Day 123 - Long Weekend Coming Up

        The pies are almost complete and I am now looking forward to the long weekend. I have Friday to Monday off. Friday is busy with driving lessons and a vet trip. My turtle who had an eye infection, a vitamin D deficiency and a respiratory issue, now he has a calcium issue. Well his shell is soft so I need to get him checked out. I got him a calcium turtle for his tank so I hope that helps. Anyway, Keith is heading to the family farm this weekend, meaning I will have both Saturday and Sunday for projects. Yay! Monday is going to be for me and Keith, so I better focus and get shit done on the other three days. I have been having a really hard time getting things done lately. I have been going to a chiropractor three time a week, going to the sleep clinic and going to the gym several time a week to get fit. It has been taking up a lot of my time. So yeah I and feeling a little pressed to finish this endeavor on time.

Day 122 - Pieject part 2

        I am still making peach pies. Well tonight was peach cobbler. Well actually I said screw cobbler, crisp is where it is at! Southern crisp, so you know pecans were added. I am going to make 8 more little pies either tomorrow or Wednesday.Then I will be set for the season. I had a friend go, "why are you going to all this trouble just to freeze them? Why not just use frozen peaches when you want pie?" I will tell you why! I am using tree ripened peaches, I am freezing them at the peak of freshness and I am telling you, you can taste the difference. Plus if I have 9 frozen I pretty much have pie for the year until next peach season.  

Day 121- Pieject

Project Peach Pie!!!

        It is peach seasons in Ontario and that can only means one thing, PIE. One problem, I am on a strict diet, sugar, pastry, especially pastry made with Crisco and butter are strictly off limits. So what's a girl to do? Well making mini pies and freeze them of course. I decided to make two types of pie topping. A pastry top and crumble top. And when it came to the pastry top I decided to make two types there as well. Plain with a star cutout and a lattice top.  I used one basket and have two more to work with. I think I will make 8 more mini pies and then I have no idea. Any suggestions? Here are some pictures of what I have come up with so far. I baked up a few for Keith. The rest are in the freezer. I hope they are as good as they look.

   

Day 120 - Blog 210 - An assessment

        So the year is officially half over. It really snuck up on me. I am a little behind in the project making process but I will be able to make them up I am sure. I have a flying monkey on the go and only need to put a closure on the sweater coat and that would be finished.  So that is two more projects. I have the 2 pair mittens due for the girl who went on maternity leave, they are 25% done. Plus a pair for my boss. The mock up for the green linen shirt is almost done. I also have the fuchsia one to start as well. I have that pair of wool socks too, 50% done. Rainbow Armwarmers are 25% done as well. And the sport coat for my husband. So if I get all that done, 10 more, 34 projects in total. If I buckle down and get them done in the next month I will be up-to-date.  But I have a feeling that may not be possible. We will see. 

Day 119 - Where else to find help

        To finish off the week of shout outs I want to mention the last resource I use in the city. Craft stores themselves. Yarn Forward & Sew On offers help from the staff with techniques and they have a stitch & bitch once a week if you have further questions. I believe on Tuesday but don't quote me, you would have to call and check. Now Knit-Knackers not only has a bunny running around but they will also show you how to spin fiber into yarn. The also have a wide variety of classes. Unfortunately they have moved to Smith Falls. Sassy Bead Co hold classes as well for jewelry making. They are not really complex pieces but they have a great selection. If you want to go hard-core in jewelry you should look into the Ottawa Lapsmith & Mineral Club. They have a lot of classes. Anyways I hope you all have a great weekend. 

 

Day 118 - The Silver Hook

        So after almost a week of shout outs, until now I have forgotten to mention friends, like-minded artist and such. Mostly The Silver Hook , my dear friend who I have been neglecting. I have been pretty much under a rock the last few months, but figured I would throw some love her way. She has been very generous with her time. Showing me some no sewing techniques and basically letting me marvel at the swiftness of her hands. And her amazing design talent. She really has a knack for it. If you want to know what I am talking about go to her Etsy Shop.

Day 117 - Help from the Wisdom Of the Ages!

