Saturday, July 31, 2010

Vacation

We headed to Colorado for vacation, the first few days in Colorado Springs.  Here are some highlights
Pikes Peak
Royal Gorge Bridge

Manitou Cliff Dwellings

Seven Falls


Chapel at Air Force Academy
Breckenridge area for alpine slides and hiking

Then on the way home we went through Wichita, mostly unplanned but hopeful on my part.  I went to Needle Nook Fabrics, arriving at 4 p.m. and staying until 5:30.  I now have a stash again and Wichita's economy has been helped a bit!

My fabric:

New Patterns:

Now to catch up on laundry and wash all this fabric and then it will be sewing time!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Before and After Chair

Still working on adding color and fun to Erin's college apartment.  The quilt isn't back from the quilter but it should be soon.  I have been painting several things for the bedroom, many of which I forgot to take pictures but will when the whole room is put together.  Erin wanted a chair for her room.  I found this one:

Erin wanted it painted white (most of her bedroom furniture is black) and I covered the seat with leftover fabric from her quilt


Tomorrow is the first day of vacation, hurray. 

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Silhouette SD Machine

A couple of weeks ago, several blogs had information and ideas about using  the Silhouette SD.  Included in these blogs was an opportunity to win one by leaving a comment and there was also special pricing.  Unfortunately, I did not win one but I did break down and purchase one.  Meredith, Kaitlyn and I had been wanting a Cricut forever but I never could bring myself to purchase one.




We had this fine machine for a few days and were enjoying it so much.  Somehow we managed to get a big paper jam, new-user error and then the machine didn't cut right.  I emailed support and they gave us a few suggestions to try, in the end we had damaged the blade with the paper jam.  Silhouette sent us a new blade at no charge, it just arrived and we have been happily creating.

I put some vinyl on my front door


Meredith made this card:



At the Silhouette Blog, there is a weekly free design, the flowers were from last week.  Isn't it so cute?

This is a great machine and I really like the fact you can connect it to your computer, use many different fonts for lettering, you can purchase a design at a time from Silhouette's online library, purchase heat transfer paper and create unique tshirts. 

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Simplicity Top

I went out on the porch this morning before work and took a picture with the self-timer of my Simplicity 2584.  Here is the the blogpost with pattern information and here is the pattern review

Friday, July 16, 2010

McCall's 6038




Pattern Descrition:  Pencil skirt with double darts in front and single in back, centered zipper

Pattern Sizing: 4 to 20, I was between a 10 and 12, so I cut a 12, it is too hot to have anything tight around my middle!

Instructions: Super easy to follow, this is four pattern pieces, front, back, front facing and back facing. 

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? I liked the nice basic shape of the pencil skirt, quick to sew with fantastic results.  The pattern has 4 darts in the front, 2 on each side of center front and 2 long darts in the back.  Great for fitting.

Fabric used: A luscious silk-cotton stretch that can be found Fashionista Fabrics.  Talk about a dream to sew and the way it feels, wow!

Pattern alterations:  I used an invisible zipper and that was the only change.

Would you sew it again?  That would be a great big yes.

Conclusion: Great looking skirt, which fits wonderfully.  This pattern is well worth it.  The fabric is beautiful and for a bright printed skirt, I can wear it many different ways:





and to show the waist

Monday, July 12, 2010

New Skirt

McCall's 6038


+



=
a new skirt for me

Needs hemming and it will be done

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Favorite Spot

Here is my favorite spot of the week in my garden. 
 All of these plants blooming at once with such vibrant colors.


On the other side is a hydrangea, which was divided from a larger bush a couple of years ago.  I might have to move it over a bit, probably is going to crowd my climbing rose too much.

The twins have been at their oldest sister's house since Thursday night, so the house has been so empty.  I have gotten several things done with all the quiet:
  • recorded and uploaded a podcast
  • cleaned out several drawers and rearranged some kitchen cabinets
  • went shopping and had lunch with Erin on Saturday
  • had several friends out last night for swimming and food
  • spray painted the last of all my red accessories - hurray!
  • now heading to sew up a skirt for me

Wednesday, July 07, 2010

Adding Color to My Bedroom

I have shown this picture before and at the time liked the look but now with summer I wanted brighter colors in my bedroom and something above the bed.  I couldn't get inspired to get it done until I got a few new pieces of fabric in the mail, the fabric was the perfect colors for my bedroom.



A couple of months ago, I had purchased some wool felt to make this pillow and made it first.  It is a great tutorial and the end result is beautiful.
I just added some basic pillows on each side and a couple of small round pillows from a pattern at Sew4Home, which is a great sewing site.  Here are the pillows on the bed

I took the old lamps

spray painted them Heirloom white and covered the lampshade with fabric for this result:

Now for the wall, I went to my attic and dug around. Found a picture frame and this platter
and sprayed painted them Heirloom White also.  Here is the result

I have been watching Sarah's House on HGTV and liked how she mixes and matches all the prints.  Plus, in the master bedroom, I liked the fabric band on the neutral curtains.



So I added a band on all my curtains, this area needs some work.  I am open to suggestions, a table between the chairs, maybe?  Like my tennis shoes on the floor!
a better view

Here is one more picture

I want to add more picture frames above the bed, but I am out of spray paint and you can't find that color in my town!  I worked on this project in the evenings and spray painted between all the rain we have been getting.

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