At Home on this Mountain
Sunday, November 2, 2008
What I've been up to lately
Posted in MakingLast week I only got dressed when I had to leave the house- how's that for full disclosure? Contrary to what you may think of that, I actual got a lot done. It was our "off" week for lessons so we had plenty of free time for projects. I spent several hours in our storage cellar organizing and weeding kids' clothing. I made yummy desserts and a baby gift (a hooded towel, natch, and a very pretty one, if I may say so)
Besides all of those fascinating things, I have been making HAIRBOWS! I feel like a nerd but I am having so much fun with the free patterns at Girly Things as well as with ones I had made up on my own. Here's a picture (I made all the flowers today, along with the loopy bow at the top). There are several more floating around our house as well as my sister's house- mostly pumpkins. So cute!
TH helped me make the "bow board" as an experimental Christmas gift. We want to make one for our Georgia girl cousins as well one for our own little girls. This one may be for the cousins, it may be mine for storing my finished bows.
I'm kicking it into high gear for Christmas sewing. Well, 2nd gear anyway. I am working on my best friends birthday gift today and it should be done soon. Then Christmas is in my sights. As always, I have lots of plans. I have finished most of my shopping actually, just homemade gifts to be done now. I'm looking forward to doing some fun things with my kids this year, including Ann Voscamp's Jesse Tree Devotional for Advent. We've never really observed Advent so I am excited to share that with my kids.
| 2 comments | | Link
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Crafty goodness!
Posted in MakingNot as much as I would like but I have been doing a few things in the sewing room. For one thing I cleaned out and organized the freestanding closet/cupboard that I use for my fabric in the house (most of the stash is in storage in the back yard) That felt GREAT! I only got an "after" shot but you can take my word that it was BAD before.
The fabric on all of these shelves is roughly sorted according to type of fabric and/or its intended purpose. I also have a small gift stash on the upper right shelf to pluck a last-minute gift from, if I don't have time or inclination to sew something. That's also where I stash gifts picked up for specific people throughout the year for Christmas or birthdays.
I also sorted my scraps and covered some rice boxes from Aldi with wallpaper for which I paid 10 cents last summer. They aren't beautiful but they're cheap and they get the job done. They also fit perfectly in this space, three high (I need to make another one for the felt) with just a skosh of space on the right side. I am tickled. You can see them in the first picture of the cupboard, on the lefthand side.
Last month I did some mending for my second oldest child AC. He bought himself a Spiderman costume at WM with a Christmas gift card (thanks Uncle Neil!) Unfortunately the suit was made in China and not very well put together. The nicest mama in the whole house put it into the new sewing machine and ran up several opening seams. That wasn't a big deal. The big deal was the fact that AC has such a HUGE BRAIN that the mask wouldn't close in the back. It would close for his 6.5 year-old brother but not for the
4.75 year-old. I removed the velcro dots (there were 2) and basted in a triangular piece of knit fabric from a tank top that I remember my mom wearing when she was pregnant with my sister in 1984. I don't know why I have my mom's tank top from 1984 but it worked great. Not an exact match color-wise but close enough for a 4 year-old who can't see it because it's on the back of his head. I checked the fit and then stitched it with some sort of fancy zigzag or other and he has been pleased as punch ever since.
Finally, after a couple weeks of having my cutting table covered in a stalled out sewing project, I cleaned up and moved on. I was inspired by Quilting Month over at the Sew, Mama, Sew blog and decided to put together a disappearing 9-patch block. I built the 9-patch and cut it into four pieces
but haven't decided the best way to stitch them back together yet.
I'm thinking I'd like to do a block for each tutorial that they plan to feature this month and then do...something....with all of them. Not sure what that "something" might be yet. Maybe I could put them in that plastic storage tub with all 80 or so of my yellow and white attic window blocks. That sounds like a great way to display them, no?
PS- it took me nearly 5 hours to finally get this thing posted after I started it. Thankfully not all 5 of those hours were spent actually working on the post. That would be pathetic.
| 2 comments | | Link
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!
