Kidnapped

November 30th, 2012

My weekend has been kidnapped...

        Utterly cut off from my serger, my weekend of sewing glory has been hijacked. I am writing this from a farm house far outside the city of Ottawa amoung the company of family. My husband's pleading eyes have lead me to a weekend with his family. A weekend where I had to leave my serger behind. Alas no more stitches this evening, just the promise that Christmas post stat tomorrow and they promise to be something special.

Stitches 7-10

November 29, 2012

Stitches 7-10

Oh my God, I absolutely love and I mean loooove my new serger. The stitches are so even and it has so many functions. The mock safety stitch is amazing, so stretchy, I could make a bathing suit, seriously. Today's stitches are, from right to left, Four thread ultra-stretch mock safety stitch, Four thread safety stitch, Five thread safety stitch (wide), Five thread safety stitch (narrow).  

       
        These stitches are going to be so useful when making clothing and finishing any type of project. I am so excited to get the last 4 stitches done so I can really start sewing up a storm.

P.S. Santa I need a better camera for Christmas.

Stitches 4-6

November 28th, 2012

Singer Professional 5 - Stitches 4-6

        I am still having a hard time with my hand still. So I only got 3 stitches done, Three Thread Overlock-Wide and Narrow, Three Thread Flatlock and Three Thread Ultra Stretch Mock Safety Stitch. The stretch stitch is going to be great for comfy clothes, hoodies and henleys and such. 

Again sorry for the poor quality of the pictures. They go from left to right, overlock, flatlock and mock safety.

 

Finally Free

November 27th, 2012

Missing work......

        I stayed home because after my very long appointment with the doctor, where they removed my cast, I was in way too much pain to work. They had to manipulate my wrist and I just needed to take it easy. That said I got nothing done today and I am using software to write this again. Last time, I swear :P Tomorrow I will show you at least 6 stitches. Promise. Until then here is a picture of the mittens I finished Sunday.

Singer Professional 5 Serger -Stitches 1-3

November 26th, 2012

Serger!!!

        As I mentioned yesterday I just got my new serger. It has 5 threads and a butt load of dials. It has 14 stitch functions that use between 2 and 5 threads. I know I said I would try out a few stitches a night but I have a feeling I may have bit off a little more that I can chew. These stitches have complex set-ups and I am not sure how many I am going to get through. I hope this isn't an epic fail. But we will see how many I get through tonight, the goal is 3. The double chain stitch. The two-thread wrapped edge overlock stitch. And the two-thread overedge. Wish me luck.


Success!!!!

        I was able to do all three stitches. It took a while but TA-DA!! My pictures are garbage but hey maybe Santa will get me a camera for Christmas.  

 Top Stitching is the two-thread wrapped edge overlock stitch. The middle is the double chain stitch and the bottom one is the two-thread overedge. Up close on this picture on the right.

Day 240 - Singer Professional 5

November 25th, 2012

My New Precious...

So I got my new sewing machine yesterday and it is amazing. I am still having an issue with trying to sew since my arm is still in a cast so I am taking it slow. This serger has 14 different stitches and uses 5 threads. I am going to take the next 5 days and learn all the stitches showing examples everyday until the end of the month. With pictures and everything. Stay tuned the next few days to see if I can learn all the stitches.

Day 239 - Almost Mittens

November 24th, 2012

Almost baby Mittens

        I went and picked up my new serger today, more about that in tomorrow's post so stay tuned, so I didn't have mush time to knit today yet I still finished one mitt today and have started the second. As I said before I love knitting toddler mittens. They are just so small and cute.I used a pattern I found online as a reference but did not follow the construction. I have basically designed my own pattern using the dimensions from the online one. Hopefully I can get all three done between tonight and tomorrow. But we will see, I also want to play with my new serger tomorrow.

Day 238 - Mittens!

November 23rd, 2012

Mittens!

        I started mittens today. Red and white mittens for my niece and blue and white for my nephew. They are little, both under 6,so the mitts are small and so quick, they are pretty much a joy to make. I started one an hour ago and even with my messed up hand I am close to finishing it. I should have both pairs done by the end of the weekend. So yay!

        I am heading off to go grab my new sewing machine tomorrow, so expect a review of it to be posted before December 1st. It is suppose to cut my sewing time in half since it can do a straight stitch and an overlocking stitch all in one. 

