Odds and Ends....Using up my STASH

“SABLE- A common knitting acronym that stands for

 Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy.”

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Yup,that's me; I buy yarn whether I need it or not and I doubt I will live long enough to use it up. I buy yarn that I love and know that I will use and I buy yarn that I don't like so much but know someone else will. Of course I buy yarn for a specific project too. I  have to admit that while my yarn stash grows my memory of why I bought it fades. So in keeping with my commitment to finish projects and use up materials, this Christmas I made and gave several hand made gifts using stash. (Thanks to Pinterest there was no shortage of ideas only shortage of time) I made my sisters buttoned cowls, my grand children hats and I even finished two pair of fingerless gloves, one for me and one for Dylan's mom Mary. Everyone seemed to love their gifts and little by little my stash is shrinking. I wish I could say the same for my

 butt.

Happy New Year Everyone!

May PEACE, LOVE and Prosperity be yours!!

My grandson Grant loves owls but hates the hat!

Hello Dolly!!!

Here they are, my neices Nina, and McKenna proudly holding their American Girl dolls for every one to  see. Cousin Gabby sits in the middle making the picture  just perfect. I finally gave Nina and McKenna their promised doll outfits and I couldn't be more pleased. This picture was taken yesterday at our annual Family Christmas Party. These little girls were so appreciative of the doll dresses and I was so touched that by the end of our annual gathering I had already promised them more outfits for Christmas!! What is the matter with me, you ask? Who knows, I've barely made a dent in my "to do" list  as it is and here I am already adding more things right? Well, I am helpless. I am a sucker for little girls and their dolls so I will keep my promise to them. I know this will cause much disappointment but I have decided to move the pine cone wreath back indefinately. Whew, what a relief, I've been putting that one off for a while,  now I finally have a legitimate excuse.

 Happy Holidays!

OOOOPS! BLOG WENT OUT BY MISTAKE. SORRY

Oh My gosh........my blog went out by mistake.

 It was in the early early stages 

before editing......

please disregard and 

DO NOT PASS IT AROUND.......

THANKS, JACKIE

Cheat Cheat, Never Beat!

Today I am going to cheat and ask for a little slack. About a year ago a friend shared with me a knitting pattern for "fingerless" gloves. You've seen them; they are like mittens but with your fingers sticking out. In my opinion these are the perfect little accessory for the cold weather. They are great for driving, texting, (not at the same time please) or doing anything that requires use of your fingers and still keep your hands and wrists warm. Well like I am prone to do I decided that they would make great "sister swap" gifts for my sisters and sisters-in-law; and in staying in the almost 40 year tradition that we have  of exchanging small, thoughtful tokens of love each year at Christmastime. I couldn't wait to whip up 6 pair of these babies over the course of the year to present to my gal pals. Impulsively of course, I ran out and bought all kinds of yarn without bothering to read the instructions first. I didn't know at the time that once again I would be working with my Nemesis.....the DOUBLE POINTED NEEDLE. Over the course of the year I tried numerous times to follow the pattern and failed. I put all the stuff in a bag an there it sat until I came across an interesting prospect on the Internet at a wonderful needlework and social networking site that I subscribe to called  Ravelry.  http://www.ravelry.com .  As coincidence would have it there was a woman there looking for people to take part in testing out her first ever pattern design. None other than the fingerless glove. The reward for helping her would not only be  entry into a yarn raffle but the free pattern and the onnline help executing it  I WAS IN!   I signed up and followed along with the successful result of not only becoming more proficient with the double pointed needle but learning and mastering a new pattern. People posted questions and answers helping each other as we went along.   Check out  the spicy homemaker at:  http://spicyhomemaker.com/2012/10/26/spicy-knits-the-good... 

 

Here is the glitch. I am a slow knitter......If I knitted every day all day until our family party which is December 2nd I would still never finish 6 pair of mitts . SO..... I am declaring that I have

Finally Finished ONE of the six  pairs of "Fingerless Gloves" that I committed to a year ago.

   Whooo Hooooo! Happy Holidays!

W.W.G.D? (What Would Grammy Do?)

