Coffee & Sundays

Ahh, sunday's are always the start to my week and my time to plan, divide up task, and get my game plan for making a great week. As for the coffee part- I have slowly started drinking 1-2 cups in the morning (I gave up my 8-12 cup a day habit about 2 months ago) and I have to say I really haven't missed it that much. I think now I want it to be a really great cup a coffee and make it a totally weekly splurge. (I think that this is another one of those rambling style posts coming your way!) March has been moving at an incredible rate which has led me with a new focus for April- the month of NO! I have so many things to work on and I am totally one of those say yes to everything kind of people, but not during the month of April. My goals are to get caught up on BLOGGING (right now I have about 10 posts either half-way written or planned), crossing of a ton of WIPs, spring cleaning, and starting the decorating process on my son's room, plus a billion other things!

Now for a little weekly recap (mainly because I can't seem to blog things as they actually happen)-
Mainly I worked during the week so the real exciting stuff didn't occur until Thursday:
-Spent a grand amount of time sewing and doing a little cleaning around the house & the studio.

 I finally managed to reorganize my bathroom counter-- I ended up using a bunch of glass things that were around the house.

- my quilt--- yes, apparently I have to much on my brain at the moment and will have to recut some more blocks. Somewhere, along the way I actually cut out 10- 10.5" blocks instead of 10- 12.5" blocks and I don't have enough fabric to cut them so now I will have to get some more. However, I came up with a game plan for the wrong-size blocks. They are going to be used in creating the pillow shams!

- On Thursday night, I spoke to one of our local quilt guilds (Desert Sage Quilt Guild) about modern quilting. I was fairly nervous (I think that there were about 50-60 people there!) which has been my biggest public speaking endeavor to date. Luckily, two members from the Magic Valley Modern Quilt Guild came (thanks, Trina & Susanna!) and really took away all of my nerves. Overall, I think that the presentation went really well!

- Friday was a non-sewing day but I did go to a movie (first one I have been to in months) and saw The Lincoln Lawyer. It was really great and I would totally see it again (but not at our stupid theater who doesn't take the coupons that they are on the list of participating theaters so freaking annoying!!!!) I am so glad that we are getting a new theater as I will probably not go back there again.

Today's biggest project is:

finishing up a prom dress. I think it is going to look amazing- I will totally share photos when its done and after the prom.

What I wore

a super long time ago... think New Year's Eve. (Yes, I know I am only 11 days behind in posting this but such is life.) One of the things I wanted to share here on the a few times a month are some of my favorite outfits. So here it goes:

Dress: Style & Co. from Macys
Tights: Leopard from Target
Shoes: Black booties from Payless Shoesource
Necklace: Tarte

Boston Lounge Pants

I finally managed to get a few more sizes of the Boston Lounge Pants finished up, along with a new instruction sheet. (these were formally known as Xavier's Holiday Pants and were only available in sizes 2T-6) I taught these fun pants at the Quilt Barn. Even though these are really basic pants, there are plenty of ways to dress them up by adding pockets, ribbon trim, or almost anything you could think of adding. My son loves these pants and I also make them into shorts for the summer, it has become one of his wardrobe staples. Enjoy!

Basic Size Chart

Boston Lounge Pants Instruction Sheet

Boston Lounge Pants Children's 7-14

Boston Lounge Pants Misses 0-14

Boston Lounge Pants Women's 16-26

Please keep in mind that these patterns are for your own personal use, thanks!

A few of my favorites...

from the photo shoot I did last week with one of my best friends (okay, we are more like sisters!), Nicole. I am in the process of updating my portfolio (slowly but surely anyways) by re-shooting some of my older pieces. First is this wedding dress:

Dress:  Kaysie Schreiner

I created this dress for my senior project while in fashion school and had never gotten around to taking photos of it on a real person only a dress form. I still have a few more photos to edit, but for now these are my favs!

One of the fashion shows I was in, included a short navy velvet vest with a gold lame backing. Really one of my favorite pieces from that show.

