Mike's birthday and thrifting

My wonderful husband, Mike, is 56 years old today. We went out to breakfast this morning. I'm not sure what we're doing for dinner. We usually go out on Friday, mostly the Taco Bell or diner route. I offered to make him burgers, but we'll see what he wants to do.

Meantime, on a totally different topic, I've been thinking of some new clothes for fall. I want to work around green, maroon (or burgundy) and beige. I can make the tops and I even have a green jacket that is almost finished. But I don't like making pants--they never fit right for all that work--so I thought I'd just check Macy's and Sears on line to see what was in style. I also looked at some tops for the heck of it.

Well, pants are pants. I'm pretty conservative so I'd only go for regular-looking ones, not anything with fancy embroidery or cut outs or bling. One thing I prefer is a wider waistband. It sits more comfortably against my stomach, which is hyper sensitive. (I hate elastic, btw.) So there wasn't much that was interesting.

But the tops annoyed me. I'm sorry...$40 for a t-shirt? Just 'cause it has a little bit of ruffling? You're joking, right? I don't care who's name is on it, it's a blasted t-shirt!

Anyhoo, I had about five more bags of 'stuff' to get rid of, so I headed back to the trusty thrift store today. I don't usually have much luck with clothes (most of it is either too shrunken or faded) but today I decided to plow the racks. I found 4 tops that cost me less than $12 for all of them! 2 are tanks, one is a fabric of woven cotton, striped, with three buttons down the front and a collar, and the last one is a peasant blouse in knit. The peasant blouse may end up being a PJ top, but that's okay because I need one for summer.

So here I'm posting again with no pictures. Boring! I have a way now to get my pictures on the computer from the camera, and I have a cute "One-Yard Wonder" project to show off. Next post, I promise!

If you read this far, thank you! I tend to talk too much!

A fancier apron

You can probably guess this is no 'one yard' apron, LOL! (Click on my header, then scroll down for my clothespin apron post). Frankly, it took me forever to make this. The fault is more mine than the pattern--I am notorious for not reading instructions and proceeding on my own. This is not a good thing if something is totally foreign to you (even after 40 years of sewing). That zig-zaggy bottom was a pain in the neck. Silly me, I tried to sew it 'right sides together,' because that is what you usually do. No, in this case, you fold down the raw edge on the eyelet then lay it on top of the gingham. No twisting and turning necessary.

I like the back, although I'm not used to aprons that criss-cross like that. I have to figure out the straps when I put it on.

Oh, and that really is a Target bag on Sunny the Mannequin. I don't know what they cover dress forms with, but slipping things on and off of them is really difficult--too much traction. The plastic bag makes this easier.

I'm linking to "Sew Cute Tuesday" today:

http://thecreativeitchboutique.blogspot.com/2010/06/sew-cute-tuesday-60110.html

Go pay Misty a visit!

(BTW, this is my second post today. I also posted for "Tammy's Recipes" for "Kitchen Tip Tuesday.")

EDITED ON THURSDAY TO LINK TO:

"It's So Stinkin' Cute" Thursday

http://itssewstinkincute.blogspot.com

Check out the cuteness on Julie's blog!

Doll Dress

Here is Molly (with a bad haircut) in a crocheted dress I made for her. It just needs one more button on the back. The t-shirt is a blue knit with daisy print on it.
Molly is only borrowing the outfit. It is a gift for Angelina's doll, Amanda. Amanda is also getting a crocheted blanket and pillow (lavender) and possibly a nightgown and jacket. I'm not sure I'll have time to finish the latter two, but I'll try.
Last night, I picked up a dowel at Michael's. I'll have Mike drill a hole in it, and cut it shorter, then I'll put some yarn or rat-tail in it, tie on a magnet, and it will become a fishing pole for the little fishing set I made for my nephew. The fish are done. I'll post a picture of the finished gift soon!

The best part of these? Most of my materials were things I already had on hand!

A few things today

First, my "E" blog. It is http://www.ericabunker.com/ Erica makes some beautiful things, and her wardrobe is nicer than anything you could buy ready-to-wear!


I also want to mention that E is for Etsy. Many of my fellow bloggers have Etsy shoppes. I hope to have one someday, too. (Dang, I gotta get working on that!) But I'd like to remind you that Etsy isn't just for finished handmade items. I have bought fabric, vintage patterns and buttons there, too! In fact, lately it's the first place I look for buttons.


And now on to Sew Crafty Friday! http://w8ng4him.blogspot.com/ Why don't you pay Shereen a visit?


This is my first attempt at amigurumi. In fact, it's such a first attempt I don't know how to spell the word. Let me check...yeah, I think I got it right. I made an octopus, and I like the way she came out...even if it was a pain to sew on the tentacles. Here's the link: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70588AD.html

You have to sign up, but it's free and there are a lot of cool crochet patterns. There's knit stuff in there, too, of course!

That's a bow on her head, just so you know it's a 'she.' She is now living on a shelf in my dining room hutch. My husband likes her, and he works at the dining room table. So she can be his mascot.