Why I've Been MIA and the Mess I Call My Sewing Room

My life has changed quite a bit since June.

My part-time job turned into a full-time plus job. It was totally unexpected and unplanned. My boss had decided to retire and I was asked to step in as her replacement...it was a very busy time, with new responsibilities. As Director of a Crisis Pregnancy Center, there is a lot of emotional "stuff" that comes with the job.

 Working six days a week for two and-a-half months became pretty grueling and I'd come home at the end of each work day and flop on the couch. I was dog-tired.

"Dog-tired" means never having to do anything other than what is absolutely required to maintain existence.

Which brings me to the whole point of this post...the parts of my life that took a hit were (a) my sewing and (b) the cleaning of any room that company wasn't privy to: my bedroom and SEWING ROOM.

This is a disturbing scene, so look away if you have a weak constitution:

Sewing Table

 That is my junk pile sewing table. "Hi, Bob Marley, how you doin', Mohn?" That's my Jamaiccan accent.

There's lots of stuff on this table. What you're looking at is the right-side of the table. The left-side is too horrific to look at.




Counter/Desk Work Area

And here is my desk. You'll never believe this, but this is after a tidy-up. I didn't finish, is it obvious?

 Look, the walls are pink. PINK! What in the world was I thinking? I'll tell you what I was thinking...I was thinking I'd turn my sewing room into a cool-looking studio like the one I saw on HGTV 10 years ago. I didn't get results anywhere near that beautiful studio. Now I'm stuck with Pepto Bismol walls!

See the arrow? It's pointing to the little felt doll Ive been working on. I didn't do anything more with little dolly...she really needs some hair! There's a Winnie the Pooh wallet, some bells, a pattern made from freezer paper, all kinds of miscellany.

I was thinking that I should just craft my way out of the mess. Rather than buy anything new, just make goodies out of the supplies I already have. Perhaps I could start a "Purge Along" for crafty bloggers...hmmmm....

If I clean up, I could do some great sewing while cleaning AND make this:

Darn it, this  pattern is out of stock. Which sent me into a tailspin, because I think this is one of the cutest aprons I've seen in a long, long time! So I did what any self-respecting Pinterest aficionado would do...I hunted for a tutorial and Pinned every last tutorial I came across that might help me recreate this little number. I then scoured the closet of my husband and son for a nice collared shirt...I didn't find a thing, not a one! Maddening! So tomorrow, I'll be hitting the thrift stores for a few cheap mens' shirts. Men. Why can't they hang onto old clothing like women do?

Anyhow, who needs a stinking pattern? I'm going to give this apron a try and you'll be the first to know if I'm successful at recreating this. But first, I'll finish organizing my sewing room.

Which means I'll have a finished product to show you 3.5 years.

This is my story and I'm sticking to it!

she has a face!

I make dolls. There are no little girls in my life and yet, I make dolls. Once I see an adorable pattern, I can't stop thinking about the cuteness of the doll and how much fun it would be to make. When I was a little girl, my dolls were so important to me, I loved them so much! Perhaps this doll-making frenzy is a little trip back in time. Whatever the reason, this is a lot of fun!

Cutting out those tiny little eyes and then sewing them on her head was quite a challenge, not to mention the fact that I put her cheeks on the wrong spot and had to cut them out and reattach them. Poor girl. She looks so weird, but I do believe that once her hair is on, she'll be super cute. Her little dresses are cut out, all that's left to do is cut out the batting, sandwich the layers and sew her up.

There also happens to be a pattern for dollhouse carrier, which is adorable. I'm hoping that once the faces are complete, the rest of the dolls will sew up fast and I can spend a few days trying to decide if I want to buy the pattern for the house. Can one really have the dolls and outfits, but no house?

I don't think so!

I Got Nuthin'!

Look at me...what a blog slacker!

No photo, no story.

Didn't change the blog banner.

Didn't update content.

