I won fabric from Diary of a Sewing Fanatic. Thank you so much Carolyn. I have been away from the blog that I started many years ago. Why?well I finished my college degree and school was more than full time most of the time. Then I started my work study program at the VA, went to school and took a sewing class at community college. Well then I finally received my diploma in May found a full time job in March and since then have been working and sewing and knitting and working. Oh I did mention working. Any way the job is wonderful and I am now getting time to start sewing again. I just finished a quilt top and was thinking of starting sewing some work clothes. I have shopped for some but none are really what I want. They are either too expensive or not well made. The sewing class was Apparel Construction which really helped my rusty skills and I learned about invisible zippers, finishing seams different ways and blind hems. I will never hem the same way again. So I guess I should get back to putting my creations on my blog. I liked looking back and seeing that I can be productive.

Thrift Store Refashion

I have been sewing and knitting. I just finished my first refashion of a blouse that was way too big for me. I loved the fabic and felt I could take the blouse and make it into something that would fit. I looked at patterns in my stash and used a basic blouse pattern to cut out the front and back. I then made different sleeves. The original blouse was a size 26 and now it is between a 12 and 14. I also have another blouse I bought at the same thrift store that I am going to redo.

Here is the before:


After:

I think I am a Selfish Knitter

I think I am a selfish knitter. I just finished a vest for my son. He is 21 and asked me to knit him one. It was an easy knit. I purchased Wool-Ease becuse I know he would not hand wash or lay flat to dry. It is in the washer then then the dryer. The vest came out ok. I started before Christmas but I am a very slow knitter. I just knit few hours each day. Here is the vest all done and waiting for #2 son to get home from work. I now want to knit something for me but #1 son asked for a beanie and I said ok. I figure I can knit that up in a few hours. Then I will work on a few things for me. I like knitting for me best. I think it is because I worry that what I make someone else they will not like so I never knit for my family unless they ask for something. It is easier that way on my sanity.



I also finished a valentine banner. I looked online to find one to do in fabric but did not find any that I thought I had to make. When I was at Michael's spending my gift card I found some hearts and thought I could use those for a banner. I glued doilys and used some cute valentine letters. Twine was used for the hanging line. I like it and it adds some festive color to the room.





Wow I think I need my eyes checked or it could be the camera. My banner pictures look out of focus. (I may blame the camera!)

I Am Slowly Getting Ready for the Holidays

I have not had much time to craft, knit, sew or just do about anything. My hubby has been on vacation for 2 weeks. I did get a few things done but still do not have my tree up yet. My hubby did finish my conversion on my motorcycle. It is now a trike and I love it.

Here are some things I have made the last two weeks.

First I decorated a wreath. I was at Michaels and most of the Christmas decorations including the wreath were 1/2 off. Love that. It is simple I just about had a breakdown on making the bow. I watched videos and read instructions. Finally I just had a look at a bow that was already done. Seems to look ok now.



Here are my candles. I used my silver tray I purchased at the thrift store and tied snowman ribbon and clipped on the cute little birds from my Michael trip at $3.99 for the birds I just loved them. I got this idea from one of my Christmas Remembered Cross Stitch books.



Here are two little trees I made. I got the idea from Tales From An OC Cottage. She had made the cutest little trees and put them in teacups. I could not find teacups but I did find some white mugs that were on clearance. I used lace from my Mom's stash. Since none of my sisters sew I inherited all my Mom's sewing stuff. I still have one more tree to do. This one in pink for my bedroom.





I am going to try to finish my decorating this weekend. I am also looking for a white tree. I might make a little tree with San Diego Charger theme for my husband. I am sure he would love it. I will have more pictures when I get more Christmas things done.

The Day After Thanksgiving

I can't believe I finally did the Black Friday Sales. Years before I always worked. So being layed off I decided to venture out. I woke up about 5:10 and decided too early for me. I was finally out the door a little after 7:00. My first stop Joann Fabrics. Wow what a line around the cutting table. People were buying tons of fabric. I went for the dress form. I should look at my sale paper better. The sale for the dress form is tomorrow. I did buy one of the Joann Quilt Kits I had been admiring with my coupons. So I left happy.

Next stop WalMart. I bought nothing. I was hoping for a tv to use for my workout area but no luck. Next stop Ross which had no one there since they did not have a sale going on. They did open at 8:00. I found a sweater and some gift items for my boys.

Since I was in the area I thought I would try Best Buy. They had a TV but I was not sure of the brand so left without. Did stop at Border Bookstore. Again not busy which was nice for me. Probably not them. Last stop Petco then home. No one at Petco either. Guess that is not a big gift item place. Did get the dog food and some new treats for the dogs to try.

It was an ok day but I don't think I will do it again. Once was enough. I was home by 10:15.

My sweater did not get done by my deadline. Close but not done. I could not have worn the sweater anyway it was about 77 degrees. I have the button band left to do then I will be done. I am going to try to finish as soon as possible so I can start something new.

Progress On My Hoodie

I finished the right side today of Heather's Hoodie. I am so excited. The next step is blocking. This will be the first time blocking. I felt a little lost with no big knitting project tonight to work on. I ended up watching the Star Trek DVD. We saw the movie when it first came out so it was something I could watch without paying 100% attention to.

I did do some sewing. A few years ago I bought a Volks Super Dollfie doll from Japan. At the time you could not buy the doll in the US. They come to you with no clothes. My poor doll is finally dressed. I used some of my Mom's lace that she left me. It felt good using the lace. I did not use a pattern just a simple skirt and halter top.




I have an appointment with the VA Counselor next week. Keeping my fingers crossed that I get to go back to school for a new career path.

Dyed My First Yarn Today

I have been waiting and waiting for my order to arrive so I can try dyeing yarn. It finally came on Saturday. Today was he first day that I had a little time to try dyeing. Overall the process was not hard. I did not get my first try exactly the way I wanted but Hubby and the boys could tell what I was going for. I am going to knit my husband a pair of socks with the yarn. He is such a Charger Fan. I looked for yarn in the blue/gold combo and could not find it even on Etsy. Here are some pictures of the process. I used the Jacquad Acid Dyes. My biggest challenge was I did not want the colors to overlap at all and have green. There are a few spots I am not happy with but I think when I knit it up it will be ok.

Soaking the yarn blank with water and vinegar. The blank is a sock yarn from Knit Picks.



Painting the yarn. I used sponge brushes since I was trying to make sure the colors did not mix.



After I was done painting I wrapped the yarn all in plastic wrap and used the microwave to heat set the dye. (I found great tutorials through Ravelry.) Then after I let the yarn cool, I rinsed until the water ran clear. The blue did not bleed at all. The yellow did have some bleeding but a few rinses and the water ran clear. This picture is just after the rinse.



Here is the finished yarn. I am waiting for the yarn to dry.



Now I am ready for the next try. As far as knitting I finished the left side of my hoodie and started the right side. I am moving slowly and still want to finish before Thanksgiving. No sewing at all. My poor neglected Y2K quilt. Maybe this week I will have time to get some things done.