Nothin like waiting till the last minute…Jungle January #3

Tags

baby, baby quilt, challenge, fabric, fabrics, jungle january, jungle quilt, quilting, quilts, sewing, wwe

Yes! that’s me…the procrastinator! I like to blame it mostly on the kids, you all know I have 5 right!?

For the last week we have all known that January will be ending here shortly, so Laurie has been gently nudging me each day to finish my Jungle January project. I would respond, “I don’t need to have it done until the 30th right!?”. “Yes, Kerrielee, but it would be nice if you could be done and we could blog about it before then.” (You  can go check more Jungle January madness over at Anne’s blog)

So last night my husband took the boys to see WWE Smackdown. My 10 year old’s fav, but the other boys like it as well. Here they are having a great time. My eldest Erik is in the middle, Ethaniel (10 year old) is to the left  and his BFF Max, to the right. Who knows where the other kid is!

SO…since he had 3 boys, Eleena was at dance until 9, I only had the baby( Emmett, he is almost 2, so I guess not really quite a baby anymore, but the baby in our house) and no excuses not to work on my project.

After rummaging through my fabric stash a few weeks ago, I found a few animal prints along with an all over jungle animal print, all in flannels. I figured I could either make pj’s or a quilt. Since I had yet to make a quilt for Emmett, I decided that was what I was going to do. I had started it all a few weeks ago, so last night I just needed to baste it all together, quilt it and binding. Between a little couch cuddling and dinner I had it all done by 10pm! Not too shabby.

I still feel like it needs something, maybe a few appliqued circles in the bright colors from the polka dot fabric? We will see, it will probably stay as is! I do love the “braided” border and his name appliqued on the quilt, and I think once I get it washed and it softens up he will spend much time cuddling with it on the couch!

Well I am done and now excited to get going on our next challenges. We are doing DaGMT 2013 with Quilting Hottie and Polka dot Frock Fest, but don’t expect to see any progress from me until the end of February!

Until next time Happy Sewing! ~K

Jungle Madness #2 and Princess Skirts…

Tags

animal print, clothing, cool pants, dance, daughters, hip hop pants, jungle january, patterns, projects, sewing

This next batch of Jungle Madness (BTW Anne, Thanks for encouraging us all to bring out our inner “beast” with Jungle January!) has been complete for a week or 2, but, Kadi is so particular about pictures she would not let me post. She actually wanted me to hike out with her into the nether regions and take pics amidst the rocks and wilderness! Ummmm… really? Well, January is almost over so I had to give her a little nudge. And despite the rain she dragged her baby sis out to do some photos. (I was gorging myself at the buffet at the casino with some friends so not available to play the part of photographer!) Anyway- she found her nether regions and ended up with 193 awesome photos! It was difficult to choose!

Now we have gotten various responses to these pants- some good and some not so polite- but I think it is important to know that Kadi is a dancer. She dances all styles from Ballet and Tap to Hip Hop and some Break Dancing, and teaches Contemporary dance and Hip Hop at 2 studios. And she LOVES these pants for movement and style. And frankly- she is YOUNG. She can carry these babies off and rock them!

I made her 2 pairs. (See the different prints?) We found the fabric at Fabric Mart and snapped it up on sale. They are both 4 way stretch jersey prints. They feel wonderful and are perfect for these pants. This pattern was drafted by me to her specifications, and was pretty simple! She wants 12 more pairs… lol…

After the pants for Kadi, I made this little number for Holly. I have had this fabric scrap for 13 years. I made a skirt out of this for Kadi when she was 7- and it had fringe. 😀 I REALLY wanted to add fringe for Holly but alas I wanted her to wear it, not just stare at it! I wish you could touch this fabric. The black is actually raised and soft to the touch. Fabric that will delight your senses! Holly did not want to go outside for her photos so we took them inside where it was warm!

Last night, my girls and I, joined Kerrielee and her daughter and a few little friends in going to see the Disney Princesses on Ice. Kerrielee whipped up 3 princess bubble skirts for the younger ones to wear. She offered to make my 3 daughters a princess bubble skirt but they respectfully declined. (I wish I was offered a Princess Bubble skirt– sighhhh)

We had a great time and here are the girls in all their cuteness!

Stay tuned for Jungle Madness #3… Kerrielee’s quilt should be ready any day now!

See ya soon!

Photography by Juliette Hull- (you did awesome!)

I Pledge Allegiance…

Tags

clothing, dress, easy sewing projects, fabric, fabrics, Family, fashion, sew exhausted, sewing, Simplicity

OK- OK- Not to a flag- But I am pledging to go Seamless!