Posted in MakingNothing major, I just added some things to my right side bar. Somewhere over there ------->
you can find my "2008 Crafty Stats" including a link to my Flickr "2008 Finished Projects" photo set. There's only one item in the set at the moment but I hope to remedy that right about now while my kids sleep.
This is mainly for my own purposes- to keep track of the money I spend, the yardage I acquire and consume and the projects I complete. I don't expect anyone else to care much (except my dearest who actually pays for all those "acquisitions"). I've wanted to do this for a while now (as mentioned in my earlier post about my sewing goals for the year) and I really hope I can keep track of this.
Hopefully getting on the blog to update the sidebar will also keep me posting my finished projects here in actual blog posts, thereby working on my own goal of blogging a bit more often. Win-win-win!
| 2 comments | | Link
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Sewing Goals
Posted in MakingI didn't feel like I accomplished much in the sewing room in 2007 until I looked back and made a list of my projects. I really did do quite a bit especially considering I had my 4th baby in July. This year I'd love to do more than half of my sewing before the second week of December :) So for 2008, a few modest goals to strive for:
* Keep track (preferably here) of projects completed as they're done (rather than one massive round up at the end of the year)
* Keep track of fabric purchased and money spent (also probably here) on fabric and whatnot. I don't know if I want to track notions, etc separately or all in the same pile. One figure would make it easier to record but it won't be as enlightening at the end of the year. Hmmm, will have to ruminate. I have already been to Hancock once (at DH's request!!) so I must get on the ball with this. Watch the sidebar for more on this. My friend Linda (who got me hooked on Alias a few years back) does a wonderful job of this and I hope to take a leaf from her book. Check out her blog to see her sewing/fabric stats and some of her fabulous work.
* Organize my patterns. I have far too many and I really never should buy any again (That's not a promise or resolution, just an admonition to myself. Thankfully I never listen to myself when I start talking that way.) I have started this arduous process already and have taken a few pictures so I will post about that when I make a bit more headway. I am currently searching out the best way to actually store the patterns once they've been catalogued. I
* Learn to use my embroidery machine. This was a tremendous gift and I really want to put it to good use and justify the giver's opinion of me
* Make something for aforementioned giver of embroidery machine. I have something kicking around in my head; I'll have to see where it takes me.
* Stay on top of my gift sewing so I don't have to spend all of December in the sewing room, to the detriment of my relationships with my family members.
* Sew for myself. I have lost 20 pounds since Baby was born and I am working on another 20. This has already necessitated digging out clothes I haven't worn in a while but it is really going to be serious in another couple months. I have avoided sewing for myself because taking the time to fit my body is much less gratifying than sewing for my kids or making purses for other folks. It's time to take the fitting bull by the horns and get over this hump in my sewing career. One of my sewing lists is having a shirt/blouse sew-along this month and I think I need to get involved. Full bust adjustment, here I come!!!!
This list is probably already too ambitious but what's a new year for, I ask.
| 3 comments | | Link
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Sewing in 2007
Posted in MakingETA- I also made a Christmas stocking for MJ this year. I did a freezer paper stencil for her name, did some patchwork piecing for the body and at the end stitched on a bit of tiny red rick rack and some rather large red rick rack. It's very cute and it's only her 3rd Christmas. She's been using my "emergency" stocking for the past two years. I also have RK's name painted and the fabric cut for her stocking. As she didn't receive any gifts, in her stocking or otherwise, from me this year, I didn't sweat it. It is at the top of my "things to sew after Christmas is over" list for this year. Hopefully I'll have the sewing room done soon because I am ready to work. If only this nasty cold would go away and leave us all alone.
I didn't think I had done much sewing this year but I did more than I thought. After going through my photo files and my (spotty) memory, I have compiled this list of 75 items I made in 2007. I counted muslins for items because I put almost as much work into those as the actual item and they have a high emotional cost since I'd rather just chance it and cut into my nice fabric RIGHT NOW. I'm always glad I waited but I am counting that work. I also counted each item separately even though some things go together, I counted the parts instead of just the whole :) A lot of these things are pictured in the archives here- under "making" in the right column.
