The week ahead...

I finally finished the third pair of flannel sleep pants for me and one for Erik. These all got pockets, at Erik's suggestion. For the cell phone, of course, and sometimes the iPod. I still need to pre-wash the flannel for the Christmas sleep pants for him, my nephew, and my niece so I can get those cut out. That's my goal for the week, so maybe Friday night I can start the sewing. I still haven't decided what color T shirts to buy from ACM to go with them. Or if I'm going to embroider penguins on the fronts or just applique a penguin cut out from the flannel.

It's gonna be a busy week - two 4H meetings (one with a party), soccer practice, holiday pot luck at work, gifts to wrap (and in some cases finish making!), dog obedience workout, holiday cards to get into the mail. I'm going to have to be extra careful to not over-indulge in the food department and to get enough sleep. I need my bus commuting for knitting, not napping!

Sewing in 2009, day 3

Rag Flannel #1 done! It really is fluffier than it appears in the photo, and it's super super soft. In the mail it goes tomorrow!
Other sewing today, I cut out a pair of flannel sleep pants for DS, fleece pjs for DS, and drafted a PMB PJ pattern for me!
At Scrapbooking I completed an 11 page pre-made baby boy album for a co-worker who had a baby boy last month. That will go to the recipient this week too!

2009 Sewing Resolutions

I posted these to a sewing list tonight:

Use my embroidery machine more
Make Christmas gifts earlier
Sew one thing for me each month
Find a TNT pants pattern for myself!
Use more fabric than I buy

The first one is easy, as I don't think I used the embroidery machine once in 2008! I will keep track of my resolutions in the sidebar!
Feel free to remind me if I start slacking off!

Quick Project

This morning I was digging through a box of stuff that I had moved from the bedroom into the sewing room and came across a set of round bamboo purse handles. I really don't remember buying them, but suspect they were on a clearance table somewhere and I thought, gee, maybe I'll make a purse! Then I spied a yard of cotton print that I thought might make a nice bright pillowcase - a couple of years ago. Ah-ha! A tote bag! I made it up as I went along, learned a few things for the "next time," but liked it so much I might make a few for Christmas gifts. Will have to keep an eye out for the 50% notions wall sales at JoAnn's.I love how the large lizard is centered - purely by accident, I assure you!
While I was making this I realized I should be taking pictures as I go along, especially when I figured out how to stitch the bag onto the handle! I was too lazy to stop, go downstairs and get the camera. I think I need to keep a small camera in the sewing room.

I sewed!

It's wonderful having the sewing room set up. Well, at least set up enough to sew. last weekend DH bought a new panini grill/griddle, the Griddler, with removable cooking plates. I realized the plates that weren't in the grill at the time would need a protective cover, so stash to the rescue! I had a cotton remnant that I liked but had not a clue what it was going to be, and it was the perfect size for this! I made padded (with scrap fleece) book-cover like sleeves to protect them.

Then, Thanksgiving morning DH wanted a warming pad but I couldn't find the rice warmer I'd made last winter. Once again, stash to the rescue, and two were made in fast order. OK, nothing major, nothing that required a pattern or fitting, but that will be soon.

My "to do" list includes (in no particular order yet):

• Simplicity 4886, in the teal moleskin from Veteran's Day sale


• flannel sleep pants for me


• knit pjs for DS


• new bras (for me LOL!)


• doll clothes


• robe for DS


• robe for me (pink fleece!)


• purse for me


• dog applique sweatshirt for me, maybe a couple for gifts


• Christmas pjs for DS, niece, nephew

Where to start?!

It is done!

First, the flannel was cut into 6 inch wide strips.

Strips were sewn together, two red to two black per seam. I did sets of 6 alternating strips.

Then the panels were cut crosswise in 6 inch strips.

Those strips were sewn so all the seam allowances are on the same side, in a checkerboard pattern.
Then the snipping began! For an entire day the quilt went with me almost everywhere, including a restaurant!







After 3 trips thru the washer and dryer, and a little trimming and reinforcement stitching, it was done! Before 9pm the night before it was to be given too - probably a record for me!

Present Progress Presently

Saturday was cut cut cut. Sunday was sew sew sew. Today was snip snip snip. Tonight/tomorrow will be wash/dry, wash/dry, wash/dry. Figured it out yet? Shhh - pictures will post Wednesday!

The baby shower rag quilt is on hold for now.

E's 4th grade awards ceremony and picnic was today. He ended up with straight A's in the major subjects all 4 quarters! Wow! A few days ago we came across my old elementary report cards and I wasn't even close! The really cool thing about today's festivities (definitely NOT the weather) was that DH surprised us both by showing up shortly before it began! He had wanted to come, but today was his last day for teachers where he works. After about 30 min of a meeting, he told his boss/principal he was going to leave for the day!

More tomorow..right now I have to make a few thank you cards while I wait for wash cycle #1 to complete!