I, Laurie, being of sound mind and body, am taking the “Seamless Pledge.” If you read about clothing you will find that a lot of the stuff we buy is “junk.”

“Cheap fashion has set a trap for us, where retailers like H&M, Target, Old Navy, and Forever 21 lure us into stores on a continuous basis to keep their profits up. Americans are hooked on buying 20.5 billion garments a year or 68 garments and 8 pairs of shoes per person, and the fashion industry’s enormous environmental footprint is growing by the year. We nurture our overconsumption by expecting our style icons to wear something new every single day. Marie Antoinette was rumored to never wear the same thing twice, but she didn’t live in an age of overpopulation, strained environmental resources, and out-of-control consumption.” – Elizabeth L. Cline, The Good Closet

And what about who MAKES those clothes!? It is a vicious circle if you ask me. Can you IMAGINE? Just AMERICANS buy 20.5 billion garments a year! So, to start out I am not going to buy anything new (other than undergarments and shoes!) for the next 6 months. I may go longer! But for now- I will sew my own clothing, and I will thrift quality clothing. When I sew it fits ME! And I know every Tina, Donna and Henrietta isn’t sporting the same thing!

Anyway- the fact is I have heard about it- but Gillian at Crafting a Rainbow has pushed me over the edge and I have decided to join the madness. I mean sanity… I think it is VERY sane. 🙂 I am rather excited!

I made these two tops last night. One for day and one for night. One for Summer and one for Winter. One dressy and one casual. It is exactly the same pattern as my knit top I made the other day. I love this pattern! And now I have 3… It is a start… Let’s see what other things I can create to join these two tops in my closet! And if you want to be a part- go here and read all about it!

-Laurie

Sewing Dares… and something ELSE for ME!

Tags

blose, clothing, dress, fabric, fabrics, fashion, patterns, sew exhausted, sewing, Simplicity, Simplicity 2254, top

A few weeks ago in the beginning of 2013 I was on Twitter, minding my own business (ummm- sort of) when I saw Gillian at Crafting a Rainbow challenge Anne at Pretty Grievances to a Sewing Dare. I innocently commented on the challenge and before I knew it I had been challenged to “sew something lovely for myself.” As a die hard quilter and sewing for my family fiend, this was something out of the norm for me BUT something I always tell myself I am going to start doing. So, it was not a malicious challenge, it was a challenge that I needed!

At the same time I was taking part in Jungle January, and at the fabric store stumbled on the perfect fabric for Pajamas and a robe and I decided they would be for me. You can read all about my venture in to Jungle Madness here. The thing was, I killed 2 birds with 1 stone- completed Jungle January- and made myself something!

But I realized I wanted MORE. I wanted to make MORE for ME! And so this past weekend I dug up a lovely sweater knit out of my stash and started sewing.

I have this pattern and have been wanting to make it. Simplicity 2254. When I grabbed it from my stash I did not connect the fact I was using a knit on a pattern that calls for a fabric with no stretch and by the time I realized it I was already cutting. And it didn’t matter because I really wanted to make it, and I wanted it to make it with that fabric. So, away I went.

For those that saw my machine was on the blink, I am using my daughters machine. It is a cheap one but it is working and that is all that matters to me! Whew!

Anyway, here is my top. Which I LOVE by the way.

My action shot- me on the curb making a phone call. (That seems to be about as much action as I see!)

My close up- Me wondering what I should do with my arms. (And yes- I like the cleavage. I have been informed that “boys like that.”)

My “OK, I just forced myself to take 3 pics of myself so I am gonna post them” look.

The top was a little big. Most likely because it was a knit instead of a cotton but I don’t mind. It IS comfy and I feel lovely in it! And because I already completed my Sewing Dare… I am challenging myself to another. Like Anne at Pretty Grievances I have never had a TNT or Tried and True. (I had to google that btw because I felt too silly to ask!) I do not like to make something more than once. I have sewing ADD I am sure of it. (That MUST be a REAL disability right?) Or it may be because I have 3 daughters who I used to make matching clothes for which means I made that pattern 3 times. By garment #2 I was a little bored! BUT, I love this pattern so much I want to make myself 2 more. I am going to make one out of a sweet white eyelet– (can’t you just envision the innocence?) and one out of a blue and black raised velvet chiffon. (Not sure what it is really but I bought it for something I will never use it for now so why not?)

Here they are in all their glory… waiting for me to cut them out. After this I may need to retire the pattern. But who knows? Maybe at the end of my own personal Sewing Dare I will find myself a TNT convert!

