Singer

JB *loves* going to yard and estate sales.  Me - not so much.  I have enough of my own junk and don't really need to root around in yours looking for treasure.  This past weekend, the weather was glorious and for the first time in many Saturdays JB wasn't fixing someone's car. 

So we got up, ran some errands and yard saled our way to the local farmer's market.  At one of those sales - I spotted a beautiful black singer in a bentwood case before we were even in their yard.  It's not the machine I have been looking for, but it was lovely and I brought it home with me.  It needs cleaning and a new cord before I'll plug it in.  But I'm excited.  So - what do you think?  Would you have bought her?

It's Been Awhile

Abigail Jane

Beauregard James

Lucy Lou

It's so hard to get good photos of these dogs.  Beau thinks he needs to jump and run.  Will sit still just until the camera clicks.  Lucy will only sit if there are treats involved.  And Abby - well Abby has better things to do.  But here they are.  All photos taken this morning - with much frustration.

A Sweet Baby Gift

Once again Carrie asked me to test knit one of her lovely designs and I was thrilled to be able to help.

This sweet little baby sweater is called Lilianna and the pattern can be found on Carrie's blog (link above) or at Ravelry.

I knit the 12 month size and used Berocco Ultra Alpaca.  It might be a bit itchy for a baby - but it's a 12 month size and hopefully will fit Zoe in the colder months. 

This little sweater is knit from the top down in one piece.  You only pick up for the arms and knit a little bit. 

The yarn is lovely - soft and sproingy with lots of color variations.  While it's technically green, there is a bit of yellow and darker green in it. 

The sweater looks tiny to me, but I was very careful to get gauge - both row and stitch since I was using a different yarn.  I ended up knitting it with US3s which seem small, but the resulting fabric has drape and isn't stiff.

I still need to find the perfect little button, knit a pair of socks or a hat or something and drop this in the mail.

On A Stick?

Nope - on a person.  Sorry - bad joke. 

So this is the Dianne made maxi.  JB still says it looks like a muu muu.  Come to find out - it's the fabric he doesn't like.  The fabric is a paisley silky from the fake fabric store.  But I saw it and fell in love and I knew it wanted to be a maxi.

I lined the entire dress in a very soft cotton.  To do this - I just cute the dress twice.  In the bodice, I used the 'lining' as facings and changed the construction order so that all the edges are finished and inside the dress.  The two skirts hang free of each other.

You can't really see it here - but I changed the ribbon to 2 small green ribbons.  They matched better than the huge bring pink ribbon - which was a dead match for the pink in the fabric, but really stood out and yelled - hey!  Look at me. 

In the top photo, I am leaning back and thrusting my stomach forward.  I got 7 chances to get a decent photo.  JB is not very patient while taking photos.  He doesn't understand.  Oh well.  Would be nice if I could get him to take some time so maybe I could forget he's snapping. 

This dress was comfortable and easy to wear.  It wasn't too hot (which I was afraid of with the silky fabric and full lining).  And surprisingly, while I was concerned with the muu muu comment - I felt pretty all day. 

Win / Win.  Right?