Post, post, post Christmas blues?

Every year after Halloween, on November, first I take down my decorations. They go up the first of October and they are taken down the first of November. It's my unwritten rule. It is also the day we swap the orange and purple lights for white and blue ones. We just don't turn them on until the first of December. It makes it easier when your fingers are not in danger of frostbite and you don't have to maneuver a ladder in four foot snow drifts.

With that said, it is also crunch time for hand sewn Christmas gifts. And this year was a doozy.

I really bite off more than I can chew. Call it my unfailing optimism, my positive perspective, my faith in the impossible, my tenacious ambitions or my eyes are bigger than my stomach. Needless to say, I pared down my list for each of my kids as the clock ticked closer and closer to my deadline.

So, what have I been doing since then. Not sewing. Anything but sewing. After three months of constant sewing like a mad woman, I stop. There is no needle and thread in my hand for at least a month. In this case, almost two. My craft and sewing room became a dumping ground and projects left unfinished collected dust.

Heck, there is a small stack of Christmas cards left unaddressed, waiting to be finished and mailed (sorry to those of you who don't have your Christmas cards yet, your snail mail address is stuck in my computer and I can't get it out).

So, as a bonus, I have oodles of pictures and a mini story. I love stories.

To start, here is a quilt I made for Thing 2. This was his gift last year. I made two quilts, one for Thing 1 and another for Thing 2. (Thing 3 got a special embroidered nightgown. I'll show that later.) The back story to Thing 2's quilt is this: I found the train fabric at Treadle and it was perfect. However, at the time I didn't know for what. So, I bought a few yards and waited. Well, it turned out to be perfect for this quilt. Unfortunately, I ran out of that fabric and had been sitting on it for a year, possible two. I was calling everywhere, looking for more. Eventually I went to ye olde Internet and Googled it. Yes, by now if you don't know, Google is both a noun and a verb. You can Google it...

Anywho, I found it.

In England.

It was the most expensive two yards I have ever bought, with the exchange rate in their favor, with international shipping... I paid some $40 plus.

Thing 2's simple train quilt.

Thing 1's quilt took sometime finding just the right printed fabric. Like his brother's I wanted an element they loved that was simple and bold. While I looked everywhere for Thing 1's fabric, I had finished Thing 2's patch working on the quilt. I wanted the configuration that was simple and fun. Afterwards I bought a huge antique quilter's frame and started to hand quilt it in every spare moment I had.

It was really funny because I hid the frame in pain sight in my overly crowded sewing room, covering it up with spare sheets. Occasionally I would show Thing 1 his brother's quilt all the while chuckling inside. I could tell he was intrigued, fascinated yet sad at the same time. His eyes spoke, "Where's mine." Even if he actually didn't say it.

It made it all the better when he opened his smaller box and his quilt lay inside! He was quite surprised. And so was I. I got that thing done in twenty three days from when I found the fabric on eBay to the night before.

He never bothered to look under the same sheets and discover his under there as I had been diligently working on his brother's forever.

Thing 1's quilt on bed.

 Close up of fabric selection used. I went with a red, yellow and green going down like traffic lights.

And here is my quilting saving grace. I love this mat. I use it for any crafting thing that needs sharp edges. BUT be careful. Always cut away from yourself and never cross your arms. Even when I thought I was being careful, I didn't expect Thing 3 to call me. I jumped and sliced my arm. Almost needed stitches.

So now that brings us up-to-date. I decided I was going to give my kids American Girl dolls. I went to eBay and Craigslist and found original Pleasant Company Dolls in decent condition, learned how to re wig and restring via YouTube. Then I started to make the necessities that all dolls need; a wardrobe and bedding. Well, in my world they need those things! 

Here is the doll's finished quilt. I had extra and put it to cute use!

Here is the doll, his quilt and the bigger quilt.

Remember when I said wardrobe. You didn't think just the dolls, did you? No, I meant to gift each child with a matching PJ and robe set that their doll also had. Time flew and I got easy peasy polar fleece robes for all done in green, blue and pink.

