My To Do’s for today include working on fitting a pant pattern I got for my birthday last year and hanging out over dinner with a friend. She even had to get a baby-sitter for the occasion, so I feel super special! Notice my two Big Kahuna necklaces–a lei and some shells and my scary-looking tiki charm decorating my space.

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My latest sewing project is this fabulous skirt. I totally love it. I drafted the pattern from scratch–including making a KatyRenee-sized block. Which isn’t nearly as difficult as I would have thought. I’m totally kicking myself for not doing this earlier. What was I thinking?

Here’s the “gamble shot.” I essentially held up the camera and took quite a few betting one would work out. The skirt is a pretty pink rib with lots of pleats in the front.

So please ignore the obvious crazy bathroom ugliness. And the spots on the mirror–I swear it looked clean until I saw the photo. But the skirt is so cute I couldn’t give you a preview before I get someone to take better photos for me.

Check out those skills. There is an invisible zipper in the side seam and a curved intersection that matches up perfectly. I was quite pleased with myself. And I loved enjoying the party in my fancy new skirt with no one even guessing that I’d made it. Such fun. Thinking about stocking an Etsy store with some of my fashions. What do you think?

Peace,

^_^

I could blame Sake. As you can see, she thinks she is my main priority.

Look at how intense she is! That face is typical Sake indeed.

I could mention I was busy with the last days of school and volunteering at Maker Faire. I got to paint a few signs for Maker Faire and was pleased to be complimented. They said, “you certainly are a real artist.”

I finished my ambitious sewing. Here’s the shirt. It was fabulous. Though I’m not sure if I would recommend circular scallops on the back princess seams. If I stood just right, and the scallops popped straight out, I looked a bit lizardish!

Sorry it is a bit wrinkly. It went great with the denim skirt. The skirt however, kept growing on me because of the 3% lycra I thought was a brilliant idea at the fabric store. So I sent it home with my mom–I hope she wears it.

I finished the dress.

The necklace is something my dad randomly picked up for me 6 weeks earlier. Weird that it is orange too. I was a bit disappointed not to use the lace–but I’m not sure there was any good things to do with it this time. It is definitely on my radar for a future project.

I could also blame my mom. She stayed in town for a week. But we just did fun things–so it really isn’t her fault I haven’t been around.

I could blame my infinitely more exciting social life. We’re averaging 4 dinner parties a week both at our place and out. Fun, fun indeed. And those cloth napkins are getting a lot of use. I love them!

I could blame Team in Training. I am signed up for a new event–and you should totally donate! But that is fun too.

I could blame my summer art camp. The location change actually worked in my favor as I now have 5 weeks to teach instead of just 3! Camp doesn’t start until Monday, and while I have been working on preparing this week–it seems much more of a fun thing than a chore. Here’s my class rules.

I could blame my volunteer sewing projects. I just finished this cover to keep dust out of the sound board at the church. And volunteered to sew at least 24 vests if not double that for a childrens’ musical camp that is performing in mid-August. What was I thinking??

I could blame the quilt kit I got back in Long Beach last July at the quilt show. But really, I’m excited to be working on it. It’d be awesome to finish soon–or at least before we (Eric’s aunt, Eric’s grandma, and I) go back to Long Beach this July for the quilt show. Here’s all of the squares I’ve finished and the ones left to do.

I’m onto the last block. I have 6 of those to sew, then sewing all of the blocks together, and a row of smaller squares on the border. It is pretty fun, except I am finding the squares don’t line up so well. I’m not sure if my cutting was off, or if I am bad at making quarter-inch seams. It isn’t terrible, but a little annoying for an anal gal.

I could blame the cherry chocolate chip ice cream I made. It was fabulous and lasted all of two days in our house. If you’re looking for a recipe, I’d recommend this one.

So really, I suppose I can only blame myself. I’ve been doing a lot, just not blogging about it. I hope you all are doing well too!

Peace!

I started working on sewing the skirt after school today. It was an emotional day at school. I didn’t know long division could cause so many tears. But the kiddos persevered and they are so excited that they can now divide. Hopefully they realize how much learning their multiplication tables will help them with math and they will work on those too!

After three hours of sewing, I’m done! I’m not thrilled with parts of the waistband, and think I will need to readjust the hook and eye on the waistband (for a third time), and hem it. I’m close enough that I’m calling it done. I didn’t think it would take me three hours of sewing. Though the last hour was spent hand stitching the waistband on and sewing the hook and eye.

I relied on this textbook from school for help inserting the lapped zipper. I’ve never sewn one in the way they showed, but it worked absolutely beautifly.

Here’s the cutest part–the back pleat.

I also really like the front pockets. (Don’t look at how far off the side seam and waistband side seam are…)

Now off to work on drafting the “white” top!