        I know I have been talking a lot about resources, videos, books, online classes etc. But until now I have neglected to mention personal resources. My mother taught me to sew when I was 4 years old.  Hand sewing then machine sewing when I was about 7 years old. She also taught me to knit around that time, basic stitches, knit and pearl, nothing more. I learned to crochet from my sister-in-law about 2 years ago. Basic crocheting, a granny square. I used the books and websites I mentioned before to increase that skill.The last winter I wanted to learn to knit mittens and fair isle at that. My mother-in-law is a master knitter. She has taught me several techniques and how to read patterns. This had lead me to not only be able to knit mittens but also socks. Don't discount resource all around you, tips and tricks passed down through the years.

Day 116 - Online Resources!

        Today I want to talk about online resources. I have found several sites that have free or patterns for pay. Other have tutorials and interactive classes. Here are a few I like best. Craftsy , Ravelry , Lion Brand Patterns, Craftster  & a new one I found full of articles DIY Life. Hope you find them helpful, I know I have. That's it for tonight guy. Have a good one.

Day 115 - Even more to shout about

        So it seems this will be a theme week. Here are a few books that I have found useful. For knitting Teach Yourself VISUALLY - Knitting by Sharon Turner . In the same series I also have a book on Crochet Teach Yourself VISUALLY Crochet by Keim & Werker . But my favourite book is a stuffed creature book. Creepy Cute Crochet Zombies Ninjas & more! All manners of little creep creatures from Chuthlu to flying moneys to zombies to skeletons.

Here are my three favourite ones!  Aren't they cute?

Day 114 - More to shout about

        Yesterday I mention the origami You Tube series I enjoy. Today I would like to share with you the crochet channel I most often use. Mikey Smail's  You Tube channel has been helpful to me on more than one occasion. It also provides new stitches I have yet to learn and sometime inspirations for other projects. Maybe I don't use the exact stitch or yarn or mix up the pattern a bit but a few things I have made have come straight out of the book of Mikey. I made two super stars into a pillow. He said blanket or walk hanging, but I saw pillow. So there you are. Check him out. It's worth the look. 

Day 113 - Shout out

        From time to time I watch craft videos on You Tube. I find it is a good way to watch exactly how techniques I read about actually work. Today I would like to give a shout out to a video series I found on origami. Daily Origami.

        Here are a few of my favorites Crab ,  Giraffe , Crocodile, Elephant, Tyrannosaurus , Lucky Stars , Pikachu , Panda & Sea Turtle. 

        The art of paper folding can be extremely impressive. I have seen gnarled trees, tables, chairs, books, dragons etc... I can only do simple things but maybe one day I will be able to do more complex items.

Day 112 - Addicted

        I am addicted to fabric. I went to go get a fabric to match the skirt that I altered for my co-worker. It is a cream skirt with deep purple and fuchsia tye dye. It needs to be airy and light. So I matched it with a really nice fuchsia cotton crepe.I think it will do well. But I can not be sure until I actually do it.

      I went to just go to the fabric store just to get buttons, a piece of cotton or linen for patching and shirt fabric. But of course I couldn't just leave without leaving picking up some other stuff. So now I have some nice jean fabric and this white and teal houndstooth for a fall coat. I need to stop adding projects to my list. There are just not enough hours in the day.  Aaaaarrrggggggggggg

Day 111 - Nothing new to report

        All project are moving forward nicely but I really don't have anything new to report. I will take a few more pictures tomorrow and post those so you want see some of the fabrics I have and will be working with. I have tomorrow off as it is a compressed Friday for me off of my job but I have so much running to do I have no idea if I will even be able to get any crafting done at all.Well I finally got my insurance card for my scooter and new sticker so that should at least help with the errands. As long as I don't have to carry too much around anyway.

Day 110 - Less bitching more pictures

        I have realized that I haven't posted pictures in a while. A long while. Just bitching not picturing. (I know that isn't a word, call it poetic license shall we?)So here are a few to tie you over until I have some more projects completed. 

 This is the linen I am using for the Asian inspired shirt. The button is nice and heavy. Very ornate.

This is the fabric I will be using for the mock up. It is a santung or raw silk. I ran out of muslin. This is what I call donated fabric. It is an old bridesmaid dress I cut up. No scrap goes to waste in my house.

  

Started rainbow armwarmers in angora wool. So soft. Not as itchy as you'd think.

 This is a scrap from the skirt I altered. The client wants me to make a flowing hippie shirt to match. And yes that is actually the colour. No shit, my camera actually captured the right colour this time. Surprise, suprise.

Maybe I should ask for donations for a new camera eh? Please help starving crafter afford new camera!! What where is my paypal button :P

P.S. I hit 1000 views today, woo hoo.