 Doll with robe and quilt. I think he is happy. See! He's Smiling!!! Don't ask my partner though. He'll just say that it is plotting to suck your soul...Apparently he watched too many scary movies as a kid.

Being a queen on Craigslist means that I frequently look for deals there. American Girl doll for $30! Also, this gem; a My Twinn doll that went for $30 on Craigslist. I asked my sister for help and she came through. She helped buy her and I started to plan a wardrobe. Thing 3's doll was going to also get a Mommy doll for Christmas.  Meet Analie!

Analie is Kirsten's mom. I got the idea again from Ourdolls.net. She is much taller than the Pleasant Company dolls and if her hair is done right, can have a maternal look to her. Since Kirsten is in the time of great vast prairies and farming them, I started to make a prairie dress for Analie. Notice the pleating on her bodice and buttons, also the apron. It was one of Analie's first sewing projects as a young girl and she is very proud of it.

 And of coarse she needed her undergarments; pantlettes, chemise and petticoat. Though her petticoat is still yet to be made. I guess, simple white flannel can get a little tedious when you look at blinding white snow all this season. Her chemise is reused flannel at our house while the  pantlettes are new. Since she will not be growing out of these, unlike her daughters, she can afford the luxury of some added lace.

The moment the boys saw Analie, their two dolls became her two sons and the Larson Family grew.

I promised a story. Here it is. Again, inspiration from Ourdolls.net.

Analie Visits the Seamstress

It was getting colder since Analie and four of her children had settled in the New World. Her husband was back in Sweden with their eldest, finishing a job and would join them when they were done. Analie had lots to do to get her children prepared for the winter, not including herself. Warm clothing was a priority. She was disappointed with what the General Store had to offer. A kind neighbor suggested looking into the seamstress' shop. 

Melissa Mouse was busy at her machine, working on her latest order. She was so focused that she did not hear the door bell ring as Analie entered the store.

Analie took the time to look through her catalog and check out the new fabric selection. She wasn't disappointed.

Finally, Melissa Mouse looked up to give her small eyes a break. She was surprised to see that the new neighbor that everyone was talking about was in her shop. Melissa Mouse immediately apologized for not hearing her and introduced herself.

Analie found two fabrics to purchase. One was a very soft lavender gingham that would make a lovely nightgown for herself. The other was a sturdy cotton that she would make into a dress with grow pleats for her youngest daughter, Gretchen.

Analie then put in orders for fabric from the Mouse Mills Catalog. Her children needed better clothes for the tough winter ahead. She thanked Melissa Mouse for her kindness and guarantee that the fabrics would be at Melissa's store in a week's time.

On the way out, Analie noticed she missed a fabric. It was the same lovely lavender as her gingham. "Oh! What lovely fabric!" exclaimed Analie. She wished she could stay longer, but she needed to get home post haste.

On the way home, Analie envisioned her gingham flannel into a beautiful nightgown. She quickened her pace to find her sewing basket.

When Analie left, Melissa Mouse sat and pondered the transaction. The mother bought and ordered enough fabric for all their needs, except new winter gear for herself. Melissa noted the fine lavender colored wool and smiled. It was nice to surprise friends. Especially new ones. She finished up her notes and started on her next order. Analie should get her new surprise in a week, Melissa calculated. Then she got back to work.

~Me

Rewriting the Webster's Definition of Cute

Wow. Hi. Times flies. Fast. Any who, there are a few of you I know are waiting for "the coat". Let's begin!

Halloween has come and gone and I have stuff to brag about. I mean, show you! And now that it is Thanksgiving means that I actually have time to show you!

The title comes form Animaniacs and Dot's cute song. You tube it. That song and this coat work.

SO how this adventure began...for starters, Thing 3 turned four years-old in June. So like all growing children decided that four months later she would skip a size and jump into size five! I needed a wardrobe update, stat! And... a new coat.

A picture of her new wardrobe along the old from storage.

Two-thirds of this is new stuff thanks to Once Upon a Child in Minnetonka! Of the stores in the area, it maybe stuffed to the gills, but I have the best luck finding what I want or need! 

