Let me count the ways...

Remember that Study Hall Jacket I can't get enough of?

Just to refresh your memory :

Version 1 (and 2)

Hello Kitty style (hood hiding)

I've made ANOTHER ONE!

A goddamn adorable one, amirite??

This time I opted for the ruffled welt pockets and ruffled collar.

I mentioned previously that I'm not in love with the pattern. And after making it four different times, in two different sizes, experimenting will all the different cuff, waistband, collar and pocket options...I am really not happy with this pattern.
I am also putting off writing a review so I can gestate a positive outlook and potential remedy. (Since I've already got plans to make 2 more of these gosh darn cute things for upcoming birthdays.)

All in time.

Enjoy the photo, and good luck with last minute Halloween preparation!

Knitting on the couch? Underachiever, you.

Here's a glimpse at awesome:

 Courtesy of The Wonderist - read more about it here!

Thanks to W for sharing with me.

FO Backlog - Hello Kitty Hoodie

Not much time to write, but here are some pictures from my latest FO!

A Hello Kitty hoodie from the Pattern Anthology collection that was released a while ago. Guiltily, I have bought both collections released and am pretty damn sure I'll be buying their next one as well. (This time I'll remember to use the discount code, tho - whoops!)

To be totally honest, I'm not a huge fan of the pattern. I had a LOT of issues - but I won't get into it right now. However, there's no denying the end result!

Ta-da!

Mucked up this side's welt pocket, drat.

Rear View

Loving the ruched cuffs and waistband.

Looking at it now, I'd love to make it again with a fleecy white outer and adding ears and a bow a'la Hello Kitty - with a more subtle HK liner fabric. I definitely plan on sewing this pattern again (actually, this was my third go - see the Avengers jackets previous post) but with copious modifications from the original pattern.

FO Backlog - Avengers bomber jacket!

Just a quickie - here are some pictures of a recent FO. Two, actually!

My son's BEST friend had a birthday recently, so I decided to make use of my recently acquired Study Hall Jacket pattern and made matching Avengers jackets for the boys.

The freak-out factor was high on this.

Gotta say, it was a hit. The Avengers fabric is courtesy of Joann's and the sleeves are some old Ikea curtains I've been chopping up. I bought black ribbing and black fleece for the sleeves and interior - and it was totally worth it.

You can see his collar is sitting a little funny, but after some wearing and washing it looks way better. This is fresh off the machine - he couldn't wait to try it on - so the seams are fresh and visibly complaining. Of course I finished this morning of...'cuz that's how I roll.

BFFs 4 Lyfe

More soon!

FO : Baby doll knot top

What does one do on Sunday mornings, when everyone is sleeping?

Well I don't know about you, but apparently I sew.

A heart because a shrimp was too hard to applique. 

Thanks to some inspiration from a friend's Pinterest pick (yup, I'm still pretending that I don't need to open my own account) I fabricated this wee top yesterday. 

The original pin can be seen here.

(I'd out my friend but I figured I should ask her permission first)

Technically, not EVERYONE was asleep...

Q was supportive, however.

I didn't have quite enough yardage to make it a dress, unfortunately. 

Still working out the kinks, but it isn't too shabby! I had to move the buttonholes in towards the center a bit - after trying it on the kid I saw they were too far apart. 

Love those knots.

Oh yeah...although this sort of fits my baby girl (who's fat body I used to help me measure) it also fits my 4 yr old son! Who graciously allows me to use him as a little live dress form, AH DORABLE. His father will never let me take photos, though. (Not that I blame him.)

Thanks for bearing with the dry spell, guys. It's been a nutty summer but (as evidenced by this little number!) we're starting to acclimate to the new normal.

FO: Baby girl top

I saw the cutest picture, recently. Somebody blogged about an adorable shop selling adorable patterns of kids clothing. Can't find it for the life of me now.

Anyway - one top really stuck in my head. Too darn cute! So, sans pattern, I decided to give it a go.

Part of the reason why I am loving sewing so much lately is that my brain loves figuring out how to construct things I see. And sometimes it even works out! So I have to give the designer credit there, as soon as I can find her...

Would love to adapt it for myself.

FO: Baby Bow headband

Technically, I made the baby too.

That counts, right? :)

Just an easy bow with fold over elastic as the headband. I stitched the bow down over the FOE seam, so it's a smooth wear for those soft baby heads.

And sometimes my head.

Let's catch a breath of air, shall we?

If you're like me, then you are busy. And you probably like it.

Not only am I craft crazy, employed full time, and a mother of two - as of this Monday I will also be a grad student.

Busy, busy, busy.

In addition to the typical hubbub, I've had a lot of different changes in my world recently that have served as huge, soul-stretching opportunities for...growth. I say growth because that is the positive end-product and 'positive' is the name of the game when shitty things happen. (And I italicize the word because it is a little nauseating to be so goddam Pollyanna and putting things in italics makes it seem like I'm tilting my head a little, and therefore makes it feel less trite. Because head-tilting is anything but, natch.)

Consequently I've had to dial back on the crafting, posting, and anything else extraneous / not totally necessary. I have luckily been able to make a few beautiful things which I'll definitely be sharing soon - but the biggest project in my queue now is my own, squishy, disgusting, gorgeous brain - which, let's face it, will need all the help it can get!

So as today is June 1, not quite the midpoint of the year but close enough, I'll make a new theme for the second half of 2013:

finesse

1 : refinement or delicacy of workmanship, structure, or texture

2 : skillful handling of a situation : adroit maneuvering

So let's up the ante, everyone. It's time to get ridiculously fantastic at everything.