Winter Inspriation

Here's what I'm feeling inspired by today - I love all the bright colors.  :)

I'm feeling ready for freezing temperatures, lots of Christmas lights, snow piled on the ground, a warm fire, and all the other things that make winter Winter.  This is one of my favorite times of year!  Hope you are enjoying the beginning of the Christmas season!

Sorry, I haven't had much time to put together posts this week...  I've started working on my Eowyn vest, so I'll be sure and give you an update soon!

Last Few

It’s getting late in the year.  If you haven’t noticed there are only 5 weeks until Christmas!  I don't know about you but I've got some serious shopping to do!

Do you know what this means?  Any projects I’m planning to finish in 2012 need to be worked on and finished soon.

So when I realized this, I tried to decide what I want to finish this year...

Our bed quilt is something I really want to get done as soon as possible so I can redecorate my room.  However, I have a feeling it won't be done until 2013...  but I'm pretty satisfied with what we've accomplished on it this year and think we'll get a fair amount of quilting done in the next month.  :)

But I’m thinking more in terms of machine sewing projects...

I have to finish my Eowyn vest before The Hobbit: AnUnexpected Journey comes out on December 14^th.  I'd like to have it completely finished before December even starts, but as that is quickly approaching and I haven't started yet I'm not sure that will happen.  I did get all the supplies I need a few days ago, so I should be able to start any day now.  And even if I lose a lot of sleep working on it, I'm definitely planning to have it completely done for the movie!

I would also like to make my Sailboat purse soon.  I've always loved messenger bags and I found this free tute that I think will be perfect!

Including these 2, I'd like to finish at least 3 more machine projects in 2012, but I'm not setting my goal that high because I know myself.  I'm a procrastinator and only confident that I will actually complete those 2...  So why would I set a goal I may not be able to achieve?

I've also got a couple Christmas projects going that I can't post about...  So those will also have to be done before the end of the year.  :)

Any big projects you are hoping to finish this year?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hoping all my lovely readers are having a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!  Eat well, give thanks, and enjoy good fellowship with family and friends!

image from pinterest.com

Grey Pleats

For about two years now I've had this image in my mind of a skirt...  a grey pleated skirt.  Oh, how cute it would look with colored tights!  Or that new sweater I just bought.  Or those boots...

Then someone gave a us a huge amount of grey...  I don't know what kind of fabric.  But now my skirt would be practically free!

So when I needed some cute skirt outfits to wear to a conference last month it was time to actually make the skirt!  My sister had used New Look 6566 (I can't find it on Simplicity's website...  sorry!) to make a couple of pleated skirts that turned out really nicely, so that was the pattern I used.

Making the pleats was a little time consuming, but not difficult.  The only thing that has caused me trouble at all is getting the pleats to stay ironed in...  But I think I'm starting to figure it out.  Just use lots of heat.  :)

I love this skirt!  It's such a perfect neutral color that goes with so many things!

(Oh, and we had a lot of fun with this book photo shoot!  Though getting our cat Schubert to stay on the book pile was quite a chore...  haha)

Quilt Sandwiched

Around a month ago Keely and I finished the quilt top we've been working on, but we didn't get a chance to sandwich it until last Saturday.  Here's the story - this quilt is huge.  And unless we took all the furniture out of our living room there wasn't a room in our entire house that had enough space to lay the thing out.  Thankfully we have a dear friend who quilts all the time and has a large basement floor that is perfect for sandwiching quilts!

"Many hands make light work" is so true!  This is the first quilt I've ever made, but I'm told it can take several hours or even days to do all the basting by yourself.  With 6-7 of us working it took only 2 1/2 hours!

I know it's taken us a while to get it to this point (My excuse: we haven't been working on it consistently and lots of other projects have been made during this time), but there is not a machine stitch in the entire thing.  And after two years of work, I must confess I'm rather proud of it!  :)

Now I'm looking forward to beginning the actual quilting!

Meet Vera

You know how you put in an old 50s movie and fall in love with the glamorous actresses of the past?  Well, after my sister Keely made an Audrey [Hepburn] and my friend Laura had a Doris [Day], I decided it was time for a Vera [Ellen] to look and cute and vintage-y on my bookshelf.

That is, a felted wool Vera worm.  :)

So I've had this image of Vera for a while now.  Pink body, white sunglasses...  She was all planned, and just needed to be made.  And when I got stuck on a sewing project because I couldn't find my zipper, making my felted wool worm was just the thing to do!

She really didn't take me very long at all to make, and I love the finished product!  The pattern is from Wee Wonderfuls.  It has some really cute projects in it, but I think this worm has to be the cutest.

