FO Friday - 4/22/2016

Happy Earth Day Peeps!

I finished the Zaria Shawl a week ago, but I can't show it to you because it's currently on the blocking boards. (Have I ever told you how much I really don't like the finish work of a knitted project?)

I do have some things to show you though.

First up, I finished my first Loopy Academy assignment...one out of three done. Woohoo! (With the Zaria Shawl being done, I have finished all the knitting assignments, unless I decide to do Extra Credit.)

We were asked to make a pair of pajama or lounge pants. 

Now Y'all, I used to sew garments all the time, but it's been a while. We had to use at least two yards of fabric; so, I bought two yards, figuring it would be enough. I figured wrong. 

I had to make mine Capri length and that is allowed for this assignment. I ended up buying a fat quarter of one of the other fabrics in the collection to trim them up a bit and make them look a little more interesting.

The fabric is by Moda, from their Table for Two collection.

Next, I had some fabric that I bought from MadTosh Crafts a while back; so, I thought it would make a little outfit for Princess Niece. 

I used a pattern called Double Crosser from the book "Cute Clothes for Kids."  

I hope it fits her. It looks about right, but I didn't take any of her measurements. Sometimes I'm crazy like that. I figure that if it doesn't fit her, there are baby girls being born all the time and I could gift it. Plus, I have enough cute fabric that I can make her two others in a more accurate size.

The dress is fully lined and it is supposed to be reversible. I even made bias tape from the main fabric to trim off the bottom edge. 

I figured it would look like it was supposed to go with the bloomers when she wears it on that side.

Finally, I made a pillowcase for Princess Niece to go with the quilt I made her last month. 

I think it's going to be my April Loopy's Monthly Mixer fabric project. We're supposed to make something by our favorite designer. Since I designed this pillowcase from scratch, I figured I can be my favorite designer. I like me as well as anyone else out there.

I used the same fabric that I used to back her quilt for the main part. I designed the cute (if I do say so myself) trim from scraps leftover from her quilt to snazzy it up a bit.

I did a fancy stitch on the hem.

I even used French seams.

So, that's it.

MK out.

FO Friday - 4/8/2016

Once upon a time, there was an adorable little boy. 

Every night at bedtime, his mom would read him a story or five before putting him down to sleep. One of his favorite stories was Goodnight Moon. He loved it when his momma would turn page after page and ask, "Where's the mouse?" He would point out the mouse and together they would say, "me-me-me-me-me," in a little high pitched voice that they imagined would sound like how a mouse would, if it were able to vocalize as humans do. This special time they shared turned into an endearing memory that lives in the momma's heart to this day.

Imagine her delight when she came upon a Goodnight Moon collection of fabrics at The Loopy Ewe while out in Colorado visiting the little boy. He was now a young man attending college. When she saw the collection, she immediately thought of that special time she shared with her son and bought a fat quarter set of the fabrics. She didn't know exactly what she would make, but it made her very happy to purchase the fabric anyway.

When the mom showed the fabric to the now grown young man, she was astonished when he informed her that he didn't remember the book at all. The end.

The little $#€%!!!  Can you imagine? 

Several weeks ago, I pulled out that fabric and was looking around on line for something to make with it. I saw this cute, simple quilt pattern that looked about right. Not too long after that, as in the next couple of days, the assignment was announced for the February Loopy's Monthly Mixer - we could use the yarn, fabric or pattern that's been on our "must make/use this" list for the shortest amount of time. Well....BAZINGA!

The quilt has been finished, except for the binding, since the end of last month. I finally hemmed the binding this week and here it is:

I really like how it turned out. I used a grey fabric for the sashing and a teal for the binding. I chose yellow for the back. I have enough of the Goodnight Moon fabrics to make another quilt. I don't know who the recipients will be. I do have a grandmother's hope chest... 

Maybe someday, I will be reading the book to some other little people while they are wrapped up in their Goodnight Moon quilts.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 4/4/2016

I went to see My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 yesterday with some friends - some were Greek. I thought it was hilarious. I saw the first one with The Husb and again with my mom. I laughed all through it both times. I felt my mom was with me watching this new one. I know she was laughing too. All the original actors returned to reprise their roles. Don't you just know they were having fun? You can't beat this movie for good, clean, family oriented entertainment. I really liked it. Opa!

Infinitely Polar Bear is a more serious film, starring my man Mark Ruffalo. He plays a dad with bipolar disorder, who cares for his two daughters while the mom (Zoe Saldana) attends an MBA program in a different city. Again, Hollywood gives a simplistic, and, in this case, charming view of a bipolar individual, but the movie is heartwarming. I liked it.

I had high hopes for Jenny's Wedding. It has good actors - Katherine Heigl, Alexis Bledel and Tom Wilkinson, to name a few. The story line is relevant - a young gay woman wants to marry her partner, but she hasn't come out of the closet to her family yet, but that right there is the issue. The treatment of the coming out is a little outdated, and something else (on which I just can't put my finger) about the movie just felt off. It was kind of meh.

MK out.

FO Friday - 4/1/2016

The DFW Fiber Fest is going on this weekend! Y'all should come and check it out!

I finally blocked the little hoodie I made for one of my Loopy Academy assignments - twisted stitches. I double-dipped...It's also my Loopy's Monthly Mixer for February yarn project - make something with your most recent wish listed yarn or most recently queued or seen pattern.

Pattern: Latte Baby Coat

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash

Woohoo! I've completed two of three of the three Loopy Academy assignments, and the third is currently underway. Don't ask me about the three fabric assignments. I will tell you that one is cut out and would be at least partially stitched, but I spent yesterday getting my serger back in working order. I do have a plan for the second. The third one is still in limbo.

I also blocked my Loopy's Monthly Mixer March project:

Pattern: Mira's Cowl

Yarn: Madelinetosh TML

The challenge was M is for Mars. I think I have enough Ms associated with this project, don't you?

So, as far as the Monthly Mixers go, I am caught up for yarn projects. I still have to bind the quilt I'm making for the February project and then I will really be caught up. Even though there's no deadline for these projects (except for the end of the year), it just works better for me to stay as caught up as I can, I hope to find out today what the April assignments are.

MK out.