Something...

So, that vintage Viking was such a find! I am eternally grateful to BFF for telling me about it.

I just popped on to post pics of my test piece that I threw together. I started a new job today, and wore it to work.

DS took this pic of mommy on her first day

Happy face :)

Neck-line & tie front detail

Close-up of fabric

Shirring detail over shoulder

Morning coffee! :D

The dress was basically just two rectangles that I shirred, pinned, gathered, stitched, re-stitched, re-pinned, stitched some more....

It was made entirely without a pattern, just a vague idea in mind of what I wanted. I started with a little over 2m of this stuff that was gifted to me (there are small pieces of this in my rainbow patchwork skirt, as well). It is a nice cotton - a little higher thread count than quilter's cotton, & softer, but still light & a little flowy.

I put 3 rows of machine-shirring at the top of the skirt, and 1 row on the back half of the top.
The top is a cross-over with ties made of the same fabric. Deep V-neck. I guessed with the armholes & made them too small, so I guessed again & made them too big. Some shirring on the top of the shoulder helped fix that one up!
There are pockets as well, with big cream/beige/brown buttons & loops made from the same fabric.

I used the selvage of the fabric for the bottom, so no hemming!

All in all, I'm pretty happy with it. I now have one sundress that is work-appropriate :)
I also got some compliments :)
BFF asked where I got it, as did my Mom. Step-Dad knew I made it.

Here's his thumb's up:

Quick one

I haven't done a lot of crafting lately, but I did whip up this pair of Fun Folded Toddler Slippers last night over two episodes of American Dad.

DS has been complaining that the floors are cold in our new place (basement apartment) and asking for slippers, so I finally made him a pair.

Sarah recommends worsted weight yarn & a 4mm hook to make for a 2-year old. I used chunky yarn and a 6.5mm hook to make them fit a 3.5-year old.

On to the pics!

DS showing me how happy he was by putting them on right away & saying "Thank you, mommy!"

"Take a picture of my feet, mommy!"

Another Craftster Swap

I love Craftster.

Oh, how I love Craftster...

I also love swapping; I've said it before. It's like getting presents in the mail!

So, when the Week of Baby Onesies Swap came along again, I knew I had to join. I keep missing it, so I signed up as soon as I could this time. Before too long, Shaun will be too big for it :(

I requested two partners, with 5 shirts a piece being exchanged. And I got completely SPOILED! The organizer, barbolot, is extremely talented, and partnered herself up with me. She also partnered me with one of my other Craftster Crushes, stacysews. These ladies both rock the boards on Craftster, so I'm a little intimidated, but hope that I can match their skills.

I am currently making myself busy stalking them right now, so I thought I'd post a little here as well...

Classic "Boyfriend's Old T-Shirt" Recon

So, I've been away for a while; but I have damned good excuses!

Damned good personal excuses that I don't feel the need to delve into on the internet.

I do feel the need to show of my newest crafty venture, however. Since DS's second birthday, I have not been superbly active craft-wise. I have missed posting a couple things because of lack of camera, but I hope to remedy that soon enough.

On to tonight's creation!

My boyfriend was getting set up to clean and restring his guitar, and couldn't find his cleaning cloth. He cut the sleeves off of an old (read: high school, so at least 10 years ago) T-shirt that had holes and stains, but a kick-ass design on the front.

I called "punked!" and whisked it away to being it's new life as my favorite new shirt for this fall :)

Took in the sides and dropped the neck and shoudlers (they were VERY worn out), took off the hem. I reshaped the arm pits, added long (puff) sleeves out of an amazing blue jersey with orange skull print that I picked up for cheap (15% off when you finish the bolt!!!) and added a huge (HUGE, I say!!!) hood.

BF then got out the phone and took a couple pics for me :)

(no before shots, but standard men's shapeless T-shirt with an orange car and "SOULFOOD76" printed above)

Tell me what you think!

Pretty, pretty princess

A friend from school has a beautiful little girl that is just a few weeks older than my son. Her birthday was this weekend, and we were going to the party (I brought the only boy to the princess's tea party :) )

I left it until the last minute to get together her gift, because I was stuck.

Then, a flash of remembrance; I bought rolls of ribbon tulle to make tutus out of, and never actually did it...

So, DS & I sat down with rolls upon rolls of tulle, a piece of elastic and a pair of scissors and threw together a standard no-tie tutu for the birthday princess.

Gotta love how 2 year olds "help" by taking your colour-sorted piles of tulle, spreading them all over the living room and attempting to throw them in the garbage...

Regardless, it took me all of half an hour to throw this together, and the birthday girl LOVED it!

She opened presents as soon as she found them, and when she found ours, she wanted her ballerina slippers on, her princess hair stuff opened, and to wear her "pretty princess skirt"

I think the amount of success in a handmade gift for a child is directly measured in their willingness to part with it, and she does not seem at all willing lol

Enough chatter, on to the pictures!