Day 109 - feeling like crap

        I feel sick tonight, super tired. I am taking the night off. I have been running myself ragged lately and my eyes hurt. All I want to do is sleep but I should study. I am going for my license on Friday and I need to go over the handbook. But maybe not tonight.

Day 108 - Blah

       It is 10 and I haven't even started the patch job I need done for tomorrow. I am procastinating I think. After the alterations from hell yesterday can you blame me? Anyway I am going to try to still complete them tonight but I have been pretty dizzy lately. Not exactly sure why, so I don't know how to fit it which basically sucks. Wish me luck!

Day 107 - Completed Orders

        I have finished the alteration of the two skirts. I am only a collar away from finishing the pattern for the linen tops. After that I need to patch up two holes in the original linen shirt. That will be tomorrow night. Then a muslin mock up of the linen shirt to fit the client on Tuesady. After this I am taking no more orders. I have alterations. Oh I can do them but by the time that I take the piece apart, correct the issue and sew it back up, I could have already sewn a new one. I will only be making new items and patchig items up. That's it. That's what I am doing from now on. Yup, that's it!

Day 106 - Another Updated Project list.

I haven't updated this list since Day 62 of my insomnia regiment.  

3 pairs black socks (1 of 6 finished)

1 pair red socks (I wanted a pair too!) (completed January 26th)

1 Wicket Ewok doll (my husband bought that pattern)(completed April 5th)
1 Grey Ewok doll(added April 6, 2012)(completed April 10th)

1 Gir doll, from Invader Zim (completed January 15th)

1 double-sided knitted star scarf in red and black

1 deer hat with antlers

1 pair penguin mittens

1 tote bag

1 sweater coat

2 crochet star pillows (completed January 15th)

1 scrap material star pillow

1 Jack Skellington jacket

1 basket weave crocheted scarf in black(completed April 1st)

1 penguin doll

1 cross stitch Christmas stocking

1 swoop shirt in blue knit

1 Edgar Allan Poe Raven corset

1 Edgar Allan Poe Raven handkerchief

1 wedding scrap book

1 penguin painting abstract

1 bake and decorate a bear cake with a piping bag ( maybe added January 14, 2012)

1 painted penguin nesting dolls, set of 5, (added January 19, 2012)(Completed April 29)
1 painted penguin bobblehead (added April 30, 2012 )(Completed April 30)

1 crochet an Alternate Zoidberg (added January 21, 2012) (completed March 22nd)

1 luma (star) from Super Mario Galaxy (added January 24, 2012)

1 red skull henley (added January 25, 2012)

1 yellow long sleeve to go with poe shirt (added January 25, 2012)

1 vines henley (added January 25, 2012)

1 roller derby hoodie (added January 25, 2012)

1 Gir's companion pig Bacon in crochet (added January 30, 2012) 

1 pair Owl mittens knitted (added January 31, 2012) (completed March 11th )

1 pair Owl mittens knitted (added January 31, 2012)(1 completed)

1 pair Penguin mittens knitted (added January 31, 2012) (completed March 4th)

1 pair birds of paradise mittens knitted(added January 31, 2012)(completed February 16th)

1 pair squirrel mittens knitted (added January 31, 2012)
1 pair squirrel mittens knitted (added March 21, 2012)

1 patchwork inspired coat (added February 14, 2012)

1 crocheted lion doll (added March 3, 2012)

1 fondant bunny cake bonanza (added March 10, 2012)

1 top hat (added March 13, 2012)

2 broken & stitched crocheted heart (added March 14, 2012) (completed April 4th)

1 pair knitted rainbow armwarmers (added March 14, 2012)

1 pair heart print pants (added April 8, 2012)(completed June 2nd)

1 wookie doll (added April 1o, 2012)(complete June 3rd)
1 pair baby booties (added April 12, 2012) (completed April 20th)
1 baby hat (added April 20, 2012) (completed April 23rd)
1 pair dragonfly earrings (added May 9, 2012)(completed May 9th)  

1 pair red armwarmers (added may 8, 2012)(completed June 2nd)
1 Christening Gown (added May 15, 2012)(completed June 21)

2 Skull hair accessories(1 big and a set of 2) (added June 30, 2012)(completed June 30th) 

1 Green linen buttondown shirt (added July 9, 2012)

1 Hippie shirt (added July 1, 2012)

1 Blue linen sport coat (added July 13, 2012) 

4 Magnolia pillows (added July 13, 2012)  

   

        24/52  projects done. I should have 28 done.  So I am still a little behind. I said this before, but I do need to catch up and quick. I am going to try and pump out a few sewing projects. They are quicker than knitting and I have any easier time designing them. I also have more than 52 projects on my list. So I can be a choosy with what I do. This is good in case some projects are really way too time consuming.  Let's see what happens in 30 days.

