Wednesday, January 25, 2012

destructive

I just realized I never did any resolutions for 2012. Probably because I didn't make any. I would love to say this is because every day is a new day and a new chance to change, but really, I was pretty lazy at New year's. That said, it is true you can change any time you decide to.

If I DID make a resolution though, it would have been to update this blog more. However, I don't have much new to report. I finished my black calorimetry, sort of. I didn't weave in the ends or find a button, but it does have a dressier look than I wanted for running. So I need to go through my yarn stash and find a yarn better for a running headband. I'm sure I have something.

I'm feeling a bit more destructive rather than creative lately. I broke my serger finishing the ends of towels. I also broke my VCR --don't judge. Both are fixed now.

Also, we recently did an overhaul of the craft room. My daughters have one side of the finished basement for their art and I have the other side for my sewing. The girls had these step two desks that they had outgrown, and a banquet table that they used. They also pile all kinds of stuff all over everything, had no where to put new things and basically were frustrated every time someone expected them to "clean the art room." So we spent 2 days of a recent 4 day weekend and cleaned off both desks, throwing away old things and recycling other things. And now the desks are out of here. We then cleaned off the banquet table--a 4 foot version and folded it up to put away. After the floor was clean we bought a new 6 foot table that the girls share (they had desk chairs at the banquet table). There is so much more space on their side of the room that it makes me feel like I should clean my side. The last time I attempted that I found several UFOs that I decided to complete (and haven't).

I wish I had taken before pictures of the art room. I suppose that is something to learn if I do decide to clean up my sewing space.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

calorimetry(s)

I have so many new project ideas spinning around in my head. I want to knit new cardigans for both of my girls, and was struggling to find a pattern that I liked. I had this idea in my head of top down raglan cardigans. And oh by the way they need to be kids size 10. I hit ravelry and the closest thing I cam up with is the tomboy cardigan, which I would do in long sleeves and in knit picks yarn. Except that one girl can't decide on a color. (the finalists are: dove heather, denim, orange, and a turquoise whose color name is slipping from my mind). So I can't order. Then I was noticing that knit picks is now selling silk hankies for spinning and ever since the Yarn Harlot posted about knitting knit hankies into mittens I've wanted to try it.

This is all not to say that I have not been knitting, because yes I have. I have been knitting calorimetries. It all started because I lost the one I was wearing to run with and I wanted to make a new one. So I took some leftover purple yarn from my estelle sweater and knit one. It was co-opted by my daughter enough I don't have a picture of it.
So then my other daughter was like HEY! and so I knit her one in pink:
calorimetry
I used Vintage by berrocco, but I'm not linking because I'm lazy. It took so little yarn too.
I like the button, which was leftover from another project:
button

So now I am finally knitting myself one... in black because no one likes black. I may look for a rhinestone button--mine is in Silky Wool. Actually I may have to do a different one to run in as that is sounding like I have visions of fanciness in my head. At least they are quick.

And of course I always have a sock going:
firehouse

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Doll clothes

It occurred to me the other day that I never finished showing off the doll clothes. Probably because I finished so last minute that I sewed on snaps and wrapped. So anyway, the doll clothes were a hit, although the dolls do not get played with as much as say barbies. Also I had a pair of "leggings" not fit.
Anyway, here are the clothes:
First a jumper and blouse (this is the one with leggings to match that didn't go over the dolls posterior) :
jumper

I just loved making this one. I bought that fabric originally to make a skirt for me, but that didn't work out so I cut it up for doll dresses! I also made the shirt and leggings (same pattern, maybe this doll likes ice cream less or something!)
clothes

I actually made two coats. The other coat was pronounced the FAVORITE and did not get photographed. I made it from fleece leftover from a coat I made me. This one is made from fleece left over from a LOT of projects, but notably the stuffed alien I made her many many years ago.
Doll coat

I did enjoy making doll clothes and I promised to remake the leggings. So I may be doing more of that in the future. I've had a bad case of the I do not want to do anythings and so have started on a sock and am dreaming up a big knitting project. But I haven't actually finished either yet.