Between Christmas and New Years my niece and I took the sock monkey out for a road trip.  as you can see she really enjoyed California's Central Coast.   

The sock monkey kits at Christmas were a big hit.  My nieces and nephews (ages 5-25) really liked them, and are planning sock monkey making parties!   

Posted by sue at 8:37 PM PST

Updated: Thursday, January 8, 2009 3:03 PM PST

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I've been sewing the past few days... burning through my stash and making some Tried and True (TNT) favorites. 

First was the Simplicity wrap top and LJ Designs Fajita skirt.  Both my favorites, probably because whenever I wear these pattern I get lots of compliments.

I have made this skirt in black also.  You can't have too many black knit skirts can you?  This skirt looks great with boots in the winter and with sandals in the summer.  

The next thing I made are 3 tees from Christine Jonson's new pattern.  http://cjpatterns.com/

She has the best patterns and the fit is always perfect for me straight out of the envelope.  I met her last summer at the ASG Conference and she's really nice too!  Her patterns are great basics and come together really nicely.

 I'll be making a few more of these tops! 

A third items is a cropped wool jacket that I'm adding some hand stitching to.  It is Vogue http://www.voguepatterns.com/item/V8522.htm?search=8522&page=1 view C which I made from a charcoal wool melton, unlined, and omitted the facings.  The edges are left raw, but I'm adding a running stitch with grey pearl cotton around the edge.  I'll post a photo when I finish.  But here's a sneak peak

I've started a  log for my 2009 sewing projects.  Date; description, fabric, yardage, and a thumbnail photo.  I hope to keep it up as it would be nice to review my sewing projects at year end!

Posted by sue at 9:24 AM PST

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 I returned from my trip up the Central Coast and the weather couldn't have been more perfect.   As soon as I get those photos organized, I'll post an entry.

New Year's Resolution.... ok, so I'm going for it... no fabric purchases in 2009 for as long as possible.  I'm going to compete with myself to see how many months I can go!   Wish me luck!   I have gone through more bags/piles of fabric and freecycled 4 more bags!  Woo hoo.  If you have not heard of or tried  Freecycle, I strongly recommend it.   There is one for almost every city in the country.   www.freecycle.org

I use it to recycle almost everything.  I hate to toss things out in the trash, someone can use it, right?  I've also posted "wants" and received things like a booster seat for my car for when I take my younger nieces and nephews around.   You go to the website, look for your area and ask permission to join the group.  It is set up as Yahoo groups.  I belong to 3 groups in my area.  For instance, I'll post an "offer: fabric scraps" in the subject line, then list what I have, for instance.  Large bag of fabric scraps, mostly 1/2 yard cuts and under, knits and cottons, smoke free, 2 cat home.  And within a few hours I get several emails asking to pick it up.  I generally give it to the first person to respond, unless someone has a better "story" why they want it.  I respond to their email to tell the person it's theirs,  I leave the bag outside my house  for that person to pick up within a certain timeframe and it's gone!  If they don't pick it up it goes to the next person who asked.  But I've had no problems with things sitting around.  It's not in our landfills and it was given to someone that wants it.  There's a lot of kids out there looking for scraps and other people that make doll clothes that want fabric leftovers.  

Yesterday morning my sister Cheryl, her family, Katelyn and I went to the  Rose Parade.  We had great seats, thanks to DH and his job.  

Here's some photos.

Posted by sue at 9:06 AM PST

Updated: Friday, January 2, 2009 9:31 PM PST

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T’was the night before Christmas and the gifts is all made

I’m exhausted and weary, and in need of first aid.

The projects are done; tailored to each of their needs

Thank goodness no one suggest I embellish with beads!

The tamales are nestled all snug in their pots

There’s sweet, pork, and chicken and some are quite hot

I finally settle down with tall drink in my hand

I put up my feet and it all looks so grand.

The moon in the ski with the stars all a glow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, as he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Posted by sue at 5:50 PM PST

Updated: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 5:51 PM PST

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