Thomas the Tank Engine tied fleece blanket (not technically sewing I suppose :P)
white dress and floral pinafore (MJ for Easter)
brown linen skirt and floral duro-style top(maternity) and muslin for top
luggage tags (2) and ticket holder
yellow tool boxers
Mother Goose circle skirt and appliqued tee shirt (never delivered, lost in the mail :( )
patchwork print circle skirt
dragon boxer jams
red rayon maternity dress (too big but I wore it anyway) and muslin for same
3 wet suit style swimsuits (shorts and shirts)
swimsuit cover-up for my mom
AB Swing bag with stenciled with monogram
hooded towels- seven that I can think of
AB Chelsea (I think) bag- the tall sort of boxy one with cutout handles and lots of timtex
pieced a quilt and have it half quilted- need to finish that, was supposed to be Rosie's Christmas :\
"Sheriff Logan" notebook cover
denim Favorite Things "cute skirt" not as cute as I could have liked
stencil-painted pillow cover
Dora pjs (pants and top)
patchwork pincushion
tiny peach quilt (15 x 15 I think)
Thanksgiving skirt for MJ
10 felt mitten Christmas ornaments
bag with coin purse and key chain (purple cord)
blue tool boxers
2 flannel boxer jams
sock monkey boxer jams
wool flannel muffler
flannel cupcake
3 patchwork "animal apartment" pillows
1 quarter size "animal apartment"
8 animals for aforementioned apartments
2 tutus
Chas's folded star trivet
one adorable fabric doll that TH and I made together for MJ for Christmas- her name is Daisy
Here's one photo from Christmas Day- because Chas wanted to see my cupcake. I can never say "no" to Chas
And one of the kids in their pjs from Christmas Eve. I barely got the boys's done the day before. And AC had the gall to say he didn't really like them. You'll wear 'em or else, Mister! And act like you like it! You can also see the bottom hem on Keith's that I made at least 5 or 6 years ago. It may have been the first year we were married. We both wear them regularly. They're way too big but that makes them comfy!
| 2 comments | | Link
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Craftiness at Christmastime
Posted in MakingJust a sampling of the things I have been busy with the past few weeks:
-for a very special lady who is a joy to sew for:
the lining of the coin purse matches the lining of the bigger bag:
-ornaments for my family-in-love. They're far away so these are light for mailing. The kids's have a little special something inside as well. The grown-ups have to make do with just ornaments:
And a peek at one batch of goodies. My chocolate covered cherries in various states of dippage. I had a few ground almonds left from the toffee so some of the cherries got rolled in those:
I've done more crafting (and cooking) but I'll wait until those gifts have been received to post photos.
Blessings!
| 5 comments | | Link
Friday, November 23, 2007
More sewing (Christmas and otherwise)
Posted in MakingI finished a couple of projects last week. Not as many as I had planned but it's still nice to get something done. The first is a set of PJs for my 2.5 year old lovey. She is a bit of a Dora nut (hopefully she'll outgrow that) so I decided to make her really happy and let her wear jimmies that are not handed down from her brothers (which makes me happy). Poor girl has been sleeping in monster trucks and superman for too long. I hope to get a nighty made for her as well but that might have to wait until after Christmas. A tradition in our family, from my childhood, is opening on gift just before bed on Christmas Eve and that gift must be chosen by Mom and Dad. Mysteriously, that gift is ALWAYS new jimmies. Weird, no? I think it's so everyone looks nice in the photos the next morning
The pattern is from Jalie and went together really easily. I love that these patterns have every size from a toddler's size 2 to a woman's size 22. This is the first time I have used one of theirs and I really liked it. I have several others (2 girls/ladies tops, boys/mens shirt and slacks) that I consider investments in future sewing since I should be able to use them for the rest of our lives.
The piping is flat (basically 1 inch wide strips of bias cut fabric, folded in half lengthwise) that I made from some coordinating pink printed with stars. I didn't round the corners very well but it's all a learning exercise. One of these days I might make some for myself. I just know MJ is going to love these!
And a close-up of some of the details:
Then we have a new pincushion for none other than....ME! I really wanted to try out one of the tutorials featured over at Sew, Mama, Sew! but I couldn't think of anyone who would really love a new pincushion for a gift. So I made one for myself. This only really shows one side but it's my favorite side. I love how well the turquoise button matches the bitsy little turquoise details in the brown fabric. Both of the darker fabrics are from my great-grandmother's stash. The white has been used for various projects for the past 5+ years. I have worn out one nursing nighty made from it and can't even remember everything else that has bits of it included.