O.k,  so I find myself moaning and groaning to anyone and everyone who will listen that I can't figure out how to finish the green baby sweater. Well meaning advice has been everything from "throw it out" to  "pay someone else to do it".  But the fact remains that I need to  "blanket stitch" the little holes around the bottom and on the cuff of the arms and I don't know how to do it. I have tried and I am making a mess. Mine just doesn't look like the one in the book.   Life was less stressful for me before Pinterest!  Unfortunately the only people I know that could help me are otherwise "indisposed";  my mother who just isn't up to it these days and my grandmother who sadly is not longer with us; so...... short of contacting the Long Island Medium to ask "grammy's"  advice I have to figure it out myself.  This is unfortunate because my grandmother would be able to help me. She could do anything creative with or without a pattern. Sewing, embroidery, cooking, knitting and crocheting you name it.

This is evident in the tablecloth I came across while searching for of the white embroidery floss that I needed to do the "blasted blanket stitch". 

 This gorgeous work of art was crocheted by my grandmother with dainty thread and a tiny hook; and I am sure without one bit of complaining.

 Like every thing she did, she did it with love.

  I guess I'll go now to You Tube and try to figure it out.

This time without complaint but with old fashioned ingenuity and perseverance.

Because that is what Grammy would do!



Ok, so my "inner voice" lies

Ahh.....Yet another tiny baby sweater left undone!  As most of you know, almost three years ago when my daughter told me she was pregnant I was so certain that it would be a girl I began several "baby girl" projects. When we found out that it was to be a boy I abandoned them and went to work on some boy things that I could leave  un-finished. It's not that I like girls more than boys or that (gasp!) I subconciously wanted a girl, it is just that my intuition rarely leads me astray. Ok,  so there were  a few times I should have ignored the " inner voice", like back in the 80's when I thought that a small town white girl could rock an Afro!!  And oh yeah,  maybe my guide was a bit off  a few years ago on Halloween when I dressed up as Princess Leia to surpise my grandson Dylan who was going as Darth Vadar.  But that my friends is another blog for another  day. Let's just say  that I have been asked not to dress up for halloween from now on. Hmmmm I suppose he was just jealous of all the attention I was getting right? So here we go one more sweater to finish . Except for the collar all the pieces are done now and I will begin the process of putting it all together and then sewing on buttons and embroidering little flowers on it.

Onward and upward faithful readers! Thanks for your encouragement; it makes the sometimes daunting task a little easier.

Stay tuned for the pinecone wreath.

Peace and Love, Jackie (aka Leah)

Hats off to my little Grant!

Last week, while going through yet another plastic bin I came across the tiniest little baby hat. I remember that I had started it for my grandson Grant over two years ago.  It is an adorable little dinosaur hat, and finished except for the spikes that would be sewn on to the top. Because Grant was an August baby I thought the little cap would be the perfect fit for the fall; until I saw him that is.

Grant entered our world weighing 9lbs. 9 -1/4oz. and 22" long. It was clear at first glance that there was no way this little cap would fit over his "gigantic melon".  So, with the perfect excuse not to finish it I tucked it away with everything else I hadn't completed. Until now. This past weekend I visited my daughter Meagan in NH. I packed up the hat, needles, pattern and yarn and took it with me with every intention of putting the finishing touches on it. Well, as life would have it, we got busy and not only DIDN'T I FINISH IT, I never even worked on it. If that isn't bad enough, I LEFT it there by accident. (hmmm, accident?) 
  SOOOOO I actually failed on this one twice. The little dino hat goes to the "back burner" for a while but I WILL finish it.

If I ever get it back that is!

Remembering Diane

 

This is how I remember Diane. With her

 beautiful blond hair, a smile on her face

and surrounded by children.

 In 1979 soon after Bob and I bought our little house in Rockport, my sister-in-law Diane presented us with a very special present. A hand stitched piece of embroidery in a yellow frame for our new kitchen.(Ahhhh the 70s it fit right in with our gold, avocado and orange kitchen and complimented our brown shag rug in the adjoining living room.) The whimsical stitchery was of a bunny peeling apples and in process of making an apple pie. It said Home Cooking. How appropriate coming from this beautiful woman who not only worked her magic in the kitchen but into our hearts. The little bunny graced my wall for several years until one day it fell off the wall and crashed leaving the frame and the glass shattered. Well, by now most of you know me pretty well. I threw away the frame and tucked the 8" x10" piece of stitchery safely away, vowing to re frame the much loved gift as soon as I could. But life has a way of happening. Babies came and life got busy. That was at least 25 years ago. The little Muslim fabric gathered dust
and dirt and became discolored.  Sadly 3 years ago Diane died. We all miss her terribly. She was my sister-in-law and my friend. We God parented each others children and I am her daughter Katie's Confirmation Sponsor.  Katie is grown now and has developed into a beautiful young woman.  In the three years since Diane's death I have seen Katie at special family occasions and at our annual Christmas gatherings.  It is there that I have come to notice something quite lovely.  Katie shares many of her mother's talents! She is smart and creative and talented. How could she not be with a mother like Diane. Her own special ability to capture life's beauty through her photography is amazing.

