Elemental Stitches

Carefree Clothers for Girls - Conclusion

At last, the sew a long has come to an end.  I have learned so much doing this sew a long.  I have made new friends, expanded my sewing knowledge, and created lasting heirlooms for my daughter.  It was fun and frustrating, but altogether an enjoyable learning experience. 

The best part of the whole project was "meeting" all of you who participated.  Thank you so much for joining in.  If it wasn't for you all I never would have stuck with this and I am so glad I did.

1. pink dress, 2. Carefree Coat , 3. 42::365, 4. hat, 5. Linen Capri Pocket Detail, 6. IMG_8414 Carefree Apron Back, 7. Quilted Bodice Dress, 8. lace trim detail, 9. IMG_8520 White Cotton Sundress, back - Carefree Clothes for Girls Sewalong Created with fd's Flickr Toys

There was only one person who finished this last project, Sarah, who finished not just one pair of pants but three!  I bow to your amazingness Sarah! 

Now back to our regular postings of knitting, gardening and daily whatnot.  Until then!

Coming Back Around

Thankfully, I woke up this morning with only a stiff neck and a fraction of the headache I had yesterday.  The important thing is that I feel better and not worse.  A little Tylenol and some tea has patched me up for the day. 

February was insane.  I don't know where to even start!  We threw almost a thousand dollars into car repairs only to find out that it was a waste and we had to replace the car anyway.  So we replaced the car.  Everyone has been sick at least twice this month which means the house has been a disaster and I am sleep deprived.  To add to the stress we have had a friend staying at our home for the last couple months while his son gets a bone marrow transplant at a nearby hospital.  Tom and I are always happy to help out a friend, but having an extra person in the house does have its effects.  Anytime I am feeling put out I just remind myself that if my daughter was getting a transplant in another state I would be so thankful to friends who gave me a place to stay and a break from everything that is going on.  I am happy to help him.  I am happy to report that even with minor complications his son is doing well and should be moved to outpatient soon.

Needless to say, I haven't had much time for crafting of any kind.  I have done lots and lots of comfort cooking for those living in my house.  A couple favorite recipes have made it onto my food blog.  I posted a wonderful and versatile recipe for Granola Bars as well as my all-time favorite Giant Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

The only crafty projects I finished in February were a prize for the Carefree Sew Along, finally on its way to the winner, and my Sea Clover Socks which I can't believe I actually finished.  I worked on them a few rows at a time, at night, mostly to relieve stress and get me to sleep.  Knitting works great for that.

So, I know you are all wondering about the sew a long.  My pants are in the works but  not finished.  You can't be too surprised!  Has anyone else has finished?  I really want to see if someone did the jacket.  I love that pattern, but knew I wouldn't be able to finish it.  So far one person has turned in their link.  Post your link on this post by March 5th.

I'll be back later this week with some knitting pics.

Carefree Clothes for Girls - Month 11/12

Spending the last year sewing from this book has improved my sewing confidence tremendously.  I feel like I am better at visualizing a project before I start.  I also now know enough about sewing that I can use my new knowledge and logic to figure out problems, instead of feeling frustrated and lost because I haven't mastered the basics. 

Do you know there are only two projects left?

The Lace Trimmed Coat

And the Pants with Leg Warmers.

The coat has lots of dainty details like lace and buttons.   The pants have knitting which can take some time if you are not a fast knitter.  

So this month you can pick either of the two patterns or both. 

Its up to you. 

In case you are curious I plan on doing the pants.  I've never sewn knitted fabric to woven fabric before.  Have fun and remember to include your link on this post when you are done!

Winner for Nov/Dec Sew Along

Hi everyone!  I am happy to announce that Rachel from Nest Full of Eggs is the winner for Nov/Dec.

Please check out Tanya's dress too, both came out great!

Rachel, you have a special knitted gift coming to you!  Look for an email about the details!

I would love to show you my dress, but I was not as fast as these two and it's not finished.  I know, I know, I am way behind!  I'll catch up! 

Also I am announcing the next project tomorrow!

CCfG - Month 8 - Dress with Contrasting Patches

I am sorry I didn't get this up yesterday!

We are getting down to just a couple more patterns!  I cant believe we are this close to being finished.  Time flies when your having fun!  This time I picked the Dress with Contrasting Patches and you are going to have two months to finish! 

This dress would make the perfect holiday dress, don't you think?  It is a little more involved then some of the other patterns which is why you have two months, but not to worry, its not hard.  I know I will need extra time with all the holidays around the corner!

