Sunday, December 12, 2010

More Problems...

Once again, I am without a computer. The laptop I took on after my own fizzled and died, has now done the same thing. So now, in order to get my blog 'fix', I have to jump on whatever computer I can. There have been quite a few 'awww Mom's!' around here lately, as I gently muscle my way onto my kids computers. ( I don't see a problem with that, do you?) So needless to say, the likelihood of me posting many ( if any ) blog posts in the days leading up to Christmas is very low. I will do what I can, whenever I can, until I get another laptop of my own. Personally, I am hoping that Santa thinks I have been a very good girl this year, and on Christmas Morning I will find a shiny new laptop under my tree!

So, in case I am not able to post again before the holidays, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to each of you and your families. I hope the new year brings health and happiness to one and all!

Anne

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Wheezy's New Wardrobe

In keeping with my last post, today I'm going to show you my latest puppy project! Remember Wheezy? Cassandra's new mini dachshund?


Well, as part of Cassandra's Christmas gift, I made Wheezy a new wardrobe!


They fasten around his neck and belly with velcro.





Aren't they cute? I hope Cassandra likes them. The red/skulls, and the blue/happyfaces are flannel, the flames are cotton. I lined them all with two layers of flannel for warmth. I used Simplicity 2393.



This pattern was extremely quick and easy. If he was a girl I would have trimmed them up pretty, but, since he's male, he'd probably have a problem with that! I settled for putting his initial on two.

With the weather we are enjoying (enjoying?) today, he will certainly need them.



We are expected to get 20-30cm (about 8 - 12 inches) every twelve hours for the next two days....

Maybe the next coats should be fur lined. With flashing lights.

And stilts. TALL stilts.

Merry Christmas! Anne

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Sunday, November 28, 2010

Bling....

Everybody needs a little, right? Tonight, I decided that applied to dogs as well. Mercedes needed a new collar, and with black fur, her new black collar wasn't leaving much of an impression. I searched through my button box, and came up with a package of sew-on pink 'crystals'. It seemed like a match made in heaven.
(isn't my new tea towel cute? My son's girlfriend Rachel gave it to me)


Since I am the Queen of easy crafts, I decided this was the project for me! Wait, did I say it was easy? No. Definitely not. It was very difficult, very tiring work. Here, I'll show you...

First, you try the collar on your long suffering, completely disgusted (but oh so co-operative) dog.



Now doesn't she look happy? When you have the correct fit, take the collar off, and put a pin close to the slide. You don't want the collar to get bigger or smaller while you are sewing. I spaced the crystals out as evenly as I could, but naturally I ended up being at least one short. Figures. Oh well, I think it turned out fairly well and I'm happy.






Mercedes LOVES it. She practically BEGGED me to take her picture in her new finery. Really! I only had to bribe her with one treat, to make her sit still. (she was too busy showing off to Abby, to hold still for a photo session)





I'm pretty pleased with her fancy collar. I looked at similar ones in the pet store for up too $20.00! I love my dogs dearly, but I can't see spending that much on a collar. One down, one to go. Abby, that means you're next!


She's beside herself with joy. Really. She's thrilled. Can't you tell?


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Monday, November 22, 2010

What I Did On The Weekend

I've been dying to make up these two patterns for myself for weeks. But, for one reason or another, it didn't happen. This weekend, I decided that nothing else would get done until I made them! There is just something so satisfying in making your own clothing. I love starting with a piece of fabric, and turning out an item of clothing. (it sounds silly, but it almost has a magical quality to it.) What makes it even better, is that no one else will have the same clothing that you do! I made both of these tops in one afternoon/evening. Both patterns are very quick and easy to sew. Perfect for when you feel the need for something new to wear, but don't want to spend long hours at the sewing machine.

The first one I made is from Jalie #2921, scarf collar top.


I bought the cotton knit jersey fabric for two dollars at Goodwill last week. It is wonderfully soft and comfortable.


Please forgive the crappy pictures. It was so overcast today, and even the house lights didn't seem to improve things. I carried Annie all over the place, looking for better light.


You can see my black gloves peeking out at the neckline, lol. I needed more stuffing, because the center of the collar kept sinking in.

The second top I made is from Kwik Sew #3756. I love the neckline on this top.


I've had the fabric I used for this top for quite awhile. I'm finally breaking into my stash, and making a very small dent in it. Only about one hundred pieces to go, lol! But, I'm sure I can find something to sew!




Annie seems to have a bit of a lurch to her stance. I think she may have gone out for a drink or two after I put her away for the night!



The colour hasn't shown up very well in the picture. It is actually a nice mauve-y taupe.




I love the pussy willow print. I will definitely be making both of these tops again, probably more than once!

I can't resist leaving you with a glimpse of what greeted me when I went to bed last night.



Abby had crawled into our bed and made herself comfortable. Heaven only knows how she manages to get herself under the covers. The orange porcupine, (we call it 'baby') goes everywhere with her. She treats it like her baby, grooming it and protecting it from everyone. We have other toys for both dogs, some of them stuffed animals. I have no idea why she decided to be mother to a porcupine!


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Wednesday, November 17, 2010

It's a Start....

With Christmas looming on the horizon, I realized that I had better get myself motivated and start some Christmas sewing! So this morning I rummaged through my stash (and believe me, it took ALL morning!) and found some cute floral cottons to make aprons and matching chef's hats for my two youngest nieces. I know they love to help Mommy and Daddy in the kitchen, so I think these will make the perfect gifts for them. I didn't have a pattern, just made things up as I went along. I think they turned out fairly well.


Both aprons are reversible, making them two aprons in one!


Looks like a cupcake, doesn't it?


The hats make me laugh. They are so cute! I hope the girls like them!

So. Two gifts down, only about a dozen to go! What shall I make next?....

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