The wall hanging has been washed.

It has been lovingly mounted and matted in honor of Diane. 

It has been framed fittingly in the bright yellow frame that Diane intended.  

This is for you Katie. I'll send it your way.

Hang it on your kitchen wall and be inspired by your mother's love and handiwork. She would want you to have it now.

With all my love. 

To Read Or Not To Read..That Is The Question

One of the reasons I can't accomplish anything is that I am being pulled in too many directions. If this sounds like an excuse well it is.  About the time that I committed to Finally Finishing I also committed to my 11 year old grandson Dylan that I would read all the Harry Potter books with him and then we would watch the movies and discuss. Well, I can't seem to read and do everything else on my "to do list". Dylan has finished HarryPotter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, book 3 in the Harry Potter Series while I tag along on  page  301.Tired of waiting for me to catch up he has since

started book 4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and  already on page 150 or so of an almost 800 page book. (Apparently he doesnt' know of my 300 page limit on any book I read)  So If I seem a bit sluggish finishing my promise of the third and final scarf from my last post  it is because I am reading every night until my eyes bleed. I can not face him again and admit once more that "no, I have not finished my book yet"

I don't know if it is disbelief or disgust I see in his eyes but since I can't find the cliff notes to this book, "come hell or high water" as they say I will finish

 the book today !

One Down Two To Go

I am definately learning NOT to act on every "good" idea that comes into my head. Take this "Fun Fur".   Fun? ...not so much. It is the hardest yarn that I have ever worked with. I know why it has been referred to as "eyelash" yarn now. The tiny eyelash size little fibers that make it soft also make it impossible to work with. The little suckers get stuck and tangled as you try to knit or crochet. I got soooooo frustrated while knitting the darn thing that I almost threw it out the window. Instead I stopped , pulled it out and tried it in crochet. It really was easier especially with a large hook. Two more to go!  

A good friend called me today to say she would like to buy 4 scarves.  So, Judy I thought about it I came up with a fair price that includes material and the labor intenstity factor.  How about  $1,000  each.

Spell my name correctly on the check Please!

Faux Fur....Fad or Fashion?

The problem with finishing all the projects that I have ever  started is that by now many of them have gone "out of style".  Take the once popular"Fake Fur" or as the more refined say "Faux Fur".  Just  few years ago it was all the rage. Funky looking scarves were in vogue and almost everyone including me had one. So of course I ran out and bought several skeins with the intent of making scarves for me and my sisters.  Something more important must have came up because the yarn was packed away and eventually forgotten......until today.  So I ask you....fake fur:    IN  or OUT?  Does it really matter? No I say, because I have started knitting my scarf.  I remember choosing pink because it is the color that represents the fight against Breast Cancer.

  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I have been cancer free for 20 years  and you can be sure as the weather gets chilly my sisters and I will be

"styling" our pink "out of style" scarves.

Button It Up!





Daisey Sweater going to
 Outreach Appalachia

I am starting to make a dent in the mess of unfinished stuff that I have accumulated over the years and it feels good. I still have tons of stuff to complete but I am making progress. Wouldn't you know that while I was trying to locate some loose matching buttons for the baby sweaters I came across a long ago lost earring. For a second I was giddy with excitement because I loved those earrings until I remembered that I sold the orphaned one at a  "gold party" a  few years ago. I'll get over it I guess but it is a "bummer".

Peach Infant Sweater
for my friend's baby!

I'm beginning to understand the "slippery slope" between collector and hoarder. Sometimes when I watch the hoarder shows I get the urge to go through their stuff.....I don't know if this is normal thinking or not.....hmmmm maybe not.

Peace and Love, thanks for following and encouraging me!

Button, button who's got the button?

 Today we are going to talk about buttons. No not "Red Buttons" the dapper gentleman and 40s movie star to the right, and no not belly buttons either (I'll spare you the photos) but buttons for sweaters and clothing. I love buttons and I have been known to buy them even when I don't know what I will use them for.(such as little green frogs) Buttons are usually the final touch for a project and seeing that I can never get that far I finally made the effort to match the buttons with the project



  and

sure enough I found a few more baby sweaters just waiting for the perfect buttons.  Stay tuned for the finished products. One tiny little peach colored sweater will go to a new baby due this fall, the other one I will donate to  the Appalachian Outreach Project!