So if you get stuck in a project and need a quick project with vintage flair, I would heartily recommend a felted wool worm.  Don't forget to name her after your favorite vintage actress!  :)

Orange Tights

Found this picture which I believe is a JCrew model and was feeling so inspired by it!  I'm a lover of tights, especially colored tights.  I think it's great how they took a neutral, preppy outfit and added splashes of color with the bright pink belt and burnt orange tights.  It looks really cute and really nice!

This served as the inspiration I needed to go ahead and buy some tights from Target (their $5 tights are the best price I've found, and they come in a variety of colors) and I'm so glad that I got them!  :)

Bright Apron

Note to self - if I want to get something done for a certain event and the project involves something I don't enjoy (such as bias tape, tucks, etc), I need to start at least 6 months in advance.  :P

That said, I made this apron for a friend's birthday.  You may remember I was having difficulties with the bias tape...  Well, it was shamefully late, but I finally got it finished, and Emily looks really nice in it!

I used the vintage reprint Simplicity 4282 pattern.  Everything went smoothly except the bias tape, and my sister showed me a new method that is so much easier!  I'm thinking I might post a tutorial, because it will just make your sewing life so much better!

I love the way it crosses in the back.  It's the little things that make aprons so pretty!

Well, it's so good to be back, dear readers!  I've started a plan for a posting schedule, so you'll be getting updates much more frequently now.  :)  Have a great day!

Brown Suede

I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday.  That store is dangerous for anyone that wants to keep any of their hard earned money.  Part of me really, really wants one in my town, but part of me thinks that I'd be broke if that happened...  I still want one.  :oP

Anyway, I went to Hobby Lobby and happened to find some lovely brown suede that will be perfect for my Eowyn vest!

Oh, I haven't told you what I officially decided about my LotR costume?  I've decided to do Eowyn's Shield Maiden Dress - starting with the vest.  (That way if I don't have enough time for the whole thing I can borrow a friend's Padme` Coruscant nightgown as a make-shift under dress.)

Now I need to do some more research so I can get to work!  :o)

Oh, and I'm sorry I've been so shamefully absent recently, ya'll.  I've really missed blogging!

Sarah Hat

I've been able to get a fair amount of crafting done while we watch the Olympics in the evenings, and in the last few days that has been my Sarah hat.  I was excited and a little nervous about this project as it was my very first attempt at making up my own knitting pattern.  But yesterday morning I finished it, and it actually turned out rather well!

Having worked out my version and then studied Sarah's again, I'm going to experiment with changing a few things that will make it closer to the original.   But I never had to rip out more than 3 rows at a time as I worked, so I'm excited that my first attempt went so well!

I was worried about continuing the seed stitch pattern when I got to the crown shaping, but I reread the instructions for the All-Day Beret pattern and once I got going it really wasn't rocket science.  It doesn't slouch as much as I was expecting it to, though, and I'm not sure how I feel about that...

After I work out a couple of the flaws I'm planning to post the instructions.  Just in case anyone else wants to make their own Sarah Hat.  :o)

The Hobbit

I’m a huge Lord of the Rings fan and am very excited about The Hobbit coming out this December.  The LotR trilogy has some of the most stunning fantasy clothing ever, and The Hobbit promises to have an incredible wardrobe as well.

I just love Biblo's vests that we've glimpsed so far.  Hobbits wear such earthy yet cheery clothes.

With plans in the works for a trilogy party to celebrate the new LotR movie, I need to remedy the fact that I don't currently own a LotR costume!  Knowing me, I need to start soon if I want it to be done for December...

There are so many gorgeous gown to choose from!  Right now I’m considering Eowyn’s shield maiden gown (even though she’s not in The Hobbit, it’s still LotR, right?), but I haven't made a final decision.  I don't think I will until I'm at the fabric store and see my fabric options.  :o)

I can't wait to see this movie!

Quilt and Quilt Again

With 12-out-of-16 of our quilt blocks completed, I'm very eager to finish the piecing and move on to the next step in the quilting process.  With this renewed spirit I'm hoping to have the rest of the blocks finished in the next week, and then we can move on to making the strips that go between the blocks.  Soon we may be able to see the star pattern!

I’m really looking forward to redecorating my room; it’s going to look so amazing!  Having a nautical bedroom is going to be so much fun.  :o)

Hat Inspiration

I tend to be a sucker for hats and right now am feeling inspired to wear them more often.  They can add such a cute touch to an outfit, instantly transforming it from basic to adorable.

Some of my main inspiration has been MJ in Spiderman 2, Sarah in I Am Number Four, Claire in Elizabethtown, and recently Gwen from The Amazing Spiderman.  (I’m not necessarily recommending any of these movies, you can find reviews here)  They all manage to look so sweet and trendy, pairing them with everything from graphic tees to cardigans to dresses.  They really add something to an outfit!

