Monday, October 29, 2012

Sandy

We are in the mist of Hurricane Sandy at the moment. We have wood ready, we have our canned goods, we have water everyone has showered, some laundry is done. Now we wait. I will update later on with what has happened so far. As of now, kids have no school Monday and Tuesday!

Have a good night, and stay safe
Kristen

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Alive and well!

Things have seemed crazy, I am working every night I am available. So days feel like crunch time to me. I have been exhausted from the late nights. Not much sewing has happened. I did however win the stash game by .4, less than half a point.

Some big things around here lately

Someone lost another tooth. I tell you the missing tooth looks cute yet silly. The second is close on its way.
October 22 was the 6 year anniversary of my Mother in Laws passing.
 


Jack was asleep in the car, but he helped me pick the flowers out for her. A daisy, a sunflower and a pink rose.
In honor of her I go this about 2 weeks ago


We saw this on the way home from grocery shopping one day


Here is just some of what I have made lately
Hoodie for a bday gift


Fingerless gloves for my baby girl. I am debating making a tutorial for these if you are interested in that please do let me know.

Finally finished this for Lily
Thats all for now,
Hope you have a great day
Kristen




 

Sunday, October 14, 2012

From tee to cardigan

Now on to the tutorial. We are going to be changing a plain, everyday tee shirt into a cardigan similar to this.



















All you are going to need for this is:

a tee shirt

gross grain ribbon to match (or not if you prefer)

a lighter or flame source

a sewing machine

scissors

pins




Step one, is the tee shirt. We are going to be cutting it down the center, make sure you press to get all the wrinkles out of it. I recommend prewashing and drying prior to doing this.

























Step 2: Turn the shirt inside out, matching up the side seams and shoulder seams as evenly as possible. I did mine inside out because I found it easier to find the center front.















Step 3: Once you are absolutely sure you have the found the center. Check again to double check ;). Now you are doing to cut on the center fold line you created by folding the front in half.






















See all cut.






















Step 4: now wear are going to heat seal the ends of our ribbon. You could use fray check if you like, but I much prefer a good old fashioned flame. Simply run the flame close to the edge of the ribbon. You will see the ends start to melt. Its really as easy as that.















Step 5: Press the ribbon in half length wise to almost form a bias tape.
















Step 6: 'wrap' the ribbon round the edges of the center front . Making sure that you don't pull the shirt down, and pin it. I folded the top and bottom of my ribbon under so no edges were shown or hanging out to itch sensitive little necks.























Step 7: Sew the ribbon , I sewed close to the edges of the ribbon.

















Step 8: Add a clasp to the top if you chose, I used a large hook and eye. Now its time to proudly wear your new cardigan.

Here is Lily in a dress I made her for Christmas that she could not wait to wear but had to wait because the dress is short sleeves. She is absolutely thrilled and looks mighty cute if I must say so myself.

























Dress pattern is the Holiday Dress from Birdiful Stitches on Etsy. Sorry no tutorial on how I used a woven instead of a knit. But basically I made her a size 6, added seam allowance, cut the center back and used a zipper.


If you have any questions feel free to comment or email me.

Weekly Menu

I am back to weekly menu, officially. It is only official because I made a complete menu and list. For anyone interested here is what we are eating this week.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AowOyx0kEkDmdE5wVXUtUWVmYXZweTV6VDVDLWdYOEE#gid=0

Have any questions let me know.

Have a great day,
Kristen

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Two for One

I have 2 things to share with you today. First a pattern and second a tutorial!!
 
 
 
 
Action Fingers
 
 
 
 

 

I first worked these fingerless gloves up for my two little girls to match some leg warmers that I had made, and they love them. I quickly decided I need various sizes and started making them for a bazaar. Everyone fell in love with them, so I decided to share them with you!. These are available in toddler, kiddie, youth, adult and XLarge. They will fit almost anyone. The fingerless gloves are worked from the top down for a customized length, and in the round so there is absolutely NO seaming involved. The possibilities for these are endless, I am providing you with a quick easy version in stockinette stitch. When making your own pair experiment with ribbing or color work.

 

Skill Level: Beginer

 

Materials:

 small amount of a worsted wieght yarn ( I used vannas choice)

size 7 needles (DPN or circular)

 stitch marker

 yarn needle.

 

Gauge: 4SPI, or 16 stitches in 4 inches. row gauge doesnt matter since we are working to a measurement.

