Fun with knits

I have had all my fancy machines working hard the past couple of days. They stitch knits so efficiently, but changing colors is pretty labor intensive. Plus if I have the same color on the sewing machine, cover lock and serger, that is a total of eight spools. I will sometimes compromise, but it depends. I have lots of spools of white and black, plus gray and navy, but the other colors I have to use bobbins or a different color, especially if it won't show. 

Gonna wear my new red skirt tomorrow!

 My mom loves her simple knit jumpers.
This one is a soft knit in navy. 

 To donate to the CASA Gala. 

Just the skirt. 

A reflection on January

Not a lot of sewing got done this month, at least not what I had in mind. Instead these things happened. 

Joined Weight Watchers and attended weekly. I am very close to my goal.
Started back to Jazzercise and did 25 classes in January! Plus got back to my Class Manager job. 
Made a LOT of Hug-A-Bear faces (my other face maker has retired)
Shopped for Hug-A-Bear fabric and made up packets for the sewers. 
Attended the lovely CASA gala and DANCED!
Hosted my precious son for 24 hours.
Cleaned out my closet of clothing that doesn't fit, went through a "figure change" due to age or chemo.
Attended meetings, lunches, studies, yoga.
Hosted a New Year's Day brunch and a Men's Breakfast in our home. 
Dealt with TWO, yes TWO computer crashes, it did it again folks! 
Had a doctor appointment, attended a birthday party, and made about 8 dozen cookies that got shipped off to at least 8 different places, and I still have three more boxes to fill and ship before Valentine's Day. 

It's been a full fun month, but sewing was NOT the highlight of January, it seems people were! Plus (and this is the best part) I am feeling FABULOUS!  I have recovered from my adventures with cancer and finally purged all that nasty stuff they put in me to make me well. Which is probably why all this fun stuff happened in January, and sewing took a back seat. 

Two Easter dresses PLUS!

I have my Baby K coming! Can't wait to play, play, play.

Had fun designing and making a couple of fun little spring dresses for her. Nothing beats a sweet little girls dress for cute, except the little person IN the dress.

I decided to take a picture of the fabric that I was going to use for the project. I know my daughter-in-law likes the Michael Miller fabrics and they are really nice cottons to work with, plus great little designs. The theme is butterflies since we are going to see them during Baby K's visit.


I really like the white/pink/red dress and the little buttons and piping. The black one didn't turn out quite like I wanted. I was going for the Easter egg trim idea. It's OK, just not what was in my head. At least they are one of a kind for a one of a kind little lady that I love. We'll see if I have time to get a little nightgown done for her before she gets here. Got some vacuuming to do first! Yuck . . . housework.



I was delighted to get a photo of the little cutie wearing a CASA dress that I made. This little one's relative was willing to donate to CASA and I was certainly willing to make another little outfit, purse and hat. Apparently there is a set of keys being carried in that purse, we do start young, don't we? A great cause and a fun way to make a donation.

CASA donation for 2012

I spent two whole days on this one. For the 2012 CASA Gala. I love making a little ensemble each year and always hope that someone will bid high! These dresses are so much fun, and this is a pattern I first used about four years ago to make an Easter dress, hat, vest and purse for my little Lulu. There is a picture of her in it WAY at the beginning of all this rambling. I just love the pattern and all the details of the piping and such. A lot of work, but a fun little dress to make.

The vest is reversible and really changes up the look. The fabric has a bit of a sparkle to it that really makes it fun.


Add the purse and hat and it's just too cute, can't stand it. Bid high!

Donations

Our church is having a silent auction coming up in April. I always enjoy making stuff, using up the last bits of stuff and just choosing a fun pattern/fabric. So this is this years donations. The dresses are six month size. Sweet.

When I am not sewing (which is rare!)

Sometimes I sew for others. Sometimes I do this and that. So when there is a break in my blogs, we may be out and about visiting babies, seeing ballets or baseball, or I might be doing something else. These are some of my recent activities that I want to remember. I am so blessed with fun and creative and sometimes challenging projects.

This first one is from a church auction. Some friends want a sign painted on their back patio. This is the test for size and style. The letters are eight inches high.



Then there are the little Hug-A-Bears our church (and other churches) supply to the local hospital to comfort little ones who come in. Apparently they make a difference.



Calligraphy is something else I love to do. I seem to be the "go to" girl for Baptisms, Marriages, New Members and any time a little fancy writing is required. I sure enjoy doing it, as I can be home and do it on my schedule.



So . . . break time is generally just time to do something else. How I ever got so lucky to be in a position to do what I do . . . Thank you Lord. I am one happy camper.

If I were FIVE! CASA donation.

We support our local foster care organization through the Court Appointed Special Advocates. The folks that volunteer for this are the children's voice when they can't speak for themselves. Each year we hear stories of children's whose lives are changed because someone cares enough to reach out and invest their time and energy for this amazing organization. We are not in a position to foster, but we can help by making donations to their fundraising efforts. Since sewing adorable children's clothes is one of my "things" I have fun each year coming up with something rather special to donate. I bought this pink fabric a while back just cause it made me smile. I had purchased the pattern for the same reason. And if I were five years old, this would be my FAVORITE dress! I just adore it, it is perfectly wonderfully CUTE and PERKY and FUN.

The only thing I might add is white piping at the hem. I think it will add that little extra pop that will enhance the dress. The purse has it on the flap.

Between the lining and the fabric I put some netting to help the skirt stand out a bit. So cute.

An adorable little purse to match the dress. Super fun!! I might add a special little bling thing to the front flap. There is a snap underneath.

Detail of purse with little butterfly applique.

My children have a heart for foster/adoption with the two that are married experiencing the highs and lows of this very emotional and sometimes stressful experiece. One has since been adopted and the other is hopefully very close. What a special joy and blessing these little people have been to us and the entire family and how lucky THEY were to find us. We love them so much.

My prayers have been for all the little children in foster care or in need of adoption, and for those who care for them. God bless ALL the little children. They are precious in HIS sight.

Cute, cute, cute for CASA

It is time for me to start thinking about little dresses to donate to CASA. This is a cute little everyday dress. I hope to also make a party type dress for a little one as well. I must admit designing and making little girls dresses is SO fun. And generally they don't take too long, so even more satisfying.