Day 237 - Yarn!!

November 22nd, 2012

I am finally ready

        I picked up the last skeins of yarn and needles (dpns) that I will need for my Christmas projects today. Now I just have to start cranking them out. Here is a picture of some the yarns I will be using, I have a bunch more but this is a good example of the colour spectrum I will be using. I also have a like green and purple. I can't wait til I go pick up the swift I ordered, it will make yarn ball creation so much easier.  Saturday, I can't wait!

Day 236 - The count down is on!

November 21st, 2012 

The Year End Count Down is on!

        I have 40 days til the end of the year and I am far from my goal. Christmas is around the corner and I still have a ton of knitting, sewing and crocheting to do. Plus I have a few cute ideas for posts in the upcoming weeks. As soon as December 1st rolls around it is going to be 31 days of holiday goodness. Hanukkah and Christmas, Kwanzaa and Solstice.  If there is anything you guys want to read about make suggestions. I will do my best. Here is the cutest countdown clock I could find.

X-Mas Clock 

Day 235 - Cross-Stitch Stocking

November 20th, 2012

Looking for a Cross-Stitch Stocking...

        My little sister has a cross-stitch stocking with a Santa teddy bear on it. It is so cute. I don't know if my mom still has the pattern and I can't find it on the internet surprisingly enough. I have always wanted a cross-stitch stocking of my own, I kind hoped my mom would have made me one but oh well, I'm an adult, I can make my own. I was thinking of making a penguin stocking, or maybe a snowman one. We will see. Here are some of my favourites.

Day 234 - knitting in my future

November 19th, 2012

Knitting Projects in my Future

        I realized that I only have 42 days left to the year and 5 dress socks, 3 pairs of mittens and countless other knitting projects on my list. I am not even sure if I am going to meet my goal but I can try. I recently started a platypus and hopefully it will get finished quickly and I can move on to other stuff. it is a Christmas gift. I also want to make a few pairs of mitten. How do you size children's mittens? I have a 2 year old and almost 5 year old I want to make mittens for. Any suggestions?

Day 233 - In your opinion....

November 18th, 2012

Asking for your opinion....

        So I was at a craft show recently and there was a women there who was selling toys, crocheted toys. I was looking at them and noticed I had seen the pattern before. I asked the crafter if she was on Etsy and she said yes but had bought the patterns. Bought the patterns.....really? I was confused. I thought it was wrong to make and sell a pattern, not legal wise but morally right? I thought the point of a pattern, besides making the item, is to learn new skills that yo can apply to your own creations. What do you think? Am I wrong? Is it okay? Or is it just an unspoken understanding that you don't use other artist creations? Let me know, please.

Day 232 - I could be wrong

November 17th, 

Zip again.....

So today was a bust again. Lost of interest no sales. Maybe my hats are just not a viable idea. Maybe they are not steampunk enough. I don't know to be honest the snowman was the bell of the ball. So many people asked to buy him. Crazy. Anyway maybe next time will be better next....

P.S. I got wool for a platypus... cute

Day 231 - Shopapoloza

November 16th, 2012

        So this is where I will be tomorrow. If you were ever interested to see what I look like here is your chance. I will be at the Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville with my sister-in-law. My youngest nephew will be with us so I have a feeling I will be mostly doing baby duty while she sells hairbows. I will be bringing some hats but not a lot. You will know us by my snowman. 

Pretty jaunty eh?

Day 230 - Made to Order

November 15th, 2012

Hats Made to Order

        I will be posting hats to Etsy tonight. Made to order. I will be putting up a few listings over the next few days with different colour and ribbon choices. Small will be 25$ large 35$. Hope you will them and that they sell like hot cakes.  

Chubby Star Shoppe 

Day 229 - This sucks

November 14th

Back to voice recognition software.....

        So my cast was not taken off my arm yesterday, well technically it was taken off and a new one was put on. A half cast this time that I have to take of nightly to allow me to move, tight controlled movements, of my arm to prevent my wrist from fusing. I am in so much pain I am home today. Did I mention my boss is awesome. Anyway all that do say no real post today. Sorry guys.