Looking at these and other photos have really put me in the mood to knit, hence the hat I started a couple days ago.  I'm planning to do a fair amount of knitting in the near future so as to improve my skills to the point of fulfilling my dream to knit myself a long sweater...  :o)

Photos from kinopoisk.ru

Casting On

Recently I've been very inspired by lots of adorable hats - so even though I should be working on my quilt or cross stitch, I began a hat last night.  :o)

I'm basing this hat off one of Sarah's in I Am Number Four (review here).  I didn't love the movie, but Sarah always looked very cute and I completely fell for her slouchy hat.

So I started a search for a pattern like hers.  Surely someone on Ravelry would recreate it, right?  But alas, I have been unable to find one, so I'm attempting to make it up.  I'm borrowing the shaping from the All Day Beret (the pattern I used for the last hat I made), and am really hoping it turns out well!

Tomorrow I'll be back with some more hat inspiration!  :o)

Nothing Inspires Progress...

…like a trip to the fabric store!  There were several things I wanted to buy very much, but I controlled myself because I have lots of things to work on here at home.  I did purchase a few items, though, like a couple fabrics that should finish off my current quilting project.

I've been dreaming of knitting, so I also picked up two skeins of bright pink yarn on sale.  The color coordinates perfectly with the toddler dress I made earlier this year, so I'll be searching through my knitting patterns in the upcoming weeks!  I'm really eager to try something bigger (than my usual small things like hats or baby projects), but I'm taking it one step at a time; dishcloths to toddler clothes to me-sized sweaters!  At least, that's what I'm hoping will happen.

And with Butterick patterns on sale for $0.99, I looked through their vintage reprints while my friends finished shopping.  They've reprinted some new ones since I last checked and some are super cute.  I tend to be more of a 50s girl, but I loved this 1960 reprint pattern 5748.  (If you click on the link, I love the red flowered version the model is wearing!  So cute!)  It's similar in style to my favorite dress pattern so I had to buy it!


I came home inspired and excited to do some crafting!  So I washed and pressed the new fabrics, and finished ripping the problematic bias tape off my apron.  Maybe tomorrow I'll be able to re-sew all the stitches I ripped out and make some real headway!

Oh, the Trials of My Life

Have I ever mentioned how much I dislike making bias tape?  How much I detest sewing on bias tape?  I haven't?  Oh, well I absolutely hate doing anything with bias tape when it comes to crafting.  But I happen to be very drawn to the look of the finished product.  So I tend to chose patterns - particularly apron patterns - that are covered in bias tape.

I do it to myself so I shouldn't complain.  But here I am whining on my blog that is published onto the internet.  Oh, well.  I'll get through this just like I have every other time I've done bias tape.  And once I finish it will have been worth it.  :o)

I do love the bright colors of the project.  They make me feel happier.

Teddy Bear

Wow, it's been a long time! I've missed all my blogging friends! But now that I've graduated and spent a week at the beach I'm ready to get back in the swing of life, and part of that involves my blog. :o)

Growing up I had a beloved stuffed bear as my sleeping friend. So when I saw this pattern on Ravelry I thought I would try to make one, because I tend to like stuffed bears. Though since I really have no use for stuffed animals I don't know what on earth I'm going to do with it...  but it was still fun to make.  :o)

I ended up using buttons for the eyes and a circle of felted wool for the nose.  When I tried the felted wool for the eyes he looked extremely scary, but the buttons worked well.

I'm trying to decide if his bow tie is too small...  but it was the first one I tried, and it will work for now.  I can always change it later if I want.

 

 It's so nice to be back!

Alphabet Soup Quilt

Look what I got at the quilt show! Only $2 on clearance, I thought it was very cute.



And my sis got this pattern. So sweet!



Aren't they adorable? I know a few ladies who are pregnant, and these might just make the perfect gifts... Though since it's called "alphabet soup," I may just have to mix the letters up a bit. :)

11-11-11 Blog Award

I interrupt our usual crafting program to bring you the 11-11-11 blog award! Thanks so much to Hannah from Peculiar Treasures, Emma from Psalms 45:11, and Laura from Sigh No More for awarding me!

