Pictures and Job Update

I have to share some pictures from the weekend

The home run swing:

Meredith getting a big hug from Kaitlyn  (sunglasses) in the dugout after the home run.  This picture is amazing, just such pure joy and happiness on both their faces!  Brings tears to my eyes.

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On a side note my husband, myself and 2 other family members purchased a business last month and have been working very hard to get the doors open. Tomorrow is opening day and I will be working full-time as office administrator, accountant, gopher, etc.  My sewing time will be a bit more limited but I love this business and so happy to be back!

Repeat

Last year at this time our softball team went to the Final Four championship.  The girls ended up winning the State Championship.

Here is the post on the semi-final game 2011 and here is the post on the State Championship game,

Well, we are heading back for a repeat performance.  Semi-final game is on Friday, if you win then you play for first on Saturday,  lose then play later on Friday for third.  I think it is an awesome accomplishment for these hardworking girls.

Here are my two after the sectional win:

As a parent, I am so proud of my daughters, they have worked hard and put in countless hours for this sport., Another benefit the town hositing the final four has many fabric stores, including fashion fabric stores. Shopping here I come!

Simplicity 2584

Pattern Description: Misses dress, tunic and headband - Cynthia Rowley design. Neck and sleeve variations.
Sizing: 4 to 20
Likes/Dislikes:  I liked the look of this top, especially with the yoke around the front slit.  Also, the construction of this is great.  Instead of turning under the edges, you line the yoke.  This feature makes perfect edges for the yoke.  The darts are a plus for a good fit and all the sleeve variations.
Changes:  My only change was to shorten the v-neck.  As it was on the pattern piece, I would have had to wear a cami under the top.  Well, with record breaking temperatures, I did not want another layer!
Conclusion:  After seeing Lynn's chambray top, I knew I had to make one for me.  I thought about using the same pattern, Simplicity 2892 but I have made that one a couple of times.  While I love it and the fit, I had been wanting to try this pattern, mainly for the yoke detail.





My only possible issue is the way the shoulders look on my dressform.  I need to evaluate this on me and see if I need to alter this.

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On a side note, Kaitlyn hit another home run last night!  Summer ball is over and now we will see if she keeps it up once school ball starts in the fall.
My garment sewing will come to a standstill for a bit, I have three quilts to make.  Hoping to have them completed by the weekend, ready for new clothes!

We call her Babe Ruth

This morning, my dad called and said, "How is Babe Ruth this morning?" 

Why you ask?  Kaitlyn hit not only her first home run last night but also her second!  Both over the left field fence.  The team had two games last night 4:30 and 9 p.m.  Mike couldn't make the first one and missed her first home run.  The second game, just before her first at-bat, I said hit one for your dad and she did! 

Here is a picture of her crossing the plate after the first home run, from my phone but look at that big smile. 

I asked her when she knew it was gone.  Kailtyn responded, "I was running hard to second and then saw the umpire with his hands up (signaling a home run)"

Me?  I knew on the fly and jumped off the bleachers, getting my phone ready to snap a picture. 

Kaitlyn and Meredith  have four games today and four games tomorrow, I am packing my camera! 

State Championship Game Today

Meredith

Kaitlyn

THEY DID IT, great game 8 to 1!  Game time, 4pm, playing this one in a big college stadium. 

Semi-finals

Yesterday was a big send-off for the team to head down to the Fianl 4:

Meredith with balloons to launch

Kaitlyn eating lunch before the girls left

Special cookies

For each player

Today is the semi-final game, so exciting and a time in their life they will always remember.  Just think about the class reunions years down the road, the stories they will tell.

Me?  Thrilled beyound belief, so excited and getting to share this with family and friends.  Heading to Joann's and a quilt shop sometime today!

Final Four Softball

The girls won another one 11-0 last night, beautiful night and for the first time in school history we are heading to the final four.

Here are some  pictures from the evening (from the over 200 I took)

Kaitlyn before game I really like this picture of her, so happy and relaxed

Kaitlyn before first at bat

Meredith before first at bat

The semifinal game is on Friday!

