Sew Variegated

Ravelry

2010-01-24T04:30:00.000-08:00

Until recently I haven't really used Ravelry for anything other than just finding patterns and adding them to my fav's list.
After listening to one of the Knit Together's podcast about how they use Ravelry I decided to go in and get organized.
I tag and tabbed my fav's and now I find it much easier to keep track of my projects and patterns.

2009-10-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

Yeah so my summer off of sewing, knitting and crafting...well I obviously was not in my right frame of mind. I had zero time to knit or sew, becuase if I wasn't nursing I was sleeping.
Ok, so now fall is here and I have my Ravelry favorites all stocked full of fun things I want to try.
I am thinking that for Christmas I might try to go handmade. I got the idea to do dishclothes and tribbles from one of my new fav podcast "Knit Together" It is a genious idea and I am not sure why I haven't thought about that before.
Right now I am working on a baby sweater for baby Kate. So far I have had to rip it out once b/c I find myself knitting whatever the heck I feel like knitting and completely straying from the pattern.
So the sweater is
Ripple Eyelet Baby Sweater and I am using Deborah Norville Serentiy Worsted Weight yarn in green. I saw it at Joann Fabrics on clearance for $1.97 so I grabbed it and it is working great for this swaeter.
Since I will have plenty left over I just might make her a hat and booties with the same yarn.

Getting back in the groove

2009-05-17T17:49:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I wandered away from my precious blog for about a year, I was well quite busy....Now I am in my 9th month of preganancy and will have the summer off, so what better to do than to sew, knit, crochet, etc! Which means I will have plenty of new creations to post to my blog.
Yes I will be busy with a new baby, but I will be sewing, because if this little child inside of me is a girl, I have a whole summer lined up of doing nothing but making baby clothes! Woohoo!

Sewing Clothing...

2008-07-26T17:08:00.001-07:00

Is something I think I may be interested in learning more about..It doesn't look to difficult...I guess if I can follow a pattern I should be ok..
My only problem...There are so many absolutly adorable things out there for girls...But what is there out there for boys? And maybe I am just looking to hard since all I have found were shorts and shirts, and well that is all my child wears...so maybe I don't need to look any farther than You Can Make This.

TWell's Quilt

2008-07-04T03:51:00.001-07:00

Well here it is..the Quilt is finished! Well here is the top laid out, but not yet sewn together. I am slacking and haven't taken any pictures of the completely finished version..But right now it is up on my son's bed, getting plenty of use.

Well after my little boo-boo when cutting the fabric for my son's quilt, I dug it out, got a little creative and was able to make the rest of the blocks that I needed. I am hoping this weekend that I can finish the top....Poor kid...I didn't think he was going to get the quilt finished before he started college.

Tote

2008-06-07T18:43:00.000-07:00

Since today was hot, I spent most of my day in front of my sewing machine and TWell played quietly in his play room so I had a few hours of me time.
I had some fat quaters lying around and decided to try my hand at putting together my own pattern and make myself a new purse.
I am a big fan of Tote style purses, so I whipped this up in no time. It took a total of three fat quaters to make, and since I stock up when they are on sale, total this bag cost me may five or six dollars when it was all said and done.
Since it was easy to make I will definately be making more and will attempt to put pockets and maybe a zipper in my next one.
With the left over fabric I have I will make a wallet or wristlet to match.
I think I will lovingly name this bag the "The Betsy Tote"

Who loves their puppy?

2008-05-19T17:12:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine does...Audrey, a peppy little Springer Spaniel will be celebrating her birthday Today.
Her Mom who loves her dearly will be throwing her a Doggyrific Birthday Bash, complete with an agility course and cake! What dog could ask for anything better?
You may be asking, well what kind of party favors would one give to their doggy guests???? Doggy Bandanas!
I was more than happy to make these bandanas for the pups, they were fun to make, and very quick and easy.

