T is for...

"Tree Fall Designs." There are a lot of pretty things over there, not the least of which is two adorable little girls. I love the way their mommy took a pattern from Ottobre magazine that was meant to be made in knit and used a woven instead, with great results! I might have to try that, too.

Here's the link: http://treefalldesign.typepad.com/tree_fall/

Please scroll down for my Sew Crafty Friday post today!

Sew Crafty Friday

Edited to add: I wrote this hours ago, and forgot to post it at Shereen's. Duh!

It's time for Sew Crafty Friday at Shereen's Blog! http://w8ng4him.blogspot.com/ Hey, I know there are a lot of talented folks out there because I've found you via my search for my ABCs of crafty blogs. So go on over and join in the fun!

My crafty project is this blouse I just finished. I am very pleased with the fit, and happy that I cut out two of them. The other one is an off-white with roses on it. I usually have trouble with things falling off my shoulders because I made them big enough for my bust. This time, I was smart enough to cut the shoulders a size smaller!

This is Simplicity Pattern 4077. There is a long-sleeved version, too, so I'll probably make one or two more for the fall. Since I like the bodice, I might alter the neckline and finagle it a bit to make a jacket. We'll see.

The other things I did this week was to finish the pajama top I've been making and to put bias binding around the neckline of the dress with the yellow top. I chose pink for the binding since it matches the skirt and the sash. One of these days, I'll have my husband take a picture of me wearing it, as well as the turquoise and white dress I made a while back.

I made myself a libary bag, too. Just a simple tote with a heavy fabric on the outside that looks like a red bandana and ticking stripe on the inside. I simply measured around some magazines I'd taken from the library and worked from there. Maybe now, with my books/magazines in one spot, I won't be late in returning them, LOL!

I'll be back later with a "T" blog or two!

(PS--taking pictures in a mirror is difficult, LOL!)

S Blogs times two

The first blog I want to tell you about is called "Sew and So" by the immensely talented Becky. You really do have to scroll down over there and take a look at the shirt she deconstructed and reconstructed into what she calls a "Doolittle Blouse." You will never believe it started out as a man's shirt bought from the Goodwill--except she has pictures to prove it! Becky is one talented kid (she hasn't hit 30 yet--to me, she's a kid. Sorry, Beck!) and you will really enjoy your visit to Sew and So! http://sew-and-so.blogspot.com/



Then there's "Sew, Mama, Sew," which is an absolute motherlode for tutorials--66 last time I looked! There are tips, lessons, sew-alongs, giveaways--well, if you've never been there before you'll feel as if you've struck sewist gold. Here's the link, enjoy! http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/

R Blog (WFMW Post)

If you haven't visited "Rocks in My Dryer, " especially on "Works for Me Wednesday," I just have to ask...what planet are you from? Honestly, WFMW is a cyberspace phenomenon. At least, it should be! You want to talk creative? Just check out the hundreds--I'm not kidding, hundreds--of tips and ideas our fellow bloggers post there each week!

And please read the story of her amazing trip to Africa as part of Compassion International, and organization that helps children in poverty around the world. It will melt your cold, cold heart.

Here's the link! (It's over on my sidebar, too!) http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/

What didja think "Q" would be for?

Quiet (this house)?

It's for Quilts, of course. OMG, there are sooooo many nice quilting blogs! Here are just a few:

http://catsnqlts2.blogspot.com/ --I love Linda's cat, Skyler! He reminds me of my Nutmeg when she was a younger kitty--they are both tuxedo cats!

http://dquilts.blogspot.com/ --cute stuff and tutorials, too!

http://doxie-land.blogspot.com/ --adorable grandchildren, cute doggies, an amaaazzzzing sewing room (pardon me while I drool).

http://www.quiltersbuzz.com/ --not really a blog, but a great place to read the latest about quilting and sewing and more

And don't forget to check on my favorite quilter of all, Susan at Blackberry Creek--see my sidebar for link!

Boys will be boys...

...even when they are 21 years old!

James (see sidebar for pic) comes up to me with a small cologne bottle. "Smell this." My reaction is, 'it isn't going to gross me out, is it?'

"I don't know."

So I bravely take a whiff. It smells like...

...dirt.

No kidding, my son found a cologne called "Dirt." And it really smells like the stuff I dig up out in my garden. (Happily, not like manure--I don't have that big of a garden.)

Jamie (his friends call him James) says there's a site on line where you can find cologne in every fragrance except gasoline.

He tells us as he happily heads out to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner:

"I'm going to be the cleanest guy ever who smells like dirt!"

Boys...

P is for...

"Polka Dot Pineapple"! http://mousechirpy-polkadotpineapple.blogspot.com/

You should see the gorgeous rag quilt Letti made--so colorful! And the addition of yo-yo's is just the cutest touch. She's done some other cool projects, too (love the fabric flowers!)

There are tutorials. The one for the jumbo yo-yo quilt is amazing. But I like the one where Letti teaches you how to make 'yarn' from a t-shirt!

BTW, I want to say 'thanks' again to everyone who commented on my dress last friday. Don't marvel--it's basically a t-shirt attached to a skirt, LOL!

Oh, boy, and "O" blog!

Today's creativity lies in being frugal. After all, it takes a creative mind to make good use of 'just a little.' You will find yummy recipes and tips over at "Our Red House." http://www.ourredhouse.blogspot.com/

It is pouring rain and gloomy here on Long Island. Kate has a recipe for "Easy, Cheesy Potato Chowder" that would really hit the spot this afternoon--if only I had potatoes on hand, LOL!

BTW, thanks to everyone for all the nice comments on my dress on Sew Crafty Friday! I didn't get back to check out the posts and was surprised at how many people responded. You're all the best!

A Nice Blog for N!

http://nomorethantwo.blogspot.com/

Nice, and funny, too--that's Cindy Lou, who is more than 2...if you appreciate Dr. Seuss, you'll get the joke. This blog is fun to read, and Cindy does some nice work--even her 'mistakes' look great, to me, LOL!

Scroll down for my contest winners, if you don't know!

My winners!

I did this in a rather unscientific way, but it worked. First, I cut the comments apart and tried to keep them about the same size. Then I divided them up by category. If you asked for more than one thing, you got entered more than once, so don't worry! Then I threw each group of papers at my cat and dog. The cat is more cooperative, the dog just looks at me like I'm nuts. These are the winners that Melody Kitty picked with her nose:

Miranda of "Life on Hackberry Road" won the hangers!

Becky of "Sew and So" won the Janet Evanovich book!

Kristen of "One & Two Makes Three" won the dishcloths!

and WindyCindy won the Koontz book!

Congratulations to all my winners! I'll be contacting you on your blogs (or via e-mail if you left me an address!)

I'll be back later with my next ABC blog.