Go check out some of the other Sewing Dares. And if you dare, I am sure Gillian and her team of daring pals can dream up something challenging for you to accomplish this year!

In the meantime, take care my friends and I will see you soon. ~L

PS. Now why did WP pick the CLOSE UP to feature in the “READER” feed… Sigh…

Grrrrrr…

Tags

circle skirts, clothing, dress, patterns, sew exhausted, sewing, Vintage

My machine is crap… I wish I could say something wonderful about it, and I understand I should try to baby it but frankly, it is a cheap junky machine that I use because I have to. I do have dreams however… dreams of having a decent machine that does not cause me endless frustration at every turn,. But those dreams have yet to manifest. Mainly, because my kids like to eat and enjoy the roof over their heads. (I guess I kinda like those things too!)

So here I sit, with the desire to sew, and my machine is on the blink. I JUST had it cleaned and oiled and maintained in October so I really do not understand!

Tonight I had 5 circle skirts to make. I thought I would go over to Kerrielee’s house and get those babies whipped up by the end of the night. But, my machine would not cooperate. So, after fussing with it, playing with the puppy, and drinking a glass of wine to calm my frazzled nerves I started hand sewing in the zippers. Sighhhhh… That’s about all I got done! A few zippers. I have a deadline people!!

Tomorrow I am going to set my baby up again and give it another chance. I will oil her and play with the tension a bit and pray… Because I need to finish those darn circle skirts!

~L

Here I am blogging world, and I have brought with me a challenge…….

Tags

challenge, fabric, fabrics, projects, quilt, quilting, quilts, sewing, UFO's

Here I am! I have been making you all wait and wait to get to know me and now is finally the time!

I will be more of the silent blogger, but you might get to see some pictures of my work in Laurie’s post. I am the one with the 5 kids, husband, and puppy. That is a lot of work in itself, but in my free time I love to quilt, and thanks to Laurie, I am getting back in to sewing garments. I wont bother you with all of my info today…we can get to more of that in other posts (see! I have just committed to join you all again!)

The reason I have decided to join you today is because I have come across one of the challenges we are going to commit to for the month of February. I have been following EvaPaige Quilt Designs Facebook page and today when I clicked on her blog I see that she is having a UFO challenge for the month of February! All she asks is that we make a commitment of sewing time each day in the month of February to our UFO’s (and she has prizes!). So here is our commitment for DaGMT 2013-

We, Laurie and Kerrielee, are joining in Quilting Hottie Haven’s second annual DaGMT event. We both pledge to quilt for at least 45 minutes each day in the month of February 2013, giving up doing dishes, laundry, and making dinner for the sake of our sewing commitment. In doing so we hope to finish as many UFO’s as humanly possible for 2 women with 9 kids, a husband, a puppy, and a fish! Lastly, we think Beth Helfter is brilliant for coming up with this concept and inspiring us to join.

Here are a few of the UFO’s you WILL be seeing completed by the end of February-

Mine-

Laurie’s-

Head on over to Quilting Hottie Haven’s Blog to see all the rules, there are only a couple, and let’s all get started on finishing some of the many UFO’s cluttering up our sewing spaces!

I am so happy to have met all of you today and look forward to getting to know all of you more. Until next time….Happy Sewing! ~K

Jungle Madness… #1

Tags

clothing, fabric, fabrics, Jungle Madness, Leopard Pj's, patterns, projects, sew exhausted, sewing

Silky Leopard print robe – CHECK

Silky Leopard print jammie pants- CHECK

Matching jammie top- CHECK

True Confession #1- I sleep in sweats. And have for years. I am not sure why. When I was growing up my mom always made sure I had pretty nighties and pjs. Somehow in the last 15 years though I switched to glamorous sweats.

True Confession #2– On the 15 hour drive home from our holiday in Oregon on New Years Eve, Kadi asked us to make some goals and she made a list. One of mine was to start sleeping in “proper” night time attire. I had a goal of making 3 things to sleep in before the end of the year!

Well, NOW… I am ready to lounge/ sleep in style! I have completed my Jungle January project. I did not imagine I would be making myself a pair of animal print jammies- It just happened!

As many of you know, Pretty Grievances challenged us sewists to make something fit for the jungle in the month of January! (Can I hear you ROAR?) Well, not exactly fit for the jungle… Honestly I don’t think I am up to trekking around a steamy hot jungle where animals lie in wait ready to pounce. REALLY, the challenge was to make something in animal print! And dang if that didn’t sound like fun.

