counting down the days

Hi all!  I've been lost in work and travel since the holidays and still going.  I'm on the last leg of my job and, as grateful as I am to have work, I'm ready to be home for a bit.  I want to veg on the couch, hug my dog and spend some QT with the husband!

And of course-sew!  I've been knitting while on the road, which is good, as it relaxes me.  I should have a finished project up tomorrow as well, yay!  Right now, I'm mentally rifling through my fabric stash trying to decide what to sew when I get home.  I'm thinking a circle skirt, cause I have a lovely black wool that's taking up a lot of space.  I just need a lining fabric for it.  I've never made one before, but I think I'll use Casey's tutorials from her sew along.   Seems easy enough.

Not being able to sew, I've been living vicariously through the many sewing blogs that abound, patiently waiting my turn to contribute to the blogosphere.  I've really enjoyed being a total lurker, and found some great blogs!

Special thanks go out for entertaining and inspiring me the last few months on the road:

the sometimes seamstress
I just love Kirsty's self-deprecating humor, and the recent Sencha!

Idle Fancy
Seriously cute clothes, very inspiring.  That cameo inspired dress still gets me!

Ms P
A refashioning master!  Love the less is more, and making pretty things out of uglies.

So Zo, What do you know?
May be the quickest seamstress on the face of the planet, how does she do it?  Also, love her semi-political rants about the clothing industry, definite food for thought.

By Gum By Golly
Wow, she is quite the powerhouse knitter, great vintage style and a newbie seamstress.

Did you make that?
Have you seen her recent coat?  So lovely.  And lots of Brit charm I can't get enough of :)

Lladybird
One of my absolute favorites for the biting humor, non-apologetic cursing, and damn cute makes!

Masustak Eguzkitan
A new find, fashionable outfits, great styling, love the glimpse into Spain!

This is by far, not a comprehensive list, just means I'm still mid-lurk, hehe!

We're wrapping up this work adventure back in Florida, where I was raised, though the other side of the state.  But, it still reminds me how much I love it here.  Not to piss anyone off that's fighting wintry weather, but it's about 70 degrees outside and blue skies, so pretty!  I'll leave you with these travel images...

 I just love old Florida, how kitschy!

 

bowapalooza and 2012 goals

I've had 10 days off from work, and honestly, my sewing took a back burner.  I had grand plans to whip out another garment, but truly, when it came down to it, I preferred to spend time with family, sans sewing machine.  Until...my stepdaughter joined us.  I taught her to sew this summer, and this girl can get in the zone!

So we commenced "bowapalooza".  It spanned a couple days, but we wrapped up 15 minutes after NYE last night.  We know how to party, hehe.

And 2012...

I decided on a whim to start this blog, not to actually document my crafty endeavors, but to encourage a couple of friends to start sewing garments for themselves.  Instead of exchanging info through email or flickr, I impulsively started this blog.  I figured I could do step by step instructions for the Sorbetto (the first project) and help them bridge the gap from home dec/kids stuff to personal garments.  One friend made hers, and she *you know who you are Leah* never took a pic of herself in it to send to me.  But I love her anyway :)  Most everyone that wanted to participate are busy mamas and when they have time, they'll make that leap.

I was hoping we could continue doing sew alongs, pushing our skill set.  But really, let's be truthful-sew alongs are A LOT of work!  So this blog very quickly morphed into my own show off place, and I'm totally fine with that ;-)  I mean, we are all "sewing along" with each other anyway, right?  Even if it's not the same project, even if we don't have the same skill level, the sewing community is one of the warmest, most welcoming places I've encountered.  Skills are shared, compliments, advice, tips-I feel grateful to have stumbled into it, and plan to continue nosing around here.  So, my lofty, but I think, attainable, goals for 2012 are:

1. organize this blog a little better
2. work on my fabric designs
3. tackle 2 sewing projects per month, depending on work
4. stop being scared of knitting a sweater/socks and GO FOR IT!
5. Decrease the stash (yarn and fabric)
6. organize my sewing area
7. make a sloper
8. have at least 3 TNT patterns when I want a quick sew
9. work on my accessorizing skills
10. completely cull my current wardrobe-either refashion or donate what's not being worn
11. make a some travel bags/covers for:  hard drives, laptop, makeup, etc.

Happy 2012 Everyone!!!