PLUS, these past few years the month of October is choose to reuse month. When I find a collection of these free coupon books, I grab 3-4 of them. I tend to use them, a lot! So, add the Reuse coupon from Hennepin! Win-win all around.

Website for  Hennepin:

http://www.hennepin.us/choosetoreuse

Download free coupons here: (NOTE! You only have til the end of the month! A few days left. But I am sure they will be back neck year!!!)
http://www.hennepin.us/files/HennepinUS/Environmental%20Services/WR&R/WR&R%20Residents/Reuse/ChoosetoReuse2013_web.pdf

Back to our story...

I saw this browsing on eBay and it stuck in my head. The original is made from Bonnie Jean and it cute.

Bonnie Jean coat from eBay. Notice the embroidered faces, orange piping and polka dotted bow. Sweet, but I don't have an embroidery machine.

What sealed the deal that I have to make it was when I found the identical buttons!

I have to make it now!

I had a pattern from years ago that had a lot of similar features, so of course, I tweaked it.

Using Simplicity pattern 2745 and my trusty Pad-O-Paper I started sketching and planning. (Maniacal laughter echoes in the background).

Simplicity Pattern 2745 and the three polar fleeces I used. Orange, yellow and black.

The front and back have 2 godet each (a little extra triangle of fabric, on the pattern above you can see them under the flowers on the coat). I made them orange and added another set at the side seams.  Then I scalloped the orange and black ends of the coat from seam to seam. I took the end of the polar fleece that curls up and used it as piping on the hat. I didn't have time to hand embroider faces, so I cut faces out of yellow polar fleece and started to machine stitch them to the black scalloped ends of the coat. And that is when my machine started skipping stitches. :(  It needed to go to the Doctor!

I posted this to my personal Facebook and I had so many offering their machines. It was a truly humbling/happy moment. My step mom offered hers and my dad dropped it off.

Unbeknownst to her, her machine's presser foot was broken and refused to go down!

NEXT!

My great potter friend extraordinaire found hers and I was dancing in the streets. 

IT"S ALIVE! ALIVE!!! It works! And after a day searching the Internet, I found the model number and free instruction Manuel so that I could understand it and get back to work!

The finished hat. I used extra yellow polar fleece to accent the button instead of ribbon for continuity.

And here is the start of ultimate cuteness...

 Here is the coat in action. This thing twirls like no ones business; a wonderful side effect of all those godets! It's also a surprise, the orange pieces hide well until she spins. At first she was shy but then she started to spin for everyone. And as they sing, "Isn't she cute, cute cute!"

Little Things like to spin!

I want to post more pictures, but I'll need to take more detailed pictures.

~Me

Back from the dead or in other words: Summer vaccation

No.

I have not died.

Really.

It may have seemed like it, but in fact I am not dead but quite alive and running around like CRAZY!

Also, I'm not a summer person. Give me Fall or Winter, please!

SO.... in order to make up for my lack of posting all summer long despite my grand intentions I have a wonderful treat for you. I have finished my dog print dresses! (Does a little happy dance!)

I seriously have had my dress on the dress form all summer as my brain, most lazily, decided how to fix my front button placket. The idea stemmed from Modcloth. Although, I do believe that this particular dress is no longer sold there it was my motivation for my Gone to the Dogs Days Dress. What can I say, Modcloth inspired me to make kooky names as well as dresses!

Meow-ily We Go Dress

A close-up of the Modcloth Dress.

Then as I pondered and wandered at my favorite thrift store: 

Arc Value Village  http://www.arcsvaluevillage.org/  Seriously awesome place, if you are in the Minneapolis Metro area give it a try. 

I found a pattern for Thing 3!  

It wasn't vintage, but I could see it working with my dress and two more complementary fabrics.  

I love the detail options this dress offers with an asymmetrical collar, bow in front and puffy sleeves!  

Many hours were spent hand stitching details PLUS the "help" my Thing 3 decided to give me with a little pair of scissors when I wasn't looking.

(I will show that picture as soon as I find it)

Now for the grand finally; here are the pictures you have been so patient for all summer long!

