New Blog!

My husband has created a new site for me :-)  I'm now posting at:
The Redhead Crafty Brewer!
Come on by and take a look!

New Dress

I finished a couple of dresses over the last two weeks. First, I'm rather proud of how they both turned out. The red one is fully lined and I did a muslin first to check the fitting. I let the pattern out a bit, and then had to take it in just a little in the bodice to fit. I think I'm going to have to learn to alter the more fitting dresses to be a half size larger in the hips! But, that said, I also found that I don't like just quickly taking pictures of the dresses. The red one (which I am posting a picture of now), turned out okay. The green vintage dress I feel wonderful in, but the picture looked completely frumpy! My husband is going to try taking another picture tonight, but I'm disheartened by it. I go from, "I should work out more and eat less," to "I should be happy that I'm within my weight limits and I already run 12-15 miles a week and do weight and ab workouts." I want to go home tonight and have nachos and wine, but that *really* defeats the purpose and will make me feel worse. So, I will continue on my path, and see if maybe I can take better pictures, and do something better with my make-up! I sure want to look girly and pretty, but I'm just not there. At least not in recent pictures!

This is made from Vogue 8648. I sewed a size 12, letting out a bit more at the hips.

I won't post the other picture right now. But I will say that my Mother said I should try standing to the side and posing more like those models do - not to be a model, but to help the lay of the dress!

Shamrock Dress

This weekend was fairly busy. I did my run (yeah!), went to Hangar 24 for a celebration (good beer!), and did quite a bit of sewing. I finished (except for the velcro closures) the shamrock dress for my granddaughter. I thought it turned out cute! I used the same pattern as the daisy dress.

I also did a bit of muslin fittings for my two dresses. For the vintage dress, I did a size up (I'm between two sizes) and since it's a wrap around, it fit fine. So, on to the work dress. That one I have the smaller size, so I had to do a bit of letting out. I did that, and it was too much! So, I pinned what I thought should be taken back in to the regular seam allowance and tried it on again.

Once I did that, it seemed to fit well with just enough space for movement. So I spent the next two hours carefully laying out the pattern and cutting out the dress and full lining. I'm really nervous about sewing this one, but I'm happy about it as well. And maybe over the weekend (my birthday weekend) I'll be able to sew the vintage dress since I just received an email saying the fabric has been sent! I should have a lot to post next week!!

Pictures!

I have a few pictures here of my recent sewing. First, a picture of the daisy dress I did for my Granddaughter:

And here is a close up of the flowers I sewed on the front of the dress:

It's not too easy to see them in the picture, but I think they are really cute on the dress!

Last night I sat down and finished a blouse for myself. First, I made it out of cotton. I should realize that I don't own any work blouses that are made of quilter's cotton, so why I would try and make one that way I just don't know. On the plus side, I learned (remembered) a few more things about putting patterns together and I'm happy about that. On the negative side, the armhole lining just sticks out. I do need to tack it at the top and bottom, but I just don't think that will help. I'm going to have to do some research on techniques and see what I can improve. But, here is the picture:

The colors are pretty (it's really more of a teal green), but it's just not a style for me.

To try and cheer up a bit, I did cut out the pattern pieces for the vintage dress I really want to do and ironed the muslin to get ready for that. I've been reading up on fitting and I want to try to do some measurements and fit the top of the dress nicely (not too tight!) and then buy the nice material to make the real thing!

Weekend Sewing

I did a bit of sewing this weekend. Not as much as I would have liked, but at least I was able to sit down and sew just a bit. I finished a cute dress for my Granddaughter, and while I was happy with the overall outfit, I was not happy with the way the arm binding went in. I'm not sure if I did something wrong, or if I should just use bias tape the next time. I'm in the middle of sewing a simple blouse for myself (McCalls 5882), and I'm at the point of doing the arm bindings for that outfit. Twice I started to pin them in backwards and had to fix it. I just sewed the first part in last night, but then the Oscars came on and I put everything down to go watch! So, hopefully tonight I'll finish the blouse and see how the armholes actually go. It's baby steps getting back into sewing! And I took nice pictures of the baby outfit, but they are still on my camera! So I will post pictures later this week. Hopefully with pictures and notes from the finished blouse as well.

