Kiss a Frog Prince

My cousins oldest daughter is having her first child and they asked if I could make them a frog set.  So I spent a lot of April working on this little sweater set with 2 hats.

The hat patterns came from RAKJ patterns, I added a backing on the eyes so that they were green in back.

              

this photo with both hats has the truest colors one is lighter than the other. 

a new pattern for me 

The sweater was made from a Bernat pattern booklet for Softee baby yarns, 

which were not available where I shopped. Actually finding a decent green acrylic for a baby was quite difficult.  Most were either too bright or too much brown was added.

While working on this, I watched several Craftsy videos, more to come on those.

MCCall's5252

So I started this vest back in September. It was March when I picked it up again.

My plan to have it finished for a mountain wine weekend.  When I was cutting it out, I thought it was too big but went ahead anyways.  My plan was to give it an upscale look using faux quilted leather and wind resistant polartec.  The polartec is Pro fleece- a wicking fleece on one side and smooth almost the feeling of neoprene on the other. Its a beautiful hand but a bit stiff.  I started to diligently work on this project and I had  to put aside for something else. 

(I have a sweatshirt under this, but it makes me look like i have football shoulders and huge breasts)

 In October I started losing weight and as of mid February was down 35 lbs.  So now to finish I had to cut it down a few sizes.  It was already over sized, the weight loss just emphasized it.  I had all but the zipper and finishing details done at this point.  I took off the collar, separated the shoulder and side seams.  There's a princess seam on the front that the pockets and mp3 pocket seam into.  Because I had so much work in the pockets(top stitching) I didn't want to take it all out and the faux leather isn't great for not showing stitching removed.  

(This photo really emphasizes how I needed to take out pocket seam and adujust more from the princess seam, not just from the side)

I trimmed down the collar width and height.  I shortened the shoulder(not enough!) took in the side seams, going from a XL to a medium and its still too large.  this was a unisex pattern but this is ridiculous!  I'm so disappointed by the results.  The zipper is weird because it appears to ripple yet the fabric itself isn't.  I did a full review in pattern review.  I doubt I will wear this for more than morning walks through the neighborhood.  A mediocre pattern for sure and an expensive mistake.  I never thought I would a need muslin for a simple outdoor vest. 

The fabric was folded so long, the crease is somewhat permanent until I can wash it a few times I think. 

I was more than a bit disappointed with the outcome, because I had a good idea.  But will have to seriously start working from new measurements, and I need to change my mannequin to one that is not plus sized because I'm not in that bracket anymore. 

Oh well a lesson learned.. 

Tired just tired

10 days ago, I finally had my long awaited surgery.  It was rough, but has been a fairly easy recovery, although I ran into a few hiccups I won't discuss details with you, but it physically has been better than I thought.
Those little hiccups I had really put me in a tiring spin, I wasn't expecting.  But I know in a few more days I feel better, and less like this little guy.

So I have 2 1/2 weeks left off of work.  It seems like its zipping by.  I am assured though my students are in good hands with a sub, they are enjoying, and hoping maybe we can work out some days along the way for her to sub when I come back.

I'm planning on going through and updating my blog.  I want to create one more oriented towards sewing and crafting.  I may have to work with my niece to get her help in designing the page I want, but we'll see.

In the meantime, I'm working on getting my sewing skills back in action.  After 30 pounds of fat loss, a girl has to update her wardrobe.  

these pieces are definitely on my wardrobe plans

1st this fun sweatshirt dress.  I love sweatshirt dresses in the winter with leggings especially!  so Kwik Sew 3718 is on my list!

Next on my List is this McCalls Dress 6278.  I saw it made up in a houndstooth black and white pattern that was just as sharp as can be. Perfect spring summer dress for me. I can rock a sleeveless dress all year, with a jacket or sweater.  

Lastly I want to make a lightweight jacket maybe along denim lines or in some linen for summer.  I must remember we are traveling abroad this summer.

