Knitting, sewing, cross stitching, my life in general.





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Winnie-the-Pooh jammies! This is another New Look pattern and the fabric is a cotton print that I got on clearance at JoAnns. I made the size small, which is about a 3-6 month size. These are actually for one of DH's coworkers, who also has 2 baby boys at home. 
posted by Stephanie at 7:28 PM

 

Baby outfit #1. This is a New Look pattern. The jacket is made from mint green microfleece and is lined with the same fabric I used for the pants. The buttons are little yellow rubber duckies! 
posted by Stephanie at 9:48 PM

 
Guess what? My sewing machine is coming back out today (well, we hardly ever eat at the dining room table anyway. heh). I've been wanting to sew, but I wasn't really inspired by any projects. Today I was talking to my mom and found out that my cousin's 2 baby boys are growing quickly (as babies do) and they need clothes (which my cousin can't afford). So, that's a great excuse to sew some cute baby clothes, no? I have some nice microfleece so I'm looking at winter clothes (they do live in Wisconsin, after all). I also have an excuse to take a trip to JoAnns this week cuz I don't have a single pattern that is sized for a 18-month-old. I have several baby patterns, so today I cut out a jacket and pants for the 6-month-old.

posted by Stephanie at 5:25 PM

 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for the weekend.

This was a long week and I'm exhausted. Of course, I really shouldn't complain since my poor DH has to go in to work today as well. So I've decided to take care of some of the household chores (so tomorrow I can goof off all day). This morning I slept in til 8, checked my email while having coffee, took out the recycling, and walked the dog. Then I went to the post office, the grocery store, and got gas. Is it time to take a nap yet? My 3 other goals are: clean the kitchen, clean my bathroom, do some laundry. Oh, and do yoga.

I'm really itching to start knitting again, but I'm not sure what I want to work on. I'm kinda burnt out on socks. I'm thinking ahead to fall and winter (dreaming, really, since I live in Southern California. heh) so I want to knit with some yummy wool. And I definitely should work on a UFO rather than start something new. I'm thinking either the plain pullover I started with eggplant Peruvian Wool from elann or the pale yellow cashmere blend scarf I started last summer. Hmmmm.

Oh, in case you didn't get the email, smiley's yarns has Plymouth Encore dk on sale for $.99!

posted by Stephanie at 11:44 AM

 
Well, I'm still working on my cross stitch a little bit each evening. It's actually a round robin from last year--I think the theme was Christmas. Anyway, I bought an aida table runner at Michael's and divided it into 4 sections (there were 4 people in the RR, including me). Naturally, one person was a flake and didn't work on anyone's piece. So now I'm working on that empty fourth spot. I also noticed that one of the other ones is incomplete, so I should finish that one up as well.

posted by Stephanie at 6:39 PM

 
Update: I finished the tote and I'm actually pretty happy with it. I think it will be ok to give as a gift afterall. I decided to put my sewing machine away for a little while. I'm sick of having it take up the entire dining room table. Plus, I'm a bit out of motivation and energy (work is sucking the life out of me). I think once the weather cools off a bit I will bring it back out though, cuz I have some cute fall fabrics, fleece, and Christmas fabrics.

One thing I really like about cross stitching and knitting--it's so easy do work on projects just sitting in front of the tv in my favorite chair. I have a cross stitch project to finish up, then I'm not sure where I'll go from there. Lord knows I have a million ufos.

posted by Stephanie at 3:57 PM

 

ta da! 
posted by Stephanie at 3:56 PM

 
Yay, I did some more sewing over the weekend. I made myself a sleeveless top with some cheapie cotton I got at Walmart a while ago. I'm not sure if I like it or not--I'll have to try it on again to decide. I also made a super-easy apron from some leftover Green Bay Packers fabric. suh-weet! I started a tote bag--it's one of those patterns that's in a million little pieces so you can use up fabric scraps or fat quarters or whatever. I wasn't very careful while I was sewing it so now I think the pieces look a bit wonky (you can see why I'll never be a quilter). I'll have to look at it again when I'm feeling courageous and see if I think it can be salvaged (this was meant to be a gift. ahem).

I have a headache this morning so I'm taking a sick/personal day. Now to decide what to work on once my painkillers kick in.

posted by Stephanie at 8:06 AM

 

UPDATE: mom's blouse is finished! 
posted by Stephanie at 10:38 AM

 

This is the pattern I'm using to sew a blouse for my mom. I started it last weekend and I'm determined to finish it this weekend. I'm using some cotton fabric from JoAnns--it's a fall leaf print in oranges and browns (she loves all things autumn-themed just like I do). I decided to make the shortest length because well, she's petite. I'm also making it with short sleeves cuz I didn't want to make long sleeves and then have them be too long. She prefers short sleeves anyway. 
posted by Stephanie at 8:40 AM

 
I'm so flippin tired. You'd think I worked an 80 hour work week instead of 40. Mneh. Hurrah for the weekend! And I even made a quick trip to the grocery store today on my lunch hour so that's one less thing for me to do tomorrow. Also, I'm not making dinner tonight. At work today we had a big Italian buffet for lunch, and there was tons of food left over. We were all told to take some home, so of course I did (the company brings in lunch every Friday. cool). So, apparently life's all about me being lazy (duh). Time to go take a nap or something. Crafts? fuggeddaboutit.

posted by Stephanie at 5:56 PM

 
More from one of the secret pal newsletters (because I am too tired & brain-dead to think of an interesting post this week).

