Peasantly Cute!

I made this peasant top for my baby daughter, Alyssa, as part of her back-to-school wardrobe. Peasant tops are really easy to make. Mine is a variation of the Prairie Blouse from Seams to Me a book by Anna Maria Horner. There is also an easy tutorial on one of my favorite blogs, Blueprints.

I purchased the fabric a couple of months ago from Sew It Up. The pink fabric was a coordinating/complimentary extra!

I used less than 1/2 yard of each fabric to make. This top fits girl size 7.

I plan to make several of these tops for Alyssa this school season. I have loads of dark denim and will make some cute elastic waist pants to complete this outfit.

Until next time....HAPPY SEWING!

Fishermen's Warm Up Hat...Finished!

I finally finished knitting his cap and it came out quite well! He really likes the ear flaps! It goes well with his twisted beard! Arghhhh!

Thanks for visiting! HAPPY KNITTING!

Still Knitting...

Hello friends!

I'm starting to get my creative 'mojo' back! I've been drawing patterns and cutting out patterns. I've started working on some hand embroidery; taking your suggestions to make pillows and maybe baby bedding items from the wonderful vintage linen finds. I'm planning on some quilting projects, also...and I'm still knitting!

My current knitting project: Fishermen's Warm Up Hat. Lion Brand Free Knitting Pattern.

I'm knitting this hat for my husband, he really likes it! As you see, he's chosen colors chocolate and off-white. A really nice pattern and pretty easy! Maybe, I'll knit more of these in children sizes, also.

I'll continue to knit more dish and wash cloths in between my sewing and other projects!

HAPPY CRAFTING!

aprons for school

I've begun my back-to-school projects. I have a list of some quick sewing projects and one of them is a cute apron smock. I took my 6-year old daughter, Alyssa to the fabric store to pick out three fabrics. And, these are her picks.


I was able to complete all four this weekend. The fourth fabric (pink) was in my stash.






Alyssa likes them and Mommi likes that they will protect her shirts and the aprons will look cute with her outfits! Now, on to the next project.

HAPPY SEWING!

looking for suggestions

I love garage sales! Who doesn't, huh?

I picked up these beautiful vintage cotton tea towels and an embroidered napkins and placemat set.






My first thought was to make aprons from the tea towels. But, I would like other ideas. What about the embroidered pieces...I have four cloth napkins and four cloth placemats?

I need your help...what should I create using these beautiful pieces?

knitting washcloths and dishcloths

As previously posted, I've been staying up late nites working on quick knitting projects. And, knitting washcloths and dishcloths have given me instant gratification! Here is a 3-piece washcloth set I finished.




One washcloth is half-solid and half-striped; one is half-solid, two-color; and one solid color. I love the vibrant red and yellow colors. That'll wake someone up!



I started on this dishcloth...late last nite, after I completed the last washcloth of the set shown above. I wanted to use more of a 'earth tone feel' for the colors. Let me explain to you where/how I got my inspiration. My husband and I were up pretty early this past Friday morn. We made a cuppa and drove to the nearby woods and lake to sit, look and talk. The yellow represents the sun; the soft green (sorry, doesn't show-up well here...looks more like dusty blue) represents some plant life; and, the caramel represents some dried bamboo in the woods.



Since they've scrubbed the shuttle launch this eve, I'll keep working on it until it's complete. And, who knows, I'll probably start another late into the night. I'm sure!


Until next time...
HAPPY KNITTING!

Late Nites...

I have two young children (6 and 8), my teenager (16), and my oldest (23)...and my love, my husband! I have a busy home during the day and evenings! I can work somewhat during the day, but I thrive when everyone's asleep and not pulling me in 10,000 directions.

So, I've been staying up late nights and knitting washcloths for my family.


I needed to take a break from sewing...but, I still need to create! And, it's so quiet and peaceful!


I pulled out every color of 100% cotton fibers and started knitting. I believe I was able to give everyone their own favorite color!


I like the periwinkle and yellow; my husband wants solid dusty blue; my son likes the two tone dusty blue/sea green; my oldest daughter picked solid sea green; and the two youngest girls like pink; so, pink and burgundy for the baby girl and solid pink for the teenager.