I haven't decided on a pattern yet for the jacket. 

I figure this will get me started and I have a couple gift items to work on as well.

I have cute downloaded hat pattern for baby called Scout!  My cousins daughter is having a little boy this summer and will definitely need a few of these darling chapeau's.  Also a few matching pacifier bibs to go along.  Not all babies are pacifier babies, mine wasn't, but you never know.  

For January I was able to finish the scarf I was working on, made from a silk blend.  It needs to shaped, and then i will take pictures.  I also was able to finish a little baby had for the NICU. I try to make a dozen of these a year to drop off at different times.  My niece was a NICU baby and I don't know if she was lucky enough to have cute knitted hats that were soft.  I try to use the softest yarns, generally bamboo or synthetic/nylon blends.  The nylons offer the softest hand. 

Hope you have a healthy day friends

Treva

Target for summer wear?

Its that time of year when if you start thinking about where your summer travels may lead you. Years past that meant some form of camping or car travel.  Basically my wardrobe would be pretty casual in that it was shorts, tank tops, casual slip on dress, sweatshirt, flip flops and tennis shoes.  Fashion was not considered for these types of vacations.

grey and black stripe knit pencil w/zipper

This year we are headed to London for my daughters graduation from college.  So fashion, limited space and comfort all come in to play.  I've been searching through Pinterest , for travel wardrobe ideas.  I really want to only pack about 10 - 12 pieces for the 2 weeks.   Keeping shoes to a maximum of 3 pairs as well.  I do not want to be picked out as a tacky American for wearing trainers and my hair in messed up ponytail ( no problem i cut my hair off too short for that!)  My last trip over was 10 years ago. I can't even believe its been that long.  I carefully started shopping and thinking about what I would need.  That was a summer trip and I had a few pieces that were made of linen, and a couple cotton sweaters.  I don't really remember what else, but I'm sure I can do better.  We have a few nice things to attend and then plan to go spend a week around Scotland or go across to Ireland perhaps, depending on where we can get time share reservations.
I need to work around a color/neutral and have a hard time deciding.  I've checked out the Panetone colors for summer and found that a couple of my favorite blues are included.  Pale blue is a neutral- but then they have cerulean blue, one of my favorites and emerald green.  It really depends whether you go to for a vibrant or bright palette
 or "soft" meaning pastel.  One of my favorite color combinations since high school some many years ago is Navy and green.  I use to love green of almost any shade, as well as blues and my punch color was always red.  For awhile I drifted and Red was my absolute favorite, with pops of yellow, orange and Magenta Pink.  But I find myself heading back to blues and greens.  While running errands at Target this morning i found myself drawn to a couple skirts and dresses. Can you guess what colors?  I found this dress which totally caught my eye.  I love the sleeves are cut in on the back of the shoulder, the
 top is cerulean blue and navy stripe, while the bottom is sea-foam and navy.  Its simple, easy to accessorize can be casual with flat sandals or wear with dressier ones.  What I didn't like was that the bottom piece is a little too low for the division.  Also it was long on me but I could hem it if that was all.  It had lovely darted shape didn't fit too close for a sheath and was a knit.  It also had the zipper on the outside and for Target I have to say was very well done. check these photos of the zipper application

the inside of zipper

there's even a zipper placket sewn in

 I was surprised by the zipper construction.  I didn't buy it but am planning to make my own version.  It gave me a place to jump off for planning my summer wardrobe as well.  There was also a couple striped pencil skirts I looked at.  The grey and black one above was well made, but way to large and didn't come smaller.  I no longer wear a women's plus size 1x at Target.  So then I looked in the regular women's department wear I found this dress as well, and found a Navy and cerulean blue wider stripe pencil skirt.  I loved the color, the cut not so much.  So also added to my list to make is a pencil skirt in a stripe. These are simple but do require proper fitting for a good look.
I don't know what else will be on my list but at least its a start!  I can't believe it's only January and I'm planning ahead for July.