Finally I have a small quilt I made a month or two ago that has been languishing in the sewing room. It's totally done and I have been meaning to get some good photos of it and put it in my poor little etsy shop but I still haven't done so. It might end up in a Christmas package to some little girl or other on my list. Who knows?
| 4 comments | | Link
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Christmas crafting
Posted in MakingI have been staying busy this week, working on various and sundry Christmas gifts and crafts. My best friend has her house decorated so beautifully that she has inspired me to make some new things for my house for the holidays. I really need some new ornaments and plan to work on that with my kids next week and in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
I can't show all of my gifts here because several of the people I give to also read this (or they have they have the address anyway
) so mostly I'll be showing what I am doing for my kids and for the folks without internet access.I made this pillow, probably for my aunt. I plan to make another one with a different word, possibly with some red piping as I think this one is a bit boring. We'll call it "simplicity" instead ;)
This is for my littlest one. It was a test for some gifts as well as perhaps to put in my etsy shop. We'll see if I get around to it. I plan to add just a touch of embroidery to it. 
That's all for now. Maybe later on I will have some Dora PJs fo show off. They're for MJ's Christmas Eve present and they're about half done. I hope to get the other half done at naptime. So far they're quite cute.| 1 comments | | Link
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Sewing Swimsuits
Posted in MakingSeveral of you mentioned not being able to sew swimsuits in the comments of my last post. I am here to tell you that if you can sewing a straight line, you can sew these little suits like I have made.
It's true that sewing a traditional suit can be a tiny bit intimidating what with the stretching of the elastic around the arm and leg openings and whatnot, but these wet suits really aren't any different from making a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. The most important thing is to use a needle made for stretchy fabrics and reduce the presser foot pressure on your machine so that the layers can stay together as you sew. I found the gray fabric needed lots of pins to hold it together as I sewed but the red needed very few. This is just ordinary swimsuit fabric I bought at fabric.com. Well, MJ's came from Hancock fabrics in Chattanooga but it's normal swimwear fabric as well. I always watch for this to go on sale as it can be quite pricey normally- $20 a yard or more. I don't think paid more than $5 or 6 a yard for any of this. It still sounds pricey to my frugal sewing self but since MJ's suit took only part of a half yard cut of each fabric and the boys's took only part of a yard each, they're very inexpensive, especially when you compare them with ready-to-wear suits in a similar style (looked at a Land's End catalog lately? yikes!)
So get thee to the Kwiksew website and order up a pattern for some sweet and modest swimsuits for your kids. You won't be disappointed!
| 3 comments | | Link
Friday, June 22, 2007
Swimsuit sewing
Posted in MakingWe are off to Dollywood's Splash Country tomorrow morning so today I finally finished sewing up the kids's new swimsuits :) They are quite, quite happy with them- MJ wore her shirt until I finished the pants and then she wore both pieces until I forced her to change back into her dress so we could go to town.
I used Kwiksew #2888 and it went together like nothing. I was quite pleasantly surprised. We are all pretty sun sensitive so DH really prefers more coverage for the kids than a pair of trunks or a regular swimsuit provides. These are much easier than regular swimsuits (at least for girls) since the only elastic is in the waist and it really doesn't get any stretching.
Here's the best of the straight shots:
And a bonus of the boys doing their best muscle man (or something) poses :D
| 8 comments | | Link
Friday, April 13, 2007
Birthday Sewing
Posted in MakingI made a birthday gift yesterday for my niece. She'll be four next month and I think she will really enjoy a super twirly skirt. This one is made from a full circle of fabric with another smaller circle cut out for the waist. I stitched the waist "hole" to a piece of elastic (while stretching the elastic) then serged the edge and turned the elastic and fabric to the inside and stitched it down (again while stretching the elastic) It was sort of flying by the seat of my pants but it worked out very nicely. Since you can't actually see the waistband in the photo you'll just have to take my word for it I also added the ruffle to the bottom and although I would have liked a bit more "ruffle" to it, it worked out all right.
