Antho-inspired #9(?) & 10(?)

The question marks indicate that I can't quite remember how many of these I've attempted-sorry. Anyway, when I saw these tops on their website, lace sweatshirt & emaline top, I couldn't resist doing my versions. I wanted to put the Anthro tops here, but I wasn't so sure it was cool to use their images. Here's what I did:

I needed lace, so I bought 1 lace curtain panel at the local thrift for $1.00. The t-shirt knit was leftovers from other previous projects. I used McCall's 6164 as my base since it was tnt, and just widened the sleeves since I knew the lace wasn't that stretchy.

For the second top, I used McCall's 6031 for the base. In retrospect, I wished I'd have used lace to cover the band that goes under the bustline, but no matter, They both fit and I love the fact that I used up some leftovers to create them. And for those who wanna know, their sweatshirt top retailed at $68, and the emaline at $58. I did both for $1. Ya gotta love it.

Ok, now we go back to knitting and crocheting.....carry on, people.

Surprise!

Yes, I'm back...I'm sure you can guess that I did get a new laptop, and that I've been whiling away my time knitting, knitting, knitting, with a little crochet thrown in for good meaure. Last week I even managed to finish off 2 projects, and make a little headway with one I started in 2009. Of course, that doesn't mean I haven't started new stuff, too.

Anyway, after I got the new laptop, I tried repeatedly to access my flickr account so I could upload photos. In desperation, I contacted the flickr folks, and email after email with no success.(I knew ny sign in and password, but it didn't work.) I thought "oh no!" now I can't post to Ravelry." Those worries disappated immediately when I saw they have added "upload from my puter "as an option. Gotta love Rav. I waited a few more months, and on a whim, tried to sign in again, and wonder of wonders, it worked. What the blanketedy blank went on over there? Now today, I try to access this account, and have probs. Is it a sign to quit blogging?

I will leave you with a picture since I'm sure that's what you came for... my strawberry socks.

These days I can't get enough of stranded sock designs and will be back with another one soon!

An update that's not so good

My laptop died. I lost everything! Don't know when I'll be up and running again. Know one thing for sure...I have been creating and can't wait to show off all my finished projects.

Turquoise Tee

See? I actually finished sewing something. This easy top has been languishing for over a week for me to finish it. In my last thrift store stop, I finally was able to score 3 pieces of cotton interlock that are in "my colors". This is Simplicity 2364, view b. I highly recommend this one as a fast and easy sew....except for one glaring boo-boo I made during construction. How stupid was it for me to sew the sides of the front drape to the back of the sleeve? Evidently very stupid because I did it on both sides. So, just follow pattern instructions and don't be a dummy like me and wing it unless you really enjoy using your seam ripper. I like to "cheat" the system and see how inexpensively I can make something...So, pattern was $.99, and fabric was $2.50 with 25% off, and thread was in stash from making the snack skirt.

As far as knitting goes, I am still working on a top down s/s top and a pair of Noro socks. I'm not really inspired by knitting right now, and force myself to do it everyday. Trust me, I don't need any more UFO's.

As Time Flies By

Yet another month that I have let slip by without posting. I do have a finished project to share, though. The story behind this quilt goes as follows: A few years ago, I found a beautiful quilt top at a thrift store. My hubby talked me out of buying it and I kicked myself for listening to his drivel. Right then, I vowed if I found another one, it was coming home with me. It actually took another few years before I found another one, and this person's color choice was off. Nonetheless, I had to have it. More time goes by, and I realize that if I plan to quilt it, then I need a quilter's foot for my machine. Right, I go buy the foot, and then more time goes by. Finally, in 2009, I start just a "simple" stitch in the ditch, and then I give up. This darn blankedty blank quilt is sapping all my energy and time. In January of this year, I declared enough is enough, and sat and finished it. Is it perfect? No. Will it keep us warm? Yes.

And who claimed this quilt when it was finished? My husband. Enough said.

I'm a Lazy Blogger

I can always find something else to do instead of blog. I don't know how other people do it everyday. Between photographing, uploading from camera, then to flickr, then to blog...that's a lot of steps. So when you think I've abandoned this blog, I haven't. I'd rather spend the time creating.

Anyway, I thought I'd post a pic of the pjs I just finished. They were made from all thrifted materials including the patterns and notions. The top is Simplicity 8874(OOP) and the pants are Simplicity 4738. I didn't have enough of either piece of flannel, so I had to mix and match. The heart on the pocket is my way of making them match. Cheesy, huh?

And yes, I was also too lazy to bother to press them for the photo shoot. After all, they are just pjs.

Then if you think I don't ever finish any knitting, I figured you could stand a shot of my "That Girl" cardi with a skirt I made, too. The cardi was made from LB cotton ease, 3 balls. Great pattern, and my favorite top down construction. If you click on the image, you can see that fun fabric. I call this my snack skirt.

I've also finished 4 pair of socks, and am working on some more. There's also a cardi in progress.

Should have been the arabesque top from Anthro

That frankenpatterning didn't quite turn out like I wanted, so I moved on to some other sewing.

Here's McCall's 6031 in a bright fushia...last summer top for now.

I definitely feel this was a sucess and the fit is perfect! I highly recommend this one for a great little top. I want to do this again, but don't have the fabric for it right now.

Next up, Butterick 5387. I wanted 5283, but it was discontinued before I could purchase it at the last Joann's $.99 pattern sale. That darn twisting business at the neckline made no sense to me in the directions, but whatever I did ended up working. All that darn hand sewing made this one a bit of a bummer to make, but the result was good. I suppose since you have to stop and hand sew before you can move on to the next step did make the construction go a bit faster. This I made in an olive cotton interlock, but it seems a bit flimsy. Guess all interlock is not created equally.

I did finish a raglan pajama top and a pair of flannel pj pants, but I figure that's a bit boring. Ya know? Pjs are still on my radar, and I am waiting for another pattern sale. I also need fleece. That is gonna be a hard one to get. I've been on a bit of a sock finishing frenzy so that's the project du jour.