Tuesday, December 17, 2013

My Sister is SOOOOOOOOOOO Loved.

Both my sisters are so spoiled.  Well we each spoil one another.  My older Sister, Misty wanted a beret and ruffle scarf for her Birthday December 1, 2013.   I kept promising her I would get it done for her and finally, an hour before church this past Sunday, I made it for her.  She was so elated  she  hasn't stopped thanking me.  She even cheesed for a picture after church for me to share with you guys.
 
 
I posted this picture on my Face Book page, now I have to make a few more.  Happy Sewing!

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Scarves for Christmas!

I've been busy.  I love scarves and especially infinity scarves.  I thought I would make a few for my Christmas Bizarre at church this Saturday.  Our church has an annual Prayer Breakfast and my sister and I set up a table an sell our wares.  The last couple of years I concentrated on wristlets, handbags, and purses.  This year I am focusing on my scarves, wristlets and a few potholders and such.  I think I try to do way too much and of course procrastinate.   I also make the felt flowers and give them as free gifts. 




 
 
Happy Sewing!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Project Close to My Heart

I was contracted by a friend to make scarves as Christmas presents for her family and friends out of her deceased father's neckties.  I was thrilled to do this even in the midst of a crazy Christmas season of sewing.  Her father was my former Pastor and he baptized my son when he was 18 months old.  So I felt honored when she asked me to this.   Initially we spoke about me making 20 or more scarves but because she didn't have enough neckties we decided to do only 8.  I made a sample for her to see how it would come out, and here it is:


 
 
We decided to make it about 6 inches longer.   The backing is a silky minky knit but not with a lot of stretch at all.
 
I ran into some challenges as some of the ties are silk and some are polyester, and since they are cut on the bias, there is a lot of stretching.  I was thinking about using a stabilizer before I sew on backing.  What do you guys think?
 
Happy Sewing!
 


Thursday, November 21, 2013

Wedding Outfit Inspiration: Nia Long’s Wintery White


I am attending a wedding December 21, 2013 and was looking through my pattern stash trying to find a simple but elegant enough outfit to wear.  I wanted something that was simple enough to make that I could probably get a couple of wears out of.  Nothing too dressy, just comfortable, and not dressed down.  The wedding is not an extravagant affair but knowing this person (my Aunt), it will be a very nice affair.  

I was online looking through my emails and this magazine cover literally jumped out and slapped me smack in the head:

 

Picture courtesy of HeartandSoulMagazine.com
 
 
 I love this dress on Nia Long.  It is simple but elegant, and I want to wear that dress to the Wedding.  So I am mapping out my strategy. 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Thank You All! A Happy Jacket - New Look 6231


First I would like to thank all of my Blogging Buddies for the well wishes, prayers and kind thoughts.  I am well past my kidney stone saga.  I hope and pray that experience fade from my memory very, very soon.   It has been sometime since I suffered through a kidney stone incident, so I thought it was well behind me.  My doctors have assured me that if I do the things they have suggested I should be able to live kidney stone free, or for a long while anyway. 

 I needed to brighten up my life, and so I decided I needed a happy jacket, something light and bright to wear with almost anything.  When I came across this pattern, I knew immediately that I wanted to make my happy jacket using this pattern.  I live in Florida so not much need for anything much heavier on most days.  We may dip into the 40’s every now and then, but that is far and few between. 

 

I really like how it came out.  I love the color, and of course I used my drug of choice, Ponte Roma Knit.  Yummy to my tummy, this fabric is awesome.   I didn’t line it, but chose to just serge and finish of the seams.  I am quite pleased with the finish product.  I hope you like it, and happy sewing.

Friday, November 8, 2013

The Saga Continues: My Kidney Stone Incident.


I spent half my weekend in the hospital passing a kidney stone.  Needless to say I did not get much sewing done.  This is not my first dance with a stone, in fact I passed one about 6 years ago.  So immediately when the pain starting hitting me, I tried to convince myself it was just gas, and that a little Gas X would do the trick.  Well not so much.  By Sunday in the middle of church service I was climbing over the pew trying to get some relief.  Finally I couldn’t take it any longer, and with a loud screech that jumped up out of my seat and ran out to my car.  I drove myself to the hospital and the rest is history. 
 
Even though the idiot emergency room Dr. claimed he couldn’t see a stone after having me go through a CT Scan and x-rays.  He claimed my pains where from a phantom illness or maybe muscle spasms since I’ve been working out.   I knew from experience exactly what I was feeling.  Not my first rodeo Doc.  I have a very high tolerance for pain and been through some pretty painful ordeals, and no medication.
 
The next day I went to a follow up with my urologist who confirmed that there was evidence of not only did I pass a stone the size of a grain of sand; I also have an umbilical hernia, and cysts on my Liver and Kidney (which are benign).  
 
Don't I look pitiful.  Poor Poor Me. Hah
 

 
 
So, the Saga continues, what is next?  I can handle anything.   God is my strength and redeemer!
 
 
 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Poncho


I did a little sewing this past weekend.  Not as much as I would have liked.  But I did get a Poncho finished for a dear friend.  She was the lovely woman who gave me the Steam Press, Babylock serger, and large box of Cone Thread.  She also had some vintage fabric that she had had for many years, and asked would I make her a poncho, after seeing the Poncho that I had worn to a funeral we both attended earlier this year.

I was a little nervous about making the poncho since the fabric was so delicate and beautiful, but I knew she wanted something simple and so I endeavored to make sure she had what she asked for after being so very kind and generous to me.  I am pleased at how it came out, and I hope she loves it as well.  The flower broach is made of felt.   Here she is:

 


 Now back to my earlier project.  Happy Sewing!
IT'S MELANIE DARLING // BLOG DESIGN BY CHIC PIXELS