A very self centered post

I never realized how much I enjoy my mobility. I don't watch mindless television and movies without having some other project going on. What follows is my descent into madness following the week after my foot surgery.

Day 1-2: "My assistant is so cute. I totally have to keep this quilt because of how well it fits us both."

Day 2-4: "I am a horrible dog owner," thoughts with intermittent, "I am so bored and nobody likes me," thoughts.

Day 5-7: "I have to get out of here! Where is my husband? Why have I been cooped up here so long? I entered the Red Dress contest at patternreview.com and I'll be damned if I'm not going to finish that dress. Oh, AND my shirt a month project. OMG....I can't reach the remote and I can't watch this anymore! Make it all stop!"

Now: Some house destruction but I am able to move and not elevate my foot constantly. The stitches come out on Tuesday and I should be able to take care of myself then. It is so hard being at everyone elses' mercy. Thank you all for your blogs because they were my lifeblood this week. Also, thank you for the kind words and advice on taking it easy. Taking it easy almost killed me, but I bet it will pay off in the end.

And I did get a small bit done on both a shirt fix that will have to count and that red dress. You'll see them soon as I have a deadline!

Oh yeah, and my assistant and I voted we do keep the quilt. :-)

This is sewing on drugs

Since Friday I have been tortured by your blogs. Awesome Simplicity's, new Craftsy courses, must have projects and I can't do any of it!

Instead I am keeping my foot above my heart and watching all the Downton Abbeys available to me. OK, you guys nailed it with that. I love Downton Abbey.

The breakdown of damages so far:
Gertie's Starlet Suit Jacket class - I had to have it. I was torn between her and the couture dressmaking class. I went with Gertie. I got it for $25 somehow too through my phone. How could I not? I have a link for another $25 class if anyone wants it, e-mail me.

Then I went to Fabric.com. I want to make a white Violet shirt, and they are having a great Red, White and Blue sale. I also wound up with some navy charmeuse, navy linen blend and clear elastic. I am thinking of doing the OohLaLa Pin Up sew along, or even just a bra like Dixie's, so I bought the charmeuse. I may make a shirt out of it though.

But the Simplicity!!! Oh they are so pretty this season. Cynthia Rowley really appeals to my painkiller-fueled sewing self.



I don't know why that is fuzzy, but if Mr. Thinks He Can catches me blogging with my foot down I am toast! Anyway, this is my very favorite: Simplicity 1872! I love the dresses, especially the one on the bottom. I may need to alter the poofy sleeve so it doesn't look so little girlish. I also love the shirt! I may need one for my Shirt A Month challenge. It may need to be of navy charmeuse. I may need one of my sneaky friends to sneak it to me right this second because I just want to look at it!!!



Simplicity 1882 is very appealing to me. I could see this one in a number of styles. I've never made one of their Amazing Fit line garments before, but I may have to try it.

There are a few more cute ones. A great Project Runway shirt dress, and I like the Lisette bags. Strangely enough I do not care for the Lisette garments as much this time. They seem boxy. I'm sure someone will make them up and change my mind though. 

My one year sewing anniversary

It was about this time last year that I signed up for Sewing Boot Camp at the very sorely missed Sew Crafty in Houston. I whizzed through the three weekends in which I made a pair of pajama pants, a clutch and a tote bag. I took all three items with me everywhere to show off because I was so darn proud of myself.

Excuse the wrinkles here. I have caught a virus that has knocked me out and am home today instead of at work. Because of my chills last night, I wore this huge and comfy pair of pants to bed last night. These are the pajama pants I made at boot camp. I have worn the heck out of them and still have the pattern in case I want to make more.

The way the class was set up, we picked out fabrics the store had available, what inspired me to go with lime green is beyond me, but I won't ever be hit by a car wearing these!

Here is my first tote. It is so simple! I still use this, but not as often as some of my fancier bags I have made now.

Check it out...my first French Seam. I remember my teacher, Ruthie, telling us if we ever want to be on Project Runway we had to know a French Seam or we would be kicked off. Obviously I committed all advice in the class to memory!

After boot camp I proceeded to take enough classes to get me going, but when the doors closed I was forced out on my own for the most part. Through that I have developed my own skills, made new friends and learned a lot.

There have been epic fails.

I have made great gifts for friends and family.

There have been battles that made me want to quit! Don't even ask me if I have worn the beast yet...

I even bought a serger and rock that regularly!

And finally I made a quilt. I know it is a whirlwind look back, but on days when I'm frustrated or down because I am stuck, it helps to remember how far I have come.

It has taken a lot of time, work, people lending a hand and a little more money than I'd like to admit to become proficient with sewing, but it has been a great ride. Thanks readers for all your positive feedback and great ideas! You all mean a lot to me.