Home Improvements . . . .

Although I may not have accomplished anything craft wise this weekend I did get one home improvement project out of my way. . . painting the laundry room!!!  This has been on my list since I discovered that you could paint veneer paneling and actually have it look nice.  Who would have thought.  Originally, I had long-term plans to tear it down (but something else always takes priority)  but then a very wise friend suggested that I paint it.  

Well this weekend was my opportunity. . .Brooke was camping with my husband as a special Papa/Daughter camping trip . . and Barley too.  . . so Friday night I ran 3 miles and then came back and cleaned everything out into the living room.  About 11 pm I hit the pillow but was up at 5 am Saturday morning to start painting. . . .well I finished the cut in "color" at 1 am Sunday morning (ya pretty much ALL day) . . .slept until 7 am and then got up to roll color on.  But I had everything dry and back in place by 1pm Sunday afternoon.   

Needless to say. . there was no long run for me this weekend and I took a nap (and I never nap).  But the result was so worth it.  I am happy!      

Three coats of primer . . . two coats of primer/paint and. . . .

Ta Da!

I really like it!  I like the texture on the wall and the savings in my bank!

Now all I need is new curtains and blinds and its done.  Just a nice refresh.

I also did the same thing for my craft room in blue.

Now if I can just get my husband to put up the new blinds and this beautiful picture of Brooke on the wall I will be ready to take on my list of back logged projects!

Have to see my inspiration on the wall as I walk into the room :)

Watermelon dress and Blithe continues

A special request has been made for a watermelon dress.  That's right. . .I now get requests!  Very exciting!  We had to go right to the fabric store to look for watermelon fabric too!  This is serious!  The pressure is on!

I chose the Geranium Dress by Rae over at Made by Rae.  The pattern so far is very well written.  I have found this to be true for all of the patterns I have purchased from Rae.  She really knows her stuff and I try to absorb as much as I can because I know it will pay off later.

I am hoping to have this completed this weekend since I will be home for a change.  Unfortunately I didn't get much done while on vacation.  I spent the first part putting my craft room back together after painting it.  It looks fabulous by the way.  I will post photos once the blinds have been put up and the picture I had framed gets hung in place.  Something I usually don't do myself . . .but if it doesn't get done in the next week . . .I may have to take this job on myself too.

Brooke and I had a great time during vacation though.  It was just the two of us since my husband had to work that week.   Her and I beach bummed it big time.

  This is the photo I framed for my craft room.  I absolutely love it!  

We really had a great time!  

Glad I wasn't too productive!

I am also still chugging away on Blithe.  Almost have the front done.  The back should be quick since there is no rib pattern to follow and the sleeves are are very short shoulder sleeves.  I think I might have it done for the fall . . .perfect with a jacket in the morning and warm afternoons :)

Can't believe its almost fall. . .almost time again for riding boots, sweaters, apple picking, Rhinebeck, and fall Running!!! Love fall running!!!

Oven mitt design . . .

Well its a work in progress but I am pretty pleased with the first go around. 

A couple of months ago my mom made a request that I make her an oven mitt and some pot holders.  She desperately needed new ones and after seeing my pot holders. . .really wanted some homemade ones.  So I found some blue fabric. . .blue being her favorite color and traced out an oven mitt.

I wanted something more fitted and not so boxy and clumsy.  So here is what I came up with:

I just used regular cotton fabric and cotton batting for the oven mitt materials.  I then quilted the layers with just simple straight lines which I drew on with a disappearing fabric pen as a guide.  Once the quilted layers were complete, I added binding tape along the bottom and sewed the mitt together.  Note:  I did have to hand sew the binding down after the oven mitt was sewn and turned right side out.  Its a little more work but I like hand sewing my binding down whether its an oven mitt or a quilt because I find it to be more accurate for me.  If I can not see what I am sewing on my machine. . .it does not come out pretty.

Couple of issues with the design so far:  1.  Puckering at the ark of the thumb and seams showing on the inside of the oven mitt.  Now for the thumb, I think i will have to sketch the ark a little broader than originally planned but I don't think it will have too much of an impact of the fitted mitt itself.  But the seams on the inside . . . .that one has me stumped.  On this one I hand sewed a 1.5 inch twill tape around the opening to at least keep it from showing or fraying.

In the end I think its a great first start and my mom will love it!  As with all design. . .its never perfect on the first go around.

Valia and Blithe

Its been a long time since the last completed sweater project.  This sweater, I sheepishly admit has been on the needles in a bin for two years. . .bad bad bad.  I finally decided to finish it when cleaning out my craft room for painting.  There are just way too many unfinished and planned projects in there.  I needed a regroup.  So I have set out on a mission that I go from bin to bin and pull out project . . .I either knit it or get rid of it!  It has to go!

So to start i ripped out Valia (pattern here) all the way to the beginning.  I just could not figure out where I left off.  I actually think that is why it kept getting stuffed back in the bin.  But I am serious about this mission so I took a breath and started ripping and began reknitting.  Inch by inch I got through the knitted yarn and to fresh yarn.  It felt great!

The yarn is Malabrigo in burgandy.  All of the yarn is from the same dye lot, however one skein was a little darker and one of my sleeves is darker than the other (left sleeve).  I didn't notice (mostly knit at night) until I took the photos.  Oh well. . .gives a little character right :)

I really enjoyed the pattern.  The lace work is eye pleasing but not overly complicated.  I also like the long turtleneck at the top.  I am a huge fan of cozy turtleneck sweaters.  It gets cold here in the winter and especially in my old breezy house.

I am hoping I can take some photos outside in the fall with the bright autumn leaves.  This color will look perfect . . .maybe my apple picking sweater???

So with Valia complete . . I reached into the bin and out came Blithe!  Once again. . . . RIP RIP RIP!  I will say. . .the rework is coming along nicely!