Early Sunday Morning

It's early Sunday morning and I have no pictures for MMM. Not even dressed yet, save my old ratty bathrobe (okay, it's not ratty, but not a photo op I want to feature on my blog) I woke up at 2:00 am and couldn't get back to sleep, so I came down and got on the computer. I was rewarded with a video of the cutest baby in the world, and in the bonus round got to skype with his beautiful Mother! Insomnia has it's perks! Thought I would answer Katie's recent question about fabric used on the Vogue tunic. I have made 3 versions of this pattern and have been successful with all the fabrics I have used. The first was a grey wool jersey that I picked up at the thrift store. It has substantial body as I prewashed the fabric before cutting it out. The turquoise version is a poly cotton blend knit that is also pretty sturdy (not as much as the wool jersey). The third incarnation was done in a thinner matte jersey that I bought from Fabric.com when I was speaking to them, but it still is not a super thin fabric. I believe the cowl needs a little body to stand on it's own. This last one I eliminated the split in the front and just made it one solid piece. I love the raglan sleeve on this top and you will probably see more in the years to come. Maybe next time I will raise the neckline and eliminate the cowl, who knows? That's the great thing about being your own designer! To K.C.-no harm was meant by the turd comment made by Tom-that's just how we roll-we have been kidding each other for over 30 years now, so I don't see it stopping anytime soon! He really is a caring supportive husband and if he stopped saying outlandish things to me I would wonder if he was sick, (or dead!) I finished the lacy scarf last night while we watched "From Paris with Love". Interesting little action movie. I love a good John Travolta flick, and this did not disappoint, but I wouldn't recommend if foul language and violence offends you. Guess I will have to watch Eat, Pray, Love all by myself! :) It's time to go check the angel food cake. I am busy baking and putting things together as my sweetie is whisking me and the dog away for a romantic getaway at the coast on our days off. Okay, we are going camping in the 5th wheel to take advantage of the good clam digging tides. I ask you, does it get any more romantic than that?

What can Brown Do for You Today?

MMM continues! Here is a brown with gold dots long sleeve V neck Jalie T-shirt that I whipped up during my sewing frenzy the other day. Tom's comment this morning? "Whoa, that's alot of brown...Put a brown hat on and you could be a turd!" Um yeah, thanks Honey! :) I did break it up with a nice khaki jacket.  
Haven't sewn a lick for 2 days...working, knitting, catching up on Army Wives...I'm now up to the current season. Thank goodness for Hulu since I work on Sunday nights. Also I checked the new offerings on Netflix and see that Eat, Pray, Love has been added.  I loved the book and I enjoy a good Julia Roberts movie, so that's number one on the queue. Wonder if Tom will watch that with me...maybe to make up for that turd comment??? As for knitting, any suggestions on the best websites for yarn, patterns, etc??? I am on Ravelry, but just wondering what other great resources are out there and knitting blogs to add to my blog roll?

The Return of MMM Photos

I finally got enough gumption to take a picture again. On the frontside of another double shift. Everything (with the exception of shoes and underwear) was made by me. The old standby leggings and lace Jalie cardigan with a new Vogue 8634 tunic that I finished last night. I had a bit of a sewing retreat on my days off. Wednesday I cut out 6 knit tops to sew up. I was on track to complete 6 tops yesterday until my dear husband called with a name tag order for the department, so I felt compelled to stop the presses and knock that out. I also had a hem job to do for a friend. The tops were all TNT patterns that I have made before and with the serger and coverstitch machine it is pretty easy to do batch sewing. It felt good to get some projects done and clear out some fabric. Since I have sworn off Fabric.com, maybe I can make some headway on the stash reduction program. Now I am into yarn stashing...bought enough yarn for 3 pairs of socks yesterday and will start on them after I finish the current scarf on the needles. Always gotta have some project going!