Can you imagine it in Christmas red with tiny white buttons and candy cane striped patches?  Or maybe a deep forest green with brown buttons and an embroidered forest friend?  I cant wait to see what you all come up with.

The prize for this month is a little different.  I have gotten to know you a little better through this sew a long and I wanted to do something a little more special this time.  Its a surprise prize!  Something knitted or sewn by me special for you! I will let you know what it is a little closer to the end of December, when its finished.

I hope you have fun with this!  Happy sewing!

Winner for October!

I finally figured out this whole screen shot thing!  It was much easier then I thought. 

I used the random number generator to save me the anxiety of having to choose just one winner.  You were entered in the order you entered your links.

The winner is...

Mari from Choochmagooz!

Yea Mari!  Mari made some great changes to her coat like sewing the scarf from the book instead of knitting one.  I also love the buttons and the details on her pockets.  Check out the whole project on her blog.

The next project will be up tomorrow!

Getting Caught Up

I wanted to drop in for a minute to say that I am still sick, but getting better. Another day or two and I should be back to normal... of course I told myself that a couple days ago.  Seriously, I am getting better its just taking longer then I would like.

Halloween was fun even though Tom and I were trailing behind blowing our noses the whole time.  Brae decided to ditch the vampire princess idea when she found a princess costume she just had to add to her growing collection.  I argued for teeth and blood but she was completely against getting her new dress dirty.

Then I got home and my camera had malfunctioned, almost all of my halloween photos are corrupted.  By the time I discovered this she was out of her costume and snuggled on the couch with a handful of candy.  I think I got one good one.  Thankfully she got all dressed up for a Festival at her school on Friday and those pictures are fine.  Something is better then nothing.

Anyway back to crafting.  All the jackets you all have made this month are amazing and so inspiring!  I love that some of you re-purposed old jackets to make new ones.  They are all so different too! 

Here are the Coats entered for October so far.

nest full of eggs

washington state apples

Choochmagooz

I am giving you until tomorrow, Wed. Nov 3rd at 8pm Pacific time

to post your links on the project post.

I will post a winner by random draw on Thursday!

My jacket should be up sometime in the next week.  Got to grab a pic of my munchkin in it.  I should get back to my normal gardening, cooking and crafting posts soon.  My head is still kinda foggy, I want to sleep and ignore the growing mess around me.

Have a happy and healthy week!

My Apron and Pants

Here are my Apron and Pants from Carefree Clothes for Girls.  This pattern came together quick!  Did you all think so?  My munchkin seems to like hers although she tells me that she likes her apron better with the opening in the front, like a vest.  Its a good idea.  Backwards it sort of defeats the purpose of an apron, but I see what she is getting at.

The pants were so easy that I want to make a few more pairs.  It took me about 30 minutes to finish one pair.  I bet if they were sewn factory style I could get 3 pairs done in an hour.  I will need a warmer fabric for winter and they would have to be longer.  At this length they are more like capris.  Flannel would be great for pj's and corduroy might work for school pants. 

I hope you aren't too intimidated by the coat project I planned for this month.  I really think it is a lot easier then it looks.  I am a little worried my little one is going to insist on pink again and I really really don't want to look at another bolt of bright pink fabric for a while.  Anything other then pink.  I think I will fight for gray to match the hat I just started knitting for her.  It's a Star Crossed Slouchy Beret in the same gray yarn as my last Star Crossed Beret. 

Now is the perfect time for a new hat.  This past week the morning air has been icy cold and wet.  I am scraping slushy water off my windshield and rubbing the fog off my windows before school every morning.  All our knits from last year are in a bag somewhere crying for a wash.  It might be time to air those puppies out before my ears start to freeze.

Tom and I are celebrating our birthdays on Monday and Tuesday.  Mine is Monday, Tom's is Tuesday.  We don't have much planned.  I think we are going to stay near home, have some yummy food and build some furniture together.  Sounds perfect to me.

Prize for This Month

I forgot to tell you the prize for this month.  I think this might be useful!

Happy Sewing!

Winner for September

Hi!

As promised, by random number drawing the winner for this month is #3 - Sarah.  Congratulations Sarah!

I love what she did with the back!  (I love those adorable blond curls too!!)

The pocket is embroidered too!  Vintage kittens should be embroidered somewhere in every little girl's wardrobe.

Have fun with next months project!