SEWmuchKNITting

I think I have my sewing mojo back now that I've made the HotPatterns 1090 Classix Nouveau Uptown Downtown Knit Dress ! This dress lives up to it's billing as a beginner knit dress pattern, and is quick and easy, especially with the help of the YouTube video put up by the designer, Trudy. At first I wanted to make this all in the gray fabric, but I didn't have enough yardage. So with that 'design opportunity' I forged ahead making the skirt portion in some black lycra I purchased last summer at Vogue Fabrics in Chicago, and the top portion in the gray knit from Gorgeous Fabrics. I kinda like the two piece look! And, wow, is it comfortable to wear! I can see another one of these in my future. Check out the infinity scarf:

I had the pleasure of taking a full-day workshop with Gwen Marston , exploring the use of solids in making abstract quilts. Gwen shared with us her techniques and views regarding making quilts in a more "liberated" fashion: no patterns or precision piecing here! Working in this way is really stepping outside the box for me, but I must say I really enjoyed myself! I've been considering working in a more intuitive and improvisational direction, and this workshop sealed the deal for me. As Gwen said, it is like "playing at your sewing machine", and I agreed. I can't wait to do more. Below you can see my piece from the workshop in progress:

I am participating in my LYS ' (Sweet Pea's Yarn & Gifts) Block of the Month program for 2010. This will be a full sized afghan in more pastel colors, all knit with a bulky yarn on size 13 needles. I really like the Brown Sheep's Shepherd's Shades 100% wool yarn that the shop owner chose, and I REALLY like that the blocks are a generous size and knit up very quickly! We'll meet one Saturday each month to receive the pattern & yarn for the next block, with little goodies and discounts along the way. It's fun to get together with some knitting buddies, and it will be nice to have a lovely product when done.

While cleaning off my cutting table this morning, I found this pattern cut out and ready for sewing. I am making view C, in a forest green wool blend fabric that was gifted to me by my friend Bonnie. Actually....she thought I might make something for one of my daughters' 'career wardrobe', but I liked the fabric so I kept it for myself! No pictures of the project yet tho, the weather here is gray and gloomy and not great for taking pictures.

Okay, so it's the middle of January already and I may be a little late to the party, but here are my 10 goals for 2010, and not in any particular order: 1-Do more garment sewing, looking at my wardrobe as a whole. 2-Eat healthy and exercise more.....should go without saying! 3-Journal. 4-Read a book a month, I love GoodReads!! 5-Finish my Central Park Hoodie sweater. 6-Declutter/purge at home.....especially my sewing studio! 7-Knit/sew/volunteer for charity more often. 8-Sew down my stash. 9-Get 8 hours sleep per night. 10-Live each day to it's fullest!

Making some head-way on my daughter's legwarmer s. One down, one to go!

I really kept my Christmas knitting to a minimum this year. But knitting this beret on the cover of the Fall 2009 Vogue Knitting magazine and a matching pair of Fetching wristwarmers was very fun. I gifted the set to my son's girlfriend, and I must say the beret looked fabulous with her long, blonde hair. Sorry, no pics, I forgot! Knitting another set like this would be a pleasure, and might be a future project.

From this: to this: there just isn't anything more to say.

I've been away from blogging for a couple of weeks while my family and I spent the Christmas holidays in Hawaii! This year my husband and I will celebrate our 30 year anniversary, and so we decided to celebrate a little early with all our kids in Paradise. Travelling to Hawaii from Michigan is quite a long trip, but oh so worth it. And the best thing is that each one of our four kids was able to make this vacation time work within their busy schedules. We had a blast, and spending time with the ones you love is really the point, isn't it? Happy New Year!