Elevator Etiquette

2008-05-03T05:05:00.000-07:00

This has nothing to do with sewing or knitting...This is just something that has been grating on my nerves for the past few days.
I work in an office building with 32 floors, so we have many elevators in our building are in use all day everyday. One thing I have noticed in the five years of being in this building is that office proffessionals have little or no elevator etiquette..is there even such a thing? If not there should be...and I would be happy to write the rules on how to act while waiting for an on an elevator...they would go something like this:
1) Do push the elevator call button once, not two, four, eight, or 49 times. The elevator will come...This is call being patient.
2) Once the elevator arrives do not crowd around the unopened door...I will bet 9 times out of 10 there are people on the elevator that would like to get off, just as much as you would like to get on. So if you crowd the opening door then everyone just stands there looking at each other, the doors close and the people wanting to get off end up taking another ride...Nobody wins.
3) Do not try to get onto the elevator before the people get off. Really I don't think this needs explaining, but well many people do lack common sense. Listen, let the people get off the elevator, because all you are doing is creating a traffic jam. Then you are ticking the exiters off and you causing all sorts of mass hysteria...This falls under the lesson on how to be PATIENT!!!
4) Do not crowd the elevator! This is actually should have been my number 1! Most elevators (unless it is a frieght elevator..which is intended for frieght) only hold maybe 8-10 people comfortably. If you notice that everyone's personal space in the elevator is being infringed upon by their elevator neighbor...DO NOT GET ON!!!!! Do not say Oh there is room for just one more, do not say I can...just... squeeze.. in...here...I (who always seems to end up in the way back corner) can only hold my breath for so long to keep from smelling the 90 different clognes and purfumes creating a toxic mixture threatening a pounding headache that is sure to ruin my day.
5) This rule falls under anywhere I may have to be exposed to your phone conversation. But I find it is most annoying in the elevator..the bathroom is the second place....Do not under any circumstances use your cell phone while on an elevator...****News Flash**** you won't get a signal! I barely get a signal on the most used highway in Connecticut! What makes you think you will get a signal in the elevator?!?!?!?! Kindly tell the person, I am getting in the elevator, I will call you back when I am in a location that I won't bother anyone! This is how a typical elevator cell phone conversation goes: " I know , can you believe it? she went out with him, that is so crazy, I can't belie...hello? can you hear me? are you there? what I can't hear you. WHAT WAS THAT? I AM IN THE ELEVATOR, CAN YOU HEAR ME? WAIT YOUR BREAKING UP..WHAT? HOLD ON, I WILL CALL YOU WHEN I GET TO MY DESK" Now really..tell me is that NECESSARY?!?!?!?!?! NO IT ISN'T!!!!!
6) If there is only two of us in the elevator, do not stand right next to me, if I can feel your breath on my shoulder you are too close...If I extend my arm and I hit you...you are too close...move over..
7) When exiting the elevator, be polite let the person in front of you get off before you barging your way through...that split second that it takes to be kind and let someone off who IS IN FRONT OF YOU! won't ruin your day or make you late...if you are running late...then you will still be late!
Ok..there I feel better now.........Next rant will be the use of public restrooms..that is another topic that just pops my bubbles...

Miracles do happen!

2008-04-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

Bertha sews again! A couple weeks ago my sewing machine went caput! I was so very sad, and left her on my sewing table for a few days until I was ready to pack her up and ship her off to big sewing machine in the sky.
I don't know what it was that posessed me to give her just one my try before pulling the plug, but I sat down, flipped her into the on position, gave her a few encouraging words and gently pressed down on the foot, and she purred like a kitten...I was never so happy to sew a seam in my entire life!
While I am still in the market for a new machine, I will continue to sew with this one, I just won't abuse her. No more overloading her..No need to make an entire quilt top in one day. So I have promised her that I will take it easy and will give her plenty of breaks...
Now soy ou all don't think I have lost all my marbles, I will stop talking about my sewing machine like she is a member of the family...

Tragedy

2008-03-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

"Bertha"

Unfortunately tragedy struck our family today at 2:45 pm Sunday afternoon. My beloved sewing machine "Bertha" died. Bertha was sewing happily along when she just lost her steam and her motor died. I tried to revive her but had no luck.
Bertha will be missed she had a long happy life.

The New baby sweater pattern

2008-03-25T17:57:00.000-07:00

Well the first attempt at a baby sweater didn't go so well. So I am about to pick up the sticks for another go round. We will see how this one goes and hopefully I can get the sweater done before the baby is born...