And, I have that Belgium beer still in the carboy getting ready to bottle. I think it's time to test it this week and maybe (hopefully) bottle it over the weekend. Yes, it does cut into my sewing time, but I love brewing beer and it's time to get this one bottled and work on a recipe for the next one. I'm going to inventory what hops and grains we have and then see what would be best to brew next!

New Projects

So, first I made the skirt from Vogue 8750. I knew after washing the material that it wasn't going to work out like I had hoped. But the material was fairly inexpensive so I thought it would be a good learning processes. I did some alterations on the pattern and I sewed up most of it. I have to say I'm pleased how the alterations worked and my top stitching looked good. I even put in a zipper in the back! But, I sewed a size too small (I know, read the measurement, not what I would like to be!), so between the size and the material it's just not a wearable item. But, I felt good that some things worked out so on I went to the next project!

My pajama top to match the new bottoms I just made. I used Butterick 5432. I know the picture looks a little blue, but it's really black!

It was a simple pattern. Two pieces and easy seams. But I was pretty happy I could stitch the stretchy material!

Then Sunday, I decided to try the blouse from McCalls 6078. It may be just a bit big, but it's better bigger than smaller! But it was easy as well and I'm pretty pleased at the way it turned out. I even wore it to work the next day!

Okay, don't mind myself in the picture. My husband took it and I asked him to just take the blouse. I didn't have on any make-up or did anything nice with my hair. But, oh well! For the next pictures I do post, I plan to take them with my new camera and hopefully they will be a lot better! Maybe I'll set up an area to take pictures in just so I can get the right color of the material!

On another note, I took out my older serger last night. Cleaned it up and test it and it works! I'm quite excited about that as well! I hope to make a couple of things this week, but that will depend on my kids since some of the items are things I bought to teach them to make. But, payday is Friday, and I'm already anxious to buy some more material for the upcoming weeks!!

Sewing Projects

Okay, I'm finally taking a couple of minutes to post some sewing pictures. I have to say, I'm still really excited, and nervous, about sewing. First I finished a dress for my granddaughter. It said "quick and easy," but it was not! And I forgot how hard it was to turn corners on linings, especially one so small! I did read some hints from http://sewing.patternreview.com/ and decided to do a few things different that the pattern stated. I'm glad I did! I made a few small mistakes, but overall I think it turned out really cute!

I made the matching bloomers, but they were way too big! I read that on the review site, but since I had already bought the material I figured I would try. I didn't bother putting the elastic in! Maybe she can wear those when she's older. But I did decide to make-up a headband to go with it. I thought I had a picture on this computer, but I don't. I'll have to post that later. But when I do, you'll see that the dress is really more of a purple than this magenta color!

Next, I decided to make a pair of pajama pants for myself. I did it with a nice, silky material. It feels great, but it was slippery to work with and I realized I had an old needle on my sewing machine as well. Also, that I should have altered the pattern (I'm short!) before I cut the material instead of cutting off a lot at the bottom. But that said, I'm happy with the way they turned out!

I went out and bought some slightly stretching black material to make a matching top, but I didn't buy black thread. I figured with the box of thread that I have had for years, black would be one of the colors. Wrong! So, I need to go out this weekend and get that. So, in the meantime, I just received two patterns in the mail and I actually already bought material to make the skirt. I'll probably be starting that tonight. I also have three more patterns coming in the mail (maybe today?!), and material for some of those as well. I have so many ideas and things I want to make! And the more I read the pattern reviews and new blogs, the more ideas and excited I become! I'm also trying out some new sewing/craft podcasts. I found one I like so far, and one I really don't. I've tried two episodes, and I'm moving on to the next one now as I type!

