Handworks Crochet and then Some!

This post is long and exactly what the title says... its alittle bit of everything I've had going on the last few weeks... First... my well loved Pfaff Embroidery machine has been getting a workout! $1, $3 and $6 dollar thrift store finds are getting new life! One of my favorite designs is this skull from Urban Boho... added to these two $1 dollar t shirts! I'm really starting to love appliques... Here is a hot pink jacket for $3.. I added a pink camo lining in the hood and a design on the front from the same cd.. And the skull again! This one is a reverse applique though... JEANS!!! How I love them!!!! and I have to say finding thrift store jeans that fit my new size is alot easy than the old size! The first pair I used design CD Glamour Rocks... ripped the old label and added my little RD... I also added alot of AB crystals... I guess they are my dress jeans.. haha! The second pair ... riped the old label again... used the Urban Boho cd again.... You can't see in the p...

Times does fly by these days! And I've not sewed a stitch in over a month... now I've not been lazy! I've crocheted on my cami top and my granny square afghan... still messing around in the garden, though its sadly fading... I plan to try some fall/winter crops to help keep me from getting to sad about it!and I've discovered the absolute joys of CANNING! For years I've said I was going to learn to can... this year I did! Spiced Peaches... Tomato sauce, Pickled Banana peppers, Vanilla Pears, Brandy Pears, Pear sauce, Roasted red pepper spread, Red wine fig compote.... to name a few... I'm really on the band wagon for canning! I'm also trying to make some Muscadine wine... mmmm... And we're looking for a farm to buy! Now thats taking alot of time! We REALLY need a farm!!!! Its a long process to find the right land... meanwhile just look at the pretty canned stuff I've made!!!! Veggies and fruits are so pretty all preserved in mason jars.... meanwhile ...

My son, Brian turned 15 Monday! He loves his music (and he's quite talented at it!) so I bought him a new Gibson guitar, The Bald Man bought him a banjo and his Dad brought him this really cool drum back from Africa! My mom cooked up his favorite foods and I made him a chocolate chip cheesecake... yup, I think he had a good one! Now for some sewing... which I really have been doing alot of lately... just been lazy with the posting! Below is an OOP Vogue #2540. It was very easy to make (made this in a day!!)and I plan to make the other view soon. The bolero is copied from rtw. The necklace is a knitted rope with swavorski stones covering it... and I'm not sure I like it with the outfit. The fabric is a stretch black knit jersey with silver glitter throughout that I bought at Hobby Lobby last year on clearance ($2 a yd) The contrast fabric at the bottom of the skirt is another treasure from our trip last year to Panama. This skirt has SO much movement! Love that! This is NL 660...

Why, why would I do this??? Get a puppy??? When I already complain about no time! But I've been looking for a doberman puppy for a while now... my son has wanted a "big" dog for a while.... The Bald Man was indifferent at first and now he's CRAZY about this dog! (he missed having a "mans dog!" I guess my 4lb baby 2-pac didn't quite fit that bill) ............and here she is.... meet Dixieland Sugar Delight... we couldn't decide between Dixie and Sugar... so thats her AKC name.. but we call her Dixie.... my son thought Sugar (my choice) was to 'sweet' to name a doberman! All the way to VA and back Monday to pick her up! Its hard to find a good doberman breeder... I mean really hard! Especially since I didn't want a breeder who did conformation. And I had really specific needs for this puppy... I wanted a girl because of the male dominance 'issues' dobes sometimes have with other males (not good for Pac!) , I wanted her young! so ...

Happy 4th of July everyone! See I haven't forgot about my blog... just been busier than I have EVER been in the summer... Heehee! My little garden helper.... Ok! I couldn't resist, now seriously.... I have managed to crochet quite a bit during my son's Jiu Jitsu classes that last an hour and he takes 2 or 3 times a week! This little pullover vest was super fast and really easy. Made using some cool Japanese yarn that I would have never been able to afford... and it was still expensive on sale! But it made me feel better that it was on sale ;) And I got to tell The Bald Man I bought the yarn on sale... Know what I mean???? lol! I have been sewing... I made a beautiful dress by draping that I need to picture. Otherwise I've just been making lots of basics... 4 tanks, 2 tees and 2 yoga pants.... I'm going to do some lite weight cropped jackets too.... For my.... " 'Round the house yoga/walking Wardrobe" My 'round the house wear was looking kinda s...

Hey are the Bald Man's new slacks I made last week!!! He loves them and they fit him perfect! I was stressed for nothing! The pattern I used is Burda 8272 The problem now is I have to start on his suit!!!! I bought an Italian linen blend on the Asheville trip for him.... yes I'm scared of the suit and stressing. I will be using this pattern for the slacks and a Kwik Sew pattern for the Blazer. All dressed up for Chatt-town clubbin'! This top is Burda 8219 In the pic on the pattern the 'peek-a-boo' hole doesn't look that big on the model... on me.... well... seeing as how I'm alot bigger than the model.... Next time I will make the version with the tie to take away for so much cleavage... sexy top though! Here's my next draping project... its at the pinned stage I've not actually sewed anything yet.. I hand knit the copper belt for the skirt, the fabric is from Panama. I am loving mid drift baring tops for...

Happy Birthday to me!... well my birthday was last Wed. but I just got my B-day present from my mom on Sunday.. which was a crochet book and this beautiful quilt you see pictured to the left here!!!! The pic is a little dark but the colors are really bright and just lovely in person. I have a great mom! Its really awesome to get a hand made gift like this!!! Thanks again Mom! Below is a skirt Mom gave to me that she got from goodwill.... it was plain black... not anymore! I embroidered these gorgeous peacock feathers on it. The crochet project below is now complete. Its a simple shrug. I wanted to try something that required me to shape neck and arms.... It turned out good! I need a pic of the completed item!! It only took 2 days to crochet the whole shrug!!! I also finished 2 much needed basic tops today! I am starting an outfit tomorrow thats going to take awhile and working on 2 crochet projects that are going to take alot longer than my previous crochet stuff. More on them lat...