Two Views

No, not sewing but I was looking at some old pictures. Found the one of my house so I went out yesterday for another picture to compare. Check out how my flowers have grown.



July 9, 2008












August 28. 2008. A perfect day for a photograph, it was overcast and no bright sunlight as in the first one.




The zinnias (in the middle) were planted from seed and have outgrown the garden phlox.

Bride-to-be is on the way home so wedding plans will be in full swing in an hour or so!

End of Summer

Stacy has Theme Thursdays and I have been very lapse in my participation. This week's theme is favorite photos from summer. I went looking and found something quite surprising.... I did not take many pictures of my girls. This was an enlightening moment, the camera has got to come out more. I think part of the reason is we just hung out at home and went swimming. So here are a couple of my favorite photos, just the twins and remember they are 13 year olds, sometimes grown-up and sometimes silly. These are silly photographs

A Little of This and a Little of That

I started working on this tonight, progressing nicely, the fabric is a oh-so-soft jersey from Needle Nook Fabric. I really like the shirring detail. For a great tutorial on shirring, check out Portabellopixie Shir Madness tutorial



I mentioned earlier I switched my comments to Halo Scan. Well, I couldn't just reply to the comments, I had to log into the webpage. I emailed customer support and they suggested I look into js-kit. That had the capability but I didn't want to take that much time to figure it out! It probably is very easy and I could do it if I desired but I spend so much time on the computer with photos, podcast and work, I will pass on this one. So I reverted back to the original blogger comment form, it is fine.

Wedding plans are starting to form, the bride-to-be is coming home this weekend and we are looking at reception sites. The best part will be Saturday afternoon, wedding dress shopping. I can only imagine how beautiful my daughter will look.

Pattern Review - Hot Patterns Riviera Annisette Top

Pattern: Hot Patterns Riviera Annisette Dress and Top

Description: Slim-fit Dress & Top has a faced boat neckline and elbow-length gathered sleeves. Rib trim finishes the cuffs & hem. Choose from the chicly playful knee-length Dress or try the lovely hip-length Top.

Sizing: 6 to 26

Instructions: The instructions are printed on the pattern sheet. The diagrams are plentiful and very helpful. This Hot Patterns’ instruction sheet is much easier to follow than the very first one I purchased from them.

Likes/Dislikes: I like the styling, boatneck, contrasts and look. I am not sure if I like the bottom hem band, still contemplating it. I might take the band off and taper the top through the stomach and hips. The pattern envelope makes the top appear to be close-fitting, in actuality it is loose in this area. I made a size 10 according to the measurements on the pattern envelope but I could have gone down a size possibly. After re-reading the description (slim-fitting), I do believe I should have gone down a size.

I did omit the band on my first top (my muslin) and tapered the side seams.

Changes: The hem band measures the same as the bottom of the shirt. In my head the band should draw up the bottom of the top, thus a snugger fit in the hip area. I took off 2” from the hem band.

Fabric: A rayon knit from Fashion Fabric Clubs (the red and gray version). The black, tan and brown is from Fashionista Fabrics and it was a remnant from an earlier top.

Conclusion: Very quick project, with some unique features. Not sure I will make it again with the band. I do like the contrast and the boatneck but possibly not enough to make it again.

Halo Scan

I installed Halo Scan for the comments. The good I will be able to reply to the comments, the bad, I lost all my other comments.

Now that the Olympics are over I will be back to my sewing room in the evenings (at least I hope). I am working on a second Hot Patterns Riveria shirt. I made the first one from some knit fabrics to check the fit. It is okay and will be fine to wear to work but I am so excited to make it out of the "good" fabric.

What are you sewing?

Pattern Review Jalie 2787

Yes, I did sew something. What was that a crash from you the readers of my blog falling on the floor in disbelief? LOL. I know it has been quite awhile since I have sewn a garment. This Jalie top is quite a winner.

Jalie 2787

Description: Top with criss-cross front. View A has a short flutter sleeve. View B has a flared ¾ sleeve and view C is sleeveless.

Sizing: Girls size 2 to 13 and women’s 4 to 22

Instructions: They are good, remember you can print them from the Jalie site. If you use the instructions in the package, they are printed on the heavy pattern piece paper.

Likes/Dislikes: I like the looks, interesting criss cross feature. I did like the ones I had seen on Pattern Review that had used a contrasting fabric to trim the cross sections. This really makes the design pop and I think gives more waist definition.

Changes: I added 1” to the length and to the sleeves
Fabric: Knit from Fashion Fabrics Club, I really like the jewel colors for fall. The black is from stash.

Conclusion: Great pattern that puts a dressier spin on a t-shirt. I think it would make a cute dress, too.

CraftStylish

Have you visited this website? Well, read about the podcast. It was so nice of Mary Ray to post this information (exciting, too). Thank you, Mary.

News Flash - I have been sewing - working on a Jalie top. Boy if feels great to be back in the sewing room.

Change.....