Everyone loves the feel of the washcloths!

I will be making more for Christmas and upcoming birthdays for friends and family.

I guess I'll go to sleep now, it's after 3 a.m. Have to go grocery shopping in the morning...or, later this morning!

Have a Safe and Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Just A Few Updates...

My personal summer sewing is on definite hold! Thank God, I live in Florida and will probably be able to still wear after 'summer' is officially over! And, by then will be the start of gift sewing and crafting! Whewwww!



I have been working on custom orders for aprons and scrubs for customers. I purchased "A Is For Apron" by Nathalie Mornu for inspiration! So many different ideas for aprons of all kinds, including smocks! So cute!

A couple of days ago, I received two packages in the mail. I love getting things in the mail...even, if I know what is coming, and especially if I know! It's like...my birthday!

One package had this cute vintage apron pattern I purchased...


and, the other packaged contained these fabrics (below) from Sew It Up! The website features pre-designed kits, patterns, fabrics, books, trims and buttons.

I ordered fabrics and one of my choices did not have the yardage I requested. They contacted me and I chose to take whatever yardage they had left...they included a 'bonus' fabric! What a wonderful surprise! Wonderful customer service!


Of course, the white/black fabric with whimsical scissors print will be a smock for me! I haven't decided if I will use the other two fabrics for school outfits for my youngest daughter, or for MORE aprons. We'll see!

I've also been shopping for fabrics and other treasures for my Etsy and ArtFire shops. And, to take a creative break away from aprons; and to start progress on items for the shops, I've been working on pincushions. Currently, the cupcake pincushions (pattern by Sandi Henderson of Portabellopixie). These haven't been stuffed, yet.



And, in between all of this....I'm still knitting washcloths. Check out this yarn I purchased!


HAPPY CREATING, Y'ALL!

T-Shirt Refashion

Hi All!



Just a quick update. My Etsy Shop will re-open in August/September 2009. I have been really busy working on custom orders. And, shopping around for new fabrics and items for new creations for my shops!



So, for a break and to feed my creativity with other ideas other than what I'm working on at the moment; here's a tee refashion. I see these cute ruffle tops in stores and decided to make various versions for myself and friends. The pic does not do justice, sorry. It's made for a much more shapely dress form, which was being used by another project.

All you need are two tees. Make sure your base tee is a size larger than what you normally wear. If you would like the tutorial, click on the title of this blog. So, what do you think?

HAPPY SEWING!

An Eventful Weekend!

Hello all!

I had a terrific weekend! How about you? It was eventful and relaxing (those two adjectives in a sentence, together?)!

I needed a much deserved break from sewing, but my creative side will not let me be idle. So, I knitted washcloths for my family. 100% cotton fiber. So soft and they suds-up really well!




My daughter was invited to a birthday bash and a sleepover with her friend Molly. Upon Alexis' return on Sunday morn, she presented a pretty little bottle of raw honey from Molly's aunt. Mmmmm....good! Ruby's Amber Honey. She's a beekeeper. I'm intrigued! And, would love to spend a day with her, while she does, what she does.




Last, but not the least, my husband has been raving about a shop/boutique that he's driven by. "This shop is so YOU, and I KNOW you will love it", he says. So on his day off, while we were driving about, he surprised me and drove me to this lovely shop, Orlando Vintage in Winter Park, Florida. Vintage fashions, shoes, swimsuits, luggage, costumes, jewelry, and more! From 1890's to 1980's. He was right, I LOVED it!


I normally carry my camera with me, 'just in case'. I was in such awe of this shop and 'absorbing' it all, I did not take a single photo. If you live near or visiting the Orlando area, you have to stop by! However, I managed to gather my wits and had to have a hatbox from a company in Chicago (my hometown). I was familiar with the name on the box because of childhood memories of either grandparents or, someone in the family having a similar box. So, my wonderful husband purchased the hat box!


This weekend was a treat and very eventful!

Can't wait to see what adventures are in store for this week!

Have a Fabulous Week!