The shirt is a plain white tee from a McCall's or Simplicity pattern. I shortened the sleeves and left off the back opening (who designs a tee-shirt that needs a ZIPPER?!?) I cut it from a undershirt that my dad bought and didn't like. It just didn't fit him the way his regular brand does so he gave 4 or 5 of them to me. I used the existing hems from the bottom and the sleeves- just cut the sleeves from the sleeves, if that makes sense. It was really nice not to have to hem all the stretchy knit as that is not my forte. I finished the neckline with some picot-edged elastic and that worked out very nicely.
I cut the appliques from scraps of the skirt fabric (I had just one yard and cut the largest full circle I could which left a good bit in the corners) I used Stitch Witchery to affix them to the shirt and then used some non-fusible interfacing as a stabilizer on the back. I used a medium width, very short length zigzag to go around the outside. Most importantly, I tested the whole set up on scraps from the t-shirt and cotton fabric before I did anything to the actual project. It all worked out very well and I am quite pleased with myself. The whole project was from stash fabrics, notions, etc so virtually free :) Everything was purchased at least 6 months ago, some of it was inherited.
Oh, I should say, in the interest of full disclosure, that the black ribbon trim on the skirt is a "design element" that came about because I caught a small chunk of the blue fabric in the serger while finishing the seam between the skirt and ruffle. It was pretty maddening but my husband couldn't find the flaw so I am satisfied
Oh, here's the picture (before I forget!)
I see that I forgot to turn the left sleeve down for the photo, and you can't really see the right sleeve applique, so I will say that one blind mouse is on the right sleeve, tapping along with a cane. The other two are on the back of the left sleeve; one is holding the other by his tail- v. cute!
Lest you think I am a super-whiz who does everything 3 weeks before it's due, let me set the record straight. I got this all done yesterday because I was avoiding doing my taxes. I will finish them today though. NO more sewing until they're done (but I did tidy up the sewing room this morning to get ready for my post-tax sewing orgy
)| 4 comments | | Link
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Sewing this week
Posted in MakingLast week's Easter sewing certainly put me in the mood for more. So I have been working on a few smaller projects to keep me interested without getting overwhelmed.
I have had this pair of boxers cut out for my dearest since before Christmas. I am a manic cutter but I tend to forget about what I have already cut and instead cut out new things to sew up. Or I get tired of the project while it sits waiting to be sewn up. Terrible, no? Anyway, DH needed some more boxers so I stitched these up on Monday while he was at work. He is a Honda mechanic so I thought the fabric was especially apropos. The pattern is this one from Timberlane Press. I have the adult and kids versions and have probably made a dozen pair in the past 3 years. It's a pretty easy pattern as long as you pay attention to the instructions. I do modify the adult pattern a bit but the kids's I make straight from the pattern. They also make great PJs bottoms if you cut the legs to pants length.
The second project was from the freebie patterns I found here: Studio Kat Designs. One item is a small pouch/purse thing that goes over one shoulder and the head and lays flat against the body for holding all those things you have to have accessible at a moment's notice in the airport- photo ID, tickets, boarding passes, passport, etc. It also has two small pockets for a bit of cash or receipts and whatnot. The other is a fabric luggage tag so that you can easily identify your bags as the hurtle down that little ramp and onto the baggage carousel of doom: where all bags look the same and you nearly have to rifle through the underwear to determine if it's yours or not. These are a brightly colored Hawaiian print that I picked up for $2 a yard at Walmart a year or so ago. It's really quite nice fabric for the price (not like the stuff they've been stocking lately-blech!) and I thought it seemed rather "travelly" for this project :) I can't say who these are for because it's a surprise. I don't think she reads this blog but you just never know. I don't know if you can really see it in the photo but the bottom pocket of the pouch is made from clear vinyl, as are the windows on the luggage tags. It's kind of a stinker to work with but looks so cool when it's all done.
