NPRINS

Dear readers, I'm so ready to meet all the sewing bloggers at the LA Sewing Blogger Meetup hosted by Erin from Miss Crayola Creepy .  Thank you Erin! It's tomorrow at Cafe Midi at 11:30. We are going to have lunch and visit The Fabric Store although Mood is closed for remediation of some earthquake damage.  BTW, the said earthquake occurred about two hours after the last time I visited Mood - and of which I had a premonition that was very strong (& I don't really even believe in premonitions)).   Perhaps I felt the vibrations. So excited -- more posts to come and hopefully some good pictures as well! XOXO, Pammie

Dear readers, While I procrastinated on the buttons to my Funky Grandpa sweater,  I started an easy but gorgeous fingerless mitts patterns.  Why fingerless mitts?  Well,  I've given all my mitts as gifts - with the exception of one snug pair. I finished the pair above on the flight to and from DC from LAX (holding a Kalapawai Market Coffee Cup, Kailua, HI).  Here are the mitts above (with the cowl behind them).  The pattern is  Fetching. Here was my initial cowl -- which I still love and have not blocked.  I have worn it a dozen times at least. The yarn I used was Fyberspates Scrumptious Aran in Moss.  It is a silky alpaca, wonderful and I love it.  One pattern note is that I recommend binding off with a smaller ribbing on the needle.  My are a bit loose at the fingers (and I took out the design originally with the pattern as far as the little ribs on the bind off). I'm meeting with some of the LA Sewing Bloggers for a meet up next ...

Dear readers, Sorry for the absence -- I've been so busy traveling for work (not an excuse)!  I did complete my funky grandpa sweater and some fingerless mitts.  I have backlogged blog posts for sure!  I'm onto sewing as soon as I return from Hawaii this week. Wishing all those mothers out there a Happy Mother's Day! I always did envy those abs!  My mother was a debutante and dressed in Betty Draper style until the early to mid-70s. XOXO, Pam

Dear readers, I've been busy knitting away. . . I'm in the middle of the Funky Grandpa Sweater -- and it's very very exciting -- my first sweater: All my projects can be found on my Ravelry page, linked  HERE .  I'm busy customizing the fit as I sew.    I've also finished my first stranding project that needs to be blocked - -the Wave-O-Saurus hat: I'll post more pictures as soon as the blocking is finished - it needs a bit of shaping.  And, I had some more yoga socks (that I gave to my Pilates instructor -- I think she was bit aghast:)). Knitting projects as gifts can be iffy! As far as sewing, I am finishing up the lined green wool cape, I cut out a tweed vest for J. when he plays with his band (I'm stuck and need more bemberg from Mood) and finally, I do need to make some repairs.  I've learned a little bit about a new trend in denim and jeans -- the selvedge pair.  Which is to say for jeans -- they are made out of selvedge or "japanese denim...

Dear readers, This summer I picked up a rather inexpensive (200.00) Arrow Sewing Cabinet off Craigslist, called the Betty # 401 in white.   It was a particle board table -- I had never used one and doubted its utility.  In the picture below you will see the final table setup: Yes, of course it came with a flaw. . . which the seller did not disclose (I'm unsure if she knew) -- but the stand supported by a hydraulic/pulley type of lift would not adjust flush with the sewing machine.  The fixtures that adjust the hinge were stripped.  I called Arrow and they were fantastic.  I received the new one in days for less that $5.   I also ordered a custom insert with my machine (the table came with some universal inserts).   But, it took me three months to actually get around to installing the new attachment.  (I had to take the hydraulic lift off the table, ugg.).  I finally did it in less than a half hour on Saturday night.  It does make sewing ...

Dear readers, Happy New Year! Time to establish another 5 goals for 2014.  I've decided at a Top 5 goals post.  I did it last year and I felt it was doable.  In previous years, I've committed to too many goals and I felt the pressure didn't allow me enough flexibility for creativity (at least in my sewing goals).    I left these goals somewhat broad so I could have some creative space to pick my projects. 1.   Stash Busting .  yep.  more stash busting.  I've got some fabulous fabrics -- I merely need to sew/knit them.  I have some sewing projects begging for my needle with their stash materials already! 2.   Sew at least one or more Wearing History pattern.   I love these patterns and have two in the queue to make!  If you haven't check out her page Wearing History Blog  or her pattern page  Wearing History Patterns  -- they are fantastic! 3.   Expand my knitting skills.    Knitting is so sat...

Dear Readers, Sorry for the absence, I still have not finished my remaining knitting projects and have not (yet) finished my cape -- waiting only on an hour or two's worth of sewing.  Last weekend, we had our house tented for termites (it's a California thing) and I've been busily cleaning like crazy before and ever since.  I don't believe that all those chemicals exposed in your house (even in gas form) are not harmful.    So, I didn't sew as much as I wanted to this year -- and quite frankly I'm glad 2013 is over and we're on to 2014.    How'd I do?   1.  Expand my knitting skills.   (Update: Completed -- I learned Continental -- made fingerless gloves, and learned to make many hats! I have not finished the Craftsy class below -- because I signed up for a in person sweater class this winter -- I'm just to lazy to finish the video (and buy the gad zillion skeins of yarn).  2.  Perfect a button down dress shirt.   Com...