Another W

It is a Mom's time to brag - another win for softball, we are down to the top 8 in the state, play again on Saturday.  YEA!!  GO TEAM!!

District Champs

They did it, the twin's high school team won districts 3-0, leaving 16 teams in each class (size of school).  They play for Sectionals next.
Here is a bit of animation a friend created for me (thanks friend).  You have to click on the picture to get the animation to work.

Been Busy

Not much sewing this week.

• Two track meets, Tuesday and Thursday
• Wednesday night - sewing class (taught a purse class)

The twins were in the open 800 last night.  Meredith has been running the 800, just like her dad did, I did and her two older sisters.  After Kaitlyn ran it for the first time (and did a great job), she commented I guess it is in my blood, too.  Yes, it is, Kailtyn.  Meredith placed 2nd in that race and Kaitlyn 3rd.

Baking an apple pie right now for dd#2, doing some housework, then sewing!  Yea!!

Oh, You Sew?..... Can you do this?

All those that have heard that question, raise your hand! Well, I am serging and embroidering 22 fleece blankets for the softball team. The twins play, so they just didn't pick me randomly and I did somewhat volunteer. I can get 5 blankets done a night, then I hoop one in the morning and let it sew while I am getting ready for work. Blanket #11 is embroidering now.

Here is my pile of handiwork:





Since this is a freebie job, I used regular serger thread and set the stitch length to one. I sure didn't want to foot the bill for wooly nylon and I don't think the high school girls will know the difference. Also, I am using an embroidery font with a good fill stitch and the embroidery is looking quite nice. The best part is I don't have to cut out the blankets, my quilt shop friend is cutting them at her shop. Thank you, thank you.

Our high school softball program has this tradition of Rally Week, the last week of softball the girls get special gifts each day, the blankets are for one day. It is fun for the athletes and lets them know their hard work and dedication is appreciated. Now from my point of view, watching my oldest two daughter's high school years go by in a blink of an eye, I am older and wiser with the last two and I appreciate the moment of this.

I could have made a couple more blankets tonight but I had to watch Grey's Anatomy!

I am hoping to record a podcast this weekend. Thanks all for being patient with me, time has gotten away and I am working more hours, which is a good thing.

She is Quite Talented

Kaitlyn is quite the catcher for our JV team, plus she went 4-4 at bat the last game. The team won the JV tournament on Saturday, pretty neat but it gets better. Kaitlyn catches, Meredith plays shortstop and Erin helps coach the team. So it was a very fun day for our family.



Now to add to Kaitlyn's talents, she did all my ironing tonight and it was a huge basketful. We were all in the sewing room, Meredith working on some key fobs for friends and I was working on Kaitlyn's quilt for her newly repainted room. Kaitlyn just asks, "Can I do the ironing?" Oh, yes, you certainly can, I had to show her how to do shirts and blouses but the rest she did with no problem. Isn't that the best?

To make things better, I finished putting the quilt together, except for the outside borders, ran out of fabric. That won't take long, then I am onto other projects.

Simplicity 2942

Pattern Review




Pattern: Simplicity 2942

Description: Project Runway pattern, Juniors’/ Juniors’ Plus dress, mini dress and tunic with sleeve variations.

Sizing: 5/6 to 25/26+

Instructions: Very good, this pattern has nice written instructions plus many diagrams. This pattern can be for beginner to more advanced sewer, depending on which options are chosen for the garment.

Likes/Dislikes: I made this for my 18 year old daughter and she liked the style right away. It is a flattering, stylish pattern for a teenager.

My only dislike is the fabric requirements. Simplicity lists the fabric for the basic dress, then you add on for the sleeve styles. You can quickly purchase too much fabric.

Changes: My daughter is a softball pitcher (heading to play college softball in the fall), with this in mind I made a broad shoulder adjustment. I just purchased, “The Perfect Fit” book and used their broad shoulder adjustment (minor adjustment). I also lengthened the bodice 1” and transferred this amount to the back (one long piece) and the 1” to the bodice lining. RTW tops in this style always hit her too high so this adjustment really makes a nicer fitting garment for her. I added some length to the dress, it looked quite short on the pattern envelope. This was a good thing, as I compared the finished dress to one of my daughter’s RTW dresses. I had 1” hem to turn up.