Day 105 - Sports Coat

     My anniversary is soon. 5 years married to Keith and I looked up what the 5th year is suppose to be, well what they gift is suppose to be. Silverware or wood the website said. So I thought, well he has a wooden box. He just got a new wood desk and he doesn't wear jewellery. So what now? What about wood buttons? He was promoted about 6 months ago and he is trying to look more professional. We got him some suits and dress shirts, ties, nice dress shoes etc. But nothing casual. Then I thought what about a sports jacket? So I went to a few stores. Are they fucking crazy? 425$ but 30% off that price the guy kid behind the counter tells me, A steal at 332.50$. A cotton sports coat? I looked at 5-6 stores and all the same. Unless I wanted something that looked really cheap, (or shipped in from the US from Macy's, Kenneth Cole has several nice ones but if they do not fit, shipping it back back will be a pain, blah blah blah) I was looking at spending 300$ plus dollars and let's not forget tax. Due to the fact that I am thrifty, I decided to stop being lazy and sew one myself. With wood buttons no less. I will be looking for a pattern to help me out this time as I am not an expert at menswear and would love some suggestions. I may go to Rockland textiles or C&M to get a really nice fabric. I am willing to spend about 150$ materialwise to make it look expensive enough but that is it. I guess we will just have to wait and see what I come up with.

Day 104 - How to's

        Hey guys. So I realized that September, a Month of How-To's is fast approaching. I have to come up with 30 How-To and I am running out of ideas. The Sliver Hook gave me some great ideas and I have a few more. Like "How to colour fast fabric.", "How to wash unknit wool so it won't felt.", "How to steam clothing in a shower.", "How to easily install a zipper." and so on. Any ideas out there? Something you guys want me to write about? Let me know, I would be grateful for any suggestions.

Day 103 - More Orders

        I got another order from a co-worker. A shirt this time, a shirt to match the skirt she wants me to alter. She gave me two shirts to

My current orders include : 2 pairs of squirrel mittens
                                        1 pair of owl mittens
                                        1 rub off of a shirt
                                        Several shirts
                                        2 skirt alterations
                                        1 matching shirt

      I have no real idea what to charge. The rub-off took some time but once it is completed it will be quick and easy to make several shirts, which is what my client want, in linen no less, a fabulous fabric to work with, no stretch! Yay! I am also having a problem setting a price for the last christening gown I made. I feel bad. I know most of these people and know their financial struggles, if they have them, those who don't, damn you! You know who you are. So I don't want to charge too much but at the same time I really don't want to short change myself either. What to do? What to do?

Day 102 - The God-Damn Gym Again!

        So Tuesday seems to be my gym day. I have a gym buddy and Tuesday is his favourite day to go to the gym. Psssst....my gym buddy is Keith.I came home really late and had no time to do anything crafty tonight. I know that isn't reason for a such a short, unfocused post. But I am hurting, seriously hurting guys. I am not sure if I maybe have taken on too much. This blog, getting healthy, organizing my house etc... I will try to plan for next week, maybe write a post before I go so I can just post when I get home....... sleep time now.... sleep

Day 101 - Making a rub off

        I started making a rub-off yesterday. It was of the shirt that I got from my client from work. I didn't use the traditional method, you know, the pins & paper method. I actually adapted the technique that Kenneth B. King used in his Jeanius course. It was very effective. I am almost done but still have to create a pattern piece for the collar and sleeves. I will do that tomorrow. After that I will be making the shirt in a subtle green linen. Very sharp with black pants and shirt. My client has a swatch and is currently looking for buttons to compliment the fabric I chose. I will post some pictures once I complete the pattern. 

