTW Gap jeans..... But first.... here are my latest purses...
A pleated purse I designed.... used a left over border print from my highwaisted pencil skirt...

A large tote I also designed, made of the left over denim from my last RTW copy jeans. I just love the inside, all quilted and with actual jean pockets that I ended up not using on my jeans!



A large Market bag, made of left over fabric from a Lula Louise reversable bag I had made my DD last year.


And a couple more zippered bags. I just love these bags, great way to organize your purse!

Adult Prom?

I had never heard of an Adult Prom. Fun for grown ups. Who knew? My DD's invited me, but my husband is working this weekend, which means I have a non stop date with my SM.

My girls searched for Vintage dresses to wear. They stopped by to let me get pics of their prom dresses.. Aren't they just adorable? DDB is a fitted black corset with an exploding skirt of tule, white with black polka dots. Has one (sleeve?) strap?, a big poof of the tule. DDA is a flapper. She is wearing a black satin flappers dress with a headband that she made of peacock feathers and a jewel. Their shoes? High top converse and ballet flat tennis shoes.

Happy Memorial Day!

It is overcast and threatening to rain here, but still a beautiful day. Going to MIL for a BBQ this afternoon, and she always has enough food to feed an army. I decided I needed to make something appropriate for a day of eating. (-:

This is Mcall's 5050. A pullover tunic with short or long sleeves. I made view A. The girl on the pattern envelope looks young, fresh, breezy and slim in her cute little tunic. Something got lost in the making. (-: This tunic on me raises the silent question..... is that a maternity top? But no, GOD NO, it is merely a loose tunic perfect for BBQ over eating! I think this would also make a great bathing suit cover up or cute summer dress if made a little longer. As for the question it raises, let them wonder. ((-:


Rock On!

Knit tops.... got to love them

I love the ease and instant gratification from knit tops.

I had traced out Butterick 5283 awhile back but did not know what fabric I wanted to use. I found a the perfect knit hiding in my stash. It was a Georgeous Fabrics find a few months back. This close fitting pullover top is another take on the twist front. I made view B with 3/4 length sleeves. The upper portion is self faced, so a bulky knit might not work as well. I think this would be most flattering on a larger chest, but I am still very happy with it.

This was just one of 3 knits tops I made so far this weekend. If I can get pics, I will post the other two.

Rock On!

Edited to add the Vogue 8451 tops I also created this weekend...

Black and white top is V8451 View A with sleeves from B5283 and my own ruffles.

Black and multi flowered top is also V8451 view A.

Rock On!

Influence

Kids can be such a good influence. Ok, so maybe my 'kids' are (gulp) grown ups, but they are still kids to me. My DD has a goal to run a full marathon before she is 25. So she has set as a goal the full PF Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon in January. So I (gulp) decided to do it with her. We have found a 19 week mileage buildup training schedule which we are on week 2 of. After completing the 19 week mileage buildup, the 18 week Marathon training schedule begins. Whew... I am tired already. This is definitely one way to meet my running resolution for 800 miles this year!

Rock On!

Jalie 2908 Round 2

Ok, so I have finished my second pair of Jalie 2908 stretch jeans and I LOVE them! This time I used a heavier denim from JoAnn's. I was prepared for the slim fit through the thigh this time and added an extra 1/4" in on inner and outer during cutout from the bottom of the hip through the knee. I then still only sewed a 1/4" seam allowance in this area. These pictures are after wearing them all day, so they are a bit looser. My only dislike (too strong of a word actually) is the slight bagginess on either side of my front crotch.... I think I took too small of a seam allowance from the zipper bottom to the inner thigh.... either that or my front inner crotch shrank. (-:

Rock On!

Taking a break from purse making....

Sneak peak at my next Jalie 2908 stretch jeans, much heavier stretch denim this time, still only 1/4 seams from bottom of hips to knees, but I am thinking these will be great! Still have lots of top stitching to do, belt loops and the back pockets......

Rock On!

Purses, purses, get your purses here!

I think I am ready to hawk at next month's craft fair. My fingers hurt.

I have made potholders.....

and cupcakes!

Little purses....

and big purses!

And that is just a few..... You can see the rest in 'my creations'

Just a few more to go....

118.5 miles down

681.5 to go!

Rock On!

Absent but not idle.....

I have not been blogging but I have been busy! I am making my first foray into selling items I have sewn..... There is a local craft bazaar next month. I had make a few purses in the past for myself and received comments about where I had gotten them and if I sold them.... So I decided to give it a whirl! So far I have made a dozen purses of various patterns, 10 zippered pouches, 3 sets of pot holders and half a dozen cupcakes (pincushions). Sewing to sell (or try to sell) is defintely different that sewing for fun. I miss sewing for fun! Every once in a while the thought creeps into my head.... What if I sell nothing??? I have decided to look at it this way, if I sell nothing, then I already have Christmas gifts for this year! The hardest part for me so far, is deciding how to price things. I am such a slow sewer that charging for my time, makes everything so expensive! Does anybody else have a calculation or tip on how to price things for sale?