Day 228 - Needle Felted Penguin

November 13th, 2012

Learning a new skill

        I have never needle felted anything before but I love the look of it, the style. So when I saw a penguin doll kit I jumped on it. I bought 2 in fact so I can make a pair, cause penguins mate for life and a lone penguin is a lonely penguin. Here is a picture of the penguin from the kit. 

Day 227 - How The Time Flies!

November 12th, 2012

Boy could I use a cutter?

        I had the day off today and I serious spent it cutting out pieces of this coat that I am attempting to make and I do mean attempting. I have been cutting all long. No joke. Partly because of my broken hand but also because I am meticulous and thrifty. Meticulous because I want it done right and thrifty because I try and maximize my fabric usage. So I will pin and re-pin until I get it the way I want it to be. I swear I looked at the clock it was 4pm then all of a sudden 7pm and holy shit now 11pm, how time flies. I could use a cutter. My baby sister use to cut for me and I was so awesome. She now live far away and I have no help. Next big project maybe I will ask her to visit :P

Day 226 - Etsy

November 11, 2012

First a moment of silence......

....

...

..

.

My thoughts go out to all veterans. 

That said.I just want to announce that I now have enough hats and I will posting some for sale on Etsy this week.Other items to come. So look out for them.

Day 225 - hats for tomorrow

November 10th, 2012

So Busy>>>

        I was so busy I forgot to post. It is two in the morning, I haven't gone to bed yet, so it still counts as today :p. Here is a picture of my hats. See you tomorrow at the RA center. 10-4.

Day 224 - Looking forward to Christmas

November 9th 2012

In More Ways Than One 

        I love Christmas. You readers can look forward to a month of Christmas posts come December 1st. I have three weeks off at that time and I plan on making the most of it. I have made a dozen hats so far and during these weeks off I have several projects I want to complete and put up on Etsy. I want loads and loads done. But I will settle for 10 coats and 10 stockings.  Let's see If I can do it.

Day 223 - Just a little note

November 8th, 2012

Just a few thoughts....

        I have spent so much time this week tracking down a new serger I have pretty much neglected making hats. I am sorely behind and am taking the night off to complete some hats. I can do it too if I work hard. Serious work.

Day 222 - upon further consideration

November 7th, 2012

Upon Further Consideration.....

          have decided I want a serger that can do a cover stitch. As awesome as the Juki MO-655 is, it does not do a cover stitch. But the Singer Professional 5 does. It has 12 amazing stitches, all for your sewing pleasure. I also looked at the HuskyLock 936 but they are discontinued and therefore only found used, if found at all. To be honest I sort off talked a woman out of selling me one today. She was on the fence about keeping it and thought it might be crappy. I convinced her otherwise, mostly because I didn't want to feel like I was ripping her off. Anyway I left her my number in case she decides otherwise. Anyways here is a picture for you guys...

Day 221 - Hats galore

November 6th, 2012

CHRISTMAS CRAFT AND GIFT SHOW - RA CENTRE

I will be there are the 11th. As my serger died, I will only be selling hats. Here is a preview. 

 100% Handmade - 100% Peruvian Highland Wool.- 100% cute as hell!

Day 220 - We are Canadians Damn It!!!!

November 5th, 2012

Come On Guys, Seriously....

        So we had flurries today in Ottawa and you should have seen the people. Wearing gloves, scarves, hats and winter coats. all I could think was come one man up people, I was only wearing a hoodie. But it did make me realize that it is now mitten season, so I better get knitting. Oh wait. Broken hand. Here are some styles I will be making this season. 

Day 219 - Equipement Issue

November 4th, 2012

We Interrupt This Program Due to Technical Difficulties

        I have been working on a sweater coat this weekend. All weekend in fact. AND I would have been done already but unfortunately my Serger is having serious issues. It keep skipping stitches. It is 10 years old, with four threads and an overlocking stitch that is sucking majorly right now. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to remove 4 lines of stitching with one hand? Honestly. I need a new serger. People often say this, they need something, but I honestly need to get a new serger so I can continue trying to start my sew/knitting/crocheting/designing business on the internet. And I have done some research and know what I want. I want a Juki MO-655 5 thread serger...
TA DA...
 