 Vest: Kaysie Schreiner

Tank Top: Jockey

Jeans: Silver

Boots: Fioni

Styling was kept to a minimum since we were short on time. We also got some shots of things for the future pattern releases. I had a great time taking these shots and a getting a couple of things crossed off my list, but the best part was spending time with Nicole (she was visiting from the east coast). Growing up, we were always creating things and loved to do mini photo shoots all around the house. She also managed to get some photos of X and me (I will try and post a few when I get copies). The whole time we spent together was a blast (not to mention a huge boost to my current creative flow) and it was fun to re-live those kind of creative adventures.

Updates

I think I finally got my little blog redo to a great spot and I added a tutorials page. Here you can find all the free tutorials (sorted by categories), I am hoping that this makes it easier to find them and I also updated all the links to a new site for downloading the pdf files. By the way a huge thanks to Craft Gossip for featuring my bookmark tutorial on Tuesday.

In other news, I have been busy sewing a ton of new things. Here is my giant to sew list:

One of the my many sewing to-do lists is filled with nothing but personal projects a.k.a the list of projects that I really wish would get done but always get pushed to the back burner. As a goal, I try to spend at least 2 or 3 days a month working on projects of that list. Mainly, so I can add more to it. They are not in any particular order (I tend to start/stop and jump around the whole list) but these are the things that are currently in progress (*note the x's are for my son's name Xavier, its just easier to write x):

X Blazer- I have an idea for this (its based on a vintage blazer that x loves but he already outgrew it) and already picked up the materials

Rocket Quilt- The top is pretty much finished (its a wall hanging, but I can't decide what I am doing for the backing)

X Underwear- since he is in the potty training phase and I really dislike the boys underwear choices (plus the cost) that are out there on the market- I made my own pattern. I have 15 pairs in progress they just need some topstitching and elastic on the waist. They are made out of old t-shirts so the only cost I have in them is the elastic. *sorry that the picture is sideways blogger is doing something weird to it

Study Hall Skirt- the Anna Maria Horner pattern, it is cut out and ready to sew and I finally picked up some ivory thread for it, but now it just sits in the to be done pile.

Summer Blouse- again its all cut out (the pattern is from the Weekend Sewing book by Heather Ross) and is sitting on my table

X Shorts and Pants- I have 3 pairs of pants that just need to be hemmed and elastic added to the waist, 1 pair that just needs the elastic finished up. (the pattern is the lounge pant from my tutorials)

Slippers- from the Handmade Beginnings book by Anna Maria Horner my goal is to get these made before fall really sets in since my other slippers fell apart in the spring- I have all the materials just need to make them.

Skirt Redo- I finished this skirt by doing an online sew along (that part was the fun part) but I don't like the way the skirt looks on me so I want to make it in to a dress by sewing it to a tank top

*The giant pile of in progress projects and this photo is uploading sideways the wrong way too...

X Tops- I have 4 of the kai's shirt cut out from the Weekend Sewing By Heather Ross book, 1 is actually almost finished up

Wonky Star Quilt- I recieved all of my blocks from the  Magic Valley Modern Quilt Guild Wonky Star Swap and now I need to make the quilt top. 

Houndstooth Cape- I have the fabric and the pattern cut out to make a cape for fall- yeah that was last fall so hopefully this year I will get it finished up.

X chair- I found a pattern for one of those small plush chairs for toddlers and have most of the pieces cut out   

Do you have a crazy list of projects that you want to make? And if you made it through reading that giant list of projects- here is a little photo of a flower on my computer:

X has really been into picking and surprising me with flowers, that was the latest one! 

Um... weekend, where did you go?

Last weekend went way to quickly, which leads me to think that August will be over before you know it. The weekend was filled with pattern writing (4 are ready for illustrations, which I am hoping to get started on today), 

sewing more wonky star blocks (only 12 more to go), 

making another pair of lounge pants for little guy, 

reading (just picked up a copy of The Handmade Marketplace), 

plus sorting out a few other projects that are upcoming.