So what have I been doing since the beginning of August, when I said I was going to get back to blogging...yeah, I actually meant it...at the time!

But today...

Today the wool felt I ordered arrived in the mail and I have a "paper" doll pattern ready to make with it. I know. They're adorable!

I will work on those and hopefully, have a photo ready for you by the weekend.

No promises, just good intentions.

Perhaps a little sewing is the incentive I need to get this blog ready for Fall.

We can only hope!

she's watching me!

This is the first doll I made. She's been with me through thick and thin. She's been in existence for all of six months. A lot has happened in these past six months! Dolly is a veteran...she sits and watches me from the sewing table, my dresser and now, she's perched in the old family rocking chair. In fact, Dolly is watching me write this post. She wants me to tell you she doesn't particularly care for the barrette I put in her hair. She thinks it's bland and lacks pizazz. I agree with Dolly. I don't know what I was thinking, but it's there for good and maybe someday I'll add a rhinestone to it. Sit up, Dolly! You're leaning to the left and we're all right leaners around here!

In other news, I found some awesome stuff on Pinterest. I'm heading over there now, to lust over a piece of word art that I really want for my office. If I didn't know better, Pinterest could be on the list of the 7 Deadliest Sins...boy, am I in trouble!

feeling groovy!

Life has been busy, lately. I started this little ol' blog of mine as a creative outlet. It wasn't enough to just make things, I also had a need to say things. To write. Writing and drawing have always been my first loves, sewing my third. Over the years, as our son grew, I found I had a little extra time to create...and that included my beloved blog. Now I'm working full time-plus and it seems that over the last several months, my creative spark sputtered. This weekend I felt the faintest of creative juices churning and I found myself working on a modest manageable project. Lucky for me, my car decided to drive me to Cinnamon's Quilt Shop (naughty vehicle!) after work last week and I bought a little stash of fabric. A layer cake, to be exact. I had found a tutorial for a table runner on Sew4Home, which looked easy enough. So off to cutting and piecing and sewing I went. And it felt really good to be creating!  I whipped up a table runner for my girlfriend's birthday. The project isn't finished...I need to make a sandwich, quilt and bind it. But still. It's a start and I'm two months ahead of schedule. I'm feeling pretty good about it. The fabric in the photo is Vintage Modern, by Camille. It's quite lovely, especially the floral pattern.

I guess you could say that it feels good to be back. I need to change the blog header and update my page, but I reckon that will come in time. I'm looking forward to the cooler weather and the holidays. What about you?

Hip, Hip, Cheerio!

ZzzzzZzzz......

My, I've had a lazy weekend. So many things to do, to clean, to throw away. 

Knowing all this, I chose to spend my Sunday afternoon on the couch, in my pj's and taking a short nap.

I should have been working in my sewing room, straightening it up, dusting, sorting through the miscellaneous supplies that are sitting out on the counter.

I didn't do it.

Christmas is almost here and I haven't started a gosh-darn thing! There are tons of projects posted on my Pinterest boards, but it's impossible to sew when there are piles of LAUNDRY on the cutting table, waiting to be ironed!

I'd like to thank my mother for my need to iron every piece of clothing that is seen on the outside of one's body! Thanks, Mom!

I say all this to tell you...

One day soon, you will see more sewing stuff on this here blog. The way it was supposed to be. Creativity was the inspiration for my blog and I've done NO-THING creatively in the past 6 months.

That is going to change, my friends.

Soon...there will be photos of pretty fabrics on this page.

And hopefully, one or two projects in progress.

Christmas is, after all,  almost here!

view from my office!

This is the view from my office window.

At first, it was a typical construction site.

Nothing special...

I was impressed that every morning at 8 AM sharp, workers were on site and constructing!

 Which is what they're supposed to do.

I think it is very nice of them to get to work on time and start doing their thing.

Time is of the essence!

It is very important that this project gets completed in a timely fashion.

