My Picnic Blanket Skirt!

Last summer the wonderful Tilly put up a tutorial for her Picnic Blanket Skirt. I bookmarked it, thinking I'd get to it eventually because it's super cute. Recently when I was going through my fabric for some reason I found a piece that I knew would be great for it...so I made one!

I used a light-medium weight cotton that's covered in sparkles. It was pretty easy to sew up - it's all rectangles. I did have some trouble with the buttonholes, but then, I usually have trouble with buttonholes. I would up doing them by hand. They aren't great but they work. The buttons are from Knit Picks and are the same wood that's used for the Harmony knitting needles that I love so much. (I have a big love for anything that's made with the multicolored wood, though) I had a small, brief worry about a gathered skirt on a big backside, but then I decided that it would be like a bustle and just accentuate what's there.

I plan to make at least one more of these. It was super comfortable yesterday and I got several compliments on it. I had to wear tights and boots, though, because it was raining...big surprise. Many of the towns around here have been evacuated because the river is so high - the predictions are for the worst flood in decades. Our basement started to flood a bit but I used a push broom to direct the water towards the sump pump. It's not exactly how I like to spend a day but it's so much better than cleaning up after several inches of water have ruined things.
I have some sewing questions and don't know where to get answers, so if you can help please do. I'm very curious about linings. What should be lined? How do you do it? What kinds of fabrics are best for using as a lining? Is a lining better than a slip? I see so many beautiful garments on blogs that are lined in various ways and would love to know more. The few books that I have don't really talk about it. Any knowledge that you could share would be greatly appreciated.

My Glasses Are Dry

It's been raining a lot lately, and when you wear glasses the rain is even more annoying. Well, I've been inspired by some fabulous ladies who blog and pulled out my big floppy hat. I'm looking cool and can see clearly - and I finally got the Kate Moss lipstick that I've been considering.

I hope to get more comfortable in front of my camera and figure out how to pose and not look goofy but it will take some practice. I should take some lessons from that girl child of mine. She's quite the ham. My heart goes out to everyone affected by yesterday's tragedy. I don't even know what else to say.

Daisy Skirt

I have a sewing FO to share today - my Daisy skirt!

The pattern is the Bossa Nova skirt from the fabric.com website. It's my first time using a digital download pattern and thank goodness it's an easy one - we don't have a lot of clear, flat space for taping in this house. I bought the fabric at a yard sale. I think it's rayon, but I'm not totally sure. It's very light and swishy and Eric likes it. No, this isn't how I wore it today. I just put it on for a picture because I wanted to share - it's been a while since I've sewn something that I really want to wear. Maybe soon we'll have a warm, sunny day and I can show it off. As for knitting, it has been all dishcloths. Mom will be selling some quilts at a craft show next weekend and I'm hoping to make a few bucks. I gave her a bag full this morning - about ten, if I remember right, and can have several more done to give her on Friday. They take almost no time and I have such a big stash of cotton in lots of colors. I like making them, too - the easy knitting helps calm my mind or watch a show while I'm working. I forgot to take a picture of them all for ravelry, dang it. I realized that it's been several months since I've gotten an email from my knitting group. I don't know if there's no more group or if I'm just not invited anymore. That's all for today, my dears! I'll see you soon. Hugs!

Manners Day

Today is Khloe's turn for the big Manners Lunch at school. I don't know what is actually taught - I've not met any kids in town with any real manners. But it's a day for the kids to dress up and go somewhere for lunch that's not the cafeteria. We made a last-minute trip to get a dress and shoes last night and here she is, my little Miss Manners! I don't know what's up with the facial expression. It was early when I took the picture, so maybe she's not fully awake. Here's the scene from two days ago - The kids had a snow day because the roads were nasty and slick. It's almost completely melted away now. I hope it's the last snow until next year. I'm ready for some warm sunshine!

Bloglovin'

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The Big 1-4

It's that day again - the anniversary of me having a son. He's turning out to be quite a character. So here he is, fresh from his pre-school shower, ready to face the day: He asked if he could "do an Eric"...so here's that pose: Yep, honey's known for his middle finger. So happy birthday, my Ker-bear!

Fabric!

Yesterday I met my mom at Joanne Fabrics - she had asked me to order something for her and I thought that meeting at the fabric store would be fun. Look what I got The top left is a tie-dye with light gold designs. It's really soft and pretty. Top right is a deliciously soft rayon challis scarf panel. They didn't have challis yardage unfortunately but I love this design. It may become a top. The bottom row is all cotton - the Peoria Joanne's is heavy with quilting cotton but these are a bit softer and drapier than what quilting fabrics usually are. The polka dot ones are destined to be 50's shirtwaist dresses. The one on the right is called oil slick but I think it looks like marbled paper. It will be my wrap dress if I can get the pattern to work in the right direction (shouldn't be too hard). What looks like plain dark purple is actually glittery. There's less of it than the rest but enough for a skirt or pants if I slim down a bit. I mean, how can I resist glittery purple? They all need to be washed and preshrunk a bit before I start working with them - I have time while I adjust the patterns to my size. Speaking of - I've got the wrap bodice almost right - just a bit longer and it will be great. Then on to the skirt!