Design changes – I added piping to the front at the seam between the upper front and the upper side front. Also, piping between the band and the sleeve. I redrew the sleeve pattern and sleeve band so these pieces did not have the curve as Simplicity designed them. I thought my piping would be much easier to apply with a straight pattern piece.

Fabric: A rayon jersey from Joann’s.

Conclusion: This fits my daughter beautifully and she is quite happy. Unfortunately, you won’t see her modeling it. Yesterday she had shoulder surgery (yes, the pitching arm) and she is in a sling for 2 weeks. All is well, as the doctor believes she will be back throwing by September.

This is a cute dress with some very nice design features and doesn’t take a long time to sew.

My apologies on the blurriness of the pictures. My camera focused on the flowers and not the dress. I just went outside for a quick couple of pictures, as I was very busy being the nurse today!







Garden shots - Hydrangeas are big and beautiful


Corner of my garden.


Today's fun, my friend's quilt shop opened today. The twins and I went up for just a bit but managed to purchase 2 bags full of fabric. Meredith (the sewing twin) bought fabric for a lap size quilt, she did quite a bit of sewing on it and will probably be done this weekend. I bought a new purse pattern and fabric for several more purses. I might be brave and make another Amy Butler's Weekender bag. Wish me luck!

Meredith also made a fabric belt from this book "Pretty Little Patchwork", a very fun book with great projects. She isn't very interested in clothing right now but that is fine, she is sewing and loving it.

Happy Mother's Day and More

This is my Mother's Day present and I love it.





Now for the story, a couple of weeks ago, I dropped my small Canon point and shoot, broke it beyond repair. I was disappointed, I liked the little camera to stick in my purse. I have a digital SLR, Canon Rebel with 2 additional lenses. This is great for photographing sports, flowers and other items (when I want to haul my big bag), but I like the little one to have in my purse or pocket and also use for my sewing.



Well, on Wednesday, I bring the twins home from school. Hubby tells them to put on their softball clothes, they have to go to hitting practice. Today I find out this was all a set-up, they put their sweats on over their clothes and head to the camera store. As soon as they were out of sight off came the sweats. Meredith tells me she was so hot in the house with all those clothes on waiting to leave! Isn't that the sweetest? I feel like one special mom.



The kittens name - well, the light color one is Tess, the red one was Jane (the sisters on 27 Dresses) then it was Twizzler (like red licorice) know it is Runt(not flattering but a perfect fit). It is so small and always has been according to the original owners. So the kittens are Tess and Runt.

I just came home from Erin's Baccalaureate, a very nice service. Now one week left until graduation and it is a very busy week. Move college daughter to the city for her summer internship, senior scholarship night and two days of state track meet.

Buttons - white ones are the winner, I liked those the best, too. Now to change the bottom one and take pictures again. I am entering it in the Creative Machine email list contest. I will review the blouse tomorrow.

Tonight I am maybe going to cut out my graduation dress.

Finally, Happy Mother's Day!

Blouse and new kittens

A quick post - heading out for a track meet.

First, do you like the white buttons? I put a different one on the bottom one to show a comparison.




Here it is BWOF 1/2008, review later.



See our new kittens, they are so small

Sewing, Cleaning and Flowers

Graduation is 11 days away. Here is my to-do list

1. Spring cleaning, 4 rooms done, 3 to go.
2. Windows to wash
3. Front porch to clean
4. Plan the Graduation party menu
5. Sew my dress, I do have a pattern in mind.
6. Feed 14 on Friday night, pasta dinner to give the track athletes energy for the sectional meet.
7. Record a podcast.
8. Plus all the other end-of-school activities
9. Move college daugther to the city for her summer internship.

I think that is it for now, I am sure I will be adding to that list.

I have been getting up early a few mornings to sew. Currently, I am working on BWOF 1/2008, #108. I have made #107 and it is very similar. I plan to enter this blouse in the Yahoo Group, Creative Machine's blouse contest. My very first ever contest!