 

It took me 3 days to complete this project. I wish I was as quick as some of you fabulous ladies but alas, I am not. Maybe someday…

On Day #1 I cut. I hated every moment of it. The charmeuse was slippery and I used 9000 pins at least. (slight exaggeration… but ALMOST! 😉 ). I also took many breaks to escape the frustration. I managed the robe and had started in on the pants when I whined (I mean grumbled) on Twitter. Gillian suggested spray starch.

Day #2 I ran out for some spray starch and stopped by the fabric store to see if I could dig up anymore of that FAB fabric. I had found the bolt on a clearance table and bought all 6 yards for a total of $13.50. Unfortunately I miscalculated and did not have enough for a top. And there was no more to be found at the fabric store. BUT I had my can of spray starch! And let me tell you- I will NEVER EVER sew or cut a slippery fabric without spray starch again! It made everything so much easier to handle. I got busy and completed the robe. I LOVE the piping… Gives it a little pizazz… My serger failed me so most of the robe is finished with french seams. It takes longer but I do love how the inside looks. I wish I had made a shorter length in the robe as well and may consider cutting off a few inches. I meant to cut out View A but Cut B instead!

On Day #3 I got busy on the jammie pants- or lounging pants if you prefer. AND I found a black Tee I never wore and appliqued on a heart- I REALLY wanted a top to complete my set. The back half of the waistband on the pants is elastic and I made a drawstring from my fabric. So, the waist is adjustable which I appreciate as I have a goal to lose a few more pounds. (I have lost 20 so far!)

True Confession #3– The pants are a bit snug. I am what I like to call a spoon shape- thighs that would make a plump chicken proud. 😦

All in all I am very happy with this set of jammies. I want a reclining couch pronto, loaded with silk and satin pillows, and a cup of hot cocoa delivered to me on a silver tray. Or quite possibly I could actually “prowl” the jungles in this little number? 😉

Two things I’d do differently in future if I make this again. Make a shorter robe and longer pants. Other than that, I love them! I really DO feel decadent. (I have that robe on right now as I write!)

Notice I mentioned this was project #1. That is because next up is a pair of pants for ED- (my eldest daughter Kadi). And Kerrielee, my cousin and Sew Exhausted counterpart is working feverishly on a Jungle January quilt. Oh, and I have a mini skirt for MD- (middle daughter) to complete. (I really wanna add fringe– is that too much?)

But THIS is Jungle January project #1. All for Me Me Me!!!!

PS. You Blogging Sewists have made me a bit bolder. Normally I would have taken pictures WITHOUT me in them… But when Anne at Pretty Grievances asked so nicely if I’d “be on the floor in the next shots?” I decided to be brave. (Note- I am STANDING on the floor!) For those that follow on FB or Twitter you see I was posting pics of the GARMENT- not me IN the garment! Thanks for the encouragement @HouseofPinheiro!

Wordless Wednesday – Matching Made by Me…

Tags

clothing, daughters, dress, fabric, Family, sew exhausted, wordless wednesday

I apologize for the blurriness- Wish I had taken more back then! And YES- I even made the hats…

 

~L

Jungle Love

Tags

animal print pajamas, easy sewing projects, patterns, pj's, projects, satin charmeuse, satin pajamas, sew exhausted, sewing

Today I took a trip to the fabric store to pick up a few Vogue patterns as they were on sale. I received a gift  card for Christmas and thought I’d take a look around and what to my wondering eyes should appear… on the clearance tables? With an additional 50% off? A delicious bolt of satin charmeuse in an animal print… (Leopard? Cheetah? I am apparently not up on my wild jungle animal prints!)

Isn’t it beautiful? I have to confess I figured I would make something for everyone else in the house first. I have knit “hip hop” pants in an animal print on the docket for Kadi, a leopard print miniskirt for Holly, an idea rolling around in my head for Juliette… and MAYBE I’d get to something for me. But then I stumbled on this and snapped it up. The best part? I got 6 yards for a total of $15.00 (plus 10% off of that!) How could I NOT buy it? That is enough yardage to make myself a pair of pajamas AND a robe.

I snapped up this McCalls pattern for .99 cents. (plus 10% off!) I have not decided if I am going to make the long or short sleeved version. I DO know I am going to pipe the robe and PJ top in red. 🙂 And make covered buttons. I am very very excited about my make. Especially since I think it fits right in with the challenge issued by Pretty Grievances. I am feeling the love… for animal print pajamas. Definitely am getting in to the spirit of this and looking forward to frolicking around in these.

See you soon!

~Laurie

Wordless Wednesday… Taking it Back Old School

Tags

Christmas, Family, quilting, sewing vintage clothing, Vintage, wordless wednesday

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