Hat!

I just had to quickly post that I finished my hat!! The picture shows it a bright green, but it's really more of a moss color. And really soft!

I'll post more later with some of the items I've been sewing. Yes, that means I did find a power cord that works!!I'm quite excited and have finished a couple of items and have supplies for a bit more. I'll post more and some pictures in a few days!!

Sewing!

It's like having an old friend come back to visit. I have not sewn anything for over 12 years, and yet when I went through the yardage store the other day with my daughter I was inspired to pick it back up again. The only problem is that I lost the power cord for my good sewing just over 12 years ago when we moved. I've tried in the past to get a replacement, only to be told it would cost $150 to do so. So, it just wasn't that important. But now, being inspired again, it is important! First, I looked up new sewing machines and found I could get a basic one for $80, and almost bought it right then (good thing I don't get paid for another couple of weeks or I probably would have!). In the meantime, I decided to see if I could find that cord again (maybe used someplace. . .) and I found a "universal" power cord for my brand of machine (Bernina) that looks like it should work - for only $16.95! So, I ordered it. And I am hoping that it works. If not, I may try to find a store that sells Berninas and see if they can help in. But, in preparation, I bought a few patterns (of course a sun dress for my Granddaughter!) and some material. It's washed and ready to be ironed. My kids are both excited as well since they want to learn to sew. So, I'll take a different pattern for each girl and walk them through the steps. I'm just ready to have that cord in hand now!

While waiting, I did start knitting my slouchy hat though. It's such a lovely yarn and I'm doing mine in this beautiful green yarn. I'll post a picture of that when I'm done. And I'm still on the lookout for that special sweater pattern to use my gift certificate for yarn from my good friend. So many fun projects to do!

Fun Weekend

Luckily both my husband and I were mostly over our sickness before the weekend festivities. We went with a fun group in a limo down to Stone Brewery for one of our friend's birthday (it was a surprise from his wife). We had a great time overall with the whole trip and it was a blast to see the brewery. And they are even building a beer hotel across the street from their brewery as well!! As much as I enjoy wine, I really like brewing beer and the very good varieties from microbreweries. Speaking of which, I don't know if I posted or not, but we have a Belgium ale in the carboy right now. We brewed two weeks ago, so we should be testing it this week (but I doubt it will be ready to bottle). We actually used a kit for this one, but it should be good. Our last one, a triple IPA (my recipe!) is bottle ready and is really good. And we're looking at doing a spiced wheat beer next. Not sure yet, but my husband wants to try some spices so we are looking into what we want to do.

On a creative note, I finished the chemo hat for my friend today. I usually make them for people just for the cost of the yarn, but they discontinued the yarn I've been using. So I really need to find a replacement. This one is really soft, which is nice for someone going through chemo. I need to find something soft and washable. I will have to look into it carefully. As for the other hat (my pattern), I finished one for the same friend who has another friend going through some kind of medical problem. They don't know what it is, but she's not doing well and losing her hair and very self conscious about it. So, I thought the nice slouchy hat would be nice for her. And this weekend (during the Superbowl), I plan to start on the slouchy hat for myself (in a lovely green -  not bright, just pretty).

I'll have to post more later. The baby is asleep and everyone is heading to bed. It's only 8pm!! I'll go upstairs and read. . .or knit. . .or watch some bad television. I'll decide when my husband finishes mixing my drink to take upstairs (It's martini night - I ran 7.5 miles today so I earned it!).

