Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Functions well under deadlines

A cousin of DH is getting married in China and his sister recently sent out a request for videos of congrats and well wishes to be compiled and given to the couple on their special day. Since we've been on the road back from TX we didn't get a chance to do the video yet, but I decided I'd spend an afternoon sewing a small gift. I didn't make anything very complicated since I only had a couple of days to get this to the West coast before the family left for China. This project gave me a good reason to clean and organize my sewing room, and make something that will help them celebrate the wedding day. Congrats Ben and Fiona!


Monday, September 12, 2011

Socks socks socks




I am really enjoying knitting these! This pair is the first lace patterned one, a very simple design but much better than the previous socks done in knit only stitches.

I also caved and finally ordered a swift and yarn ball winder. I am quite happy with my set-up, I even enlisted my friend's 2 1/2 year old daughter to help me wind the yarn. Nothing like putting a toddler to work early in life!


I am on a good path towards my DIY holiday gift giving goals. Hope the momentum continues to roll as December gets closer.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Hot in San Antonio

Well I made it down to Texas last weekend and will be here for two more weeks. I'm in San Antonio helping a friend and her family who recently welcomed baby #2, much to the chagrin of their 2 1/2 year old daughter. Essentially I am her playmate while mommy and daddy settle in with their recent addition to the family.

The only sewing I am doing while I am here is making a couple of cushions. The store where they bought their sofa wanted $100 for an extra two sofa cushions!! The cushions that came with their small loveseat wasn't even professionally finished on the inside, I couldn't believe they'd try to milk as much as $100 for more of that low-end workmanship. Fortunately my friend was able to buy about 1.25 yards of the upholstery fabric. I'm more than happy to whip something up for them, any reason to use a sewing machine while I am away from mine makes me happy!

Since I didn't bring my sewing stuff with me I have been knitting when I have a free moment. I finished the first sock for DH when I was on the road. It looks pretty good if I do say so myself. I usually am a risk taker and was going to finish the toe with the darker yarn. The skein was looking kind of small for sock #2 and I chickened out the last minute and decided to make the tip with another skein. It's nice that I know my anal retentive self well enough to ward off problems now instead of completely calling the project a bust at the very end. I'm in the midst of knitting sock #1 for the MIL before I return to the other pair for hubby. I really need to learn how to knit two socks at a time.... It has been pretty fun though. I hope he likes them!