Typical...

Hello all!

It's been a while since I've made an outfit post, so get excited cause here it is, the most recent addition to Wardrobe 2.0!

We start with a pattern from a great little place called Purlbee, I so name the City Gym Shorts. Then we take cute flowery fabric and leftover chambray, as well as a lot of black bias tape and the remaining scraps of elastic buried at the back of the crafts closet.

And then we get a super easy to make pair of shorts that of course are too small.



They're not ridiculously small, just small enough that I'm extremely frustrated. I've made a pair of these before and the size was perfect! I didn't change anything to the pattern except that I used chambray instead of linen for the back.

I don't know what I did wrong, and it was only when I was done that I realized that the shorts did not fit as well as I had hoped. However, despite the sizing mishaps, it is one of the better-made pieces of clothing that I have ever sewn. The edge stitching on the bias is straighter than on anything I've made before, and the pattern is just overall very easy to follow, I highly recommend it (although I would recommend to pay attention to the size that you're making). 

And because another part of the IB requirements (see previous post) also require 50 hours of creativity, making these shorts counted as part of my creative hours. 

Time spent: 2h10

                                           

Helping how I can

Hello!

As part of my exciting projects (as vaguely mentioned in previous posts) for this summer, I am going to be contributing to society in the small ways that I can.

I found a brochure a while ago as I was fabric shopping that was called ConKerr Cancer. Conkerr Cancer is a foundation that collects handmade pillowcases or supplies to make pillowcases to donate to kids with cancer in hospitals. I picked up the brochure and a few months later my lovely mother picked up some fabric to make them. I'm a part of the International Baccalaureate program at school, and as part of the requirements for the diploma I have to complete 50 hours of community service. As part (not all) of those 50 hours, I chose to make these pillowcases. 

I have to record the process of making them, so here are a few pictures that I took along the way.

Because it's me, I of course sewed the border wrong on the body of the monkey pillowcase but other than that it went pretty smoothly.

I still haven't quite decided on how many I want to make, but I think 10 might be my goal for this summer.

Time spent: 1.5 hours 

Lil sprout

Hello and happy summer!

I'm finally on vacation for the summer, which should mean that I will have more time to make things and share them here with you.

Over the course of the last few weeks as the weather has started getting nicer, I've developed a new love for plants. I currently have four in my room, and despite my lack of green thumb none of them have died so I must be doing something right.

Earlier this weekend I only had two but the herbs I was growing in the kitchen were starting to outgrow their tiny container so I went out and got two new little terra cotta pots and painted them.

I put my herbs in the pink one and a succulent that my mom received as a gift in the green one (she kindly donated the succulent to my little sprout collection). The plant in the back is a peace lily that has not grown at all in the two weeks I've had it. 

Using acrylic paint, I painted both pots white. I had to do several coats of paint because the terra cotta kept absorbing the color, but the paint dried quickly so it wasn't really a problem. Then I used the brighter colors to paint the rim and, using a Q-tip, the polka dots. Now, at this point, I should probably (definitely) have waited longer before putting on Mod-Podge to varnish the pots but I only waited the amount of time it took to paint the dishes underneath the pots. Apparently that's why the Mod-Podge made little bubbles on the paint. Honestly it doesn't really matter to me. 

I semi-successfully repotted the herbs and the succulent and as of right now they seem to be doing okay. I've been putting them on the windowsill of my room during the day and on my dresser at night but honestly I have no clue what I'm doing. If anyone has any suggestions on plant care feel free to expand my knowledge in the comments.

Have a fantastic week (and a great start to summer vacation if that applies to you)!

It's the little things

This is just a quick little post dedicated to the little things that mean a lot. 

One of my best friend's grandmother passed away yesterday and it's been a difficult time for her and her family. I know people usually send food as condolences, but I figured that this might cheer her up a little more than a casserole. It's a patch, hand-embroidered with her nickname onto linen and felt. I put it in an envelope and will post it tomorrow because I don't know when I'll see her next and I know that, personally, receiving mail always brightens my day so I thought it was worth it to try and brighten hers. 

Often times, the little things mean a lot more than we think they do. This took me under an hour, and hopefully will bring a smile to her face. I always try to keep that in mind, that things that don't seem big to us may mean the world to someone else. (I'm not saying this gift will cure her grief, I'm just hoping it brings her a little joy.) 

Have a nice week and give your loved ones a hug.

P.S. I have some exciting sewing things lined up for this summer, so get pumped. Maybe not too pumped, maybe just moderately looking forward to seeing more life on this blog! 

Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds

Hello!

I got a knitting kit for Christmas, a cowl called the Lucy Cowl (hence my brilliant post title) and I just finished it yesterday thanks to a snow day.

When I first got the kit, I was a little concerned at how small the skeins were (they were so cute and small, they all fit on a binder ring) and then when I saw that the instructions fit on a tiny circle piece of paper I was even more concerned. But for once I did follow the instructions to a T and it worked! You heard it here first folks, sometimes the instructions aren't wrong.

I love it so much, it was very easy to make, all in the round for added thickness and warmth, and super colorful. The yarn is gorgeous squishy cashmere (my first time knitting cashmere and I loved it) in 8 different colors. They all look really good together, but I followed the picture from the website to get the same order because I didn't trust myself to make one up.

It looks like I'm about to throw it away, I'm just awkwardly reaching

I don't think you all appreciate the fact that my neighbors saw me leave the house twice today: once to go buy poster board and the second to go take a picture of a scarf in my backyard. 

The best part is, you too can make the Lucy (in the sky with diamonds, I'm really funny) Cowl by clicking here and ordering it! I have the color scheme Urbanite (I think) but there are four color schemes to chose from. 

Happy weekend!

Seed Stitch Scarf Bunnies

Hello!

This trio is the first part of a hopefully successful series of bunnies that I like to call the Seed Stitch Scarf Bunnies for the very simple reason that they are bunnies with seed stitch scarves.

First we have Alice, the sweet little girl of the bunch. 

Next we have James, the rowdy little boy with an earful of stars and a brain full of mischief. 

And finally Basil, the calm and quiet boy who makes sure James doesn't do anything too stupid. 

They are all up for adoption on my Etsy and would be delighted to be scooped up as late holiday gifts (don't lie, we all need some) or as a perfect gift for a baby shower. I will most likely be making more of this cuties, so keep your eyes peeled. In the meantime, have a wonderful week and if I don't talk to you before the 31rst, have a fantastic new year!

Merry Christmas!

Have a wonderful colorful Christmas!