Bloomers!

A few weeks ago I pulled out my sewing machine. I'd been thinking about trying to sew something for weeks, and, after finding some abandoned and very clean sheets in the "treasure room" of my building, I took the plunge. At first, I had planned on using the sheets to make something but then I decided to make a skirt out of some extra large t-shirts. It turned out very well, but I just realised that I have no photos yet. I'll post one when I shoot it!

I was on a roll! But then I got sick for a couple of weeks and spent much time couching.

But I got back to it this weekend. I made a pair of bloomers! During my trip to Portland to visit Michelle last fall, I bought the awesomest pair of green bloomers and I thought it would be fun to make my own. The sheet I found had a decent blossomy pattern, and I decided to use it.

I used a pattern for a pair of drawstring pants, but made them knee length. Then, I added a ruffle. Easy, right? You would think. After cutting out the paper pattern, then the fabric, then getting confused (I cockily neglected to read the directions thoroughly) and having to rip out my stitches twice, finishing the pants took almost 7 hours. I expect that next time will be much faster. And there will be a next time as I want bloomers in several colours!

The plan was to make 3 ruffles on each leg, but I messed up and only made one.

I love how this shot makes my legs look sooo looooong....!

Tetley freaks me out.

Thunder, Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats HO!

The boy has obtained copies of Thundercats and is watching an episode as I type. Anyone else remember watching the show in the mornings before school? Here, it came on right after Carebears. Ugh.

This weekend was so super productive! Claire came over on Saturday to bead (and to visit the cats.) We beaded, ate yummy hummus, and drank chai tea. The work paid off as we ended the get-together with some beautiful work.

I call this one "Citrus Drop."
It is a pendant only, and I plan to partner it up
with a length of ribbon instead of chain.

I've been eyeing these beads for a little while now, and I finally bought them last week. I think they are gorgeous - I love the colours and the flower graphic.

Pendant, to be paired with a ribbon

I'm keeping this one!

This afternoon, we (Claire, Sheena, her nephew Liam, my sister and a friend Marcelle) went to Claire's aunt's home for some afternoon crafting. Aunt Norma, is the Craft Queen. I kid you not. She has an entire apartment full of supplies - mainly for scrapbooking and card-making. I'm not a scrapbooker, so while everyone else worked on their pages, I beaded some more.

Scrapbooking in progress

Superman necklace before...
(mmm... Vanilla Animal Cookies...)

... and after.
(not seen: Vanilla Animal Cookies in tummy.)


Rosie just watched.