 

sizes:

Toddler, Kiddie, Youth, Adult, XLarge, Mens

 

Stitch Guide:

2X2 ribbing = K2, P2 * around to end

Stockinette stitch = in the round it is knitting all stitches

BO = bind off

CO = Cast on

 

 Pattern is written for the smallest size with all larger sizes in parenthesis.

 

CO 24(24, 28, 32, 36, 40)

Evenly distribute the stitches between which ever type of  needles you decide to use, whether it be DPN or on long circular for working in the round. Place a marker to mark the begining of each round.

Work 2x2 ribbing by alternating knitting 2 stitches and purling 2 stitches all the way around. Continue the ribbing for a total of 5 rows. * If you would prefer a tighter rib I encourage you to go down one or two needle sizes to achieve this.

We are now switching to stockinette stitch by just knitting all the stitches.( If you would like a tighter glove then continue with the ribbing. ) Continue in stockinette stitch untill entire piece measures 1 (1.5, 2, 2.75, 2.75, 3.5) inches

Thumb hole : knit 2 stitches, BO 3 ( 3, 4, 4, 5, 6) using Jennys Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off. Knit the remainder of the stitches to the end.

Knit 2 stitches, CO 3 (3, 4, 4, 5, 6) using a backwards loop cast on, knit to end.

Continue working in stockinette stitch until gloves measure 3.25 (4.25, 5.25, 6.25, 6.25, 7.25)" work  5 rows of 2x2 ribbing and BO using a stretchy bind off.

 
CopyRight All rights reserved.


A tutorial



Casting on for 2 at a time



Sometimes I think when knitting the worst part can be sleeves or legs, they seem to go on forever and then you need to make sure they are even. Well do get away with this I work them both at the same time.
I just recently wrote up my first pattern for fingerless gloves and wanted to use my easy way out. So I am sharing with you how I cast on and work two at a time. What you are going to need is yarn but thats a given, some double pointed needles and a long circular needle.
Wind your skein into 2 balls, or cakes whatever you prefer to work with.

To begin, Cast on all your stitches onto 1 DPN




Next up you are going to transfer half of those stitches to a second double pointed needle . Slip then purl wise onto the needle. It will look like this.
You are treating each end of the circular like its a separate needle (technically it is lol just attached) What you are going to do is slip them purlwise onto these needles. We are slipping them from where they are already joined NOT where they need to be joined. The working yarn and tail are at the other end of the DPN. Now slip these purlwise onto your circular needle. The tail and working yarn will be closest to your needle tips.



Here is a close up for you to see a lil better.




Do the same for the second arm/leg or wrist warmer what ever it is you are working 2 at a time on. From the second ball or cake of yarn.


Now you can start working in the round. The way to do this is lay your work out in front of you like I have, move the stitches w/ the tail yarn closest to the needles tip. Also slide the stitches attached to your working yarn to the cable, by pulling out that needle tip. Being careful not to twist your stitches. To avoid twisting I put all the 'ridges' to the center.



Be sure to place a stitch marker to mark the begining of your rounds. Here you can see I have worked 1/2 of 1 side of the fingerless glove



Contine working each side, making sure you are working each leg, arm, wrist or what ever it is from its own ball of yarn, otherwise you wil end up w/ a mess of joined pieces and might get confused. The yarn will be worked along a side, around the cable and along the second side.


I hope this was of some help to you all. If you already have live stitches you can just skip ahead and slip the stitches 1/2 on each needle onto your circular and just work them across, around the cable, and back across. I find it saves me time and lots of aggrivation. And will eliminate SECOND SOCK SYNDROM (insert dun dun dun right here) If you have any questions feel free to ask me and I will try to help you out.