2014 Its here!

This will be just a quickie, to say the least.  I just made a post on my other blog-
 8000 Steps, going over my current weight loss efforts and a few health challenges. I don't want to re-hash again here.

My Christmas was delightful with my daughter at home for almost 3 weeks.  We were busy going to the gym, decorating and shopping for the holidays.  This beauty just amazes me as she grows into an adult.  She spent a fair amount of time with her friend who is getting married next summer.  This was her last trip going back for school- 2 more semesters in England and she graduates.  Oh the insanity of looking for a job in the arts- BIG. Well, we'll deal with it when it time gets closer i'm sure.
 After struggling to organize my Woman Cave I realized I would have to change things.
I'm planning to finish off my craft room, with a definite plan to switch out to cabinets mounted on the wall with drawers on the lower half,a long desk top and cabinets above the desk top. The plan is these would be all on one wall of the room.  Careful measuring and thorough pricing etc must take place.  There's a Martha Stewart piece or two I really find quite enticing, but don't know if I will go for them.  Regardless, My Ladies Cave space will be thoroughly usable by February.  

I'm currently working on a large circle cowl with some yarn I picked up on our last trip to Lake Chelan.  I will add a better photo later on but the yarn is quite fun its very textured and bulky and I'm just doing a simple pattern of garter stitch 7 rows, and knit 7 rows on circular needles. I was planning to use bigger sized needles but couldn't find them when I started. It should be finished relatively soon.

I don't do resolution's they are just something to make you feel guilty for not completing.  But I do have a goal this year to make one gift item a month, and one item for myself.  I have decided I would like to get back to creating things for myself.

  In February, I plan on making myself a travel shawl for summer time. Its in the current issue of Knitscene   http://www.interweavestore.com/knitscene-spring-2014-grouped?cid=2500&CAPCID=36262146470&cadevice=c&gclid=CJbw6-6U87sCFTDhQgodX0QA-A&CA_6C15C=400009260000178224 Spring 2014 a pattern called "J.Watson Shawl" by Megi Burcl.  It has little openings on the shoulder and when its tied closed in front it reminds me of a light sweater tied around your shoulders.  Light weight for summer weather.
Since I will be recuperating at home, and have limited activity no push or pulling movements.  Knitting should be perfect for keeping my hands busy.Walking is OK, so I'm sure I'll be doing lots of that, no teaching for a month-sigh. I will have to get out and get the yarn in the next week or two.

I already bought myself a birthday present (my birthday is at the end of May). I found a workshop I wanted to attend in early June, and purchased it so I wouldn't forget.  I'm really excited for it, Its sewing and fitting one's self, and couldn't be at a better time.

Well wishing all of you a wonderful 2014. I hope to be here more frequently as I have many projects planned this year.
Treva

December is here!

Oh my! the time has passed rather quickly this fall. I went from September making a skirt for my daughter to take back to England, to being gone on Thanksgiving vacation for a week.  Where or where did the time go?

I'm back and energized from a much needed vacation.  And December is here, so all I can say is bring it on! Mistletoe, cocoa, decorations, trees and icy sidewalks and car windows arise!

Of course like everyone else, we are in the deep cold that is freezing across the Northwest and heading east.
Its bitterly cold, I'd really forgotten how cold it can get. Its hard to get out and exercise for sure so I'm spending more time in the gym.

All of a sudden the end of the year looms and I feel there is so much to do.  Do you experience the end of the year rush?  Its not Christmas or holiday outings, but its the need to clean, and dispose of extra items. To divest one's self of all the excess. Prior to Thanksgiving I was able to clean out my closet, the  linen closet and my pantry.  I even emptied several boxes from our move last year.  I still have a lot of boxes to hit in the garage, but so far I'm still hitting the inside up.