Rumor had it that my favorite fast-food restaurant was going in on this site...NO!

It was almost too good to be true...

Confirmation was needed!

This morning, I received it. The sign is there!

Zaxby's!

 It's official...

Salads! Zalads! Grilled chicken sandwich! Chicken!

Right smack-dab across the street and I have a bird's-eye chicken's-eye view from my office window...

Zaxby's, thy name is temptation!

Pity

Because I love this statue.

Michaelangelo's Pieta.

This is a replica, sitting outside the bell tower of our church.

I find it a beautiful depiction of motherly love and acceptance. Sorrow.

It brings me peace.

Gazing at it gives me joy.

To kneel in front of it at ground-level brings me closer to the Love. The sorrow.

The Divine Sacrifice.

The Pieta.

Cat House

BB-the-Dog, of whom there are numerous photos plastered all over this blog (because she's the only mammal in this house who semi-lets me take her picture), had a little visit to the doctor's today. She's OK, it was her yearly visit and something to do with a "package" I purchased last year that covers her vaccines and yet, I ended up paying extra for antibiotics that will clear up a little rash she's developed.

 *Surprise!

These are what greeted BB as we walked through the doors to the Vet...CATS! Baby cats. And the only good cat in BB's world is a cat that's racing for its life up and over a fence!

But darn it, these kitties were just too cute!

That white kitty was a hoot. Mischievous. Aggressive. Cheeky.


He wasn't having any lazing-around!

"I'm King of the World! And the doggie can't get me when I'm way up here!"

Look out! Whitey is right behind you and by the looks of it, you're about to be pushed of your perch!

 Or squeezed off.

Instagram. I love that app!

Just look at that pretty pink nose!

Good bye, little kitties. I really hope someone adopts all of you.

And don't let those dogs get you down.

And for goodness' sake, please don't tell any of your friends about how BB cried the entire time we were in the lobby, whining while she couldn't take her eyes off of you. She's never seen a cat-in-a-house.

You're enigmas.

And cute. Thanks for the fun.

bright felt love.

Surprise! I'm in a doll-making mode these days. And if dolls are to be made, then this stuff is extremely important...

Wool felt.

It's delicious! High-quality, durable and sturdy wool felt!

It's used for hair, clothing, shoes...

The possibilities are endless!

I'm putting the finishing touches on several dolls, having just finished one of their cute little reversible dresses. I'm looking forward to sharing the dollies in their pretty dresses...

But first, we await a bright and sunny Florida day. Regionally-speaking, the skies have been rather "Buffalo-ish" here in recent days.

And we can't take photos of sunny dolls on dreary Buffalo days!

If you're inclined to order some lovely felt, here's a link to where I ordered my felt...Retro Mama! She's currently having a sale on her felt and patterns, just enter LEAP15 at the checkout and you'll receive 15% off your order (it figures I just missed out on this promo!).

Go, be amazed at the colors. I highly recommend this shop!

hooker school.

I've really, really been wanting to learn how to crochet. Like I don't have enough "stuff" (aka "projects") already in the works. Let's see...I'm currently making dolls. Prior to that, purses and prior to that, boxer shorts. Purses, wristlets, purses. A few wallets, banners, aprons, hats...

I am confident that my squeeze, Jason, is going to be thrilled with this newest endeavor. I have a sweater that fetches all kinds of compliments, but sadly, I always have to deny having anything personally to do with its marvelous construction. Just once, I'd like to say, "Why yes, I did make this, thank you!"

I really don't think it's a coincidence that I stumbled across a site dedicated to free crochet lessons. Complete with "how-to" videos. This is destiny, baby!

The link to crochet love is right here. If you're interested in attending, it's free and I'd love to have you as a classmate.

Grab your hook, some yarn and I'll see you in class!

weekend rays of sunlight!

 I love this time of day/year.

These are photos from the house/yard...