Friday, October 12, 2012

Lets get serious for a second

As a parent I find myself constantly watching what I say. I am a believer that children learn from us, they watch and listen to everything! Whether we are often aware of it or not, there is usually a small being around ready to mimic or repeat anything they might hear. Its how they learn. The reason I bring this up is because I had an opportunity to pick Lily up from Gymnastics without her brother and sister yesterday and she brought up a conversation about what people say and feelings. I choose to take it as a learning moment and share with her what I felt was important information without it being a 'lesson' so to speak.
I dont remember exactly what she said but it was along the lines of someone being fat. I explained to her that being fat isnt healthy for a person, how it can affect thier heart and how the heart needs to work hard to pump blood through the entire body. I then went on to tell her that sometimes people are fat for a reason, could be medical, could be that they need help to get healthy and didnt have any or they could just not be ready to get healthy. But no matter what the reason be, whether a person is fat, or looks different we should never judge or say mean words about them because most of the time, people who may be overweight, or look differently they know it and saying words about it would surely make them sad. A few seconds passed and she whispers 'oh I probably shouldnt tell you then' My mommy radar went up, I wanted to know but I didnt want to scare her into telling me or scare her in general. Come to find out, mind you this is like a game of telephone and out of the mouth of my 7 year old, whom is very honest and caring. I guess a classmate of hers had said her mom (the classmates mom) had made comments to the classmate about my apperance, stating she thought I was pregnant again or could just be fat. The classmate then went on to tell my daughter she wasnt so say anything because 'my mom will kill you!'
I am not bothered by what could have been said because people are going to have thier own opinions on me and in general. But I get to choose how I let it affect me! And I am not going to let another persons opinions about me bring me down. Could I be at a healthier weight? Yes but cant we all! Am I fat? No I dont think so. And no I am not pregnant. The part that bothers me is how my sweet 7 year old must have felt when a classmate was saying these words about her mother. Then the 'my mom will kill you comment' We dont use that phrase at home try to keep our personal opinions about another to ourselves. Never have we shared an opinion about another in front of our children. We try to teach them its whats inside that counts! NO matter what a person looks like on the outside, they still have feelings, words still hurt them and they want to be accepted just the same as everyone else.  So please I urge you from one parent to another, regardless of your opinions please watch what you say in front or around your children. They will repeat it and it is more than likely going to come out in a completely different way than you may have intended it.
I am however very very proud of my sweet girl for having the courage to tell me. I am sure it took alot from her. AFter our conversation she was worried that I wouldnt let her be friends with this girl anymore. I can not lie, deep down a vindictive part wanted to call the school, find her on facebook, leave her messages, and tell my daughter to stay far away. But if I did that I would be stooping to that level. My daughter is a strong and smart little girl. She has a good head on her shoulders and knows right from wrong, and she surely proved it in this circumstance. I am sure there will come a time when there will be people I would rather her not be friends with. But my opinion is just that, my opinion! She can pick and choose her friends as long as she is safe and she is making good decisions.

That is all for my seriousness today.
In a few days I will be sharing some pretty amazing breast cancer awareness items for you all. But I must wait on some of them.

Have a great day,
Kristen

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Recent adventures in food

Here are some of our recent lunches, snacks and yummies!

An amazing desert we had one night. I swear I was making this fruit salad over and over again for the entire week
 
 

salad I had for lunch one day.






Lunches

 
 

 
 
 
 
 


I made these treats while Hubby watched football Sunday.

Taco bites

 
 
 
 
There was peperoni bread too but I didnt snap any pic's.
 
 
 
 
Have a great day,
Kristen

 

Monday, October 8, 2012

Change of plans!

Well I am not changing them I am just inserting something in front of them. See a certain small boy, decided on his own, WITHOUT my approval mind you that it was finally time to grow! At the moment his pants are boarderline short on him. Luckily I still do have a bunch of the tags still on the clothes I bought him for this year so I can exchange them for a larger size. But that means I get to sew for him. One of the sewing groups I belong too (yes there are more than one) is having a swap contest. For some reason there is nothing like a contest to light a fire under your bum and get sewing. This sewing contest is along the lines of a SWAP. SWAP means sewing with a plan.  Its basically 8 pieces, 3 tops, 3 bottoms and 2 miscelaneous pieces. This SWAP is an Ottobre one. Which means that at least  of the patterns must be from Ottobre. If you havent heard of them, they are another wonderful pattern, these are European and FIT!! Check them out if you get a chance.

Here is my rough draft.

Patterns
tops
Creative workshop 301
creative workshop 302
1/09 #22 Harava sweatshirt
1/09 #24 virkku polo shirt
1/08 #27 chimpanzee tshirt




bottoms
1/11 #26 bouncing forward cargos
3/10 #19 wailers ** lengthened to pants
3/05 #15 jeans/velveteen pants



misc.
6/11 #5 grandpa carigan
4/05 #19 childs bathrobe
1/08 #28 pocket hooded sweatshirt
3/05 #24 velour sweat jacket (modified to pullover)


Unfortunately as part of the rules I cant show off until the contest is finished which is October 27. I am a little late in signing up, as the contest offically started September 19. So I better get my bum moving. I think I have all my fabrics chosen and patterns. This is just a starter for me. I am sure the majority of sewing recently besides orders will be boy.