  Peace and Love....Have a great week.







 

AHOY!!!!

Ahoy!

  This is a picture of me, my mom Lucille, my sister (in-law) Tamara and her mother Peg. We went on a mother/daughter cruise together a few years ago and had a blast! From the moment we boarded the ship to the minute we got home we laughed ourselves stupid.(mostly Peg's antics with the crewmen, but that's another blog altogether.)

 

 

We spent 7 days eating,drinking shopping, sight seeing and gambling, (O.K. maybe I was the only one gambling and drinking). We spent hours talking, sharing and bonding but it was bitter sweet. You can't tell by the picture but Peg's health was not good. She was seriously ill and we all knew this would probably be the last time she would be able to travel like this.

  I knew I was experiencing something very special.

   Not long after we got home and as Peg's health declined she began clearing out her sewing room and gave me some of her fabric. Among it was several yards of gorgeous vintage upholstery fabric; black and red with an Asian theme.  Of all of the projects that I have "put off" this one has bothered me most. I vowed that day that I would make something special for my sister-in law with the fabric. She loves pocketbooks and purses and has an eclectic collection. I decided I would make her one as a tribute to her mother and a memorial of our cruise.

Of course I never finished it. I did everything but put the shoulder strap on and it has sat in my "closet" since 2009

Here it is Tamara! I finally finished it!

I'll get it to you soon!

Enjoy!

 xoxo

American Girl

Well here she is,

 American Girl  Doll 

modeling the

 Finally Finished dresses that were started last summer. Thanks to my niece (and namesake) Jackie for loaning  me her kid's doll.  I promise to return it soon. (I still have a few more half done outfits to complete) 

McKenna and Nina

These outfits will go to my great nieces McKenna and Nina. They were supposed to get them last Christmas but I guess I'll give them to them now . As the old saying goes, "better late than never" right?"Let’s face it kids get too much for Christmas anyway. 

      I have to say this project was actually fun for me.  Dressing the doll brought back memories of my own doll playing days. I must admit though while brushing American Girl's hair I had to resist the overwhelming urge to cut it. You know give her bangs or even put her hair in a ponytail and then cut it off.  What little girl doesn’t eventually do that? I managed to resist that temptation. 

      As a  youngster I played with dolls alot longer than most kids I think. I’m sorry to say those days didn’t end well. It all started when Barbie was having a party with her friends. Before she knew it Ken and some of his friends arrived. Then  G-I Joe ( who is short but  mighty ) showed up  uninvited  with a group of his buddies.  Well pretty soon the party took a bad turn. Nurse Barbie turned into Dirty Barbie and well, you know how the rest of that story.

Have a great day.

 Peace and Love,

Enjoy the final days of Summer



     

Cheers! (or should I say Chairs)

 If being a procrastinator isn't bad enough I am also a obsessive "thriftor". I like nothing better than to spend my spare time (and money) scouring second hand stores, consignment stores and thrift shops. This of course only adds to my procrastination tendencies for the obvious reasons. (no time)  Many of the items I buy need work. i.e painting, stitching or cleaning. Those things, to Bob's delight are stored in my cellar waiting their "refurbishing". Bob by the way has expressed concerns about me becoming a hoarder.....I say peshaw! Don't worry you will see them all in time as they are part of my commitment here. Other things thankfully are ready to wear or use. Here is the chair I bought at the Second Glance yesterday. I love it. It was a steal at only $15.00. It is sturdy, clean and matches my living room. 
    Second Glance thrift shop is my daily stop on the way home. they are on facebook too.
     Last month I entered a chair re-conditioning contest there. All proceed went to the local food pantry. Check out my entry on my finally finishing facebook page to see the results.(link located above this page on right.  Don't forget to "like me")  SPOILER ALERT.....NO I DIDN'T WIN although my mother thinks I should have.

Burning the Midnight Oil



Then



I have come to accept that I do indeed need accountability in some shape or form to get anything done. Why I can't finish anything remains a mystery. Sunday night I dragged my sorry butt  into bed; remote control in one hand and an Oreo Klondike Bar in the other. I clicked through the stations but before I could settle on anything this Blog and the unfinished potholder surfaced. I tried my best to put it out of my mind but NO CAN DO. I wiped the chocolate from my hands and FINALLY FINISHED the potholder from 1981.

 

Now

Where did the time go? 

