Knit One, Purl Two

I always kind of find that funny. Knit one, purl two.  If ever I was crocheting in front of anyone that's normally what they would say.."Oh, knit one, purl two, eh?" Normally I would just chuckle and continue on. Now though, now I'll be even fancier because I might actually be knitting when someone says it.

Granted, it's not super pretty. And I'm almost positive that the tension is wonky. But, I was home alone yesterday for a few hours and decided to learn. I watched this video on youtube, and went from there. Be warned, the video is SUPER CORNY. But it worked.

 

I did one little square all knitting, and another all purling. Which, if I understand correctly, both are the garter stitch? And the bottom square I alternated each row between knitting and purling, stockinette stitch? Of course now I'm all on Ravelry looking up all of the patterns I want to knit. Getting so ahead of myself as always. =)

My Matryoshka

 Hey everyone, I hope you had a great weekend! Mine was really good, it passed way too quickly as always. Yesterday after Billy's t-ball practice, we stopped by a flea market being held at my old high school. It was towards the end of the day for them, and I think they'd already made a good amount of money for their cause so the prices were phenomenal. We got 7 books, a pair of women's boots, a dress, a child size Adidas jacket, an athletic mesh-y shirt, 3 kids toys, owl nesting dolls, and matryoshka dolls pictures above all for five dollars. And really, they tried to charge us 2 dollars but almost hubby gave them five since it's for a good cause. I talked about wanting matryoshka dolls here, and was thrilled beyond belief that almost hubby found them at this flea market. It's a set of 8 and is SO awesome. I still can't believe he found them.

I love the cheerful colors and how each face has a different expression. This is a perfect example of why I love thrifting. You can find the best stuff. =)

I was featured at Simply Step Back! What what!

I was featured at Simply Step Back! How exciting! I've never been featured before =).Go over and check out Sarah's awesome blog with some really cute projects-

In other news, I bought backing fabric and batting for the quilt top I made the other day, so hopefully I can get that done soon. I have so many projects STILL that I want to complete, every time I finish one I come up with several more to do. I guess that's just the way it is right?
I have come to the conclusion that I NEED to clean up and re organize the sewing room. It has turned into quite a mess and is 100 percent my fault! I definitely start to feel a little overwhelmed looking at the bed that has turned into a dumping ground for fabric and everything else that doesn't quite have a place.  Maybe if I got a cabinet instead of the little dresser that stores my fabric now..like this:

source

or this one:

source

What storage solutions have you found that work for your stash?

Want It Wednesday!

Welcome to another round of Want It Wednesday! Somehow, this is rapidly turning into more of a quilting blog, which is okay, but I still need to learn to sew clothes. Why? Because I want to. However, today will be no different, sorry! When I stumbled on The Missouri Quilt Co's youtube channel I got so inspired to try some new things quilting wise, and have since found a few quilting things that I want. So here we go..Want It Wednesday quilting style:

1. Several Cutting Templates-including the Easy dresden tool, the 5" half hexagon, the apple core template, a tumbler template, the Simpli-EZ bias binding ruler, and many more. They can all be found here. I want them so I can do things like this:

source

source

2. This is a far in the future purchase (or a never ever purchase), but I want a long arm quilting machine. Gone would be the days of rolling the quilt and shoving it through that little space in the sewing machine. Phew it would be so easy.

source

3. Also, this isn't something I can purchase, but I'd like to learn/try hand quilting. I really like the look of it, so yeah. That's it. 

Are you guys tired of hearing about quilting yet? =)

Fabric shopping!

I got so many goodies today shopping with the fabulous Jeannie-it was a lot of fun. I spent too much money, but that's okay every once in awhile. =) Right?
I got a jelly roll, 2 charm packs, a fat quarter bundle, two individual fat quarters,more cotton thread, and a wedge ruler. Woohoo. We went to the cutest little shop called The Village Quilter in Mount Holly, NJ. Let me tell you, it is tiny. But stuffed to the brim with beautiful fabric, and really nice ladies who were so helpful as well. Definitely recommended.
Check out my loot:

Also, look at my boys practicing T ball. Cuties.

Look what I did today!

Hey guys, I hope you had a good weekend! I worked. :-(. Well anyway, do you happen to remember the quilt top I wanted to finish back in January? I blogged about it here..it was goal number five. Needless to say I did not get to it in January, or February, but I finally finished it today. YAY!