So now that it is Monday (probably my craziest/one-of-my favorite days of the week), I am back to my regular Monday routine.  Mondays are filled with the morning/everyday workout, laundry (I almost always do all the laundry on Monday, so it is a most of the day task), run any important errands, blog, make my plan for the week, paint my nails, clean X's toys, playing a million+ games/reading books/cars with X, and so on. It is probably my busiest day of the week, but I usually accomplish enough tasks that which the rest of the week be a little more flexible.

Next week, I am going to be sewing X a new fall wardrobe (he went from a 4T to 5T with his latest growth spurt *he doesn't even turn 3 until October... ). Since he is tall and thin, it is easier to make his clothes most of the time, plus I enjoy doing it. If they turn out well, I am planning on doing a boy's week showing you all the clothing I made along with different ways to style the outfits. Along with what I think is essential for a boy's wardrobe. 

Here's whats on the list:

•Underwear (he just started his potty training adventure, here's the pile...) 

•T-Shirts & some button downs (all the button downs are already cut out)

•Shorts/Pants (mostly more lounge pants and if I can find some denim maybe some jeans)

•A blazer  (if I have time I am going to try and make a zip-up hoodie, too)

•At least one hat (maybe two since he always seems to misplace them....)

Alright, I better get some sewing done... 

I have been a little busy...

I have spent has much time as possible sewing away parts of the day. First, I am in the process of making underwear for the little guy since potty training is underway. Today, I am going to be cutting out as many pairs as possible. (I have made two test pairs to get the fit right and am working on a pattern for them in the near future.) It seems that the little guy has been growing/wearing out much of his wardrobe so shirts are in progress:

* the sleeves, collar, and pocket are finished, buttons have been chosen and interfacing has been cut for the placket, so I am about half-way on this one. 

My wonky star blocks are due at the next Magic Valley Modern Quilt Guild meeting, so I have been busy working on them (my nephew helped me put these together and I must say it really helped speed up the process):

*I chose to make mine really scrappy, but I ran out of white fabric when I started cutting all the squares so only 5 have been finished up. All the centers are cut and I have a large stack of scraps for the points, I am hoping to get some time today to work on a couple more since I finally picked up some more white fabric the other day. 

Still a few undercover projects that will be revealed in awhile (I still have a ton of sewing to do for them), but here is a sneak of one:

Yesterday was a fun outing (a little fabric shop hop), I had a ton of fun (thanks to all the fun ladies who came) and the little guy came on the adventure, too. He really enjoys going to fabric stores especially if after there is a park across the street. Our first stop was The Gathering Place: 

I ended up with just 2 fat quarters and 1 yard of some Patty Young's Bees in the black colorway (its going to be a shirt for x, big surprise there!)

Then we went to lunch just a couple of stores down from The Gathering Place:

It was a pretty yummy lunch and the ice tea was good. From there we went to Mill End Fabrics in Burley. That place was awesome. I would really make a trip out there again because they have a huge variety of fabrics (especially for garments) for great prices. It reminded me of shopping for fabric when I was in fashion school and that might have made me like the place even more. This is what I ended up with:

*5 yards of lingerie elastic (I'm working on some intimate apparel patterns), three zippers, some waistband elastic, 1 yard of suiting (this is going to become a blazer for x, and a navy/white striped knit which is going to become a shirt for x. 

For the rest of the weekend, I will be working on some of my "work in progress"  sewing projects and doing some computer work. I better make some more ice tea to keep me going! Have a fun rest of the day!

 

A little sewing...

A picnic and a new dress...

Yesterday, my mom, Xavier and I went on a little adventure to the park for a picnic. When we got there is was also the Art in the Park event making the park a pretty busy place. The weather was perfect and after being sick it was great just to sit outside and get some sun along with fresh air. It also turned out to be the perfect opportunity to wear another version of this dress (found here and here). This time I used a light weight cotton instead of a knit and added facing along with an invisible zipper. 