I suppose that I must mention a few more things. I stupidly bought denim with some stretch, so the skirt is a bit big. Scotch “helped” way too much. I need to figure out a way to keep him off the sewing table. Let me know if you have an idea. I can’t shut the door because their litter box is in the closet in my studio. Maybe we need to find a new place for that.

Peace!

I’ll let the images tell the story. Some of the motifs are from Eric’s stole.

With fusible backing motifs positioned on the stole.

The peeled of backing in the garbage.

Fusing them in place.

Stitching around the appliqued motif

Close-up of the stitching.

Happy Karl. The motif is water droplets,
inspired from his Wellwater work.

Peace!

The skirt is serged! Switching the serger to 3-thread took all of 5 minutes. It was ridiculously easy–except I had unwanted help. Poor Scotch, he ended up pouting in the linen closet because I refused to allow him on the table. I’m seriously considering moving my sewing to the outside room–our unofficial guest room. It is smaller, but cat-free! Eric isn’t thrilled about this idea, because it also currently serves as his at home office.

What is serging without a little mess.

I’ve stocked up on snaps and am working on two more onesies! I also have a request for a sundress instead of a onesie. These combined with Eric’s stole will keep me busy this weekend.

Happy Easter!

Peace!

And, I am look ing forward to the mid-May arrival of the second issue of Stitch magazine. Here’s a brief synopsis of what it is included this time around.

Peace!

If you don’t recall, ten little ones of my dear friends are here or coming soon! Here are gifts for babies one, two, and three! I tried to be fancy with the photos, but am realizing I need a bit of help. I’m no stylist, and haven’t mastered Eric’s umbrella lights yet. And while my camera is great, it is not good for product shots. Side note: Eric is loving that comment because he’s been trying to convince me to let him upgrade to the Nikon D90 and offered to let me have his current camera. Now he has more ammunition in that debate! Enough with my excuses. Enjoy!

Keep in mind these are all made from recycled T shirts a la Alabama Chanin. And all of the stitching information is a part of their awesome compilation, Alabama Stitch Book. In case it isn’t clear, I heartily recommend that book and perusing the Alabama Chanin website!

Cute!

More cuteness.

Lots of cute.

Cute close-up.

Cute details.

Cute baby sleeves.

Cute little stitches.

Aww, how cute!

As you can see they still need snaps, but I’m waiting for next weekend’s notions sale at JoAnn’s so I can afford them all! I’m a bit worried the neck might stretch out too much and I am debating adding a neck ribbing. So what do you think? I was going to work on a tutorial if anyone is interested. I’ve got plenty more to make for babies four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and ten! And there are sure to be more babies after that too. Let me know.

Peace!

Peace,

Katy ^_^

Here’s the Teriyaki bottle. Yum, it is local to San Francisco too.

I popped them in the oven at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Thank God, I read the part about putting Pam on the cookie sheet.

Um, yeah. It is as bad as it looks. Thankfully, the tofu came up fine and tasted okay, but the cookie sheet is nasty. I’m hoping the dishwashing fairies have pity on me and that soaking this in water and dish soap will loosen up everything. We’ll see.

Sarai, sent me this tofu suggestion. I definitely plan on trying this out.

In other news, I’ve been devouring Shane Claiborne’s books. I read Irresistible Revolution last week and finished it yesterday. I started Jesus for President, but haven’t gotten too far. I’ve made it to the gym two afternoons in a row, and been heading to bed earlier because of it.

I’m also determined to get moving on some of my UFOs (unfinished objects). There are too many to count. Here is the lay out for the denim skirt muslin. Yay!

Not much to look at, but closer to a skirt! Also, my parents are finally coming to visit in March. They had tickets to come in December, but my grandfather’s stroke happened. I’m excited to introduce my dad to my new home and work on further home decorating with my mom. There is also the obligatory visit to the Winchester Mystery House. Eric has already opted out of this. He says it is all just too mysterious. I love it. What a fun, crazy, silly story and weird house to go with it.

Since I started knitting socks on the unplanned trip to Texas in December, I figured I needed to get them at least to the point where I can work on the heel with my mom in town. She’s a pro–having made 2 or 3 pairs already. I got out my knitting for the first time since I’ve been back tonight. I’ve never knitted at home. I’m quickly realizing why. There is nary a moment when the yarn isn’t flossing Scotch’s teeth, or he’s using a knitting needle like a toothpick. What a nut. It is too cute, but not conducive to knitting. Here’s how far I’ve come so far.

I’m relieved that I remembered how to knit/purl okay. I’ll just have to figure out how to knit without Scotch’s “help.”

I’m enjoying a glass of wine, but not the hiccups I’ve had for the past thirty minutes. I haven’t given something up for lent in a long time. This year, I plan to forgo alcohol and sodas. Should be interesting–It always is.

Peace,

Katy ^_^