Sick

Well, I actually had a really good weekend, surrounded by sickness on both sides. On Friday I had to take off work to go be with my older daughter in the ER. She would have gone to her doctor, but he was not in that day. Then she would have gone to an urgent care center, but there is not one in her network (what is that all about?!). So, we went to the hospital she had the baby at (very nice place). We spent the full day there, but at least she's okay. It was a burst ovarian cyst. Very painful, but at least it wasn't her appendix. So, feeling relieved that everything was okay, I got up Saturday and baked some fresh bread and healthy muffins. And Sunday I did a long run and brewed some beer (Belgium Dubbel - should be good). But the high was not to last. My daughter ended up bringing the stomach flu home from the hospital and was throwing up Sunday. And boy did that flu go around the family. It got her husband next, then me, my husband and is still with my youngest. It's fast moving though!! But I'm still not able to eat right, and so therefore do not have the energy to run or workout. But I'm not going to let it get me down (especially since I had a good workout on Monday). Besides, I have a birthday party that I'm going to this weekend at a brewery (it's a surprise party, and although I seriously doubt the person reads my blog, I won't put anything more about it in here now), so I need to save up my energy for that! I'm sure I'll be posting more next week on that trip, and hopefully on my runs and knitting as well (didn't even feel like knitting while I was sick).

Another Hat

I finished another hat while watching football this weekend (yeah 49ers!!). This one is for a friend of mine. Well, it's actually for someone she knows. For a few years now I've offered to make people chemo hats if they buy the yarn, and I've done quite a few. But this friend of mine knows someone who isn't going through chemo, but she's sick and the doctors can't figure out what's wrong. And part of the symptoms is that she is losing her hair. So for her, instead of a soft, tighter fitting chemo hat, I made a pretty slouchy hat. I just love this pattern and this is the third one I've made. Next weekend I will be working on another hat just like it during the play-off games (go 49ers), but this one will be for me! I don't wear hats very much, but I just love them so I keep making them!

Kindle Case

So, my wonderful husband gave me a Kindle Fire for Christmas! We were only getting stocking stuffers for each other, but he knew how much I wanted one and he made that my stocking stuffer. Well, it actually sat behind my stocking, but that's okay. I've been having a lot of fun using it and personalizing it. One thing I did want right away though was a case. I looked at all of the options, and found what looks to be a wonderful purple leather case. And since purple is my favorite color (and stops others from wanting to use my things that are purple), I wanted to order that one. But, it wasn't being released until early January. So, the dilemma for me was. . .do I wait for the purple one since that's what I really want, or do I order the identical one in brown since that is shipping right away and the touch screen on the Kindle needs to be protected. So, knowing I would be sad settling for the brown one, I decided to crochet up a quick cover just to protect it in the mean time. And it didn't turn out too bad I think!


That's my Kindle right next to it. It did it's job fine and protected my Kindle until I received my purple case over the weekend. I should have taken a picture of that as well!!

Knitting pictures

Okay, I found a couple of pictures of items I knitted for Payten. First is a sweater I did in a teal blue. Yes, I know she's a girl, but the color is just wonderful!

And here is my daughter (Payten's Mom, Dee) holding the tree of life blanket I made for her as well.

The picture is kind of dark. So I will just have to get better with my photography! But, the blanket is a scaled down version of the tree of life pattern. It was a lot of fun to make, but probably not as useful as some of the other larger blankets that were made for her!

I just finished a quick crocheted case for my Kindle Fire (the purple case I really want is on back order) that I'll post up next week, and I'm working on an afghan right now as well. My next big project will be a sweater since my good friend gave me a gift certificate to our local yarn store! Yeah!!

New Year, New Resolve!

I have been very lazy in keeping my blog up. No doubt about that! Since I'm trying to get back on track with quite a few things, I've decided to get back to my regular blogging. Besides my own personal goals (getting my running mileage back up, eating healthier and not just less calories, toning up, and reading some decent books this year), I have other great things to blog about. There is my knitting (pictures to be posted soon). . .

My puppy, Zeus

My first Grandbaby, Payten

And of course the odd and fun things that happen - like going to the Stone Anniversary festival with my youngest daughter, Heather

Since I have a lot of wonderful things happening in my life (let's not forget my husband, Jim)

I think it's a great idea to update my blog a bit more often!