The fabric is Zinnia from the Good Folks collection by Anna Maria Horner. There are few changes that will need to be made: 1) I feel like the armholes turned out a little bit to high, not enough to bug me just I feel like they should be a little lower. This is not an issue with the knit version. 2) The shoulder is a little wide, it gathered more with the knit, but again it isn't a real big deal. 3) I would make it a little smaller. I have been losing quite a lot of weight so it is actually fairly big on me. All in all, it will still be something that I wear quite often since it is pretty comfy and I will probably add a belt at the waist to dress it up a little. Slowly but surely I am making progress in added some new clothes to my wardrobe. Alright, off to eat some breakfast and get some sewing done, have a fun rest of the weekend! 

Friday

Right now I am loving the warmer weather. My productivity level has certainly increased these last couple of days. Last night's quilt guild meeting was a blast (I always have fun anyways!) I finished up my dress also known as prototype number 1. 

I wore it last night to the guild meeting, you know giving it a trial run, so I can change up the pattern if necessary.(By the way don't you just love self-timer photos--wink.) I made it out of a 2 way knit and left the bottom hem raw. So far it is super comfy and next week I am planning on making it out of cotton print, plus a few optional accessories to go with it. 

I have been busy sewing some other little projects, such as these wonky stars:

I also signed up for the swap that our guild is doing, so be prepared to see more of these around here on the blog. As for this one, I am turning it into a large (the block is 12" x 12") trivet for the kitchen. 

  Over the weekend, I plan on finishing up a few more UFO's, so I can get started on some new projects. Also, I am hoping to have the free summer shorts tutorial for boys & girls up next week. 

  

A Busy Thursday

Tonight is the third meeting of the Magic Valley Modern Quilt Guild. I am really excited, I think tonight will be a great meeting and full of interesting discussions. I have really been quite productive this week in the sewing area. I have been working on a new patterns, some tutorials that will be appearing here on the blog soon, finishing up some mini quilts, doing some sketching, and catching up on some reading. Tomorrow, I will have a full post of some quilting after I share them with the quilt guild tonight. 

Here is a peak at a new top pattern I am in the middle of working on:

This top is in the infant stages of development (it is only draped and pinned so far), but I like where it is headed.

I also picked up some new fabric from The Quilt Barn. 

 

I am hoping to have these sewn into some summer clothing by the end of next week. Hopefully, anyways. 

Alright, I am off to make a dessert for quilt guild tonight... 

Crossing off

The to-do list is getting slightly smaller, but everytime I take something off usually something goes back on. 

Here is the hexagon mini-quilt, I made for my mom for mother's day.

I made some progress on my dress:

Full, reveal sometime next week!

End of April

I really can't believe how fast April went and I have a feeling that May won't be slowing down any. Last night, I spent a little time working on a few different projects. One is a little top secret for right now, but I did start working on a tutorial for a quick summer dress. (seriously, you will be able to make it in less than 2 hours and possibly even 1 and it is super comfy! I used a solid knit with a nice amount of stretch.) Here is the technical drawing for it:

This dress is really basic but very versatile. The back and the front are actually the same. A really simple shape, a v-neck, and some elastic thread to add some shirring while adding a little bit of shape to the waist and the shoulders. I have a couple plans for styling it differently:

*click the image to enlarge

The first illustration on the left shows the dress just as it is. For the second one I am planning on creating a belt that can tie in the front or the back- this will cover up the shirring around the waist but add a different option to wearing the dress. The third one shows just a cute print belt that I plan on adding buttons to the back for a little extra detail. The final option has a little cardigan with a flower brooch. These are just a few of my thoughts some of the possible styling options. Plus it will actually transition well in to the fall and even winter. I can already picture this with leggings or long sleeved sweaters. This is one dress that I will be making over and over in solids and prints. 


