you know how some people just can't pull off elegance?

I consider myself in that category. Not that I wouldn't want to, mind. I mean, it's a lovely thing to have people walk in to your home and say, "My what an elegant foy-yay and such a fabulous patina on that armoire!" but these people are not going to be swinging by my apartment any time soon. I mean, first of all, apartment. Not exactly Auntie Mame, either. No, I find myself in a place that has white walls and beige carpet, again, with miniblinds, again. At least this one has a few fun details that make it distinct from my last place. Like stairs. But I do not own. I do not even rent to own. I just rent. And that means I know, with absolute certainty, that at some point all of my belongings will be packed up and moved out, and I'll need the place to return to its white and beige self.

People say I could repaint, but who wants to do that when they are moving out? I could put up curtains, but with the exception of my kitchen there are drywall issues involved. No carpets yet, but I know one day I'll be able to tie the room together. Until then, I'll just have to find other ways of adding a bit of color. Like this:It's amazing what you can do with temporary spray mount and old betty crocker recipe cards. And I can look at things like chicken salad in melon rings every day! Inspirational!

No, I haven't been just goofing off...

I had a shower to go to. I made a duck with matching hat. It also got wrapped nicely with a little hand stamped card. Now, I have to go to work.

Successful hat attempt!

I tried making this hat for the Nuggie once before, but it came out way too big. Truth be told, it was actually too big for me as well.

This one came out nicely, though:

I must make these

Apple Hat

Froggy Hat

Panda Hat

1st Dress

I finished sewing my first dress. It is for Chelsea. The last time I tried to sew clothes was 8 years ago. It was supposed to be a pair of pajama pants (or was it a robe), regardless, it did not go well and I left making clothes for the more sewing machine skilled. What made me decide to give it another college try was I was at Hobby Lobby and saw this adorable fabric and then saw Simplicity patterns were on sale for only 99 cents. Must be fate, right? FYI- Simplicity patterns are 99 cents again :)

The dress has a zipper and a gathered yoke on the front and back. The close-up picture shows the gathering and also the fabric. The pattern on the fabric is a nursery rhyme toile.

Following the directions carefully (I don't think I even read them 8 years ago) it all went pretty easily. I was pleasantly surprised. I added the trim to the arms so that it would match the band on the bottom. I also had to learn how to do a french seam so the inside wouldn't look too horrible. I only wish I had asked Heidi (a master dressmaker) what to do about seams earlier.

Though she isn't smiling in the pictures, Chelsea like it and gave it a "too cute."

Can't wait to make another one.

Busy, busy, busy

I have done quite a few projects over the holidays. I made 4 scarves for the Moms (i.e. my Mom, Stepmom, Mother-in-law, and Sister). They were inspired by "Mommy" necklaces that have little people as charms. There is one for each child, and the girls have little triangle dresses, while the boys have rectangle or oval shaped bodies. I made the scarves with a Knifty Knitter, and crocheted the tassle children.

The ones for my Mom and Stepmom were the most time-consuming because they have 7 grandchildren - 6 girls and 1 boy each. Lots of little pink triangles. My sister's and MIL's didn't take quite as long as Nique' has 3 kids, and my MIL has 4 grandchildren. Like an idiot, I forgot to take pictures of my Mom's and my MIL's. Here are the ones of my Stepmom's and my sister's, though.

Then, scarves done I decided to knit a present for Adoxograph. I'm not posting a picture here, because I'll let her do that when it arrives. :)

I also made a few letters for little girls' bedroom doors as presents. Once again, the idiot factor kicked in and I forgot to take pictures before I gave the presents. I have the H still, so here is that:



Last,but not least, my little boy spotted me working on a hat, and asked me to make him one as well. I did that yesterday:

This looks interesting

A way to put our crafting obsessions to use to do some good:
Snuggles Project