Friday 29 January 2010

I think I jumped the gun on this one (we have been having an ice storm and a snow storm all day today), but all the same, I'm excited for spring and nice weather so I can wear this dress!

I got this fabric from Broom Corn for 75% off. I think it was $2.5 or $3/yard. I'm so excited to have something bright to wear to church. It seems like most of my dresses and skirts are dark colors...a tendency that I really do try to stay away from, but I just gravitate to black. I don't know why. I just like black. No, I'm not Gothic. I just like black.

But, I branched out this time. I went a completely different direction than black.

I just noticed that in the picture above it looks like I only have one leg. I don't know why. But I didn't have an amputation if you're wondering.

The pattern I used didn't have sleeves that I liked so I mixed and matched patterns to get this sleeve with gathers on the bottom. I think it goes well since the rest of the dress has gathers too. You may remember this method of gathering from when I was a guest blogger at Sew Much Ado. That's the method I used to get perfect, gorgeous gathers--the first time =)

Tuesday 26 January 2010

National Make it With Wool

Okay, so you don't have to read on to the end and get let down, I'll give you what you want up front. I didn't win. But, there is a story if you want to keep reading.
My sweet husband came with me and we had a great time in Nashville. We stayed here on the 22nd floor. It was a nice view from our window.

Friday was contest stuff basically all day. Part of that was a one-on-one interview with 3 judges. I think I botched that. I don't know why but I was SO nervous!! Oh well. I guess you live and learn and I think that is one thing I learned from going to nationals, don't let the butterflies in your stomach take control. We also went to the country music hall of fame and studio B. We got to record a song at Studio B which was awesome! And I got to play the same piano that Elvis played thousands of times. Elvis recorded over 1,000 songs at Studio B. That was really interesting and fun.
Saturday we had free time, Erick and I went to a really cool car museum and walked around downtown Nashville, (and we also managed to take the bus to the wrong spot and walk 2 miles to the right spot...it was fun. really.) Saturday I also had MORE practice for the fashion show. Then, finally came the fashion show. I was proud of myself. I actually got out of my box and had fun in the show and I felt like I really put myself out there. Then awards. Afterwards, I, of course, was feeling pretty down, so Erick took me to a movie. We saw Extraordinary Measures. It was a sad movie and I was glad to watch something sad. I guess I just wanted to be sad for a little bit.

Then we came home Sunday. Our kids did great and I was happy to see them again.


There were some AMAZING coats, dresses, suits at the competition. It was fun to see how each person had added a little flair to their outfit. I don't think I lost because my outfit wasn't competitive with the others. I think mine was just as good if not better. I don't mean that in a cocky way, I just mean, I think mine was more practical in some ways (that's an aspect of the judging, when and where you'll wear your garment), and I think my construction techniques were better than some. So, why didn't I win? Well, quite honestly, I think it was political. Don't you hate that?! I do.
You see MIWW is not about sewing. It's about sheep. It's about promoting WOOL. I am city girl. I know n.o.t.h.i.n.g. about sheep. And, it's about promoting wool in teenage fashion. I am not a teenager. My outfit was not a teenager outfit. Thus, (in my own personal opinion) I didn't win. If this sounds like I'm bitter, I'm not. I was. But I'm over it.

I had a great time it was a great experience and I honestly feel like I learned A LOT. I did win some beautiful wool, a free trip, a book about home dec using serging techniques and some wool wax. Have you ever even heard of wool wax? Like I said, I know nothing about sheep.

Oh yeah, we also went to a little shop called The Painted Cupcake. It was good and a fun little shop.

Wednesday 20 January 2010

I'm just a tincy bit nervous. Wish me luck!
It's the National Make it With Wool competition this weekend!!!

Monday 18 January 2010

For the un-named Haynie boy

My SIL is having her first baby in May. I am so excited for her. And lucky her she's having a little boy! I guess I'm a little biased since I don't have any girls and I think my boys are AWESOME.
Every boy needs a tractor. Especially an Idaho boy. Even more especially my brother's son. So until he can actually ride one, he can snuggle with one. These self binding blankets are awesome. Here's a great tutorial if you're wondering how to do it.

I've been wanting to make one of these new born gowns from a t-shirt for a long time! So, what better excuse? I used this tutorial. It's great and easy to follow along.

Friday 15 January 2010

Still Life.
By Everett Johnson.

While I was making dinner, Everett made art. Good job.

Wednesday 13 January 2010

From my Santa

Erick made me this for Christmas
I. Love. It. It holds 28 serger spools, 48 regular spools or 96 if I double them up. And, it helps me keep track of time (that's a good thing!). I love it!
P.S. Am I OCD for wanting my thread to go from darkest to lightest on both sides? I guess you've now seen a little into my quirkiness.

Monday 4 January 2010

Covering Nakedness

By covering nakedness I mean my windows, my walls, my living room. My living room is bare. Completely bare. We have lived in this house for over a year and we have nothing hanging on our walls. I think when people come over they wonder if we are planning to move soon. No. We're not planning to move soon, it's just that we don't have anything we want to hang on our walls. But we're working on that.
So, to cover the nakedness of the windows, I made these curtain panels. They match the red couch I'm recovering (I mean the couch that has 2 steps left to finish and it's been that way for the last 6 months, YIKES) perfectly! I love the height it adds to the room and the splash of color too.
This is just a sneak peek! I'm working on hanging some things up, getting a few lamps, tables, plants, mantle pieces etc....that's coming soon. Real. soon. (i hope).
p.s. did I mention I got this fabric 60% off?!! I was excited!

A creative trade. Or a trade for creativity?

For the last 6 years I have really, really wanted to take piano lessons, but with schooling, and kids, I have not had time or money. Well, a few months back I got a flyer on my mailbox for piano lessons. I decided to call on it and prove to myself that even if I wanted to take, we simply could not afford it. I talked to the instructor, she seemed extremely nice and confident that she could help me reach my musical goals. I asked the price, and sure enough there was no way we could spend that much a month (especially on loan money since my husband is in school).

Then, just out of sheer desperation and hope I asked if she would do trade work with me. And, much to my surprise and excitement, she said yes! So, I started right away and I've been taking ever since! I. Love. It. Piano is such a release to me. I can sit and play for hours (while the kids are killing each other in the background).

I had my first recital in December and I was so proud of myself. I had to memorize the song (3 pages) and I didn't make one mistake! It felt so good!


I was a little sad that this is the only picture Erick took during my performance, but when I asked him about it he said 'that was the best I could do considering I had both the boys grabbing for the camera from my lap'. I felt a lot better about this one picture after that! Thanks honey!
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