111.5 miles down
688.5 to go!
Rock On!

You were Right!!!

Ok, true confessions. After multiple washings and wearings, I do love these 2908 jeans! Yes, they are still a bit snug just above my knees, but that is just inspiration to make this pattern again.

I just wanted to say 'Thank You' for all your support and wisdom! Why do we get so frustrated with things we sew that it skews our perspective? Patience won out in the end.

Happy Easter!!!

I ran across this Fabric Basket tutorial from Pink Penguin this morning. Once I saw it, I knew I had to make one for Easter!!!

http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-basket.html

I know, I know, a little LAST minute! But all of my little ones are grown up and won't be over until later for dinner. (Except for my DDB who is her now, whipping herself up a new purse)

DDB's new purse!

DDB is making Whiskey BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw and sweet potato fries for our Easter Dinner!! For dessert will be.... More Strawberry shortcake! This time with blackberries and blueberries as well. (and I wonder why my jeans are snug?)

********************************************************************************

Edited to add the highlight of Easter.... Kids showed up. DDB behind purse, DDA laughing, DSM's foot.

I wish you all a blessed Easter!

100.8 miles down

699.2 miles to go!

Rock On!

Jeans Sew Along.....came and gone....

Well I have completed my Jalie 2908 stretch denim jeans.

Sounds so anticlimatic. Where are the fireworks and confetti?

The celebration has been postponed. I am not sure how I feel about these jeans. I feel like a jilted sewer.

First off, I just don't have a Jalie body type (at least on my lower half). I went by my hip measurement which ended up being a size W, and traced that out. The legs looked way too slim. So I compared them to a pair of jeans that I wear and the legs WERE way to slim from the hip down to the knee. So I added to both inner and outer leg in this area. And still, I had to sew the pants with barely an 1/4" seam in this area and the legs are snug. I think I just have large quads. Could be from running, could be from cookies, brownies, cheetos, strawberry shortcake, etc.

While they are snug fitting all over, I think that the material is the real issue. It is a stretch denim from JoAnns, and I think it is too light weight. Snug jeans in a light weight denim make me feel like I am wearing a sausage casing. Lumpy and bumpy.

Snug jeans in a heavy denim are just more flattering, they have a much more smoothing effect..

My DH disagrees, thinks they look great. I am hoping they will grow on me. I have not hemmed them yet, want to wash and dry a few more times before hemming.

One thing I am pleased with is my back pockets! I love how they turned out. The closeup of the back pocket is the only picture that shows the actual color of my jeans. The rest I had to enhance to brighten them, and well...it made them appear blue!

For my back belt loop, I went with the crossover loop that cindyintampa shared in the Jeans Sew Along message board. I love it.

I also tried rivets this time. That was an adventure! RocketBoy suggested rivets from http://www.grommetmart.com/. I ordered them on Monday and they arrived on Thursday. Unfortunately, they did not come with a handyman to install them. I practiced with many on varying layers of denim out on the cold garage floor with my trusty hammer and vice grips. Almost everytime, the nail came through the front on the rivet. I finally ended up using nails from JoAnns rivets and Grommetmart's front part of the rivets. I used a snipper to snip the nails shorter and then pliers to reshape the now flattened nail head and then tried not exerting superhuman strength when compressing, and the nail head still came through, but I thought I could live with it. Then I tried the pants on.. and boing... there went two rivets across the room. So much for being hard to remove!!!

So this time, I snipped the nail heads even shorter and tried again. So far, so good. (-: We will see if they are still there after I wash and dry.

So now that I am done whining about these jeans, I feel better. Maybe I even like them a little bit more. (-: I guess, if all else fails, I can do it again, in a better quality denim and insert a little more strawberry shortcake room in the thigh area. Because for me, the making is more than half of the fun.

100.8 miles down

699.2 to go!

Rock On!

On my way!

I finished tracing the Jalie 2908 stretch denim jeans pattern. Took about 2 hours! I used Kwik Sew Pattern Tracing Cloth for the first time. I did not really care for it. I think it was a combo of the dot grids on the cloth, the multiple lines for sizing on the pattern and the square grids of my cutting table, but by the time I was done... I was dizzy and had a headache! It was also hard to mark on. I usually use Easy Pattern tracing paper that I buy at JoAnns, I think I will stick with it.
Despite my nausea, I did get it completely traced, pinned and cut out. Yippee!

I just realized that I don't have a jeans zipper..... used it on the pair I made while waiting for this pattern! So tomorrow at lunch I will pick up a jeans zipper and then hopefully tomorrow night I can get the zipper installed and maybe the front pockets done. (-:

96.8 down
703.2 to go!
Rock On!

Uncontained

My Pattern Came Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A tracing I will go, a tracing I will go, High Ho the Dairy - O, a tracing I will go!

And..... My rivets mailed today as well! Should be here Thursday!