Still Here,. . . .

although I may be missing a few brain cells.  Let me explain.

I sewed over the weekend.  I helped Shannon make a simple skirt with the fabric we bought in Reno.  I had to fit her- and she's built very differently from me!- and change the skirt so it didn't have a zipper.  Done, and the skirt turned out fine.

I found some 100% cotton interlock knit for a top.  I finally bought a pattern I've been eyeballing for a very long time.  Simple, I should have been able to finish it in a couple of hours.  But no, I spent more time unsewing than sewing.  I used a double needle to turn the hems on the neck and armholes- but didn't catch the edges.  Then I sewed the shoulders together, right side to wrong side.  Unsew some more.  At that point, I gave it up for the night.

I came back to it the next day, and managed to sew the rest without mishap.  But the fabric is too heavy for the pattern, and I don't like the way the deep V neck gaps.  So this top will get tossed on a pile of never to be finished clothing items.  I may play with ways to stabilize the neck, but that will be it.

Then I decided to finish the blouse I'd started the week before.  I got the buttonholes done- no huge issues, other than my sort-of automatic buttonhole foot for my Bernina wasn't cooperating.  No biggie, I can do it manually!  I finished those, then started sewing the buttons on.  Three on, two ripped off- the shank was pointing the wrong way.  Sewed them back on, then tried to button the blouse.  The middle one is off, and will need to be done AGAIN.  At that point, I quit.  And I haven't been down to the studio since!

Maybe it will go better watching the Wimbledon matches.  I can only hope.

First TT Challenge

I'm in another internet group, and having a lot of fun with it.  This one also found me- I hesitated, then decided to go for it.  I'm glad I did, it seems like the small format works well for me in jump-starting creativity.  I am glad, however, that it is every other month, and not monthly!!

The first theme was 'Games'- a word I've had in the back of my mind to interpret for a long time.  The variety of interpretations was wonderful!  I chose to work with board games, and came up with this--

I didn't have any particular game in mind, just the childhood memory of playing lots of different ones.  Shannon thought this looked a lot like something Dr. Seuss would come up with, so that inspired the name- 'One Step, Two Step, You Step, I Step.'  I've wanted to use buttons on something for a long time, and they were perfect on this.  I also found a good use for some fusible metallic thread I bought a few years ago!

I used it to edge the steps in the game- it sure was quicker than satin stitching, and I like the effect better.  ( I know that because I did some satin stitching, and ripped it out- yuck!!)

Make sure to take a look at the other interpretations on the Tangled Textiles blog- they are all wonderful, and very different.  I think I am going to enjoy this journey!!

Shop Hopping

I spent all day yesterday in Salt Lake with some of my WAQ friends.  It was the Wasatch Front Shop Hop.  We only went to some of the stores in Salt Lake- the entire shop hop encompasses stores from Brigham City, north of Ogden, to Springville close to where I live.  To much territory to cover in day!  We eliminated the mostly traditional shops, and proceeded to have fun looking at what is out there.

It was obvious to me that I haven't been in a quilting store looking at fabric in a very long time.  Some of the stores had nice selections of batiks- most of which left me feeling ho-hum.  I guess my love affair with them is over!  I was rather amazed at all the bright, graphic modern prints that are available now.  They are perfect for simple designs that showcase the fabric rather than the piecing.  Not for art quilts, that is for sure.  But they will be fun when I finally get to making a quilt for Michelle.

I found some sale fabric that I'm going to make a blouse from- here it is, along with fabrics I got in Reno in May, also for clothes.

The one to the furthest left is the one I picked up for $3 a yard on sale yesterday, the other three are fabrics I got in Reno.  That pink and purple print is a Loni Rossi design, the first shirt I'll make and hopefully complete this weekend,.

I also picked up these wonderful prints done with typewritten letters- love them!

I haven't a clue what I will do with them, I just know they will find their way into a quilt at some point.  They've been added to my already large collection of black and white prints.

I'm now off to cut out a shirt from the Loni Rossi print in the first photo, then out to find a pattern for the one I got yesterday- I decided the princess-seamed shirt pattern I have wouldn't work so well with that print which is almost a stripe.  I have a pound cake to make for Father's Day, and gifts to wrap.  I'd also like to take the dog for a walk or make it to the gym, but we'll see.  Hope your weekend is a creative one!

Summer Fun, and Almost Done

We've had multiple consecutive days of WARM weather!  Today the whole family is going to Lagoon, the closest thing Utah has to Disneyland.  Should be fun, although I don't know how many of the wild roller coaster rides I'll be doing.

I have also been working hard on my Tangled Textiles piece.  It is mostly done, I just have to add some embellishments by hand, and finish the edge.  I think I'm going to use the zigzagged edge with perle cotton.  Easy to do, and I like the look.

The creative muse seems to be returning to the studio in fits and starts, but I can feel her presence more and more.  I'm planning a dyeing day soon, either with my WAQ friends or at home.  I've got some clothes I want to make with fabric ready to go.  And I have at least two quilts to get quilted!

I am becoming a real thrift store junkie.  While we were in Reno, Sean jokingly asked me to buy him a shirt- a Tommy Bahama silk shirt that retailed for $110.  Ha ha!!  Then when my brother and I were checking out the Saver's in Reno, he found a beautiful blue Tommy Bahama shirt in Sean's size- for $12.  I bought it, the look on Sean's face when he saw it was priceless.  I scored another one in our store a week ago that just got mailed off to him.  Then Friday, I found this-

Sorry the picture is fuzzy, but I took it with my phone and I'm not very good with it.  I scored a TB silk shirt for me, in a lovely black/blue/sage green flower print.  Love it!  It's gotten to be like a treasure hunt, you never know what you'll find.  I'll bet three-quarters of my closet is now recycled treasures from Saver's.  I have four or five silk shirts, all from Saver's.  Unbelievable!

And a monumental event that any woman could relate to- I went shopping for a swimsuit for the first time in over ten years, and found one I like at a price I'm willing to pay.  I look pretty good in it, sixty years old or not!!

Time for breakfast, hope your weekend is a fun, warm one!

Maybe Summer Will Get Here??!!

Today has been the first day to make me believe there really will be a a summer.  Warm and sunny, but not too hot.  We decided to make some ice cream to celebrate. . . 

Shannon is adding crushed gingersnaps to our peach-gingersnap frozen yogurt; behind her is the machine that has the vanilla ice cream.  Something for every taste!

I also got some sewing done.  I made good progress on the June Tangled Textiles piece, and figured out a technical issue- at least in my head!  For once, I am not using my hand dyed fabric.  All these lovely commercial prints seemed to fit the bill for my idea better.

 

Another work week- it would be nice if the improvement in the weather energized me enough to do some sewing in the evenings!!

DONE!!

It took some work to get that last corner of flying geese to fit, but it is finally all together and ready to be sandwiched and quilted.  I'm crossing my fingers that it will square up all right.

I'm glad to get that one off my mind.  Now I can concentrate on my Tangled piece, reveal day is in two weeks!