Stay tuned for the American Girl Doll dresses. I am waiting to borrow a doll to model them. If that doesn't happen soon I'll put them up anyway. See you soon, Peace and Love!

 And as they used to say on one of my favorites T.V. shows way back when:

 Be safe,

Sgt. Stan Jablonski of

 "Hill Street Blues"

 It's a jungle out there. Let's do it to them before they do it to us.

"ONE" is the Lonliest Number

Surprise! Look what we have here! A half finished potholder with my son John's hand print from 1981. I found  this relic while I was searching in the bowels of my basement for the black fabric I will need to complete yet another project. The surprise wasn't really that I found this potholder but that I would make one. I don't cook so I have little need for it and this was years before I "groomed" Bob for such tasks. It must have been a gift for my mother. Who else would give a hoot about how cute my kid's chubby little hand is? This project will present many challenges. First off it is discolored, stained and very dirty, not to mention trying to camouflage the popular 70's early 80's orange and gold palate.  Martha Stewart will have to advise me. In the meantime as not to show favorites or hurt feelings  I  invite you both, Meagan and Justin to stop by anytime and let me trace your hand print too. Of course that will make for two big-ass potholders.



Probably around 1981 when the said handprint was taken.
Once again stay tuned for the finished project.
Peace and Love



The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Well, Lest you think that I am perfect; today I will dispel that notion. I would like to talk about the Good, The Bad and the Ugly. No I am not talking about  the Clint Eastwood movie or about  my family for that matter. I am talking about attempts and results. It would be easy to tell you only of my successes. Sure you could go on thinking everything I do is easy. Not so! Here are three examples of what I mean.



THE GOOD

O.K. these little Mary Jane style booties are good. I started them when my daughter told me she was pregnant. Again, I was sure it would be a girl.....fast forward. It was not a girl so this week I finished sewing them up and added the tiny pearl buttons. They will go to the next baby girl I hear about.

*********

THE (MY) BAD


The Bad, no these darling booties are not bad but I am. You see my mother made these for my daughter 32 years ago. When I saw them they were exactly the way they are now. I offered to sew the buttons on for her because I had some and she didn't.......well you guessed it. I never got around to it and they stayed in my top dresser drawer all there years.  Oops. Oh well I will put the buttons on today.Hey, I'm sorry, I got busy. If you see Lucille, please don't let on.

**********

YOU GUESSED IT!
THE UGLY

 Yes, you are seeing this right. I don't know what happened. I have made baby UGGs before and they came out fine. So when my friend was pregnant with twins I decided to make pink wool UGGs for her little winter babies. Needless to say they didn't get sent and I never made the second pair.  I don't know where I went wrong. I guess I should have checked the gauge (or put down the wine).  If you know of a baby with one foot size 0 and the other size 7 let me know. I will send them along. (anonymously of course) Or second thought I may  just make another right one FOR ME; I am sure it would fit perfectly.
 Peace and Love....Please leave a comment so I know you were here. Feel free to follow me and tell me about your projects or anything else for that matter.









 

Project Runway!!!!

     Models ( neices) Anita Rose and Mailee model Summer dresses; one of the completed projects from Finally Finishing. Could they be any cuter? I am happy for the most part with the results and have learned alot. I do have a few more dresses in the works but they are for infants so I will hold off. (unless of course I become a grand-mother again anytime soon that is....hint,hint, hint.)  Thanks Ladies!  

    

Christmas In July was not as productive as I had hoped.

I only finished three things.  Bob's stocking (a 10+ year unfinished project) is done. My mom helped me master the 4 double pointed  needle knitting technique. Like everything in life

"it isn't hard once you fiqure it out."

Thanks Mom!  

Am I supposed to fill this thing now? I guess I shouldn't have made it so big.

       Merry Christmas Bob !!!
      ******************* 

I will need to borrow an American Doll so that I can post pictures of the two dresses that I am working one. Anyone???  One is complete now and the other one is almost there.
    So now it is time to "shake my bootie"...Oh don't be scared, I'm not talking about "MY BOOTIE"  that would be disturbing on so many levels. I mean baby booties. Apparently I went through a rather extensive "bootie" stage. I will gather the countless pair and put on the finishing touches.  These will be donated to the Appalachian Outreach Project!!!            Thanks, Keep Cool!

