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Thursday, May 31, 2012

In my sketchbook...the last page

Finally hit the last page in this sketchbook! Thankfully, I found a few new ones on clearance at Hobby Lobby this week. :-)















Tuesday, May 29, 2012

In my sketchbook... variations on a scallop theme

A few months ago, I went through a scallop theme in my sketchbook, and it hit again this week. 





















Thursday, May 24, 2012

In the studio.... ripping it apart





There is definitely a danger in drafting a sewing pattern when you are in need in a nap. For instance, you might only make it half as wide as you need it to be. And to make matters worse, you might just have hand stamped one of the fabric pieces. 


Oops!






Tuesday, May 22, 2012

In my studio... chevron dress for AJ

I'm finally starting to notice an improvement in my sewing skills. Using a great pattern and fabric helps, too!



Of course, I can't ever make something without making my own modification and here's what I did this time around.

    



* shortened the length of the pattern
* french seams on sides (did not adjust the pattern since my daughter is only 14 months old and there was already plenty of room)
* folded over the underarm seams instead of using bias tape
* ran a ribbon through the casing for the ties
* used a double needle for the hem







Yay for small successes!






Thursday, May 17, 2012

Hello sketchbook.... it has been awhile

After two weeks of not sketching, I thought that it was time to pull out my marker and watercolors.








The reason that I haven't been sketching so much lately is because I'm trying to work on my sewing skills before baby #2 makes his appearance. Here is a pic of my first ever double-needle hem (I'm sure that is not the right term for it, but you get the gist). 









Friday, May 11, 2012

Print practice

I wanted to practice my printing skills on the cheap and figured that making artwork for my daughter's room would provide the perfect opportunity. 

With my tendency of tensing up on projects when I'm using "nice" supplies, I pulled out some leftover charcoal paper from some school projects and slapped on a pretty thick coat of gesso.



I was also able to find another use for the craft foam sticks by carving a chevron pattern using a paperclip of all things!






And voila! I'm going to take my daughter's "oohs" as a sign that she likes it, too. :-)







Thursday, May 3, 2012

What's on and what's off (the needles)

This poor yarn of mine has now been knit up into three different projects. The one that I'm finally happy with is Wingspan by Maylin Tricoterie. I *LOVE* this pattern!! It was really interesting to knit and would look great in a heavier weight yarn.




Once it is done blocking, I will be delivering it to my dear, patient sister (this was supposed to be a present to her two Christmases ago!). 



Now, for what I'm up to at the moment! This lovely yarn has been sitting in my stash for over a year and a half now just waiting to be made into a baby boy something. I purchased the yarn before I found out the sex of my first baby (a girl), but can now use it to knit for my next baby (a boy). 




(The lighting in my living room makes the eggplant strands look more purple-ish than it really is. )



I think that this super-soft yarn will be make up one comfy hat for little JD. Round Head in a Square Hat by Stefanie Lavan is my pattern of choice and is a really quick knit.  The only issue I've had so far is how to keep all my stitches on those darn DPN's! Enter craft foam sticks.






I cut one of these into eight pieces and stuck one on each end of the needle.  




A solution that is super cheap and will hopefully lead to some other craft opportunities!