White Bear Avenue Parade (part 1)

This evening was the annual White Bear Ave parade.  It is the kick-off for the Ramsey County Fair.  My younger daughter, her kids, and my boyfriend went to watch.  Here are some pictures from the event.

Back again!

I have ignored this blog for way too long.  I think I will try what I'd tried before - post random photos I've taken and once in a while post something sewing related. 

For the first one out, some flowers from the yard where our family reunion was held last weekend.

Enjoy!

Sewing... Again...

I have ignored blogging for the last year or so. I have good excuses - new job, new house, activities with my kids/grands, going out with friends, etc... I have also ignored sewing, completing very little over the last year or so.  Improvements happen - I have finally sewn up a bunch of new tops - some cut out long ago, some more recently.

First up - this frankenpattern created from the Jalie (tie neck top) body and Kwiksew 3658.  It is made out of a Rayon lycra blend purchased about a year ago at Ginny's Fine Fabrics and Support in Rochester MN.   It has 3/4 sleeves, and is very work appropriate.

Next up, this top made from a rayon lycra remnant purchased at Treadle Yard Goods.  The pattern is the Pleated Pia top from Style Arc, but gathered instead of pleated.

 

The next top is from the Ottobre Woman gathered front top from one of the earliest issues of the Woman specific issues.  I love the fit except for the sleeves, so I tend to make it sleeveless. No clue where the fabric came from or what the fiber content is - probably poly from SR Harris,

And this one is from the Jalie scarf tie top, with obvious changes...  Fabric is a rayon lycra from Treadle.

Not so sure there the fabric on this one came from - it is probably a cotton lycra blend.  The pattern is the Style Arc Pleated Pia top with 4 slightly deeper pleats rather than 6.

Another Ottobre gathered front top from a remnant purchased from Treadle Yard Goods.

And I do occasionally make patterns the way they are drafted - This is Jalie Scarf neck top from a rayon lycra, possibly purchased from a group buy.

Gathered neck top from Ottobre Woman again, fabric was from a group fabric buy.  Not sure of the fiber content.

And last up is Jalie 2682, v-neck top.  I believe this rayon lycra was also from Ginny's.  

Of the batch, I think the first will be a favorite, the sleeveless tops will likely get lots of wearing - perfect in the summer to wear to work with a sweater or jacket over the top.  I have more to sew...

Still doin'

It has been a while since I last posted...  Been busy trying to arrange the stuff that is already at my house, and make room for the rest of the stuff that I need to bring here (from Bob's house)...  I should take some photos of my studio space with all the boxes in it, a before image, as it were.  With help, I have several Ikea Expidit units up (still need many more...) to help organize my sewing, beading, and needlework supplies.  The units that are up look really nice - and are only filling room that can't be used for anything but storage anyhow - the head clearance is too low!  Have a desk to move up there for the sewing machine(s), but need to make room first.  The living room is coming along nicely as well - I have new-to-me coffee table and side tables, and just purchased the rest of the book cases for all my books.  Have a couple paint chips tucked up on the wall - still deciding what color I want to paint the living and dining room.  The decision is made a bit more difficult by the fact that the kitchen is open to those rooms.  Makes for a larger feel, but additional challenge for decorating.

Oh, well, off to work on the studio some more...

Short update...

It has been a couple weeks since the pod was emptied into my back porch.  Since the, I have been working, ever so slowly, on unpacking boxes.  Some days I'm proud to show off my new house, today, not so much.  Sometimes this unpacking and putting away is messier than not.  Trying for some semblance of order prior to leaving for a weekend ski trip in Bayfield WI on Friday.  Need to get some use out of those skis I bought, there hasn't been enough snow down here in the Cities to cross country ski, unless you go to one of the places that make snow...

Moving in day...

Today is the day that my stuff is moved from the pod into the house.  The weekend will be spent unpacking boxes (the next 6 months will no doubt be spent unpacking boxes).  It will almost be like Christmas!

My Favorite Room - the Studio

The major selling point to me was the attic expansion space, also known as my Studio.

Looking at the front, south facing windows.  The knee walls are no more than 3 ft high, and probably less.  It will be challenging to figure out how to place working furniture in this room...

Looking from the windows to the north.  From here you can see the stairs down on the right, the walk in closet to the left.  The alcove on the left is my office area.  With some carefully placed Ikea Expidit units or book cases, I can partition the area off.

Looking up the stairs at the closet door, which has a full length mirror - perfect for fitting.  The little corner to the right of the stairs will be perfect for a small chair and side table for a handwork space.

Better, though off kilter, image of my "office" alcove.  I love the grey-blue walls.

An attempt to show how short the walls are.  The camera is about 5 feet or so off the floor.

The walk in closet.  The light is from a wall fixture on in the back of the closet.  I can't wait to get fabric shelves installed so I can see my stash instead of having to keep it in rubbermaid totes.

With any luck, this will be posted while I'm sitting at the title company, signing my life away!