Well that is all for now. Especially since before I begin my Boy SWAP I need to make a pageant outfit and 12 diaper covers if I have the fabric for them. I know I have some PUL, how much is the question LOL.

For now I leave you with a quick wall hanging I made yesterday. It was quick and unperfect but I still think its cute.



I fibbed, one last thing before I leave. Dont forget that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Be aware and be safe.


Have a great day,
Kristen

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Just a new leo

Lily started gymnastics last week, and for her first class she wore a dance leotard and booty shorts. But me being me well I had to make her a new one, and specifically a gymnastics leotard. I combined Jalie 2443 and Jalie 2105


 



I came up with this. She had to pose LOL.



 
 
 She really likes it but in my modifying a H width and a K length I probably should have made it longer. She was picking her butt all night LOL. Ah well it was a lesson learned and I can make another with some length. 
 Not sure what is in store for tomorrow. I do however have a recent urge to make Jack a super hero quilt. He needs a back up afterall. He almost needs it, he is in underwear during the day, however at night he wears a pull up. I have to use night time pull up and most nights, if not all nights he wakes up wet. It gets very frustrating to change and wash his bedding daily. At this point there is an extra girls quilt, we have one but LJ doesnt. So guess that means I need two. I have had one for the girls started, originaly Lily since oh last year LOL. May be time to fix it.
 
Have a great day, or in my case night!
Kristen

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Inspiration

What or who inspires you?

That can be quite the loaded questions. Pending on what I am doing is what inspires me.  Lately I have been finding my sewing inspirations from a lovely lady N I found on the internet. We do not know each other personally and have only just recently spoken when I sent her a message letting her know her sewing inspired me. If you get a second head on over to Five and Counting. Her sewing is really lovely.
When it comes to lunches for kids I enjoy reading Jesse's blog here at Chaos and Confections. I know her from an online sewing group.
There are so many ways we can find inspiration, as a crafter I have found myself more than once taking a picture of an item in a store knowing I could make my own version without paying the prices that are tagged. What can I say I love to make new things and sometimes I dont always want to pay what is being asked. Not sure if that makes me cheap or creative LOL. Lately these are where I am finding some of my inspiration. Ok as well as Pintrest.

After nearly forgetting to take my son to the Library this am I managed to get some sewing in. Lucky for me he really does enjoy our weekly library trips. We try to go on Wednesdays where they have a preschool story time , they sing songs, ready books and do a project. He really does like it. But I do believe his favorite part is the display that changes weekly.  After this AM's library visit, we came home to wait for Avry, had lunch (tomato soup with cheese sandwiches) then mama got to work. I manage to sew up the afterschool blouse and a knitting tote for myself.

I really love the blouse, even if it may be a little short for my liking. I prefer length so they can grow some while wearing it. But I know for the future and I am sure I could add a band to the bottom of it at a later time if I chose to.




Here it is with the pants



And my knitting tote



I made a little inside pocket to hold patterns. I trimmed the top with bias tape and the sides and bottom with piping.



Would you believe that I may have signed up for another month of stash game but at a different sewing web site. I must be nuts. Two whole monthes without buying fabric, just notions. I have gone longer but it seems crazy.
While I am talking about stash games, let me tell you how I did last month and what it is. A stash game is basically a game to inspire you to sew from your fabric stash rather than buy. You get points for every yard sewn, and for notions used. You lose points for buying fabric. Its fun. Now in September I sewed up 1101 points, that breaks down to 102.25 yards of fabric. Yes that was one hundred and two. Crazy!! I used 113 notions (tags, snaps, interfacing ect. ) I am so very proud of myself and for how well I did. The winners have not been announced yet, but I beleive I was in the top 5 for all 4 weeks. Its doesnt matter who won, I feel I have accomplished so much in terms of sewing, I challanged myself, tried new things, and got things done.
Well thats all for today,
Hope you have a great day,
Kristen

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Oliver + S October

I had mentioned before my plans for October and Oliver + S but never got into details. I have recently found an Oliver LOVE. Could be a boarderline obsession but I am not ready to admit that. I have decide to use the month of October to sew all of my Oliver + S pattern. Maybe buy a few. We shall see. Today I will begin with the After-School Shirt and pants.
There is just something about these patterns, I am not sure what it is. They look comfortable, they are versitile, easy to alter and they fit!!
Today I managed the pants
 I added a cute hidden pocket detail on the bottom of the right leg. Avry LOVES them and has asked to wear them tomorrow.
I have the shirt traced out and ready to be sewn tomorrow.

Have a great day,
Kristen :)