....sometimes it is easy. For instance, yesterday, loading my oldest daughter's furniture from her summer apartment , the summer internship in the big city is over and she is heading back for one more semester of college. December 2008 will be her college graduation and her degree in Civil Engingeering will be complete.

....sometimes it is hard. Leaving daughter #2 at college today was hard. I thought after doing it once, I would be stronger/tougher. Well, think again, it is just plain hard. Especially when she has called just to "talk" and I have only been gone 6 hours from her. Mom, my internet won't work. Mom, how can I fix it? What are you doing, Mom?

.....sometimes it is fun. My twins moved into the older sisters' bigger rooms tonight. So for the last two hours, we have moved furniture, bedding, clothes, packed away toys and keepsakes but the smile on their faces is well worth the sore muscles and long weekend. They will start 8th grade tomorrow.

.....sometimes is it so exciting. A phone call last Tuesday, the excitement in my oldest daughter's voice. She is engaged, here is a picture of the ring. I used a borrowed camera so not the best but it is beautiful. Her fiance selected a gorgeous ring, perfect for her hand. Another plus, he is a wonderful young man and they are such a happy couple.

.....is unbelievable. I am not old enough to be a mother-in-law? How did all that time pass so quickly?

..... is good. Summer is winding down, all the girls are settled in their colleges or their new rooms. School starts tomorrow and that means I can get back to my sewing room and the podcast. I hope I remember how to work my machines. What am I going to sew first? Any suggestions?

Thank you

I want to thank all of you that left such nice comments and congratulations on my anniversary post, it is so appreciated. Hubby and I went to a very nice restaurant, my very favorite one. Also, sweet hubby went shopping that afternoon to replace my digital camera (see Happy Mother's Day post and then this post on how I ruined said camera and it could not be fixed). He wanted to get me the same camera but no one had it in stock. He found another one but couldn't decide. After dinner, we went to look at the other option, I actually like it better but I was going to think about it. I found both cameras online cheaper and hubby told me to order one but I am waiting. Why? Two daughters in college at the same time, a first for us. I think college tuition and books are more important than my camera right now!


I just wanted to post a thank you. Blogger doesn't allow you to email on the comments, so a post will have to express my thanks. I am thinking about switching to halo scan - anyone use this? Do you like it? Do you have to pay? Any other options?

Summer and Sewing

What beautiful weather we are having, it feels like September not August. One thing we know around here, it will get very hot the day school starts. If that is correct, look for a heatwave around the 18th. Probably will be more like the 16th, we move dd#1 to her college, then the 17th move dd#2 to her college.

Last night we were out swimming, making s'mores and enjoying the tiki torches. My flowers were looking so pretty at sunset, I had to snap a picture.



I played with some settings on my camera for this flower bed.
Here is one tikit torch

Sewing I made a shirt for dd#3, a "That's So Raven" pattern. I made it from an PRR knit (stripe) that has been in my stash for 5 years. This was late night sewing and I didn't get her stamp of approval first, when I showed her the shirt, I got the big nose wrinkle. I suggested dying the fabric, and that was met with a reluctant yes. I did that yesterday and now the top is a hit or will at least get worn (I think). Dd#3 says it looks like something she would buy at Aeropostale and now she will wear it. I will get pictures today and then next up dd #4's shorts.

Purses and Wisdom

Still on the purses but I just finished the last one and then back to garments. This one is for a friend:

I added a back pocket, thought it would be perfect for magazines, etc.
Put a snap on the pocket to keep it closed when not in use:
Then added my label
Quick look at our kitties, we have a new one, see it under the fire pit?

This purse was made a few days ago and my friend sold it at her shop today. This one sold today also. 18 yo dd said it was cute, big compliment coming from a teenager.
This one is for a birthday present - the twins picked out the fabric for the present. The pattern is from a Japanese book.
I finished this one last night.

Why wisdom in the title? Well 18 yo dd had 3 wisdom teeth out today. She is doing fantastic, pain does not bother her much.

Garment sewing - first up is a pair of shorts for Kaitlyn, a Lizzie McGuire pattern.

25 Years Today

Happy Anniversary to us!!

Absent Blogger

July 23rd, the date of my last post. Wow, I knew it had been awhile, time has flown. We have been very busy, so here is a recap and it does include sewing.

I have been working on my own purse pattern. I have the basic shape and construction complete but just working on "changing it up" a bit. I plan on teaching this in the beginning purse class.

Here is one purse with grommets and a tie.

Another one with grommets and the straps tie through the grommets. My friend has already sold this one in her quilt store.

Next, a road trip to see a lake that is at near-record flood stage. Here is one side of the dam, calm and serene, right?

Well, the other side. It was quite a sight to see.

Also, a weekend trip to my brother's house, the twins went to a pro-baseball game with their oldest sister, my niece is here visiting. DD#2 had her deviated septum fixed (broken nose from sophomore year basketball game). Then of course work, gardening, sewing and swimming. Oh, yes, back-to-school shopping today.

I made 2 more purses over the weekend and will get pictures up soon.

Thanks again for all the comments and emails, I appreciate your thoughtfulness and concern. I am feeling better each and every day.