Here is my lovely Thing 3, wearing my glasses, a like-fabric-covered head band and being her silly self. We are very lucky for this picture as she decided to play shy for the rest of the photo shoot, courtesy of my neighbor.

 Here we are as my Thing 3 tries to lift up my skirt!

Like my pose? Personally, I feel like a linebacker with my arms out like that. However, it does display my outfit rather nicely. Can you see the dog bone buttons?

The sweater was a find at Arc Value Village where it had sequence sewn in the collar and cuff edges. A simple seam ripper and some free time took care of that. 

The socks were purchased at Target in the girls section. I should have never told my partner that as he believes (bless his heart) that I have tiny feet. It doesn't matter that they were the largest size there only that I was able to find socks in the Girls section at my local Target and they fit... Hence proving his point. *sigh* Anyways, I love the frilly edges!!!

The head band is extra fabric made to be a hand-tie headband/scarf versus a metal or plastic preformed piece like Thing 3 has. 

My partner treated me in my shoes. They are a brand new Dansko Ainsley black Mary Janes that are adorable! As I am going on where I got things, I purchased them at Schuler Shoes at The Miracle Mile in St. Louis Park (takes in a big breath). I know, a lot to say, right?

http://www.schulershoes.com/

Here is a store pic of them. Sweet!

My belt is a simple black satin ribbon and I seriously need jewelry to complete the look.

I've been looking around for a rhinestone dog pin for where the collar meets in the center and a simple rhinestone dog bone earrings to complete the look.

We shall see where it goes. In the mean time I already have my eyes on the next dress, fabric already purchased and the next..

BUT, until I finish my Magical neighbor's vest for his Spook-tacular show at Valleyscare! 

https://www.valleyfair.com/haunt/ride/Mick-Manglers-Madness-Mayhem-Show/cat/Shows

Well, it will have to wait...a week!

~Me

When life dumps lemons and you throw half back because you can (the rest become lemon meringue pie)

You know how you start something and have great intentions but then something happens to hiccup your progress? Then you find yourself living the procrastinator's dream; I'll get to it soon. But soon comes and goes and next thing you know it is fourteen days later and I am finally posting.

Sorry.

I have perfected excuses or really good reasons (depending which side of the optimist/pessimist glass you drink on).

I broke my phone. Badly.
(pic)
By accident, but I still broke it and living without a smart phone for two days with my three Things while being a very busy mom is not fun.

We had a tragedy in our community and lost some elementary school students.  It has effected us all and saddened us.  We got to see some of the best of people as well some of the worst. Taking it one day at a time, we are healing.

Plus school is coming to a close so that means more things to do, not less.

However, for all that has come to pass, It's done!

The two Ladybug dresses are done.

(...crickets...)

Huh?

Let's try that again.

I said, (coughs a little). My Ladybug Retro Dresses Are Done!

(silence)

Hmmm... No Hallelujah Chorus this time.

Maybe next time???

Anyways, here are the finished product...um sans her sash, but it's cute anyways!
(Pic)

Speaking of next time, I already have cut the fabric for the next one. pinned it, stitched it and am out of black Rick Rack.
(Pic)

This one wasn't so much from my creative brain as it was a desire to have a Modcloth dress that I wasn't going to spend $100 on (I currently have spent $12.84 on four yards of fabric; I need buttons and more Rick Rack though).

So, I improvised.

Here is a picture of the original dress which they titled; Meow-ily We Go Dress

(pic)

But wait!  There's more (yes, imagine the cheesy infomercial guys voice).

I also finished my partner's PJ pants today!
(Pic)
So, for as much as I have tip-toed through the tulips, I have been busy.  Very busy.  And I have sewing projects to show for it!

And, Yes. I know there are (pics) everywhere yet no pics anywhere.  That will be changed asap.  But for now, I thought it best to let you know that I am indeed alive and kicking or something.

I might change my goal to writing every other day or two times a week.

So, you have been warned!  ;)

~Me

A request from my partner

I have been trying to do this blog and sewing, much to the amusement and frustration of my partner. He asked me today that once I was done with my current project if I could focus on the spring cleaning and sorting/purging that has been on the back burner indefinitely.

