PJ Pants Part 2

I had decided to make some PJ Pants for Scott this year, but I had no idea how many pairs I would end up making. I found a great pattern and used it over ... and over ... and over. I did embellish them with pockets (not in the pattern). At this point, the Snuggle Flannel aisle of Jo-Ann has become like a second home to me.

For Scott ... Scott who loves Wii Bowling.


(and Wii Tennis)


Lighter weight pair for the summer (and allegedly the pockets stretch almost to the ankles ... hey, I'm learning, here!).

Zig Zag Scarf!

Why simply knit when you can knit a zig-zag? Found this yarn at Cozy in Durham. It's double-stranded: white wool with a thin black stretchy something. Should help stave off the Minnesota wind chill!

PJ Pants Part 1

Graham had picked out this material back in September. Unfortunately (for me), he grew so much that they were too small by the time December rolled around. Note to self: always *always* make kids' clothes way bigger than you think they should be!!

Wondering What To Do With Scraps?

Lightswitch Covers! Why not, right?
If you're friends with me, you run the danger of receiving one of these as a gift.

One Size Fits Most

Graham sporting his snuggle flannel robe - also a "patternless project." I had so much fun making this!





Keaton was cracking us up!

Napkins!

I absolutely love making napkins. It's a fun opportunity to play around with different stitches and contrasting thread colors. Plus, it's excellent for beginners because it's relatively simple and hones the basic sewing skills (sewing a straight line and ironing, ironing, ironing). Save a tree! Make yourself some cloth napkins!


For Ayme

Here Beginneth the Holiday Gift Recap!!

Annual Gift-Giving Time has come and gone, and now I present some of the handicrafts that were tied up with a bow this year.



I'm considering making this thing a permanent part of my wardrobe.

If The Dress Fits ...

After languishing unfinished on the hanger for a few months, I finally did the piddly hand-sewing around the zipper that was required to finish my fall-inspired dress. The inspiration? Kathy's annual dress-up holiday party. Here we are, modeling our finery!

When Crafts Collide

Thumbing through Stitch & Bitch recently, I re-remembered their handy dandy sewing pattern for a knitting needle case - something that could be rolled up and tucked away easily. If you're like me, your knitting needles probably reside in a bag (or several different bags) and finding a matching set can be a chore. Problem of the past, dearies! This is a great starter sewing project, too - lots of straight lines, and it can be made with whatever scrap fabric you have laying around.

The One Thing I've Always Wanted To Make

I'm a person who enjoys total darkness when sleeping. With the impending trans-Pacific flight looming, I knew I had to take protective measures lest I be seated next to one of those perpetual reading light haver-onners. My heartfelt emotion comes across in the fabric design - King Kong fighting a T-Rex. Oh, and it worked like a charm, I might add.

More Pillow Shams!

The lovely Kathy entrusted me to create some pillow shams for one side of her dual fireplace. The fabric and buttons were all of her choosing, and I think they look perfect! Here they are in situ.

Travel Hiatus

If you judged by my postings, November has been a slow month. Au contrere, friends! Lots of gifts are in progress, an exciting new cabinet project will begin soon, and there were two things I completed for myself last weekend that I just haven't uploaded. However, now I'm taking a real break. I fly to Auckland, NZ this afternoon to meet up with my globetrotting BFF Katie. I've got her blog linked over here ---> so check in for some amazing kiwi updates!

I'm really excited about all the LOTR reenactment photos I'm going to stage. Katie seems less excited about this. Probably because she knows I'm going to say "What about second breakfast?" about 55 times.

New Year's Eve!

THIS JUST IN!

The Backwaits (a.k.a. Rob and me) are confirmed as the New Year's Eve talent at The Piedmont! We're already scheming about our look/uniform/costume and set list. You won't want to miss this! If you need us, we will be focusing earnestly on our craft in here:

Trust Me - I've Been Busy

Focus On Your Craft HQ has been churning out crafts/garments aplenty in recent days & weeks ... but you'll have to wait until after the holidays to see photographic evidence! Can't have any of these from-the-heart gifts being spoiled, now can we? I'd like to make some kind of custom tag for the clothes I'm making - I'm open to suggestions for the name of my burgeoning product line!

Happy Halloween - So Say We All

The crew of the Battlestar Galactica wishes you a happy Halloween! Rob created the dog tags with some supplies we bought last weekend. There's something to be said for a comfortable costume! The only thing we were missing was a Roomba modded to look like a Cylon Raider. There's always next year. And here's my Rayman Raving Rabbids-inspired jack-o-lantern!

"JoAnn Fabric Is Having A Sale?!"

Like the sport itself, baseball shirts rock my world. Pink, though? What has gotten into me? Nonetheless, I expect I'll be making many more of these ... even though I already have about 4.

The Loungewear Collection

Picking the right fabric for pajama pants takes careful consideration. In the era of Fantasy Sports, team allegiances come and go. And who wants to be stuck with last year's trendy flannel? Not these kids! Never fear - Rob's love of Waffle House shines morning, noon, and night. Scattered, smothered and covered - pick it up!!

Confession

I've let you down, dear readers. Not only did I brick it and NOT enter any jams in the state fair (for no good reason either), I also neglected to make it to the Education Building and check out my would-be competition! My meager excuse is that we were caught in (well, "readily wandered through" might be more apt) a torrential downpour. And we were dismayed that the Pig Races were called off due to rain. And we were likely in a sugar coma. I mean, look at this thing!