We have had plenty of rain, every few days. Great for my garden, not so good for the farmers in our area needing to get in the field. As I was spring cleaning, I looked at my garden, while it was raining.

This rose bush and garden phlox is growing by the minute. A couple of weeks ago, the garden angel was taller than the plants, now it is hidden.

A spring bloomer:

Quick Post and Picture and Catch-up

I am going to try and post each day in May (for the rest of May), as I have been such a bad blogger these last two weeks.

First, my latest project, BWOF 3/2008, #113, I will write the review tomorrow.

Today, I went to my 4th track meet of the week. Let's see, two for the twins, today for my niece, one for senior daughter and then senior daughter has district track meet tomorrow. That will be track meet number 5! I am tired but the twins are done and senior daughter can be done anytime. She has to place in the top four of her events to advance onto sectionals.

I did swing by a Hancock's today and did some shopping. I bought 3 different fabrics, some serger thread, two zippers and Kwik Sew 3558. I bought some silk wool at Hancock's to make the short sleeve version. Check out the back. I noticed this one in the latest Threads.

Thanks for the kind comments on Erin's prom dress, no I did not make it. We purchased it way back in January, she tried on several and didn't like them too much. Then she tried on this one and she knew it was the one.

My New Jacket

No, I didn't make it. I went into Ann Taylor Loft for a quick look and this was on the sale rack. $59.99 regular price, I got it for $34.99.

I went to the mall to buy dd#2 Under Armor coldgear track tights. I did bring those home, too, and boy, did she need them for our very cold track meet tonight.

Burda World of Fashion 2/2008 #101

Pattern Review

Pattern: Burda World of Fashion 2/2008 #101

Description: From page 11(101A), this batiste garment is delicate yet makes a powerful statement with its rich violet color. And, it also looks stunning when worn loose without a belt. From page 65, (101B) This hip-length blouse boasts three trend features. Sixties sleeves, retro-print fabric and raised waist seam. An ultra-wide patent leather belt just adds the icing on the cake.

Sizing: 36 to 46, I made a 38 and made the longer view A.

Instructions: The instructions were really pretty good. Make sure to note the seam allowance instructions for the front band “no allowance on lengthwise facing edge of front band”. Burda instructs you to attach the front band to the upper fronts and when this is completed, work the buttonholes. This does work nicely, you have one side on the upper front and it is easy to stitch that bottom buttonhole. Also, make the casing for the lower edge of the sleeves, try on the blouse and adjust the elastic as needed for the forearm. I stitched my elastic on with my serger and it was not tight enough. A pain to unsew the serging.

Likes/Dislikes: I really liked the sleeves, that is entirely the reason I made this blouse. I am not sure about the raised waist but with the right belt I think it will not look so high.

Changes: One change I wish I had done, my fabric was very lightweight and I should have interfaced the collar band and the collar band facing. I did add ½” to the upper front to drop the raised waist a bit.

Fabric: A stable jersey knit from Needle Nook Fabrics. It is a bit see-through, so a cami will be worn!

Conclusion: A trendy blouse that will be fun to wear with or without a belt. This is a 2 dot pattern but it doesn’t take too long to construct.


On the dressform, the belt is not right but the only one in my closet.

Back on the dressform:

Back on me:
No belt:
Belt on me
Side view:

Sleeve detail:
Basketball note - my daughter's team finished 2nd in Districts. They lost by 20 points but on a positive note, first time since 1992 the girls team has played in a basketball district championship.

We Did It Again!

Anyone remember the 1980 Winter Olympics? The U. S. hockey game in particular? The announcer's words keep going through my head, "Do you believe in miracles?" Well, my daughters' basketball team just beat the 7th ranked team in the state tonight. We are playing for the District Championship on Friday night against the 4th ranked team in our state. Our district was loaded with great teams and the girls have come to play. This is so much fun and my daughter is so excited. People are trying to remember but this might be the first time in 15-20 years the girls have played for a District Championship.

Our team was ranked 6th in the tournament and we had a winning record, that shows how tough the district is. We have beaten the #2 and #3 seed. It is like an underdog, Cinderella story.

Look out here we come.