I really need to be the adult now and stop playing with my toys.

Grumble..grumble.

Sew, no sew.  I will have to step up my household chores and not start anew. Alas, my poor green tree dress is now on hold.

But, that doesn't mean that I can't post past projects.

Oh, and there are so many cute projects; quilts, PJ's, a baby jumper, past Halloween costumes, a dog outfit! The list goes on and on.

Plus there is my studio's progress that I can post.

And if that gets boring I can also post dream projects and fabrics.

*sigh*

From last night's posting, you can see I'm almost done.

From previous posts, you know I want to be done.

Now, I'm not so sure...

~Me

Finally, progress on the Ladybug dresses

You mean my ladybug dress?

Yes, (Thing 3) it's time to make your ladybug dress.

Really, it is!?!

Progress (finally)!

So here is a part of the process:

Step 1) The beginning. Figure out pattern and fabric of your dreams. This is when delusions of grandeur and angels singing, harps being played happen.  Enjoy it now, the rest maybe a downhill ride.

Step 2) Start shopping. Buy pattern of your dreams and hope (if it is a secondhand pattern) it is complete and in good condition. Heck, hope if it is store bought that it is complete.  It can happen.

Step3) Find and purchase fabric. Spend a lot more on fabric than you would like, silently cursing yourself for the total cost of it all while you are doing a little jig of happiness because the material is real, it is in your hands and not a figment of your over active imagination.

Step 4) Prep work. Do all the little mundane things in preparation to make a new garment; wash, dry and iron, iron and iron some more. By the way, did I mention that you need to iron it?

Best Press is an awesome spray starch. I have tried Lavender (swoon) and Peaches and Cream (Yum).  But a word of warning, the dye in Peaches tints whites. Perfect for this, not so for my vintage white hankies.

Step 5) Pattern placement and cutting!  This is fun.  I have a blast trying to place pattern pieces on the prepared fabric for optimal usage and minimal waste. Often, my placements are better than the suggested and I can squeeze out between 1/4 to a 1/2 of extra fabric!  Mind you, if it is one garment, I round up a half yard anyways, but if it is for multiple garments, I round down and still get extra! Don't ask me what happens when I make a big mistake and run out (something about Kleenexes, vodka and a stuffed teddy bear...).

 Making both shirts for Thing 1 and 2 and a dress for Thing 3.

 The more transparent paper is a purchased pattern where as the solid brown is a copy of the original 1956 girls dress pattern.

Three things that help me out most, Mark-B-Gone, Wonder Weights and a simple quilters ruler. The marker is a tad pricey, but worth it's weight in gold.  The weights hold my patterns down so I don't have to poke hole into them. and the clear ruler with grid saves my bacon time and time again.

Step 6) Pin fabric, not fingers.  I have had too many pins go under my cuticle and under my nail. Yes. OUCH! It hurts. But the bigger pain is when it gets stuck...and you have to look at it...and then you have to hope you put on your big girl panties 'cause you are the one pulling that pin out. Alone. But aside from that horror, when it happens, is small compared to the joy of piecing it together.  Almost.

Pinning bias tape to sleeve. Did I mention that these vintage patterns were in league with the bias tape makers? They must have been. They use it everywhere.

Collar work on Thing 3's dress. Slight variation in color that you won't see because it will be hidden inside the garment.

Step 7) Sewing at the machine.  Usually, I remember to pull the pins out as I stitch, sometimes I get carried away in the moment or loose one under a fold of fabric  Our costume shop would plow right over them like everything would plow through Mr. Bill (YouTube it). More often than not we would get "bobbin f*ck". And, no it is not pretty and sounds just as horrible as you can imagine. Often, you would break the needle and the pin would get jammed into the bobbin mechanism., hence the crass term.  Some of those pins were works of art, if you were able to extract them just right.  I do believe that we had a spot on the wall we taped them to. I have been rather fortunate (knocks on wood) and only broken needles--some in two places! But overall the sewing at the machine is a mixed blessing. You can go really fast compared to the hand stitching that you will need to do later on, yet, at times, the machine cannot go fast enough (especially on long, unending hems).