149 Shopping (Finishing) Days Until Christmas

     Here is the second dress finished and ready to wear. I think my sister's daughter Mailee will get this one too. It appears to be her size. It was definately easier to make than the first one. My machine cooperated  and I did alot by hand. Thanks to Mrs. Bradstreet, my 8th Grade Home Economics teacher; she would be so proud. I hand gathered the top and used the blind stitch for the hem. (I now know why it is called the blind stitch. I had to take off my bi-focals to see and without them I am blind... (as my father would say "too bad the neighbors ain't.")
      I am convinced now more than ever that Home Economics classes should be offered in school to any students who wants to learn the basic skills.
     Next up is the first of several American Girl outfits that I am determined to finish once and for all and before my neices Nina and McKenna are too old to want them. It took me a while to detangle the yarn and find the crochet hook but I did it. Why didn't I finish these you ask? You would think because the AG doll clothes are small that they would be easy right? You would be wrong. Its not so much that the patterns are small, its that my hands are so darn big. 
     See you soon! What are you finishing these day? Let us know so we can support you!

Christmas In July

 Could anything be cuter?  Here, my neice, miss Mailee models my 3rd finished project. I certainly learned a lot on this one so I expect the next to be a little bit easier (and quicker )  I have to admit to feeling a sense of accomplishment getting things done.

     Today I lifted an old Target bag out of the closet and low and behold it had not one but two partially done, American Girl outfits that I had started for Nina, and McKenna. Well they didn't make it under their tree last year but I hope to get them there this year! So, I guess it is time to announce my Christmas in July Bonanza.  Some of the things to be completed are Christmas stocking I started for Bob many years ago but dropped because I didn't know how to knit with double pointed needles (I  have since had a tutorial with my mother and can now continue on. A gorgeous pocketbook for someone special that only needs handles put on and a pair of no sew pillows. (I shouldn't be allowed on Pinterest)  Oh, and was I really going to make a pine cone centerpiece? I must have although I have no memory of collecting pine cones or buying the wire, frame etc. Finding the directions for these projects is the real challenge.
     So long for now, this little elf has got her work cut out for her for a while.
            Merry Christmas and Peace to All!!!!

One Down.....So Many To Go!

     Well, I now know why I don't finish anything. It is hard. I don't like to do hard things. I figured this out way back in the 5th grade when I joined the Riverdale Drum and Bugle Corp. I wanted to play the Glockenspiel but "No Can Do" Mr. Bradford talked me into the Bugle. It was too hard.  I never got the hang of the whole concept "tongue, spit and blow"   I quit two weeks later. That may have been the beginning of not staying with anything.
     That said, putting this dress together was hard. I know I made it more difficult than it had to be. I do that! You see I am a perfectionist when  comes to some things and handmade things is one of them. It needs to be perfect.  'Every stitch in place. I've been accused of being controlling too. I guess I am.  So needless to say putting this together took a long time. First of all my sewing machine is smarter than I am. I need to go back and read the instruction booklet. It is a new machine; the Brother -Project Runway Model -Limited Edition. It does everything but I don't know how to use it. So before I put the next dress together I will study the manuel. I hope this little dress fits Mailee! It really is a pretty!

      Going through my closet and seeing everything that needs my attention is overwhelming. This endeavor of mine may take the rest of my life.(depending on how long I live I guess) I have to admit though, it feels good to finish something.

Addressing the Dresses

Back to the closet!   I know before I get there what comes next. Sun dresses....The sun dresses I started over a year ago on a whim. I remember being inspired by a memory of a dress I had made for my daughter Meagan 30 years ago. I had seen the pattern in one of the woman's magazines that I read at the time. Maybe it was Family Circle or Good Housekeeping, I can't recall. It was a free pattern and we were broke.  It had a dainty,  crocheted, cotton bodice with an attached skirt. It came out beautifully; whenever Meagan wore it we got compliments and comments. So inspired by the gorgeous fabric that I saw at PearlSOHO in NYC the last time I was there, I bought some and went to work.
Yup you guessed it. After I started and as soon as the hard part was done, I once again, for whatever reason, abandoned the idea and stored it away for another day. Funny, "another day" never came........ until today. So here I go, into the depth of the closet in search of the bag of beautifully crocheted bodices and the tower of  matching fabric.(which by the way has already been washed and pre-shrunk).  Of course the names of the recipients have  changed. They outgrew the dresses before they were made, but thats o.k. The first completed dress  goes to my sister's daughter Mailee! (If it fits!)  Bear with me and wish me luck .


Crocheted with 100% cotton. I have three sized ready to go and two more in the making.



Here it is the fabric selection all pre-shrunk and ready to go.