Checkbook Cover

2008-03-18T12:48:00.000-07:00

So in my quest to start sewing accessories, I also put together a little checkbook cover. I made it up as I went along, so I will be interested to see if I can do it again. Next time I will write everything down and maybe be daring enough to put together a little ebook to share with all my adoring fans.

Quilted Wallet

2008-03-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

that*darn*kat Quilted Wallet Pattern
Most of my sewing abilities have been geared towards quilting. I never really ventured into making clothing or accessories, but there is a first time for everything. The hard part of this whole thing was finding a free pattern that I liked. I couldn't see buying a pattern to find out that this type of sewing wasn't for me.
So after searching and searching I came accross a quilted wallet pattern that I liked, printed it out and sat down determined to build a wallet.
The pattern I found was more of a tutorial, the instructions were kind of hard for me to follow at times, but I got through it with minimal cursing and no broken needles.
The part that really scared me was the top stitching. My top stitching could have been better, but with practice I am sure I will get better at it.

Update on the Baby Sweater

2008-03-04T18:34:00.000-08:00

So the five hour baby sweater has been scrapped. After going back to the beginning of the pattern, I realized that the sweater I was working on was going to fit a premie. So The five hour baby sweater is now siting in a heap of unraveled yarn. I still have a month to get another sweater finished.

Neck and shoulders

5 Hour Baby Sweater
I am working a baby sweater for a co-worker of mine, it is a really cute pattern and well if I sat down one day and just worked on the sweater I would get the "5 Hour Baby Sweater" done in five hours....
But I have been slacking and only have been working on it during my lunch hours. I choose a very pretty purple and I am using Caron's Simply Soft. I prefer that over baby yarn since it is softer in my opinion. Although I am not one to follow the rules and never use the type of yarn a pattern calls for.

Dying Yarn

2008-02-26T17:19:00.000-08:00

Purple and Orange Kool-Aid Yarn

Orange Kool-Aid Yarn

Purple Kool-Aid Yarn

So I decided to try out yarn dying, and let me tell you, it was really neat. Not only are the colors very vibrant but they smell yummy as well.
Since I have a young child I figured the best thing to try would be dying with Kool-Aid, since it was the least messiest and quickest way to dye.
Luckily I found two 50 gram balls of white wool at JoAnn's on clearance, so that way if I screwed up I would have only been out two bucks. I then headed to the grocery store to pick up some Kool-Aid for my little experiment.
While researching my little project I learned that you can only dye animal fibers with Kool Aid, so make sure what ever yarn you get is 100% animal fiber.
Now the instructions I followed said that you should use two packets of kool aid per 50 grams of yarn. In the two samples I did, I found that I should have used three packets for 50 grams of yarn. I wasn't too upset that I only used to packets because I got this really cool veriegated look.
You can find the instructions by clicking here
Kool-Aid Yarn Instructions

Comforting Gifts

2008-02-23T05:58:00.000-08:00

I was 25 years old when my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer for the second time. When I got the phone call I knew that this was it and it wouldn't be long until we would have to say good bye to my mother.
I was at work when I got the call from my mom, she was very calm but I could hear the fear in her voice asking me to come home.
On the drive home I was numb. Five years previous my mother was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, when through an operation and chemotherapy. Once her chemo was completed she was in the clear, we knew that there was a chance it would come back but since she had made it five years without any issues I thought we were good.
July 14, 2001 I drove home trying to figure out how this happened, it wasn't fair.
As time went by my mother's health got worse, she was in and out of the hospital, receiving chemo, had visiting nurses, etc.
One day I think it was in October we got a package addressed to my brother and I. When we opened it there were two lap blankets in there. There wasn't a note or a letter, but each blanket had a label on it that said "Binky Patrol"
I gave my brother his blanket and made my way upstairs to my room, and for the first time I let myself cry.
The Binky Patrol is still around giving gifts of comfort to children. So now, 7 years later it is my turn to return the favor and make a blanket for the Binky Patrol.
If you are interested in learning more about the Binky Patrol, please visit their webite at www.binkypatrol.org

Prayer Shawl

2008-02-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

About a year ago I discovered my church had a prayer shawl ministry. If you have never knitted or crocheted a prayer shawl, I strongly suggest you do. I could not believe how wonderful I felt when the shawl was done. It was beatiful and I knew that who ever would get it would be comforted by something that I created.
Prayer shawls can be given for any reason, a birth, a death, graduation, a friend going a mission trip, there are so many opportunities to give.