Then while watching a little bit of some re-runs of the New York City Housewives, I whipstitched 3 of the 5 rows of hexagons together before I called it a night. Seriously, why do the new episodes of the housewives come on at a 11 (not that it even matters since Bravo replays them all the time. I <3 that). I am hoping to catch a re-run of it today, while I finish up editing some photos.  

I have been fitting in a little sewing...

not has much has I have hoped for, but enough to be making progress.... 

 Here is the first muslin of a new summer basic top that I am working on. I still need to drape the back, but I am really liking how the front is turning out so far. My plan is to line the top (in white) and the main fabric is a fun small floral (sort of like a Liberty print) 

Finished this block and now I am debating on whether I should make more or just quilt this up as a mini quilt... 

I also finished a new pair of lounge pants for Xavier, this is a really lightweight cotton that will work well through the rest of spring and I made them long enough that hopefully they will still fit in the fall. I made them using my tutorial for Holiday Lounge Pants (I made size 4T this time and I still have another pair or pants and a pair of shorts cut out. They just need to be sewn up!) This week I also hope to make a dress and a couple of other things... What have you been working on?

Just a few of the things I am working on right now

I have sooo many works in progress right now, it is kind of insane, but I am making dents here and there on the list. Of course I added new projects to the list, but who doesn't do that when you have a list full of half-completed projects. So for the first thing I am working on:

 These are little guys are going to become stamps for shirts for x. (as a side note they are sitting on my mouse pad- I took some leftover fabric (from Heather Baileys Pop Garden Collection), some fusible web and ironed it right on there. It sure was an easy way to use up some scraps!) Anyways back to the stamps, I drew up some basic boy kind of motifs (an arrow, a funky diamond that in my head is going to look awesome, and a lightning bolt) on some extra linoleum blocks I had lying around. Next up carving them plus this is a great project for doing downstairs while watching x. 

Okay, so this technically belongs in Tuesdays in the Garden, but I forgot I took a photo of it. In my quest for figuring out how I am going to mark where things are in the garden (last year's Popsicle sticks and duct tape labels sucked decomposed and broke off), I found some awesome more permanent ones online and thought, "I can make those!" Enter the metal stamp & die set along with some metal (the above is just a tester but it says cucumbers) I am going to be busy hammering out all the words and then rubbing with some acrylic paint. This way the word are clearly visible.

 The bunny bowling project for x's easter basket is coming along, they now have faces and

 have ears and some shape. They are now cozy upstairs waiting to get some interfacing in the ears and followed up by sewing them together and getting some batting in them along with some rice so they stand up nicely. 

 I picked up some new magazines, how I love reading magazines, probably one of my many crazy addictions. (from left to right: Shape- I love this magazine and in my quest to lose weight it helps me stay motivated; Threads- a must for garment sewing and techniques, I learn a ton from every issue; Cooking Light- this is the first time I have picked this magazine up, my cousin loves it and my mom found $1 off coupon, so I thought I would give it a go!) 

 Some knits I picked up at Jo-Anns. (I also picked up a pink, red, and brown yesterday along with some elastic and some gray serger thread.) These are for some upcoming projects and for some patterns I am working on.

 Some new fat quarters: (from left to right) one for x' quilt, one from moda's authentic for a shirt or pants trim for x, and some anna maria horner for a clutch for me (Sorry for the blurry photo I am having issues with blogger's new photo uploader thing) 

Working on a muslin for the Study Hall Skirt pattern from Anna Maria Horner. I have already picked out the final fabric for it but I wanted to make a test to see how it fits first. 

Of course I have other random projects going: some pillowcases for the pillowcase challenge, some pants and shorts for x, another skirt for me, a zig-zag quilt for x, some pot holders, and a cat tepee for Bentley. I am going to try really hard to get more of these crossed off in the next couple of weeks.

This week has been what I feel as unusually busy for me or maybe I am just feeling more like my old self, moving forward in this new chapter of my life, and actually feeling like getting out of the house and doing things. I have also been reaching some of my goals and being more productive in a bunch of different areas of my life which is going a long way in boosting my mood. Hopefully this keeps up!