Happy Weekend!

pairs of spotty gams!

So I couldn't resist these sweet polka dots and Mary Jane's...these are the cutest doll legs!

~Heads/faces: check, check
~Arms: check, check, check, check
~Bodies: check, check
~Legs: check, check, check and check!

Now to assemble and stuff them. I cannot wait to share these girls with you! So cute...

I scrapped the primitive doll...she just didn't look right to me. Oh, I'll be making her again. I just don't think I'll do the coffee-wash. Or maybe I will. We'll have to wait and see.

For the time being, this little doll is sweet and she's definitely on my obsession list. I may even make her a little coat...we'll see.

Check back in a few days...I'm really hoping I can stay focused and get them completed.

Super Bowl tonight! Go NY!!!

nakey-girl!

My foray into doll-making. This girl is going to be a primitive ballerina. In a few days, she'll be in her tutu and have her pretty hair in a pretty bow. Right now, she's drying out. Seems she took a bath in coffee and vanilla and now she's detoxing on a cookie sheet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she'll turn out OK. If all goes well, there will be a troupe of ballerinas dancing around the house!

5 Down ~ 10 Up and Orange

My lamp. It's been in residence for many years. I love it. I just think it's so pretty...

 I want to know how a person can step on the scale with a 5-lb loss. Then step on the scale 60 seconds later to double-check the loss, only to be told that in less than 1-minute, have gained 10 - lbs? How can that be?! Very diabolical, if you ask me! What do I do with this? Stupid, stupid, stupid!  So I whipped out my credit card, headed to Amazon and ordered a new scale to replace my idiot scale!

This is my current companion. I searched the cabinets last night for thegood red stuff, Nyquil. The orange is fine for something to swill  prior going to work, but really, the red is meant for a blissful night's rest. I also found some of Jason's antibiotics in the cabinet this morning, so I took one before I went to work and another at lunchtime. I want to kick this crud right outta my head! Naturally, I have no Kleenex handy, so I'm using toilet paper and/or paper towels to mop-up me nose! Being that I didn't feel like cooking after work, I went and picked up two of those cheap-but-will-do-in-a-pinch Little Caeser's Pizzas for dinner. Not on my diet. Shhhhhhh.......just look the other way.

Here's hoping the contraband antibiotics kick in soon...

riding around in my automobile

I thought you might like to take a ride with me today.

Lucky for you, I had my camera with me. Driving and texting might be dangerous, but I've not heard a peep about driving and photographing...

My driving skills are so fantastic, I can maneuver a vehicle and snap photos at the same time!

Publix...my second home.

Save Big. Bright car...won't lose that sucker in a huge parking lot!

More palm trees. There are a lot of those suckers around here!

 Here's my turn onto I95...hope you enjoyed our ride.

Dogs On Needles!

Oh, mercy! Just look at these sweet little dogs...

I wish I knew a knitting wizard who could teach me how to knit. I would knit a pack of these canine wonders.

This one, he's amazingly cute. His face is all bunched up and he's so ugly that he's so cute.

If you happen to be a Wizard of Knitting, here is the darling book that has the patterns for these pooches, and more!

Then knit like you've never knat before! And send one my way, would ya?

reindeer hair clips.

 And the camera is kinda broken, but not entirely so. It seems there's something amiss with the power cord. I don't know, Jason can get the cord just-so to download, but I have no luck at all. The reason I haven't posted in a few weeks...

Until I discovered the memory card and the little slot in the laptop. Mmmm-hmmmm, I figured it out. I can download my photos without the stinking cord. And I have overcome.

Meet my reindeer clip. I've been making these for a few years. I'm selling them at a local shop...they're also great to clip to your collar or lapel. Or purse, or hat. 

This is my hair, modeling the clip. I know, my hair is messy. No, not really. It's just curly and it always looks messy. Thank goodness I can't see the back of my head, or else all that messy-looking hair would really bug me.