Measure twice cut once!

2008-02-21T17:32:00.000-08:00

Soooo...If I can only offer once peice of advice, it would be DO NOT CUT FABRIC WHEN YOU ARE TIRED!!!!!

I being the great mommy that I am, decided it was time to make my son a quilt, and since he is into fire trucks and police cars and all things that have flashing lights and make noise I figured an "emergancy vehicle" quilt would be great.

While driving back to my mother in law's house one day I spotted a billboard advertising a quilt shop. Now since we were driving 65 mph and I saw it at the last minute, I informed my darling husband that we needed to turn around and go back to see the billboard so we could find out where the quilt shop was. Now if any of you are familiar with the southeast section of Missouri you have to drive for 15 minutes just to get back on the highway going the oposite direction and then another 10 minutes to get back to the billboard. Either way, I found my quilt shop.

It was a great little store in Neosho Missouri called Bitter Sweet Quilts, the woman who owned it was so nice and the store brought back a lot of memories of my mom's store.

Ok...I found the fabric and the pattern that I wanted to use for the quilt, now I am sure by know you are thinking, surely she bought extra fabric...No no..why would I do that, that would be the logical thing to do..

Fast forward to one saturday night at oh around 9:30pm, I am tired, but I figure hey my son is in bed, great time to start the quilt, so I start cutting. Since the pattern consists of large peices the cutting went quickly...cutting done,...went to bed...The following Saturday, I was going to peice the top of the quilt..sewing...sewing... sewing...hmmm I only have five completed blocks...why you may ask???? Well I in my exhaustion cut 5 strips the correct length and 20 strips one inch too short.

This is what I should have...

This is what I ended up with 20 of...

Log Cabin Quilt

2008-02-19T18:57:00.000-08:00

My mother was quite a crafty person, no matter what it was she did, it always was beautiful. I can't even list all the crafts that she did, but I think I have to say quilting was her favorite. She owned her own quilt shop for quite awhile. Unfortunately she had to sell her business when she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Even while she was sick and going through chemotherapy she still quilted.

My mother completed her journey with us on November 17, 2001, and while I was going through some of her things I found this quilt top, she was famous for putting together a bunch of quilt tops and then once she got a few completed she would sit and quilt them. When she quilted she would be in her own little world. My father would joke about how the house could burn down around her and she would keep on quilting without even noticing...

Irish Hiking Wrist Warmer

2008-02-18T18:19:00.000-08:00

Irish Hiking Wrist Warmers

Well, I obviously needed wrist warmers to go with my Irish Hiking Scarf. Obviously, as you can see from the pictures that for what ever reason I didn't feel the need to knit these at the same time, so one of them is about an inch longer than the other. Oh well, we will just call it a design feature. I only wear these around the house so they don't need to be perfect. Although when I knit up the next pair, you bet your patooty A I will do both of them at the same time.

Stay tuned for the "Irish Hiking Blanket" that will be my newest knitting project.

Irish Hiking Scarf

2008-02-18T13:44:00.000-08:00

Irish Hiking Scarf
This is a very easy cable pattern. It knits up very quickly, and it a great pattern for those who want to learn how to knit cables.

Basket Weave Scarf

2008-02-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Having had knit myself a scarf for ths winter, it dawned on me that my 2.5 year old son didn't have a scarf, and since he didn't like his coat zipped all the way up he definately needed one. I had a skein if Simply Soft by Caron that I didn't have any plans for. I don't even know why I had bought it in the first place, but either way it is a great yarn to use for a scarf since it is very soft, hence the name.
I did a simple basket weave pattern, using size 8 needles I casted on 31 stitches and knitted for about 21 inches. Long enough to fit comfortabley around a toddler's neck.
The great thing about the Simply Soft yarn is that no matter how much my son stretches his scarf out, it goes back to it's original shape.