Next on my sewing agenda is to finish a quilt for my dear cousin's first baby (due the end of July, a week before our #4 is set to make his or her debut) I have it about half pieced but I haven't worked on it in a while. It's a simple quilt and I plan to quilt it on the machine- a first for me for a project this large. It's really more of a toddler quilt than a baby one but I like for them to be able to use it for a long time. TH and AC still use theirs, as would MJ if she would consent to be covered up at night. I really love the fabrics I have chosen and I hope I can get the piecing done next week (after I finish the blasted taxes :|)
| 2 comments | | Link
Monday, April 9, 2007
Easter clothes
Posted in MakingI had pretty grand plans for my Easter sewing but didn't get nearly all of it accomplished. I switched tracks halfway through and made a completely different dress for MJ from completely different fabrics. Then I decided that I did not have time for new shirts for DH and the boys so the boys got new ties, DH got some new pants that he desperately needed (and new shoes :D) and *I* got a new outfit! I have sewn clohes for myself in AGES so it felt kind of nice to make something for myself.
Last week I whipped up a muslin of the top (no finishing, cut off the hem allowances, etc to make it as fast as possible) in the time it woud have taken me to drive to the closest mall and try on 15 different things at Motherhood that wouldn't have fit anyway. The muslin fit tolerably well so I washed my pretty embroidered/eyelet cotton print and got to cutting.
This is the pattern I used (Simplicity 3888)
and this is me in my "outfit" as my dad calls anything that matches :)
I might make the dress version if I get a notion to sew for myself again before baby arrives. I will probably spend that time sewing up a couple new skirts and nursing tops for post-partum though.
MJ's dress and pinafore are from McCall's #4648 view A (short sleeves) and I was really happy with it. It was a bit fussy to put together and took me about 3 days but it turned out really well and will definitely make it again- probably a couple more pinafores for various occasions this year.
I didn't take any really good full length photos but here are a few different ones that show some of the details.
All 3 of my blessings:
MJ by herself- a good shot of the trim which goes around the bottoms of the sleeve bands, the entire hem (over 5 yards!) and around the collar:
and one of just the dress (with a few accessories by the wearer :D)
| 3 comments | | Link
About Me
Home
My Profile
Archives
Friends
My Photo Album
Categories
BeingEating
Going
Laughing
Making
Praying
Rambling
Reading
Preserving the Harvest 2008
~June 22nd~
*11 half-pints
honey-sweetened peach-strawberry jam
~June 27th~
*7 half-pints and 2 pints
honey-sweetened peach jam
~June 28th~
*24 home-grown chickens in the freezer
(7 whole, 17 cut up
plus feet and backs for stock!!)
~July 6th~
*8 pints and 14 half-pints
honey-sweetened peach jam
~July 16th~
*18 cups fresh green beans,
blanched and frozen (a gift from the boss)
*12 pounds ripe bananas,
cut into 1 inch chunks and frozen for smoothies
~July 22nd~
*32 ears home-grown corn
blanched and frozen in meal-sized packages
~July 27th~
*8 pints cream-style corn
(home grown)
~July~
about *8 cups blackberries
and *5 cups wild blueberries
from around our property,
in the freezer
~August 4th~
14 pints
4 half-pints
and 1 quart
hot and spicy tomato salsa
(that's 18 cups altogether)
~October29th~
13 quarts chunky applesauce
5 quart jars dried apple rings
What I'm reading
The Bible- currently in the books of Ezekial and 1 Corinithians
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George
The Hobbit (on CD) by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Bondwoman's Tale by Hannah Crafts
What I've Read Recently
One Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
At Large and At Small by Anne FadimanHow To Be Good by Nick Hornby
The Book of Joby by Mark FerrariThe Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
World Without End by Ken FollettAnne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery (for the 12th time or so)
The Water Babies by Charles Kingsley
What I Watch
The Office
30 RockDoctor Who
HeroesEureka
Scrubs2008 Crafty Stats
Yardage In:
13.5 yardsYardage Out:
3 yardsItems Made: 2
Money Spent:
$58.06
Recent Entries
Giveaway at Teresa's!!
Romance?
Pop Dickens
No real theme..
Election- Shmelection!
Blogs I Read (almost)Daily
Money Spent:
$58.06Recent Entries
Giveaway at Teresa's!!Romance?
Pop Dickens
No real theme..
Election- Shmelection!