Adventures in Ice Dyeing

I've been busy lately doing a lot of sewing.  I decided to open up my Facebook blog page to more of a business page. I'm making and selling more these days so that is the best way to keep up with me.

A couple months ago I purchased some adorable fabric from So Cheeky.

such a fun print

It's so lush and soft. I knew I wanted to make myself a shirt out of it.  Since I've made myself a couple bubble shirts recently I decided to do the same with this fabric.  This style of top is perfect for the hot Memphis summers (and to cover up my inability to lose the baby weight).

I always look like I want to smack my husband in photos 

I love the feel and fit of the top.  But with a toddler and a baby I didn't think that much white would work for me.  So I turned to my newest crafting obsession, ice dyeing. If you don't know about ice dyeing it's simple and fun. I find it less messy than tie dyeing.  It also takes up a lot less space while you are doing it.

I picked out a couple greens and a blue and got started. The only hard part is letting it sit for 24 hours.

 I pleated and then rolled the fabric. I haven't tried that particular fold before so I wanted to give it a try. Since the fabric was thick after 7 hours I flipped it and then dyed the other side. I wanted to make sure it went all the way through.
I'd normally leave the colors to set a bit longer but I decided I wanted the colors to be slightly more subdued than jewel toned so I rinsed it earlier than the 24 hours and did a hot wash with Synthrapol.


 Garrett decided he wanted to show off the t-shirt I made him yesterday.

Here is a better shot of how the colors came out.

I'm in love with the way this came out. I can't stop touching it because the fabric is so soft.  Glad I have another yard to use.

For more of what I'm sewing check out my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/craftinghobbit

10 weeks and a surprising surge in energy.

My last fill was a month ago. I'm pretty happy with the size they currently are and don't plan to have any more fills.
For the past couple of weeks I've been doing yoga. Besides having really helped my flexibility I find in general I have more energy.
I spent so many years being in pain. My sciatica was pretty awful and exercising was difficult with my large chest and back pain. Since the surgery I haven't had lower back pain.
It really is amazing how not being in pain can change everything. I'm more active with more energy and I just generally feel better.
That being said I do miss sleeping in my own bed. I'd love to get a solid night if sleep but that is probably still a while off.
Pictures and more after the jump.

FORCE Memphis has a CafePress store

Our CafePress store is up.   http://www.cafepress.com/forcememphis All proceeds go to FORCE and helping us meet our fundraising goals.
Plus you get a nifty item that helps promote FORCE.

Make Custom Gifts at CafePress

Nightgown

I've been meaning to make myself a new nightgown.  I have one made of cotton that I got for $6 on clearance at the GAP.
I came across a simple nightgown pattern the other day. I didn't have enough of one fabric for the pattern so I used 2 fabrics with the same color scheme. 
It's nice and loose which will be really comfy in the summer months.  This pattern would also make a cute top if you shortened it. 

Kid tested

Not only is the pattern easy but even with my doing fabric strips I finished it in an afternoon (with interruptions). 

Doxie approved

Don't throw away those ripped pants

For some reason Ben wears through his clothes faster than our toddler. One of his pairs of khakis got a rip in the knee.
"They're not ripped, they're worn through."
"What exactly are you doing at work that you are wearing through the knees on your pants?"
*crickets*

He was going throw them out when it occurred to me that Ben doesn't have any shorts. I know he can't wear them to work but he'll want them for weekends since it will get pretty damned warm here in Memphis.

After a quick modification the pants are now shorts. I cut off the excess fabric and hemmed them.  Instead of tossing the excess fabric away I saved it for the next time he rips any of his khaki pants.
It only took a few minutes for me to do and it saved us from spending a lot more money.

Ben says he looks like he's going golfing

Please consider donating just a few dollars to help fund the FORCE Memphis Chapter.

Yes, I do charge my husband for alterations

This topic came up in discussion with some of my friends. Half of them thought this was brilliant and the other half were rather confused. 
Those who know me in real life know I'm saving up for a tablet computer.  They also know I complain about how Ben wears through clothing like a rabid monkey. I got a bit tired of constantly sewing up holes in his clothing, especially things he had only had a few months and abused. 
After sewing up some holes in the wrist of his 2 month old jacket I said "that will be $3". Ben laughed but agreed to pay. It works for us. I jsut remind him of a few things:

1: I really really really want that tablet.
2: It would be more to go to the tailor or to replace the clothing
3: It will teach him to take better care of his clothing if he doesn't want to pay me for constant repairs.

He's on board with it. I also decided that I'll charge him $5 for every time I shave his head (which isn't that often). It's still cheaper than a barber, I am providing a service and he learns to appreciate all the roles I fill around the house. 

Sometimes I just want a little girl to dress

When I see all the cute fabrics for girls and the great dress patterns it makes me wonder if I want a little girl (no, I'm fine with one child).
Because I get to make little girly dresses for friends and family.   I've been wanting to try my hand at a simple pillow case dress.  A friend asked if any of her crafty friends would be willing to donate items for a giveaway she was doing for families of people serving overseas.
I jumped at the chance to sew AND do a good deed.  She even brought me some fabric, it was a wonderful pink, orange and yellow sarong.  It wanted to be a dress for a little girl.

It was simple, easy and when they outgrow the dress they can wear it as a top.    Now I'm tempted to go make one for myself.

Stencil me in...for AWESOME!

My newest love is doing freezer paper stencils. They are super simple and you don't need lots of tools to do it.  Who knew freezer paper was this useful?

Can you tell what this is?

I've made Garrett several stencil shirts so far and I'm always looking for more stencil pictures and ideas.  You can make the pattern as simple or complex as you want.
They're great for gifts and so easy to personalize.  How cute would it be as an accent on jeans?  Am I crazy over stencils? Yes, yes I am.  And being so easy to do you'll go crazy over freezer paper stencils too.

it's a Death Star!

Something for me

Forgive the bad photo, a photographer my spouse is not.  Plus he was using my cell phone to take the picture. 

A couple weeks ago I decided I needed a few dresses for business purposes I didn't think this would be that hard.  I know I'm not a skinny girl, I also know I have some rather large...tracts of land. I did find a lovely dress from Lane Bryant.  
I figured "hey, I can make something like this" and that's just what I did.  I had already seen a tutorial for a tank dress with pockets and decided to make myself a dress. 
I got the belt on clearance so the entire dress only cost $20 (I splurged on some really high end fabric). 

I can wear this with or without the belt and unlike the dress I bought it has pocket for me to fidget with.  I plan on making another one which will probably be better because I know what mistakes not to make.    I don't normally craft clothing for myself and I'm loving this dress.  It will look great in the fall with a cardigan and even in the winter with dark pantyhose. 

Spring is here

It took some time but Spring is finally here in Boston.  It means lovely weather and playground time, but it also means cute dresses.
I realized that this time last year I was nursing.  All my tops were nursing tops and I didn't have much clothing to wear for the warmer weather.  I've also been losing weight so my things aren't fitting me the same way. 
I found this adorable little dress for the spring.  It was too cute to pass up.

Forgive the roots and the tired look

I found a pair of Tahari wedges I had gotten on sale last winter (clearance for the win).  I can't wait to wear this dress on some deliciously warm day.