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer high-end/natural fibers)? Do you avoid Red Heart and Lion Brand? Or is it all the same to you?
I like high-end yarns, but I do have some Lion Brand. It has it's place in my knitting life! :)
2. Do you spin? Crochet?
Nope. I'm hopeless at both, actually.
3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
cats, rabbits
4. How long have you been knitting?
seriously for about 6 years or so.
5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
I do, but it needs updating.
6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)
*real* essential oils of lavender or bergamot
7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
yes yes and yes.
8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
Sewing, cross stitch, jewelry-making
9. What kind of music do you like?
lots of different stuff. From Prince to Korn to the Indigo Girls.
10. What's your favorite color?
pale yellow.
11. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?
I have a wonderful DH and an adorable dog.
12. What are your life dreams?
to be happy.

posted by Stephanie at 11:01 AM

 
From the secret pal newsletter:

What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with?
If I could only pick one, I would have to say koigu.
What is/are your current knitting obsession/s?
Nothing right at the moment.
What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?
Socks. Definitely.
What are you knitting right now?
Nothing.
What do you think about ponchos?
I love them, but I don't think I would have the patience to knit one. Soooo many stitches when you get to the bottom. Maybe if I found an interesting pattern with cables or something.
Do you prefer straight or circular needles?
I like both. I definitely prefer dpns for sock knitting.
How did you learn to knit?
My grandmother taught me when I was young (to keep me occupied).
How old is your oldest UFO?
Probably about 2 years.

posted by Stephanie at 11:16 AM

 
Answers to some questions.

First, the western shirt (below) was made from Simplicity pattern 9877. I wouldn't say it's a hard pattern, but it's definitely not for the beginner. There are lots of little details that would probably make a beginner pull their hair out.

Second (this is only to my secret pal so everyone else can skip it). Sorry I have been so lame in replying to you. I deleted your email address by accident and I've just been really busy with my new job. I haven't had time to do any knitting lately or compile a knitting wish list. I guess it's a little too warm for me to think about knitting at the moment. Sorry!

posted by Stephanie at 1:39 PM

 

I finished this little country companions cross stitch yesterday. It's about all I've been working on this past week--a few stitches in the evenings while watching tv.  
posted by Stephanie at 8:35 AM

 

Last night I was too tired to do anything. Went to acupuncture, picked up unhealthy fast-food dinner, went to sleep. But here is a pic of the top I finished over the weekend. I LOVE this top.  
posted by Stephanie at 7:17 AM

 
It's Monday already? Darn, the weekend just flew by. Even though we didn't really do anything (poor DH had to work both days), I was busy the whole time. Besides boring domestic duties, I made some jewelry (2 pairs earrings, 1 bracelet, 1 necklace), did some sewing (finished a baby blanket for a coworker and a western blouse for me), and started a new little cross stitch. Good times. But today it's back to work, then acupuncture at 5:30. Have a good week!
posted by Stephanie at 7:03 AM

 

Goodies from my secret pal. Thanks, secret pal--I love everything!!!! 
posted by Stephanie at 5:45 PM

 

This is a baby blanket I whipped up for a coworker (she's not due until Dec, ahem). The front is a Beatrix Potter panel and the back is flannel. 
posted by Stephanie at 5:43 PM

 

'Happy New Job' present from Karen. It's a knit flower pin! I love it. 
posted by Stephanie at 5:41 PM

 

3/4-length sleeve blouse. Pattern: Burda, fabric: clearance from JoAnns. I made a few mistakes, but I still love it. I'm planning to make several more (I actually have one cut from Padres fabric already).  
posted by Stephanie at 5:39 PM

 

Here's the progress on my cross stitch dinosaur alphabet. I just sent it off to the next person in the round robin. 
posted by Stephanie at 5:38 PM

 
I know--I've been a horrible, lazy blogger ever since I started my new job. I've become sort of a horrible, lazy crafter as well. I'm still getting used to getting up early, working hard all day, not falling asleep at 7pm every night, etc.

I have lots of pics I'd like to post and I'll do that this weekend. I finished sewing another blouse for myself and last night I finished a little cross stitch pillow that I'm going to send to my mom. Most importantly, I want to send out a big THANK YOU to my secret pal. She already sent me a package and it contains some of the most fabulous goodies ever!
posted by Stephanie at 5:52 PM

 

Here's the polka dot blouse I made this weekend. It turned out really cute. 
posted by Stephanie at 7:07 AM

 

Note cute tie detail 
posted by Stephanie at 7:05 AM

 
Mneh. Today was one of those Mondays--I wish I could've stayed in bed. No major disasters or anything, just lots of little annoying things. I did go to acupuncture after work, which was good, but my zen-ness was ruined when my credit card was declined. Naturally, I had plenty of money on the card (I realized later that it had expired at the end of July and they never sent me a new one).

Anyhoo....did I mention something about starting a new knitting project this weekend? Yeah? Well that never happened. I did a little cross stitch and a fair amount of sewing. I like the idea of having new things to wear to work. Maybe I'll post some pics tomorrow when I'm not quite so lazy.
posted by Stephanie at 7:25 PM