Here are the rules:
1) Post these rules
2) Post 11 random things about yourself
3) Answer the questions the tagger asked you
4) Tag three more fellow bloggers.
5) Go to their blog and tell them they've been tagged

11 random facts about me:

1) Most people agree that one of the 5 best words to describe me is "random" lol
2) I love all things nautical. So much so I'm redecorating my room with a nautical theme
3) I adore colored tights
4) I'm a huge superhero fan, and think that the Flash needs his own movie :o)
5) I'm a terrible procrastinator. Trying to work on it, but... old habits die hard
6) I eat Cool Whip right out of the container
7) I randomly quote all the time
8) I have an adorable kitty named Bailey
9) I really like hats and wish I wore them more often
10) I love bubble tea! Amazing stuff. If you've never had it you should totally try it
11) I love the beach. Sand, water, wind, sun... beautiful

Questions from Hannah:
1) What is your favorite chore? Probably vacuuming
2) Do you have any siblings? 2 lovely older sisters
3) What is your favorite time period? Fashion wise? Too many good fashions... Colonial or 50's maybe?
4) Do you have braces? Will have them? Had them? Thankfully, no
5) How long have you been blogging? 1 year and 4 months.
6) What instrument would you like to learn? Guitar
7) Do you like to draw? Love to, but I stink at it. haha
8) Do you take any sports? Ever have? Not organized, but I love playing stuff in the back yard. :o)
9) What would you like to do when you get older? Be a wife and homeschool mom, teaching piano on the side.
10) What are your favorite movies? Too many to list, but some of my favorites are The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia movies, Master and Commander, The Patriot and superhero movies.
11) Do you like gum? My favorite! Bubble gum especially.

Questions from Emma:

1) Favorite animal? Probably cats.

2) If you could own ANY animal, what would it be? If I'm feeling exotic, maybe a parrot... If not, just a cat.

3) If you could do anything for your birthday, or any day for that matter...what would you do? Take my family and closest friends and go bungee jumping, sailing, and surfing, then come home and play charades and Taboo. :o)

4) What was one of the best pretending games did you do when you were little? Pretended all the time, so I don't know what the "best" one was...

5) Whats your style? Random

6) Favorite movie? Don't exactly have *one* but you can find some of my faves above

7) If you could have a job doing anything, what would it be? No idea

8) Clicky pencils, or wood pencils? Mechanical all the way!

9) Full name? Kelsie Brynne

10) What would the attributes of the man you would want to marry someday be? Christian and not sure I want to share more on the internet.

11) BRIGHT colors, or natural colors? Bright and light

Questions from Laura:

1) Science Fiction or Fantasy? Umm... probably fantasy though I love both

2) Batman or Superman? Too hard! depends on my mood.

3) Action or Drama? As a general rule probably action

4) What's your favorite genre of music? Oh, that's hard, too... a little bit of everything

5) Favorite day of the week? Depends on what I'm doing that week

6) TV or Movie? Well... I watch more movies, but I love some tv shows. And they're longer which is nice. Except I waste more time that way...

7) Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Narnia? Impossible to answer! Maybe LotR, but I love Narnia, too!

8) Philosophy or Science? Neither

9) What is your current favorite hymn? Man of Sorrows. Love that one.

I'm awarding:
1) Kiri from The Story Girl's Bookshelf

2) Anna from Simple Thread

3) Tricia from Little House in the Hills

Questions for the tagged:
1) What was the last book you read?
2) Do you prefer flip-flops or tennis shoes?
3) When you have a free evening what is your favorite thing to do to fill the time?
4) What's your favorite crafty thing to do?
5) What's the last movie you saw in theaters?
6) Do you prefer cooking or baking?
7) What is your favorite color to paint your nails?
8) Do you wear perfume?
9) Dresses or skirts?
10) Do you usually spell things the American or British way? (like colors or colours)
11) What are the 3 words that best describe you?

Have a blessed Sunday and I'll be back to craft blogging on Monday!

Quilt Show

One of our neighbors is a widow who quilts pretty much all the time. And when she ended up with two extra tickets for a quilt show she asked if my sister and I wanted to go for free. We said yes!





I really like Irish Chains and that was the main pattern at the show. I think this scrappy one is just beautiful! I may need to make an Irish Chain someday... :o)



Nothing gets one in the mood for quilting like a quilt show! When we got home we were feeling very inspired to work on our quilt! We're almost done with these squares!

Pink Flowers and Polka Dots

Well, after some hazardous mishaps and a pin head melting to the collar, I finally finished this toddler dress the day before the competition!




The pattern is McCall's 5791. I made a size "large". That means I don't exactly know what size it is, but I would guess it's somewhere between 9 and 12 months. (I tried to compare it to this darling 7 month old, and she decided it was fun to hold the hanger and wave it up and down. So stinkin' cute!)



This was my first project with piping, and I just adore the end result. It may become a fixture in my sewing projects. :o) It also provided the perfect opportunity to add more contrast giving the dress more interest.



It went pretty smoothly, and I was very surprised and pleased with the scores I got. All-in-all a good experience, though it was a little stressful to finish the day before competing!

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! Hope you are having fun and wearing green! :o)