        Okay, so I want this (and to a less extend a MO-735 Serger but it is really expensive) Anyways as I was saying, I want a new MO-655 5 thread serger, which is a steal at 499$ plus shipping and Canadian taxes, only issue...I am broke. So broke. Between student loans and saving for a house, it makes me so, so, so broke. I worked 3 jobs for two years just to get to this point where I can breath a little and I am so tired. Thinking about getting a second job to fund my online venture is kind of overwhelming right now. It seems like I am going to have to work more so I can work less in the long run. Blah.

Day 218 - What's New

November 3rd, 2012

What's New?

        In August and September I have teamed up with the Silver Hook and work a craft market on Saturdays. We had some success but hopefully if we do it again next year it will have a bit more foot traffic. Anyways since I broke my arm I have been able to do much but my sister-in-law is working a show on the 11th at the RA center here in Ottawa and I am going to help out. We are also going to Not Your Grandmother's Craft Show on the 17th. She sells hair bows for young girls, they are super pretty. I have a few hats that I am going to drag with me and maybe I will have a few coats made before then. We will see, but I don't really have enough of my own stuff to have my own booth right now. I am super slow due to my arm. After those show are done I am going to really try to build up some stock. I have some vacation coming up in December and I plan on that being my focus. Here is to a full running Etsy business running in the new year.

Day 217- Updated Project List

It's that time again folks. 

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(completed September 14th)

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 for daily use, maybe silk (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)(completed August 17th)

1 Hippie shirt for a co-worker (added July 1, 2012)

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

4 Magnolia pillows (added July 13, 2012)   

1 Flying Grinder Monkey crocheted doll (added July 28, 2012)(completed August3rd)

1 Green and brown swirl hippie shirt (added July 13th, 2012 ) (completed August 17)

1 Black hippie shirt (added July 13th, 2012)

1 Brown hippie shirt (added July 13th, 2o12)

1 Wiener dog pencil case (added August 19th, 2012)

1  Cherry apron (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Elephant hat (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Kangaroo doll (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Poinsettia shawl (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Tailgating blanket (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Coco the cat Doll, Coco goes to London (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Trivets - potholders (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Cupcake purse (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Cable knit sweater (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Long cable knit sweater (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Men's cardigan, knit (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Polkadot cardigan, knit (added August 19th, 2012)

1  Knit wrap (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Daisy purse (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Owl and Pussycat dolls (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Twinkle toes socks (added August 19th, 2012)

1 Union Jack bag (added August 19th, 2012)

1 fortune cookie skirt (added August 26th)(completed August 31st)

1 swirl skirt, pink and chocolate brown (added August 26th)(completed August 31st)

1 red skull headband (added August 26th)(completed August 31st)

1 felted top hat (added September 1st) (completed September 7th, 2012)

1 felted bowler hat (added September 1st) (completed September 7th, 2012)

1 ringmaster coat (added September 8th)(completed September 15th, 2012)

1 aviation panda doll (added August 27th) 

1 felted witches hat (added September 20th) (completed  October 27th)

1 felted super skinny top hat (September 20th) (completed October 27th)

1 felted Santa hat (added October 7th)

        36/52  projects done. I should have 44 done by now. Holy crap I am behind. I need 16, 16 in 8 weeks and 3 days. So two a week. Damn. I better get cracking. Too bad my hand is still broken.

I'm not pervert, I'm looking at your clothes. I swear.

November 1st, 2012

        Now That I am so amped and geared up to crank out some amazing designs of my own clothing I've noticed that I am really noticing other people's clothing. What I like, what I don't like. What I think looks good. Colour palates, shapes, drapes etc. I have become a real people watcher the past few month. But I will tell you, I am not very good at it. At all. I have been guilty of the double take, the head tilt, the wrap around. I keep getting dirty looks from women, which I can't blame them, who think I am leering while I am just observing the stitching over the breast and waist, the cut of the pants. You know the hard to fit areas. But also considered the perv zone so I have noticed. I always feel compelled to say. "I love that blank...add clothing article here... that blank ... is so interesting" even if I hate it. So A) the clothing wearer knows I am looking for a non-sexual reason and B) so I don't offended them. Because I can't say, "Sorry you think I was leering but I am really just trying to figure out what went so horribly wrong with that top of yours. Man I can't believe you wear that in public. What the hell were you thinking?" No mater how much I want to.