Meet Pete the Peacock

Sew Weekly's 30 Days of Pincushions Giveaway made me realize I needed a proper pincushion for my sewing table.  I have a mini one in my embroidery kit, but it's too small for more than a few pins.  When I saw Spincushions' pincushion I was immediately drawn to her shop.

I loved all of her cushions, but I fell in love with her peacock version.  I was even more excited because she offered a kit so I could make my own!

Pic from Spincushions' Shop

My kit arrived within a week, which given it was coming from southern Australia to Kentucky that's pretty speedy!  My package contained the required supplies with the exception of the stuffing, which I already had on hand.  The felt for the top, bottom and sides were pre-cut, along with the green squiggles and beak.  This was super helpful since I'm terrible at cutting (have I mentioned this before, LOL!)  I had to trace out the pattern for the peacock body and feathers.

Construction was pretty fast and the directions were clear.  The only part I got a bit confused on was sewing the cushion all together.  The instructions said to use a running stitch, but I couldn't figure out how that would be really secure.  So I did a whip stitch instead.

I think Pete the Peacock (I'm compelled to name everything, hehe!) came out adorable!

My finished pincushion!

Then I was thinking a wrist pincushion would be nice.  The lovely Cupcake Goddess of A Fashionable Stitch had been hinting about a new product in her shop, a wearable notion.  I was really hoping it was going to be wrist pincushions and it was!!!  They appeared in her shop today!  I purchased her beautiful "Summer" version, which is actually the one (or a similar one) on her wrist in the pictures in her post.

Pic of "Summer" from A Fashionable Stitch

I can not wait to use it, especially when I'm tracing my patterns and making fit adjustments.  I will be using it while making my Beignet skirt, which is all cut out and waiting for me to get some time to start sewing! 

Sweet Success!!!

I finally completed a sewing project!  I was worried it was never going to happen.  LOL!

Well it isn't my Swing Dress, that's still being slowly hand basted to the underlining.  I'm really dragging my feet aren't?!  However it is Sewaholic's Pendrell blouse!

I was excited about this pattern because it seemed easy(ier) and would fit nicely in my wardrobe.  I chose a rayon challis I found at Hancock.  It's kind of heavy, and frays like mad...but it's a dream to wear! 

I traced off the largest size and for once I was happy about that.  All the other size lines seemed very confusing.  I made zero pattern modifications and it fits really nicely.  I kept the long length for versatility.  Plus I have a long torso as it is and it's nice to have a shirt that will either stay tucked in or won't show my undies when I sit down! 

Next I'm going to tackle my Beignet pattern.  I have a lovely light grey cotton twill and navy buttons.  I'm a bit concerned though because I relied a lot on Tasia's sew along posts for my blouse (even though the directions were very clear, I like the tips and tricks) and this pattern doesn't have that.  I've also never done buttons before so it's going to be an adventure. 

During my posting hiatus (I'm blaming work) I made homemade Samoas (also known as Carmel De-Lites).  I used this recipe.  They were quite time consuming to make, but the end result was pretty tasty.  Plus you get bigger cookies, and three times as many than the official Girl Scout ones. 

Side-by-Side comparison

I'll still support the Girl Scouts (especially since I remember my days selling cookies), but during the 10 months out of the year I can't get actual Samoas, I can whip these up instead. 

Crazy days!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!  Though I'm not Irish I like to get in the spirit and wear green.  Unfortunately my green swing dress is not finished so I chose a green t-shirt instead.  Since green is my favorite color it's easy to find something appropriate. 

So my dress isn't finished, but the pieces are all there.  They just need to be put together.  My sewing machine was in the shop for a week longer than I expected and it caused me some scheduling issues.  I do hope to have it completed for my trip back home to Chicago in May. 

I have a baby shower this weekend so my gift (Anna Marie Horner receiving blanket) has taken priority.  I'm so excited because I tried a new technique for making bias tape.  I used the tutorial on Colette's site for making continuous bias tape.  Lining up my lines was a little fiddly, but the strip came out great!  Now I just have to actually make it into the bias tape and then the scary part....sewing it on the blanket.  I can't sew a straight line it seems and this voile (which is what a layer of the blanket and the tape are) is slippery.  I'm considering trying my new Sewline glue pen instead of pins, but I fear it may stain the fabric. 

Has anyone tried this pen?  Did you have any issues?! 

I will be sure to post some pics of my finished blanket.  I really hope I can have it done by Sunday!  Just in case I did get another gift so I won't show up empty handed at least. 

I have a new assignment at work and my days went from low key to 90 miles a minute!  This has severely impacted my time and energy to devote to sewing...or anything else really.  Hopefully I'll get used to things and it all won't seem so overwhelming soon.  In the meantime you may not hear from me much.  I also have another idea for my blog that I'm considering...so changes may be coming.  Good ones I hope! 