Long story short - I paid for my jam apathy. Next year I will make it right.

Crafting For The Future

NC State Fair: A Crafter's View - October 2007

This year, my faithful fair companion Kathy and I decided to start our day with a spin around the Village Of Yesteryear, rather than speed around it at closing time while all the lawn trolls, wood carvings, and colonial teddy bears are being put away for the night. This year we saw it in its full glory, but with a touch of underlying sadness.

No need to dance around it - The Village Of Yesteryear is in danger of dying out. There are some young-ish (read: middle aged) booth operators, but even that is telling. The "Whippersnappers" are older than my parents. In the not-too-distant future, who is going to wear the bonnet and extol the virtues of braided rag rugs? Wooden spoons? Hell, even corn shuck dolls?

Perhaps I should seek out an apprenticeship with the knitter. Or the rag rug maker. The real money is in goat's milk soap, though. Those people had a line! I wonder if my grandma's lard based unscented soap would draw a similar crowd ... it's WAY more yesteryear than that rose hips-chamomile stuff.

Attitude Sold Separately

Kathy and I went to the Scrap Exchange last Friday and I first saw these. I thought about them every day, and finally went back to the store on Wednesday and bought them all. I think there are 10 total, almost all are Joan Collins related. Some are bona fide bad ass. Some are just frightening. But they are ALL awesome. I present to you a small selection from McCall's DYNASTY collection.

Only $0.25 - How Can I Resist?

I'm kind of in love with the white pants, white kerchief outfit.

Pillow Shams!

These were a cinch. The designs were inspired by a recent trip to my favorite tiki bar. Fun stuff! Now when I sit on the couch I will feel much more inclined to sip a fruity drink out of a giant fishbowl. But only if it's also on fire.

Instant Inspirado

Found these at a local recycled junk store for $0.25 each. I bought a few patterns there several months ago, before I had actually created anything with my machine. Now, it's like there's a whole new world open to me - combining my favorite things: Craftiness and Thriftiness. Does your mom or grandma still have old patterns laying around? Find them!!

Pet Sweater Update!

Here is Zoe in all of her glory! Pretty damn cute!

The Yard Is Done!

After a solid month's worth of weekends, we have completed our front yard renovations! This was basically an unplanned project that we worked on when we felt like it - which sort of makes it more satisfying. It was never a chore or unpleasant. By the way, Rob totally rocks! Always with the good attitude and clever ideas. He has another trick up his sleeve which I'll post when he's finished. Now I guess the only thing that's left to do is to sew our year's worth of decorative, seasonal flags! My Ides Of March flag is going to be the envy of the neighborhood. United Nations Day? Totally covered.

So Far, So Good

Just need to add the zipper and hem it. Am about to try it on to see if it will even be worth it - but at least it looks nice on the hanger, if nothing else!

Patterns 101

Dude. Patterns. Totally a foreign language. I can't tell you how many times I have to re-read the steps before I actually move forward. I'm at a good place with this project, though. About to move into uncharted territory with the sleeves ... we shall see ...

My New Favorite Pants

I really can't get over how comfortable these things are. I made them out of stretchy material, which was the total saving grace. I'd make another pair in a heartbeat!

Sanctioned Pet Attire - Apocalypse Now?

Never thought I'd see the day where I would put clothes on my pets. Or make clothes for pets. Or get really excited about having done both these things. Here it is. The "Casey's Coat" dog sweater from Stitch N' Bitch Nation, customized for the Philadelphia Eagles-loving Chihuahua, Zoe. Modeled here by the unsuspecting Murray.

Just Like A Classic Car

Check out this sewing machine! I was commissioned to sew a new blankie for Rob's nephew Graham over the weekend. I knew his mom had a sewing machine, but I didn't know it was one like this! We put our heads together and figured out how everything needed to be set up. Sure enough, it ran like a charm.

Here's Graham with the finished product!
Side note: the Apple Valley Jo-Ann Fabric Etc. puts the Durham one to SHAME! I am so jealous. Clearly Minnesotans take their craftiwork seriously.

The Pants Are Up Now!

(A little Kochalka humor for the 3 people who will get it.)

I finished my pants! It was the first time I had to install a zipper. Like most of my completed projects, they wouldn't pass Grandma Thompson's scrutiny but they are in a wearable condition. I wore the pants to work and they're totally comfy and the seams don't feel like they're about to bust open. All good things! I'll post some pics after we return from MN this weekend.

Hooray for fall!

Obsession Seems Like Such a Strong Word

It is 8am. Why do I feel compelled to sew these pockets now?! I have to go to work!

The Wardrobe Grows

My darling friends who are fans of pink can take this as a personal victory. You've converted me. Well, kinda-sorta. This is the first article of actual pink clothing in my wardrobe. It's made from French terry (very stretchy) and it's perfect for a walk, or going out or whatever! From Sew U. Again, I wimped out on the zipper, but it's terry cloth for cripe's sakes! It's like one step up from a bathrobe!

Good Grief

I'll be seeing my brother in 2 weeks and told him that I would make a robe for him. He requested a robe that would "impress people." Yikes. Perhaps this will do the trick.

I Might Wear This In Public!

Hip Hip Hooray! I completed the Built By Wendy shirt pattern (sans sleeves) from Sew U! It's my first fully-completed project using a pattern. Not perfect by any means, but it has definitely given me confidence to keep going. The design is ultra-customizable (that's a word, right?), so I definitely intend to make more.