Day 100 - Celebrating with turtles

        Okay so I am going completely off format tonight and going to talk about my new pet turtle. I went to help my Futurama friend pick out a pet turtle today. We decided on a yellow belly slider. There were tow to choose from. The first, a smaller guy sunning on a rock with his eyes closed. The second, a fiesty guy swimming all over the tank. The bigger of the two. When we took the second one out to the tank he actually ran off the clerk's hand and rolled out of the store. Once retrieved and returned to the tank, he was just fine swimming for his life. The first one has swollen eyes. Apparently not a huge issue but the pet store will not treat him. So I am a bleeding heart. I bought him, and now I am giving him eye drops. Hopefully he will be better in a few days. If not, I will have to find a vet. I swear I should never go to an animal shelter or I will have a house full of messed up animals.Cripes I have a cat with cataracts and now a turtle with eye issues. I hope he is isn't permanently blind. Fingers crossed.

Day 99 - Knee deep

        I am literally knee deep in crafts supplies right now. I have a craft room, over 200 fabrics, paints, card paper, notions, ribbions, zippers, markers, paint, watercolours, stickers, beads, craft books, note pads, stamps, stamp pads, polymer clay, needles and yarn, loads of yarn. I am trying to organize it all. Tall order, really tall order, I don't think I have alot sense doing this but honestly it is a little too late for that now. That said sorry about the shit post tonight guys.

Day 98 - What am I crazy?

        So I spent the entire day organizings my craft room, again I only got through like 6 boxes. But I also got an entire big green garbage bag of trash. Plus a little bag of shredded stuff. I have decided that I am actually going to sort through all my stuff instead of just stuffing it in new interesting places. Seriously. Every paper, pattern, scarp of fabric and notion. Sorted in boxes, catagories. I am doing a cleansing of the sole, aka closet. :) Wish me luck, still not done.

P.S. I posted this before bed so it counts as July 6th in my mind.

Day 97 - What to do with awesome Penguin fabric?

        I am looking into buying some cute Michael Miller, see below, I absolutely love this fabric butI couldn't figure out what I would do with it. Then it me. 50's dress. I created this pattern and I think this pattern would be super kitchy. That maybe an apron if I get enough fabric. Cute eh?

Day 96 - Fabric Shopping

        I love fabric shopping, uncut fabric always gives me so many ideas. I can imagine a million thing to do with each meter. A new project on every table of the fabric store. There just aren't enough hours in the day, even though I hardly sleep.I have shopped at all Ottawa stores except Rockland textiles. Which I hope to rectify this summer sometime. I have also started shopping online. Etsy, Amazon, EBay. I have searched them all. Anyone with more suggestions for online fun please let me know. I am looking for penguins and skulls. Not together but cute. I found a few by Michael Miller. Who are your favourite designers of fabric?

Day 95 - gymmmm

        I went to the gym tonight for the first time in a long time. So tired, so very tired. I didn't get much crafting done tonight. I do plan on starting the alterantions tomorrow though. The won't take very long but I will need to go buy an invisible zipper. Just a 4 inch one. Not very big at all but I still don't have one on hand. so tired...... hard to type....so very sleepy......night

Day 94 - Why are weekend so short?

        This was my last 4 day weekend for a while yet it seemed to fly by. I did not get nearly as much done as I would have liked. Basically just my room and not even that to be honest. Stupid unpacked boxes. To be completely honest all I really wanted to do all weekend is spend time with Keith but Spring Cleaning is on!!!! I want to buy a house soon and although it is a ways off I would still like to have my current home organized and all my extra shit thrown out way before I have to even think about moving. Mostly because I hate moving and always find I move so much useless junk it is insane. Plus I have moved so many times it practically an Olympic sport for me. So I like to be prepared. Anyway I hope you all had a great and productive weekends.  

Day 93 - DAAAAAMMMMNNNNN

        Biting off more than I can chew. Seriously, organizing my house is a lot more daunting than I thought. I had 5 boxes in my room that I have not unpacked since my last move, which was 5 years ago. They have just been sitting in my closet collecting dust. So I thought, “Well if I am going to organize the rest of the house I might as well start with my room.” Well that was stupid. It took me 8 F*cking hours to sort that shit. And I only had 3 boxes of papers. 3 piles, keep, trash and shred. Then I broke the shredder. Well I overheated it. But I thought I broke and spend an hour trying to fix it before I was told about how it overheats. Anyway, I am almost done and I will move onto the next room.

        But on a crafty note, I found a shit load of stuff I thought I had lost. Like water-colour paints , drawing pads, pencil crayons, handmade papers and fabrics. I may have some new projects come to mind when I look through my new found supplies.

Well that's about it. So here is a picture of a penguin for your viewing pleasure.