The is Thing 3's sleeve and it barely fit onto my sewing machine's arm.  I had to go back and resew a time or two more and each time was like, will it fit on this time?

Step 8) Ironing in between times. This is another blessing and a curse.  It is hard to have an iron at the ready when you have a few Things running around and under your ironing board.  Or better yet, hiding under the ironing board as they play "hide and seek".  The whole idea of my large, very hot and moderately heavy iron getting anywhere near them makes my skin crawl. Remember back to that one scene in Home Alone and the iron falling on the taller burglar's face. No way. So, you can imagine that trying to iron the seams open and flat in between stitching's can be a wee bit stressful. Though, it does make the process faster and smoother.

Step 9) Handiwork. Now that you have gotten to this point, it is almost done. The end is palatable. If there was a finish line, you might be able to see it and the adoring fans, come to cheer you to it's end. Yeah, I wish.  Anywho, I use to hate hand stitching. It was boring. It took too long. Are we there yet? Yet, now in my later years (geeze, I sound ancient) I have found a peace with it, even at times enjoying it (but if you ask me again, I'll deny it). It is at those times, that you can fix the small boo-boos and make it appear perfect.

 The inside seam edge that in time will fray and show. Time to hide it with a little stitch work.

All done. Now it is tucked away and won't fray with subsequent washings and general use.

Step 10a) Find a small thing that will inhibit your completion for another month or two. This one is mine. All mine. Maybe I was blessed like Ella in Ella Enchanted and had a crazy, inept fairy godmother that makes my projects last ten times longer than they need to. For instance, my darn collar (pulls hair, and bangs head on desk), will I ever get that (insert bad word here) thing done!?!? I am almost done with Thing 3's dress. I have proof! I need to complete the buttons in back and redo the collar, but then it's done! All done (maniacal laughter fills the room). There is the caplet and it too is almost done (creepy smile appears).

 Here is our Nafy. She is modeling the in-progress caplet. She is our version from the wonderful girls/women over at http://ourdolls.net/ and You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVd1jDW2dOI  My Things love Nafy and Pleasantville! If you have some time, check out their world. It amazes me each time.

Ah. It's cute. Don't deny it. Thing 3 loves to twirl in it. It has great twirl-ability!

Step 10b) Finish. The Hallelujah chorus fills the air. I breath a huge sign of relief and collapse, only to pick my head up and wonder which project is next. Repeat.

Easy, peasy, pumpkin breezy.  Right?

Here is my progress, just so you know my reason (excuse) for not posting these past few days. I've been a working on the bug dress...(sung to I've been working on the railroad). Also, You will be getting a small glimpse of me.

 Front view, new cat eye sunglasses and a pinned on collar. 

Back view with a collar in need of TLC (totally lost cause or tender loving care).

~Me

Too darn cute

Last year I asked Thing 1 and 3 what they would like me to make for Thing 3's Birthday.

They wanted a dress for her and her doll that was two shades of pink with hearts on it.

Yes, they were that specific.

I got to work.

I decided I would try the Pillow case dress. Usually, you reuse an old embroidered pillow case to showcase the design at the bottom edge of the dress and homemade lace too!

I wanted the simplicity of it all. I measured for her, her doll and her doll's bear. I made a pleated bottom ruffle and a head scarf of the same fabric. I used the darker shade of pink color to match the bias tape edges and the lightest pink for the ribbon color.

I think the final product is just too darn cute!

 Applejack's set

 Baby Bitty Bear's dress and scarf

Thing 3 with her doll and bear

I tacked each ribbon in the center so that they won't get pulled out, sewed the ends of the ribbons to prevent fraying and used the button hole on my machine to create ear holes for the Bitty Bear.

Genius.

I know.

But in hindsight, I should have sewn the bows for the doll and bear in place, making them static. Then using snaps or Velcro to close them instead of ribbons that constantly get undone. I would also replace Thing 3's head scarf ties with ribbon encased elastic. The darn thing just won't stay on well.

Otherwise, it's a really good/close to perfect summer dress and birthday gift.

One last look, just because!

~Me