Radio Silence

I've been quiet lately because basically nothing crafty is happening.  My sewing machine is still at the shop and I'm starting to think I'm never going to get it back.  So my swing dress pieces are just hanging out collecting dust.  Ugh!

Meanwhile I did receive my new patterns from Sewaholic and Colette.  I purchased my fabric for the Pendrell today.  I picked up a jersey knit from Gorgeous Fabrics

I'm a sucker for anything argyle...it must be my inner preppy coming out!  LOL!  I'm unsure how the pattern will work out with the princess seams, but we'll see.  Any tips for me?!

In other news I did make some amazing cookies!

Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies

They have chocolate chips in them for some added texture and a lovely coffee flavor that isn't over powering.  I got the recipe from one of our Taste of Home cookbooks.  Here is the recipe if you would like to try them for yourself!  Double Chocolate Espresso Cookies

The A-B-Cs of M-I-A

Ashley of (Never Home)maker did this survey and I thought it was too fun to pass up.  

A. Age: 33, and will be 34 in May

B. Bed size: Queen

C. Chore you dislike: Dusting

D. Dogs: Scout, a Shepard mix, and Ripley, a Huskie-Rottweiler, both are rescues so we can't be sure

E. Essential start to your day: Checking my rain gauge and entering my data into CoCoRaHS, I'm a weather geek.  If you are too and live in the States you should sign up, it's a wonderful organization!

F. Favorite color: Green, but I like color so there isn't really a color I don't like

G. Gold or silver: silver or white gold

H. Height: 5'6" but you probably wouldn't know it because I'm always in either Danskos or heels (unless I'm driving, in which case Crocs).  I always wished I was taller. 

I. Instruments you play(ed): I played the violin in the 3rd grade for two months

J. Job title: Software test project coordinator

K. Kids: None

L. Live: in the bluegrass of Kentucky

M. Mom’s name: Deborah

N. Nicknames: Mia is actually my nickname, as my given name is Michelle.  My family also calls me Shelly.

O. Overnight hospital stays: None, since my birth :)

P. Pet peeves: I really have too many to name...but people who know they are going to pay for their groceries with a check and don't even bother to look for their checkbook until their entire (usually enormous) order is rung up get extra special eye rolls from me. 

Q. Quote from a movie: "At least you'll never be a vegetable — even artichokes have hearts. Amelie

R. Righty or lefty: Lefty and proud! 

S. Siblings: younger brother, Matthew

T. Time you wake up: around 6am

U. Underwear: cotton bikinis in lots of colors and patterns

V. Vegetables you don't like: Peas, blech!

W. What makes you run late: Something outside my control because I'm that annoying person that always shows up 20 minutes early. 

X. X-rays you’ve had: I've had tons, teeth (yearly exam), wrist, hand, ankle, ribs, head, back...ok basically everything has been x-rayed at some point. 

Y. Yummy food you make: cookies, cakes, pies, bread and ice cream :)

Z. Zoo animal favorites: I love going to the zoo (well run ones where the animals are properly cared, of course)!  I really love all the animals so it's hard to pick a favorite, but maybe the elephants or rhinos

What to do...

My sewing machine went to the shop today and it won't be done for a week.  :(  So I have plenty of time to trim up my swing dress pieces.  I'll have to come up with a few more crafty activities in the interim. 

I do have to hem our new living room curtains (with fusible tape). 

And I have this adorable embroidery pattern I would like to stitch up.  I'm not sure on what yet though. 

I finally picked up some patterns I've been dying for! 
Pendrell blouse

Sencha

Beignet

So as soon as my machine is fixed up I'm going to a busy bee!!! 

I can at least make bread!

This blog has become my sewing rant session...I really hope for some positive stories soon, if not for the sake of my readers, but for my sanity! LOL

I cut out all my fashion and lining fabric for my swing dress.  Because I find ironing large pieces of fabric awkward I decided to iron after cutting, it didn't seem to wrinkly anyway.  Well...it ironed up nicely and I was so happy with everything, then I wanted to sew my fashion fabric and lining together and suddenly panic set in.  All my fashion fabric is too big now...doh!!  So now I'm going to try to line up my pieces with the pattern again and trim.  Ugh...this is a mistake I'll make once (I hope!).

I was able to sew a few pieces that were pretty close and my sewing machine decided to give me fits.  The bobbin case is loose and the whole thing falls out of place, causing the machine to lock up, my fabric to get eaten and the most horrible noise.  So sewing is on hold until I can get it serviced, I don't want to seriously break my machine, or break it more than it already is. 

Sewing really has a way of rattling my confidence.  I read blogs of other beginner seamstresses and they seem to be whipping up beautiful things daily!  I'm definitely not in the same category.  So I have to remind myself that I am good at something...like making sourdough bread.  Here's proof:  :)

Yum!