Bad Blogger

Sorry...didn't mean to be away so long. I have been busy and a little preoccupied. I try not to blog when I'm in a fog...ah shit, now I'm rhyming. That was totally unintentional, but I kind of like it (insert silly chuckle here). Now that I've made myself laugh for the day, let's chronicle the cool things in my life! This past weekend I was honored to meet the lovely G Marie and her husband JB  After a little directional snafu we connected over breakfast (I totally take responsibility for my um, navigational challenges...) The boys headed off to bond over guns and roadsters. Although we both had cameras in our purses, neither one of us took any pictures...whoops! Gaylen had visited a few yarn shops the night before. As many of you know, she is an incredible knitter, and it was inspiring to watch her with the sticks. It inspired me to improve my knitting skills, because sock knitting can be such a portable project and if I start now maybe I can make enough socks for Christmas gifts. How special would that be? I bought a paw print sock pattern off Ravelry about a year or so ago that benefited another Guide Dog School with the intention of making socks for my work friends.  Time to revisit that me thinks...anyway, I digress. We made a day of fabric shopping, starting with The Mill End store. All I bought there were buttons for the tops I am making for the dorm staff at work. I didn't find any other fabric for that project yet, but I did make up one, that is destined to be Lily's. I need to purchase another pattern. That's what I get for not measuring the girls first...my bad! Next up was the Pendleton store. This actually was my first trip there, and although they were having an incredible sale, I exercised restraint. Gaylen picked up some gorgeous wools for sheath dresses, but knowing I have lots of fabric in the closet that has been waiting to be made up, I passed. I did notice they carry Burda magazines there as well, so if I get the urge to pick it up again (I am letting my subscription go this year) I can get it there. Next up was Fabric Depot.  Even though it was a sale day it wasn't too bad. I actually did buy some brown Ponte de Roma to make another pair of leggings, and then promptly forgot about it. When we were sharing our adventures with the boys later, I was like "No, I didn't buy any fabric..." Doh! We also both got the Monique Dress pattern from Sew Serendipity. I wandered round and round Fabric Depot searching for the perfect big-ass flower print for this dress. There is something fun about picking out a pattern and then finding the perfect fabric you invision in your mind. Well, that didn't happen, but I figured there was something in my stash that would fit the bill. I have several options and I am hoping this will become a TNT summer dress pattern...more on that later.  I also purchased staples like interfacing and tracing paper. I like the thicker tracing paper for patterns that I intend to use more than once. I stayed well under my allotted budget for the day, so that was a good thing. Still waiting for the verdict from the tax accountant, so mindful spending is the order of the day. That's about it for the recent high points in my life. Today is a day off and I think I may spend it, what else? Sewing! Hope you are having a nice day wherever you are!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

The smile says it all!

Boo for Fabric.com

Fabric.com really let me down this time. I ordered 10 yards of fabric to make uniform tops for the dorm staff at work. What did I get? 7 yards and some change! No sorry we ran out...clearly a mistake in filling the order. The fabric came on a roll marked 7 yards. I put a tape to it and realized I had been shorted. I wasn't too worried because in the past when there has been a problem with an order Fabric.com's customer service has been stellar. Not so with this experience. After a bunch of back and forth they finally agreed to issue a credit and I could keep the fabric, but I had to get bitchy about it and I don't like doing that. And that still leaves me needing 10 yards of a good utilitarian fabric for the girls. Maybe I can find something on Saturday when I'm shopping with Gaylen. I'm sorry I've been missing in action lately. I have been wearing Me Made items, but just haven't taken pictures. The wheels on the bus have been falling off lately and I've been treading water...things will get better soon...I have faith! Maybe I'll go check Trendy Fabrics... 

MMM: Day 10

Hi Y'all! I don't have a picture for you because I threw on a pair of jeans and a sweater for my trip to the beach, and after a wonderful afternoon hanging with old friends, I'm too tired to whip out the camera! Besides, my MMM item is my pajamas, and trust me, you don't want to see that!!! Hopefully I will have time in the morning to snap a few shots before we go to the workshop (of my outfit of the day...not my PJs!!!) The room I'm staying in is very elegant and comfortable...way away from the bustle of the casino...I'm a happy girl!