Vacation

Yes, I know--that title is just the essence of creativity.  But, it is nonetheless descriptive.  I've had this whole week off of work.  (I decided to use some of my vacation time to create my own "October Break".)  It has been fabulous!  I've been getting all sorts of things done.  I will now leave you with a list of random samplings from my week, as well as some pictures.

This week I've:

• Made a hat for Nephew T
• Washed my car (Lucy's first bath!  Except then it sounds like a child instead of a car, but you get the point)
• Made something else that will remain a secret for another, eh, 2 weeks
• Made up my own pattern (if you really want to call it that) for a crocheted flower

Isn't it cute?

•  Got some new music
• Sewed (most of) a skirt
• Watched a few movies (Penelope, anyone?)
• And organized my yarn stash

Guys, I think I'm turning into a yarn hoarder.

Yes, that entire basket is full.

These wouldn't fit in the basket.

This was a gift, and it all fits in the original bag so nicely...

My current project--in yet another bag.

Eep!  Soon it won't all fit in my closet!

Craftiness: Easter Edition

Guess who came over for a play date last week?  

Ken!

For some reason, I was feeling really ambitious and decided to make my Easter dress.  The pattern was simple enough (hooray for raglan sleeves!) and after a few...*ahem* disagreements with Ken and the knit fabric I was using (yes, I do yell at inanimate objects), it actually wasn't too bad.  Of course, the hem isn't actually "finished" (knit doesn't unravel, so who cares if it's just cut instead of sewn?), but I finished it in time for church last Sunday.  Hooray!  Here it is!

Umm...so this may or may not have been sitting wadded up for the past week before I took the picture...

It's just a basic wrap dress--I know these pictures don't give you the full effect, but I really didn't get any of me in the dress.  Maybe later.  Oh, and you obviously can't tell from the pictures, but the fabric is about the softest stuff ever.  Mmm....

Ultimate Sewing Machine Smackdown!

Tonight, two sewing machines are going to face off in Battle: Apron!  Let's take a look at our competitors!  

The reigning champ (kind-of): SVEN!!!

What, you don't remember Sven?  Here, maybe his glamour shot will jog your memory.

Ooh, look at those awesome buttons....

OK, everybody remember?  Good.  Now, back to the program!

In the other corner, we have the newcomer: KEN!!!

My sister was nice enough to share Ken's awesomeness with me.

So new...and shiny...

It's going to be a battle for the history books, folks!  Let's see what happens!

Round 1: Ooh, looks like Ken's got pretty good technique, there.  I mean, look at him: he doesn't ever snag the fabric!  When's the last time we saw Sven do that?  Ken's action's so smooth!  I just don't think Sven can compete, poor old-timer.  Well, I think we have a winner!

Round 1 goes to: Ken!

Round 2: It looks like Sven is trying to prove that he's got some decency left in him!  Ah, look, he's playing nice!  I was a bit worried when he kept messing up that gathering stitch, but it looks like a quick consultation with the manual fixed the problem.  Wow, he's sewing over 3 layers of fabric!  It's gotta be the metal--Ken's smooth plastic body is looking a bit flimsy now!  What?!  You're telling me that Sven took care of nearly the entire construction all by himself?!  If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes, I never would have believed it!  Ooh, sorry, Ken, but it looks like your time is up!

Round 2 goes to: Sven!

Round 3: Well, the match is all tied up now, folks!  They say the third round is the toughest, but--oh, no, it isn't--it is!  The dreaded buttonhole!  Sven looks like he's willing to take a crack at it:

I swear, this thing hates me.  I could only get this hideous buttonhole done because my mom was there.  Sven kind-of has a thing for her.

This was even a second attempt--trust me, the first one was worse.

Ooh, that doesn't look good for Sven!  That buttonhole looks pretty nasty.  It looks like Ken's going in for the kill!  What's this? *gasp*  An automatic buttonholer?!  Where in the blazes did that come from?!  Well, I think it's pretty obvious where this is going, folks. 

Round 3 goes to: Ken!

Well, it's been tough to watch at times, but it looks like this battle has been decided.  After winning 2 rounds and the hearts of seamstresses throughout the stadium, the winner of tonight's ULTIMATE SEWING MACHINE SMACKDOWN is:

Ken!!!

So sorry, Sven.  Better luck next time!

Oh, yeah, guess I should show you what I made.  Here it is!

Disregard my retarded face in this one...

Yeah, I thought it turned out pretty cute.  And it was super easy!  My sister found the tutorial here, although we made a few adjustments (or wanted to after it was done), so let me know if you plan on making it yourself and I'll fill you in.

And...done.

End time: 5:50 pm yesterday (give or take a few minutes)

I don't really want to say much about it in case any of you haven't finished it yet (or haven't started but intend to some day in the future).  I'm also not quite sure what I feel about it.  I think, though, there's a good possibility that I didn't like it a whole lot.  But, there are lots of reasons behind that.  Moving on...

I realized a week ago or so that I only have one pair of summer pajamas.  And the pants are kind-of hot (temperature, not fashion-wise--although I still think they're cute).  So, being the extremely crafty person I am (haha), I decided to make my own shorts.  I guess the fact that every pair of pajama shorts I've seen in stores lately hits mid-to-upper thigh helped just a bit.  And here they are!

Yeah, definitely didn't make the shirt.  Thank goodness Target has cheap sleep shirts.

 

Now, making these should have been easy.  Ha, you forget who's doing this project.  I cut out the pattern wrong, put the first buttonhole in the wrong place, and completely missed the second buttonhole until both legs were already sewn together.  Oh, and then there's that lovely Viking--I shall call him Sven.  That sewing machine and I just don't see eye-to-eye.  Ever.  (He likes my mom, not me.)  I keep telling myself, "Hey, I should go sew something to get better at it.  It'll be fun!"  But, after the first five minutes, I'm usually yelling at something: the pattern, the fabric, Sven, you name it.  I'm not a very patient sewer.  Maybe in time...

Anyways, um...yeah, that's about it.