I have lost 20 pounds recently and will be losing at least 20 more for a surgery that is coming up in February.  So most of my clothes are too big.  I hate wearing clothes that are like bags.  My pants get baggy about 15 minutes of wearing. Between exercise and weight loss,  I was able to go down 3 sizes so far, only a few of the things I own now do I want to spend time altering. Everything else is out the door.  7 bags so far donated, not including what went into the trash.  There are still  things I'm having a hard time letting go, but go they must.

graduating daughter 2014

 Then I have to attack my sewing room.  I'm a sewer and a crafter.  I have a ton of supplies for those different crafts. I'm trying hard to pare them down. I keep changing my mind how I want my sewing room to look.  I started with open shelving to get things unpacked, but I find that I would really like to have cabinetry along a wall and top it with my custom cutting counter.  Also I would like cabinetry  above that as well.  It would confine more of the items, and look less messy, even though I box a lot of it in matching boxes, over time there are many different styles, so behind closed doors would be more appropriate.  In the meantime, downsizing as much as possible would help. We have many adventures planned in the upcoming year and I really want to get to work on making a new wardrobe.  Not only out of need, but my daughter is graduating from college in July.   We will be traveling overseas for her graduation and then staying on for a vacation somewhere in the UK most likely, our treat to her.  I want to have one of those 12 piece wardrobes that I can mix around with a few accessories and look brilliant the whole time. Ideally I would love two travel wardrobes-one for summer and one for winter.

 We love going to the UK, I would like to live there for a few years to really get a more detailed experience.  My husband used to work quite a bit in London for several years. He was able to go earlier in November this year and check our daughters digs out.

 One of my dear friends moved to Ireland a few years ago, and I still haven't had a time to see her there. But it is on my list of things to do.

Time is so rapid at times. The more you want to do, the more you desire to do, the less time it seems available. When you have no plans, it seems that time lags. Like kids over summer, the can't wait for summer vacation, but soon get bored if we don't plan enough for them.  I have a tendency to get over extended. Which creates an incredible amount of stress which in turn  usually evolves into a physical issue of some sort.  I'm trying to not let that happen, but sometimes I don't know how to say "NO". Its like getting job offers, that sound great, but in reality would be more stressful and I want to say no when i give my self time to reflect on it.  I teach fitness classes so people want you to travel, but I want to be one place, I'll teach all day but just one place is all I want to worry about.

Miss Kitty exhausted  from the activity

Well, my Christmas tree is up but not decorated.  Its waiting patiently, since its artificial, it can wait a few more days.  It all happens at one time, the tree, the decorations throughout the house, then the front porch.  So I'll get there. Then I'm going to make a plan for next year, like actually putting on a calendar when things should be done.  Decorating, maintenance etc.  I need keep track better, and perhaps life will be less stressed. I suspect that February will give me plenty of time to do this, because, I will be out of commission for a month- no driving for two weeks, no work, limited upper body movement,. oh yeah that sounds fun uh? not really, but its long awaited fix, for my body to get a chance to heal.

I will be trying to post more frequently and smaller reads for sure, but time required a catch up.Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Skater skirt

My daughter kept talking about skater skirts being in fashion. After making several of these for ballet over the years I told her they are very easy to make. After all they really are just circle skirts.

 We had seen a lace one with black satin waistband. We made our own version using a lovely knit cotton spandex for the underlining,  and a cotton stretch lace for the top. We used a blush satin for the waist band.  I didn't hem the skirt layers. I never thought I would do this, but after looking at some very pricey Vince Camuto, wear and several other better designer wear, this seems to be the current trend. It seems kind of lazy and unfinished, but hey try anything once and see how it goes. I wanted to use a zipper for the closure but she really didn't want one, so hook and eyes it is. I did make a 2 inch flap inside for modesty. Its simple add on.
She's off to school back in London today. She has her own style kind , a little Northwest, mixed with San Francisco & London.