My ziggy pose haha

 I cut this fabric back in October, the same day I cut the fabric for my first quilt, the Halloween quilt. It is amazing to see the difference in even how well I cut then vs. now. Not that I'm an expert at all, but some of these squares were BAD. haha. A lot of this fabric was actually from yard sales, and I kind of just threw it together but it's okay. I actually found an awesome youtube channel last night Missouri Quilt Co and now am so inspired to try new things other than simple blocks.
Also, I'm going fabric shopping tomorrow with a lovely lady and am very excited. I want to get so charm packs and some other awesome things. =)

Just One Star, I made one, so should you =)

Hey everyone! Have you heard about the Just One Star project yet?  I mentioned it a few posts ago.. well anyway, I decided to join in and finally made my star today! Check it out:

It was very easy to make because they provided very clear instructions. Go here to read about the project and all the specifications/requirements and where to send your star.
Join in!

"A fox is a wolf who sends flowers"-Ruth Weston

I crocheted this little guy last night for my little guy. It was my first time attempting amigurumi, and I have to say that it wasn't bad--except sometimes I felt like I needed a little elf to make the arms and legs. haha. I used this pattern from Amy Gaines' etsy shop. I just couldn't resist buying it! Especially because it is also for a raccoon and a beaver. GAH so so cute.  She has too many adorable patterns, and I received the email containing the pattern within five minutes after the purchase. I will definitely buy another pattern from her in the future.

I actually stuffed him with scraps of fabric and quilt batting because I didn't feel like buying a whole bag of fiberfill, and I sewed yarn eyes instead of using safety eyes because I didn't have any.

 I love how he turned out.

 Oh--and, HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!!!!!

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.
--an Irish blessing

Want It Wednesday!

Hey all, welcome to another round of Want it Wednesday!

1. Firstly, some shoe love... I covet these bow topped slingbacks from BHLDN. I mean, look at them. They are gorgeous. I am obsessed with that saffron color. Now, if only I could handle walking in heels all day. Who am I kidding, if only I could handle walking in heels for an hour. =)

 

source

2. The Complete Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm

Can be purchased here. I don't know what it is, but I've become quite interested in fairy tales again all of a sudden. I don't know if it's from oogling Heather Ross's fabrics, or No Big Dill's Once Upon a Thread, or the fact that Billy is now reading quite a bit..maybe the combination of the three.  In any case, whatever the source of my obsession, I want to read all the fairy tales I remember from when I was little. 

 

source

3. I want both of these books. They are a little pricey, but I'm sure stuffed full of amazing information. 

       Draping for Apparel Design (2nd Edition) by Helen Joseph-Armstrong 

       (go here to purchase and for the picture's source)

       AND

      Patternmaking for Fashion Design (5th Edition) by Helen Joseph-Armstrong 

      (go here to purchase and for image source)

That's all for now! I hope you enjoyed. Now I'm off to fold laundry and hopefully make that quilt block I talked about yesterday..wish me luck!

Just One Star-What an awesome idea

Hey everyone! I just wanted to pop in and mention something I just read about over at Write it Down, a super fancy and awesome quilting blog. Have you heard about Just One Star? Basically Moda is attempting to complete 100 quilts by June 14,2011 for soldiers injured in the line of duty. To achieve this goal, they need 1800 quilt blocks submitted by May 1,2011. I think this is pretty awesome- I am seriously considering attempting this. I mean, it's only one block. How fancy. To all my quilty and crafty friends, go here for all the information you will need if you're interested!

For ideas on ways to help or links to donate to the relief effort in Japan, go here:
MADE   or here:
Tea Rose Home

See you tomorrow for Want It Wednesday!

Weight Loss.

Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend! I was absolutely correct in my prediction that I would not get any sewing done. Boo! So, even though I have no new fancy creations to show or ramble about..I did want to talk about something that I have been focusing a lot of attention on recently. Weight Loss. Phew. It's kinda intense. I've really only been trying this for about a week, and I have lost 7 pounds! SEVEN. Awesome, right. But, I have a long way to go. I mean a long way.
I'm 5'1". Maybe 5'1.5" on a good day. And I have been overweight for awhile now. Like, wearing a size 12 or 14 pants. Granted, that's not horrible for some people, but for me, well..let's just say I don't carry it well.
I work nights on a rotating schedule. That means I have two days on and two days off, and every other weekend is a three day weekend. It's really not that bad. Except that on my work nights, I work from 6pm to 6am, then we have almost hubby's son on our days off (which I love) but we have to completely switch our sleep schedule around to days as soon as we're off. It's rough for me. It's rough to try and eat at regular times. I ended up resorting to eating one meal per day, dinner no less. I've been doing that for about two years, and let me tell you, my metabolism went right out the window. I have gained a lot of weight since being on nights. It makes me grossed out about myself. haha. Also, three years ago, I tore my ACL in my right knee. I had to have reconstructive surgery, which thankfully was successful. But, I gained a lot of weight there too. I went from being on my feet all day everyday to nothing, and was depressed. It was no bueno.
So needless to say, I am tired of it! I'm tired of being basically inactive, of eating garbage food, and of knowing it but not doing anything about it.
Luckily, almost hubby and I are doing this together. It really does make it so much easier. The funny thing is, I have to make myself eat more food. The right kinds of food of course, no junk, but more food. I wake up, have a big cup of water, and eat breakfast (like a protein shake or eggs), a snack later (like a banana or apple or fat free yogurt),  lunch ( turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread), another small snack (like carrot sticks), and dinner ( standard, chicken breast, vegetable, maybe some brown rice). Just examples, but you get the picture. Lower bad fat, lower carb, more smaller meals a day instead of one big one)Also, I've been exercising. Admittedly I'm starting slow, like walking with my lovely sister, some ab work, yoga now and again..but I'm getting there. I'm trying, and that's what's important. You can't get anywhere if you don't try.
I plan on keeping this up until I get to a healthy weight, and then of course maintaining that healthy weight will be my priority. In conjunction with being a non smoker ( 1 month 11 days so far), I will be a much healthier person. =). That's the goal anyway. 

Pirates can quit whenever they want to quit!

Hey everybody how's it going? So I actually bought the zipper today--and inserted it into the dress/muslin/curtain( ;) ) just now. I read the instructions and watched a youtube video twice. It is functional-but not pretty at all. I don't know what came over me choosing such slippery fabric for my first -albeit practice- dress. Anyway, I also inserted one of the sleeves and decided that I'd had enough and am not "finishing" my practice dress. It wouldn't have been wearable anyway to be honest. Meh- it's okay, I'm happy with what I learned, and it fits! So that's encouraging. I am going to make it properly over again with a navy blue cotton with little strawberries all over it. I got that fabric (all five yards of it) from a yardsale for about fifty cents last summer. I'm pretty excited about it actually. It will be a great spring a summer dress in cotton to have once completed. So yeah, I'll keep you guys posted on that.
I decided not to take more photos of the practice dress because it's still basically the same as it was, just with one sleeve and a zipper in the back. hahaha Not very impressive to look at.
Besides that, I had a very busy day playing pirates with Billy. I even haphazardly sewed us eye patches so we could look legit. Let me tell you, that child is terrifying when you steal his gold. So watch out. Arr matey.

Tomorrow we have a fun filled day-- St. Patrick's Day parade and Chuck E. Cheese's after, so I doubt I'll accomplish any real sewing but I could always surprise myself.
Have a happy weekend!

Want It Wednesday!

 Hey guys! Welcome to my second Want It Wednesday post..are you ready for it? I know I am =)

1. One of these awesome camera bags (cute and functional= awesome) After recently having purchased a Nikon D3100, I would be thrilled to have one  of these bags. My friend Chelsea just ordered one and I can't wait for her to get it so I can stare at it lovingly. haha. These bags can be found here.

 

source upper  

source lower

2. A little bit random..but.. I would love a set of Russian nesting dolls or Matryoshka doll. Go here to learn some more about them. I just think they are so cool. And cute. And I find it amazing that traditionally they are hand carved to fit inside one another. It's hard for me to imagine being that accurate with a medium like that that I'm not familiar with. 

source 

3. A new set of rollers for my Kelsey Excelsior printing press that was so thoughtfully rescued by almost hubby for me from a local fire company. It was in imminent danger of being tossed away into the dumpster-and I had been wanting a printing press for awhile and yeah! Good story. Anyway, right. New rollers. The press could use a good cleaning, and the rollers on it are definitely in need of replacement in order to make a functional press. The rollers can be purchased here so I have a source I just need to allocate the funds that way. If you are at all interested in letterpress, or would like to stare at some beautiful letterpress work and drool, check out these websites:

Boxcar Press

Beast Pieces 

Briar Press 

Na Graphics

Oh So Beautiful Paper
  The last website does not strictly feature letterpress, however it frequently does, and  always has beautiful inspiration.
Anyway, check out some photos of my press from the day I got it:

Isn't it beautiful? I can't wait until it's all the way functional again so I can experiment. I know this is more of a sewing blog but when I do make any prints I will definitely show you guys.